Last night in Chicago
Hi everyone, it's me again.
I couldn't resist coming into the Apple store every single time I walk by its door so here I am, standing at one of the free internet terminals, running my fingers across the titanium-looking keyboard (slicky though!). Tonight is my last night in Chicago on this trip and then I have to pack my suit cases tonight for an early flight to Detroit, MI tomorrow. Yup, it's nothing new...just same old work routine.
After a long day of work (yes, I do work on Saturday), I decided to treat myself to a nice and fancy dinner. I didn't need more than a few seconds of deliberation because I was craving for lobster. I ended up running (because it was raining heavily) to a nearby Chinese restaurant down the road within walking distance from my hotel. The total cost for my dinner, including tip, was $54 bucks. I am glad it didn't come out from my own pocket!
My birthday is coming in about a week. Not sure why, but I usually don't celebrate my birthday in the way others people have -- big party, drinking and getting wasted. My kind of birthday party has always been subtle, sometimes nonexistent and often time it has fallen into oblivion from people's mind. However, I had my first birthday celebration last night when a family of a student took me out to dinner. It turned out, the student's birthday is same as mine -- Halloween. It was nice of them to treat me out to dinner and told me their daughter admires me. Explicit admiration does not come around too often for me in terms of having admirers. More often than not, I am the one who admires other people but not the other way around. Hence, having someone looking up to my life as inspirational is very overwhelming. I just didn't know how to react to open adulation.
But I did get my first birthday present for this year, which is from mom. It is a silver necklace with a heart pendant dotted with tiny pieces of diamonds. Mom bought the necklace on her trip to California in August and couldn't wait to see my face upon giving it to me. Of course, I love it and mom was the one who locked it around my neck. I am now adorned with this beautiful silvery piece of jewelry -- full with love. The last time my mom bought a tangible birthday present was 7 years ago; it was the jade bracelet I am wearing on my left wrist. Other birthday presents were made in monetary forms to my graduate school's living. Those two years living in Boston was financially tough and their support was more than I have ever asked for. My parents are always thoughtful and supportive of my education. I am forever grateful for their sacrifices. That's the reason why I never demand or ask for birthday presents from them.
The Apple store is getting crowded and I suspect that people walking around and peering over my shoulder to see what the hell is this woman is rambling about. With that said, I bid you good bye and will send some update once I get to Detroit tomorrow.
The lobster is working improperly in my stomach. I hope it will go away in a few hours.
See you all in Detroit.
I couldn't resist coming into the Apple store every single time I walk by its door so here I am, standing at one of the free internet terminals, running my fingers across the titanium-looking keyboard (slicky though!). Tonight is my last night in Chicago on this trip and then I have to pack my suit cases tonight for an early flight to Detroit, MI tomorrow. Yup, it's nothing new...just same old work routine.
After a long day of work (yes, I do work on Saturday), I decided to treat myself to a nice and fancy dinner. I didn't need more than a few seconds of deliberation because I was craving for lobster. I ended up running (because it was raining heavily) to a nearby Chinese restaurant down the road within walking distance from my hotel. The total cost for my dinner, including tip, was $54 bucks. I am glad it didn't come out from my own pocket!
My birthday is coming in about a week. Not sure why, but I usually don't celebrate my birthday in the way others people have -- big party, drinking and getting wasted. My kind of birthday party has always been subtle, sometimes nonexistent and often time it has fallen into oblivion from people's mind. However, I had my first birthday celebration last night when a family of a student took me out to dinner. It turned out, the student's birthday is same as mine -- Halloween. It was nice of them to treat me out to dinner and told me their daughter admires me. Explicit admiration does not come around too often for me in terms of having admirers. More often than not, I am the one who admires other people but not the other way around. Hence, having someone looking up to my life as inspirational is very overwhelming. I just didn't know how to react to open adulation.
But I did get my first birthday present for this year, which is from mom. It is a silver necklace with a heart pendant dotted with tiny pieces of diamonds. Mom bought the necklace on her trip to California in August and couldn't wait to see my face upon giving it to me. Of course, I love it and mom was the one who locked it around my neck. I am now adorned with this beautiful silvery piece of jewelry -- full with love. The last time my mom bought a tangible birthday present was 7 years ago; it was the jade bracelet I am wearing on my left wrist. Other birthday presents were made in monetary forms to my graduate school's living. Those two years living in Boston was financially tough and their support was more than I have ever asked for. My parents are always thoughtful and supportive of my education. I am forever grateful for their sacrifices. That's the reason why I never demand or ask for birthday presents from them.
The Apple store is getting crowded and I suspect that people walking around and peering over my shoulder to see what the hell is this woman is rambling about. With that said, I bid you good bye and will send some update once I get to Detroit tomorrow.
The lobster is working improperly in my stomach. I hope it will go away in a few hours.
See you all in Detroit.