Me and My Mom

I got a call from my oldest sister Lien one night that made my heart drop to the floor. I can’t really go too in depth about the issue; just personal family bull shit. Ray booked a ticket for me to get on the earliest morning flight back to the sunshine state.

More of the Chung Family

So glad I got to see my aunt and uncle, even if it was for a bit.  Love them to pieces.

Dim Sum Here I Come

Oh, and you know it wouldn’t be a complete California trip without dim sum.

Dim Sum!

Dim Sum!

Dim Sum!

Sianna

I also got kidnapped by my sister Lien and with that came a long overdue one on one time with my favorite niece, Sianna. Every time I see her she looks so much older and too beautiful for her own good. Just looking at these photos gives me anxiety.

@ Young Frankenstein Musical

Even though it was an emergency trip I did try to make the most of it by spending every minute I could with my family. Living in Texas makes me realize how much they mean to me.  Lien bought 4 tickets to the musical, Young Frankenstein. It was awesome. I love musicals, well, almost all musicals. I hated Rent.

Lunch in So Cal

Had lunch the next day. What a beautiful day. I love southern California.

At the Driving Range

Sianna had golf lessons so Lien and hit the driving range to kill some time.

One of my favorite things to do is go to a comedy club. Seriously, who doesn’t love a good laugh? I know a more of us could use one.  As soon as Lien saw that we were seated right in front she instantly wanted to move for fear of getting picked on. She says shes prone to it at comedy clubs and sure enough she got picked on. The guy was hilarious though. I laughed my ass off tonight.

me and my big sis

The next day we went to a dumpling house for lunch. I took full advantage of the amazingly retarded good food in Cali. Chinese food’s just not the same in Texas. Oh California, why did I leave you again?

Mahjong

Got to see a lot of Mahjong. I think my mom’s happiest when she’s playing.

Crab!!!!

Ate damn good on this trip.

Seafood tofu clay pot

Tearing up some Asian shaved ice

Well, it started off bad but ended well. Don’t think I’m coming back for the holidays because my mom will be leaving for Asia soon to meet up with my dad so I’m so glad I got to come down and see everyone, well except for Lana and my dad. I didn’t get to see them but I had a blast anyhow. Love my family, love California, and love to eat.

Good morning Christmas. I don’t know if it’s because we’re in California or because it’s Jesus’s birthday but it is a gorgeous morning. I woke up early and finished my book. I’ve been obsessed with reading lately.

We started our Christmas morning off with a family hike.

How pretty is it here!

It was a perfect 3 mile hike around the lake.

My dad was explaining to me that he loves mountains and lakes.

And then my mom chimes in and says she loves cars and money. She’s such a comedian.

We had to stop at least once for a group photo.

And of course I had to get one with my baby.

After our hike we were all so ready for some dim sum.

And tea.

After dim sum we made our way to Ranch 99. Oh how I wish Austin had a Ranch 99.

And then back home we go. I love this photo of my dad that I took.

I also love this photo of my mom checking out my dad be a photo-whore.

Selena and my dad goofing off after dinner.

Lana and Kevin are such a cute couple and this photo describes their relationship perfectly.

So the next morning Ray and I felt guilty for not working out the whole time while we’ve been here so we went out for a morning ride. It was ca-ca-ca-cold.

And when we got back we all went to Star Bucks.

I love my dad.

Afterwords we went out in search of some Uggs for my mom because tonight we are throwing my mom a surprise birthday party. Her American birthday is December 29 and since they are driving back tomorrow we decided to celebrate it tonight. We also got her a couple of Star Bucks gift cards and made the boys make a secret stop by The Cheesecake Factory to get her a cake.

All that shopping built us up an appetite. Pizza is the next stop and Lana knows the perfect place.

Hi dad.

So since we are celebrating my mom’s birthday tonight we decided to do up a special dinner for her, hot pot style. I miss hot pot meals. We use to do them all the time but I don’t ever remember having this grill in the middle of the hot pot. How cool is this.

A total Asian meal. I love love love it.

A special dinner for my beautiful mother.

Ray is tweeting about his first hot pot experience.

Hot pot dinners are fun, interactive, and healthy.

My favorite part of this photo is Kevin’s chopsticks skills in the background.

