Long missing update

It's been a while since we've posted an update. Since our trip to Taiwan, we have survived the long hot summer. There were a few scares of hurricane and tropical storms, that really got us working on our food storage and 72 hours kit. In Oct, we finally moved into our new home and have been spending every weekend ever since buying stuff for the home. Daniel's sister and family moved in with us while they are completing their home across the street from us. Our little nephew, Enoch has been keeping everyone busy, putting anything he holds into his mouth. He has also been bringing home flu bugs that gets the whole family sick. In Nov, we realized that we had forgotten to transfer the electricity account name from the builders to ours. We had a 2 day power outtage! The 72 hour kit really came in useful in lighting up the house during the night. With no power, all of us went out for Chinese buffet for dinner and slept really early that night. Thank goodness we still had hot water cos our water heater is gas powered. Thanksgiving was the best. Tim and Crystal were our first guests. They spent Thanksgiving and the weekend with us. Moving to Houston where we didnt know anyone, we have not hung out with people of our age for a long time. Too bad it was really cold when they were here. (really cold as in the 40s but the day after they left, it warmed back up to 70s) Thanks you guys for visiting and for the Christmas gifts. Daniel's mum loves the throw. She was looking for one. I guess you guys have most of the pictures so I'll let you post them.

We finally made it back it to Asia!

Our long awaited trip finally arrived. We left for Taiwan on 23rd of May and stayed in Taipei for 2 days. It was so hot! Taipei was the worst. We attended Daniel's brother's temple sealing. Congratulations Jack and Grace! We met Grace for the first time. Welcome to the family Grace!

While we were Taipei, we had to visit Taipei 101. Unfortunately we didn't bring our camera so we don't have any evidence that we've been there. It is a nice place though. There were tonnes to do in Taipei. A member from our ward planned our 2 day itinerary but we didn't get a chance to do any of it. After the temple sealing, we headed to Kaohsiung. As our 1 year anniversary, we took our wedding studio pictures. Pictures to come later. That took up the rest of the time in Kaohsiung. Didn't get to do much this time, but the wedding pictures were fun to do.

From there, we made it to Singapore! Daniel's 1st trip to Singapore and my visit since the last one 4 years ago. It was a crazy trip. I wanted to take Daniel to visit all the tourist spots but there was too much to eat and shop that we didn't even get to visit Sentosa (or Night Safari). The first 2 days were spent with the wedding receptions in Singapore. That was the most tiring reception. There was one day when we were there from 12pm till 9pm. We practically could'nt stand towards the end of the day. But after the receptions were done, we ate like crazy. Everyday we set off to eat something different, although Daniel had ice kacang 3 times in 1 day. Singapore was hot but was a lot better than Taipei. I also got my hair done. Thanks Mel for the recommendation. I love it! Here's a picture of my new hair on Tuesday Jun 5th early morning when we are about ready to leave Singapore to come back home.

long weekend

I wish we had a long weekend but we don't. It is a regular 2 day weekend but it is going to feel long. Daniel has to go back to work on both Saturday and Sunday. Hope he doesn't get this client again. As for me, I just attended a 4-day conference and have to get caught up with my work again. The good news is Daniel's family moved here for good as of yesterday. Also, my brother Julian graduated from BYU this week. Good job bro! My family left Provo this morning for their car adventure. I wish I could join them.

Chronicles

I was thinking the other day about how we got here in Houston and how crazy the life has been for us since. Let me list what had happned in the past year so you can see how crazy it is.

December 2005 - Got engaged in English Bay (In short, EBay. Haha) in Vancouver, BC Canada.

April 2006 - Daniel graduated from BYU

May 2006- We got MARRIED!

May 2006- We moved to Houston for Joanne's internship with ExxonMobil. We think California isn't the place for us just yet. We decided to move a place where I thought people are still riding horses to go to work. I am serious… But, when we got here, it is really a nice place. I won't try to convince you…come and see it yourself. Big city and great food J

August 2006- We cancelled our trip to Asia because US Immigration law changes every time I sneeze (it changes so often) :(

September 2006- Daniel moved to Houston to start his first REAL Job with PwC and he bought a new car (first time in his life). This is not exactly the job he wants (he wants to run a restaurant and sell Chinese Burrito. There is really such thing. He invented it) and the car is also not his dream car (all he wants was a BMW 5 series). However, it will suffice him now as career needs time to build and a dream car drinks gas like nobody's business. An auditor and a Scion will do him just as good.

November 2006- Daniel's parents move to Houston

December 2006- Joanne graduates from BYU.

