July is proving to be a very good month. Very good month indeed.

Check out my new ring. Well, new-ish.

It was picked out and purchased at a flea market in Kona Hawaii. I decided to proudly wear it as a reminder of my trip and what happened while I was there. The romantic wedding I attended that reaffirmed my belief that waiting for the right man is definitely worth it. The beauty of the ocean and the laid bad attitude of Hawaiian locals. The wisdom imparted to me by the many retirees we had the chance to converse with, specifically the Japanese former professor of accountancy who told me NOT to become an accountant and to rather follow my dreams first.  Seriously, you can learn a lot from old people. 

It’s not the prettiest of rings. Just five minutes ago my mother gave it her classic eye roll of disapproval. I’m pretty sure she mumbled “tacky” under her breath in Korean. I can’t confirm this because I’m not sure how to say “tacky” in Korean but it definitely feltlike whatever she said meant tacky. I don’t care. I love it. I love it for the way it looks, the way it feels and for what it stands for: “Never Settle” and “it’s okay if nobody sees what you see”.

Yes, I have a plastic sashimi key chain.

And this morning this quirky little thing played wingman for me at the gym.

Sashimi, even when it’s fake and inedible is awesome.

Last “Things I Love Friday” item:

My recently purchased neon pink (is it pink or salmon?) card holder wallet thing.

I shocked myself when I picked it out. It is very unusual of me to pick out such colorful things, especially bright colorful things..but NYC will do that to ya. It makes you buy things/clothes you normally wouldn’t be brave enough to purchase.. that’s why I love hate the place.

I also love my North Carolina drivers license (it’s so much prettier than VA, IL and any other state’s drivers license) and am very much not looking forward to retiring it this year. [Sad face]

I also love drinking before you travel.

My recent trip to New York, well getting there was a mess. It was super hot and the location I thought Boltbus was parked at (according to the internet) was definitely a solid mile further than where it actually was. There was a lot of running around, sweating, and getting really pissed.. I eventually missed my bus. So out of pure frustration I decided to blow some money at a fancy shmancy restaurant in Union Station and drink a glass of wine (or two) while I waited to see if I could get on the next bus. 

Safe to say, I had to fight the giggles all the way to NYC.

There is just something so silly about being tipsy at 2pm on a weekday.

Anyways, it was great and I fully plan on making this a tradition for whenever I travel.

I also love love lOVE my 11inch MacbookAir. It’s sort of become my best friend.

If you think I blog a lot because I have no life, you’re right. But it’s also because when your computer barely weighs 2 pounds and is thinner than your wallet, you have it with you all the time.

This photo doesn’t do it justice.. in person my baby is so much more ka-yoot! And smaller..

Ok.. I admit, I’ve been hating pretty big time these last few.. er.. month.

To make up for it I’ll be blogging about some happier things today since it’s Friday and the beginning of “pool” season (because that’s what Memorial day is all about, right?).

So first things first.. I love…

How my apartment building serves gourmet coffee + syrups for free every single morning. Free already prepared good coffee = makes life a hell of a lot easier.

Who knew plastic could be so beautiful?

I would very much like these. Pretty pretty please.

(Source: die4evr)

To help digest and prepare our stomachs for some cake we making some coffee using um.. a percolator which I just found out exists.

Jeanne and I are currently trying understand how this thing works..

GPOYW X mas gift for my followers

It looks stupid but it’s a great idea. My surgeon suggested I insert bags of ice into an old panty hose and tie it around my face. I love hate it.

My siblings are having a ball, snapping a photo every chance they get. If they dare post them up on facebook, I will enact cruel and unforgiving revenge..

Both my dentist and oral surgeon were more than accommodating. Incredibly understanding and did their best to do whatever they could to make me feel comfortable. No judgment and not a single ounce of pretentiousness. The surgeon even called at 10:00pm just to see how I was doing. Who does that? Best part of all, they were both funny so it was nice to be allowed to be super sarcastic and not receive an awkward response because as my close friends know, sarcasm is my defense mechanism for fear.

Anyone in the D.C/Rockville, MD area in need of a referral (especially if you need the discount and lack dental insurance) please message me for their info!

I’ve found a semi solution for my coffee addiction! 

It’s tasty, 0 calories, and warm.

Sadly though, this only solves my “at home” coffee addiction. I’m still screwed when I’m craving something on the go.

They should start a Trader Joe’s cafe. That would be nice.

beeriety:

Beer of the Week: Duvel Belgian Golden Ale

The Beeriety team is all about discovering new types of beers. So starting this week we’re going to be reviewing a beer each week and sharing our thoughts on the Beeriety blog.

To kick off our new review series we’re highlighting one of our favorite Belgian beers, the Duvel Belgian Golden Ale!

If you’ve never tried Duvel you have not truly lived.

Okay, maybe that was a wee bit bold but seriously, great beer. And for all ya’ll alchies who love getting drunk, it’s very very strong.

Sold at trader joes too!

Slowly helping a friend unpack and look what we found.

Does anyone know where I can find more of these? And what the proper name for these genius creations is?

Drinking a Leinenkugel Berry Weiss. Yum.

Seaweed flavored Lays potato chips! Brilliant.

(matched perfectly with the wheat ale were drinking)

Had AMAZING Thai Congee at Meedee Cafe last night.

My picks for BEST THAI FOOD in Chicago (I’m talking REAL authentic Thai)

1.Sticky Rice ( Northern Thai: try sticky rice, the actually type of rice which you eat with your bare hands)

2. Tacquick (Bangkok Thai: order off their secret menu)

3. Meedee Cafe (Breakfast or late night Thai: order off their congee menu)

Ever notice how when you go to a Thai restaurant, almost everyone in there is white or some non Thai related minority? That’s because most Thai food in the U.S is not real Thai food. All that Pad See Ew, Pad Thai crap is all made to cater to the Western Pallet. I beg you my faithful readers and fellow food enthusiasts to take the bold step and try authentic Thai food at least one in your life. This stuff is highly underrated and undiscovered and the thought of this makes my foodie heart sad.

The whole world deserves to pat their belly at the end of every meal and think “Oof, that twas delicious”

Summer shandy-ing it on the roof tonight. Heading back upstairs to have a little talk with Chicago because I’m feeling a little blue today.

Boxhead Shiraz, my favorite affordable red wine sold at most boutique wine shops in Chicago. 

I had a pretty eventful weekend so expect a gazillion posts in the next few hours.