Sufjan Stevens invites you to Come on! Feel the Illinoise!

Elysia Visits/Life in AA

2008-09-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

First Pics from The Big House

2008-08-30T20:14:00.001-07:00

Despite a 23-25 LOSS to Utah, the game was pretty fun....108,000 people at the stadium...redonkulous....a few pics from "The Big House" aka Michigan Stadium, and me with my new classmates...

Joe Visits Chitown

2008-08-19T20:15:00.001-07:00

Joe came to chitown for a night last weekend. Good times and cruise reminiscing galore.

Bears Game & Judy's Birthday

2008-08-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

Judy hooked us up with pre-season Bears game tix last week and it was her birthday as well. And here are the visuals....

More Europa Pics For Yas

2008-08-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Look at these.

St. Chapelle Cathedral; Paris - One of my favorite sights.

Bastille Day Parade; Paris
Some lovely ladies I met on the tour.
Stars on the Eiffel tower represent Paris being the head of the E.U.

Amsterdam to Barcelona

2008-07-23T10:29:00.001-07:00

Bonjour, Hola, Gutan Tag mis amigos. I am back from Europa - up 30 Euro from gambling in Monte Carlo and down 1 memory card that I lost at a Barcelona night club (which means I lost all my pictures from the first 1/2 of the trip! ick)...but thankfully I met some pretty awesome people that all have facebook and will share their pictures with me. We all pretty much had the same pictures anyway.
Anyway, many stories to share when I see you all next. Here are some photos to tell a visual story though...more to come later.
Barcelona:
Jared from Australia (now we have a place to stay if we ever visit!) and Cheron from New York...2 of my faves I met on the trip:
A Flamenco dance in Barcelona:
At Club Pacha in Barcelona. The night life there is crazy...people don't start partying until 2AM, then stay out til 6-7AM. Our group got to this club at 11:30PM and we were the only losers in the entire club for a good 2 hours, LOL.
The club around 3AM...
The club when we got there (notice, no one is there)....
At a bar in Nice, France:
Wine bar in Chamonix, France. This is where the first Olympics were held:
Chamonix:

Waiting for a cable car to take us up Mont Blanc:
At the top of Mont Blanc with another Aussie:
More later. Peace and love!

This one's for Michael

2008-06-25T20:39:00.000-07:00

I'm going to let this gchat explain itself. Check out what Doris and I straight up typed at the exact same time about the wonderful Michael Lee:

11:34 PM me: wow

Doris: not mike lee as in michael z lee

but mike lee as in pastor mike lee

me: hahah

yes, i never refer to your brother as mike

it's weird to hear ppl call him that

Doris: what do you call him

me: michael

Doris: oh

interesting

me: or

Doris: dbag?

me: "douchebag,"

LOL

Doris: hilarous

ha ha ha

i knew it

me: omg - that was too funny

11:35 PM Doris: well it's probably cuz i call him that sometimes too

me: how hilarious. i cant wait to tell him

Doris: i know...we should both blog about it so may can read it and tell him and that's how he will find out

me: yes!

Doris: instead of telling him make him read it

11:36 PM me: i shall that tonight after this loverly gchat we are having

Doris: me too

that's so funny

me: i wonder if you can like copy and paste our chat

with time stamps on it

so it shows we literally typed that at the same time

Doris: good question, i bet you can

Starting to say Goodbye...

2008-06-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Starting to say my goodbyes here in Nueva York.

Eric's Housewarming

2008-06-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

Eric had his housewarming in Philly this past weekend....the place is pretty awesome. Also, Steve (niner in the diner) was invited but ended up going to the beach! Still, lots of cruisers came, even yours truly, the one, the only, DADDY KON:

With one of our friends from our class that bears a striking resemblence to Harry Potter:
Laura!Judy's friend Brianne joined us. Chad and Danielle as well.
I had to post this one - Daddy Kon totally flirting up this girl at the party:

NINER IN THE DINER MARC!:
Felix and Mike too...

This is me outside the building where most of my classes will be at next year. Isn't Ann Arbor just....amazing......heh.

Wow.

2008-05-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

I think Doris would say, "Ba-ruuutal."

OMGoodness.

2008-05-08T18:48:00.001-07:00

Look who I met after their concert Tuesday night!:

Ok fine...that's actually not really me! I know it's hard to tell. It is my co-worker's wife. He went to the show last night and saw someone he knew from HBO who worked in the programming department. The lady told him where FOTC's after-party was (Doris, it was at The Dark Room on the LES!) so they went, and she got to meet them!

I get to the office this morning and the first email I have has the subject line "Michelle Yu is really going to be jealous of this one", with the above picture attached. SIGH.....

