Happy Hours – East Coast vs Midwest

It's a beautiful sunny day (yes, still cold, but there's SUN!!) here in Michigan. And what should we do?! Well, of course, go get a window seat in one of the many riverside restaurants as we watch the sun-glistening waters of the rivers, the few ships and tankers floating up along, and enjoy the sunset …

Back In Philadelphia!

So I went back to Philadelphia for 9 days! I was so happy! I got off the plane in Philadelphia, and suddenly realized that I started to smile at people!!!! Oh my goodness. Me?! I started being unable to control myself and would automatically look people in the eye and smile at them. People in …

Midwest Postive

Notice that it's singular. Just kidding. But I've noticed one big thing is that moving here has made me realized how rude the East Coast is... i.e. how rude I used to (still can be??) to be. And since it's for survival, you just become so toughened up and used to the rudeness. You grow …

Christmas with the new In-laws

So here we are. Newly married, and trying to figure out how to balance the holidays. Some time spent just to ourselves as a couple, and how much time to spend with his parents. (My parents are currently in another country... so I'm guessing that's not as easy to just spend a dinner or a …

I never thought of myself of a hard core Democrat… or even a “Liberal”…

Today, I was doing some routine grocery shopping, yes, in that suburbian looking SUV of mine... shopping in these ridiculously stepford wives looking areas... I walk into a grocery store... and I lift an eyebrow as I walk past a sign saying "Impeach Obama". I finish my shopping, and now there is a guy standing …

Pop?

I've heard about this controversy before, but never had I actually lived in it. Occasionally, I will have friends that have just moved from the Midwest and when they order a soda/fountain drink, they'll call it pop. Usually the group laughs and makes some funny remark, we give our friend(s) a slap on the back …

Where did all the restaurants go?!?!

I wanted to go with my husband to Saturday brunch tomorrow. Simple. Easy. No sweat. Everyone does it, and it's so common, right? NO! Apparently, only ONE place offer brunch, and apparently it's also only on Sunday. What?! Where is the brunch businesses?? Why isn't anyone eating/demanding brunch service? Apparently, it's been a trend that …

Let it snow Let it snow…

I'm in the tundra... It's been snowing since last night and it's still snowing and it's already noon here. WHERE IS THE SUN?! I just checked the temperature for today. It's supposed to be about 19F here in Michigan tonight and I'm supposed to go to a formal holiday party. Say What?! It's currently in …

And now… how to pump gas…

So no matter if you're driving around NYC or Philadelphia, you always... and I mean ALWAYS gas up in New Jersey. Why? Because on average, NJ gas is about 40-50 cents cheaper. Yes, I know we'll have to pay for all those bridge tolls and NJ turnpike is a nightmare... but still, when we make …

Wait, I don’t know you… ohhhh… I get it~

When I just moved into my building in Michigan, I noticed that many of the tenants knew each other. Often times, when I'd be in the elevator (and since we're on the 26th floor) on the way down, we'd usually pick up many more people. They always would say hi to each other, and sometimes …

Midwesterners are friendly

My husband is a doctor and I was waiting for him in this boutique hospital's lobby area (in Michigan). I was working on my laptop and had been sitting there for about two hours. People were walking around back and forth, since I was sitting closeby to some elevators. I called up a friend in …

The Best Bridal Shower ever!!

My bridesmaids thoroughly have gone above and beyond! This past weekend was my bridal shower and it was .... a WOW! I walk into the room, and there were silver, white and pink balloons everywhere! The helium type! so they were all floating high with colorful ribbons! Then came the place settings. There were 3 …

Impending Move to MI

I'm so excited to move to Michigan, and finally be able to live with my husband after we get married. But I am so so sad to be leaving Philadelphia. Every time I walk outside on the streets in Center City, I am saddened by the fact that MI cities will no longer be walking …

To registry or not to registry (that Vitamix Blender!)

So my fiance and I have long completed our registry items, and many of our awesome guests have already started sending us gifts from these sites. One day, I was at my friend's house, and was using her blender, "This is an amazing blender~! Where did you get it?" "Our wedding registry," she answered, "You …

My Beloved City

This weekend, I went to Michigan for 4 days, Friday - Monday. My fiance is a doctor in the midst of trauma surgery residency... he gets one day off (which he usually uses to catch up on sleep) and the other days he works 5am - 9pm. So a few weeks back, he's already  moved …

Nieman Marcus Cookies

This morning, I went into the office coffee area to make myself some milktea, yes, if you think it's weird, think Taiwan... And yes, it's hot. Once again, if this is weird, think Taiwan restaurants, at the end of the meal, when they ask you, "Hot/cold coffee, Hot/cold Tea or Milk Tea, or Orange Juice?" …

Ahhhh~~~ Disaster!!

Okay, so after the wonderful champagne and cheese party of invitation-assembling... We realized that we only had 135 complete invitations... even though I had ordered 175! Where are the other 40!? Missing one or two is annoying, but forgiveable.... but 40!??!?! that's almost 25% of the 175 total! What is going on?! First, mygatsby.com forgets …

Invitation Assembling Party

My invites came in! I'm gathering a few girl friends, and we'll be having champagne and cheese and snacks while assembling these invites! 🙂 I'm so very excited! the party will be this Wednesday! I bought a couple nice cheese from DiBruno Brothers (so expensive!)... (I accidentally chose a cheese that priced at $50.99/lb... arg! …

Taking the day off for Good Friday?

Some people at the office were really shocked that I came in today... They said because I am so religious and because it is Good Friday. (They actually called it Easter Friday...) Then they proceeded to ask me which day was it that Jesus turned into the Easter Bunny... Somehow, I find this really offensive …

How do you find a wedding dress?

I think I am up to 60 dresses now... And I have come up with.... zero. There was an okay one at Alfred Angelo, can't remember the designer. There were two okay ones at Van Cleve, Pronovias was the designer for both. There was one okay one at David's Bridal, can't even remember by who. …

Enter: Bridesmaids!

Just a while ago, I had happily gathered with my bridesmaids, with some mango mimosa (amazing, btw) and some sushi, I love my fish raw! My 4 bridesmaids are from my different walks of life. My maid of honor is with me in Philly, she is in my small group and goes to the same church. …

I got engaged! :)

Below is the recount from my now-fiance about the proposal: (Editor's note: He's not really a gangsta thug... he just really likes that line...) How we got engaged Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church.. -Ephesians 5:25 From the start of our relationship, one thing I knew about my proposal is that it …

Our second date

So I had been traveling internationally for 3 weeks, and domestically for 1 week. The last time Brian and I saw each other (in person, minus Skype webcam moments), was almost 5 weeks ago. He found tickets for Spirit Airlines for $17 each way to fly from Michigan to Atlantic City, NJ. Then he found …

27-31, Guys who lie about their age

what?! really?! Do guys actually lie about their age? and if so... why?! Story: Bryan meets Linda takes her on a date. Eventually, they casually come across the topic of age, Linda explains that she's 26 and Bryan answers that he's 27. Interesting, she thinks, I thought he looked older! Linda had a lot to …

If you’re only an option…

Have you ever been in the situation where a guy you were mildly interested eagerly tries to make plans with you. You finally agree... and when the time comes (or a few days before) he postpones. But wait... it gets better. After postponing, for some reason, it just gets completed canceled, and then the familiar …