I Can Make It Through The Rain

Last year during the Lunar New Year I was in Vietnam, watching the fireworks, browsing the flower markets, and riding on motorbikes. This year’s 2009 lunar festivities included a trip to the “Vietnam” of America--Orange County, California. However, it wasn’t for celebrating, it was for an interview with a graduate school. It was a whirlwind trip, all wrapped up into four days and three nights. With two of those days being traveling days, one whole day devoted to a tour and interview at the school, a surprise work day, I only had one real day to enjoy SoCal…And it rained. Rain** in Orange County?!

Although my beach plans were canceled, I still had a great time eating out and catching up with my brother and extended family. We ALL love eating out when in the O.C. Whenever I’m out there, I always make a list of places that we must go to. My brother does the same, albeit, his list is much longer than mine.

So here ya go, a list of a few places (emphasis on "few" because there are so many great places that I have no listed) that my brother and I enjoy! I will not give details about the food at these places. However, if you are ever in the Orange County area, you should check out this food blog that has all of the information about the restaurants I've listed: Monster Munching.

Pho79
Lee's sandwiches
Com Tam Thuan Kieu
Capital Seafood
Yaqui tacos
Thanh my
Pho thanh long
Pho vinh ky
Boba house
El Pollo Loco-- I don't know why I love this place so much!
In-n-Out
El Zarape
Yogurt World
Che Hien Khanh
Shinsengumi
Seafood World Dimsum
Shwarma
Pinkberry
Xooro
Funnel cake factory
Brodard's
Thai Nakorn
Pink's hotdogs
Alerto's
Passion berry
The Hat
Eric Schats bakery
Slocum's
Shea Schats bakery
Hu Tieu Nam Van
Kaji soft tofu restaurant
Langer's delicatessen
Dino's chicken and burgers
Tajima Japanese restaurant
Seaside Bakery in Newport
Jane's Corndogs
Chomps
Kasen

**Rain in Southern California cannot be compared to rain on the east coast. California rain does not entail people to need a real umbrella (with wind vents) or galochas because the rain only lasts for a few minutes at a time. But the sky gets grey; the air feels chilly, preventing people like me from wearing flip-flops. Bummer.

Stuff White and Asian People Like: "Taking a year off to travel"

My Asian brother traveling

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of the blog called "Stuff White People like."

Every now and then I check it out for kicks. It's hilarious! Check out the latest entry, #120 "Taking a Year off."

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/01/11/120-taking-a-year-off/

I'm not white but I AM GUILTY OF #120!!

Celebrating the New Year in NYC

New Year's Check list:

Picture at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree-check
Times Square-check
NYC Manhattan party-check
Festive dress for the party-check
Fun friends from undergrad-check
Loads of food-check
Champagne-check
2009 corny glitter glasses-check
2009 corny glasses that glow in the dark and make seizure inducing flashes (batteries included)-check

Happy New Year!!

I've been to NYC multiple times but this was probably one of the best trips. It was New year's eve in New York City! I bet you're wondering if I stood at Times Square for hours on end in the freezing cold to see the ball drop by the Clintons...I didn't. That would've been CRAZY. Just so you know, there are many rules to follow if you do want to go to Times Square for New Year's Eve: you can't leave the barricade once you walk in, you can't use the bathroom, there are security checks, and you can't bring the bubbly for the midnight toast. However, the program they have during the New Year's ball drop is pretty cool. This was the event schedule






New Year's Eve started off with a long commute with my friends from Delaware straight to Staten Island. We then took the lovely Staten Island ferry to Manhattan and saw the Statue of Liberty.

From there we took the subway to Steve's West Village apartment, grabbed lunch, and then took a much needed nap before the big party started at 10pm (and ending at an unknown hour).

NYE in NYC




5,4,3,2,1! HAPPY NEW YEAR! The toast!

(After the toast, we picked up pots and pans and banged them outside the window)




It's OFFICIALLY 2009!




Well, one cannot leave a New Year's post without talking about resolutions. I've thought long and hard so here are my 2009 resolutions:

1. Stop ignoring my morning alarm clock
2. If I do ignore the alarm clock, I can only press snooze twice max (number can increase to 3x if I don't have class and a dismissal of alarm is allowed if it is the weekend)
3. Start backing up my computer files just incase an unnamed person uses my computer and downloads a virus that automatically downloads unmentionable images onto my computer.
4. Go to the freakin' gym
5. Eat healthy foods that contain antioxidants (Red wine counts as a source of antioxidants)
6. Save more, spend less
8. Keep in touch with friends and family via phone calls, texts, or preferably...Facebook
9. Follow through with responsibilities that I have agreed or will agree to take on
10. Buy tickets to the new Killers concert
11. Somehow find a part-time job or take out additional school loans(this one is a toughy)
12. Think before I speak unless the person I'm talking to is c-r-a-z-y
13. Take advantage of opportunities
14. Relax when I can and work hard when I have to
15. Last but not least: "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3