Bishop

Bishop season is winding down, so I figured I'd post some highlights from the past few trips

I eat salad now

In an effort to remember this recipe, I'm posting it here. This is hands-down the only salad dressing that actually makes me WANT to eat salad.

1/2 c. celery, incl. leaves
1/2 c. sliced green onions
1/2 c. pickled ginger, incl. juice
2 sm. cloves of ginger
1/2 c. rice vinegar

puree in blender, then add soy sauce and sesame oil to taste (approx a tsp of each)

red rocks

So I got back to LA from Hong Kong around 5 pm on 12/30, and after driving for 4.5 hrs arrived in Las Vegas! I was too excited to climb rocks and gamble, so there aren't many photos of the weekend:

workin 500 (v8)


more 500 (v8)


spook eyes (v6)


spook eyes (v6)

hong kong

yikes this is late, but figure I may as well post some of the shots I got while in HK/Macau:

My Brother's Wedding!!

So my brother got married in Vietnam on Friday morning, in traditional Vietnamese fashion. This included bringing ceremonial baskets to the bride's house and presenting them to the family's alter as an offering to the ancestors. Then the bride and her family go back to the groom's house to welcome her to her new home. After we did all that we walked to a nearby restaurant for lunch and beers. My friends from Ha Long Bay, Adam and Ethan, were able to join and Ethan even helped my brother as one of the groomsmen who carried a basket to the bride's house!

Here are a few pics from the ceremony:

My parents are tending to the baskets before handing them to the groomsmen


The groomsmen are waiting to deliver the ceremonial baskets to the bride's house


The outside of my brother's house, decorated


The bride's family alter, where the baskets are brought as an offering. The wedding ceremony took place in front of this alter


Each family's representatives (both fathers) praying to the ancestors


First appearance of the bride!!


Putting earrings on (a gift from the groom's family) the bride


Duyen's grandmother giving her more gifts


The next day was the wedding reception...These are a few pics I snapped while my mom and I got ready at Duyen's parents house with the ladies.

Duyen's nephews sleeping in the room we were getting ready in


Another family member, watching as Duyen gets her hair done for the party


Hadn't eaten since brunch...we were starving!


The dress!


Close-up of the embellishment


My mom got her makeup done...plus fake eyelashes!


The hair!


The arrival of the bride at the restaurant! She's still holding the sandwiches that we weren't able to have time to eat before the party :(


Duyen's mom pinning the boutonniere on her husband's lapel


The newly married couple!


Congrats D(squared) :) So happy for you bro!

Tomorrow my parents and I depart for Hong Kong...that's the end of Vietnam for us :( It's been massively, amazingly awesome and I'm really sad to be leaving, but I have made some excellent friends on the road, and in Duyen and her super welcoming family. Been a major blast.