Note: concert was awesome, i laughed the whole time, they played some awesome new songs.

May and Michael NYC visit and 3rd birthday Celebration

2008-05-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

Another year, another birthday...

Good to know that I've matured, flashing gang signs in pics and all.
MiD-WeSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTT! AZN REPRESENT, YO.

Another Cruise Blog

2008-04-29T10:37:00.001-07:00

Another thing we kept doing on the ship....for those who have seen the Chappelle show, people kept yelling "WHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAHH!! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK!!" lil' jon style. We were the classiest group there, by far.

Cruise '08

2008-04-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

So we are back from cruisin', and it was a good time indeed. I think I'll have to blog a few times about the trip, as it was so long and there are about 1,000 pictures between the 15 of us that went. Some highlights:

- Michael getting lost in the Honduras, even though the town we were in had only one street.

- Me getting sick on the last excursion day and missing Cozumel, only to hear about how IT WAS THE BEST DAY per Michael Lee.

- Finally learning how to play craps, and subsequently playing EVERY night. Learning all the craps phrases as well ("NINER IN THE DINER!" "EIGHT SKATE AND DONATE!" "WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!")

more highlights to come...here are some of my fave pics from the dance floor for now:

This is our new Chicago friend we met on the ship, Byron!:

Georgetown vs. Michigan

2008-03-24T14:49:00.001-07:00

Really need your help. Please vote for one of the following:

Note: this has NOTHING to do with basketball. Thanks.

Birthday ideas?

2008-03-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

So it's official: May and Michael will be visitin NYC from Friday, May 2nd - Sunday May 4th. I'm trying to get us Conan tix for Friday night, and then birthday celebrations shall be on the 3rd. What to do? Karaoke? Nelson Blue where they let Doris play her own music? That might rock, b/c there's nothing like dancing to a little Erasure and New Order. Anyway, some NYC pics...

Born to be a rockstar.

Peace 'n love.

Park City, UT

2008-02-21T15:35:00.001-08:00

Well kids, we're back...and I must say, UT was an absolute blast, for a number of reasons. Maybe it's because my VT trip was so horrible, or the endless card games (and constant winning on my part), or the 6-person hot tub in which we crammed 10 people and half the water came out, or Michael's 'stache and constantly saying "Bros before Hos!", or just the great people we met, and their relative stupidity when it comes to card games. We also went through trees for the first time on this trip, which was not as bad as I imagined, only really painful on the legs. Like a knife digging into your thighs and calves to stay up but it's worse if you fall (that's when you have to dig yourself out of the deep snow between the trees) so you endure the pain.

Peace and love.

Stomp the Yard

2008-01-31T15:08:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite movie of 2007. It had all the elements of a good film - action, drama, comedy, romance, and the added bonus of STOMPING THE YARD. IF you have not seen this film you have to see it. For those who HAVE seen it, apparently there is a female-version of the movie called "How She Move."

Last night I saw the movie "Definitely, Maybe" - May and Michael, you must watch this, it's a good one - stars Abigail Breslin from Little Miss Sunshine.

Finally, a picture from my failed snowboarding trip to VT last week. The picture is deceiving because I look so happy but had quite a horrible time. At least I got to rock my $29 Burton jacket.

Peace & love.

O.M.G.

2008-01-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

My heart is pounding right now because I am so flustered....the executive producer for Flight of the Conchords (Stu Smiley) just stopped by my desk and introduced himself. He saw my FOTC posters in my office and we started talking...man oh man...i bet you he's gonna ask me to play Bret's girlfriend in the next season...i can just see it now...my life is about to CHANGE, PEOPLE!

A visual: I am in love with the guy on the left (note: would take guy on right as well if it were between him and about 90% of the guys i meet; but guy on left preferred - nothing against guy on right if they read this blog):

total hotness.

A Birthday Shout Out

2008-01-16T11:59:00.001-08:00

A Special Bday post for my BFF back in Chi-city. Doesn't she just look SO happy to be my friend?
She looks much happier with Doris...

Gangsta.

This was taken at May's bridal shower, where thousands of guests showed up to help celebrate her big day.
She even let me go on her honeymoon with her. Now that's a true friend.

And, to bring back old memories....May, remember when you, Michael and I wrote this poem together? Good times...

