Hello Cafe

{a display in front of a Chinese ramen place in Milpitas. i took a picture of it while waiting for someone who couldn't find the right plaza. we didn't go eat here and i wouldn't try going in because it is empty and it is a Chinese ramen place which means it might not be good... or it is from a package}

{I don't know why there is a blue line towards the bottom. I apologize for the poor picture quality. Obviously I don't have the best camera phone.}

What are the perfect components for a great cafe according to you?

For me- the perfect cafe needs to entail the following elements:

-comfy vintage couches

-great soothing music like Damian Rice

-really fresh strong coffee

-roomy and clean

-lots of natural lighting

-fun snacks & pastries available

-stamp cards to reward coffee lovers with a free coffee after 10 purchases (a must according to me)

-grumpy baristas who complains about their love life and personal lives

-baristas who have an interesting & eclectic sense of style (after all, I don't just go to cafe to drink coffee- I go to gawk at people too. That's right, I gawk)

-cute organic plants on the side

-a cafe that supports their community

-eco friendly (another must)

-lots of seatings for people like me who want to work there

-great artworks by local community members

-their own roasting machine

-stamp cards (I just love collecting my stamps)

I am actually describing my favorite cafe, Zocalo. I love it! It has everything I ever wanted and it is close by my house. Not that close- but I will make my drive here. It seems the really cheery baristas are hard to find these days. You can find them in the frou frou high tech internet cafe. But classic cafe like the one I described is a gem. Today, I overheard a conversation between the barista guy and girl discussing the origin of the drink, Fanta. Did you know Fanta was created during WWII by Coca Cola?

Hello Umbrian Clay

Fresh - Umbrian Clay bar- $38 One of my reader have been requesting that I do a review on the Umbrian Clay bar soap for a while. Just 1 reader only. So here it is.

The umbrian clay bar is basically a mound of clay that you would put on your face in the shower. You can use it on your body as well. It is said to remove impurities and brighten your face. I bought the clay bar because I really like the clay mask.

The bar is much more hard and not the easiest to use. You really have to keep in warm water before any residue of clay comes off- and when it comes off, it is only residue of the clay that comes out.

I have used it for about 2 days now and I am already noticing zits forming in my problematic area on my face. I haven't done anything different in my facial routine other than use this umbrian clay bar so I am suspicious that this could be it. However, I really like the umbrian clay mask a lot, which is essentially the same product, but in a different form.

So far- I am iffy about the bar. However, I will try it for 1 more week before I give my final conclusion.

If you see me all zitty this week- then don't bring it up! Just accept the zit and it will go away soon.

Hello to Goodbye

{my new cube}

My 2nd home.

I often think about how much time I spend in the office. It is really like my 2nd home. You would think that as much people there are in this office (close to 2,000 people) that you would feel like you are part of something bigger and that you wouldn't feel lonely. However, this is not the case for me.

It is actually more lonelier the more people there are and I feel more distant from all the other product services and groups of people. Perhaps this would change in the future as I get used to this place more.

I already miss many things about my old work location. The scene of the farmers across the street/ the ungrateful barista girl at Specialty/ the quietness of the old office/ the privilege to have 5 bathroom stalls all to myself/ never having to wait in line to use the microwave/ hot water availability/ or drinking water in general/ refridgerator/ ample parking spaces. These are the things I think about often this past week.

