Hello ramen !

{ramen @ japan town, Sf, Ca}

I love ramen.
My bf and I went to get ramen in Japantown. There are so many ramen places in Japantown and this particular restaurant happen to make their own noodles. It was good.

The curlyness of the ramen, the audente, the chewyness all soaked in the mouthwatering broth~ perfecto! However- this place does not stand up to the other ramen place in San Jose. True, that other place has broth that is filled with fats- but if I cared I would miss out on the best ramen in the world!

I even like package ramen and the MSGs! :P

Hello good friends

{strawberry covered with chocolates- homemade}

Some of my friends will never stop to amaze me. To think how we were like before 10 years ago- to how much they have grown makes me contemplate where I am. Last night I went to one of my friends' friend party (that would still make it my friend) and my friend made a strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting and fresh strawberry with whip cream filling. (I should have taken a picture of the inside of the cake! I was too busy eating >_<) She also made strawberry covered chocolates.

I can tell how much time and thought she put behind these foods. I couldn't stop praising her. She is a total Martha Stewart. It's really time for me to start upping my game in cooking- instead of "food gawking" - I need to start learning to cook!

Hello MmmMmmMmm

{note to self: this pix has too many subjects going on and takes away from the awesomeness of the chocolate}

I like dark chocolate. I don't like sweet food. Dark chocolate is bitter sweet. I used to love white chocolate and would only go by that- however I learned that white chocolate is only just cream and sugar- and not chocolate at all. Hm.

My mom got me Ghirardelli intense dark sea salt chocolate with almond bits. It is surprisingly good. I can taste the saltiness of the salt and the crunch of the almond adds texture. I like it and I would recommend you try it too.

Hello iron, vitamin a, folic acid, b1, b2, b6, vitamin c and much more

Seaweed. Yes seaweed.

It is so good with rice, in salad, in soups, by itself! Oh my I love seaweed. When I walk on the beach in Pacifica and I see seaweed on the sand- I drool.

Do you know how many health benefits there are in seaweed? Let me list a few:

- all types of vitamins and nutritions that are all present in sufficient amount

- improve health hair feeding into the shafts and ducts of hairs

- regulate hormones

- enriching bloodstreams

- promote youthful skin

{health.learninginfo.org}

Why aren't you eating more seaweed?

Namaste

{I don't usually drink wine during yoga- but i did this for contradictory reason- and then I drank it}

I encourage everyone to do some exercise everyday.

When I come home from work- I like to pull out my yoga mat and do either pilates or yoga for 30 minutes. Some people like to drink to relax; this is better alternative. You really have to enjoy a particular exercise in order for you to really want to incorporate that into your daily routine. So go now and find something you really like to do!

Meditation is something that is also said to be very beneficial. 10 minutes of meditation is like re-awakening your mind and soul to help you better perform and think. Wow.

Hello instincts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKfRFe0KVTE&feature=related

Trust your instincts. If you have doubts about your security and safety- then you are right. The human body not only can smell, see, feel & hear but it can also sense when something is not right. It's like walking into a room after a big fight took place- though you may not have seen it- you are able to feel the impact and emotions invovled in that fight.

Be alert always.

I like the techniques above to help protect yourself.

Goodbye rain clouds- for now

{drying my clothes- notice the bright blue sky}

{soaking in the warm rays while reading the newspaper and snacking and wining}

I am glad the sun came out today. It gave me the chance to do my laundry and relax my mind.

It's breaks like this that allows me the chance to do one of my favorite chore: laundry. The whole process of collecting the clothes, putting it in the washer, taking it out, hang drying it (old schoold style :P) and folding them is so meditative for me. I feel so good after doing the laundry.

Welcome fresh thoughts

{capturing memories}

I am going to make this year be more fun, exciting, and delicious. There is still so much I want to achieve and see. I need something fresh.

I hope to be able to cature new memories to blog about and start a new page soon.

Hello thanks?

{polenta & sausage}

Ew. So I decided to cook for my mom today. She didn't even try it ! If someone makes you food- you should appreciate it and say thanks. Other side critiques are not necessary.

It's so cold today. I should have made noodle soup.

My post is too cynical. ugh.

Hello rain rain rain rain rain rain

{rain}

{ banana leaf dessert}

{me: can u take a picture for me?

bf: *click*

me: i wasnt ready!

bf: it's more natural like this

me: this isn't my natural look...

bf: my camera is better }

It's stormy today. Thunder & hail and howling winds; I love it. It's romantic.

To top it off- a fantastic lunch at Banana Leaf with my bf. There has to be something that this restaurant put in their dish to make it so addictively good.

In stormy weather- go out and eat at your favorite restaurant! It's so romantic! Even if it is by yourself.

Goodbye mundaness

{www.ericisaac.com}
{@ Malliouhana Hotel, Carribean}

I want to get lost and then find myself again. To my fans: Jump off the platform & be a mermaid with me for the day!

Happy Valentine

{www.bhldn.com}


Happy Valentines lovers!

Valentines is a holiday that truly have different meanings for everyone. It can be a celebration for some, a day to reflect on your love life, a day to idealize your perfect partner and many more. However it may be, I do hope you remember to love yourself more.

Speaking of love- there are few things that I can declare "I love". Other than good food and hot get-a-ways- I love pretty shoes! I love them with glitter, with platforms, with bows, with patent materials, with ribbons & all the other details that screams: hotness. Anthro finally unveil their newest wedding line: BHLDN and I am in love. The shoe above is of but the many shoes that they carry. I need to get marry soon so I have a reason to even look at the website!!!!

