Breakfast at Tiffany's

In 2009 1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before? kiss someone on new years, celebrate valentine's day, go to atlantic city, move to my own place in brooklyn, get over my first serious break up, have a boy roommate, talk on the phone for 183 minutes, fully understand two-way independent and RM anovas, have a crush on someone who also studied psychology, drive in times square, get snowed in, be chauffeured home in a limo, drink sake bombs, attend a company holiday party, play quelf, see the blue man group, watch lord of the rings in radio city with a live orchestra and choir scoring the film 2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? like always, i don't make new year's resolutions 3. Did anyone close to you give birth? yup! my cousin lydia gave birth to her first baby, melody 4. Did anyone close to you die? my grandpa passed away 5. What countries did you visit? i stayed in america 6. What would

My grandpa passed away last week. My mom and aunts are in Malaysia together. Yesterday, they had the memorial service. I'm sad that I wasn't able to go. People have been asking me how I feel and if I need anything, but I'm fine. I cried when I first heard the news that he had died, but I know he's in a better place now where his brain isn't dying anymore. He developed Alzheimer's after a stroke a few years ago. It was hard seeing/hearing my mom cry about him forgetting who she is. My grandpa lived with my family the longest when I was growing up, as opposed to living with his other daughters. As a result, I was able to get to know him well. He used to jog some 6 miles every morning before the sun came up, drink a giant bowl of water, and then teach me how to stretch properly after exercising. He used to play Chinese music really loudly in his room while reading Chinese newspapers. I remember that he had built this chair in his room, where he could lift up the

Lydia is engaged! So far, everyone I know who has gotten engaged/married are people from college with whom I'm not particularly close. I hear about them, and it's like, "Oh, that's nice" or "Wow, it's about time," and I don't think too much about it. But Lydia, one of my girls- the first of my girls- it will be an amazing reunion, and we are all so happy for her! Last night, we had a six-way chat with Lydia, Ruth, Jessica, Bebe, Debbie, and me! Chi's in India, and we couldn't get a hold of Tien. Still, it was very special. As we get older, and as it gets more difficult to find the time to be together, moments like last night will grow increasingly extremely priceless. I am so blessed to have these ladies in my life. I love you all. He liked it, so he put a ring on it. -Lydia

Sandy and Phong are here visiting for a few days, because it's Berkeley's spring break. They are my first visitors aside from family! Seeing them reminded me of those good old college days when we'd lounge around watching South Park in our living room. Even though Sandy and I frequently email and chat on Google, it's been so wonderful catching up with her in person. It's also really exciting and fun to play hostess and show her around New York City. We braved the winds last night, taking photos at Rockefeller Center, eating yummy Halal food, walking around Times Square, and enjoying cake and ice cream and hot chocolates at Max Brenner before heading back to my place. Phong fell asleep, while Sandy and I talked until 3.

The holidays are over already?! It's almost time for school. Spring semester begins on the 20th. I am actually pretty excited for it, because I'll be taking a lot more social courses. Last semester was mostly cognitive and neuro/bio psychology, which are both interesting but not my cup of tea. My mom and brother flew into JFK on Christmas Day, spending the holidays with me in Queens with my aunt and uncle. Most of the days were low key, just chillin at home, watching some TV, renting movies, eating good home cooked food... It's not like my mom and brother were visiting New York city for the first time anyway. We just wanted to be together, because we see each other probably once every year for a few days at a time. Ihaven't seen my dad since Labor Day 2007. I took my loved ones around Washington Square Park, where my campus is, Union Dquare for some shopping, Times Square (there are lots of squares), and different restaurants in downtown and midtown. My brother and I we