Family

The other day I was really wishing I could talk to my dad about something that happened here, because I thought he'd be interested in it. And a few days later, I had a dream I went to his office but he wasn't there; I left a note. I kinda like thinking that my dad knows when I want to talk to him. Maybe he gets the 'notes.' And since we both loved The Daily Show and Colbert Report, I still sometimes want to send him clips of funny moments like we used to do. I wonder if he misses that too.

I don't get homesick too often here, but sometimes I do feel like I'm missing out on things back home. My awesome step-mom and step-siblings, who have been so supportive and are good friends. Their kids are  getting older, wiser and more fun, and I wonder if the little ones will remember me when I get back.  I miss my grandma, who has health problems. Every time I call her, she says, "I'm going to try to live until you come home again." I always tell her, "Grandma, you'll live a long time yet!" But I'm ready to get on the next plane every time she says it. I miss my awesome cousins and their cute kids.

And my brother and sister, who are the funniest people I know. I just know they are having all kinds of fun without me! And my mom, who after getting past her initial concern with my decision, has been incredibly supportive and really made it possible for me to be here with very few worries about my furniture, car, student loan, etc.

My family, it is not your everyday nuclear family (whose is anymore?) but it is an awesome family, all of them. I love them.

Booty Jeans

I have a Latina booty, and finding jeans that fit both my waist and butt is a constant battle. But my mom recently sent me a pair of jeans that are near perfect: Lee Comfort Fit jeans. I didn't have to wear a belt to keep my privates private!  And my booty can still run free, a lot of curve allowance. Yeah, I know, Lee is not a 'cool' brand of jeans, but if you have a booty that is on the curvy side, these might be the jeans for you. You can thank my mom.

Ode to Moms (and Pink Socks)

I probably wouldn't be in China if it weren't for the support of my mom. Not only is she taking care of my car and all my belongings, making it possible for me to be here, but she sends me the little things that make life a little more enjoyable (pepper grinder, cherry limeade, yoga pants, magazines, masa flour for tortillas, books etc.).  Here's a picture of us taken when she was about 25:

My cheeks and legs haven't changed much, I still have chubby cheeks and frogger legs, but I'm also still super cute in pink knee high socks!

Some advice my mom has given me over the years:

1. Never wear a flannel nightgown to bed. Wear lingerie or nothing at all. Nightgowns are frumpy and unsexy. (I was 13 and at the mall with my mom and commented on a nightgown in a store window we passed. I was mortified at the time.) 

2. If you drink through a straw, place it in the corner of your mouth and don't purse your lips. Putting it in the middle of your lips and pursing causes wrinkles.

3. Let your hair almost dry all the way naturally, then blow dry it upside down. Best volume ever. 

4. Use a needle to separate your eyelashes after applying mascara. Nothing works as well as a needle. 

5. Wear lipstick at all times. Flat shoes are for wimps. And always look your best in public! 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!

Teas

Two Celestial Seasonings teas I love: Sleepytime Tea and Tension Tamer Tea. 

Both with honey, and a little lemon in the Tension Tamer. Even the smells of these teas bring back a lot of nostalgia for me, because my mom would often make them for us growing up. She shipped some to me in China, it was a mom thing. Even though tea is everywhere here, I still love drinking these teas before bed. Good stuff. 

Graham Crackers and Milk

Take a drinking glass, fill it with broken (not crushed) pieces of graham crackers, pour in cold milk and eat it with a spoon. (My dad taught me to make this long before Golden Grahams hijacked it.) One of my favorite treats, and an awesome bedtime snack. I also love graham crackers and cream cheese frosting sandwiches. Basically you can never go wrong with graham crackers.

I think it tastes best with plain grahams, not the cinnamon or chocolate variety.

Other yummy snacks my parents would make us:

-a smashed banana, sugar and milk in a glass, eaten with a spoon

-maple snow (fresh snow mixed with maple syrup and cream)

Stripper Music

When I was a little kid, I loved my dad's old records. The Sting was a favorite, especially the track Hooker's Hooker, a classic striptease song. I would put on layers and layers of clothes and play "stripper" in the living room. (NOTE: I was always fully dressed underneath and remained so.) I didn't understand what strippers did in a larger context, but I thought they were beautiful and got to dance to the best music! (It's funny to me now my parents never said anything to me about my "game.")

I still love classic stripper music. My friend J. in Texas introduced me to this great compilation, Take It Off!. (J's house is decked out like a 60's Rat Pack martini bar, my favorite house to play at by far. Those of you who have seen the picture of me on the bed under the mirrored ceiling? J's bedroom.) It's a lot of fun to listen to, as well as a great dancing/workout CD. Try it! (Samples here as well. I especially like track 8.)