In Memoriam

I just got back from New York after attending my uncle's funeral. It's the first funeral (thank goodness) that I have ever been to so I really have no basis for comparison, but damn my uncle knew a lot of people. The viewing had to be spreadout into 4 sessions over 2 days with a service during the last session. I only attended the sessions on the 2nd day, but I would estimate that there were probably around 400 ppl total who attended the viewings. At the last session with the service there were about 100 seats and they were all taken and the room was filled with people standing for the 1.5 hour service.

I learned a lot about my uncle over the past few days and it's sad it had to happen posthumously for him. I really wish that I had spent more time with him. Attending his funeral really made me think about what my funeral would be like if I dropped dead at this very moment (morbid thought, I know). First of all, can I say I led a fulfilling life? Definitely not. Granted that my uncle was twice my age, but still by the time he was my age I'm sure he had accomplished a lot more. Not only was a he a successful lawyer, he was a partner in three companies, president of an asian leadership organization in New York, had a HUGE guitar collection, had a passion for cars and motorcycles, avid skier, and a family man. I'm sure the list goes on.

At the actual service, there were probably about 150 people in attendance. How many people would attend my funeral? Aside from my family, I'd say probably about 20 to 30 people would show up, MAYBE 40. 150 people just seems amazing. Of the 150 people, about 10 or 15 of them spoke. People ranging from childhood friends to high school classmates to current business partners. All of them echoed each other and spoke about my uncle's generosity and willingness to help out those he cared about. It was obvious that my uncle touched a lot of people throughout his life and those people really wanted to thank him for all he's done.

My uncle is survived by my aunt and my two cousins. My heart truly goes out to them. I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose my father, especially at the ages of 16 and 19. Watching my aunt bring them up to the viewing for them to see their father for the first time since he passed was the most heartbreaking sight ever. There was literally not a dry eye in the house. I wish my aunt and cousins the best as they go through this difficult time, and Uncle Irwin, I hope to accomplish half of what you accomplished throughout your life. Rest in peace, Uncle.

Boston: Day 4, 5, 6, 7, ....290582050

Day 4: Sunday began with a trip to Bodega, a shoe store in Boston. It's not just any shoe store. Apparently there's this whole underground shoe culture that I was completely unaware. Bodega has contracts with major shoe companies where they get specially designed shoes that are rare and can only be found in certain parts of the country. So it's pretty much shoes with funk colors and fabrics. The coolest part of the shoe store is that the front of it is like a mini mart. There's a Snapple Machine in the store that opens up (either automatically or the guy in the mini mart opens it) and leads to the shoe store in the back. It's like secret hideout for shoes...so awesome. After we all bought some shoes, we headed over to the Barking Crab where we again ate too much.

That evening I went to a social with past and present students from my masters program. Ate some free appetizers and chatted with some ppl. Then met up with Susie to eat at Chicago Uno Grill.

Day 5: Monday morning, I actually made it to a conference session at 9am. After the session, went with Susie to see Haaaarvard and MIT. I gotta say, I wasn't all that impressed with Harvard's campus. It's really small and all the buildings look the same. Perhaps it looks better when the grass and trees are alive or when covered in snow. We didn't make it to the business school which apparently is the nice part. MIT's campus is ugly although I didn't really expect it to be nice. The campus looks really depressing. I suppose ppl really just go there for the academics and not much else...

The rest of the Boston trip was pretty uneventful. I went to a few more conference sessions but didn't really go out much to see the city. We had pretty much walked the whole city in a few days and there wasn't much to see. By Tuesday, I was ready to go home....but not back to work. But all in all, Boston is a very nice, chill city. I like how it's not super busy like NYC. The food was amazing, but a little pricey, as evidenced by my empty wallet. Next year, the conference will be in Seattle. I need to find a new job that will pay for me to go...or perhaps just find a job in Seattle!

Boston: Day 2 and 3

Day 2: I don't think I've ever walked so much in one day in my life. Susie, Andrea, and I started off the morning by walking over to the Cheers bar and had some appetizers and beers. Then we walked to Faneuil Hall and then over to the aquarium where we watched the Deep Sea IMAX3D show. Then we walked to the USS Constitution. We pretty much walked all of the Freedom Trail and then some. After the USS Constitution we walked back to the aquarium area and at dinner at Legal Sea Foods. That was some good eatin'. I dropped over $100 bucks on dinner but it was so worth it. We got a bottle of wine, had an appetizer sampler that was delicious, and then I had the surf turf which included an 8oz filet mignon and a 1.5 lb lobster. MMMMMM MMM GOOD. After dinner we headed over to the Black Rose which is supposedly the best Irish Pub and some drinks. Then we met up with some of my student affairs people at the hotel bar where we had crappy $15 Irish car bombs. All in all, good times, but my feet ached like crazy.

