Hola Amigos! I'm backkkk :) Peru was remarkable! our stay in the jungle was fascinating, and Machu Picchu was indeed a historionic spectacular archaeological site. it was a humbling experience in many ways, incited a lot of thoughts and contemplation that I will save for another rainy day.

Otherwise, work started last week. I leave early in the wee hours of the morning and always bound to be in a turtle paced commute in the afternoon. yippee, and I loooove the rainy days, because then everyone thinks they should drive -285 miles per hour on the highway.

sooo we have our girls conference calls once a month, and our beloved lisa wisa serves as our quasi secretary and takes minutes...just got the email from our last call and it just puts a smile on my face :)

Recap of Call...
October girls to Vegas trip may not happen due to $$$???  We'll discuss.

Mychau's going to Europe w/ Jerry.  Jerry will be moving to Seattle soon... or else he will get angry phone calls from viet girls.

Haccy and Mary got back from S. America.  Mary kissed too many jungle men and got dizzy on her first day back to work.  Haccy is the best Indian dancer in Chicago.

Ha is the hottest thing to hit Arkansas on a bike.  Just wait... the men will come flocking.

Lisa will begin ring shopping soon... omg... it's scaaaarrry!!! 

Love you girls!
Lisa

Isaiah 1:17.....Lollapalooza next weekend...yeah!! Odios! :)

i just took my first dose of mefloquine. hope i don't get crazy dreams.

i'm starting to think baseball isn't so boring! went to Cubs game #2 Monday night, had first row seats right behind the dugout and a buddy explaining what was going on, i actually had fun. SO, go cubbies!

minh son, mary, me, and nam - i am done for a while pleaseeeeee

my all time fav - BBQ-ing on our deck 

 last weekend - our only picture tog. don't know what i'd do w/o her, i feel extremely blessed to have a sister like Mary.

thanks everyone for your help last weekend, God cotinues to remind me everday that i have the most wonderful family in the world :)

K, i get to do 8 hours of driving today. yessss!

busy busy busy. i really have to remind myself, 1 thing at a time. i need to take more heedfulness and scrutiny in things i do, along with the need to be more stringent with my time. i can't afford to make anymore hasty imprudent decisions....i guess this all goes with growing up and being more responsible, something i'm learning the hard way.

Matthew 6:27, 33-34

fun things that i've managed to squeeze in the past few weeks:

• CBG Wine Festival
• Rockit's Burgerfest (you would think lobster avocado and kobe beef burgers sound enticing butttt i would have to give it 2 thumbs down) 
• Viand- thumbs down again
• Bella Lounge (food's pretty good) and Republic Lounge (don't ever eat there) 
• afternoon tea @ the Pen
• happy hours @ Devon's Seafood and Grill and Rock Bottom 
• Coco Pazzo 
• Vermilion - indian/latin fusion tapas style restaurant....it was so soooo good!
• Melting Pot lounge for chocolate fondue
• midnight sushi excursion x 2
• Knocked Up
• studying, working, and interviews up the wazoo (okay maybe not so fun), family obligations, and taking care of stuff for our upcoming Peru trip.

of course i feel compelled to say....CONGRATS to QUYNH NHU for getting into medical school at Georgetown University! we're all very excited and proud of you. oooh i know where our next girls trip will be!!

i'll post more pics up later. sunrise...

some of the best desserts i've had in my life....delish!

since i downed a coffee at about 12:30am, i'm wired on caffeine. hence, my updating xanga at this odd hour.

i'll just talk about food. this week was full of good fine dining...the finale was tonight...rated America's #1 restaurant...the "Tour" 24 course meal over 4.5 hours...

http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/

hands down the best food i've ever had in my entire life. it's pretty impressive how much momentum molecular gastronomy has gained, even though when i first heard of it a few years back, the idea seemed a little far fetched. but this is my 2nd experience and i was utterly complacent....the kaleidoscope of opulent flavors and beautiful presentation extremely ravishing. i feel like this emulates the pinnacle of culinary creations thus far. without exaggeration, the experience and cuisine was phenomenal.

it's all been quite pleasing to my palate, thanks for the opportunity to try such fine exquisite foods!

i finished putting together my CV this week, while many others were an impressive 9 pages, mine was only 6  quite a prodigious feat, i reread it 479 times, made everyone and their mom read it twice and then back to me where i read it over another 358 times.....i am so indecisive and paranoid that i drive myself crazy.

2 more days till i'm in myrtle beach

just finished reading the last batch of books i ordered....highly recommend The Reluctant Fundametalist by Mohsin Hamid, very intelligently and superbly constructed w/a powerful depiction and analysis of the state of our world today. my next order includes Macolm Gladwell's Blink and Tipping Point and Ischmael Beah's A long way home. any other recommendations? i always go to borders/barnes to sit there and read for a few hours, and when i leave i slip my book back into my bag and i often get looks from people like i'm pilfering these books...

the weather's been glorious. although it's raining today, i think we need it. i've been bustling all over the city, outdoor/streetside dining, happy hours, beach, hitting up the tennis courts and my all time favorite: BBQ-ing! we were at the Chicago Cultural Center looking through the smorgasbord of summer fun and the gentlemen told us, "you just have to be sick in bed to be bored in chicago" indeed true! i have a longgg list of all the festivals/activities/events i want to hit up for the summer.

BULLS - yeah!! 1 down, only 3 more to go! hehe. go ahead and bring on any comments you have. i think i've gotten it all i'm going to go out to watch the game in a bit and yes, i am still sporting my jersey. gooo bulls!

CUBS - been keeping up w/their stats, learning about their players, the game itself, and apparently, they're not doing too shabby. ready to go to game #1!

making of frango chocolates at Marshall Fields @ Looptopia

moonstuck cafe- their hot chocolate was heavenly, i like the after taste and def one of the best i've ever had

i'm studying too....intermittently. just embracing the little time left of having the luxury of living the student life.

EDIT:

what happened to the pistons tonight? did they walk out after 3rd quarter?