Baker Beach

It's been a while since I posted a story onto this blog.  Excuse my laziness and me trying to figure out my life at the moment. During the weekend, I tried to research and find out what to do on Chinese New Year's day, since my son, Isaiah, had the day off from preschool.  He went to the zoo about three weeks ago and then to the park the week after.  Last Monday, he already went ice skating at Yerba Buena.  I wanted to do something different with Isaiah and with weather predictions of rain for Chinese New Year's day, I did not seem to have much luck.  I asked my long-time elementary school friend where to go for a day of excitement and fun for kids, because he has a son too, named Kayleb.  We thought Isaiah and Kayleb could play together and become new friends.  

I checked the weather yesterday for today and luckily, the prediction stated no rain and 54 degrees.  Now, 54 degrees sounds cold, but when I walked out to get my morning Starbucks breakfast, it was warm.  Since today did not rain and the weather was warm, we all decided to head to Baker Beach for some fun in the sun and sand.  Yes, I've heard the rumors that Baker Beach is known as a nude beach, but the only nude ones were the kids.

Isaiah and I waited for my friend and his son to arrive.  We don't live too far from the beach, so we got there pretty quick.  While waiting, I took some pictures of the waves and of my son playing around. Try to find the dog.

My friend and his son finally came.  We all went towards the water, which was very cold.  Look like they all wanted to run to the water, instead of away.

After some fun in the water, we all played around the beach building sand castles and digging holes. 

This is how Isaiah and Kayleb played the game of "Tag".

They tag each other and say, "you're it!".

After all of that fun in the sun and water, we walked to Hard Knox Cafe for some good soul food.  Thanks Jeff for taking me to that place or else I would've never known that restaurant was in my neighborhood. Here is Isaiah and Kayleb both staring at the TV while waiting for their food. They really liked the Mac & Cheese there.

Christmas 2008

Favorite time of the year for my son, besides Thanksgiving and his birthday, because he receives the most gifts.  I am not doing much for Christmas this year, besides spend time with my son. We're not going anywhere far or to any destination.  Maybe, we'll watch a movie if the weather permits us to do so.

Back to presents now.  I bought myself a black winter peacoat from H&M and a white sweater from J. Crew.  Both items were made out of wool and dry clean only.  Isaiah received 4 gifts in total this Christmas.  From his preschool holiday party, he received a book about NASCAR racing from his teachers.   

Also, Isaiah was excited to see Santa again and told him what he wanted for Christmas (I assume).

And yes, I had to take a pic with Santa too.

His grandparents (my parents) let Isaiah pick out a toy from Target for his Christmas present. This is what he ended up picking out.

For the next present, from his great grandparents and great aunt, he also had the chance to pick out another toy.  This time he went for the rocketship.

And this is my present to him.  He has been playing with the Leapster 2 ever since he opened up the present.

He is really into the game.

Well, until next Christmas...

Disneyland & Six Flags Magic Mountain

I know this is sort of late, but this is where I went for Thanksgiving weekend. First, my family, my son and I went to Six Flags Magic Mountain. For the 5 or 6 hour drive there, my son was pretty good for sitting in the car for so long and not having to use the bathroom every few minutes or so.  Once, we reached Six Flags, of course we all went to the kiddie coasters for my son.  He went on almost every ride, including the Thomas the Train ride, because he loves trains. Look below, he even got the front seat of a roller coaster and all to himself. How cool is that?

Though, my son was apparently scared of the conductor.

Next, I left my son with my parents, while my brother and I went to ride on X2. X2 is a roller coaster where a person is in a laying down position, going through loops and flames.  Now, this is an upgrade from the first X ride.  I would say that there is not much difference between the two, except for the sound effects and music and flames, to add to extremity of the ride. Though when I put on the seatbelt and it locked, I thought wait a second, I haven't been on a roller coaster in a year. What have I got myself into?  It was already too late and next thing I know, as my brother and I are in the first row of the roller coaster, we are flipping upside down for the first drop. Breathtaking to say the least, meaning I had to catch my breath.  Then, we all headed towards Downtown Disney to eat dinner at Rainforest Cafe.  Great food and atmosphere, where it seems like one is in a rainforest.  Of course, I had to buy my son another Mickey Mouse at Downtown Disney while we were there.

Next day, we all headed to Disneyland Paradise Pier Hotel to eat breakfast and my son, Isaiah, met Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Minney Mouse. Isaiah was very excited to meet them all.

