i would like to dedicate this entry to my dear friend jeff, who apparently diligently checks my xanga everyday to see if i've updated with a new entry and claims i'm a good writer. (hey, he told me so ok?) i went to see my doctor today after fighting this flu/cold for the last week or so...and came back with this diagnosis: "you're too stressed", she says. "how's work?", "how's ur personal life?", "are you dating?". it's like she's totally expecting me to break down and start telling her some major drama that's going on or something... i've got nothing! all i can say was, "i'm really busy with work" and "oh i moved". she obviously wasn't buying it and after writing me a list of 3 prescriptions to take, she ordered me to come back to see her in 10 days. i mean, really. i don't feel like there's anything major going on in my life that would cause me to be "too stressed". sure, work is busy but it's been busy for the entire year!! my accrued vacation count is over 170 hours at this point (that's over 4 weeks!! who wants to take a vacation with me?) . and although i have to admit i hate living in rancho cucamonga, it really hasn't put me in any additional stress by being here. in fact, if anything, not having to cook dinner b/c my aunt makes dinner for all of us every night is a huge relief for me. oh yes, that's right, my aunt is freaking awesome. she makes these 6-dish-meals + soup EVERY night and invites me, my brother, my cousin, her husband, and my nephew to dinner, along with her husband and my grandma. my brother even eats lunch there when he's not in school during the day. i guess that's just what happens when you live 3 doors down from each other (and your aunt is the kindest, most generous person ever). i guess my life has, sorta, changed dramatically since i moved. for one thing, i probably have not sat down with a "family" to have dinners together since high school? i am also constantly exposed to the normal family life now. you know, the married couple dynamics between my aunt and uncle, or my cousin and her husband (which is all very unfamiliar to me since my dad never really "lived" with us). and one of the most rewarding experiences, to watch a child grow and how every little thing you do around him today makes and shapes who he becomes the next day. sure i went through that with my brother but i was still young then. it truly is a journey and it really makes me that much more grateful and appreciative of the wonderful people that were in my life when i was growing up. despite feeling like crap over the wknd, i made sure i attended my nephew's 3-yr-old bday celebration. he truly is a lucky child to be growing up in such a warm and loving environment. plus, being the 1st born grandchild in the family definitely has its perks. haha. 
with all the important women in his life :)
alek and auntie (i'm the one and only auntie right now.. haha)
JUST LOOK AT HIM!
with Ken, who might just be one of the best dads ever, seriously.
the bday cake was a very frightening experience for him.. he almost cried during the song...
with mom and jo-jo (that's 舅舅)
come to think of it, i think i'm pretty lucky too. maybe when i go back to the doctor's i should give her a much more elaborated answer. something like, "oh yeah i've recently moved in with a 21 year old boy and acquired a family of 8 that includes a 3 year old whose favorite toy is "thomas" the train, and an 83 year old that still tells me i'm holding my chopsticks wrong". "oh but don't worry, my dating life is totally fine". i think she'll like that :) | 
