Reunited and it feels so good...

There are other thoughts I need to blog about, but for now, a brief update just for family. Specifically, Mom.

Beverly, our cousin (1 of 4 LDS cousins we have - and they had to live in SEATLE!) is in Hawaii with her husband Mark. He is on business, and she tagged along with frequent flier miles. It was wonderful to see them again. The last time I saw them, they were on their honeymoon nearly 2 years ago (Spring 2003). Su probably hadn't seen them since she was 12. So yeah, we don't get to see each other a lot. It was very nice to see them again this soon.

They haven't changed much since I last saw them. They've both got jobs in DC now, moved there. She's pregnant - which means she weighs more than 100lbs now. The weight thing runs in the family, I tell you. I am excited to have more LDS relatives. Seriously.

We had dinner in the good ole caf together with Promul, who served with Mark on a mission, then spent a couple more hours after that mostly talking. Alexis (who knows Beverly from their childhood in Singapore) came and joined us and Jeremiah stopped by briefly at the end. It was good times.

There's something very comfortable about being around family. It could be that our personalities just so happen to match up, or that sharing a few brief childhood memories makes a difference, or that being related has something to do with how we relate to each other, in any event, even though we technically don't know each other, it was just like we were old friends.

It is always interesting to get to know them both because they are both ABCs (American born Chinese) and while we have the same roots, we are very different. I seek out American culture, but she has to seek out the Chinese in her. I have a deep love and appreciation for my culture, but I don't need to seek it out: it is within me, I can't shed it if I tried.

I am thoroughly jealous that they are living in DC. I need to go there and visit them sometime. I've always been in love with that part of the US and now with quasi boyfriend in NY, and them in DC, I just have no excuse to go. Besides lack of $$$. Can you spell "free accommodation"? (Apparently, I can't - I had to double check on dictionary.com) I was also thrilled to find out that Bev blogs. On blogspot too. That makes her even cooler.


From left to right: Beverly and [insert name of child here], Alexis, Su, Me, Promul and Mark.

In front of Lex is a "My Litte Pony" Bev got for her. Also in view is the single cup of ice-cream that justified us spending a whole hour there "talking story" right up until they closed.

I hope that we will get to see each other more often than once every 10 years or so. If living in the US is part of my future, they will be my family here. Our children will be great friends.

Blood is thicker than water, after all.