After dinner we sang happy birthday to my mom.

I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time.

Make a wish.

Look at that, she got Star Bucks gift cards.

And Uggs. Even though she knew we got her Uggs I still wrapped them up because there’s just something magical about unwrapping a gift.

Her hard working hands are filled with blood, sweat and too many tears. I wish I could give my mom more happy days like today.

My mom and dad are leaving today. Boo.

I’m not going to lie, I got my photo-whore gene from my dad.

One more meal before they leave.

My dad stuffed a bunch of quail eggs in his mouth and got scolded my Lana. She’s like, “dad, you better not put those back in the bowl. Now you have to eat them all.”

After lunch my parents and Selena packed up the car and headed south back home and since it was our last night we headed for the city. Ray was determined to get a burger from In and Out but never got a chance since we were so busy all week. Lana heard he wanted a burger so she drove us to Mels Diner for a “real” burger. Ray being too nice didn’t want to say anything and I just thought it was funny.

After Mels we got some drinks.

And after drinks we got some donuts.

And the next day Ray and I packed our bags and headed to the airport. Wow, what a fun and busy week. I miss my family already.

This year for Christmas we are heading west to my state California. I have a T-shirt that reads, “I left my heart in California and that couldn’t be more truel. The rest of my family resides in California and they are definitely a part of my heart. Ray and I flew out on the 21st and we’re coming home on the 28th. That’s a full week with my family. I’m so excited!

We’re staying with my older sister and her husband in Walnut Creek, about 20 minutes from San Francisco. I love Walnut Creek. Did a lot of partying there in my younger days and every time I come back it seems like the town just gets better and better. The first night we went out for some Vietnamese and then headed to a dive for for drinks.

Ray and I have this favorite sushi restaurant called Nara. Every time were back in the bay area we always meet up with a bunch of our friends for sushi there. It’s nothing fancy, just really good and affordable. Also, I have fond memories of that place because when Ray and I first started dating we use to go there often. Tonight Lana and Kevin came out with us and the funniest thing happened. Lana was talking to me in Chinese, thinking that no one could understand her but hello, we’re in San Fransisco, where the Chinese dominate.  and Soo Hoo is sitting right across from her who happens to speak fluent Chinese. It was awesome. After sushi we headed to a nearby bar.

Ray and his best friend Chris. I know Ray misses him. Oh, and tonight we got the news that Marci, Chris’s wife is preggo. I couldn’t be more excited and jealous.

These are the guys that Ray use to work with when we lived here. I totally wishes I would have called my friends to come out to play tonight too but I figured there would be plenty of time, us being here a whole week and all, and let Ray have tonight for his buds, but there wasn’t enough time and now I’m regretting it.

One last photo before we say good-bye.

My parents will be in town later tonight so in order to mentally and physically prepare for them we went out and got massages. I already made it tradition to get massages with my parents every time we visit them in Southern California but I think after today I’m going to extend this traditions to all the Chung’s.

After massages we got pedis.

And then we stopped by the building. I wonder how Mel is doing?

We retired back home where we awaited for my parents and Selena’s arrival. Kola can’t wait to see them too.

My mom and her daughters minus my oldest sister Lien, she was in Vegas with her family.

Dinner time.

My dad brought us back these sexy pj’s from China.

My dad literally flew in from China yesterday and the next day they drove up to Walnut Creek to see us. Talk about jet lag. I was so so excited to see him.

This is my mother. My heart misses her everyday.

We definitely drank a lot of wine on this trip.

Well that concludes the first half of our trip. It was an amazing Christmas Eve. Hope you all are having as much fun as I am.

It was almost a year ago that I started my first post on this blog, January 9th 2008. Since then I’ve written 121 post. I don’t really know who’s all reading it, but it sure has made my hand written journaling take back seat.

I cut my hair super short for the first time ever. It was kinda cute wasn’t it?

Ray got a new iPhone.

Ray and I ran in The Annual Great Aloha Run, just a little over 8 miles, and we all know eight is a good number to start with.

We voted for our first time for the Democratic Party. But just for the record, once Hillary was out of the election Ray and I voted again for our first time for President for Obama of course.

Ray bought me my first brand new computer. Mac 4 life baby!

MyBabyOurBaby Launched.

