Breakfast at Coffee Co.
Since the peek of my sickness on Sunday night, I guess I haven't been able to do as much but remain relatively stationary and avoiding any prolonged contact with people around me (i.e., isolation). As much as I absolutely hate being sick, I think it did me a little good. Even though I basically overstocked on tissue, soup, and cough drops, I was able to get some of my work done and get some good sleep. The one sucky thing about getting sick is that you just look gross, and in my case, my nose was just horribly sore. Despite my sickness, I made it to church on Sunday, class on Monday, practicum on Tuesday and work on Wednesday. My supervisor, classmates and friends have told me that I am crazy for chugging along with work despite my sad appearance. Surprisingly enough, people didn't avoid me like the plague when I was sick even though I was sniffly and coughing sporadically these five days.
On Sunday I was very surprised that I was able to suppress my sniffling and sneezing for 1.5 hours during mass. I only had one bout of near asphyxiation (due to cough suppression) and no one was grossed out to touch my hand because of that (poor unknowing congregation of St. Augustine's).
Monday, pumpkin and I had a late breakfast at Coffee Co. in Westchester. We first went there on a whim since that was the only breakfast place I knew of near by (I pass it all the time whenever I go to Office Depot and Staples) aside from I HOP. We gave it a shot that one time and it seemed decent. There appeared to have a good vibe of real people who lived around the area. I mean I was sitting next to a cop in uniform having his cup of coffee and there were a few young collegians, businessmen, nurses and even construction people in the place, so it couldn't be bad right? So we went back again on Monday after we couldn't think of another place to go for breakfast (Benice would have been the other, but it was 25 mins away). I don't think the place is anything too special, but the food is decent, selection is large, and the wait staff is pleasant and pretty quick. I can't say much for the price since I'm pretty used to LA prices, but I guess it's definitely more expensive than a typical breakfast diner. I had their ratatouille the first time we went there primarily because I just watched the movie not too long ago :P.
That morning as one could imagine I wasn't feeling really good, but I was happy to have breakfast with my pumpkin. (Note: He zipped right past me on the way to pick me up). We got the the place down Manchester past Sepulveda. I don't even know the actual address. We were quickly told to grab a seat and we chose to sit near the window. I mentioned to the waitress I was sick and she suggested the freshly squeezed OJ. That definitely made my stomach feel better and I really liked that it was freshly squeezed. There was no artificial sweetness and super acidity to it at all. I then debated between the Hawaiian French Toast and the Belgium waffle with freshly sliced strawberries. I opted for the latter and had scrambled eggs and veggie sausages on the side.
Pumpkin had a scrambled chicken omelet with all sorts of stuff in it, two biscuits and oj as well. Our waitress was nice, but we had to ask for syrup for my waffles and water. I didn't mind, but I guess pumpkin found it strange. I guess he's used to getting is way when it comes to food service :) We took our time to eat and I braved the breakfast table. I forgot to bring my pocket sized Kleenex tissue and had a sneeze attack, so I unfortunately had to use the one piece of disposable table napkin where our utensils rested. Luckily I didn't really need extra napkins while I ate. I had a good two trips to the restroom to save my nose. All in all, I ate most of what was on my plate. The strawberries were also sweet, so I was surprised. I don't even remember what we were talking about either, but I know a new couple had sat next to us a little after we had ordered.
I never even bothered to look at them until the woman commented to pumpkin after we had finished eating and were waiting for the check. She asked how long we've been together, because she said our dynamic was so comfortable. She asked if we expected to have any children soon or if we were working on it (lol). Right, I was a bit uncomfortable and said "No, not yet anyway." Pumpkin just kinda laughed. But she said she really liked how relaxed we were with one another. It felt like she was saying we were really cute or something (or maybe she did say and I just don't remember. I was sick after all). I don't recall either of us doing or saying anything to cause her to say that, but she said she was just noticing us from the time they sat down. Weird. She was a nice lady though. (very fit, pretty, and youthful looking woman possibly in her mid 30s-early 40s and she was with her husband of 16 years who looked a young 40ish). I guess there was no sense of pretentiousness or urgency between us and I definitely looked tired and old being as sick as I was.
