Snailkiller

I am nearly finished with my exams- only one more to go- Con Law on Mon. Our Thanksgiving was fun- we had five people over for dinner. I cooked a turkey that turned out half-decent. We planned to have Thanksgiving with fam in MN but decided against it after realizing my finals were coming up.

We are leaving Madison to Oakland in 12/22. We’ll be there until 1/16 so pretty please e-mail me if you’re in Sac or bay area for the holidays cause I would love to hang out with folks. I must go dancing, eat a burrito, eat sushi, eat pho, drink pearl drink and go to Club Monaco. We have no concrete New Years plan yet but am hoping to do something in SF. So, if you wanna join Hong and I for New Years, lemme know.

I am going to Vienne, Austria in March for my International Commercial Arbitration moot court competition. I am uber-excited. I am also applying to a Chinese language program inTaiwan for next school year. It would be awesome to learn Chinese.

I have been studying so much lately. And downing at least two cups of coffee a day. But it’s all ending soon and I cannot wait to go home. One of my aunties passed away last week. She was close to my family and I wish I was home to attend her funeral this weekend.

During Thanksgiving, I crafted all my holiday cards. The problem is that my personal laptop died on me last week so I don’t have access to my addresses which were on that computer. I have been mailing cards to those whose address were handwritten in my addressbook. BUT, e-mail me your address so I can mail you a one-of-a-kind Nancy designed holiday card.

It’s gotten pretty cold here in Madison (40′ish degrees or lower). Today was sunny but chilly.

I know this update is pretty choppy. Maybe because it is 12:49 a.m. Hong is asleep- he’s been a bit sick lately. My schedule is all screwed up from my studying. During finals, I lose track of time because I spend nearly all my time reviewing or meeting in study groups. Plus, I have extracurricular things to worry about. Every Tuesday, I co-facilitate a Hmong Girls Group at the elementary school Hong works at. I work with about nineteen girls- kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. SOOOOOO cute. I love them. They make me laugh. We play silly games like “Virus-Antivirus” which is like “Mafia” except the virus is the killer and the anti-virus is the cop. They also like to draw.

So remember how I said Trader Joes has finally come to Madison? Well, TJ is so great. I am glad it’s here because now I can get the Indian food I love. $1.99 a box for very yummy and authentic Indian food. TJ also has this very delicious Orange, Mango, Peach juice. Love it!

There are a few updated photos under “Madison Winter.” Enjoy and see you soon should you have time to hang out with us. E-mail me: nanvue97@yahoo.com

XOXO- NV

I am nearly finished with my exams- only one more to go- Con Law on Mon. Our Thanksgiving was fun- we had five people over for dinner. I cooked a turkey that turned out half-decent. We planned to have Thanksgiving with fam in MN but decided against it after realizing my finals were coming up.

We are leaving Madison to Oakland in 12/22. We’ll be there until 1/16 so pretty please e-mail me if you’re in Sac or bay area for the holidays cause I would love to hang out with folks. I must go dancing, eat a burrito, eat sushi, eat pho, drink pearl drink and go to Club Monaco. We have no concrete New Years plan yet but am hoping to do something in SF. So, if you wanna join Hong and I for New Years, lemme know.

I am going to Vienne, Austria in March for my International Commercial Arbitration moot court competition. I am uber-excited. I am also applying to a Chinese language program inTaiwan for next school year. It would be awesome to learn Chinese.

I have been studying so much lately. And downing at least two cups of coffee a day. But it’s all ending soon and I cannot wait to go home. One of my aunties passed away last week. She was close to my family and I wish I was home to attend her funeral this weekend.

During Thanksgiving, I crafted all my holiday cards. The problem is that my personal laptop died on me last week so I don’t have access to my addresses which were on that computer. I have been mailing cards to those whose address were handwritten in my addressbook. BUT, e-mail me your address so I can mail you a one-of-a-kind Nancy designed holiday card.

It’s gotten pretty cold here in Madison (40′ish degrees or lower). Today was sunny but chilly.

I know this update is pretty choppy. Maybe because it is 12:49 a.m. Hong is asleep- he’s been a bit sick lately. My schedule is all screwed up from my studying. During finals, I lose track of time because I spend nearly all my time reviewing or meeting in study groups. Plus, I have extracurricular things to worry about. Every Tuesday, I co-facilitate a Hmong Girls Group at the elementary school Hong works at. I work with about nineteen girls- kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. SOOOOOO cute. I love them. They make me laugh. We play silly games like “Virus-Antivirus” which is like “Mafia” except the virus is the killer and the anti-virus is the cop. They also like to draw.

So remember how I said Trader Joes has finally come to Madison? Well, TJ is so great. I am glad it’s here because now I can get the Indian food I love. $1.99 a box for very yummy and authentic Indian food. TJ also has this very delicious Orange, Mango, Peach juice. Love it!