We finally found the dock where Lost, our favorite television series, was filmed at. We searched the island for it forever.

We went camping at Melekahana, our first time camping in Hawaii and Ray’s first time ever. He’s not a fan.

Rocked out at the Kokua Festival, a festival Jack Johnson puts on every year in Hawaii.

CheapPlacesToEatInOahuHawaii.com, my blog had become a major hit and one of Hawaii’s most popular food blog websites.

I called some lady a cunt on my last day of work, because she was.

We got to swim with dolphins.

We moved back to the main land, California first.

Ray got to meet some of my extended family.

Tried wake boarding for the first time.

Got to ride dirk bikes again.

Moved to Austin

Where we met the Semmlers, Shane’s older brother and his family and now mine.

Kidnapped Kuya Ben’s dogs.

Found the Agave Homes and fell in love.

Ray introduced me to Marcos. He works for NASA.

Went to our first roller derby.

Spent Bachelorette week in Florida with my best bud Jack Mother Fucking Dogg with a double G.

Got married, 080808.

Got my first tattoo with my old crew from V-Town.

Traveled to New York, but just for a couple of months.

I stopped eating meat.

Met Guav Mom and the Roses and I have to tell you I’m a fan. Hope we get to see them again soon.

I got to freelanced at Jimmy Z’s, thanks to Bea.

We got to be extras in Friday Night Lights.

I almost died from pneumonia.

I met the Semmler’s, the rest of Shane’s family, and now mine as well and went to my first professional basketball game. Go Mavericks!

As you can see I love recording my life and 2008 was a year worth recording. There was a lot of cherry popping going on and I got to meet a lot of people that will be in my life for the long haul. We also moved around a lot, Hawaii, California, Austin, New York, Dallas. Things are just never boring with us. I’m looking forward to a healthy, happy and prosperous year for 2009. I know great things are to come.

My mother’s birthday past, December 29 and although I called and wished her happy birthday on her birthday I wanted to document it because she’s the bravest, strongest, most beautiful women I know. Not all my good qualities are from her, some of that is all me, but a lot of the good ones are. I am fearless, witty, funny, and cheap all because of you mom. I would be nothing without you, obviously. I love you so so so freaking much and I thought about you all day on December 29th, especially every time I ate. I wish I could of been with you. Your the best mom ever. Happy Birthday!

I love you.

So during my whole stay at the hospital I kept in contact with my family. They were so worried that they kept contemplating if they should drive down to see me or not. I really wanted them to but didn’t want to push it. I know driving from California is not easy and if your wondering why they just didn’t fly since that certainly is easier than driving, it’s because they they are fruggle, very much like me, or I’m like them. But in the end they ended up loading their car up and heading east bound to Austin Texas. Ahhhh, it certainly feels good to be loved.

My mother cooked for us everyday. I loved it.

I taught my dad how to navigate around on my laptop. He still struggles with it.

I didn’t take a lot of photos while they were down visiting, probably because I was being cared for most of the time. When I was feeling well Ray and I took my parents to Zilker Botanical Garden’s. How cute are my parents in this photo?

My adorable little sis.

Me and Kola. By the way, here’s a better photo of me and my new hairdo. I cut short ass bangs and about an inch off of the front of the sides so it was even with the rest of my hair instead of sloped. Did it all by myself one day to release some anger. It’s only hair, it’ll grow back if I don’t like it right, but right now I’m kinda digging it.

My dad got down on his knees to pose with the flowers.

Me, dad, and Kola stop at a bench for a photo shoot

Our little family.

My mom and Selena.

Taking a stroll.

Me and my sister, but the funny part is my dad in the back ground. He’s picking plants up off the ground and planning on planting them back home.

Now look at him, he’s posing with them. What a goof ball.

I don’t know why he even wants them, they look like tiny birds nest.

Looks like this photo is taken from up top but no, Ray’s just tall, especially compared to little Asian people. I love this photo because while I’m trying to secretly be in their photo my dad is still picking up plants off the floor that fell from the branches of trees.

Don’t know why there’s one dino in the front of the botanical garden, but there is and I kinda dig it.

Afterwards we all went to the mall. Hey Austin does have a mall. Ray and I have been trying to figure that out since we’ve moved here.

