Do you feel like the quality of questions has gone down lately? Or are people just running out of things to ask about your lives and now start nitpicking at things like finances and your friends’ lives?

Tramanh:  I think you hit the nail right on the head.  Husband noted that lately, it seems like people just want to stir the pot.

It’s kind of crazy if you think about it.  Someone actually taking the time to type out a judgmental comment?  Like, to actively BE MEAN for no reason?  Humans, man.  Sometimes I don’t get us.

Steph: I was reading your Formspring. Haha not a stalker. How long were you with your first love from high school? I’m going through a break up with my first love and we’ve been together for 8 years!

• Steph: Ok i just read how long you and your first love were together in the next question. Sorry!

Steph: Haha, it’s okay!  We were together for 6 years from freshman year in high school until our 2nd year in college.  That is a long time during a huge part of my life!  We broke up and are now on good terms (though it took quite a few years, understandably).  We even comment on each other’s FB statuses and stuff; Ryan doesn’t mind since it was so long ago and no feelings are involved.

My one piece of advice to you is don’t stay together because you have been together for so long.  I know that when my ex and I were together, I had a hard time thinking about breaking up with him because we were dating for SO LONG.  It’s like “Well we’ve been together for 6 years, so SOMETHING is right, right?”  Not necessarily.  Time isn’t really a reason to stay together.  

Also realize that since you two have been dating for so long that if you two do break up, it’s important that it’s a TRUE break-up.  Not a “we still text, call, email, IM each other” type break-up.  It’s a slippery slope to fall into the habit of being each other’s best friend and confidant because that’s what you’re used to.  So be sure, that if you truly do want to break up, that it’s a TRUE break up.

Lastly, I know a lot of yourself was defined by him - how can it not be?  You were with someone for so long!  But you are your own person, you do have things that YOU alone like to do and that YOU alone can do by yourself.  Believe that you can be alone and relish in it.

P.S. I like that I said “my one piece of advice is…” and then proceed to tell you more than one. :P

Stephanie, how do you like your new epilator? So do you turn it on first then put it under your armpit or put it under your armpit then turn it on? it looks so scary!!

Steph: Haha, it IS SCARY LOOKING!!

I wrote about it here: http://hoisinivy.blogspot.com/2012/02/devils-tool.html

But I do love it.  I know, I know.  Just like lululemon’s Wunder Unders, it’s one of those things that once you try it, how did you ever live without it?!  If you normally tweeze or wax your under arms, the pain isn’t much worse than that, but if you’re used to just shaving, then I can see how it’s intimidating and how it can be painful.  But I LIKE that pain.  Feels good to get that hair out of there.

It’s a lot faster.  A LOT.  A few swipes of the epilator and I’m done!  (Versus spending 20-25 minutes tweezing).  My hair grows back the same as it did before, not any thinner yet.  

I turn on the epilator first and YES it IS scary.  It’s like putting your skin into a paper shredder, you instinctively don’t want to.  But it has those guards that and it flexes with your skin so I haven’t caught anything on it.  I have to turn the epilator upside down and right-side up to get all the hairs, but it’s still a lot faster than tweezing.  Also, I think it SOUNDS scary.  The motor is kind of loud and since you’re using it on your under arms, it’s like super close to your ears!  Once you get used to it, it’s fine.

I recommend it!

My close friend is having a destination wedding and wants to have a destination bachelorette party. It’s not unreasonable to decline the bachelorette party, right? And when I do decline, should I do it sooner or later? I’m afraid that if I wait that everyone will have agreed to go and I’ll be that last person saying “SORRY GUYS” but I don’t want to be the first person to put my foot down. Cost of bachelorette party for 3 days is about $800.

Steph: Do it sooner than later.  Let her and the Maid of Honor/Bridesmaids (or whoever is planning it) that you would love to join in the festivities but that you simply can’t afford it.  People won’t give you a hard time for not being able to fork over almost $1,000 (because trust me, don’t forget about spending cash for food, drinks, and you have to pay for the bride-to-be too).  Simply let her know that you really wish you could make it but you’re saving up for her big day instead.  Everyone will understand.

I kinda got suckered into helping someone with her baby shower because she has no friends. I don’t really know what games to play at the party and what we need to do. i got the decoration part down because i enjoy it, but as far as entertaining..i have no clue! help!

Steph: I’ve only been to one baby shower and that was over 4 years ago, but the one game I do remember playing is everyone had a paper plate and put it on their head and with their left hand they had to draw a BABY on the plate.  It was actually fun to see everyone’s gross baby drawings.  My baby looked like a snowman.

I had to google it, here are some links for some ideas:

http://www.babyshower101.com/baby_shower_games.html

http://www.parents.com/baby/shower/games/fun-baby-shower-games/

http://www.babbee.com/baby_shower_games/contents1.html

where to find unique, adorable swimsuits (bikinis or one pieces) that don’t break the bank? i can only find suits i love that are far too expensive! ugh! so annoying!

http://www.askphivy.com/post/9349751403/where-do-you-shop-for-bathing-suits-which-brands-or

steph - don’t know if anyone has asked but… are you and ryan looking for a place to live yet or is that not high on your list yet? will you be moving in together before of after the wedding? congrats again btw - you seem 200% more smiley these days! :)

• Steep I’m confused about your and Ryan’s current living situations. I remember you mentioning that you were still living with your parents to save money (and because you wanted to wait at least until your engagement) but then you have posts about buying groceries together and asking him to take out the trash and hosting Tramanh and Tu when they visited. did you guys get your own place and I missed it? Or are you both living with one set of parents? Or do you stay over each other’s places? (nosy)

Steph: I’m so mysterious!  I lived on my own for awhile, then with roommates, then with friends.  Now that Ryan and I are engaged, we both decided it would be great for me to move in with him.  Our parents are both okay with that (less ESCANDALO), so that makes life a lot easier.  When we hosted Tramanh & Tu, it was at Ryan’s house out of space and convenience.

