Food: En Santa Clara

Ray and I took my mom to En for her 52nd birthday! God i hope i inherit her looks. What is it about our parents and not aging? It doesn't make sense to me. But i guess it doesn't have to. Just keep my skin plump genetics! Anywho, this place was a Izayaka or a Japanese restaurant. I was stupid and asked what that menu item called izayaka is. Turns out it means restaurant. Doh.




It was my first time eating Beef Tongue. I couldn't get the texture out of my mind. The whole time i kept thinking, tongue tongue tongue. Yeah..really couldn't enjoy it, but people rave that it's the best they've ever tried! Overall, It was a pleasant dinner full of bonding and harsh blows at one another. Oh, and Sake. Getting mom a little buzzed was a priority. She loves me more that way & I'm proud to say it worked. She gave me a big hug and praised me as a being a good daughter. okay, maybe I'm exaggerating about the BIG hug-- and being a good daughter.

Good times.

Uni Fried Rice - Pretty spectacular!

Kim chee and spicy pork stir fry

Beef Tongue

Happy B-day Mom!

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Oh the Holidays are before us. The weather is finally reflecting the season and the holidays also which is an extra treat!

For Thanksgiving this year my mom and I went down south to visit the family. It was really nice to see everyone and the two new additions. Yep. Two!

a. My little cousin Nicholas ! He tried to suckle on Ray's Zipple when he held him. Pretty funny.

b. My little developing niece! My brother's girlfriend, beth, is five months pregnant and we just found out that it's a little girl! So very excited about being a real auntie. I can't wait until my brother moves back now!

Any who, this trip was great. The BF came down on Friday night and met a lot of my family; Grandpa and Grandma included! We had hotpot and finally, some Cambodian food. So happy I don't live there. I would be as big as a tub.

We went to the happiest place on earth, too! No, not Costco or Pinkberry - Disneyland! . It was so much fun! I haven't been there since California Disney opened. Can you believe that? more than 10 years! wtf. All the rides were crazy fun and the churros were to. die. for. The tower of terror was one of my favorite. We were cheap and decided to take a picture of the picture. Everyone's expression is so funny. I had a moment at the teacups, too - A moment where my stomach turned upside down from eating 3 banh mi's and a churro then continuing to join the mad tea party where you're twirling at what feels like 100 mph. I could thank Ray for that, but then again, he took quite a beating too. Just look at his facial expression change from the beginning to the end; one word: Priceless.

moded monkey.


my cousin and her boyfriend, Brian

Melissa and Jeff - The best Disney tourguides. hehe




Jasmine and Aladdin ! The musical was off-the-wall GOOD! i highly recommend this one event to everyone. I also suggest you arrive atleast 20 minutes early or else the seats will fill up fast.

Xmas decor for Disney!

sleeping beauty's castle at night

Goodbye Disney. I will see you soon.

Listen up!

One of my dear friends just starting re-launching her life and in the midst of it, she began her radio career again. Friends, if you don't know. Now you know.

This is the music you should be infiltrating your minds with not that mainstream junk! Easy access to good music. Reservation for one please.

She keeps up a pretty literate blog for someone who doesn't know where her elbow is ( jk i love you) : http://yellowstardrea.tumblr.com/

Visit her podcast at:
http://soundcloud.com/yellowstardrea

This love

We saw Maroon 5 yesterday at the Greek Theater in Berkeley and they blew me away! I've grown this new love for live music and i keep getting more and more impressed with the performances I see! Even from the distance of the dry lawn seats, or, rather, the dry grass slides we sat on, Adam Levine was a fire cracker. His sexy little leg shake and wide, firm stance he does when he sings. *breaths heavily* Anywho, they played a great variety and ended with my favorite Sunday morning. I recorded it so, i'll post it up here! For now, i'll post my current favorite song from them that's on their new album. 

The Real Wine Country

Hi. I'm in Napa. Okay, just kidding. This is kind of an old post - about 3 months old to be exact, but whatever, better late than never! Recently, i went to Napa for the first time and frankly, it wasn't anything that would get my panties in a bundle for. There is winery after winery and restaurants that rob your wallet for all they're worth, but i still appreciate it for what it is. After extensive research, we decided to stay at Churchill Manor B&B; plus, we couldn't get a reservation at our other desired location on such late notice. It was super suite. tehehe.

