oh 2011, it was a good run

hey 2011. this year was a whirlwind. we had some beautiful + wonderful ups and some things i will never forget. personally, i think 2012 will be much better but that's just me. i've already got some great plans in store and cannot wait!

In 2011, I...

• got a fulltime job (!!!!)
• ran my first 5k
• moved to a new apartment with joe
• many visits to catch up with college friends, whether it was in mpls, des moines or chicago we always know how to get a little crazy
• spent more time with my family that i ever had in the last five years
• said goodbye to my Target discount. you are missed
• party rocked and shuffled through October
• became a better sports fan
• got lazy and grew my hair out soley so i could have my mulan bun back. and then i cut it again
• cooked more. baked more. crafted more.
• got a wonderful gift from my parents including a new computer + camera (and a food processor from J)
• celebrated my sister's achievements of getting into law school. and am plenty excited for her upcoming graduation and send off!
• enjoyed sweet dates with J. we had many and we have many more ahead!
• spent lots of time with our sweet sweet kitten
• developed more. personally and professionally. but i can already tell i have much more to grow!

alright 2012, im ready!  let us celebrate the end of 2011 & the beginning of a wonderful 2012 with a sparkly dress, champagne & good company!

image via 

 

on our eighth date of christmas...

... we went to uptown diner in minneapolis for brunch.
eggs benedict for me + cajun breakfast for joe.

asian christmas

Christmastime has always been sweet for my little family. All of my extended family still live in China so it's always been just mom, dad, Jenn and me. We always do a meal (or two) and a movie. This year was no different. Joe and I joined my family for peking duck on Christmas Eve and on Christmas day, we headed to Wanderers Garden for dim sum brunch*. the food was delicious, the company was wonderful and Asian Christmas was a success. afterwards, we met up with J's dad at the movies and watched Sherlock Holmes. i couldn't ask for more.

*if you've never had dim sum, its quite the experience. servers roll around carts/trays filled with a variety of freshly prepared small plates  and you pick and choose what looks appealing. food ranges from dumplings to short ribs to sesame balls.  there was a family next to us who was expecting a buffet and were very confused by the carts & all the servers moving around.

on our seventh date of christmas...

... we had milkshakes, burgers and fries at The Convention Grill.
it was a little date + my birthday dinner.
and it was delicious.