why hello hello!

i made some red velvet cupcakes on saturday! vicky ate 8 of them. out of 12. HAHAH. must've been good ;) jk jk.

so as niiight time approached, i got ready for danica's birthday celebration at Sabor! got dressed up and tiff and audz picked me up and we headed to her room in milpitas. drank some gooose there and that got me perked already! then we were on our way back to tiff's cuz she forgot her wallet. met everyone up at the perfect time in line and got in..free! woo hoo! we headed to the bar and bought some rounds..but by the end..i was doooone-zo! we didnt' dance much but attempted to a few times..apparently..people don't like to dance?? yeah.. so we just chilled outside in the patio! it was freezing but it was pretty cool just chillin and talking to everyone! it was a different crowd than what i'm used to. hahah. after, we went to the car and cozied up..changed some shoes and headed to get some LA VICSSS!! or i don't know how to spell it really =) but we decided to stop by vivid for a bit since it was no cover also. stayed there for a good 30 seconds cuz that shit was not crackin aaand we were in asia. got in line for food..got a carnitas super burrito. MMMMMM my goodness! it was delicious..i freakin looooove mexican food and especially burritos!!! their orange sauce was to diiie for too! after..we just ate in the car and i wasnt feeling too good so i put my burrito away and accidentally passed out in the back. i wanted to throw up so i was just trying to take my mind off of it. finally got home and was even MORE tempted to throw up! but i just went straight to bed and just slept it off. i was good =)!

woke up and got ready for the lunar new year aka tet! we went to the cemetery to visit my uncle whom i haven't visited in forever. and to think, i used to cut class in high school to visit. i can't believe it's been 7 years already! things would be SO different if he were still here..i miss him a whole lot..rip uncle thang + jade! 111601.

my cousins came over and it was fun to hang out with them! i just cleaned up my part of the room and tried to tidy up as much as possible. i guess i get a little superstitious around the new year since this is how i was raised to celebrate! it's more like a tradition that was passed down..or something that i'm so used to practicing growing up. i love being home because honestly..all the things that were instilled in me before i left college is basically all coming back. i'm speaking more vietnamese, i want to practice vegetarianism again..and i wish i could attend sunday school or read up on my religion some more. i feel like i've reconnected with my family..something that's extremely important to me..and welll..i'm just so glad to be home. the missing piece of me while i was away from school, is back. what sucks is that i have a huge chunk of me missing still =(

we had tons of food for offering and when that was all finished, we got to eat it! crab noodles, crab and asparagus soup, stir fry, egg rolls, banh beo, quail..all the yummies!! i was finally rushed to get ready for my grandma's house since i've been lagging on that. we left and arrived to my dad's side of the family's huge tet party!

usually when we have this annual party, my grandpa's brother's whole side of the family comes to celebrate with us as well! so we got there and had to greet everyone as usual and then ate! it was similar food that we had at home but with pork crackers and fried rice added! yummmy! we saw all our cousins and ended up playing cards and havin a ballll. i played with some little kids that were extremely adorable!! iloveeee kids!! but yeah..we caught up with everyone basically cuz i haven't seen everyone in soooo sooo long! all the kids that were so little before are so big now! it's crazy. and i was the oldest one there =( i'm olllld! and of course..i can't forget..the money rolllls in ! li xi li xi!! hahah.

it was so freakin cold last night. as for tonight.. it's freezing as well! so today was tiring..and they say that whatever happens on the first day of the new year predicts the rest of the year. i tried to keep my cool today and i'm surprised i was able to do so! also, they say that when you clean up your house, etc for new years, it's symbolic for you cleansing your soul and starting off on a new slate. i definitely felt like i was free of whatever was lingering in the past. i feel like i'm a new person and that i can start all over again! anyways..i better enjoy this year cuz they say when your year rolls around (for me, tiger, which is next year!) you are doomed for the whole year. i guess it's what you want to believe though! these superstitions are fun though. but remember...your fate is always in your own hands.

i found this on another blogger's webpage: nothingbuthats. here is their entry cuz i thought it was great..and definitely true since this is what we exactly follow! i guess i'll end my entry with their entry! CHUC MUNG NAM MOI!!

"As with every culture's new year celebrations, Tet carries many traditions, superstitions, myths, folktales, etc. that imbue these special days with deep meaning. Nowadays, we follow them for fun. We follow them because of family traditions. We follow them to honor our cultural roots. Or, we follow them not at all. There are too many traditions and superstitions to list them all, but here are some:

1. Clean house top to bottom, including painting, especially the door.
2. When sweeping, never sweep out the front door, or luck will go out the door.
3. Wear new clothes. Red is an auspicious color. No unlucky black.
   
4. All debts are paid or forgiven. No grudges kept. Return all borrowed items.
   
5. The first day of the year, nothing should be swept out, because you'll shoo good luck away for the rest of the year.
6. Never cut anything during new year's b/c you'll cut your luck (&/or longevity) in half.
7. The first person to walk through your door will bring you luck. So find the right person w/ the right name, birth year, etc. to be the first to cross your threshold in the new year.
8. When leaving your house for the expected new year visitations, the first thing you see will bold well or ill for your new year. (Those who see bad omens when leaving their house will often go back home, wait, then depart once again just for a fresh start.)
9. Visit family sites, graves, altars, etc.
10. Buy water or give water gifts b/c water suggests that in the new year, money will flow in like water.
    
11. Receive lucky Li Xi envelopes filled with money!!! (Unless you're married, in which case you don't receive lucky Li Xi envelopes but you'll have to give red envelopes to single folks. Oh, the joys of married life.)"

oh did i tell you i'm practicing vegetarianism again? i will tell you more about that later!

until then! ta ta!