Author Archives: Kara

Flashback Friday, Part 1

Posted in Flashback Friday, Life, Memories, Photos by

Growing up, I was lucky enough to know both sets of grandparents as well as three of my great-grandparents. I know some people grow up without grandparents, or at least not both sets, and never got to know their great-grandparents.

I’ll start with my Dad’s side of the family. I don’t have pictures of my great-grandma, “Granny”, as we called her. My memories of her include her old apartment near Chinatown in Vancouver, which reeked of Tiger Balm, her wig and the fact that she was blind. I remember her touching my face, asking how old I was, what grade I was in. She’d call me a good girl and give me stale cookies.

My Dad’s parents, who we called Grandma & Grandpa Chow (original, right?), raised my Dad and his siblings in my hometown before moving to Vancouver to retire. My Grandpa owned a store, which belonged to his father, back in the day and it was quite popular. “Wing Chong Tai” is what is was called and it’s even in the museum in my hometown, with a picture of him and everything. I remember once, we were grocery shopping while we were visiting in Vancouver and he insisted on buying my brother and I a chocolate bar, even though my Dad told him “No” a million times. (Grandpa Chow won!) After having cancer and a stroke, he passed away when he was 86. (Or at least I think that’s how old he was.)

My Grandma Chow didn’t speak English very well, so I only remember her yelling “Eat!” in this high-pitched voice that demanded respect. Her food was amazing. I remember her jade jewelry. I was only about 3-years-old when she passed away. I can’t remember how old she was when she passed away, but she battled with diabetes. I remember her insulin needles in the cupboard in the bathroom.

This a picture of my grandparents and I when I was almost 1-year-old. They came to visit every Easter, which meant twice as much Easter candy and chocolate. (Also note how Chinese I looked when I was a baby!)

Next Friday, I’ll flashback to my Mom’s side :)

Happy Friday everyone!

TMI Thursday: Grind it, Baby

Posted in Awkward Moment, Friends, TMI Thursday by

Hold onto your shirts boys and girls! It’s time for TMI Thursday, originally hosted over at LiLu’s page. You should probably go check her out, because she’s the shiz!

And now, it’s time for more information than you probably want to here and a little dose of self-embarrassment …

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As some of you may have known, last Friday was my birthday. What you didn’t really know was that a couple nights beforehand, I had a horrible mental breakdown which involved crying and me telling Kyle that I have no friends. (Basically, picture me sobbing about having no friends the way a 6-year-old would) I even went and cancelled my “event” on Facebook. (Not that anyone was really going to be effected. I had no friends, remember?)

I ended up just going out for dinner with Kyle, the Roommate, C (who’s the Roommate’s girlfriend as well) and my Dad. When we got there, a dear friend of mine from Edmonton (See: a good 15-hour drive away) magically appeared from the upper level of the restaurant. It turned out to be a good night and he and C convinced me to continue on with my original plan to go out dancing after dinner.

After a double Caesar and three double Paralyzers, I was really feeling no pain, despite my non-broken in 4″ stilettos. I danced my face off. And then came the lap dance.

C and I were taking a break from dancing to catch our breaths and quench our thirsts (with more drinks of course) and some random song came on, but it must’ve been catchy, because I proceeded to give C the best Goddamn lap dance of her freaking life. I should’ve been a stripper.

Oh, of course, I didn’t remember this until the next day when Edmonton Friend reminded me publicly on Facebook. Thanks! That was awkward. Let’s hope my grandma doesn’t see that.

Of course, Kyle and the Roommate thought the idea of two girls lap-dancing it up was great. The false promise of girl-on-girl action continues. Sorry guys!