Holidays 2011 -
Weekend before Christmas:
Got to visit home to San Jose - (mom and dad were in great spirits - they had just gotten back from a Vegas vacation). Went to Azuma for an amazing Japanese food spread, paid for by mom and dad's visit to a time share presentation (they got a 75 dollar VISA gift card, haha.) Saw Judy and Kelvin, saw my grandparents and my cousin Brian, hung with mom and dad and Jus, played mahjong, generally had a good time.
Owen has decided that if we were to live in San Jose, we would constantly be here: Bitter + Sweet, for their coffee deliciousness. They even have Humphrey Slocombe ice cream...the flavors I tried were black sesame and butterbeer. VERY delicious. Can't bring myself to try "Secret breakfast", in case the alcohol content gets to me.
Thursday before Christmas: Took a half day from work, drove down to Santa Ana to go to Brad and Patty's wedding. Barely made it as they were heading out of the ceremony - tons of traffic. Drove to their house in the Canyon, had an amazing meal made by Corey, (grape leaves to start, garlic beef from Whole Foods, then rest made by Corey - corn fritters, delicious bread and butter, casserole squash, green beans, german potato salad - honestly best wedding food I've ever had) and cake was delicious - made by Carolyn. Sat in about 3 hours of traffic total, but am very happy for them. Side note, organized Patty's bridal shower a few weeks before this - had chocolate fondue, did trivia games, had dips. Yum.
Friday before Christmas eve: Saw Sherlock Holmes 2 at the Burbank theaters with Owen, Bryan and the Tracys. A couple of older Chinese ladies decided to translate the whole thing into Mandarin right behind Tracey, she yelled out "Can you STOP TALKING?!" Didn't faze them at all and they kept right on talking. It was impressive at how much they did not give a crap for the rest of the theater. I'm thinking when I get old, I will excessively strive NOT to be that way.
Christmas eve, earlier in the day, went to Stanton to meet with Hsiao Cheer and her husband Chris and their baby, and Connie. Great to catch up, grill up some meats and recap on our lives so far. Eveningtime - went to Erika's for a holiday party where we got to enjoy delicious food and watch the puppies romp around, and chat it up with great peoples (sad that it's her last one at her amazing house in Culver City, as I think they just sold it). I will always remember that beautiful panoramic view of the city from her house...
Christmas day, brunch at Glenn's where everyone got very drunk off of mimosas and bloody mary's, and had a really fun gift exchange. We had put in two presents - this awesome ridiculous gift: The shark air swimmers and biohazard gloves, which I happily got back in the exchange, to use as oven gloves. (they withstand heat up to 500 degrees F!) The other present we got back was a $30 Whole foods gift card. Best quote of the day came from Cathie - "I like In 'n Out but not the burgers!"
Evening festivities were held at the Tracy's, where we played Dungeons and Dragons the whole evening. My necromancer Deva character Ashe has really been kicking ass - I've been rolling pretty decent and am feeling like I am starting to get the hang of it. I hope to do as well in our other game, where I am a Invoker Half-elf named Pony Merks.
Day after Christmas: Met up with Harry at Gobi Mongolian BBQ house in Silverlake, which is owned by Owen's dad's ex-coworker. Great food - I haven't had Mongolian BBQ in a long time. Loved that they had organic meats and veggies, and so many different kinds of sauces. Good chattings and good food equal a good start to the day.
Week between Christmas and New Years: Hell at work. Completely swamped, with no end in sight, and down a few people because of the holidays. Boss informs me that he is taking the rest of the week off...the day before he takes the rest of the week off. We all get yelled at for someone warming up fish in the microwave, as it is "against the new buildings policies". Also, we are warned against sitting on the couches. Those are for CLIENTS ONLY. As if we need to be reminded that we are second class citizens in the company any more than we already are.
Had ridiculous amounts of sushi at all you can eat at Midori, with Clyde, Matt, Sudeep and Owen on Friday evening. Totally worth it. I could eat those salmon skin handrolls for every meal for a month. I think.
New Years eve - went to shadow a tour with Chang in Pasadena. Excited about this side job coming up! Met with Goldie in Silverlake afterwards, walked to Forage and had delicious jidori roast chicken, mac and cheese and kale and rocket salad, then Pazzo Gelato for a scoop of fig and almond and homemade yogurt and berry gelato. Found some cool vintage style bottle cap remover and lemon wedge squeezer at Bar Method. Once home, Owen and I zoned out by catching up on episodes of The League, drinking alcohol free champagne (Fre) and ushering in the new year.
New Years Day - woke up supremely late, walked Miles, did some chores around the house, went to Clyde's with Goldie and Owen and had delicious Korean soup that Clyde made. Discussed his stalker situation (someone has been leaving him clues on his door...puzzling!). Owen immediately fell asleep on the couch so am hiding out in the bedroom, updating blog.
I think that finally brings us back up to speed...sometimes can't believe how much happens in the span of a few weeks. I really need to document this kind of thing more.
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