Yes, I've been rather bad, not updating.

Let's see... I last updated a week ago. What's happened? Most of my roommates have moved in, so it's much livelier and good all round. I've been cooking and now that Joyce is here, she is too. Last night, she made quesadillas. I love this roommate thing. Tonight I believe we're baking cookies. Nestle Tollhouse cookies, no less.

Breakfast at Tiffany's in Central Park was amazing. I think that is one of the grand things about New York, the ability to go some place where you don't know anybody and still feel part of a whole. Plus, we got free chocolate and cheddar popcorn.

Then there was just a whole lot of work.

The weekend came and the Bronx Zoo was the destination for Saturday. Unfortunately, it was sweltering, muggy heat that dominated the day. Thus, we headed for the shelter of the air-conditioned World of Birds, which was actually rather lovely. I've always loved zoos. But somehow, I prefer aquariums, if not for the complete air-conditioned state, then for the magnificent, dominated feeling when standing in front of a large tank's window. Seeing the fish swim by, watching the sharks slide through the water--I could do it all day.

In any case, Sunday was errand day. Shopped at Target again (huuuuurrah) and then Hong Kong Supermarket, my grocery of choice.

Lovin' the kitchen. Seriously. It makes me feel so domestic. And plus, it's fun to have an audience for my food.

Tomorrow: U.S. Open time!

Okay, seriously people. Doesn't anyone want a Gmail account? I now have 6 invites. Just e-mail me: christine at luverly dot org with a link to a great site you read every day. So easy.

Going to Breakfast at Tiffany's in Central Park tonight. Sweetness.

Still toilin' away. Payday today!!!

This weekend will most likely be an Ikea weekend. Yeahhh. And tonight I'm going to the Guggenheim cause they have pay-as-you-wish admission from 6-8 PM.

I find solitary living not as difficult as I thought--in fact, I'm quite liking it. No worrying about other people's schedules.. very nice. But I still can't wait for my roomies to move in, cause then it'll be more lively.

I'm enjoying the feeling of living in a new neighborhood, where everything you see still feels fresh and wonderous. I'm not looking forward to the inevitable boredom with my surroundings.

Well, it's been awhile.

My mother and father are flying to Taiwan to attend the funeral. I chose not to, because I just didn't feel like I could pay proper homage.

I've basically been working, hanging out a lot with my coworkers, and.. hmm.. that's about it. Ate at L'Ecole which was really good and such a bargain--$30 for 5 courses. Hope & Faith taping was cool, got bottle of water with Hope & Faith logo and they fed us pizza and cookies. Went to TARGET yesterday!!!! Yes, it was like the mothership calling me home.

In the meantime, pottering round the new dorm apartment, which I moved into this last weekend. I simply adore having a kitchen--it makes my life so much amazingly better. And Chinatown is treatin' me goooood. Bought a rice cooker, which excited me to no end.

My grandfather died yesterday.

I received the voicemail as I was walking out of the taping of Hope & Faith. My mother's voice was strange, distorted and bloated with grief. "Christine, your grandfather passed on today. Call me. We have to discuss if you want to go to Taiwan with me," she said in Chinese.

I called back immediately, tried both our home and mobile numbers, but no one answered. I left a message at home, but didn't know what to say. What is there to say, when your mother's father dies? How are you supposed to take away the hurt? Should you even try to take away the hurt?

For me, it stung. But I was with a friend, Steve, and I really didn't feel like talking about it. Luckily, Steve either sensed that or was trying to distract me, because we talked about everything but my grandfather on the ride back. I still haven't allowed myself to let go because it will be messy. And also because I am afraid there will be nothing there, no overwhelming sadness, no uncontrollable weeping.

The language barrier is an enormous, practically insurmountable, obstacle. I've heard this from other people, too, whose parents emigrated here before they were born as an American. Being American and living in the Midwest means that one's English will be good, but the ability to communicate with one's grandparents who still reside in a foreign country--not so good. There is nothing more difficult, embarassing, just plain frustrating than attempting a conversation, trying to be friends with family who can't understand your broken Chinglish.

My grandfather was always an energetic man, impatient, and constantly moving as though to sit still were a sin. Indeed, he embraced Christianity late in his life, and in his last conversation with my grandmother, he spoke of how he wasn't afraid because he knew where he was going.

All I can do is be glad that he was able to face death with inner peace, then grieve, grieve for the man my grandfather was, and for never knowing him well enough to understand my mother's pain.

Sweeeeet.

I have tickets to both The View with Jessica Simpson AND Hope & Faith (ABC sitcom)!!!!!!!!

As a result, I am taking Thursday off from work (a lovely break) and leaving work early Friday. This is tres exciting! New York is definitely paying off. Even though every night I die a little in my horrendously humid apartment with no fans. But still! Totally worth it.