Ellicott City is adorable.

The last time I visited was probably the same time I went to the Renn fest - middle school? when dragons and tarot cards, along with fairy wands, were exceptionally exciting. Ellicott City (or Nellicott Titay as some folks like to call it) is filled with those things, along with antiques, dried flowers and incense.

Met up with folks at Phoenix Emporium (where the gentleman who originally brought us to Ellicott City decided to diss us. Mr Koza, you know you are never going to live this one down!) where I was 1/8 of the female population there. Could have been a good thing. But too busy catching up with friends to take full advantage of the situation.

In deciding to move onto another bar, we tresped through the main street of the city while snow gently fell upon us. Perfect time to be in Ellicott city - holiday lights and decorations up and snow falling. Very nice. Much nicer and warmer when we arrived at La...Pablos? Or so I thought. Ellicott City has some interesting locals.... After averting our eyes for about 45 minutes, we crossed the street to a brewery where the guys proceeded to talk about the last 45 minutes. Words such as "fat", "bigger", "i don't like women who wear drapes", "the guys look like they all are mechanics," "there wasn't one lady there that I would do" were part of the discussion. And we drank Manzar, a beer described as copper colored, smooth, and sweet - not unlike Chris' choice in women. I should not have chosen that as it was too sweet for this lady, but next time, the black bock is all me.

Vikash, welcome back!! And congratulations on the engagement. You'll have to show us her drawing some time...After you finally meet her of course...

I had a blast!

10 years ago, I graduated from RIchard Montgomery High School. We were the only high school in MoCo (Montgomery County) that had our graduation on our football field. Some people call that Ghetto. Some people call it being unique.

Open bar at Caddies on Cordell. Very relaxed, very comfortable.  Caught up with many old faces and met some new ones as well.  Forgot that there were so many awesome people that I used to know.  Forgot that there was an open bar and only had one drink!!!  But I had forgotten to take pepsid AC, so it was a good thing this asian lady only had one.  Need to make a good impression on all my classmates-don't want to get too liquored up!  Although soe folks did...

Then I bumped into a girl that I went to Paint Branch HS with.  Churchill HS was also having a reunion there. Class of 98. Wait, that makes it a 7 year reunion for them...odd....  Then we went to Union Jack (where Whitman HS was having a reunion) and realized that we were hanging out with guys that graduated from UM 2004/2005. I feel really old.

But it really was a great reunion. Photos again are lame. But there are several more this time. I have to say that overall, the ladies were better versions of themselves in high school. the guys... some of you guys have let things slide a little (Corey and Kerry do not count).... but we still love you all.

And YES! I am wearing the same outfit as the night before. Fashion brain was not working this night and my thinking is that if it worked yesturday, it will work today!

I really like the DJ at Cafe Citron - mixing up Salsa, Tribe called quest, meringue, 80's. Got to hang out with Ms. Karina, my most favoritist Indonesian...the only Indo I know actually, with Brad, the decidedly NOT GAY, always working dancing machine, Karina's friends Bobby, Amy, and Polly, and Darren. Dancing on the seats was a major occurance as was banging on the drums. Good White Passion Sangria!

The Yang's like to sleep. 'Nuf said.

AHHHHHH!!!!! I am so in love with my nephew and I haven't even met him!

Tell me he isn't the cutest thing in the world!!

(Hoss Toss doesn't like BMP. stupid!)

I love New York!

Went this past weekend. Got in at 11pm on Friday because Jo was distracted by stupid Alfonso on the phone and missed the Jersey turnpike and decided to visit the north west side of Philly and trenton. House party with latin teachers galore. Quid est Praenomen tibi? Praenomen mihi est Jo Ann.

Saturday - food, shopping, more food, more shopping, great columbian restaurant in Brooklyn, dancing to DJ Rob Smith at Morrisey park in the lower east side with Brooke - met up with Clyde and his friend harry. sleep at 4:30 in the morning.