Story of the gangster geese

There are quite a lot of geese in my new work place. In fact- I just learned from one employee there that they live there. They don't migrate away to Canada or South America. There is not a lot of geese in my hometown- but certainly enough interesting birds to help cultivates my bird tongue. Here is my "translation" of the conversation that took place today between the geese and I on my 2nd attempt at trying to have a walk around the man-made lake within our work complex that is filled with geese. Little did I know- I was in geese territory and humans are not welcome. Monday, 9:30 am... ::Anna casually walking on the pathway to take in the warn sun rays:: ::Anna has already dodged about 10 hissing geese at this point and is feeling quite proud of herself:: ::up ahead is a male goose and his wifey goose- the male spots Anna 3 feet away and immediately tells his wife to go up the side embankment:: Mr Goose: 'Human is coming. Get up on the embankment for safety. She won't be able to climb the muddy sides' Mrs Goose: 'No. Let me fight her with you!' Mr Goose:: expanding his wing to wife:: 'I said get up on the embankment! There is no time to waste! She is getting closer!' ::Mrs goose quickly waddles up the embankment:: Mr Goose to Anna: 'Go back! Go back! Hissssssssssss' Anna: 'I just want to walk around you and finish this course! Let me walk around you!' Mr Goose: 'I am warning you!' ::bobs head up and down and expands wing:: ::Anna slowly backed up... and half turned around... when Mr Goose seemingly had his back to Anna, Anna tried to make a dash for it and run pass him:: ::Mrs Goose screams:: Mrs Goose: 'Behind you honey! Look behind you' ::Mr Goose turns around and calls for help:: Mr Goose: 'Defcon 5! Defcon 5! Back up needed!" ::suddenly 5 other geese flew over and stood proudly next to Mr Goose:: ::Anna scooted over to the right, the pack followed and scooted to the right:: ::Anna scooted over to the left, and the pack followed and scooted to the left:: ::The gang of geese walks closer all hissing loudly:: ::Anna slowly turns around with hand in the air and walks away:: ::the geese follows her for a couple of footsteps:: ::As Anna slowly makes her way back, the gang of geese yells in victory:: Gang of geese: Hurray! Hurray! Mr Goose: 'We need to keep an eye on that human- she attempted to walk here before. We need to set her straight' 9:36 am... ::Anna makes safely back to the doorway where all the smokers stood. Sighing with relief, Anna slumps onto one of the chairs and stared out at the scary forest of geese still screaming across the lake:: The end. I cant figure out why spacing doesnt show up in this blog entry! Sorry for this!

Goodbye fatty weekend

Let me indulge you on what went into my belly this weekend:

-Boston 3 piece dark chicken

-1 krispy kreme doughnut

- 1 greasy burger

-several extra greasy onion rings

Excuse me while I try to poop all these out.

Just thinking about what I put into my body makes me cringe sometimes. I don't know how some people have such willpower to prevent themselves from gobbling up such deliciousness. Till this day, I still have to sneak in chips from Walgreens and eat them in secret so my mom won't know. Sigh.

A good way to cleanse yourself after a greasy weekend is by drinking a lot of dark tea to flush away the bad oils. This is an advice passed on from my grandma. Dark black tea like oolong. Do you have any secrets on flushing away oils?

Hello Friday

{special tea}

This week has been non stop rain. I can't complain- I know sunny days will be coming soon and I will get the chance to bust out my summer attire.

I adore the special drinks my mom prepares for me everyday. She wakes up early in the morning (5am) so she can boil hot water and make fancy drinks like this: Chrysanthemum & fresh jujube. It is said to be good for the throat during cold season. I don't have any problems with my throat- but I will enjoy it nonetheless.

Goodbye Geese

{back of the office- to the right is the cafeteria and the tall building in the back are the offices- the path to the left is mostly filled with smokers on their smoke break}

I am working in a new location now. Landscapes here are so pretty. Everywhere you see is just luscious green hills. I am excited to explore new trails around my work complex. So far, I have gotten lost about 8 times already- most of them were in the parking lot. My work place is just too big.

So far, I got a chance to walk around a small walkway towards the back of our office that overlooks a man made pond. And these ponds draws geese/ goose; a lot of them. They are mean too. When I tried to walk on the walkway, they will hiss at you! It is actually really scary because they come in packs and hiss at you and they are not small. I didn't even try to excite them, feed them or go near them but they will be on top guard if you walk near them. I am staying away from these birds as much as possible.

See this video clip to see what I mean: Video

Note: I did notice that the geese/ goose were much calmer and nicer to the smokers. I think these birds enjoy second hand smoke. All the birds where just hanging around the smokers like they were one of them.

Hello unsalted chips

It's like Kettle Brand read my mind. Not a lot of places carry this particular type of ... flavor?

I love chips (next to ramen) but I often find that chips are too salty. I want to feel the crunch and the potato crumbs in my mouth- not the artificial flavoring and salt. Quality food actually doesn't need a lot of salt. In fact- I believe in Kettle Brand and this bag is really good. You may think its tasteless but I dare you to try it. You taste the potato and you don't get too thirsty after this.

I don't know why they don't sell this in more places. It's so freaking good.

Update: my camera is still missing. I am accepting it as a sign. I had fun runnin in the rain yesterday in the city. As gloomy as the sky may look- i find a peaceful beauty in it. Have a gr8 sunday!

Hallo feel good food

Today is stormy. It is hailing in parts of the bay area and we are even having small tornados.

Today also marks the day that I officially move out of the office in Milpitas. I will be re-located to a new office in an area closer to my home. Not that close- but closer. I feel like a furniture in this big company.

Before I leave Milpitas, I have to stop by Orenchi for one last slurp. It helps me feel happy and forget my worries. Who needs drug when you have good ramen! It's audente, chewy and broth that makes me wanna jump over cars.

