Random Thoughts

What is a fleeting moment in a sea of constant turmoil and instability? When the waves surrender to the pull of the moon, the ocean becomes calm and listless. The unending waves pulled in different directions unknown.

Trying to be a morning person

Being a morning person is the most difficult thing EVER in your youth. I am convinced it is partly genetics and partly old age that factors into it. People often say, those who wake early are considered the most successful because they get things done. After all, as the old saying goes: early bird catches the worm. Ergo, I am on a quest to wake up at 6am every morning to get to the gym for an hour and be at work before my boss gets in at 8am. This self-inflicting sacrifice is purely a test to see if I can actually accomplish the impossible.

Monday Morning:

5:55am:

Thank god, I have 5 minutes until 6am. I can hit the snooze button and ignore my mom's call.

6am:

I struggle. I fight. I cry. I bury myself deeper in my mattress. Flip the covers over my head and curse the ticking clock.

6:05am:

I shove my head deeper in the pillow and allow the blanket warmth to seep through my bones.

6:20am:

I close my eyes tighter to shut the rest of the world from intruding in my comfort.

6: 30am:
The clock's ticking voice reverberates through my room in a limitless attempt to annoy the shit out of
me. I slowly push myself up thinking this is IT! This is the moment I will wake. I then look around in the dark room and in one huff I say "fuck it" and plop back under my covers, snuggling closer to the center of the mattress and into my blanket.

All the while, the clock keeps going..6:40, 6:41, 6:42, 6:43, 6:44, 6:45..

6:50 am:

My eyes open to adjust to the digital clock on my phone. Panic overtakes me. I jump out of bed rushing to the bathroom all the while shoving gym clothes in my bag while my toothbrush is hanging out of my mouth and one shoe on.

7am:

My 6am wake up goal is a blatant fail. My attempt to work against the slumber laws of physics crumbles before my eyes. My bleary eyes adjust to the cold morning light. My first step into a new day. Not quite the opening I wanted, but at least I wake. Perhaps productivity is on vacation today.

Wise Words When You Reach Your Quarter Life Century

Funny/Memorable quotes from my birthday:

1. "You're 25? Giiiiirl...it is prime age to get drunk, get laid, and get out." - Tisha, Office Front Desk.
2. "When I was 25 I was in Spain and I was in love...with many men." -Maribel
3. "When I turned 25 I had a quarter century crises and I cried to the cab driver." - Abra
4. "You got flowers and edible arrangements? That's like my graduation and all birthdays combined." - David

5. "Happy Wednesday" - Roland
6. It's okay to have fun and go crazy at your age. When you reach age 28 and onwards and you drink and go crazy-people will judge you." - Boss
7. "How old are you? 25? God, you're still a baby." - Boss
8. "At your age, I was high everyday...those were the good days. Then I got a job at the State department and those good days ended" - Lee
9. "25 is a milestone! 26 is nothing because it's all downhill from there..take me for example..I'm almost half way to a 100." -My bro

I am the asian that takes pictures of food, so shove it.

Rustik Tavern, Caesar Salad - with extra crunch

Rustik Tavern, Blueberry pancakes (more like face cakes)

Pho 75, Best Pho in town

Pho 75

Home-made chik-fil-a

Truckeroo, TaKorean

Truckeroo, The Aloha Truck

Truckeroo, Kalua Pig and Chicken Terryaki

Half-way to 50 and still lookin' good

My birthday is coming up in less than a month. 

I fail to comprehend the magnitude of turning 25. After all, it is ONLY half way to 50. After all, it is ONLY a quarter of a century. Come to think of it, in the past 25 years...I have lived through and indirectly witnessed the fall of the Berlin wall, the release and election of Nelson Mandela, 9/11 bombings, a war on terrorism, Saddam Hussein tried in court, the election President Obama-the first Africa-American President, the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, the Arab Spring, occupy wall street, the death of Michael Jackson, and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Life is amazing and there are always new events surfacing to make you wonder where the world is headed. I think in my lifetime I have read and seen unbelievable revolutions perpetuated by the rise in new media technology. My generation is truly connected in thought, spirit, and action. People have become more aware of the impact they have on their governments, institutions, and communities. Social media has challenged boundaries, geographies, beliefs, and personal capacities.

It is unbelievable how the last 25 years of this world is characterized by changes in interconnectedness, digital activism, new media, and finally political progress through the constant campaign of like minded individuals around the world who are the same age as me.

When the clock strikes 25 years old I know I still have so much more to do in this world. So much more to contribute. So much more to share.

Cheers to half-way to 50. Cheers to life.

DC Life - Chillin in Bloomingdales

After 3 months of job searching, I managed to nail a job back in my "first home away from home" - Washington, DC. After applying for a thousand jobs and submitting my resume into the black hole of unemployment waiting, I manage to get a yes.

Ergo, I packed my bags and headed to D.C. so I can make it in time for fourth of July :) aaaaand into a massive heatwave of (105 degrees F)

D.C. is beautiful in the summer except when it's scorching hot then I think it's close to hell.

I've been staying with my friend in her beautiful 1920s house. It's humungous and their rent is so cheap. (seething in jealousy) However, there is just so much room that I don't step on anyone's toes while crashing here and looking for a place to stay.

I have no idea how long I will stay. I have no idea if this was a good career move. I just know...when fate gives you a bone you better take it. There is so much to do in the city and NYC is just a four hour bus ride away. Trips to Europe is cheap from JFK airport AND I get to experience the four seasons. As much as I love the beach, I'd take East Coast living any day. At least there's more variety and opportunities to do something worthwhile.

