The Art of Packing

Asked my mom what she'd like for me to bring back to Taipei, and it just occurred to me that every item on her want-list can be purchased from Costco. Hehe. I guess the love for Costco runs in the fam. Anyhow, he want-list reads like a mini pharmacy inventory. Centrum and glucosimine for her, selenium, vitamin-E, and fish-oil for my dad, chewable vitamin-C for my grams, almonds for grams, and chocolates for Uncle Lee. Right. Well, I'm looking forward to spending my evening packing all these goodies along with my clothes into my teeny-tiny suitcase. Those who know me well know that packing is an enjoyment to me. (Unpacking? No. Packing? Yes!) I take huge pleasure in being able to pack as efficiently and lightly as possible when traveling. That said, no matter the length of time I am away for, I rarely travel with a suitcase larger than one that is international carry-on sized... Ooh, I'm so excited to go home and pack. Yes. I am sick.

Downer

This morning I awoke to find an email from a high-school friend, Maria, informing me that another high-school friend, Uma, had recently suffered a brain aneurysm burst. According to friends at her bedside, she's been in the ICU in New York City for nearly a month now. She was in a coma for a while and suffered a minor stroke last week (a common complication of aneurysms), but everyday since last Tuesday, Uma has been progressing in the right direction, and she has become more and more alert daily. Uma's close friends have been at her beside for the past month as has her fiance, John.

For all Uma-related updates: www.myyearofnewthings.blogspot.com

I was extremely shocked and am saddened by the news, as Uma has always been nothing short of kind, intelligent, generous, fun-loving. An all-around gem-of-a person. Am going to pray for Uma's continued recovery, as she has a long road ahead of her and will continue to hope and pray that she regain her memories and ability to speak.

Life is complicated. A reminder to all that nothing is to be taken for granted...

Giddy

The manfriend recently received notice that two of his i-have-no-idea-what-he's-writing-about medical papers are being published! And yours truly just received an invite to interview for admissions to UCLA Anderson! *teehee*

Step By Step...

"Ooh bay-bee... Gotta get to you gir-irrrrrl." (A lil' New Kids for y'all.) Made hotel arrangements for my trip to Paris. An arm and a leg, I tell you. And now for airfare... ouch!

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho...

It's off to home I go... Leaving for Taipei this Thursday. Beans will be left in the care of the manfriend for an entire week. Uh-oh...

Fleeting

My tulips are dying.

Pooped

The manfriend, Beans and I took full advantage of the g-g-g-gorgeous weather in the bay today. Took the convertible out for a spin and had ourselves some yummy ice-cream (vanilla for him, strawberry for me) in Sausalito. Beans didn't get any, but he didn't seem to mind...

Ooh. Before I forget. Happy Presidents Day! And Happy Chinese New Year!

Miso Classy

The manfriend and I were at Davies Symphony Hall again this past Friday. (The manfriend is a huuuuuge fan of classical music. Me? Not so much.) The headliner: Alexander Barantschik (on the violin). The program: Bach (snore), Mozart (teehee), Shostakovich (wee), Britten (cute), Piazzolla (?). Highlight of the evening (for me, at least) was when the final chamber group featured a musician who busted out an oh-so-sexy ACCORDION! Perched on the very edge of my seat, I was giddy with excitment as I took in the final performance of the evening. The manfriend was saddened by my classlessness. Muahhahahaha.

Pictured: Me bringing sexy-back with my imaginary accordion.

Gravity

Illustration Friday entry. Topic: Gravity.

Flare

Beans says, "Do it. Do it. You know you want to..." Yes. Beans, you know me too well.

My Funny Valentine

I've always been a huge fan of Valentine's Day. That was until I had a Valentine. Great expectations. Way to kill a holiday.

Was feeling kind of blue all morning despite the fact that I knew I'd have (at very least) eye-boogie-bearing Beans as a Valentine. And then it happened! An unexpected delivery of happy tulips and cheesy (in a good way) heart-shaped balloons arrived at my apartment door early-evening. (For me?! Couldn't be!!!) But the flowers and balloons were not the sole source of the joy I was feeling upon letting the delivery man in. Really! The card accompanying the surprise... *that* was the most meaningful part of the surprise. Fist-pump worthy...

