Taiwanese people are supposed to be family-oriented. I think my family is pretty family-oriented in that we all still keep in touch (well, at least my mom's side) and eat food together once in a while. It's rare that all of us are in the same country, much less the same city all the time. My parents are mostly out of the country because of my dad's job, a lot of my relatives still live down in the south, some have moved to the US, so it's hard to have a full family gathering.

Tonight us kids decided to treat the relatives that were in Taipei and free to dinner. For me it was because I've become full-time at my job, and we have this family tradition that whenever someone gets their first paycheck, they have to treat dinner. So anyway, big family gatherings at restaurants are never fun. There's always the nagging, yelling, arguing, fakery, etc. that's involved.

Tonight was no exception. They complained about the food (but also praised it ... for once!), nagged me about finding another job (geez, I JUST found one ... cut me some slack) and other assorted things that I already know I need to do, but just taking one step at a time right now. Also had the obligatory "when are you getting married?" question - thank God not to me since I'm the youngest. That was directed toward my cousin and her boyfriend who was also present and footing part of the bill. I worry the day my cousin and my sister get married because that means I'm next. UGH. Nowadays it's more like, any boyfriends? why no boyfriends? blahblahblah.

Although speaking of being the youngest, my uncle thought I was freaking 26 and had a masters. I have no idea where he got that idea from. =( Made me feel so ... old. SIGH. Do I look that old? God I hope not.

Anyway, enough ranting although this entry nowhere expresses my frustration at sitting at a table surrounded by people yelling from all sides, expressing their own opinions about everything without really listening to others'. Also telling the owner how good/bad their food is - the good is ok, except it kinda sounded very kiss-assy; the bad was hmm ... well, I guess it's a good thing to let the restaurant know what we think, but eh, it always makes me feel uncomfy when listening to my relatives discuss the bad with the restaurant owner. BLAH.

I hate it when people think they're always right no matter what other people say. Stubborn.