Kimchi

For Chinese New Year the Zhang family and I went out to dinner. We didn't go to a Chinese restaurant because Mike's mom is very picky about eating Chinese food out because if she can make it (and for cheaper than what we are buying it for) then we shouldn't go there. We should eat food we can't get from the comfort of our own kitchen. So indeed, we went to a Korean BBQ place. Korean food is one of the family's favorites and we always go to the same place in Garden Grove to get yummy marinated beef, kimchi, rice noodles, beef short ribs, white rice and shrimp.

It was nice to spend time with Mike's whole family. Mike's dad works six days a week at a restaurant as a cook so seeing him, let alone Mike and his whole family, is hard. Those two individuals who parented Mike are the sweetest people ever. They are always so concerned and caring towards me and love when I say "xie xie" (which is pronounced "sheh sheh") and translates to thank you in Mandarin. I figure after almost seven years of your son dating some one you have to in someway like the person. The language barrier is a challenge at times but it is amazing how you can speak not only with words but with facial expressions and body movements. I can speak to Mike's parents in all ways, not just with English. I love the culture that comes with dating some one from a different background. I hope to continue these traditions with my future children (of course I think about these things) and one day I will see their elated faces when Chinese New Year comes around and they get their lucky red envelope.