He Loves Me...

He loves me not!!!
Whatever... Beans will always love me.

Happy Valentine's Day -- from me to you!

Circle Circle Dot Dot

OMG... this is fantastic.

Save My Ass

A friend of mine who used to work in venture capital brought to my attention the existence of an ingenious company aptly named, SaveMyAss. Described by the founders, Al (of Evite fame) and James (of HotorNot fame) as a flower delivery service / relationship insurance policy, this company could be the answer to the woes of procrastinating men all over...

Hint, hint to the manfriend. I'd like to spend Valentine's Day watching Drew & Hugh in "Music & Lyrics"...

Neat-o

THIS is neat-o!

I See London, I see FRANCE!

Will likely be receiving a bonus next week and with the extra dough I am planning to take my mom to France in May! A bit indulgent? Most def! Pictured: Me pulling up airfare and hotel information off the Internet with Beans as an accomplice.

Guilty Pleasures

1) MTV on Monday nights. "The Hills" and "Dancelife." Crack for the mind...
2) Laughing Cow cheese cubes. I like the random facts imprinted on the interiors of the foil wrappers.
3) Swinging Beans left and right. He seems to enjoy it! My arms touch his pits when I do so though. Eew.

Growing Pains

Beans has developed a serious case of puppy breath. Trying to teach him to breathe through his nostrils rather than through his mouth. Don't think I'm getting through to him.

Eye of the Tiger

Not Ready To Make Nice

The Dixie Chicks swept the Grammys with their "Taking the Long Way" album. They're "not ready to make nice." Yes, well. Me neither. I'm neither ready to make nice with intense cardio exercise nor food in small-portions. Doodle of me spooning Nutella whilst listening to John Legend's sultry serenade. It doesn't get better than this.

Supermodel, Work

Beans has developed a fondness for my Mac's Photo Booth feature! Unfortunately, he's also developed a taste for toilet water. Aaargh!

Ugly Cute

My dear cousin, Cindy and I share a love for things/beings that are so ugly that they're cute. Today she sent me the following link accompanied by the message, "He is so ugly, but im intrigued and in love."

Check this little guy out! He's a gremlin!!! :)

Sooper

Congrats to my friend Dai for helping plan the Asia Business Conference that took place at Berkeley earlier today. This year's conference theme was "Reflections on Asia: Growth and Sustainability." Hard-core topics to tackle for a Saturday morning.

The keynote speakers and panelists enlisted had much to share. I, however, only managed to retain a single piece of useless information. Did you know that about 1/3 of the total Chinese population do not possess the good habit of brushing their teeth, while 57% of people living in rural areas do not brush teeth at all? (Stat courtesy of Booz Allen Hamilton's Dr. Tse.) V.disturbing.

P.S. I've posted a scan of a page of notes taken during the conference. Doodles included. God knows how I got through college.

Oh Boy!

Watch Charlie pine after the little red-haired girl. "Charlie Brown Valentine" is playing on ABC this very moment. One of my favorite under-dogs. And ooh, "Office Space" is playing on Comedy Central. The perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday evening...

P.S. Photo of graffiti that reminds me of my own drawings. Taken last summer while visiting Barcelona.

Body Bomb

I like to hug the manfriend, countdown from 10, scream "BODY-BOMB!" and then fart. *tee-hee* I'm eew.

Sprout

Illustration Friday entry. Topic: Sprout. Peas sprout. Beans sprout. Hairs sprout. I'm not fond of visible armpit hair. Therefore when the unwanted little critters sprout from you-know-where, I'm quick to pluck 'em out with my Tweezerman. Yes, I pluck each and every hair out. It's more effective than shaving. Really! Mmm. I hope this entry doesn't gross anyone out.

Undeniable

I am a waste of space. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I think I should pen a book. Judy Blume wrote "Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing". I think I can pull together the equivalent for the mid-20 nothing.

Mmm... Ahh.. Ooh...