Day 3: Today we went to the Sam Adams Brewery which was pretty cool. It was a free tour and they give you samples of 3 different beers and you get a free souvenir glass. Then we went and stuffed ourselves at the Fanieul Hall Marketplace. There is SO much good food there. I ate a pastrami sandwich AND a polish kielbasa while Susie and Andrea shared a lobster salad sandwich, a side of teriyaki chicken, a swordfish skewer, soups, and a potato ball thing. After that we headed over to the aquarium and actually walked around inside. You can't go anywhere with Susie without staying at the local aquarium for a few hours. We were exhausted after that so we went back to the hotel to nap. Then we went to Finale, this bougie dessert place which was kinda eh. Then we went to Gypsy Bar and had a drink. I retired early and Susie and Andrea are currently at some Glow in the Dark pub.

The end.

Boston: Day 1

Well, so far Boston is a pretty nice city. Not as cold as I thought it would be but still pretty darn cold.

I landed last night at about 10pm. I got to the hotel and walked around the city looking for some food. Then I tried to get some sleep cuz I had a couple friends fly in at 7am. When they arrived we went to get breakfast and then they napped while I tried to do the job placement thing at the conference. I don't think I'll be finding a new job anytime soon. :(

After napping for most of the day, we went walking around Boston for 5 hours. Went to the bar that inspired the TV show Cheers and then went to Faneuil Marketplace for dinner. Now I am back at the hotel and getting some work done.

I can't wait to try Boston seafood!!! WOOOOTS!

OSCARS BOOOO!

Oscar voters are lame. Or perhaps I'm just not smart enough to see the brilliance behind No Country for Old Men. Everyone was raving about how it must've been so difficult for Javier Bardem to play such a demented killer. Honestly, give anyone that creepy haircut and they can play someone who goes around shooting ppl and not show any emotion about it.

Anyhoo, so over the weekend, I watched Vantage Point. It was alright. The audience was frustrated at how the movie kept repeating the same 15 minutes from a different perspective. I didn't really mind it because each time something new was revealed, and there was a enough suspense to keep it interesting. Much better than stupid No Country for Old Men.

3 day weekends rule.

If only every weekend were 3 days. I don't think I've enjoyed a weekend so much. I didn't even do anything that was extraordinarily special. Watched a few movies, did laundry, hung out with people. Oh wait, I did go to Pink's which was pure heaven. After waiting in line for 1.5 hours, those hot dogs were the best thing I've tasted in a long time. Pastrami + Polish Sausage = Win. And watching a coworker smother her face in sour cream and chili was pretty priceless. Who knew there were people out there who eat more messily than I do.

Anyoo, as for the movies, here's a brief rundown:

Definitely, Maybe - Not bad for a chick flick. Definitely had its moments.
Spiderwick Chronicles - I have to admit, this was better than the first Harry Potter movie...but will it be better than the book? I doubt.
Jumper - Much better than people made it out to be. Sure the acting sucked, but the story wasn't bad and the action scenes were pretty cool.

That pretty much sums up the weekend. Now I shall enjoy the residual effects of the 3 day weekend....the 4 day work week!

Happy New Year!

Yes I realize I am a bit late ...or am I? Happy Chinese New Year! I haven't really been keeping this blog thing up to date, but whatever. Work has been crazy busy so far this year and I haven't really had time to slack off, sadly.

I've had some work drama that has caused me to hate this place even more, but it has since been resolved. Basically, I'm supposed to go to Boston for a conference in March that the office is paying for. I got a budget approved for the conference back in September which included hotel, airfaire, transportation, food, and conference registration. And about two weeks ago, my boss tells me that the office can't cover it anymore because the money just "isn't there." Obviously, I panic a little because I can't afford to spend a week in Boston on the crappy salary that I get paid. But anyway, to make a long story short, I had a meeting with the dean and miraculously, she found the money to be able to cover my airfare and hotel. Although it's not what I had originally planned, I am ok with paying for the rest of it. Beggars can't be choosers, especially when the main purpose of this conference is to find a new job.

So that is what has been happening in my life. Oh and btw, I don't understand why No Country for Old Men is getting SO MUCH Oscar buzz. It's NOT a good movie. I hate when there is so much praise for movies like this because it's obviously only praise for the sake of seeming hip and indie. Javier Bardem's acting was nothing special. Anyone can be stoney-faced and reticent. LAME.

ok that is all.