Snailkiller

It is our last night in CA.  We are sad to leave our family and friends but we shall be back in Dec.  We had so much fun.  Tonight, we had dinner with Hong’s family.  We had lunch earlier with Jasmine, Grant, Liz and Meredith.  Thanks to those of you who called us and made time to see us.  For some more pics see the album to your left titled "Last Week in CA."

School starts for me after Labor Day.  This year, I am participating in the Women’s Law Journal, taking some cool classes like Intellectual Property and International Commercial Arbitration and working on the Asian Law Student Association board.  When we get back to Madison, I have to prepare for seven interviews the weekend of 9/7-9/8 for law jobs in summer 2007.  Pretty exciting.  We’ll see how things go and where Hong and I will end up next summer- hopefully Cali but perhaps Chicago or NY??? 

We fly out of Oakland tomorrow at 9 a.m.  I know, I know- NO liquids allowed for my carry-ons. 

See you all soon.

XOXO- NV

Hong and I got into Oakland on 8/9- right before the terrorist stuff happened.  We’ve been spending lots of time with family.   Hong’s dad has been spoiling us with yummy Chinese pastries and dim sum every morning.  We celebrated my neice Kalysta’s b-day last weekend.  Then on Mon, we left the bay for So Cal- we hit Bakersfield to see Phil and his new baby Anthony.  Then we visited Hong’s sis in Orange County…..went to a buffet where we gorged on sushi, chinese food, seafood, thai food, and vietnamese food.  It was an international buffet.  I also bought some "ugly dolls" at the Giant Robot store in Santa Monica.  We visited our college buddy Fernando and his wife Mari tonight and gave their son the Moxy Ugly Doll:
My little bro Russell will be getting the Chuckanucka doll. 

CHUCKANUCKA

Aren’t these dolls just darling???  We also made it to Disneyland and hung out with Andrew, Paula and
Girard.   My favorite ride is the Buzz Lightyear ride- it’s like a
giant video game- my highest score was 187,000.  SOOOOOO fun.  We sure
miss our Madison home but being here makes us so happy.  We have been
calling people day by day because we just don’t know what we’ll be
doing because of family requests so thanks to those who have made time to see us at our
last-minute requests.  We also visited my cousin’s new house- it is
beautiful and so perfect for her family.  As always, she cooked us
yummy Hmong food.  We also made it to San Diego on Thurs and Fri to
visit my law school sista Emily….We spent most of the days at the
beach but then went bouldering with Emily on Fri.   It was fun but
challenging.  Hong is a natural.  For his b-day in June, I got him a
year’s membership to a rock climbing gym in Madison so I think he will
be having lots of fun this coming year. 

I know my post is not chronological because we have done so much since we’ve been back.  Oh yeah, we also went to eat sushi at Happy Sashimi in Pinole.  Excellent service and sushi.  I loved the desserts.  I definitely recommend it for a low-key evening out.

I also got my haircut as soon as I got back.  I go to Oxen Rose in SF which I cannot brag enough about.  (http://www.oxenrosesalon.com/)  The guy I saw gave an amazing head massage.  The salon also moved to a new Hayes Valley location which is just beautiful.  Inside is a loft setting with exposed red brick and wood beams.  I drank tea while I waited for my appointment.  The guy I saw cut my hair and styled it then cut it some more.  I love when they do that because I get to see what it looks like styled and get to make changes before they finish. 

We also ate King Eggroll today in San Jose.  The best eggrolles EVER!!!  They have a few locations but we go the Berryessa location.  Omigod- my mouth is watering just thinking about the eggrolls and their accompanying dipping sauce. 

Anyways, we have one more week in Cali….Hong and I are hitting Napa for wine tasting on Tues.  I know most people are working but we would love company if you happen to be off that day.  Call me if you can come. 

I’ll give more updates soon.  See pics in the "In Cali" and "In Cali 2" folders on the left.  XOXO- NV

In honor of my last day of work, I stayed up late and am writing this blog.  Hong and I cleaned up our apt tonight and do our walkout tomorrow morn.  I was taken to lunch Wed, Thurs, and Fri by co-workers.  I also have the chance to return to MN this summer which is such a good deal because they rarely ask summer clerks back.  I really can’t wait to be a full-fledged attorney.  To practice in MN, I  must take the bar or practice 5 years in WI then I can practice in MN  without taking the bar. 

I return to CA on August 9th.  I have an itinerary…will mostly be hanging in the bay area and in Sac then driving down to So Cal for  aweek…Emily- we are coming soon!  We’ll see you on 8/17 and 8/18.  Jas- when are you free?  Ang- when are you free?  Liz, when are you free?  Patricia, when are you free?  I miss everyone.  I’ll post my itinerary so ya’ll can see when you can be visited by us. 

Did I tell you all that Hong and I went to the Myth club with Sue?  Myth Club is a suburban club- it was sooooo hot- DJ Irene was spinning, seating all around and tons of people….I am not too fond of rave music and it was no Dragon Bar in SF but it was cool.   

I have met so many cool folks in MN….I will miss all the Murnane folks.  I spoke with Cindy tonight and she is sooooo mature…she just got a job at United Artist so Hong and I are watching free movies all summer…Cindy is my youngest sister…she is soooooo cute and growing up too fast.  I miss her. 

Anyways, I just drank a whole bottle of wine in honor if my last day of work so I am pretty drowsy now. 

please, please write me and let me know how you are doing.  The law school keeps warning me to stop writing on blogs because employers will be checking but I keep doing it because I need to keep in touch with my beloved friends.  See how much I am risking for you?  So, please write me. 
XOXO- NV