Rachael Yamagata's rendition of "I Wish You Love" warms my insides on cold, wet days. Yesterday was one of those days.

Are We There Yet?

I can't wait to head back to Taipei, but I'm soooo going to miss Beans while away... *sniffle*

Spilling Over

Going to spend Sunday cleaning-out my closet. Too many items packed in too little space. Ebay will be soon be exhibiting some of my fantabulous midget-sized hand-me-downs. (I tower a mere five-feet.)

A Lot for a Little

Every two months, the manfriend treats me to a luxe meal of hotdog & pop at Coscto. We went this past Saturday. Mmm... love that processed meat.

Eek!

Am composing a Greatest Hits "album" for the manfriend (all drawn) for V-day. The mix-tape pic I posted yesterday shall act as the cover for my album. As for the contents... the contents of the mix-tape... it's all up to me! I've finished off 10 pics to date. Here's one of the manfriend exposing me to two of my greatest fears (nips and pits) in hopes of helping me overcome them. Needless to say, he failed.

P.S. RSA Show (a high-tech security conference) is taking place in San Francisco today and tomorrow. Will be at the Moscone Center supporting one of my portfolio companies, Authenex. Come on by our booth!

Labor of Love

The manfriend never checks this blog. Too bad, as he's been trying to figure out what I'm getting him/doing for him this Valentine's Day. Hint: See above doodle!

Feelin' Beachy

Took Beans to Ocean Beach (in San Francisco) yesterday afternooon. As it was his first time encountering sand, he excitedly, gulped a mouthful. Bleeeech!

Pictured: *Not* Ocean Beach--rather Waikiki Beach. Taken last year.

Minimalist

It really doesn't take too much to make me happy. Yet folks somehow manage to let me down...

How Sad

East Meets West

Went out for dinner with the manfriend last night.

Having tried and loved Cindy's previous sushi recommendation, Kabuto Sushi (on Geary), we decided to give her second recommendation a shot. Hama-Ko Sushi Restaurant (on Carl). V.homey... A hole-in-the-wall run by a Japanese mom & pop who don't even have a sign outside their restaurant, the restaurant maintains a low-profile while serving up v.fresh fish. Word to the wise, the owners only allow you to order ONCE. So order lots, because their fish slices are kinda' small. In fact, the manfriend and I left the place only 70% full--which is, if you think about it, kind of a bummer, as the whole point of eating out is to stuff yourself to the point of discomfort, isn't it? Anyhow, the two of us did manage to fill the physical void in our tummies by running over to the nearby Burgermeister afterwards. We shared a delicious strawberry milkshake. With extra maraschino cherries!

P.S. Photo of a Haribo gummy against a copy of "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius". Taken on my trip to Mykonos, Greece this past summer.

A Happy Worry

Under the influence of all the rings flashed across my television screen last night, I had a dream.

I was sitting in a cafe with the Santa Clara gals: Maria, Ems, and Pammy. Maria was showing me her engagement ring (lovely), Ems was talking about getting her classic solitaire ring fitted (nice), and then to my surprise, Pammy whipped one out as well. Needless to say my jaw-dropped. But only because the ring was hideous--resembling a mini stainless-steel watch band wrapped around her finger. And the diamond was set really high. Half an inch above the band. Apparently the ring was a made-to-order one. Meaning? Someone got creative. But even in the dream, Pammy possessed a good sense of humor. Upon seeing my reaction, she cracked-up--doing so with such intensity that tears began spewing.

Thoughts? Pammy. In order to prevent this particular dream from coming true, please advise all your men (hehe, yes, Pammy is quite the ho) to consult me before getting creative with any ring designing/purchasing as I do still recall the dream ring you showed me a year ago in Vegas...

Fun, Fun, Fun.

Check this out!
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/conan-obrien-smashes-serena-williams-in-wii-tennis-233530.php
Now I REALLY want a Nintendo Wii... Will be heading back to Taipei, Taiwan mid-February. Wonder if I can pick up a console then?

Just Dough It

Decided to skip the gym. Haven't been there since Monday. Shame on me.