Goodbye weekend... for now.

{tuna salad at angel fish- alameda}

{photoshoot at home}

{::heart::}

My weekend was: fun.

I hung out with old friends and had good meals with my bf. I learned this weekend how important it is to have good company. At church today, the pastor said you are an average of the 5 people you hang out with the most. If that was true, than that would me I am the average of: my bf, my co worker (now singular), my mom, my dad & my grandma. These are the 5 people I see most often... My goodness- I need to have more friend times so I can balance myself!

Do yourself a favor and make time for old friends and new friends so that you can be balance in all ways and be well rounded. Otherwise, it's so easy to get crazy.

Friday's thoughts: Women Cal's basketball

{pre game drink of choice: Quickley's taro milk tea, hot- my mom's new fav drink}

{the Cal Band is so cool}

{the lady on the floor is the head coach for Cal's women basketball- she was fierce}

{woosh! nice shot by anna}


I got tickets to see the Cal Women's basketball game and it was so much fun!

I missed Berkeley's crazy telegraph atmosphere- there has been a lot of changes in terms of restaurants.

Women's basketball is just as fun and exciting to watch. My mom and I were on the edge of our seats and I have to applaud the Cal bears for putting on such great efforts! We lost though. :P

The crowd at the game are much more classier so this is definetly my arena. Go watch a women's basketball game and support your team!

Hello foodies

{macaroni grill}

I am so into food blogs lately and the more I swim in the foodie world, the more amaze I am. There are just so many fascinating food blogs out there! It is actually quite inspiring. People are so into making pretty & inventive foods.

Although I am not an expert chef... yet... I do enjoy good food. This is a dish from Macaroni Grill and it is one of my favorite there! Imagine: brown butter sauce, grilled chicken breast, earthy mushroom flavor, and the explosion of artichokes! You must try.

Hello happiness

{::my thoughts:: chubby cheeks, uneven skin tone, weird eyes, big head, fat cheeks. sigh}

The secret to a happy life is: ACCEPTANCE.

Video: capturing the moment

I already miss Half Moon Bay and the Ritz. The view and the great service- its so hard not to miss it! This video captures that first: 'Oh' moment when we just went walked down to the beach. It was chilly...however, I am hoping it will be warmer in the summer when I visit again.

Goodbye Winter!

{2009, sacramento}

{2009, downtown sacramento}

I can feel it... it's getting warmer. When I walk to the office in the morning, I can already feel the warm breeze. I hope this summer is going to be just as fun as last year. I want to pack in as much hiking, long car drives, delicious food tasting, cute summer dresses, and sweet memories like the pictures above.

I can't wait!

sunday quotes

{nian gao, chinese sweet pie wrapped in bamboo leaves that took 6 hours to cook, one of my favorite snacks}

trials and temptations

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."

-James 1:2-4

hello local explorers

{@ fish market- calamari/ oysters/ cioppionno- photographer taking beauty shots}

{san bruno mountain- what a warm and wonderful day!}

{doing what he can to capture that perfect shot from his perfect camera}

{at top, we can view the east bay on one side and the north bay. picture perfect day}

{lunch with mom}

{ lion dancing at the library}

Today was a great day. I got to spend time with my mom and bf.

There are so many great things to do in your local neighborhood and I dare you to explore it! I went to a local chinese celebration event and then went to go hiking in a local spot my bf lives in. There are so many adventures to take in places that are not far away. Who says you have to go far away for adventures?

friday's thought

{source: time.com}

"I am now absolutely determined to finish my work for the nation in a way that ensures handing over its safe-keeping and banner … preserving its legitimacy and respecting the constitution.I will work in the remaining months of my term to take the steps to ensure a peaceful transfer of power" - President Hosini Mubarak, Jan 2011

Today, in Cairo, Egypt, it is expected that 100,000 people will mass in Tahrir Square in protest in efforts the drive out President Mubarak.

How massive this protest has become from those lines that Mubarak delivered.

happy lunar new year!

Happy Lunar New Year!

New beginning, new choices, new state of mind. That is what this day means to many Chinese people. It's not just celebrating the beginning of a new year, but a positive take on the future.

It's tradition in our household to have a new year's breakfast as a family. I woke up at 6 am this morning an had an 8 dish course breakfast. My mom and grandma woke up at 5 to prepare & labor for those dishes. I LOVE chinese new year's food from the vegetarian dishes, to the sweet rice pies, to the sesame balls, and the sweet fruit candies. We know how to start a new year right.

I hope you all can always take a positive look in the future every day and start each morning with a bang.

hello self portrait

{drawing of me, © Bong 2011}

The weather is getting warmer in the bay area! I realize the story is much different in the east coast today.

During lunch, my date was inspired to draw me. I am not sure how I feel about it. I never knew that he thought my face is that long...

hello bollywood

{2009- @ office}

This was taken a while back when there were more people in my office.

My colleagues bought me a saree as a gift and I wore it in the office for a small party once. I love to dress up and I think saree makes any girl look like a princess. The way it falls on your body is very sexy because it hugs you in the right places. Putting it on is hard and as much as I replay a youtube tutorial over and over again- it is still really difficult. It's an art to put on a saree.

Happy Tuesday!