The past eight days I spent with Ryan at his family's home in SF. I am still a little shy around his family, so I didn't want to paparazzi the meals too much. Usually right before we all start eating, I would take a quick picture so there was definitely more food but my shyness prevented me from taking more yummy photos. YUM CHA! They've taught me some Chinese cultural things and, of course, I would remember the word for dim sum. I was fed yum cha three times in eight days. Needless to say, each time was much appreciated and very delicious. The next picture was the peking duck: yum. That's actually my favorite dish to eat. Ryan informed his mom of this tidbit of information, which then translated into "Myoli, can you finish the rest of the peking duck before the other dishes get here?". I loved it, but I got so easily full that evening. Yummy yummy Chinese food.

We had a pretty relaxing Spring Break. If anyone wants to see more pictures, there are additional photos on my facebook. Our first whole day (Saturday), we (Ryan, momma Cheung and myself) went to pick up Ryan's baby sister from UC Davis. We took the GGB, then another to Richmond (I forget the bridge name...), followed by a long, straightforward, stormy gray drive up to Davis. Our second day was a Sunday, so Ryan's family and I went to mass at his grammar school, St. Anne's in SF. It is a gorgeous church with light pink walls, tall ceilings, wooden pews, and a gorgeous elaborate marble altar. It's truly lovely. Funny aside story: one of the collectors looks like the detective from Law & Order. We had quite the busy afternoon/evening after mass! I feel like we drove all over the city running errands, eating yum cha, hitting up a Chinese restaurant supply store (my favorite), coffee stop at Peet's, running around with Ryan's aunt (Yi Yi - the spelling is probably completely off) and baby cousin Mia (the cutest), visiting momma Cheung's pharmacy, moving a huge rug, and ending the evening with some delicious hot pot that will make your eyes tear with happiness. On the third day, Ryan and I did a little "date day" in the city and went to the California Academy of Sciences to watch the afternoon penguin feeding time. It was absolutely endearing to watch. We went to a hometown sammy place for lunch and had dinner with Ryan's parents at home. Poppa Cheung can cook some yummy home style food! By Tuesday, Jeremy- the guy whose head is in the yum cha picture- came home and we spent the next two days having "family time". We revisited the academy and toured around the city to some of the family's favorite spots. It was such a great two days. Thursday was very rainy and I wasn't feeling too good, so Ryan and I stayed in and did a 750-piece Disney puzzle! It was so much fun, we're quite the nerdy couple. We did the puzzle in 3 to 4 hours and later enjoyed a home style dinner with his parents. Friday was quite relaxing. Ryan's auntie and Mia came over for "Thai takeout night" from their family's preferred Thai restaurant. Since it was Friday during Lent, we had all non-meat dishes. My favorite was this vegetable medley in peanut sauce, but a close-second were these angel wings made out of tofu. If you're curious to put faces to names, personal pictures of the academy, and/or any of the aforementioned food, then feel free to take a look-see at my facebook album.

So that was 3/18-26. San Francisco is such an amazing, eclectic metropolitan city. I love it there, it automatically feels like home. Something about the aura is just so welcoming. Or maybe it was the extremely cordial nature of the Cheung family. Either way, it was an amazing time and I just wanted to share with everyone.


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Congrats on the acceptance to UC Davis Vet School, Amanda!!

Hello All!

Well, It looks like I will be going to Veterinary school at UC Davis!! I haven't been so excited, overwhelmed, and terrified at the same time. I know I've been working towards this for several years now, but now it's actually happening and I'm not sure how to wrap my head around it.

One difficulty is that Jon didn't get into Davis, but he got into Western, and I didn't get into Western, but I got into Davis. Weird right? That would be our luck. And I know some people probably think it's a mistake for us to go to separate schools, considering it is four years, but I can't imagine one of us not going this year and then not getting in next year. That would be worse than the separation. I feel like we were extremely lucky that we both got in somewhere, and we actually have a direction now. In January we didn't know where our lives would be in 6 months and at least now we have a plan.

I figure that Davis isn't really that far, and there is skype. Where there is a will, there's a way. We both knew this was a distinct possibility, and believe me, we both have the will. :)

The moral of the story is I'm ecstatic I get to move forward with my life, even if it's not in what I would consider to be perfect circumstances. That and I expect everyone to come visit me wherever I move to in Davis. :)

Hi, this is my owl mug, Hooter, my spam can pencil holder and my bamboo plant that is impossible to kill...all sitting on my desk to provide me with nourishment and energy. :-)

Comparative animal physio, stem cell bio, advanced cell bio, and intro business can lead to a very stressed Myoli. I hope everyone is enjoying their week and feeling refreshed. Today is Ash Wednesday in the Catholic community, hence the ashes on my forehead (they're sort of fading...). We're supposed to become closer to God during the Lenten season, give up our sins, and practice self-denial.

In the spirit of things, I'd like to start by letting everyone know I am grateful to have such amazing friends who have given me so much <3 I'll pray for everyone's good health, happiness, and peace within our own hearts and in our lives. A best friend of mine has asked that I not bottle things up... it's unhealthy... and I agree. So with that, I am going through a lot with my professional and personal life and would hope that as my friends we can all be there for each other however we can, whenever we can, in whatever way we can. I hope that things are going better for everyone else!!

On a brighter note, I may be visiting a zoo and/or museums soon... so expect pictures!!!! Elephants and donkey photos have been requested... any other requests? Better yet, any suggestions as to which museums I should visit? I am open to SF, LA, and San Diego. Thanks friends!