(no subject)

[topski]

Family room - the place to be in Chris' pad - not the [empty] living room

[A second view here]

Bachelor's pad. An update - haven't really talked about much this since late October.

Well, at least it's not too empty anymore. Er, why'd I wait so long? Move-in date was November 21st, right? 'Cause I like credit card accounts at absolute zero owed, and I believe in the thought of not having an empty bank account. Ü 'Sides, getting a fridge was priority, hehe. Please don't think I went to some Lazyboy Gallery, Ethan Allen, or Pottery Barn - the sofa and loveseat is from a practical, local chain called Unclaimed Freight Ü - reasonable, great furniture ;)

It's really, really comfortable. Taupe. Texture kind'a feels like a vellux blanket. Next project? Coffee + side tables. Those will be courtesy of IKEA. Plus a modern painting. And a lawnmower! Taking it slowly - saving up, saving up. I remember Lanie asking for updates - to which I responded ... 5 completely empty rooms.

** What's on top of the fireplace? To be mentioned soon =Þ

Hmn. Thoughts...

I didn't know back then that I'd end up here - freakin' Exeter, PA. It sounds so random, I know. And it's a very quiet suburb, not much action going on. Definitely not even close to what LA, SF, Boston, etc, can offer. However, it's funny how things really work out though - I live a very silent life here, but do experience seeing friends from all over from time to time. So far ...

• Traveled/travelled to the Bay Area twice to meet up with my best friend from college, Minh
• Had a couple rounds of beer with Marge, Anne, Marc over in West Covina (LA area)
• Met up with Joy also in West Covina over dinner
• Earned some air mileage for that free ticket to the Phils this past February - and we all know about the more recent events there :P
• Seen Studio City (Universal Studios, CA) - not the tourist trap - and helped with a project there for The Cat in the Hat

It hasn't ended there yet; I'm supposed to travel over to California & Portland/Seattle area once a year.

Meanwhile, the perks here on the northeast ...

• Hop on over to Ally's every few months
• Drive on over to DC to visit Chey, going for her PhD at Georgetown U
• Meet pseudo younger-sis Trina at Manila Bay, Philly - the Vancouver kid who visits twice a year
• Watching my sister's kids grow - Paco just earned his black belt in Tang Soo Do; he's one of the youngest (7) in the country to do so. Migi's not far behind

And the extras ...

• Visited Copenhagen and Englandsvej, Denmark - home of the parent company
• Visited western Canada (missed Vancouver! Argh)
• Food food food, places places places - Seattle, Minneapolis, Denver, Cedar Rapids, Buffalo, New Haven (CT). Fargo =Þ

Then ... didn't have the slightest idea that I'd end up with Mina, who will be taking the USMLE in Philadelphia, which is but an hour away. Same with our friend Teresa, and possibly even Wendy. This, to take place later this year. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe it was all meant to be Ü Who'd have thunk it ...

So. A toast. Grab your glass of cabernet, blanc, honey-brown lager, or what the hell ... kool-aid. I'm confident that if you were around, you would've come to one'a my parties by now. However, since that's not the case, such parties I'll prolly never throw ... but will always dream of pulling off ... Ü