Bonding Over Food

Ever since I was little, it's been me and my Dad. (This sounds like the beginning of that Little Critter storybook!) but, I spent a lot of time with my Dad. 

As I got older, the less we spoke to each other though. That didn't mean our closeness changed though. There was always this silent understanding between us.

Being that he lives in Las Vegas now...there's amazing food everywhere. Every kind. Multiple fusion blends and it's always hard deciding where to eat.

When we were in Waikiki, we went to a place called Mango Mango. A dessert place that had mango everything. Ice cream, fresh fruit, fruit juices, lychee jelly, boba, all sorts of random Chinese toppings.

I had a random thought and wondered if maybe Las Vegas would have one. And wouldn't you know it??

There is one here - it's only like 10 minutes from Dad's house. 

So we went on a date. He didn't know about it, so now he has another place to hit up if he ever wanted it. I also told my friend from high school, who I met up with the other day, about it so she could go with her family. 

Anyway. It was as amazing as it was in Waikiki. This was a sit down situation though, versus counter service like in Waikiki.

I mean, come on, so cute!!

I got the same thing I got in Hawaii - mango ice cream, fresh strawberries and mangoes in a strawberry sauce with lychee jelly. 

Dad got coconut ice cream with mix fruit and mango on the bottom

This is how the check comes. Like, are you kidding?

I couldn't leave without some takeout. Mango crepe cake. 

It was a delicious breakfast.

I enjoyed it while I logged into my work computer at 5:30am local time. 

After a few hours of work meetings and trying to catch up from a holiday weekend, Dad and I went to lunch.

We were thinking sushi maybe, but then last minute decided on Vietnamese. Pho to be exact.

And it was everything I dreamed of. 

I was not planning on getting a Boba drink from here, but I watched as 3 people ordered it from the same table, so I assumed it had to be good. It was. 

I leave tomorrow and will not have the capability to go out and eat again. 

But I can get food delivery....

80

Well, technically Dad turned 80 a few weeks ago.

But, you know, I've been a little distracted and also, Dad lives in Las Vegas. The middle of August in Las Vegas? Even for someone who likes HOT, that's a bit too hot if I'm not on a boat or near a pool. It's just...hot. A wall of hot hits you when you exit a vehicle or the house.

But, 80 is a big deal and my Dad is my heart. I've been a daddy's girl since I can remember. 

I wanted to bring the girls, but this was also the trip in which I told my dad the entire, terrible story of the past 2 years. 

And that I was divorcing my husband.

So I could shatter this poor man's heart at the old age of 80. The last thing I want is for Dad to worry about me. I know he will anyway, because he's a good parent and always will worry. But this kind of worry? It's horrifying. My dad should be able to live out his golden years without worrying about his adult children.

Visiting Dad is always a good time - I mean, he and I LOVE TO EAT. We have a ton of memories eating together. Driving up to Toronto for a weekened. Eating and shopping. When I was in college, it was about halfway from our house in Rochester to Toronto, so Dad would swing by university and pick me up.

Las Vegas also has amazing food. And so many freaking options it's hard to choose.

First and foremost is Dim Sum.

I landed around 10:45am, couldn't find dad for way too fucking long at the airport, stopped at his house to drop stuff off and change. Went to Dim Sum and OMG you guys. It's so fucking good.

After stuffing myself, we headed back home for a nap. That's one thing about Dad. He's very low maintenance. Food, naps, coffee. 

After the nap, we went to get Boba Tea. Yes, we have some back at home, but it's not nearly as good. There are so many Boba Tea Cafes all over, so competition is tough.They have to have a good product. 

And it was everything I imagined. 

There are so many flavors and boba types (tapioca, popping, etc.) but I will always and forever go with the classic Black Milk Tea with tapioca bobas. I cannot even describe in words how good this was. 

Our brunch was super filling, and then my boba tea was also very filling. Dad didn't want to go out again for dinner, since we really didn't need to. We also had a ton of leftovers to get through. 

However. 

I don't live in an area in which I can order food and have it delivered to my front door. (Not yet, anyway!)

So I had to take advantage of the fact that Dad lives near everything. I mean, everything.

Thai?

Sushi?

Mediterranean? 

Chinese?

Korean?

Hawaiian?

I went with Hawaiian.

Absolutely delicious and very, very similar to Korean BBQ. I would say the only difference I could notice was the mac salad? I ordered fried calamari and kimchi as well. 10/10 would recommend. 

My body is still on east coast time and I woke up Saturday starving. I ate my Hawaiian leftovers and it was just as good - maybe even better - than the night before. 

Dad and I hung around during the day. I cleaned his kitchen. Took a nap. My brain has needed the rest. I can't believe how tired I am. I think these few days away with my Dad is good for my brain. I don't think I'm overthinking very much while I'm here. Just where I want to eat next! Ha! 

Dad loves a good burger and one tradition we started was getting In N Out burgers while I'm here. We don't have that back at home and it's a great burger chain if you ask me. I remember I flew in late one time and when we got back to Dad's house, he had a cheeseburger waiting for me and I CRUSHED that thing at like 1am. 

Dad's backyard - mountains in the distance

I had just taken a shower and my hair was wet. I went outside for like 5 minutes and it was dried.