I have new adventures to explore. Stay tune to find out!

Hello meat!

Check out my review for House of Prime Rib. I had a lot of fun there. Pictures to be shared later when I get my camera back.


Yelp Review: House of Prime Rib - SF

Whenever i hear a beatles song i reminisce to last winter when i went to vegas and attended cirque du soleil love. The beatles is still so cool. Hello goodbye is a title to one of their songs.

Hello camera phone

{my favorite coffee shop- I finally got up to 10 stamps to get a free coffee!}

Great news. I found my camera. I called the restaurant one more time because I just have a strong feeling that I left it there and behold: they have it !!!

In other news- I learned how to update my blog via my mobile phone now! Are you excited as I am to get back on the blogging space and share more cute things with you? I am. :)

Thanks for reading!

Goodbye camera

I lost my camera!!!!!! And the back up camera that I gave my mom is also lost. My mom lost the old camera I gave her. Can you believe that?

Don't you just hate the feeling when you lost something expensive? I do. Somehow- I can't imagine how people in Japan feels who lost more than just earthly things. Uncomparable- I know.

Advice for all my readers: ALWAYS check before you leave anywhere (the bus, restaurant, movie theater...) If you make that your daily routine- then you will be able to avoid what I did.

For a while- I don't think I will be able to post any pictures. I will be but a text at the mercy of the reader.

Hello chocolates

One of the many charming points of San Leandro is the fact that Ghiradhelli chocolate factory is right here! Not only that- there is an outlet for Ghiradhelli.

Time to time I might drop by. It's nice because they always treat you to a free chocolate every time you go in. Also everything they sell there is at least 50% off if not more. Recently they have been making a lot of different types of chocolate and I love to try them and tell you all about it. Last time, I tried their sea salt almond dark chocolate. Anything with dark chocolate is just so good.

This one is one that my sister got for me. Good choice. It has toffee and almond bits. So there is a good crunch with good toffee flavor mixed with the dark creamyness of it. It's so good. I like texture in chocolates. Or if it is a really good quality dark chocolate- then I like it plain.

I think I need to visit a chocolate factory to learn more about this.

Hello jujube

Have you ever had a jujube before? It has a lot of beneficial properties.

You can eat it in the young stage or wait for it to ripen and eat it in other ways. In the young stage, it is crispy and taste kind of like an apple. When it ripens, it gets dry and you can serve it with tea or use it in soups.

Of the many benefits of jujube, one of them is emotional distress. Dark chocolate also helps and that was what I had too.

Ugh. Today was just yucky.

Hello new point of view

{Twin Peaks, SF, CA}

I really like this picture. There is just so much to look at.

Hello taro

{my mom steaming taro- by steaming it, you can preserve the fiberness of it}

{before picture of the taro- it was as long as my head}

Taro taro taro.

I was surprise at how many people are not aware of what taro is! It is a very starchy type of root- similar to a potatoe but not really like it. Taro comes in many form; some are small like an apple and some can be as big as... well you can see. :) I learned today that you can also eat the leaves of the taro too.

There are so many delicious things you can make from taro. You can make, sweet taro pudding, taro cake, taro breads, taro pies, taro mixed with sticky rice, taro chips, baked taro & my favorite, taro milk tea!

Taro is popular in Hawaii and in Southeast asia. Try it!

Hello summer attire

Summer attire by starrider2469 featuring plastic shades

I usually like winter & fall. I think these dreary weather is romantic. However lately, I can't help but think of all the cute summer clothes that is still in hibernation.

Above are items that I would love to fashion during summer. Floral dresses with fluffly layers- so cute. Wedges are hot, esp clog types wedges. Most importantly, big sunglasses to tie the whole outfit together.

Hello new talent!

From time to time, my sister would ask me to trim her bangs - to only result in lop sided bangs. Lately, my grandma and mom have been requesting me to help them trim their hair. So why not? Short hair is my forte.

I should have done a before and after shot of my mom. Before the new haircut above, her hair was a little past her shoulders. She was not happy with how her hair is growing out in awkward layers and would like a hair style to show off her face frame and help her look thin.

I present to you: the bob. Short, chic, easy to maintain, and a very youthful style. I used to sport a bob and I got a lot of compliments for it. The bob was and still is, my new found crush.

If you are in need of a hair consultation, feel free to drop me a note. Let me know what you want to accent with your hair style and I will provide my critique within 5 business days. Als0-if you want an actual haircut- that would cost you a nice lunch.