u/longanandlychee

After my last relationship of a decade ended, I’ve been single (by choice) for 7+ years. I don’t have a lot of friends - just a very a close circle - a few are not even in the same city. So I’m used to go places and do things solo.

I just found out there’s a show I’d like to go next Saturday - and was thinking a couple of my friends might enjoy it too, BUT - the thought of me going alone, choose whichever seat I want (it’s first come first seated), grabbing a bite to eat beforehand - *without* compromising where to eat or where to sit - is … SO liberating! So I decided I’m going solo.

Am I enjoying being alone a bit too much?

So I just learned that dishes - especially pho - from the northern Vietnam are different than the southern. Apparently 90+% of Vietnamese restaurants in America (including Chicago) are featuring Southern Vietnamese dishes. I’m curious if anyone knows any Northern Vietnamese restaurant in Chicago?

Any East/South East Asian here?

I dreamed last night my dad (who passed away in 2018) came and brought a bunch of rice “dumplings” (bakcang / zongzi). He hold a string of them in his hand and showed them to me with a big smile on his face - but didn’t say anything. Then my dream cut to a different “scene” (annoying sometimes but it happened so many times - either that or I woke up).

I shared it with my siblings and they said last Sunday was a Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival) which is a traditional holiday best known for racing dragon boats and eating sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves - which I had no idea of that it happened last week.

Now unto the interpretation:
My brother said I dreamed it because no one did the ceremony for my dad (it’s the ceremony where we’re “sending” these rice dumplings to our ancestors and those family members who have passed). But my sister and I believed he doesn’t need it because he clearly brought me dozens of it.

Either way - it was kinda sweet, strange - and sad all at the same time.

What would be your interpretation? Do you take my brother’s interpretation or my sister’s (and my) interpretation?

My kitchen sink doesn’t have a garbage disposal so I’ve always been careful of what goes down. However, this morning I noticed a smell coming out of it (has been living here for four years and this is the first time it smells). What can I do to remove the smell without the need to take anything apart because I’m renting? I’ve seen conflicting advice with baking soda - so I thought I ask here.

What’s your go to if you don’t use Fur? Fur oil is too thick for me 🥺

There used to be a Mexican cafe in Wicker Park that had pambazos but they closed. Where can I find pambazos?