Lunch on Sunday. Roasted duck and pork belly. 

The first few days with Dad have been filled with food, coffee and reassurance from him that I'll be OK. My dad is a man of very, very few words. But I know he loves me more than anything. I've always been his girl, ever since I was a little itty bitty kid. While my mom stayed with my sister in the hospital, I was back with my dad. 

Just being in his (quiet) presence is comforting.

Las Vegas Day 2: Date with Dad

I woke up Friday at like 4:30am because of jet lag.

My dad likes hazelnut creamer and I'm allergic, so I got up and went to Starbucks.

The blue skies and sun will never, ever get old. Since it was so early still, it was only like 78 degrees. 

Dad's backyard, which is completely bare, except for a few fruit trees. It was so nice to do work while enjoying this brilliant sun.

After a few hours of work, Dad and I wen to Dim Sum, which is like my absolute favorite. So many memories of eating this type of food. 

This is just a few of the little plates we started with. I stopped taking pictures because I was busy eating.

Crispy fried salt and pepper shrimp.

After lunch we wanted to walk around and stretch our legs for a bit. The outlets are always a good time.

I did pick up a new pair of chucks, with a really pretty gold print on them. Bringing my total to 6 pairs of shoes for 6 days. LOL.

We called it an early night since I knew I had the trade show the entire next day.

NACS Trade Show Day One - Getting to Las Vegas

What a freaking WHIRLWIND of a trip!

I had the most amazing time on this business trip. 

Like, legit magical.

How, you ask?

First, I got to go with one of my clients, whom I just LOVE. We get along great as friends, so the trip was easy. Spending time with her didn't feel like work at all. 

I headed out of Rochester on Thursday, September 29. Steve was working, so I took the girls to school, came home and pretty much got packed and ready to go. I picked up the girls around 1:30 and headed to my mom's house. 

I then drove to Steve's work so he could drive me to the airport - this way I'd get a chance to say goodbye to him before being gone for almost a week.

Because I checked in exactly 24 hours before my flight, I got a good "A" position with SouthWest. 

Our flight was smooth and we landed in Chicago's Midway airport a few minute earlier than expected. 

I was also lucky that the flight was not full, so there was an empty seat between myself and the aisle seat. 

I started reading a book just to pass the time. It was terribly written, but took place near my hometown, and I thought that was funny.

Anyway, we landed and I immediately get anxious because of where my next gate is, how far I have to walk, etc. 

I had just over an hour until my next flight.

I deplaned at B22 and walked to my left.

B25. Perfect.

Ok, so now I can pee and find some food or something.

Several people came over to use this outlet. Only to realize it's a sticker! 😂

I wasn't as lucky on the flight from Chicago to Las Vegas. We had a full row.

I couldn't get comfortable.

But, after a 4+ hour flight, we made it.

It was 88 degrees and it was 9:20pm.

I found the shuttle to take me to the rental car place, which was not in the airport. 

When it was finally my turn to get my rental, the parking lot was empty. Like, there was a mini van and I said "um, I'm NOT driving that van" lol.

The guy kindly asked "would you like an upgrade"

"As long as I don't have to pay for it", I said.

"No ma'am, not at all." he said.

Ok - sure.

So I got a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

I was totally good with this. It was nice to drive! 

I got to Dad's around 10:30, which really wasn't TOO terrible.

And my Dad is just...amazing.

He had an In & Out burger waiting for me. 

Best Dad Ever.

Time for bed. 

The show doesn't officially start until Saturday (set up) so I have Friday open to hang with Dad. I mean, I'll be working, but glad to be with my dad again.

More to come! 

Las Vegas, Baby!

I took a last-minute trip to Las Vegas to visit my dad.

I woke up to an email from him last week saying he had fallen, hit his head and was "bleeding profusely" and that when he drove himself to Urgent Care, he had dizzy spells and chest pains.

So I immediately started figuring out what I had to do to get out there.

We had just seen him in August, which was awesome, but I felt like I needed to be there with him. 

He doesn't always tell me the 100% truth when it comes to his health.

He doesn't want me to worry. I get that. But at the same time, I'm the offspring that is responsible for making sure my elderly parents are both taken care of. And since they are divorced, that responsibility had doubled in a sense. 

Since my dad wasn't in immediate danger, I booked my flight for Sunday, returning Wednesday. 

When I spoke to him right after his fall, he had his head bandaged and he looked tired and sore. He said his sprained neck was the worst of it. He told me NOT to come out. He told me it's "NOT A BIG DEAL."

He said "Mei, I'm literally fine" and I replied with "awesome, so we can enjoy our time together and eat some good food."

I made sure to book my flight BEFORE talking to my dad. This way he couldn't talk me out of it. 

My face because there's a cat on board and it's sitting 4 rows behind me. And I'm VERY allergic. 

I love flying Southwest. WiFi on board with free movies and TV. Guess what movie I watched?

My flight arrived on time, right at 11:15. I told my dad I'd take an Uber to his house, but he was NOT having that. 

And the timing couldn't have been better - as soon as I made it out to Passenger Pick-Up, he was pulling up to the curb! 

And you know what? He looked good. Even with his bandaged head. 

We got back to his house and I watched some Schitt's Creek before dozing off around 4am EST. (1am PST)