I'm never...

There are many times when I say, "I'm never..." but the trend seems to be that I always end up doing the thing I thought I would never do. Like going to China to teach English, and eating a river snail, and being a vegetarian. Add to the list: Owning a car that isn't a Chevy. Two weeks ago, my dad and I decided to look for a car for me because SD is 5 hours away, which is just long enough that anyone who would come pick me up would have to stay overnight before driving home. SD is also, I hear, crazy cold in the winter, so a car will be better for errands and emergency runs to Sioux City when I can't bear it any longer.

We did some research on consumer reports and Edmund's. I had driven a few cars, but we found a 2005 Elantra with low mileage, which seemed kind of perfect. The 2005 Elantra is the used car "best bet," and it's considered to be pretty reliable. Besides...look how pretty!


Perhaps you remember when I wantonly threw out my favorite shoes in China. It was really sad, but I got some new shoes, which are better, if only because the soles aren't falling off. Actually, I think these shoes are a bit more awesomer because they have different colors of brown and stylish stitching on the toe area.


New car, new shoes, new school...and coming soon: two birdies!

-吴碧芙

Stepping Out

My old roommate and I were busting up Iowa City this weekend. Things have changed, but things are also the same. There is a feeling to IC, which can't be described. It seemed that almost everything was the same, including some of the people we saw, people who have been walking the streets probably every day since we were in school. Shock highlights included the empty store front where Baldy's used to be, flood damage, and many new buildings.

We, of course, had dinner at Masala, and spent the rest of the night at, of course, Dublin Underground. The evening included us, ex's, ex-band members, and a few surprises. When we got hungry, we skipped out to Marco's Grilled Cheese cart and George's Gyros cart. We took over the jukebox, and played the less-known alternative and indie songs. In the morning we had breakfast at, of course, the Java House, where they make a Tahitian Coffee that can't be beat. We walked around checking out downtown, and we eventually went to the Co-op to get those few hard-to-find items (Coconut oil was on sale).


After the Co-op, I met my friend and her four-year-old for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Then, I went to the best HyVee ever, where I used to work. They had gerbs, buy one get one free, and I couldn't resist.

I miss IC...It was good as escapism, at least for two days...Now I'll be going back to Starbucks coffee and beer to drown my sorrows.

-MsLin