Sunday - flea market and 5th Ave in Brooklyn, then back south, this time on the Turnpike. I find out that New Jersey won't let you pump your own gas. Found this out when the gas attendant kept following me around as I drove from pump to pump, trying to get away from him because I kept thinking that i was in the full service section because he kept coming towards me! Rest stops are horrible - $7 for a Burger King meal. Highway robbery! Got home at 9pm. Got to the airport at 12am to pick up dad. whew. i'm tired.

Brooke, thank you for having me there and for making it such a great weekend. I truly enjoyed myself. And enjoyed watching you show us all up on the dance floor.

Becky - thanks for the belated b-day gift (yes, I know that it was my own fault in not coming to NYC). its been....life enhancing!! I'll let you know in a month if it really works!

Jane Kim and Brian Sklar's wedding. Once again, I am just now posting the photos from a long ago event.  June to be exact.  The wedding took place at Strathmore Hall, on the lawn of the beautiful mansion and the reception took place there in the mansion. Mostly attended by UM folks. University of Michigan, not Maryland, this time.

The photos are completely mixed up! I need to figure out how to move them around. Some are from the night before the wedding - pictures that were passed on to me(I wasn't there), some are wedding photos, and some are post wedding photos (Jo is present here). The colorful outfits that Jane and Brian are wearing are traditional Korean outfits. They performed something called "Pay Back" where they show their respects to the parents and then the parents throw dates and...some other kind of seeds at Jane and however many dates she catches in her sleeves are the number of girls she will have and the number of seeds is the number of boys. Jane, I hope yousewed her sleeves shut.

Congratulations you two!

Note to those thinking of having day-time receptions: its no fun for the single folks! alcohol was not a flowing that afternoon and too many "adults" around for any true fun!  But it was a lovely ceremony.

Lao is now a Nguyen. But she will always be Lao to us that love her dearly!

Cathy and Dan'hs wedding was held at the University of Maryland Chapel and then the reception was held at China GARDEN (Sorry lao, I didn't mean to insult you by saying China Cafe before!) in Rosslyn.

The day started early as bridesmaids went and had their hair done (one of us had her hair done at 6:20 in the morning!) Then makeup, going to the Chapel, photos, and then the wedding itself.

The Bridesmaids walked out to "From this moment" by Shania Twain which was played by Cathy's cousin, along wioth the Wedding march. The service was short and sweet - Lao requested this so that she would not have to be the center of attention for too long.  Typical Lao.

It was truly an honor to be part of this experience.  Congratulations to you two - Now when do we get some little Nguyens to play with?

Lame photos again. I completely missed taking photos at the chapel. Once again, Jo Ann was late and ran into the chapel as the church bells rung 7pm. Try driving from Germantown to College Park during rush hour and getting anywhere on time!

So my photos are not nearly as much fun as everyone elses (www.dylangreene.com, www.rich.dabu.com, www.suzy.dabu.com, www.jhason.dabu.com, www.parties.dabu.com)

This is the Bachelorette Night out later that day after the Bridal Shower. With all that espresso in us, we needed to work out some caffeine. A stretch limo was rented and we hit DC. First stop, a rest/bar by MCI center. Not remembering what it was called (the alcohol was flowing that night!) Great food- Mediterranean tapas? And a sangria like drink that left us all toasty. Then onto Dream. Or rather Luv as it is now called. Thanks to Paul, we all got in sans cover and waiting in line.

Lao worked up a storm on the dance floor! And she also partook in some alcohol consumption. At one point, we were going up the stairs and another group of girls saw us passing by with Lao and her crown, as well as some os us wearing "Princess" tiaras. One girl says to her friend, "That must be the queen" pointing at Lao. Lao turned around and yelled, "That's right!!!"

It was a great night of girls having fun and dancing. And dancing. And dancing. Ask Lao, Eleanor, and Rukmini to show you their "Score" Dance. Its the best.