We’re in Chicago right now, on layover until our next flight to Vancouver. The weekend with the family went very, very well. Much better than I thought. To learn the details, just read my LJ if you’re on my list. I’m actually quite happy about how it turned out. It was like taking a mini-vacation to Vietnam or something — so many of my relatives from Vietnam were there (my family has made their home into a revolving-door hotel and sponsoring relatives from Vietnam during the last 3 years or so). I got to see some cousins I haven’t seen in 10 years, and everyone was so welcoming and happy and jovial. Dave got along well with everyone. My mom was at her most relaxed and calm (which was so awesome), and everyone absolutely loved Dave. We did the second wedding ceremony (the traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony and stuff) on the 30th, and that went very well too.

We’re happy to be going home, though. We miss Tink and we miss our quiet surroundings, but I am definitely going to be visiting the family more in NC because I forgot what it was like to be around all these beautiful, wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins, who are all so happy and helpful and loving. I think that’s what made my mother relax more — to have her family near her from Vietnam. It’s made it so that she doesn’t have to shoulder the burden by herself.

Baby Bean is doing well. I only vomited once (right before the Vietnamese ceremony actually, because my outfit was too tight and the head dress was too heavy). The food was abundant and ohhh soooo gooooooood. Yum.

New Year’s Eve was spent with the siblings and the cousins. We took the whole night away from the adults and rang in the new year with each other. It was very awesome. Happy new year, everyone!! May 2008 be even more beautiful than 2007 was.