Somehow this blog is still around

It always sort of amazes me that this blog is still around.  (and... I can still log in!!! ). How?  Oh right, it is linked to my Google account.

Memories :)

Let the adventure begin!

We had an simply amazing day yesterday!  The original intent was to - eat a good brunch at a Brazilian Cafe and go ride a roller coaster at Santa Cruz.  Simple enough.   Tho, it was such a short notice that only Esi was able to make it.

Tho, that made everything as flexible, and less stressful as possible.  Since we decided to carpool, we didn't have to worry about being late and etc - and boy did we hit traffic.   Nice day = everyone heading to the beach =  traffic  = accidents. Ah well.

 We finally made it to the Cafe, luckily was able to be seated in about 15 minutes while we look thru the menu....  Food arrived quickly and was amazing! The fish was soooo tender....  and we topped it off with a delicious Acai bowl (jr).

Completely tasty and completely full.

The idea of roller coaster while full isn't something we want to temp with.. so we figure we walked around.  This area has some restaurants and a few shops.  Did a quick chocolate tasting at Donnerly's but being so full and it being so sunny, we pass the opportunity to buy some deliciously tasting looking truffles that they offered.... 

Anyway - made it by the beach.. still full.  We found a spot for parking w/ a pay by phone parking meter.  It seems that you can just say "hey I am going to park here", and then pay the amount you used when you get back.  That's completely cool b/c we didn't know we would ended up being at the boardwalk for so long !  What a great system!

We checked out the wharf.  Normal beach shops and resturants. The coolest thing was sea lions hanging out.  They were floating / sleeping as a cluster, right next to the edge of the wharf (so literally you see them right below).  They would sink.. then lift their head up to breath.. then sink. it was mesmerizing to see them do so - up close.   In addition, they were also right up the planks? way above the sea... we couldn't figure out how they got up there...

Onwards to boardwalk.  

We decided to just check everything out before we actually ride a roller coaster...  While watching people attempt "The Vault", a complete stranger came by and gave us 7 sheets of tickets (per sheet - $3 coupon for arcade, 2 attraction tickets).   7 sheets!!!   He said he couldn't use these tickets today so decided to give them away (it was around 3pm by the time we got there)

We walked around the park and decided that lines are too long!!! so the first thing we use these tickets for was "Fright Walk".  Free! (That one was scary!).  Then The Vault (we get two tickets per attraction ticket!) - then bowling, then time at arcade!  (drumming game,  DDR, rides, etc). It was getting late as we tried to use up all the coupon monies.. (it wasn't as easy as you think!)

I think we might never had tried those out if we didn't get those tickets.  We all wonder where people get those coupon sheets (maybe b/c they bought some season pass?)

Since we didn't use up all our attraction tickets we decided to pass it on to other people.  There were lots of people at Laser Tag so that hopefully saves them some $$ ... 

At the end, we were worn out, but it was great fun!!!  A great way to mark being older !

In memory

Something from a few years back that has been sitting in draft... 
 ----
Brandy finally passed away, after a long, painful week last week. Strangely, and again, no one at home bothered to call me and let me know. Perhaps its just one of those things with Asian family.. or my family in particular. What would you said? besides the fact?

I found out as I called my mom to ask her whether I can still consume fish balls that has been in my freeze for about 3 years. As usual, asking how everyone is doing. she then mentioned that Brandy has passed after in pain toward the last few days in which she can't even be comfortable enough to sleep. Doesn't even want to eat.. doesn't even want to stand.. No one wants her euthanize, but in hindsight.. it might have been a better choice.

Tho, when I visited, I came in to a conclusion that she still want to live. While her physical body is falling her, she still wants to be - following my dad, barking at people, smelling grass, or the smells other dogs has left. I don't think it would've been fair to her to choose that option for her if she still has the will to live.

If I were to write an eulogy for her - this is what I would've said:
Brandy had lived a long happy life of 16.5 years. Unfortunately, this year was especially difficult for her, as she battle tumors, growths, and possibly cancer.

She came to our household as a surprise to my mom as we already had another dog. Many attempts of giving her away always ended up in her being returned. Excuses such as "my mom is allergic to dogs", "she likes to bite" and a few name changes... which at the end , my mom gave up and said she can stay.

She grew up to be a very pretty dog - a bit headstrong but extremely loyal. She is very stubborn. There is nothing that gets in her way - the kitchen door.. the windows... the gates, in which she jumps thru a few times in the times when she either wants in or wants out. Headstrong but sweet...

RIP.

I found my blog !

I found my blog!!! 

Ok, not like I would actually do anything like actually - blog - any, or more, or more frequently or what.  But, for a while I was trying to actually figure out where it was (moving between computers... not keeping blog post up to date, getting married and stuff like that all makes one person forgetful).

I drew a complete blank ...

I'll have to remember to somehow link this somewhere, or at least bookmark it so I can find it next time I feel the urge to complain / write about something.

Cover ups ?

I got a call today from someone who said that I need to call this number to confirm a security issue with my bank. I don't trust any calls like that... so I went through the normal route via the customer number.

Once I got through, the customer rep confirmed my identity, and then mention that they need to verify something with my card. Which is good - that means it was the bank indeed had some issue - and it wasn't someone phishing for more information.

Once I had got things verified, I ask, well, why do you need to do this ? The rep quickly replied with that - there was a breach in the merchants that I had purchase product with. Then it seems that she quickly avoided all the potential questions I had and just ended the call.

What was that about ? I think there is a cover up somewhere...

Tho - I did hear a cheer in the backgroup.. perhaps she was getting ready to go participate... and party.

A tasty can of soup

I am lazy. Tho I've aspired to do many things - there was really never a urgent need for it.

Case in point - cooking. I've aspired to cook. I've used to do that, but it has lost my interest as I get busier... So I seek alternatives. And in doing so, I figure I write down my thoughts on tastiness and remember it on this blog.

Today, my alternative comes in the form of a can of soup for lunch.
Product: Campbell's Select Harvest - Light - Italian - Style Vegetable.
Notes: I've tried the Select Harvest - Roasted Chicken with Rotini & Penne Pasta. It was good but the Chicken in the can soup still tastes like Chicken in a canned soup... that rubbery, dry, tasteless bits of thing .. ugh. I don't believe I've ever been impressed by any meat in a soup from a can... somehow - the processing just sucks all the good texture and flavor out...

Today's soup - is actually quite good. Not too salty.. nice chunks of veggies. Light tasting.. has a good celery taste to it. Adding some black pepper to it (and for me - an egg to boil it with) makes the soup good. This is something I probably would get again.

Wellness calendar ?

Obviously blogging everyday won't work. This is really all about changing habit.

Just got a wellness calendar from GG . I laughed.
Staring at me on my desk (at work) are

• A bag of tail mix (b/c I get hungry)
  
• 3 different type of tea and more hidden behind
  
• a bottle of calcium supplement
• a bottle of vitamin supplement

Per my doctor's order to take calcium... So , being one forgetful person like myself, I thought - perhaps I'll remind myself to take these when I am at work . At least - that "out of sight - out of mind" won't work there.

The two bottles stared back at me. I noted. Yup - not once did I take them... as they each progress past their expiration.

Another chunk of money down the drain...
I just don't like supplements...