Nhi's birthday

Today after work, drove to my uncle's house with my sister and my other siblings were there to have a low key steak dinner and cake. She is planning to have a party inviting a few of her friends to hang out and do girl talk stuff haha.

Asian New Year Weekend Recap

Year of the Rooster this year for the lunar new year aka Chinese New Year aka Tet aka Asian New Year... Whatever you can it, it was a time to celebrate. After social group work, went to do laundry at my parents house and the whole family was there. Hung out and ate lunch while getting my clothes cleaned, but nothing else that day.

The next day spent the day at my uncle's house to spend time with relatives, and to give money to the lil ones. Also played the crab game(loose translation) which is a gambling game that most  southeast Asians know about.

Friday workday

With Asian New Year happening on a weekend, came to work to give some red envelopes to my coworkers. I intended to also give it to the students as well, but they weren't on their best behavior, and my vibe wasn't feeling right just giving to them. I wanted to, but they have to earn it.

Got home after a meeting at work. Grabbed Taco Bell because I wanted to try a new item with a fried chicken shell. They ran out and didn't have it in stock, so I had to settle for something else.

Ended the day just playing video games. Tomorrow is the Tet and the year of the rooster.

Jan 26

Yesterday was a typical work day. Today was more of the same. After work I did go to the bank to get some one dollar bills. Also got some red envelopes to get ready for Asian New Year. It's the year of the rooster this year. Now chilling at home and watching the final New Edition Story tonight.

Recap of the past week

Forgot to write on this blog so I just give a short summary of each day up though today.

17th: back from work after the 3 day weekend.

18th and 19th: work

20th: work. After work, grabbed a drink (a big drink) with the co-worker to wind down the week at work

21st and 22th: Saturday morning worked with the other job for the usual social group. Did laundry before going over to Tony's crib for Bao's birthday dinner. Drank a lot of Jameson, so crashed at their hkuse, because I would be there the next day. Sunday watched the NFL playoffs games and ate leftovers from yesterday.

23rd: work, then got home and played some video games.

24th (today): nice weather for work and then chilled at home. Caught the New Edition Story on BET, which has been a while since I really watched a program on that channel. Supposed to be a 3 night event, so see how it goes.

Dallas Trip Day 3

Final day here in Dallas. So once again, another recap of the day's events:

• Woke up, took a shower and packed up before leaving the hotel.
• Ate at Bubba's. Missed out on the breakfast, but they are known for their fried chicken. I got the catfish and chicken tenders with some black-eyed peas. They were also gracious to give us a sample of their chicken fried steak, so another free piece of food. 
• Hit up the outlets. Got me a pair of shoes for under retail, and they were very comfy, which was a pleasant surprise.
• We then drove to another outlet which was close to the airport. One thing they had that I've never seen before was they had an area with a bunch of basketball courts with several youth league games going on inside the mall. Then ate at Chilli's to watch the Packers-Cowboys game before leaving to the airport.
• At the airport, there was a lightning and tornado warning, so the flight was delayed for around 3 hours. During the delay, we befriended a girl named Kyle. She was college student, so it was cool to meet her. It also helped passed the time since it was a new experience. 
• Got home later than expected, but got home safe. Unpacked my luggage and went to bed after that

Always a good time to share memories and experiences with those close to you and enjoyed all the things that happened on this particular trip, as well as the new people I met along the way. 

lunch

Fieldhouse

Club Lounge at the airport

Bye-bye Seahawks Beard

Started this trend a few years back to grow out my beard for the Seahawks. They been in the playoffs each of the past 5 years, with 2 Super Bowl appearances, and 1 Championship. So I think its been working out pretty well. I started growing it out on September 11, 2016 (which was the start of the 1st regular season game for the Seahawks for the 2016 season). Their season [sadly] ended on Saturday (1/14/17). Since I was on vacation at Dallas, I had to wait until I got back home to shave it.

The shave happened this morning after brushing my teeth. So I won't grow it out again at least until after my sister's wedding later this year. Well, I might not shave for a week, here and there, but dont plan to grow it out for this long.

Bye beard, you will be missed, although I will enjoy my food more without hair in my mouth.

before

after

Dallas Trip Day 2

After a night out, woke up and another list of what happened on the day:

• Got breakfast at a Vietnamese spot Dong Que to get food. I got some Bun Bo Hue and Peter and Tony got that pork chop with broken rice.
• The main reason for the trip was that Tony wanted to check out the KAWS exhibit, which was taking place at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. He wanted to go check it since it ends in late January, and we all wanted to check out a different city since we've never been to Dallas before. So we went there to see it.
• The KAWS exhibit was pretty cool. Took some pictures, and also entered a raffle for a chance to buy some KAWS items. I would either sell it to Tony at cost, or resell it, since it would be too expensive for me to keep. It was bigger than what I thought it was going to be, and lots of cool pieces to see. 
• Got back to the hotel to relax before finding a bar to watch the Seahawks game. Sadly, the Seahawks lose vs the Falcons, and knowing that I had to shave off my beard when I got back home. I'd been growing it out since the start of the NFL season. I was planning and hoping to have it until after the Super Bowl, with a Seahawks win of course
• We left the bar to drive over to Peter's sister's house for a steak dinner, as well as meet some her 2 kids. It was great to have a homemade dinner with good people. We watched the other football game that was going on, and had some drinks and shoot the breeze. 
• Instead of the strip club, we got back to the hotel room to decomposed before going to bed.

  

  breakfast

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  At Christie's Sports Bar for the game 

   

Happy Martin Luther King Day

It happens around this time each year every year, so not too much needs to be said. It is important to recognize to why this is something that needs to be celebrate, and need to spread more cheer and happiness in our society.

