US News - America's Best Grad School 2008

Though there is so much drama going on, we got an okay US News ranking this year. UT Austin is still two spots ahead of us. Well, but I've had so much fun here and got whatever I wanted. That really worths it. I'm so glad I chose USC over UT. ^_^

Diet Coke Plus

Diet Coke plus

Oh yeah! Finally diet coke is becoming healthy.
Diet Coke Plus launches NEXT MONTH acroos the US!!! The new soda include vitamins B3, B6, and B12 plus magnesium and zinc.

Mom, don't stop me drinking diet coke next time! ^_^

Even the fortune cookie told me....

"Give your business interests top priority next month"

Sometimes fortune cookies are surprisingly right.... I do have to work harder and give it top priority to find a job...

"What the hell?"

"What the hell" is the closest English translation of "老娘跟你拼了！" I can think of.
I wasn't sure how correct it is. But that remind me of Susan Mayer in Desperate Housewives.

Yeah! 老娘跟你拼了! I need to tell myself that again. That makes me feel powerful/capable for some reason.

May Day

When I get stressed out, May Day's music can always make me feel strong again. By repeating the lyrics, I got back my belief in myself.

當 我和世界不一樣 那就讓我不一樣 堅持對我來說 就是以剛克剛
我 如果對自己妥協 如果對自己說謊 即使別人原諒 我也不能原諒
最美的願望 一定最瘋狂 我就是我自己的神 在我活的地方

我和我最後的倔強 握緊雙手絕對不放
下一站是不是天堂 就算失望不能絕望
我和我驕傲的倔強 我在風中大聲的唱
這一次為自己瘋狂 就這一次 我和我的倔強

對 愛我的人別緊張 我的固執很善良 我的手越骯髒 眼神越是發光你
不在乎我的過往 看到了我的翅膀 你說被火燒過 才能出現鳳凰
逆風的方向 更適合飛翔 我不怕千萬人阻擋 只怕自己投降

我和我最後的倔強 握緊雙手絕對不放
下一站是不是天堂 就算失望不能絕望
我和我驕傲的倔強 我在風中大聲的唱
這一次為自己瘋狂 就這一次 我和我的倔強

Jack n' Jill's

I visited Jack n' Jill's at Beverly Hills yesterday. Since it's on Beverly Drive, it's a great people and car watching spot. I guess Beverly Hills area has the highest density of trendy-dressed people and luxury cars. The service wasn't slow. The wait wasn't bad either. But we spent about 2.5 hours there just chatting and enjoying watching people and nice cars.

In terms of food, I thought it was good in general. I liked the "Hi-Protein Scramble" I ordered a lot. However, I did find their fruits were SUGARY. I didn't expect that would happen in any upscale/premium restaurant. I'm sure I'll order something else as the side next time.

Another thing I'd like to share, the portion of their French Toast is HUGE. Even the guests at the next table were laughing when the waiter served the French Toasts. It was good. But it's better to share the GIANT French Toast and ask your friends to order something different. You wouldn't want to finish the whole thing by yourself.

Hi-Protein Scramble (Egg whites, chicken breast, turkey bacon, spinach, tomato, onion, Jack, Cheddar and Mozzarella) $12.95

Sunset (Asparagus, mushroom, spinach, onions, tomato, herbs and jack cheese) $10.95

Vanilla French Toast (Thick Egg Bread dipped in eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and cream. With whipped butter and syrup.) $8.5

Ninja Turtles is coming back!

I watched TMNT(Teenager Mutant Ninja Turtles) on TV and played it in Gameboy all the time when I was young. Now they're coming back in theaters on March 23!

Extraordinary Desserts

After visiting all those tourist spots, Yaya took us to the Extraordinary Desserts. As what its name trys to convey, its desserts are really extraordinary. I haven't seen this kind of place in LA. (Though there are a lot of them in Taiwan and Japan.) In addition to the store vibe, the deliciousness of its desserts is even more important for the success of Extraordinary Desserts. (How popular? A friend of mine drove from LA to San Diego just for the desserts!)

La Bete Noire An irresistible addition! Vanilla creme brulee, chocolate mousse and chocolate truffle cream are layered in between dark chocolate cake moistened with Madagascar vanilla bean.

Lemon Praline Tart and crunchy. This layer cake is made of lemon soaked genoise, French meringue, lemon curd and lemon buttercream, while surrounded with crushed praline.

Napoleon (the most popular order)

Old Town Mexican Cafe

Though I live in the city that >50% of the population is hispanic, I am not quite familiar with Mexican food yet. The "Old Town Mexican Cafe" in San Diego old town was recommended by Richard. I have no idea about most of the dishes on the menu. I know taco, burrito, and pretty much it. I ended up ordering Enchilada basicaaly just in order to really know what Enchilada is like.

Chilaquiles Served with red or green (tomatillo) sauce. Corn tortillas simmered in a hot chile sauce; served with fried eggs and beans. A hang-over cure!

Beef Burrito

Enchilada

Spring Break in San Diego

The only city I visited during my last spring break was San Diego. "San Diego? Again?" was the reaction of most people I talked to. Yes, I visited San Diego during last spring break. But this time, I enjoyed my trip a lot and got to see all different places. Thanks for Vireen, Benny, Yaya, and Richard.

Midway Aircraft-Carrier

Old Town San Diego

Balboa Park

pinkberry ~ yummy!