Coming here was risky because my dad loves to take photos inside the mall, especially during Christmas time. I think it’s all the decoration and lights that put him in the spirit.

And just like that they’re heading back but before they do they make a stop at H.E.B. for some water. I begged and pleaded for them not to go but in the end I got tired of begging. My mother had things to do back home. It’s not often I get to see them. I love them so much for coming all this way to see me and I love that my mom is such a mom and cooks, cleans, and takes care of me. It was nice.

Thalia, the Memory Lane chick, surprised me at 11:00 the next morning and said I had to be out of there by noon. I guess it’s a good thing I woke up early to clean. Thank God for my mom and sisters; they were amazing with all the help. We packed up the car and everyone parted ways. Later a bunch of us met back up in our itty bitty apartment. I’m certain that was the most people our apartment will ever hold at one time. My family soon took off to catch their flights back home and my friends and I just decided to play it by ear, considering the long weekend we just endured. We all walked over to Kona Grill, just down the street from where we live, to grab some food and drinks.

Although my family had already taken off I still didn’t know how the hell I would manage the sleeping arrangements. Finding a place for everyone to sleep in our tiny ass apartment was like watching 30 clowns step out of a smart car. Seriously, there was me, Ray, Jackie, Bea, Guav, Val, Becky, Monica, Heather, and Jen and our apartment is maybe 750 square foot. I’m the type to just say fuck it, we’ll make it happen because there’s no way Ray or myself would ever ask our friends to go get a place.

But luckily my friends decided to rent a hotel close to the airport so they could hop on the shuttle to catch their flight in the morning. After drinks and food, what else is there to do but to get tattoos.

We’re a couple of bad ass chicks, so we decided to get a tattoo to show how bad ass we really were.

Actually, we’re not really that bad ass. All of us but Jen, decided to get a tattoo, an eternity sign, to symbolize our friendship.  I think I was the only tattoo virgin and that is why I volunteered to go first. Seriously, who wants to be a virgin? Let me cleanse myself of that purity.

My new tattoo. I love it. Now normally I would be a little more weary of who tattoos me and what the tattoo is going to be, which is why this is my first tattoo. But I have always loved the eternity sign because it looks like a sideways 8 and the number 8 is my all time favorite number, hence 08.08.08. This tattoo has meaning to me because it represents the friendship between my friends and I and that bond that can never broken. Also, it’s pretty retard and fuck up free so it makes a perfect first tattoo to get on the spur of the moment.

Jen didn’t get anything because she’s in the process of finding salvation and Val got retarded stars. No joke, they were retarded stars.

The next day I picked Becky up and dropped her off at her friend, Autumn’s house since she wasn’t leaving for another week. Bea’s a crawdad freak, well not really but she certainly likes to eat em. So where else to go but the Boiling Pot.

Poor Guav is only able to eat corn and potatoes and then works diligently for Bea pealing the shell off each crawdad, like a kid in a sweat shop, only white, and grownup and working for an Asian, the way all sweat shops should be ran.

The next day we all drove up to Dallas to Ben’s humble abode. He has the cutest twins ever, a boy and a girl and they’re both hyper as fuck.

But, I guess so are the grown ups.

We also went shopping because Bea has the coolest job ever; she gets to shop for a living and no she’s not hiring.

Then we all went out to eat with Kuya Ben.

And of course his twins, Lyric . . .

And Cloe.

Val at our house.

Val Is Funny from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

Well, not right after but eventually. We had to mingle first and get everyone liquored up enough.

Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez. I’m a Hernandez now, I have a hard core Mexican name. If my grandmother knew about this she would roll over in her grave, both of them; I’m sure.

Don’t let our innocent faces fool you. We have been known to be completely insane and reckless. Hahahah. I love these girls and I couldn’t tell you how rad it was to have all four of them here. It’s been a while ladies since we’ve all been in the same room at the same time, ages actually. And now were all here together at my wedding!!! Jen, Heather, Me, Monica, and Becky.

Taking some time out with my little niece.

Me and my big sis, Lana, aka Lulu.

The happy married couples. Tell me guys, is it true that after marriage you guys get no more blow jobs? Because I’m really looking forward to that.

That Toph is a weird one. I’m sure he was dropped on the head one too many times as a child.