Now this is story all about how
Michael, May and Michelle began to allow
Their words to be heard so just sit right there
We'll tell you about 3 asian kids not from Bel-Air.
In West side of Naperville born and raised
3 funny looking asian kids spent most of their days
Chillin out max and readin' the bible all cool
We definitely were the dorks of all of our schools
When Michael was young he thought that he could
Be the baddest asian kid in the neighborhood
But he got cut from the basketball team and then got scared
And instead asked Michelle out
And thought she would care
So he took her to a dance
And they even held hands
But then May told Michelle to break up with the man
Now it's January 2004
Michael got another chance to finally score
You're probably wondering what happened to him after that day
You guessed it--that's right, he'd dating May!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAY!

Illini visit NYC & Chi City

2008-01-05T15:17:00.001-08:00

So last weekend i agreed to host 3 old friends from U of I for 3 nights...it was exhausting, and i'm not sure why i agreed to do it but it turned out to be a great time. We did some jamming at my place with some help from my baby Taylor...

Saw Wicked on Broadway.

New Years Eve at my place for a bit.

Watched the Illini get annihilated in the Rose Bowl.

Chicago for Christmas was fun....I think Michael and I did the Soulja boy dance for at least a solid hour....we are so easily amused. I think that's why I love my Chicago friends so much.

It was also my brothers birthday. Here is me with the cake I made him.

Peace and love.

Chi City

2007-12-01T10:28:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving was great - got to fly home and see May and Michael. I think the highlight was when Michael was running down the streets of Chicago under a broken umbrella singing Souldja Boy - seriously, Michael??

Also, CONGRATS JEFF & CARRIE on their new baby boy! I am so sorry I didn't see you 2 last week but Christmas break for shizzle.

Also, my brother taught me the Soulja Boy dance last week - to put it lightly, it's FREAKIN' AWESOME. I suggest you all try to learn it, as it will make you infinitely more cool in places like Rizzo's. Instructional video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLGLum5SyKQ

R&B's Wedding

2007-10-14T21:04:00.001-07:00

Was in a wedding this past weekend, and I must say, it was one of the best weddings I've been to! The live band was so clutch. Miss these people a lot:
Really loved Renee's dress:
My date, Joe. He's had more boyfriends than me so I live vicariously through him.
Dre
Rangini, aka the Russian "Schluha":
Danielle
My entourage:
Table 7 was in the hizzouse.
Joe, thinking he found a chair...by this time of the day all coherent thought ceased to exist.
Party in the bridal suite.
Miss these girls.
Her last night as Renee Dann:
With Mr. Dann
Peace and love.

Peace out, Penn State!

2007-09-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

Got to start this entry by saying a big congrats to the ILLINI for defeating Penn State on saturday. It's too bad I cannot express the same enthusiasm for the Bears. What are we going to do about Rex Grossman??

Anyway, lately I've been watching the new CW show, Gossip Girl. Friday night somehow I ended up hanging out with Matthew Settle, an actor from the show (he's the one on the left):

My friend Laura knows him and his wife. Nice guy, drinks tequila straight up and likes to 'technocrump.'

Also, it was Dave's birthday a few weeks ago...here's a picture of us at dinner, which was held at Pop Burger:
May - I hope you feel better!
Peace.

Korean Movie Star?

2007-09-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Laura's older brother is a film writer, and he just moved to NYC to live with this Korean Movie Star, Joonhunpark. No idea who he is, but there were like 25 girls at this party that recognized him on the streets of New York and were just invited in. I know no one who reads this is Korean but this is him: Here is me with my neighbor and new gay friend Kirk:

Peace and love.

Life without Doris & John

2007-09-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

So lately I've been adjusting to life without Doris and Joan - they left for Japan and Thailand last week...guess this is a little taste of what the future might be like for me if they choose to go somewhere else a little more permanently...

So you may be asking yourself, what does Michelle do if Doris and John aren't around? Answer: Movies. Lots of 'em. Including:

Stardust is kinda princess-bride like, I really liked it. Superbad was pretty hilare.

How to work the U.S. Open

2007-08-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

So Laura and I went to the U.S. Open last night with no tickets in our hands, just to try our luck and see if we could get in to see a good match. Here we are on the tennis grounds - it goes without saying that Lexus was the main sponser this year. They were taking free photographs for all the fans:

For $10 we ended up in the main stadium, 1 section up from court side seats to watch the biggest match of the day, some frenchman vs. the #6 ranked tennis player in the world, James Blake:

Basically, if you show up at the box office on the day of a match, tickets for the main stadium, where all the good players are, will be sold out. But you can purchase "grounds tickets," which, for $10 you can peruse the area and have access to the 2 smaller stadiums, Grand Stand and Louis Armstrong. Those courts will still feature pretty decent matches (last night we got a glimpse of Tommy Haas, the #10 player in the world.) But if you stand outside the exit of the main stadium, there is pretty much a 100% chance that someone leaving will give you their tickets. Why? Because half the seats in that stadium are bought out by big corporations that give tickets to their non-die-hard tennis fan employees. The ticketing agent even gave us tips on who to ask: I-banking type guys in suits and old people who are tired and look like they're ready to go home. Awesome.

