Dear Ong Ngoai,

I miss you. You are in a better place to watch over all your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren now. Please find Ba soon (if you haven't already), I'm sure she's been waiting for you. I feel so much safer in this world now knowing that I have two guardian angels to look over me. I hope you can see without your glasses in Heaven, because you didn't have them when you went. But I'm sure you'll be more than fine. :) Mom gave me the last gift you brought from Vietnam for me. The two figures are sitting on my shelf next to by my bed (I'm going to think of them as you and Ba). You and Ba were always so great with making sure your grandchildren, all 17 of them, were spoiled with gifts even on non-holidays! I'm going to miss making sure you got all your prescription refills on time. I promise to go back to Vietnam one day. I'm going to visit Nha Trang and learn of the place you loved so much. I'll go wherever you and Ba went. I want to see and learn everything. I'm still going to play piano for you, so make sure you listen in on me sometime. I always wanted both my grandparents to be there when I graduate (you both were always so good with that!) and when/if I get married. So make sure you tune in on me then too. I am so fortunate to have had grandparents like you around all this time. Thank you for blessing me with such a wonderful family. It all began with you two.

Love,

Phuong Vi

P.S. Please give Ba a hug and tell her I love her. "Thuong nhieu qua!"

Jessica Simpson: cheap comfy chic.

XXI dress, Jessica Simpson wedges

XXI top, Kimchi Blue shorts, Jessica Simpson white patent pumps

Dillard's is having an awesome shoe sale this weekend, ladies. Thanks Nhi for the heads-up! These two new additions were obtained for a ridiculous price of $40.

food, company, and kitty!

If you find yourself in Houston in the Galleria-area, stop by Masraff's to enjoy the chic environment and non-compromising food. It will not disappoint.

Baby Spinach Salad with Creamed Goat Cheese, Onion Confit, Roasted Walnuts, Garlic Vinaigrette

Garlic Seared Calamari with Oyster Mushroom, Shaved Onion, Cilantro, Soy Reduction

Pan Seared New Zealand Sea Bass with Leek Couscous, Oyster Mushrooms, Corn Compote, Miso Butter

(CORN WAS OFF THE CHAAAIN!)

Paella Risotto with Diver Scallop, Prawns, Rock Shrimp, and Texas Dry Sausage Stewed in Saffron Broth with Carnarolli Rice

Butter Roasted Pear Crème Brûlée and Whole Berry Sauce

Besties: Elizabeth and Ben

Celebrating with Warm Triple Berry Bread Pudding

Photo by Marisa Leeder.

Visited Erin and her new apartment in Montrose yesterday! We feasted on some homemade tofu pad thai, purchased two books at Half price for $3 (Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Azar Nafisi's Reading Lolita in Tehran), and ended the night with coffee and chocolate chip cookies at Inversion. Meet her new kitten, Mala. A crazy, lizard-like kitty who thought my pink nail polish was food. This little one likes to pounce and cling on to objects and moves like an amphibian more than a cat.

bistro don camillo's.

Round two of Houston Restaurant Week 2010: An evening with good friends at Bistro Don Camillo's, a french dining experience.

I was a bit turned off at this place initially because our reservations got confused with some other party. We arrived before the other party did and we were seated first. In the middle of our drink order, the owner told us about the mix-up and asked us to get up from our table so he could seat the late arrivers. Ours was a reservation for three, while theirs was a for six. Liz and I were there first and we were just waiting for one more person, Ben. The other party only had two of six people there, but we were still asked to move. We weren't moved to another table either. We were asked to sit back in the waiting area for another 15 minutes or so until there was an available table. I was VERY irritated.

I was hoping the food would make up for it.

1st course: Sautéed Escargots

With Prosciutto and Garlic in Shallot Wine Sauce

2nd course: Roasted Rack of Lamb in a Rosemary Honey Brown Sauce

Roasted Potatoes and Ratatouille

3rd course: Raspberry and mango sorbet

Verdict? Food was satisfying, but did not leave an impression. Some dishes were pretty salty and the sauce overpowered the lamb. I looked at the regular menu and the prices are very reasonable. I may come back, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

for your tastebuds.

Kicked off Houston Restaurant Week 2010 with my BCFL, Andie, at beautiful place called Rainbow Lodge off E TC Jester and Ella.

1st course: Seared Sea Scallop, Fennel and White Bean Puree, Tomato Pistou

2nd course: Grilled Hanging Tender, Creamed Spinach, Duck Fat Fingerlings, and Hollandaise

3rd course: Croissant Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

My cousin had the butter lettuce hearts with bailey hazen bleu dressing and toasted hazelnuts, slow cooked boar shoulder and sweet potato cake, and trio of refreshing (very refreshing) summer sorbets.

Bests of the night: sea scallops, butter lettuce hearts, grilled hanging tender, duck fat fingerlings and the trio of fresh strawberry, coconut, and mango sorbets.

The hanging tender was, well...super tender and melt-in-your-mouth buttery. Sea scallops seared to perfection. Lettuce hearts were perfectly dressed and crisp. Duck fat fingerlings were incredible because duck fat doesn't disappoint. The sorbets were a great way to end the evening because they delivered their refreshing promise, as well as cleansed our palettes after our protein-filled meal.

I forgot my camera so no pictures until my cuzzie uploads them. HRW ends on August 21 so enjoy yourself a delicious meal while donating to the Houston Food Bank!

october 25, 2010

Jónsi - Go Do
click for music video.

sud i eyrum.

Saw Lois, the corpse flower, on Wednesday with Joe and Lance at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences. This 6-foot flower apparently smells of rotten flesh when it blooms. It costs $8 to go see it, and I won't spoil you with a picture of it. I wasn't able to smell it because it hasn't bloomed yet, which I am thankful for since I had no interest in losing my dim sum lunch. You can explore the rest of the museum for free if you come 30 minutes before 6pm when it closes. The Butterfly Exhibit, where the corpse flower is housed, stays open later.

I am on to the 3rd book of the Twilight Saga. My goal is to finish by Sunday, so I can see the movie the following week with my co-workers. EXCITEMENT!

My parents have been a good influence in my life as of late. I'm very thankful for them because they helped me put a lot of things into perspective. Don't underestimate your parents. They may be old, but they're super observant. Even though you're sulking and moping around the house, playing piano more than usual, they know what's up. Growing up, my parents were never afraid to say things that would hurt my feelings. My stepdad never censored himself and we've got in countless arguments because of it. Sometimes I am grateful for that. He mostly had harsh opinions of people, until proven otherwise, and I've always fought against him to make him see the good. But he ended up being right most of the time. Family will always know you best.

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of my ba ngoai (grandma) moving onto heaven. I miss you and still think of you everyday. You have always told me to be happy and to never forget my self-worth. Thank you for listening to me and giving me so much strength these past few days.

Sigur Ros - Sud I Eyrum