Everyone should have a friend like Jack. But with that being said, it’s just not possible, she’s one of those souls that just can’t be duplicated. Which is why she’s my angle and I love her like a fat kid loves cake, but a lot more.

Smile Jen. No salvation for you tonight. Tonight we party.

Oh no, what is Kuya Ben doing.

Sure is a lot of big Mexicans in this photo. I’m feeling out numbered and a little borderline midget.

Broom and his lovely girlfriend Penny Kim.

My sister just recently got married to Kevin and I couldn’t tell you how happy I am to have him as a brother inlaw. They’re perfect for each other. Just look at his serious face.

Jackie I don’t know what Dirk’s been putting in your head but he’s got it all wrong. Golden Dragon for life! Fuck Wachoiva.

Kevin and my mom. Whatcha writing there mom, it better be good; it’s going in my scrap-book.

Oh Marci, if only we had stayed in San Francisco we would totally be BFF’s by now, having sleep overs, contemplating on ways to torture the boys, baking, cooking, having long, deep talks about money . . .

Val and Guav, Um, Lo Ciento, no habla Espanol. Perdon.

BFF’s. If you guys were here so I would hug you so hard it would turn your butt-hole inside out.

The Semmlers, Issac, Tiffany and Chris. These are our game night friends and apparently our only friends here in Austin so be extra nice to them people; we’d like to keep em around, at least long enough to find their replacements.

Kayla and Kimmy’s daughter, sorry, I forgot her name. Peace be with you too.

Beau and Jackie, here’s the keys to the back of my truck. I kid, I kid. But seriously, the car’s parked over there.

I love my sister’s, no matter how dysfunctional you guys turned out. I don’t know why I turned out normal any you two have slight down syndrome maybe God loves me more than you.

A few of my favorite people, yes that includes Kola.

After much mingling we had our first dance as husband and wife. The reason why we’re laughing here is because Jackie rushed up from her table to go find the camcorder and fell flat on her ass.

Ray had problems taking off my garter. Bite it like a little money baby.

Selena caught the bouquet and Beau caught the garter.

Chris gave a surprisingly nice speech. Awe thanks Chris. Honey, listen to your best friend, save the money and I’m always right.

Bea and Jack also gave a really nice speech/skit.

Lana gave a kung fu panda, I’ll kill your family speech.

Beau and Becky also gave a speech, but for some reason I’m not able to find any photos of that. After all the speeches it was cake time. Yes, that is a ninja and a Mexican wrestler, and yes those are our wedding cakes.

The ninja represents me and the Mexican wrestler is Ray. Oh, and this is our vegan cake. Not the prettiest but I definitely think it tasted the best.

We’re feeding each other with a knife, yeah, that’s real smart.

Just look at our anxious little audience. I feel like a celebrity.

We had originally wanted to smash cake in each others faces but I guess when it came time to do it, it just didn’t happen.

We even manage to get a little dancing in.

Here’s my sweet air guitar move

I don’t know how it all started but somehow we all manage to got almost everyone at the wedding to take not one shot but several shots.  Here we’re passing out shots.

A toast!

And soon after that it seemed as though we were all liquored up enough to go pool jumping.  I’m pretty sure it was me who screamed, “Lets go pool jumping!”  And like sheep they all followed me.

We even convinced Amet and Anthony to jump.

Sexy Ass

And played chicken.  I play for keeps.

And then we all just hung out in the hot tub.

Tell me this wasn’t the best wedding ever.

Alright, I’m just going to apologize now because I know by now ya’ll are totally over the wedding and thinking that maybe I should be too, since it’s been almost a month now and I’m still blogging about it. Here’s the thing, and I hate to admit it but I will just this one time so that everyone understands . . . I’m a bit O.C.D. as in obsessive, compulsive, disorder, when it comes to recording my life and photos. Guav, I know you’ll understand. I really thought that I would be done by now too and to tell you the truth, I want to be. I’m tired of blogging about my wedding. I want to move on to current events but I can’t, at least not until I finish blogging about the titanic events in my life in the order it happened. I’m sorry, but It’s a disorder.

After the wedding, family, brides maids and grooms people stayed behind for fun photo time.

The thing is, there were so many photographers that no body knew what camera to look at.