Anyway she said she hoped we would continue the way we are right now, because very few couples are able to have that kind of relationship ever where silences can be happy rather bitter. I know I am uncomfortable with silences if I don't know the person well enough, but we've gotten to the point where silence is understanding and comfort and I really like that. That lady, whoever she was, made my day :) Oh and she said it was her birthday that day and her husband never said a word throughout our conversation (maybe he found it best to keep quiet :P). I hope you had a nice birthday even if pumpkin doubts it really was your birthday. Take no offense, he's just a consistent doubter :P
Birthday week and other things
So I am grossly swamped with crap to do and after talking with one of my friends in the program, I am not the only one feeling very apathetic, lazy and burnt out this semester. That said, I must back track.
I am now 27 and officially in my late 20s. My how time flies. I spent the 2 month anniversary at the Aquarium of the Pacific :) It was raining pretty bad but I still had so much fun. Luckily it let up later in the day and we were able to see everything. I took over 250 pictures with my new digital camera <3>or my birthday from pumpkin! It's so pretty. After the aquarium we went to eat at this very yummy authentic Italian place near by. I forgot the name of it, but the food was very awesome. They had a dish called Tric Trac. I'm definitely trying that again the next time we head over that area. Saturday was V-day and I went home to see the family. It was nice to be home for a day or two. Everyone is working on their fitness I guess. Poor Riley is shaven and her baby tail is gone courtesy of my dad's compulsiveness :\ Sunday my mom, dad and I went to church and my dad and uncle went to SD later that day. I went back to LA that evening. Monday I had a meeting with Dr. Leung and Suzy. We went over our power point presentation for CASP. We basically improved it...well I pretty much did cause I didn't prepare (I know I'm bad). But it went pretty well. Suzy took me to Cheesecake Factory in Marina del Rey and we had some Blueberry cheesecake for dessert! :D Tuesday, I am officially 27 and I have practicum and class. Pumpkin visits me at Pio Pico and we have lunch in K-town at a tofu soup place. The food was good. Definitely never had tofu soup before, but it wasn't anything too weird. I like tofu, so it worked out. I also finally got to taste Kimchee. I've avoided it for so long, but I figured I might as well try it since we were there. It was aright. That night we got out early so pumpkin took me out for late dinner. We went to K-town again and had some Pho :) Wed I was at WNS and I had the most horrible time finding parking. The day went by quickly though and pumpkin came over to help set up my router. Cris also came by to give me my present which I wore the next day.
Later that evening we end up walking down Venice Blvd and thought we were going to eat at Red Lobter or something, but we went the wrong way, so we ended up at Gaby's Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe. Food was good and I saw a cute dog too. We watched Romeo + Juliet (1996). Thursday I had practicum and Arvin was in a funk. Poor guy. We had group and the upstairs room was finally available. We both got out by 2:30 and I got home by 3ish. Pumpkin tries to fix my router with no success again. Friday I have a meeting with Suzy and we go over the powerpoint. I clean my room, finish my taxes and FAFSA, and worked on Photoshop for a while. I also get sick :( Later that day Mary's laptop parts come in and pumpkin fixes it while we finish watching Scent of a Woman. It was pretty good. who-hah. Saturday I wake up more sick and we go to Target to buy sickness treatment related paraphernalia and household products. I had berry chai tea at starbucks from the slowest unconventional barrista I've ever seen. I also had 2 blueberry muffins (which were yummy).
