Thursday, December 31, 2009

Dear Racist Morons in Belfast,

If you're going to advertise racist slogans, please learn how to spell IMMIGRANT! What a bunch of knobs!

Movies That Make Me Hungry

Big Night...


Epic food scenes from Babette's Feast...




Eat, Drink, Man, Woman


Tampopo...




Like Water for Chocolate...


Mostly Martha...


Chocolat...


Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Original with Gene Wilder)...

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Holy Crap! I Finally Got The Letter!

A year ago, I sent in an application to do an internship at the hospital. Just when I lost hope, the letter arrives today inviting me to attend orientation in January. But my anxiety doesn't end here. They make applicants jump through hoops to get to get in. It is a very competitive program with only 25 spots open every year. I need all the luck in the world. I so want work here. It will be such an amazing opportunity to help people and to learn hands-on skills that will prepare me for my new career.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

New Year's Resolution #2: Help Those In Need

Photo from buglabs.typepad.com


I've designated 2010 as the year to help others in need. I've contacted 2 organizations. One is feeding the homeless in deepest darkest Tenderloin, the other is a food bank. I start next month and I'm excited. I hope to volunteer at least once a month. I'm testing out how this next month goes.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

New Year's Resolution #1: Start Bellydancing Again!

It's been 4 years of being danceless ever since I've injured my knee. It's time to get back into it again and get in shape! If only I can dance like her, she has amazing technique and muscle control, I am in awe!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Friday, December 25, 2009

Monday, December 21, 2009

What Happened To the Milk?

HopAlong held my hand and reassured me that he was just going to pop over to the store to get milk, he'll be back. This was a week ago. And this was my ride back home on BART minus one...

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

Just So You Know...I went to Walmart

I don't care what people think. I like to shop at Walmart. Not only is their stuff cheap but the people of Walmart are the most unique human beings on the planet!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I'm done with finals! I'm FREE!!!

That is all.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

R.I.P...So Sad To See You Go :(

Muni Lines that have been discontinued as of 12/5/09. It feels like I've lost long time family friends...

I used to take this bus all throughout my 4 years of high school when I lived on 44th Avenue. And you were HopAlong's favorite busline! Photo by munidave on flickr


My friends and I used to take this bus when we would hang out at Streetlight Records on Haight & Masonic. Photo by munidave on flickr


Sorry I never got to know you better. We only met once. Photo by Whole Wheat Toast on Flickr


You used to take us to Stonestown when my friends and I wanted to hang out at the mall. Photo by munidave on flickr


You dropped HopAlong and I at Alamo Square Park to see the Painted Ladies, the California Academy of Sciences and the DeYoung Museum at Golden Gate Park. Photo by kodama(home) on flickr


You got me home safely after late night raves and concerts. Photo by Noelster on flickr

Friday, December 11, 2009

Early Christmas

HopAlong and I celebrated Christmas early since we wouldn't be together on Christmas Day. HopAlong wakes me early in the morning to open presents. We then headed out to the city to window shop. We had breakfast at Stacks in Hayes Valley. And ended our night watching A Christmas Carol in imax 3D.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Reason # 435 Why I'm Marrying an Irishman: They are Born To Build

This is the perfect follow-up to the previous post. Last weekend we went to Ikea to purchase a bookshelf and other furniture items from my room. It took Hop-Along exactly 1.5 hours to assemble a tall chest of 6 drawers and another one! He didn't stop there. The next day he assembled a very complicated shelving unit which would take days for my dad to do. Hop-Along did it in a matter of hours and he was ready for more! He was a flat pack assembling machine! I was in awe and a little turned on. ;)

According to the article, Irish vs. Irish-American Men, "[The Irishman] is the archetypal 'man’s man.' He usually takes charge, and he has an unbelievable number of skills — he can change a tire, install a bathroom, build a shelving unit, and calculate measurements by guesstimating with eerie precision."

Still don't believe it? Proof is in the pics!


Exhibit A..."He can build a shelving unit"...


Exhibit B..."He can calculate measurements by guesstimating with eerie precision"...