Ray and his boy

Selena and Sianna.

BFF’s

I’m loved

Me and Lulu

The Hernandez’s

Goofing around

Me and my moms

Me and my sisters.

Me with Lana and Kevin

I really like this photo because it looks eerie, like some weird telepathic shit is going on between the photographers.

He loves me.

We did it babe.

Ray and I had originally planned on getting marry at night. I mean we wanted to kiss under the moon light because, well it’s romantic and no one does that. But the more I planned the more I realize it wasn’t practical which is why no one does it. Everyone would starve because dinner wouldn’t be till like midnight and the staff and caterers would be working super late. So we pushed the wedding as late as we could, around 8 or so, and just decided to play on the 080808 theme and have me walk down the isle at 8:08. Anyhow, I know it’s almost a month later, but here’s a compilation of the photos that were taken during the ceremony.

Ray and our Reverend Jack

The flower girl was my niece Sianna. Hey, Amet just got here, glad you could make it.

Walking down the isle with my mother, it was so hard not to cry.

I think it was Ray’s dad that started the stream of tears, then Ray, then my sisters, then my mother then Jackie and then me. I didn’t look at the audience but I’m sure everyone was crying by now.

I knew I wasn’t going to be the only one crying so I had some tissue tucked between my titties ready for him

Selena and Kola, Lana’s always ready to take a picture.

My sisters look so tan.

It looks like we planned to get married at sunset.

I look so in love.

Our audience.

I Ray Hernandez of Mesquite Texas . . .

I was wearing some bright ass nail polish

You may now kiss the bride

We are the Champions

And that was our ceremony. Stay tuned for more photos to come.

One of the best things that I love about my wedding is that it was very small and very personal. Because of that almost everyone contributed a little of their love, a nice personal touch, and we all know a lot of a little adds up to a lot and in the end when I look back, my wedding was definitely one of the best days of my life. Right now I just want to take the time to thank everyone for coming and especially everyone who contributed. Jackie was a one army party at my bachelorette party in Florida. I was there for over a week so she seriously help me plan almost everything and helped me write out the whole ceremony. She also married us, was the videotographer, made her infamous jungle juice that fucked everyone up later that night and let me borrow her necklace the day of. Bea made our wedding bands by hand, I mean seriously slave over them by hand for weeks on end, sang us a song and also let me borrow her necklace the day of.

My sisters, Lana and Selena, and my mother did a fantastic job cooking the day of at the BBQ. Ray’s dad and Chris Semmler were in charge of the grill. Jackie and Bea, though not my brides maids, took on the role and was there by my side the whole time. My girls from Vacaville, Monica, Becky, Heather and Jen, went back into town to pick up the vegan cake I forgot about. Yes, I forgot about cake, something that never happens. Ben, Steven Ray and Guav were our photographers, being the amazing photographers that they are, it was a very suiting role.

Val was my helpful little runner while I was getting ready, at my beck and call, getting whatever I needed every time I called. My sisters, Lien, Lana, and Selena were my brides maid. Kola, our dog, even put on a tux and walked down the isle next to Selena. My niece was the last minute flower girl. Bea and Toph were the grooms people. Toph was also the best man, at Ray’s side the whole time. My new brother in law, Kevin, was the informer by being guided and informed on the proper usage of the facilities. Bea’s sister, Bernh, also did some video work and assisted me with my makeup.

Kaila, Ben’s daughter and Val also helped take some photos. Toph, Bea, Jackie, Lana, Becky and Beau gave a wonderful speech. Steven Ray’s girl, Nycole, whom I just met that day and absolutely love, took full charge and came up with the beautiful flower arrangements around the pagoda. Gauv along with the help of a few others draped the pagoda; he was deserted for a while so he gets most of the credit. Bea along with help from the rest of the girls did the boutiques, flower and candle arrangements.

I’m sure I’m leaving a few people out, but I just wanted to express my gratitude to everyone, even those that just showed up to witness our day. Because of all of you my wedding turned out better than I had envisioned. Kudos and much love.

What a great day. When I think about the day I got married I can’t help but to smile really big. It’s the way every wedding should be: stress free, surrounded people you love, lots of good food and alcohol always helps.