Dallas Trip Day 1

A bit over 2 weeks and obviously I am not writing every single day this year like I thought I could do, but I am doing my best to write often, which was the most realistic choice when I planned to use my blog more like the journal entries I used to do years ago. At least I got spell check instead of trying to guess how to spell a word or needing to use a different word choice instead.

Here is a recap of what went down on the first day in Dallas:

Thanks for the free pancake

• Took a red eyed flight from Sea-Tac to DFW (Dallas/ Fort Worth). I got the middle seat so I didn't get a good night's sleep on the plane. This trip consist of myself, Peter and Tony.
• After getting the rental car, drove to Peter's sister's house, which was about a hour away from the airport. We met his sister, and took a nap on her couch before getting brunch.
• Brunch was good, and we even got a sample of a cinnamon swirled pancake since we were out of towners (if that is a real thing people say). Also met her boyfriend, Kip. While there, we made plans to have dinner at their house the next night.
• Drove to the hotel to check in and chill for a while. I took another nap while the boys went to grab snacks and drinks. 
• Went to go eat some BBQ at Pecan Lodge. Very good brisket, and also had the itis after the meal. 
• After chilling at the hotel, went to Top Golf, which is a target zone style driving range, to hit some golf balls. It was pretty fun. Tried to use the batting cages, but it was closed for the night
• Went bar hopping at a few spots not too far from our hotel. Almost couldn't get in for wearing a hat (when other people were wearing them) and also because I had on some Jordans. 
• Ended the night after getting some In-N-Out burgers 

  

  Top Golf Action

  
  

  

  Brisket and Pulled Pork with some Collard Greens

Hump Day

The past couple of days have more or less been a typical run of the mill type of days. Waking up before sunrise such and leaving work when it sunset puts a damper on the rest of the day, but it has to be done.

I did pack up for my weekend trip to Dallas just so I can get it set and sort out what to bring and all that. I feel good about it and looking forward to it.

Case of the Mondays

This was the first Monday back, as I didn't have to work last Monday since it was an observed holiday with New Year's Day on the Sunday. Anywho, got through another regular work day and going to deal with a few more days before a boys trip for the MLK weekend.

Cook dinner, and made extra so I have lunch for tomorrow. Also watched most of the College football playoff championship game between Clemson and Alabama, with Clemson getting the win at the last second of the game, and a good game it was at that. Tomorrow gonna be colder, but it supposed to be dry.

And the Seahawks beard, which I have been growing out since the start of the regular season, is going strong. Will last though the trip, but the goal was to wait til the end of the season, after the Super Bowl.

Wild Card Weekend

Friday was another work day, but winding down on the first week back from break. Had a meeting after the kids got out, and then had another happy hour time with coworkers to celebrate a birthday as well. At least I ate before I started drinking, so was more aware of where I was at, as well as getting off at the right bus stop.

Saturday I was back doing work with a social group. It was the first time back since before the holiday break. It was cold, but dry outside all week. Later in the afternoon, went over to Tony's crib to set up and use his new gas BBQ grill and watch the Seahawks playoff game. A good win for them, and nice to hang out with the homies.

Sunday consist of going over to my parents house to do laundry and watch more football for the Wild Card games.

Cold Thursday

Didn't get much sleep and ended up maybe getting 4 hours of sleep before waking up this morning. I am blame on the fact it is getting frigid in the house and outside in the morning. At least I was able to get my stuff and get ready for another day at work.

The work day went pretty well, and even got out work a bit earlier than using, mainly because I had a quick meeting about doing something different when doing some one-on-one work in the future. I'll get it done tomorrow, no worries. After work, I got some fried Chicken and ate that for dinner.

Even though it isn't anything special, I do plan to make a blog post each day for the year, even if it just a regular day in my life.

Back at work

Totally forgot to write yesterday, so this will be about today as well as the day before.

Yesterday was the first day back to work after the time off. Didn't get much sleep from the night before, but it wasn't too bad waking up. It also help to lay out the clothes I was going to wear, which is a habit I picked up after college. I do this because I like to sleep as much as possible, and I do have a wide variety of choices to choose from, and don't have that time to pick and choose.  The classroom looked cleaned and it felt different for sure. It was cold inside as the building is over a 100 years old and takes a while to heat up the room. Also met some new staff in our classroom, and also no longer had Mr Peter aka Uncle Bub in our class working with us. Best of luck with your future endeavors.

The school day been more or less a typical day of craziness, but glad to be back with all the staff and students. but man is it cold outside, and inside too. After school our class heater, or something was making a loud banging noise, so I hope it doesn't blow up (probably won't, but still). It will nice once we get back into the groove of things and get the routine down a bit. But each day is a new day, and every day is an adventure, so I look to just make the best of it and enjoy the ride.

Extra day off

Last day off from work before I go back. It was nice to have 2 full weeks off, but it will take a few days to get back into the routine of things. Also be nice to see all the people I work it.

Watched football games all day, and pretty good ones at that, the Rose Bowl game in particular, since it was high scoring and back and forth throughout. After the games were done, I tried to prepare for tomorrow, and then browse the Internet before going to sleep. Or at least attempt to at a decent hour and not be up all night.

I just hope the cold doesn't screw things up for me.

First Day in 2017

Spend the day hanging out with family at my parent's crib to eat, and to watch football. It was the last week of the regular season in the NFL, and the Seahawks played and won a close game vs San Fran. They ended up with the 3rd seed for the playoffs, and will play the Detroit Lions at CenturyLink Field this coming Saturday for Wild Card Weekend.

I had a good time today. Watched anime and check the internet to end my day. I get tomorrow off work, which is nice, but it is also the last day before I get back to work.