For lunch we ate at a local rib house that was featured on LA's best. The bbq was good esp the pork and beans. Too bad I was feeling sick and was still full and not very hungry from breakfast an hour before. So, after lazying around and driking my drugs, I am at school trying to get my life back in order. What a crazy week. I have so much crap to do and no time to do it. I shall edit this post at a later date I guess. If anything sounds less than eloquent, I blame the drugs and my sickness.
Dinosaurs, Darwin, Birds, Bees, and Coraline
Yesterday Art, Suzy, Carlos and I went to the Museum of Natural History of Los Angeles. We met with Helen, Raymond (her bf), Briana and Lily. It was strange seeing everyone there at the same time. We got to see some dinosaur bones, birds, artifacts, and other strage pottery and jewelry things. We also got to attend a lecture on Darwin, evolution, and the missing link. Darwin is 150 years old this year. It was a fun lecture and both speakers were entertaining. I just wish I could have seen the power point at a better angle.
After the lecture, we went to see The Bird and the Bee and Jukebox the Ghost (think softer versions of Kiss Kiss and tamer Hot Hot Heat). JBtG was good :) I'd definitely watch them again and buy their album. B&B sang Again and Again as their second song, so I was satisfied enough to leave early. I had a lot of fun aside from the fact that I was burning up inside the packed place with little ventilation. I tried to get some shots with my cell, but there was too much glare *sigh* I miss my Canon and my LG phone :( (I'm so pissed at whoever stole my bag!). I'll see if any of the shots came out half decent to post. I definitely should have taken more shots of the dinosaur bones and stuffed animals :P
After the museum, we went to the Grove to watch Coraline in 3D! It was great even though we had to sit way in the front because the place was packed. Good movie. I'd give it a 4/5 stars :) It's a cross between Alice in Wonderland, Spirited away, Night Mare Before Christmas. It was a nice blend of stop motion, cg and others. I couldn't tell cause of the 3D. I hope they release a special edition DVD with 3D glasses so I could watch it properly. Definitely a movie you should see in theaters.
After the movie, we had yet to eat any real food, so we end up at Little Tokyo and eat at one of the few places still open and surprisingly pretty full called Suehiro Cafe. The food is your typical Japanese udons, sobas (cold), misou stuff, gyoza, some chinese, sushi, tempura stuff, sukiyaki, etc. Service is good with a very mom and pop feel. The place is quaint with some random drawings laminated and posted on the walls. We got there at 12:30am and it was still open by the time we left at around 1:30. Their plum wine ice cream is yummy. It has nice chunks of preserved plum and a subtle liquor flavor. I had the oyakudon and Art, as always took the house special--which happend to have eggplant which he hates >_>. Anyway it was good times and definitely a late and exhausting time I definitely wanted to get to bed right after, but I'd do it all over again, even if the weather was beyond crappy.
I forgot to post this before the JEW concert, so I'm back posting. Art and I went to the LA Zoo not too long ago. I was so excited because I haven't been to the zoo since I was 7. From what I heard, I knew the LA zoo was small, but I was still excited and thought I was prepared with my new awesome camera Art gave me for my birthday :) Unfortunately, I left the battery charging at home, so I ended up taking a handful of pictures with my phone. Although my phone had a 1gig sd micro, it needed to be reformatted so I couldn't save anything on it! So anyway here are a few of the animals we saw while at the zoo. It was a nice day and a nice walk. Too bad I didn't have my camera :( I bought two pencils and donated extra change from my purchase to the conservation efforts. I wish it was more than a penny so I could have helped a bit more, but either way I got a cool sticker out of it. I'll try and get a pic of the sticker when I get home. It's an orangutan! The last pic here is of a bird that would potentially attack your finger if you push it through the cage (that's what the police guy said when I was trying to get a better pic with my phone. Stupid police. It's not like my fingers were anywhere near it! Anywho, there's more pictures, but I need to upload them and find them on my camera. Such a hassle. Least I got some pictures. After the zoo we went to Popeye's and then Porto's Bakery in Glendale. Definitely awesome guava cheese rolls. Delicious :)