There was some last minute shopping I had to get done, like flowers. Bea, Jackie and I went out in search of fresh flowers. After hitting up a few places and 3 hundred dollars later we came back with butt loads of flowers and some other random items we had on our list.

To my delight I came back to see my sister’s and mother had been hard at work doing what they do best, cook.

Chris and Pops fired up the grill.

I got in my bikini and joined the party.

How adorable do my sisters, mom and I look here?

Good times in the pool.

Jackie made her infamous jungle juice.

With my girls.

Kuya Ben’s a perve.

Gay boys like to ride each other in the pool.

I love my little sis.

Group photo.

Synchronizing pools jumping should be an Olympic event.

Kola roamed around.

Is this the gayest photo or what? Guav is in a bikini and in the back it looks like Coop is giving Ray a flower. I hope this photo comes back to haunt them one day.

Mom, Robin, Pops, Beau

Steve and his awesome wife, Nycole.

Kimmy, baby, and husband, Coop.

Chris and Marci.

Stuffing our faces.

As you can tell, it was a pretty awesome day and it was only going to get better. I love weddings, especially mine.

Alright, where did I leave off . . . so now that I know that I’ve come to my senses and realized that paint ball just wasn’t feasible, I stopped stressing; it’s all good now. When we got to Memory Lane, Ray’s parents were there, along with my family, (first time meeting). There was still a few hours of day light left so we all got into our swim suits and took full advantage.

When it started to get dark we took the party inside.

But the pavilion looked so nice at night . . .

So we went back outside.

And brought some beer with us too.

Pops gave us a lesson in Shot Gun Beer 101. Oh, I see, you got to open up the throat.

The girls went out of control.

Oh, and my sisters made some cookies.

Hours later we all finally made our way to bed. Besides a few minor hiccups, I was really happy with the way the night turned out and way too excited for tomorrow to begin.  I’m getting married tomorrow

Ray and I arrived on the 29th of April and stayed in Southern California for about 3 weeks. A lot has happened in these three long weeks and I feel like I need to give everyone an update. We’ve been Chung house hoping a lot. First it was Momma Chung’s house, then Lien Chung’s house, to Lana Chung’s house, back Lien Chung’s house and back to Lana Chung’s house. Did ya’ll get all that? Try saying that 10 times in a row. It took a while for our vehicle to arrive so for the first two weeks and we were either stranded or relying on someone to pick us up and drop us off. We went to a bunch of malls, Target, and got home cooked meals from Mama Chung. Lien had a house leaving party and invited all the Chungs to come, and when I say all the Chungs, I mean, my aunts uncles, and cousins so Ray got a chance to meet a lot of them for the first time.

We even got to see Sianna, my favorite and only niece, in action at her gymnastic class.

Sianna In Gymnastics II from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

Sianna At Gymnastics from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

On the first day at Lana’s the whole family had a really nice stroll down the beach and later we all had dinner out on the patio.

During the next few days at Lana’s we rode bikes, had margaritias and lots of wine, went to their friend, Dave’s lake house and rode dirt bikes and wake board.

My sad attempted at wake boarding.

Doan’s Failed Attempted at Wake Boarding from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

If at first you don’t succeed try try try again.

Another Sad Attempted at Wake Boarding from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

A view of the bike killer bike track.

A Look At The Dirt Bike Track Behind The Lake House from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

Ray road on the track this time.

Ray’s First Time On the Dirt Track from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

On Mother’s Day we all ordered way too much food and went back to Mama’s house. Ray and I went home with Lien that night.

The night before my parents and little sister’s vacation we all went out to a really nice Korean restaurant and I had the best beef I’ve ever had. Oh my God it was so good, like orgasmic good. The whole time I was like, “baby, this is so good, you gotta try this, oh, wait you don’t eat beef. Oh, my God baby, this is sooo good.”

Anyhow, the next day we finally picked up our car, which was a total bitch to get to because we got lost and were on foot. We seriously had to jump fences, cross several freeways, walk down railroad tracks and get pulled over by two cops only to find out when we got there that we should of just taken the Passport Bus because it takes us right to them for free.

The next day my parents and Selena went on vacation. Sianna had a school musical that we went to.

