Mini break with 2 b-day celebrations
We had two family gatherings to celebrate January birthdays over the long weekend (at least long for me). Saturday was for Angie's side while Sunday was mine.
Saturday, we had lunch at the Shanghai Bun Place, which has various Shanghai styled food. When we eat out with Angie's family, this place is eaten at like... 75% of the time, at least. So on that side of the family, the birthdays were Angie's mom, Nathan (Angie's sister's second son), Angie, and myself. We had lunch and then went to Angie's parent's place to have cake. So like most gatherings on this side, Nathan, who's okay, probably my favorite of the nephews and nieces, hung on me a good amount. But I guess I have the interest of a little kid, so he likes me. I told him to bring his Pokemon cards to Chinese New Years so I can try to try to play. Jonah (the oldest kid) is also okay, so the two oldest kids are like at an age where you can talk to them normally (10/11 and 12/13, I think). Overall, it was a fun time, although I guess there just comes a point where I try to mentally signal Angie that we can leave if she wants. But I don't think my mental powers are strong enough so I actually had to say something when she asked what time it was.
On Sunday, my family was going to meet up at 3 pm at my place. Of course, Howie is always late and had to push it back... to 6 pm! And I definitely don't think he or Judy were properly remorseful when we all met at the restaurant (after I changed the reservation). I was pretty annoyed but I calmed down on the drive and thought I shouldn't be too annoyed since it should be fun. But in retrospect, I should have at least been annoyed and complained enough so that stupid Howie and Judy would know how crappy they are. (Howie is pretty much always late.)
Anyway, we had dinner at Sushi Palace, which is an all you can eat sushi/sashimi place. Oh, we were celebrating Howie, Angie, and myself. After eating, which took a while since it was quite busy and hectic due to several large parties (like one looked like twenty people and there was another birthday party with gifts). So while we were waiting for the bill, my birthday fear happened: people came out singing with cake. At first, I thought they were going to the other birthday party, but when I saw three dishes, I knew it was ours. And funnily enough, the other parties were very into singing so it was very loud which was kind of fun. So I'll give my parents/little brothers props for setting it up.
Afterwards, we went back to my place to open gifts and have cake. But unfortunately (and probably due to the lateness and change in plans), Lady had a massive accident and since she's old and panics, she made a terrible mess. I could smell it when I was walking up the stairs to let her out. And when I opened the door, it was the worst dog disaster that I've ever seen. Plus, she was stuck with her head in the cable cords. So I brought her downstairs and let her out. I was going to start the clean up effort, but Angie insisted that I entertain people since they were my family while she started the clean up. So I made coffee for lots of people and got the cake. Alfie was also barking at everyone too. Again, Judy (Howie's wife) is pretty annoying since she makes things worse with Alfie because she's insane. Anyway, when the cake was ready, Angie came down and we had did cake and presents. Then after a little hanging out (my little brothers trying to convince me to play a new mobile game and LOTS of discussion about The Force Awakens), everyone headed out. Which let us go back up and continue cleaning.
Yesterday, I had the day off so Angie was going to take that day off too. But she ended up taking a half day (for what turns out no reason because again, people can't be on time). I didn't leave the house and played Starcraft 2: Legacy of the Void and then we played Culdcept Saga and watched Galavant, or vice-versa. We had leftover cake (we took the leftovers of both cakes since we're fat).
In other news, my computer isn't dead yet. I was able to install and play Legacy of the Void and do my normal stuff on it. So I'll try to hold off on buying new components until they're necessary since I assume prices fall or technology gets better all the time.
Assorted Photographs
Lady in her hoodie, sleeping in Angie's hoodie
A gift from Harold/Kitkat's trip to the Philippines. I think its very charming looking.
Our building has so many insects that exterminators give us free calendars...
Some sort of trap with the same name on it.
Saturday, we had lunch at the Shanghai Bun Place, which has various Shanghai styled food. When we eat out with Angie's family, this place is eaten at like... 75% of the time, at least. So on that side of the family, the birthdays were Angie's mom, Nathan (Angie's sister's second son), Angie, and myself. We had lunch and then went to Angie's parent's place to have cake. So like most gatherings on this side, Nathan, who's okay, probably my favorite of the nephews and nieces, hung on me a good amount. But I guess I have the interest of a little kid, so he likes me. I told him to bring his Pokemon cards to Chinese New Years so I can try to try to play. Jonah (the oldest kid) is also okay, so the two oldest kids are like at an age where you can talk to them normally (10/11 and 12/13, I think). Overall, it was a fun time, although I guess there just comes a point where I try to mentally signal Angie that we can leave if she wants. But I don't think my mental powers are strong enough so I actually had to say something when she asked what time it was.
On Sunday, my family was going to meet up at 3 pm at my place. Of course, Howie is always late and had to push it back... to 6 pm! And I definitely don't think he or Judy were properly remorseful when we all met at the restaurant (after I changed the reservation). I was pretty annoyed but I calmed down on the drive and thought I shouldn't be too annoyed since it should be fun. But in retrospect, I should have at least been annoyed and complained enough so that stupid Howie and Judy would know how crappy they are. (Howie is pretty much always late.)
Anyway, we had dinner at Sushi Palace, which is an all you can eat sushi/sashimi place. Oh, we were celebrating Howie, Angie, and myself. After eating, which took a while since it was quite busy and hectic due to several large parties (like one looked like twenty people and there was another birthday party with gifts). So while we were waiting for the bill, my birthday fear happened: people came out singing with cake. At first, I thought they were going to the other birthday party, but when I saw three dishes, I knew it was ours. And funnily enough, the other parties were very into singing so it was very loud which was kind of fun. So I'll give my parents/little brothers props for setting it up.
Afterwards, we went back to my place to open gifts and have cake. But unfortunately (and probably due to the lateness and change in plans), Lady had a massive accident and since she's old and panics, she made a terrible mess. I could smell it when I was walking up the stairs to let her out. And when I opened the door, it was the worst dog disaster that I've ever seen. Plus, she was stuck with her head in the cable cords. So I brought her downstairs and let her out. I was going to start the clean up effort, but Angie insisted that I entertain people since they were my family while she started the clean up. So I made coffee for lots of people and got the cake. Alfie was also barking at everyone too. Again, Judy (Howie's wife) is pretty annoying since she makes things worse with Alfie because she's insane. Anyway, when the cake was ready, Angie came down and we had did cake and presents. Then after a little hanging out (my little brothers trying to convince me to play a new mobile game and LOTS of discussion about The Force Awakens), everyone headed out. Which let us go back up and continue cleaning.
Yesterday, I had the day off so Angie was going to take that day off too. But she ended up taking a half day (for what turns out no reason because again, people can't be on time). I didn't leave the house and played Starcraft 2: Legacy of the Void and then we played Culdcept Saga and watched Galavant, or vice-versa. We had leftover cake (we took the leftovers of both cakes since we're fat).
In other news, my computer isn't dead yet. I was able to install and play Legacy of the Void and do my normal stuff on it. So I'll try to hold off on buying new components until they're necessary since I assume prices fall or technology gets better all the time.
Assorted Photographs
Lady in her hoodie, sleeping in Angie's hoodie
A gift from Harold/Kitkat's trip to the Philippines. I think its very charming looking.
Our building has so many insects that exterminators give us free calendars...
Some sort of trap with the same name on it.