The Help

Friday after my voice lesson, I usually like to go shopping by myself and have some Jenn time. I was at Costco, and I always like to browse around at the book section. "The Help" was featured as this season's book, and I have no idea what it's about. I usually only read fantasy book, Harry Potter, Leven Thumps, Fableheaven... etc. O, and Twilight series of course.

Anyway, I picked up the book and immediate after, this super excited lady walked up and said "This book is sooo good, you should read it." I then asked, " What is it about?" She was so sweet and basically gave me a load down on the book summery without giving away too much. I said thank you, and she was all smiles then moved on with her shopping. As I opened the book to read the summery, another lady walked by, pointed at the book. "OH! That's a very good one~!"

I was sold. HAHA. IF two random lady tells me it's good, why not give it a try. I bought the book, and I read about 70 pages, and I liked it so far. Although the book was written in the 1st person style, and it is written as how the southern United States people would talk. It took me a while to get used to it.

I thought learning English was hard,  it's just took me a little while to understand all of the " Ain't, I's, they's.. etc"  Here is an example, " Law help me, but something's gone have to be done."

so far so good, I like the stories, and learning about the Help's in Mississippi during the 60's.

I shall report back.

Going to Taiwan

We finally bought out plane tickets to go to Taiwan~!! YAY!! We are super excited, and can't wait to visit the family, and eat yummy food. We do, however, have a layover in Korea for 5 hours. Since out ticket was so cheap, we didn't care about the layover.

I talked to 2 of my co-workers that are from Korea, they told me that there is a Korean culture center where visitors can make their own souvenir. I thought that was neat, and something to look forward to. I once had a 4 hour layover in Toronto, it wasn't fun. I just watched movies, and people. 

This is what I am looking forward to. Fresh fruits

 

This is the dragon fruit, if you eat too much of it, your poop will turn red. 

 

Shaved ice with fresh fruits,and condensed sweeten milk

 

And hot pot of course.

Can't wait for all the yummy stuff~!!

My day off - Le Jour de President

It was super nice to sleep till 10:30 this morning, I was tired. Marie and her BFF ... and me of course, went to Shoga for lunch. They have the most amazing Tuna Tataki, it is well seasoned, and well seared. A la dente~! Also, I haven't have any Agedashi tofu that is as athentic as Shoga's. Anyway, Joey didn't end up coming, not sure what happened. But Marie and I were hungry, so we stayed anyway.

 

(Thanks Shoga.com)

 

All the food at Shoga is well plated, and they are not only pretty, they are also delicious. 

After Shoga, I went shopping. There was a suit jacket that I wanted from Banana Replublic, but it was close to $200. It's a bit pricy, so I have been saving for it. I went to the mall just to see if they still have it, so I can indulge myself in the store. Who knew, Presidents day sale is 25% off, plus additional 15% off for applying for BR credit card. I've always been hesitant applying for store credit cards, but I figure since I shop there so much anyway. Why not get points and discounts doing it?  

Back to the suit jacket, I got the jacket and the pencil skirt that goes with it. I actually bought the suit pants first, because that was all I could afford. The total today for the suit jacket and the skirt, $182 ~!! Less than the jacket cost. Love a good sale. Now i have the complete suit with the skirt, pants, and jacket~!

So, you might wonder what inspire me to buy such expensive suit. Well, suits are expensive to start with, and I just needed at least one suit for business occasion at work. Actually, the thing that really drive me to buy the suit is.... I was with my in-laws during Christmas, and we were at my father-in-law's office. We were going to have a conference call with our grandparents in Madagascar, but had couple minutes before the call. We got talkin' about business stuff, and he mentioned about one of his interviews with a prospect. This individual could probably have the job, but he/she didn't dress up. So he gave the job to another candidate that was in a suit.

so, here is the suit I bought today. And!!!! BR had it in Petite size!!!! It fits my arm pit area, and the boob seam is not at my billy button!!! Maybe some people's boobs are at their billy button, I don't know. Get a good pair of bra woman, take care of your girls!

 

(Thanks bananarepublic,gap.com)

I chose grey, because my hair is black. If i wear all black suit, it might be a little too dark. 

Anyway, good shopping day!

Happy Valentines Day / and the first day of year of the Tiger

Just a little recap on the Chinese new year pot luck at work. Can I just say I had a blast, and there are some amazing chefs within the Nu Skin Enterprises. I have no idea that there are so many Chinese in the company, and so many others that also embrace the Chinese traditions. Or, they might simply just enjoy the true home-made Chinese cuisine. I wonder if Dave post any of the photos up.

Today is Valentines day, and Steve gave me a dozen beautiful roses that resembles our wedding flowers. I've always love roses, and i love them even more when they are from the love of my life. My little Japanese turtle. I think Steve looks like this turtle, cuz the shape of it's head and thick eyebrow looks like Steve.

Tonight, Steve made an awesome rib eye steak, with green beans and rosemary seasoned red potatoes. I was so touched! The food was amazing, and I was really impressed with what he has made tonight. Although he burnt his hands, because he forgot the pan was in a 500F degree oven before he touched it. I feel really bad for his hands. He tried so hard.

We had one of the most romantic dinner in our house on Valentines day, there were roses, candles, nice glass to drink our Martinelli.  The dinner was only  $15 for the both of us. That's the steak, french green beans, the red potatoes, and a specialty ice cream. Usually in a restaurant, we could easily spent over $30. It was nice to eat in, and know that Steve is such an awesome cook!!

Happy Valentines day to all, may all of you find the special someone to do all the special things you want to do in life.

Happy Chinese New Year - Year of Tiger

This year's Chinese new year actually fell on the same day as Valentine's day. Since it's on a Sunday, my work friends decided to celebrate it on Friday~!

I am super stoked about this, because many people are bringing home made food. And I have been looking up some of the Chinese recipes online, and found some amazing stuff.  This is similar to something i am going to make for tomorrow! It's called " Ants go on a tree" (direct translation). It supposedly to look like ants crawling around. If it doesn't look like that to you, it's cuz this photo is a vegitarian style of this dish. Usually they have minced meat that are dark and little.... anyway....

 

(Thank you Christine for the photo)

We'll see how everything works out.

Adelaide's Lament

La Grippe, La Grippe, La post-nasal drip,
With the wheezes, and the sneezes, and the sinuses really a pip!

Guys and Dolls musical is one of my favorite musical from high school. I did a piece from the musical, " Sit down You're Rockin' the Boat" and had a lot of fun with it. This month I am working on  Adelaide's Lament from Guys and Doll, and I have to learn the New York Accent. Dave, my voice teacher is showing me how to sing "ugly". Since Adelaide is sick in this scene. I found a video that has one of the most awesome Adelaide. She's is so funny, her facial expression is priceless~! My fav' part is " ... See  note... see note?...oooo see note... hehehehe.."