Things I am thankful for ...

1. my family, I get to see them in 19 days. I can't wait to eat mom's dish again, play with my nieces, hug my brothers, kiss grandma, and go crazy with all my cousins. Yay!
2. my roommates who have been like sisters to me. They are my remedy for homesickness. Yes, it's been 7 years and I still get homesick (sad face)
3. friends who seek the best in me, support and want to see me succeed
4. a place to go to for Thanksgiving
5. my mission president and his wife. Although I hardly see them, the random phone call, the unexpected postcard on holidays, and the kind words inside brighten my day
6. my work that enables me to serve, love, and care.
7. my religion. The Gospel has blessed me so much that I forget how tough it can be without it.
8. health. I have been so healthy and strong. I am grateful for this body I have that I can move and do many things.
9. trust. Other people put their trust in me.
10. and the obvious things: snow in the mountains so that I can go snowboarding again, my car so that I don't have to wait for the bus in the cold, water to drink, my scarves so that I can keep warm and cute.

I miss my camera ...

I love taking pictures and someday or soon :-) I believe I will own some kind of professional camera to fulfill my passion. This is one thing that I discovered from my mom when she came to visit me 3 years ago. She told me that I brighten when I have a camera in my hand and start pushing the shutter button. I haven't taken any classes how to take pictures but I have shot some amazing pictures. Thanks to my previous CANON cameras!

Anyway, my last one which I bought a year ago is a PowerShot A1000 IS. It accidently broke while some kids at work tried to grab it. The batery cover wouldn't close when I insert the batteries in it. It's been 3 months since I have been able to use it. I didn't want to give up so I sent it to the Canon factory and they will fix it for $100.05. I bought this camera for $170.00 and now I wonder what I am thinking but I want to have it fixed so I'l go for it. I need it so bad!

Halloween 09 costume!

Yep, it's halloween and everyone I know is excited about wearing something for their costume. I didn't grow up in a place that is so crazy about halloween. I didn't even know what it was until I saw something about it on TV when I was 7 or 8 years old. It's something to do with scary/spooky stuff !!!
Anyway, I have celebrated halloween since I moved to the U.S. in 2003. I have had to come up with a costume ever since. I have been an indian lady, cruella de vil, that lady who carries a basket of fruits on her head (I can't remember).
I took pictures of some authentic costume or interesting some of my friends wore yesterday:

Matt -- a mad scientist/doctor guy

Karen -- H1N1 virus ?!?! (notice her slippers)Jeremy -- Charlie Champlin

and my favorite is Daniel -- Moses, and he is even some geisha girl ?!?! Sorry Sam!

And finally Lyndsi -- Dorothy and me -- a munchkin/a lumberjack/a train engineer????Last year, I was a chimpmunk, I see a pattern here ... Next year, what kind of midget will I be?

The day after "halloween" which is November 1 is called the day of the dead where I am from. Today is the day when we remember our loved ones who have passed on. We would visit the cemetery and bring flowers and gifts for this day. I do miss my grandpa and my aunt. I know that I will see them again.

I broke up with pickle juice ...

I was planning to go to the Warren Miller shows last night to get a $16 ski pass but I missed it because I got very sick. I worked during the day and felt exhausted and hungry. I saw a big jar of pickles and was tempted to drink the juice before I left work.
Yes, I regretted it. I conclude that was the end of our relationship. I don't think I would want to drink pickle juice again. I was puking twice and had to go to the bathroom more than 3 times within half an hour. I lost a lot of water and felt like I was stranded in the middle of Sahara for a while. I started to get scared and was ready to call 911 if it didn't stop. Miraculously I slept fine and woke up alive this morning.

Whew!