December 2006 - After 6 month research and searching, we bought our first house (to be built) You can see a virtual tour of a model home here : http://www.meritagehomestexas.com/tours/tour.pl?id=4394&type=legacy&plan_id=3507
Of course, we are always crazy for fancy house, but we think we are lucky enough…buying a house right after college…almost like a dream and a lot of burden.

January 2007- Joanne started her job with ExxonMobil. She is right now a contact engineer. BTW, no matter how many time Joanne explains to Daniel what she does, Daniel just doesn't get it. Her job is that complicated!!!

February 2007 - Daniel's sister gave birth to little Enoch and they decided to move to Houston as well. We swear Enoch has the longest finger and leg we have even seen on a baby

January - April 2007 - Daniel's first busy season with PwC. Sometimes he doesn't come home until 1 AM! Isn't it what all auditors sign up for? He is dreaming selling Chinese Burrito whenever he is still in the office and it already passes 6pm.

April 2007- Daniel's brother-in-law, Ezra, got a job in Houston. They are moving to Houston for sure. And...Possibly build a house next to ours too. Wow...that's crazy

May 2007 - We will finally go back to Singapore and Taiwan for wedding reception (1 year later. We got married on May 27, 2006). Daniel's brother, Jack, will also be getting married on May 26, 2007 in Taiwan. And…it is very possible that he will end up in Houston as well. We are thinking Joanne's parents and brothers might end up not too far from here!?

July 2007 - We will move into our new house in Houston. We will carry a sweet burden (mortgage) but our American dream comes true.

So, basically, within about 18 month, we got married, graduated, got a job, and bought a house. All the greatest events (except for expecting a baby) one could anticipate and experience, we have gone through and done it. Sometimes when we reflect upon what we have been given, we truly feel grateful. Although we really can't find time (at least no in this busy season)to visit all our friends in West Coast and East Coast (there are no BYU friends in central states at all!), we want you to know you are very much missed by the Hsiehs.

And…we do have some pictures taken…just need to be diligent enough to post them.

Dozo

Yesterday, Daniel and I went to this amazing Japanese restaurant, Dozo, close to Chinatown. For dinner, they have this All-you-can-eat alacarte style. They just made it to the top of my favorite restaurant list. How it works is you first order a soup then go to the salad bar and try out their wonderful selection of salad while waiting for the appetizer (which is standard). Their salad bar wasn't just the regular selection, they had a lot of asian fusion salads. Just when we came back from the salad bar, they served sashimi, sushi, tempura and yakitori. Their sashimi are some of the freshest and thickest slices I've had, comparable to the ones I had in Vancouver. After they served those, we could order from the menu. From then on, Daniel and I had tried their lamb chop, teriyaki sirloin, beef short ribs, mahi mahi, yellowtail, salmon, seabass, oyster, king crab leg, asparagus in steak and more sashimi. Knowing that was our first time, the waiter placed those orders for us. We were so stuffed that we could not try everything. He was about to bring out a pot of Shabu Shabu when we told me that we had to stop. The great things about this place is that the place has great ambience, the food came out in moderate portions but all very nicely decorated, and each dish was amazing. There wasn't a dish (not even in the salad bar and the fruits and dessert section) that did not taste nice. For fruits, we had sweet papaya and watermelon, and then we ended with this cream puff that we went for seconds.

Anyway, here's a link for restaurant if you are interested in checking it out: http://www.dozo-houston.com/

It's been a while

It has been a while since we last posted an update. The truth is, there isn't much going on. Daniel and I have both been busy with work. We spend weekends running errands or with church activities. Life is just peaceful and calm. Daniel's parents, sister, brother-in-law and their newest baby will be visiting in 2 weeks. We are excited to have them over, and especially excited to see our nephew, Enoch. I guess the other exciting thing would be: we bought Wii!!! After reading Tanya's blog on how she and Andy are having so much fun with Wii, we couldn't wait any longer and bought it too! We really enjoy playing it. Anyway, that's about as much update as there is.

2007 The New Year

Even though 2007 just barely started, both of us are swamped with work. Daniel will be starting his peak season next week where he has to work late till April. He is not looking forward to that. Joanne just survived her first week of work at ExxonMobil. She leaves home at 6am to get to work at 7am and leaves work at 5pm to get home by 6pm. The hour drives get more stressful than work. We both come home feeling tired and lazy so we have been eating the leftover ham from the New Year's celebration. Daniel's parents left last week to visit his sister in San Francisco so we now have the whole apartment to ourselves. We are still attending the chinese branch though. We started going there because Daniel's parents spoke Chinese but have grown to love the branch. It has been an exciting start of the year as we begin a different stage of our lives in Houston, TX. Keep checking to see what's going on in 2007.