Need I say more? I'm a lucky, lucky, lucky girl! *Sigh*

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Irishmen vs. Irish American Men

I was browsing the interwebs and came across the following article. An actual "study" was conducted on Irish men vs. Irish American men. Her distinction between the two are hilarious, especially the way she describes the American counterpart.

On Dating: Irish vs. Irish American
June 18, 2008

By Mary O’Brien

PREDICTABLY, the Sex and the City film opened last month with massive success.

But what is the reason for the original popularity of the story of four single, talented women who can’t seem to find a good man? Clearly it’s because there are scores of females in the city can relate to such a dilemma.

And if you’re dating in an Irish community in New York city, the dynamic gets even more interesting.

For your reading pleasure, I’ve shared the results of an informal study conducted by a group of single females, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of dating in an Irish community here in New York City.

There are three main factors that immediately attract a single female to men both Irish and Irish American: friendliness, good looks (come on, we’re human!) and charm.

But each male-type is alluring in distinct ways.

The Irish American is usually pretty sensitive — he’s a hand-holder in public, he can’t wait to call you his girlfriend, and he talks about your future together — on the second date.

He even notices what you’re wearing or what you did with your hair, and gives you compliments so often you’d be convinced that you’re the spitting image of Melania Trump. He’ll do whatever you ask him to do, whether it’s buying drinks, taking you someplace special, or picking up groceries. But if you don’t ask him, he’ll be just as content to do nothing.

The Irishman is usually carefree and fun-loving — he’ll often make you laugh till you can’t breathe, he’ll sing, dance, and talk — with anyone, at anytime, and he’ll thereby remind you not to take life so seriously.

He’s the archetypal “man’s man.” He usually takes charge, and he has an unbelievable number of skills — he can change a tire, install a bathroom, build a shelving unit, and calculate measurements by guesstimating with eerie precision.

You don’t have to ask him to do things, he knows how to anticipate. Just don’t expect him to notice your new ‘do or walk the steady line with you — he avoids “being tied down” to one woman until he’s good and ready to settle.

But most importantly, the attitudes regarding their Irish culture are as much of a source of division between the two male groups as it would seem to be a common thread between them.

For the Irish American man, the Irish culture is a source of pride; he loves, loves, loves talking about his Irish heritage. But ironically, that doesn’t mean he knows a thing about it.

He’ll often make self-aggrandizing comments that relate to his Irish-ness, he’ll talk about drinking like it’s some kind of exclusively Irish phenomenon and he’ll justify excessive drinking because after all, “I’m Irish.” (Wow, a really bad habit and an ethnic slur all in one? Impressive!...NOT!)

He will talk about “The Troubles” as though they occurred in his backyard, though he doesn’t know the SDLP from the DUP. He will talk ceaselessly about the glory of “the cause.”

From 3,000 miles away and a decade of relative peace, I imagine it’s pretty easy to talk about the joys of an unending cycle of violence that tore up families, land, and the hearts of the young, who saw their innocence destroyed by it.

If he’s been to Ireland, ask him what he did during his last trip to Ireland, and he’ll only give one response: boasting about how he drank so much and so often, and about how he can’t remember what happened. (Again, highly impressive...NOT!)

Ask him about what his culture means to him, or about the complex history of the people he claims to be so close to, or the artistry produced by this nation, and he draws a blank. If it doesn’t relate to drinking, partying and all things that make him seem even more “cool” than he thinks he is (and he thinks he is very cool), the Irish American man doesn’t exhibit much interest in truly exploring Irish culture.

Finally, if he is in the company of only Irish Americans...the ethnic slurs start to surface. This, in spite of the fact that often, his parents and/or grandparents are Irish immigrants...

As for the Irish male, his Irish culture is seemingly a source of embarrassment.

Sure, he has heard of the Irish literary masterpieces (some), and Irish history (a bit), and he has heard his parents and grandparents singing and playing traditional Irish music (often enough) — but he eschews symbols of his Irishness like they’re the plague — or worse, a female who wants him to commit to an exclusive relationship.