This is a massive life changing decision ... and I am at a critical point in my life where my choices do matter because it will impact where I ultimately will be when I reach 30. One thing is for sure, at 30 I want be satisfied and established. I have a vision for what I intend to do and it is just a matter of figuring out how to get there and how to do it.

Laughter with a hearty meal is good for you..perhaps not for the waist line, but good for your soul.

It is amazing to be young and hungry. Not for life. Not for knowledge. But for FOOD.

I think know I gained a significant amount of weight during my three week vacation. In fact, my days were filled with non-stop eating. I barely bought any new clothes or new things because most of my money went to food.

I managed to take some pictures of the food I ate. However, most of the time I decided to just eat and leave the camera in the pocket. I guess this is where the fat ass youth stereotype plays in.

Anyway, I just wanted to post some of the most delicious, heart clogging, diabetes ensuing, and high blood pressure trigger foods I consumed this past week. There is more to life than just eating...and that would be eating with great company. Any meal is great when you have friends to enjoy the moment with.

Laughter with a hearty meal is good for you, perhaps not for the waist line, but good for your soul.

So I wanted to post some pictures of the food my friends and I ate and why it tasted good to the bone.

(Tre, 173 Ludlow Street, New York, NY. )

After a night of vodka, dancing, and Xbox Dancing my friends and I went to brunch for some unlimited champagne. Yes, how do you capitalize on a great night? You drink some more! 

In our conversation we compared ourselves to the joy luck club and who amongst our friends would die first in the Hunger Games.

(Papa Johns,  Lower East Side)

After 3 hours of cheese commercials, I finally caved in and suggested we buy cheesy bread for dinner that night. Another 1 hour of cheese commercials, my friend Roland finally surrendered and second my decision. 

We rented out Paranormal 3 and discussed reasons why the characters in the movie were stupid and if placed in that situation each one of us would have booked it the first time we smelled something fishy going on. 

(Dalessandro's Steaks, 600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA. ) 

 In this situation there was no talking and simply eating. Chili peppers in my cheesesteak, chili peppers on the side, and cheese whiz spread over every crevice of this dish. 

During the meal, we talked about a possible heart attack, onset of diabetes, clogged arteries, obesity, and why we are glorified fat asses...and yet we still kept on eating until there was nothing left but soggy oily bread and chili pepper cores.  

 

The Tombs (1226 36th Street, Washington, DC.) w/ Roland

 Back to the old Georgetown stomping grounds where my friend Roland and I drank 2 pitches of Blue Moon. 

We talked about what we would have done differently, the people in our lives, and where we hope to go in the future. 

That is what I call a best friend for life.  

 

(Thai Food Resto, A Thai Chef's house)

This amazing concoction of Thai dishes was heaven sent. $30 for 8 courses of food. 

There was no menu and you could not choose the dish you wanted. The moment you sat down the food came. Simplicity is an understatement when describing this restaurant because it was literally in the chef's living room. The decorations were old books, childhood drawings, and mismatched tables and couches.

Unlike most Thai restaurants in DC, this was not served with fancy garnishes. Instead, this was served on banana leaves and packed with spice. My friends categorized it as a "food boner".
No other place like it.
God Bless Thai People.

 Shake Shack (11 Madison Ave Frnt 1, New York, NY 10010) w/Kara

This had cheesy fries..need i say more?

Shake Shack with my fave Filipina, Kara. We talked about her bomb ass RN position in Brooklyn and her decision to go into Med School to be a surgeon. Inspiring. So proud of my friends and their successes.

Doughnut Plant (Chelsea) w/Kara

On our way to the High Line, we stopped by for some sugary desserts filled with custard and buttery diabetes goodness.

Jollibee (Queens)

Filipino Halo Halo. Reminiscing about our good old Philippines days.

Pakistani/Indian Food Joint somewhere along Lexington Ave. w/Asra :) 

Reminiscing about RHO Life and how we got paid to hang out with friends during Gtown Days.

Momofuku Noodle Bar (Lower East Side) w/ Lisa, Rols, Trinh

Last day in NYC and going all out Asian with a spoonful of sesame seeds.

Chick-fil-a (Christiana Mall, Delaware) w/Trinh and Rols

5 Chicken Burgers

3 Sides of Fries

Potential heart attack

Absolute deliciousness

A bunch of kids walked passed us and we thought we were setting a bad example with the food we were eating :D Then Roland stuffed his mouth with fries in front of them.

Hot and Spicy Crawfish (Adam's Morgan) - w/Thuy

Expensive shells

Tiny bodies

Finger Lickin' Good

2 lbs of crawfish were GONE.

The server thought we ate neatly. However, I beg to differ. I can't imagine how how messy it can get during dinner time.

$1 Oysters!!! :D w/Trinh

And literally having a high/lethargic feeling..

Honey Pig (Annandale, Virginia) w/Calvin, Thuy, Trinh

I walked out smelling like BBQ Pork Belly and Kim Chee

We stopped at Bon Chon but their kitchen closed early. Who does that?

We were disappointed to a point where we wanted to run over a guy, who walked out with the last take out, and steal his food..

The things we do for Korean food are unreal...

Korilla BBQ - Food Truck w/Kara

Korean food goodness in a nice Bento Box

I wanted to lick the sauce from the container...that's what did it for me.

Home Made Pork Roast w/Trinh

Brined and Marinated with Oranges (that were about to go bad), sugar, bay leaves, garlic, and onions

Plus Trinh's Secret "Trinh Sauce"

Bathed in Coconut Juice

Roasted for 8+ hours and eaten with tender loving care