Endless Ranting

We're going agaisnt tradition this year and won't be having reunion dinner with my grandparents. No, not because we've decided to become rebels or anything like that but because my grandmother didn't want a reunion dinner due to her ill health.

And because I had nothing else better to do on a Saturday with almost everyone else being busy preparing for reunion dinner tonight, I drove to Ampang to pay Ying a visit. Well, mainly because she just got a new puppy so I was quite eager to go play with it. The little cutie must be really confused because everyone keeps calling him different names such as Lucky, Cappuccino, Baby, Brownie and Nicky to name a few. While playing with it, I was just wondering whether Hermes will welcome the little puppy if I were to bring it home oneday. Now, let's all swoon over the little cutie-pie. Hehe.

Remember that curfew I have? The one where I have to be home from 9-10pm just so I'll be able to answer the phone when my dad calls? That same one where I'd usually wait for another half an hour before finally going out again if I do have plans? Well, things didn't go according to plan tonight. Mel and I were already looking for a parking spot when my dad called. Again. After he had bid me a good night 45 minutes ago. So I had no other choice but to send Mel home then rush back home to call him with my house phone because I had told him I was just out picking up bread.

Just when I thought the night was going to end perfectly with some good bitching and catching up, here I am sitting at home blogging and waiting for the repeat of American Idol. How wonderful...

Despite having shopped like there's no tomorrow in US, I'm still racking my brain trying to figure out a suitable outfit for the first day of CNY. Somehow nothing seems appropriate enough for a visit to my grandparent's house. Everything else has been been taken care of such as the spring-cleaning and the preparation of the new year munchies and the last thing on the list is choosing that first day outfit.

I know I'm making a big deal out of nothing but hey, anything for an excuse to shop right? The only thing keeping me away from the malls is guilt and so, to stick with at least one new year's resolution which is to shop less, I'm just going to rummage through my closet one more time and hope something bright and appropriate catches my eye. It's times like these I wish I was born a guy.

Life has just been pure bliss these past few weeks. There's been nothing to gripe about neither has there been anything dramatic happening that kept me tossing and turning in bed. We've had that highly anticipated steamboat dinner, many home-cooked meals, a high dosage of girl-talk and that much needed 'me' time. The best part of it all would be receiving two very unexpected but very much appreciated gifts from a certain someone who claims it's my Valentine's Day present so I shouldn't be expecting anything from him that day. That gesture has kept a smile plastered on my face for a few days now. *thank you thank you thank you*

However, there's this little something that has been swimming around at the far regions of my brain, making me sometimes wonder if life will suddenly throw me a curveball. I've never been this happy for such a long period of time that I'm suspecting something or someone will just deliver me some bad news one of these days.

But you know what? To hell with constantly living in uncertainty. Today's such a glorious day and that's how I should be living it. Life is good, thank you very much.

I've recently rediscovered the benefits of retiring to bed early and rising even before it reaches the mid-morning mark. The day appears to be much longer hence a more productive day, I've longer attention span in class, and that throbbing on the side of my head has yet to make its comeback. Now, if only this will carry on once I'm off my medication.

The San Francisco trip was an experience I'll never want to forget. From the moment we stepped off the airplane, we walked and climbed and walked somemore, only stopping to eat and sleep. And although the 3 of us were crammed into one bed, we slept like babies once our heads touched the pillows. It was a very productive holiday indeed as we managed to visit most of the places recommended by the Lonely Planet. Most importantly, the company was excellent.

Day 1
Had dimsum for lunch at Chinatown, walked through North Beach (Little Italy), climbed up some really steep roads and caught some amazing views of the Bay Bridge, stumbled onto Coit Tower, went looking for Lombard Street - San Francisco & America's 'Crookedest Street', walked through Russian Hill and Nob Hill without even realising it, ended up at Union Square only to see them taking down the Christmas lights from the tree.

Day 2
Caught the cable car to Fisherman's Wharf which costs us USD5 for a one-way trip, tasted the clam chowder everyone said was a must-try, bought a boat tour to Alcatraz Island where the Federal Prison was once housed, was amazed by the sight of dozens of adorable sea-lions at Pier 39, walked and shopped around and finally dined at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Day 3
Headed to the marina for a closer view of the Golden Gate Bridge, ended up at Union Street where we shopped like crazy at the first shop we stepped into, PeiYin & Ramon tried Jamba Juice for the first time, spent alot of time looking for the Golden Gate National Park just so we could visit the Japanese Tea Garden, spent about 15 minutes in the de Young museum right next to it, headed to Castro for some eye-candy (who cares if they're gay?), ended our final night in SF at a swanky jazz bar.

Day 4
Took a cab whose driver tried to cheat us by going the long way to Fisherman's Wharf, went on the Bay tour this time round where we were brought right under the Golden Gate Bridge, stopped by Ghirardelli Square which was once a chocolate factory, lunched at a waterfront restaurant which was recommended by the Lonely Planet, a restaurant we had been looking for since arriving at SF, spent the last couple of hours shopping at Union Square, and it was back to LA thereafter.

Got back from a surprisingly great new year's eve celebration at Vegas this evening but will be flying off to San Francisco in the morning. The SF trip was planned at the very last minute but we managed to secure some really cheap tickets and affordable hotel rates, thanks mainly to Ramon's corporate rates.

I've been wanting to go to SF since the first trip in May but there wasn't enough time then so I'm just glad that we're going now, last minute decision or not. Will be there till the weekend then it's home sweet home on Sunday night so I'll be seeing you guys next week!

Before I end, I just want to wish HangYen a very happy birthday. It's too bad we couldn't make the SF trip together as earlier planned but there's always later this year and the next, right? Anyway, hope you have a fantastic birthday! *hugs*