I <3 DURIAN

Ever since growing up in Hong Kong, my family (with the exception of my brother) has developed a taste for this oft reviled fruit. I have fond memories at almost every stage of my life sucking down on some durian. These may include having the Farmington Fire Department called (not once, but twice!) to investigate the scent of natural gas in the senior dorms which mysteriously emanated from an airtight container in three plastic bags in the fridge; and chowing down on some of the best durian ice cream right after a bout of food poisoning in Saigon.

The extremely sweet flavor and the custard-like texture lends itself especially well to frozen desserts… like ice cream, milkshakes, and popsicles! I found the above box while on a food excursion in the Westgate area with Bethia and Angela at Westgate Import Market. It tastes just like the real thing! I coerced B into having a bite (he loved the milkshake at Thuy Trang Restaurant in Detroit!) and watching his facial expressions was just priceless! I will convert him yet! For the time being, this is one thing I won’t have to worry about keeping stocked in the freezer.

Blueberry and Marshmallow

Sitting in a tree, first comes love, then comes marr–, err, nevermind.

Isn’t she cute? She looks so long in this photo compared to B’s old school Jetta.

Grown & Sexy!

Never ever did this little New Yorker/Shanghai-er think that she’d be getting a driver’s license, never mind my very own car. Being license-less has been a badge of honor and difference here in Middle America.  It says, “I never have to think about making payments, insurance, gas prices, or getting too wasted to drive home.”  It also says, “Can I get a ride? Why do the buses never run on schedule? I’m chained to the Short North.”  But as I’m learning, we all have to move on. And at a grown age of 28, I’m getting my very own car. Check it out! My very own LESBARU!!

Shoot, I never thought I’d get a Subaru. I never thought I’d buy a WHITE car (or as NOM would say, a ghost whip). And I sure as hell never thought I’d ever actually DRIVE my own car (seriously, that’s what taxis and drivers are for). But you know what? I’m looking forward to this. To jaunts to the Chinese grocery, to Vietnamese food in the suburbs, to the mountains for a snowboarding trip in the winter, to Kansas City to see my cousin and eat shit-tons of barbeque. My family is awesome, I’m going to do them proud.

P.S. Her name is Marshmellow. And Blueberry’s her best friend.