He mocks the heartbreaking stories his ancestors told through song as “outdated” material his grandparents are entertained by — but by thinking of it as a form of entertainment in the first place, he is already missing the value of his people’s music. He turns away from it for the meaningless Euro-dance music full of funky house beats. Perhaps he is trying so hard to fit into the “European” mold that he is carelessly losing his “Irish” along the way.

I don’t know how often I’ve been disappointed to meet young Irish men who have flagrantly shed their ties to Irish culture. How many Limerick men I have met who have never heard “Shanagolden!” I can count on one hand the Irish men I’ve met who play traditional Irish instruments, watch performances of Irish plays, attend the local county dinner dances or even watch Gaelic Football games.

We often talk about how the number of Irish in Woodlawn is dwindling, but sometimes it seems like the ones who are here are deliberately but avoiding the opportunity to preserve their heritage here.

And finally, the Irish male makes no secret about referring to American-born people as “narrowbacks” and “yanks.” A favorite conversation topic for the Irish male is deriding Irish Americans for what they perceive as their weakness, stupidity and foolish behaviors. All this, in spite of the fact that he says he’d like to live in America (and then raise his children as Irish Americans!).

Perhaps the Irish American male takes a beating in the polls when pitted against the Irish lads.

Irish American women who love to laugh and talk find that Irish-born men have a natural comfort level that makes them seem at home in any given situation. They find the Irish American man a bit harder to talk to, and someone who expects a woman to entertain him. He intimidates easily and for all the eggshells he would have a woman walk on to maintain a relationship, it might seem easier not to bother with him at all.

Irish-born women seem to like the laid back nature of the Irish American man, as they prefer to take the lead in conversation and appreciate a man’s sensitivity.

All that being said, maybe you’ll be lucky to find the date of your dreams without his ethnic peccadilloes coming in to play at all. But otherwise, your and your girlfriends might prefer to recharge your batteries with a Barnes & Noble night before delving in to the fray once again.

Friday, December 4, 2009

My Man Is HAWT!

There's nothing sexier than seeing your man in a snuggie

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Our Last Night in Vegas

Bellagio Fountain Front from Flippin Yank on Vimeo.

Hope this puts a smile on your face as much as it does me. :)

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

Thanksgiving Dinner at Bouchon in Las Vegas

HopAlong and I decided to spend Thanksgiving in Las Vegas. HopAlong has never travelled out of state and he's always wanted to see Vegas so off we went for 3 days and 3 nights.

We were back and forth about whether we wanted to do the buffet for Thanksgiving Dinner. If you haven't been to Vegas during Thanksgiving, the buffet lines during this time are ridiculously long, lines stretch for what seems like miles and the wait is at least 4 hours. I learned this the hard way when I went to Vegas with girlfriends a few years ago. So I booked us dinner at Bouchon and we're so glad we did because after being on your feet all day, standing in a long line when you're famished is the last thing you want to do!

I've always wanted to eat at one of Thomas Keller's restaurants. Thomas Keller is one of the most famous chefs in the world and boasts the best restaurant in the world, The French Laundry. To book a table at the French Laundry is a 3 year waiting list, people from all over the world make the trip just to dine here. Bouchon is the closest I will ever get to The French Laundry. Bouchon Bistro is like French Laundry's little brother. It's a casual atmosphere, food simple, and unpretentious. When I saw Anthony Bourdain do a segment on Bouchon, I was sold!

Bouchon Bistro is located in The Venetian and is hidden away from the madness that is Vegas. We took the elevator and walked down a long beautiful elegant corridor. Immediately, we felt as if we were transported to a palace somewhere in Europe...



The long corridor walk seemed like forever. Low and behold, there it was nestled in a quiet corner. It felt like we were part of a secret society club (invite only)...



«More on the Bouchon experience...»

We walked in and was greeted by the maître d'. She welcomed us to have drinks at the bar while we wait for our table. The ambience wasn't what I had expected it at all. I thought it would be stuffy and pretentious but it was a informal, relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

After 10 minutes we were finally seated and were escorted by the second hostess. Our waitress comes by and hand us a rather long wine list. She proceeds to tell us if we have more specific questions about wine and wine pairings, she would be happy to send down the sommelier.