I finally got the chance to check out the pinkberry in Westwood. It was so yummy that I knew I would go back sometime soon. I am loving it!
Oh one advice: Order fruits toppings. The chocolate chips on the frozen yogurt tasted weird.

Jinky's

Date of visit: March 17, 2007

I got there around 11:30AM and was ready for a long wait. It turned out that the wait wasn't as bad as it was said in all the reviews. However, I didn't think the food was as good either. The omelette I had was a little blank and dry. Though I do like the cozy vibe there. Maybe I should have ordered somethin they're well-known for.

The Sherman Oaks (fresh spinach, mushrooms and garlic) $ 8.95

Sunrise Scramble (egg whites, chicken breast, salsa fresca and mushroomS) $9.25

#7 Fred 62

Date of visit: March 4, 2007

It's a 24-7 place with good food in the heart of Los Feliz district. (right across from House of the Pies, where sells the best strawberry pies in LA) Both my friend and I loved what we ordered.

I visited Fred 62 in a late Sunday afternoon, just late enough to avoid the peaktimes of the weekend hangover crowd and in time to order from their brunch menu. (Weekdays 7AM~Noon and Sat & Sun 7am~3pm)


Fairfax High $10.81 (Two poached eggs, smoked salmon, toasted bagel chips, cream cheese, sliced tomato, red onions, & hollandaise sauce. Served with hash browns.*)


Cali California** $9.87 (Omelet with super-tasty chicken sausage, avocado, grilled onions, Goat cheese & sun-dried tomatoes. served with hash browns.


* I substituted hash browns with tomatoes.
** For those of you who don't live in California, every dish with a name including the word "California" must have avocado as one of its ingredients.

#3 Zabie's

Date of visit: Oct. 28 last year.

It's a cozy neighborhood cafe. It's not like those cafes full with trendy-dressed people on the 3rd street. It's a charming place where families enjoy their weekend breakfast/lunch.

Since it has been a while, I don't exactly recall what the food taste like. But I do remember one thing, the dishes there are very "simple." Sandwich is only sandwich. Unlike sandwich in other places, it doesn't come with anything else. The plate of sandwich I ordered didn't make me feel I'm having a full meal while I had to pay as much as I did at any other places. (I know I could have just ordered more. Maybe I am just too cheap. )

#2 S & W Country Diner

Date of visit : Sep. 1, 2006

I just copied the following article from my blog in Wretch. Date: Sep. 2, 2006
It's interesting to read the stuff I wrote half an year ago.
======================================================
I told myself I should try to play harder this year since I've decided to go back to Asia after b-school. However, the workload of school and GABS stuff is much heavier than I expected. Even today, the 1st day of the long weekend, the only thing I can do is catching up whatever should have been done. But I still think my life should be at least a little bit different than it was in 1st year. Okay! Good food doesn't take too much time. Thus, I decided to try out LA's best food one by one.

The place we went is very close to where we live. It's the top 2 in breakfast category. Is it really good? Not sure about if we ordered the best thing there, but the waffle and pancake were good. I think the most important thing is the food there is not as greasy as what other regular diners serve. So the conclusion is.... I like it!

Griffith Park hiking trip

Since I blew my France trip and paid $350 for nothing, I told myself that I have to do something doesn't cost much but new to me. So I thought hiking might be a good idea. (and I recalled that Lance and I drove by the Griffith Park on our way to The Derby and he said it was a very beautiful park and a "must visit" for me.)

I quickly browsed the information on the web and left for hiking. Going on a unprepared trip is dangerous. I took a wrong trail on my way up. The trail was very steep and "original." I had to hold the rocks and trees to climb up. I wanted to climb down halfway for several time since I wasn't sure if there was another way down. But it was even scarier for me to take the same route back. I finally made it to the top of the hill and realized I was at the Griffith Observatory. The view was spectacular*. The LA city view and the HOLLYWOOD sign!

Well, this was the trail I climbed up! Exciting enough?


Okay, though I know hiking is still not my thing, but this adventure was actually worth it.

* According to "Ugly Betty", using the word "spectacular" is very foreign. I still said it cuz I am actually foreign... hahah....

#1 Uncle Bill's Pancake House

Uncle Bill's is my favorite brunch spot! Except for the 20 mins drive for me and the long wait, it's perfect. It's ranked highly, but it doesn't just attract people who read the review. Locals love it, too. It has been there forever. People just come back again and again. One of the comments on the web says: after I had the taste I could wait whatever it takes. That's kinda how I feel now. Wonderful service, nice waffle, omelette, and of course pancakes.

The line

Me enjoying my waffle

#1 Cafe Flore

It is a French cafe. It is ranked #1 by City Search in both Breakfast and Brunch categories. The place is nice and charming. However, the portions of its food are a little bit too small. (I know... It's a French restaurant). We actually went somewhere else to eat again right after our brunch at Cafe Flore.

It's a nice little place. Unlike other brunch places I've been, it doesn't aim to content its guests' appetite but their spiritual enjoyment. However, due to the space of this place, it gets noisy easily when it's busy. As to the food, the Omelette St. Germain I had was okay, maybe a little too bland.

Omelette St. Germain: Goat cheese, Kalamata olives, tomato, & fresh basil. $8.95

Tartines : Norvegienne (Salmon): Smoked salmon with a sour cream, chive, and dill sauce. $10.95