Mom, Boat and Life

Point form...let's recap!

--so, my mom has come to visit and stay with me for about 2 weeks. A couple of things I discovered:
...mom doesn't like to do tourist-y stuff. She rather go grocery shopping or stay home and cook for me and clean my place (even though I already cleaned it before she arrived, but she still said the place was fifthy!!)
...mom thinks dim sum in Seattle sucks
...mom thinks Seattle's Chinatown is not even open when I drove her there. Yup, welcome to the deadest Chinatown I know.
...mom thinks grocerys are very expensive here in the US
...mom thinks that no one walks the streets here (I do live in the "suburbs" of Seattle)

--my sister and her husband came into Seattle around the 2nd week of mom's stay. This was very good timing cause I was running out of things to do with mom and that mom can also do things with them while I went to work. They mostly did outlet mall shopping at Northbend and Auburn, in which turns out, I get a pretty discount at one of them just cuz of where i worked.

--during our last evening together, after some last minute outlet mall shopping, I took them all out for dinner. Since everyone was sick and tired of Chinese Food, I took them to the most American place I know...Tony Roma's for some good BBQ ribs and chicken. They really enjoyed it!

--I was able to attend one of Albert Shen's annual singles parties. If you read back far enough, one year ago, in my blog, I went to his last one too. Its where I did that "speed dating" thingy. Anyways, that last one was where I met a lot of new people, who are now some of my most closest friends...so I knew not to miss this one. First off...no more speed dating at this one. Secondly, this party was JUST PACKED with people. Even though it was held at the same place as last year, you couldn't even move around in the crowd, which made it even harder to get to know people. Did meet a few new people, but nothing to write home (or this blog) about.

--this past week was also my company's holiday party. This year, it took place on a boat going around Lake Washington and just like last year, we had fake casino games to entertain us. I also brought my friend, Di along who had a wonderful time. Nothing dramatic to report. Just a good time on a 3 hour boat ride.

--afterwards (since it was only 10pm), we headed to a couple of bars in Kirkland. This night also marked the last night of co worker / former classmate Sheldon who, after 7 years of being away from his girlfriend, was moving back to Newfoundland to be with her. It was a great night of drunken fun. And I have pictures to prove it (coming soon!). You will be missed Sheldon. Good luck in whatever you do.

--next day, I got to have dinner with a few of the "other" Digipen class grads who work / live here because one of theirs was in town to visit. Doug was in town, so Vivek and Nate and Keith and Ryan and even myself and Sheldon came out for him. We ate at Claim Jumpers which is always too much food to eat.

--afterwards, I had a little social at Kona Kitchen for a little Toy Drive action. I brought the coolest toy too to give away, a dancing baby Winnie the Pooh. Anyways, this get together was okay. Not such a great turn out but had lots of fun Karaoking in front of perfect strangers. I sung a duet of "Time of My Life" with Li that knocked everyone's socks off! Yeah!!

--right now, I am completely exhausted from these past 2 weeks, especially with my mom's visit. Because when I wasn't out with mom, I was working very hard (and long hours) to make up for all the days off I took to be with mom. And then I had that xmas party! I am still very tired, wanting to go home early and sleep but its not going to happen anytime soon. In fact, tonite at midnight, I am going to go see Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King! I can't believe I agreed to this! I am going to die!!