She continues to tell us in GREAT detail about the specials of the day. She even had a little notepad in her hand to read off the ingredients of each dish. This is what we ordered...

Hors-D'Oeuvres:

Rillettes aux Deux Saumons: fresh & smoked salmon rillettes served with toasted croutons. They weren't kidding when they said the 3 secret ingredients to French cooking is butter, butter, and butter. The salmon rillette basically is comprised of salmon in solidified clarified butter and herbs. I couldn't get enough of it!

HopAlong had the Soup du Jour, pumpkin soup. He said it was awesome!



Plats principaux:

For the main course I had Poulet Roti, roasted chicken with heirloom squash, rainbow chard, pomegranate seeds & sage infused chicken jus. This dish lives up to its hype, the chicken is so moist and juicy, you'd have to wear a bathing suit to eat it.


HopAlong had the Steak Frites, pan-seared prime flatiron served with maitre d'hotel butter & French fries. Reviews say Bouchon's french fries are to die for! HopAlong and I weren't impressed, they tasted like McDonald's fries. Not bad, not good, just mediocre. Fries are fries everywhere. The steak on the other hand, HopAlong said was the best he's ever had, the meat was cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth.


Desserts:

I had the custard cream filled beignets with maple brown sugar ice cream.


And HopAlong had the Mousse au Chocolat Noir: dark chocolate mousse.


A sign of a good dessert...



The damage...
$139.19 sans gratuity. Not bad considering the amazing food and first class service.


They even gave us goodie bags full of caramel nut popcorn from their bakery...



This is by far the best dining experience we've ever had. I'd give this restaurant 100 stars if I could. I'm so in love, if Bouchon were a man, I'd put a ring on it!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

And The Winner Is...

Outfit #3! Thanks for voting guys & gals! We just got back from an out of state trip and we're knackered! More to come...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Please Help Choose HopAlong's Thanksgiving Outfit

We went to Napa Premium Outlets today...



Craig went crazy and bought 2 jackets, 3 shirts, a pair of jeans, and shoes...



He did a little fashion show when we got home. It took me awhile to convince him that he would look better with his shirt tucked in. I don't know what it is with men in the UK and not tucking in their shirts. It was a real pet peeve of mine while I was there. Button down shirts should always be tucked in, it looks neater and sharper. Untucked button down shirt + beer belly = SLOB!

He looks quite good, I must say (thanks to my good taste..ahem). I do give him credit for the shoes though, he picked those out all by himself! Although, he can't decide what to wear for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday...I can't either!

Outfit #1: (Chocolate brown blazer, blue patterned shirt over white, jeans, brown shoes)


Outfit #2: (Chocolate Brown blazer, brown pin stripped shirt, jeans, brown shoes)


Outfit #3:(Navy blue velvet blazer, white pinstriped shirt, jeans, brown shoes)


Which Outfit Should HopAlong Wear for Thanksgiving Dinner?
Outfit 1
Outfit 2
Outfit 3
  
pollcode.com free polls

Saturday, November 21, 2009

When One Thinks of Oakland....

these images come to mind:











Last night HopAlong and I headed out to Oakland. Yes, Oakland ranks 5th among the country's crime rate and one of the highest murder rates in California. Yes, this is gangland. Yes, sometimes riots breakout here. But this didn't stop us from exploring Oaktown's hidden gems like the Paramount Theatre, the finest remaining examples of Art Deco design in the United States. It is a beautiful venue to watch extraordinary musical talent such as The Swell Season. I surprised HopAlong with this nice gift since he is a big fan of Glen Hansard and the movie Once, one of the best Irish films ever. Hands down he said this Swell Season concert beat U2 when he saw them at the Botanic Gardens. I agree, it was an amazing and religious experience! I was stunned the whole time.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Maggie Winehouse


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

City Escape

On the ferry, in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It's a rough life!


«More Pics..»

This is HopAlong enjoying the view


This is me cramming for an exam!


This goes to the Muni Streetcars


This is the new Whole Foods in Noe Valley


Stuffing our cakeholes at Barney's


This is Noe Valley at night


This is a billboard in Union Square of a famous Filipino boxer


This is holiday season in union square...