Last night at I had to measure ao dais for Michael's cousins. They all want to wear ao dais for our wedding. I had never done it before, so I am certain I didn't do it correctly. I printed a page with instructions, but it didn't help me much.

I consider the ao dai to be the epitome of the classic asian look. There is something about that brings about an image of innocence and grace that the chinese cheongsam or japanese kimono can never accomplish. It is truly beautiful and flattering on everyone.

Christmas 2007

I spent Christmas in New Orleans this year. It was my grandmother's 80th birthday. We drove through the night on Friday the 21st. We got in on Saturday and spent most of that day lounging at my aunt's house. That evening we went to mass, which was held in a semi outdoor structure since the church isn't finished yet.

So much of the city looks as if the hurricane hit just yesterday. In my aunt's neighborhood every other house hsas been left abandoned or still unfinished. There are trailers in the front yard of homes that are still being fixed. My grandmother's neighborhood is the opposite. Her neighborhood before the storm was in bad shape with many dilapidated homes. Crime was so high there were bars on all the windows in the neighborhood. Now after the storm, all the homes have been built anew. The neighborhood actually feels safer.

Driving through New Orleans feels like driving through a war zone. Whole areas have been abandoned. Then you drive into the French Quarter and you almost forget that so much is gone. I never cared for New Orleans before, but now I feel sad for it.