Lan's blog

Summer travels

I made Premier status on United last year, but I didn't notice until Friday. I don't think I'll be flying much more for business during my last three months here though...maybe once to Chicago and once to Seattle...and then I'm off!

I have two options:

Czech > Austria > Hungary > Croatia > Cairo > Tanzania or:

Czech > Austria > Hungary > Croatia > Greece > Turkey

I'm leaning towards the second agenda since flights to Tanzania are cost prohibitive.

QotD: In My Handbag

Here's one for the ladies:  What's in your handbag right now? 
Submitted by Kadeeae.

I like lists.

• wallet w/credit cards & such
• chapstick, lip gloss, and lip stick (prepared for all occasions!)
• ziploc bag (to keep expense receipts when I travel so I don't lose them and they don't fill up my wallet)
• sephora compact mirror
• hair bands (I should chuck these since unless I want to put my hair up like Pebbles)
• latest issue of the Economist...I hate waiting around with nothing to do.
• Orbit cinnamon gum
• BCBG sunglasses in case
• Blackjack cell phone
• handsfree set for the Blackjack
• gym pass
• pen
• digital camera
• pocket planner
• lavender hand lotion (my hands get really dry)
• 2 CDs from Ed

No wonder my purse is so heavy right now!

Making borscht takes forever

I hope its worth it.

Amazing!

I submitted my passport for renewal on Dec 27. I got it back yesterday, Jan 7. I guess they're over those huge delays.

My grandma

Ba Ngoai

She was awesome.

Love letters

Dear HD TiVo,

You are awesome! I didn't think this was possible, but I love you more than old TiVo! I'm so glad I never went with the Comcast DVR.

Your biggest fan, LN

--

Dear Physical Therapy Intern,

You're kind of cute. You make therapy a little more interesting.

Thanks, LN

--

Dear Admissions Committees,

Please call me soon. I hate waiting.

Best, LN

--

To this evening's 24-hour S.E.T. instructor:

You are the most irritating instructor I've ever come across. You sing along off-key to the music, you never complete the sets with us and tell us how tired you are, you make us do ridiculous weight sets, you can't count, you talk to yourself (into the mike) throughout the class, and you make dumb noises. You are not inspirational. You suck. Oh, and the g-string hanging over the tramp stamp? Classic.

Your student, LN

I've been wavering this past...

I've been wavering this past month on whether to go with Tivo or the Comcast DVR. We've had Tivo for the last 3-4 years, which I love.

COMCAST DVR Pros: No up front fee and only $7 a month Cons: Have to upgrade to digital/HD cable and interface sucks balls

TiVo Pros: AWESOME interface, does everything I want it to Cons: Equipment cost - $279 + service cost of $319 (4 years). Expensive, but I can afford to splurge. + I should upgrade cable anyway since I have an HDTV and HD TiVo.

Today, I'm leaning towards TiVo.

 

QotD: What My Name Means

What does your name mean and why did your parents choose it for you? 
Submitted by mommy2two.

"Lan" is orchid in both Chinese and Vietnamese. Supposedly my cousin (my mom's goddaughter) had a friend in preschool named Huong Lan and really liked that name. It also fits the naming schema that my family in particular likes to employ: first letter of the first name is the same as the first letter of the father's first name. My brother's name was supposed to be Linh but a miscommunication with the nurse resulted in his first name being Dominic Linh...which is why my brother has an American name and I don't. Had the same mistake happened to me, I would have ended up with the name Anna.

Vox Hunt: My Best Pet Photo

Show us your best pet photo. 
Submitted by 8gurl. 

IMG_1109

Blanche

Blanche

I learned the backstroke yesterday...

• I learned the backstroke yesterday. "Thumbs out, pinkies in!" I've never really had a problem with floating on my back, so this came pretty easily to me. However, backstroke isn't very useful for triathalons (my motivation for learning to swim). You can't really see where you're going, so I can't imagine it is an efficient stroke for tris. I just need to coordinate my freestyle so that I drink less water and the motions come more naturally to me...and learn to tread water. Does anyone know of a program in SF or the mid-peninsula that can coach my swims...and eventually take me to open water? I'm going to continue to swim once or twice a week (haven't figured out where yet) until my swimming comes more naturally but would eventually like to join a non-competitive "masters" program so that there's a coach helping me to improve my stroke (its more of a flail right now).
• Don't forget to visit my family's restaurant, Zadin, in the Castro! Tell them I sent you...and if you're lucky, J might even be your waiter!
  
• 12 miles scheduled for tomorrow...its going to be HOT!