Sianna at Her School Musical from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

Sianna’s School Musical from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

and later Bea and Guav fly in. After we pick them we’re heading back to Lana’s house. Anyhow, there you have it. I really tried to wrap it up in a nutshell but as you can see a lot has happened since we’ve been here. Oh, our crazy life. Oh, I forgot to add, Ray started eating beef again.

California

It’s true, we’re no longer Hawaii residents. Boo, but we did have a really nice going away party. I’ll post those photos as soon as I get them from Arvin. The day of our flight was pretty hectic. We didn’t even have time to go out for coffee with our friend Ona. Our friend Val got us these stand by tickets for $85.00 each, but they were standby and we were number 10 and 11 on a list of 13. Ray was like, “so we’re basically not going to make it.” And I was like, “don’t say that, we’re going to make it, we’re going to make it, we’re going to make it.” I even talked to the universe and envisioned us on the airplane, sitting next to each other. Never underestimate the, “Secret” hehe, or the law or attraction, because after they were finish loading up the plane they started calling out everyone on the standby list and most of them didn’t make it. Finally they got to us; we were the last two seats available and even got to sit next to each other. What are the odds of that? Man, I got some powers.

California

Of course one of the first things we did was go to Target. It’s kinda pointless to shop for anything now, so we just walked around. They got a lot of cool new T-shirts. I can’t wait to get to Austin so we can actually shop for things.

California

We also did a lot of walking around at the malls. I don’t know if it’s because Ray and I are from Hawaii but it seemed like Selena and my mom were power walking everywhere. It was kinda annoying because I really wanted to be able to spend some quality time with them, even if it was strolling through the mall, but she and my mom would walk like 20 feet in front of us everywhere. The annoying part was we had no where to be so why not just slow down a bit and just window shop with us?

California

And later Ray and Kola caught up on some much needed sleep. I don’t know about Ray, but jet lag didn’t really affect me, good thing.

California

Even through all the drama, I’m just really glad to be with my family now.

In the beginning of 2006 I took off to China with my parents and my little sister for a good month. I was super excited because China is where my roots deeply lie.

This is a video I took of my niece the night before we left.

Sianna Loves Auntie Doo Doo from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

For the first week we roamed around with a tour group. They brought us everywhere. It was overwhelming, tiring, and exciting all at the same time. The tour didn’t give skip a beat, just rush, rush, rush, eat, sleep, wake up at the butt crack of dawn, go here, get back on the bus to go there. There was no time to exhale you know. Towards the end of our time with the tour I got tired of them constantly taking us to places that wanted our money like the silk factory, jade factory, green tea factory, pearl factory, etc. Finally mom, dad, Selena and I ditched them and went off on our own. Fuck five star hotels we wanted to see the rural parts of China.

Mom, Selena and me.

At the Great Wall of China

Walking The Great Wall of China from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

These were the only other young ladies, besides Selena and I, that were on the tour. This was our last night in Shanghai. The next night we woke up early and the Chung family went off on our own.

We basically backed packed from town to town with our suitcases. The train ride was an unforgettable three nights. They packed us in like sardines, 6 bunkers for every crock pit, two rows, three bunkers high. I felt like I was getting taken away to the concentration camps. The restrooms were literally just holes in the floor, leaving a trail of shit between the railroad.

This is one of my favorite photos.

My mother and her older sister are adorable together. Selena and I finally got to meet our aunt for the first time. She’s cross eyed.

The restrooms were ridiculous.

Selena and I were walking to the next town to kill time and explore when this boy rides up to us, calling our names. Just so happens he ends up being our cousin, my mom’s sister that past away, son.

My aunts home and where we stayed while visiting her.

Living with My Aunt in China from Doan Chung on Vimeo.

Me and ice cream go together.

Just grocery shopping.

On the night of my parents anniversary Selena and I went out and got them rings, beer, and some pastries.

Crossing the street was one of the scariest things because no one stops for you.

At Tiananmen Square.

This little girl was working on the side of the road making jewelry.

More grocery stores

I love this photo.

Just a few photos of my trip to China. It was heartening and inspiring. Selena and my parents are planning to do it all again, but this time to Vietnam, Indonesia, etc. I’m super jealous and disappointed that I can’t be there with Selena. Hopefully they’ll have so cool photos of their trip when they get back.

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