Tennis Time

2007-08-30T07:54:00.001-07:00

So I know I was little irate towards New York City in my last post, but this one is dedicated towards giving it severely mad props. Why? Well, my friends, the U.S. Open started this week at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, bringing along with it the paragon of beauty also known as Rafael Nadal (also know as my future husband):

If things were not to work out with Rafa, who is currently the #2 ranked tennis player in the world, my back up would be Novak Djokovic, the #3 ranked tennis player in the world:

I have tickets to the Quarter Finals next Thursday, thanks to my roommate's American Express card. Apparently she gets first dibbs on all these events b/c she has an AMEX.....which leads me to ask -

Do any of you guys have AMEX cards? And if so, what are the benefits?

GO RAFA!!

NYC Subway SNAPS

2007-08-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, on my morning commute to work I had a pretty underserving encounter with a lady that kind of looked like this:

Or actually, more like this:

And yes, that is the hunchback of Notre Dame.

So I walk onto the crowded F train yesterday morning and stand in front of these 2 ladies that show striking similarities to the images above. I open up my AM New York and one of them says to me:

"Do you mind? That newspaper is right in our faces."

She went right on talking to her friend as I put the newspaper down. I kept debating in my mind whether I should say something back. Finally I turned to her and said:

"You know, you could've asked me more nicely and I would've put the paper down just the same."

To which she replied:

"Well maybe YOU need to learn some manners and know not to open that paper in front of our faces."

To which I replied:

"Do you TAKE this train everyday? It's crowded, this is just how it is."

To which she replied:

"EVERY GOD D*MN DAY!"

To which I SHOULD have replied:

"You need to stop being a bitter old lady. It's not helping the 5 bajillion wrinkles on your crusty forehead."

Instead I rolled my eyes and walked off the train.

UGH. If a city is to be judged by its people then New York has really sucked lately.

Hobbit-fied

2007-08-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

My life has been hobbit-themed lately. I just had lunch next to Elijah Wood. He stopped by the HBO cafeteria. I was so tempted to yell out Frodo, but I kept my cool.

Happy Birthday, DLee!

2007-08-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

So it's one big post for the birthday girl....=)

Nelson Blue was a great bar, it comes highly recommended. The New Zealand-themed bar was kind enough to play Doris' iPod, and let the birthday girl make her own shots at the end of the night. Thanks to those endearing Kiwis, we were able to rock out to the likes of New Order, Erasure, and Guns 'n Roses all night long.

Here is Michael's new bro-mance partner, Eric. Notice they are wearing the same outfit:

Can I be any more of a third wheel? Come on, people.

Some housewarming pictures...we got an Aussie, Honduran, and Spanish girl in the house.

It was a great weekend. May and Michael it was good to see you. Doris, Happy Birthday, you deserved every fun minute of it.

-Mich.

Post #2

2007-08-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Ok I am super lame-o for not updating. My bad, and much apologies to all the people out there actually bored enough to read this.

Here are some pictures:

Picture at my apt from this past weekend. Notice my friend Tim's boobs.

These are from my recent vaca to San Francisco:

Here are some asian people I've met in New York:

Peace.

well since you guys all have one....

2007-07-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

Doris, May, Michael, Jo, Dan, Jeff, Carrie, Rob & Saki -

This post goes out to you b/c you will be the only people ever to read this thing. Even though I am not:

*Recently married (Jo &amp; Dan, May & Michael)
*Pregnant (Jeff & Carrie)
*In a new relationship (Robert & Saki)
*Interesting to read about (Doris)

...I am starting this anyway.

So, first post news:

*Doris & Joan came out to support my little brother Kevin in a 3 on 3 chinatown basketball tournament yesterday. Kev flew out for one day and his team was brutally slaughtered by the NYC Chinatown street ballers (think Chicago's "Chinatown Dragon" bball team, only they call themselves the "Rockits." Kevin's team, at least, had the best team name: The Schrute Bucks (named after the Dwight Schrute Bucks in The Office Season 3.) Anyway, many thanks to Doris and Joan.

*Jo, Dan, and Isaac are visiting me in NYC tonight and staying for 3 nights. Excited for that.

*Can't wait to see you guys for Doris' bday in nyc. Let's coordinate a dance to perform at her bday WHAT DO YOU THINK MICHAEL LEE??