Ah, is it wrong that I couldn't wait to sleep?
There was such Plush bedding, a vintage tub, cute daybed and a view that overlooked the garden three stories below. We were also given complimentary wine and cheese tastings at the B&B at 5:00 PM and woke up to a DELICIOUS breakfast on the patio with our tasty (and strong) mimosas - forget the coffee! It was quite the relaxing experience. Now, to spare you the details and mush, I'll just give you a picture narrative tour of my Napa experience with my wanna-be pimp daddy.
1.We started at Domaine Carneros because it was on the way to our B&B! A spontaneous decision,


2. The tiny grapes we saw during the tour of the place. I think it was only about 25 bucks to go through the factory with generous wine tasting. They had very informative staff! Absolutely loved the place.

3. Cambo girls can jump. I want a castle :(

4. Awww.. Ugh. The pretty girl and the mediocre boy. It also ends up like this. Eh. I'll just go with the flow. :P

All done and arriving at our beautiful B&B, Churchill Manor. Totally 5+++ stars!


The complimentary wine and snacks on the patio from 5-6 PM and we went to dinner at the local culinary school where the graduates work (no amateurs!) It was still as pricey as any other restaurant and the food was tasty, but i would consider eating elsewhere in the future.

Morning time=Breakfast time! The most delicious muffins were served as well as the fruit and yogurt you see below. They had two menu options: French toast or Quiche. We obviously got one of each and shared; they were super tasty.


Fruit and yogurt starter and muffins

After breakfast, we went to Artesa Winery, where we met the coolest sommelier. Cheap wine tastings with an amazing view. Can't miss this one for sure! It's definitely one of the most futuristic wineries compared to the others.

After you get your tasting, you can go to the patio and enjoy the view of the vineyard.


On our way to V. Sattui (The last Winery) We stopped in Yountville for some Bouchon Bakery!
Nutter Butter, Signature Brownie and Caramel Macaron all made by the same chef of French Laundry. Because we were so full from the cheese and wine and sandwiches we left no room for dessert! sad face. Then, i left it at the bf's house and it was history from there.



V Sattui picnic with our Riesling summer wine and deli sandwiches. One of the coolest and relaxing wineries we visited. I would totally come here again in a heartbeat!

Thanks to my W.B.P.D for wining and dining me <3

New Obsession

One of my awesome girl friend's introduced me to a new band and i can't help but share them! They're an up and coming Indie rock band from Ireland and i really can't stop vomitting praise for them. We won tickets to a private showing and were one arm away from their excellence. After they let us meet and greet and get autographs! We were so close we could dry hump them- Not that i had the idea to do so.o_O. jk Okay, gross. Whatever. Enjoy!

i am just plain happy.

Soothe your mind

Oh boy, Filipinos are sure gifted singers and here's a perfect example of one. Her voice is immaculate. JUST PERFECT!

That One That Gives You Butterflies.

and made you shed the tears. Website sharing time! Not all of us will experience 'The one that got away', but for the ones that have, remember that you're not alone, it happens, and it's okay. Really. Put that razor down. Things will be fine. Feel lucky that you've been able to experience all these emotions - how lucky are you to have felt what your maximum peak of happiness could be like; How it feels like to float. Even the bad feelings just make you stronger than you were-Unless you dead; that wouldn't really be relevant.

I found some heartfelt, wistful stories that swooped me off my feet and vividly placed me into their moment in time. This is not a site full of regret and remorse, but rather a public expression of how one once felt or is capable of feeling; It proves that you don't have to hold onto the pain to hold onto the memory and fate has a funny little way of playing with you. Every picture has a story!

Be Stupid

This past weekend a few girlfriends and I were doing our walk of shame in the Tenderloin to grab some form of sustenance while we stumbled upon these Diesel ads. (Yup. We looked so lovely dressed in last nights makeup and clothes with our eyes barely open walking down them streets wreaking of that grey goose that made us loose). Here's our rendition and a few of Diesel's.

Stupid makes the stories

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Friends Give Value to Survival

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine. Thomas Jefferson