After we get married, we’re keeping our options open to moving out of California (Chicago, NY, SEATTLE?!) so we might as well hoard all of our money now to do so.

when renting a car, do you think it’s necessary to get the additional insurance offered by the rental company? or is it just a way for them to get more money out of you?

Tramanh:  I guess it depends on how you feel about your own driving (or if you just have bad luck with cars), but we never get it.  GAMBLE.  But isn’t that the whole point of insurance?

Steph: I’m confused - when you get insurance, aren’t you, THE DRIVER, insured?  Meaning, if I drive Tramanh’s car and get into a car accident, then I’m covered because *I* have insurance?  I always get confused as to who/what is covered - the vehicle or the person.

If it’s the person, then I would not get extra insurance because if you get into an accident, your policy covers it.

The only reason why I don’t mind getting insurance on rentals is because I’m not worried if someone scratches it or door-dings it, because it’s covered.  Basically you can come back with a door handle and the rental insurance covers it.

I’ve never heard of kolache before until you mentioned it. I live in CA and had to look it up online. It looks similar to Japanese pastries. Am I right? Steph- Have you ever had one?

Tramanh:  KOLACHEEEES!  They’re probably more similar to a bagel dog or a pig-in-a-blanket.  The normal inside is sausage and cheese, but you can pretty much put anything inside.  The bread is not as soft as Japanese pastry bread.

You know how here, coworkers bring bagels or donuts for everyone at work?  In Texas, it’s kolaches and breakfast tacos.

Steph: Yeah, what are those?  I had no idea either.  I’ve never had one, so don’t feel bad.

can you guys suggest any recipes for quinoa. i particularly enjoy it mediterranean style with roasted red peppers and yogurt but i am a totally newbie in the kitchen. was wondering if you guys have any suggestions for simple, tasty, relatively clean recipes. thanks!

Steph: I had to ask my sister because I’ve only made quinoa once and she loves that stuff!

Besides using it as a plain side dish for meats and veggies, she can use it to make pasta salads with any kind of veggies (maybe bell peppers, onions, olives), some crumbled feta cheese, and a greek dressing or vinaigrette or squeeze a lemon as a dressing.  Or she can add it to soups.

Tramanh:  I had an amazing quinoa crusted fish in Melbourne.  I could have sworn it was crispy fish skin.  We’ve also made “casserole” type dishes with it - baked with chicken and veggies.

re: most recent blog post. tramanh, you have some good-looking friends (I think? sunglasses ugh). introduce mehh?? :D

Tramanh:  Hahah!  They are all May/Calvin’s friends.  We were actually all there for one friend’s birthday.  I had met a couple of them previously in SF and LA, but there were some new friends as well.  SOME ARE SINGLE.  @_@  YOU KNOW.

my bf’s 28th bday is coming up and im thinking of getting him a watch, either a sporty one or classic leather one… hes been collecting gshocks but i figured its time he grows up lol any suggestions (btwn $200-500)? PLEASE ASK YOUR HUBBYS what theyre fav brands are, im so lost, i need so much help right now and his bday is next week!!!! PANIC MODE. or any other gift suggestions? please help me be a good gf… lol

Tu:  http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-H32515535-Jazzmaster-Black-Watch/dp/B0046AZ3UM

http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-T33779851-T-Touch-Titanium-Rubber/dp/B000HDBBLM/ref=sr_1_6?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1329902470&sr=1-6

Calling you just “Phi” sounds disrespectful to me, unless you’re a dude I guess. Her name is Tramanh, you guys!! I hate when people call me by my last name only.

Tramanh:  LOL at how you’re offended on my behalf.  =)  

Do you believe in horoscopes or do you take them with a grain of salt?

Tramanh:  I generally don’t really read into them.  I think self-fulfilling prophecy is a dangerous thing.

Steph: I read them for fun, but I only take the good stuff.

If you had a huge throbbing zit on your face (making you feel/look ugly and insecure), would you rather go to a party where no one knows who you are or a party with your friends and acquaintances?

Steph: With my friends/acquaintances.  They know what I look like normally so I think they can see past my huge zit. 

Ugh, I had one in Big Bear when I went with my friends, it was SO BIG, CYST-LIKE.  I spent like an extra 20-30 minutes in the bathroom just trying to either dry it up, pop it, or cover it up.  So embarrassing. But of course being a girl, the first thing I did was point it out to my other girl friends, and being good girl friends, their response was, “We can’t even see it!  We didn’t even notice!”  Ah, I would have done the same thing.

Tramanh:  Definitely a party where I don’t know anyone!  I feel like if I don’t know them, then they can’t see me LOL.  This makes no sense.  

Actually here’s what it is.  I feel like at that party, I can just float around, talking to people here and there, but not really spending any inordinate amount with anyone.  At a party with acquaintances and friends, you have to spend a GOOD AMOUNT of time with the same person(s) having long conversation.  Long conversation = LONG TIME TO STARE AT YOUR FACE.