There are a few updated photos under “Madison Winter.” Enjoy and see you soon should you have time to hang out with us. E-mail me: nanvue97@yahoo.com

XOXO- NV

The weather’s been getting colder.  It’s really pretty with all the golden red colors.  School has been a whirlwind for me.  I am done with my moot court competition and now have another chance to compete in a moot court in Vienna or Hong Kong.  This moot court is on International Commercial Arbitration.  I am finding that I am much more of a corporate minded person than I thought I was.  Starting next week, I will be volunteering at Hong’s school and leading some lunch buddy talks with Hmong 3rd and 5th graders.  These are mostly girls who are part of the new Hmong refugee resettlement in Madison.  Things that have changed since school started:

- Our living room is now a steel, mossy green color (no longer burgandy)
- Hong has started drinking soy milk
- Trader Joes has come to Madison
- We have two new blue arm chairs
- We have orange bed sheets
- Nancy saw a millepede in the bathroom (ewwww!!!)
- Hong dressed up as a detective for Halloween
- New condos have been built across the parking lot

I am attending a conference in Philadelphia next weekend. Hong is coming along to vacation.  If anyone has any suggestions for things to do while in Philly, lemme know.

We plan to come back to CA for X-mas.  Hong’s nephew is getting married in Jan.

New pics have been posted in the "Fall Update" folder.

Miss you all…please send us an update.  We’d love to hear from you.

XOXO- NV

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

Yo!  My summer law job is over in four’ish weeks then Hong and I head home to CA for a short visit.  We went to the Hmong Soccer Tournament this past weekend.  It is a huuuuuge annual sporting event.  We got lots of sun and I gorged on spicy papaya salad.  YUM!  We also went to Bunker Hill water park and watched fireworks from Indian Mound park.  Yep- we are quickly integrating into the Twin Cities.  We basically eat at two Vietnamese restaurants and one good Mexican restaurant while living here.  We also hang out with my cousins Minna and Meetas nearly every weekend.  They are super hospitable and cool.

See three recent pics of Hong and I under "St.Paul Summer."  Let me know how you are doing- nanvue97@yahoo.com

I just finished reading Love by Toni Morrison- am amazing book!  So refreshing and stunning.  You must read it….it is short.  I love Junior!  He is how all men and women should be like.

Well, I watched 24 last night.  Omigod!  WTF!??  Hong figured out the pen thing.  Smartie pants.  But now, what are the Chinese gonna do with Jack?  I can’t wait for next season.

I have been thinking about getting my hair cut but I am scared to try a new salon since I love Oxen Rose in SF…perhaps I will wait until I come back home?

XOXO- nancy

My last final is tomorrow.  Then, I spend five crazy days writing to get onto Law Review which if I get on, is one of the most prestigious things a law student can do.  I found out I am working in St. Paul, Minnesota this summer with the Murnane Brandt law firm.  Hong and I will be living in Minneapolis- about 10 minutes from St. Paul.  We are really excited.  I am working from May 22-July 28th and then we are visiting friends in New York for two-ish weeks in the beginning of August then California for last two weeks in August.  We subletted our place to this law student who will be working for the police dept. He seems responsible and cool- he already gave us pro-rated rent checks.  I will miss not being in our Madison home this summer since I hear Madison is so fun during the summer.  Hong built me a crazy large closet in our bedroom and I haven’t organized my clothes since we will be moving this summer.  I am sort of sad about that too.  Also, we are going to get cats.  Since we won’t be in Madison this summer, we will be getting our two cats in the fall.  YAH!  I love cats- they are not needy yet there when I need them.  They also clean themselves and they are quiet.  We would love a dog too but our schedules are too crazy to have dogs. 

Anyways, post a note letting me know your summer plans.  We look forward to seeing you all when we get to CA.  Please save the date so we can hang out. 

Love, Nancy

YaaaH!  I made it.  My last day of classes is Wednesday the 26th, I will have three finals and THEN- I AM DONE with my first year of law school.  It has been a fun, hectic year.  I have been interviewing for legal jobs and will be working with a firm in Madison, Milwaukee or Minneapolis.  I should find out by May 1st at which date I shall let you all know so you may visit us this summer.  It is 3:23 a.m.  I starting having nightmares about finals and had to get up.  A new photo album, has been added: "UW Friends TWO."

I have to say that law school has been the best decision I have ever made- besides going on a road trip with Hong which led to our couplehood.  Other than that- law school has been all I expected it would be.  My professional options are now so much more flexible and broad.  Three years and a bar exam or two and I’m set.  I can’t wait to finish and start working. 

Well, I will be MIA for thenext few weeks and perhaps this summer.  I hear the firm life can be crazy.

But please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.

Love, Nancy