december 2nd
last friday, my cousin's girlfriend, nina who is one of my childhood friends, turned 29. i've known her since i was 10 and she was 8. nina and her brother morris lived across the street from us. my sister and i played with nina almost every day. nina was in the same grade as my cousin lam. and we really wanted nina to be our family so we thought it would be cool if she married our cousin so she can be our cousin too! we used to tease them... nina and lam, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g... heehee.
little did we know the harm or rather delay it would cause. when they were at school together, they would avoid each other as a result of our teasing. but somehow, they eventually got together sometime in high school. i think it was on and off and then off to other relationships. about 5 years ago, nina came back from school in new york. we all went out to a club in downtown san jose and despite nina coming to the club with some other guy, she and lam sort of reconnected that night. but then it was off and she went off to paris with a divorcee. then, two years ago, it was on for them but they had their issues but soon after, they were together and definitely on.
so, back to last friday... nina opened lam's gift last. it was in this big red box. i remember thinking to myself, everyone is here, friends, family, her parents, his mom, would he propose in front of everyone? i'd hoped so. and as soon as i saw the jewelry box (unaware she'd asked for one), i knew there'd be a ring inside. if not, there would be a huge sigh of disappointment. from the girls anyway. i felt as though i was going through the drawers as fast as she could. finally, the very last (and hardest to remove) drawer, was a 3-diamond ring on an engraved band. that's the extent of my knowledge on diamonds and rings. next time i see her, i would photograph the ring in detail. but it was beautiful. lam had help from his sister, debbie in picking out the ring. so, when the ring appeared, lam got down on one knee and proposed, in front of everyone. i couldn't help but cry. it was like a fairy tale. of course nina said yes. it was such a special event and i'm so happy to have witnessed it.
december 3rd
the second annual rock against aids benefit featured
julie plug as its headliner. i hadn't seen them in a while and they always put on a great show so we decided to head downtown (despite my hate for the dt san jose scene). doors were supposed to open at 8p but it was pushed to 8:40p. the first band started unusually on time, at 9p. there were supposed to be 5 bands but one was a no show and so rather than julie plug started at 1a, they started at 11:15p or so. i think they only played 4 songs and suddenly, the dj started playing some no doubt song after at the end of the song julie plug was playing. everyone was in a state of confusion. perhaps everyone but the club workers and djs. the band was in disarray not really knowing what to do. as the audience booed the club and yelled julie-plug, it was to no avail. dev from the band tried saying something but the mic wasn't working and soon, the organizer made an announcement that the benefit was over but with no reason for the abrupt end. so half the audience rushed out of the club in utter disappointment and anger. damn that club. please join in banning the san jose angels lounge. they suck
BIG time. try all you might to hide the ghetto out of your club, no number of white sheets can hide that.
december 4th
i had breakfast with my favorite (out of the 10 or so i had) college rommie. despite having lived with her for only a quarter, she's the only one i still remain friends with. i hadn't seen her in a while. she drove me down to LA to see ted on our first date from fresno. that was may of last year. we'd been trying to meet up ever since but failed miserably in doing so. finally, on her way back to fresno, we met up for breakfast and caught up. along with my friend betty, we were contemplating a new book. to be called
be blassé. in order to attain happiness in a relationship or not, every woman should remember her individuality and try very hard not to mold into a man's ideal because in the end, you won't be happy.
later in the evening, i went to the private shopping event at nordstrom. this year they skimped out on their treasure chest BIG time. plus, they limited the amounts to one per customer instead of one per $100 you spend. i'm taking back half of what i got. damn them. i should've gone to the stanford shopping event.
it was really nice to see his family. i met them last year and didn't really get a chance to get to know them, well, except for his mother. this year, i was able to chat with them more. with his sisters allison and kaitlyn, their significant others sean and tom, respectively. his cousins doug and joe as well as meeting doug's girlfriend meg. a bit with his uncle tom, not at all with his girlfriend mara. some with his aunt mary. and tons with his mom. i had a great time. can't wait to visit them again...