Then, we went on a few roller coasters at Disneyland, including Space Mountain, Go-Go Gadget Coaster, Mountain Bobsleds, and even saw the Fantasmic! show.  This is before we entered the Mountain Bobsleds and Isaiah had no idea what we were getting into.

Also, I purchased a set of legos for Isaiah at Downtown Disney's Legoland, which has some cool figures created out of legos.

Even this guy walking by the store became fascinated.

Of course, couldn't forget about the Mickey Mouse ears and that Wall-E.

For my birthday, which was on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, I got to sit in the car for 7 hours on my way back home from Disneyland. What a vacation! Until next year...

This Is Who We Are

We are the short smart-talking kids of the future
We are the laundry and grocery shop owners
of mom and pop shops
trying to do more than just make ends meet.
We are the ones who excel in school
trying to prove to our parents that we are more than just the ordinary
or rather the average
We are the sons and daughters of immigrants
Immigrants who were railroad workers and lived on Angel Island
to make sure their families could get a free pass to America.

We are quiet, reserved, and submissive
as the stereotypes state us as so.
We are the yellow-skin people you love to hate
because you have to work with us
whether it’s in the bank getting money or getting some food at a restaurant.
We are hard working
yet do we ever get over that glass ceiling?
Statistics show that we’re at the top of our classes
Yet at high-paying companies we’re always a step behind a top tier position.

We are the ones you make fun of on the bus
because we are different and we do not look like you.
We are the ones who have strict parents
Parents who do not understand the “American” life
so instead they instill traditions on us
to keep with us forever and pass it on to our kids.
We are the daughters of parents who idolize and worship their first sons.
The ones who always try hard to impress their parents
only to receive a pat on the back.

Out of all the stereotypes that we are made of
This is what we also are.

We are the ones who will stand up and speak out
No longer will we be quiet and submissive
and let you control our lives because we have worked too hard
to let it all go to waste.
And no we are not the famous athletes or actors
unless in kung-fu movies
We are your next-door neighbor
or the co-worker you say hi to every morning
or the classmate you make fun of or cheat off of on tests and exams
or the passenger on the bus that you can’t stand the look at
or the little girl you want to jump because she has Jordans and an iPod.
To you we all look the same.

This is who and what we are
and we do not care what you think of us
We still strive to do better and prove to the world
that we are here to stay
and that we will one day reach the top.

New Trend: Line Cutting

Every year new trends seem to appear everywhere that most of the time I can't even keep up with all the different up-to-date styles and attitudes.  Recently, I discovered a new trend called line cutting. Though line cutting often happens during long lines for theme park rides, I am referring to line cutting at restaurants and coffee shops.  Those who cut others in line sometimes do it unconsciously while at other times just want to get ahead of you.  I'll give you two scenarios where this happened to me last week.  

Scenario #1

While at Starbucks, I waited in line with my son, while he sat in his tricycle.   I bent down to give my son a kiss.  When I stood back up, I see this lady go right in front of me.  

Me: "Excuse me, I was in line".  

Now, I had a pretty mean looking face and for those of you who know me well, that's very hard for me to make.

Lady #1: "Sorry, I didn't know you were in line".  

Did she not see me because I was bending down?  A friend of mine told me that I needed to grow taller so that people could see me.  Though I am only 5'1, I doubt she cut in front of me because of my height.

Scenario #2

At Subways, for the second time during the week, again someone cut in front of me. I waited for the server to finish making the sandwich for the person in front of me.  The person in front of me was an elderly Asian man.  When the server finished making the sandwich, a lady standing behind me told her what she wanted.  

Me: Excuse me, I have not ordered yet.

Lady #2: Oh, sorry I thought you were with him (referring to the Asian man in front of me).

Me: No, I am not.

Just because the man in front of me is Asian and I'm Asian does not mean we are together.  

I hope this new trend does not last, but fades away.  So far, I have not ran into line cutting lately, but I am always on the lookout for it to happen on my next visits to buy food or drinks.

Charlie Brown x Coca-Cola

Apparently this commercial first appeared during the Super Bowl XLII. I saw this in the movie theaters and thought Coca-Cola made a very creative, unique, and enjoyable commercial. This commercial features Stewie, Underdog, and Charlie Brown.

Music Feature: Realistic Orchestra

Realistic Orchestra is a 16-piece band, with 13-15 horns and a rhythm section.  Also, the band has added DJ Aspect McCarthy and Dublin on vocals with upright and electric bass players. The band often performs on Tuesday nights, with doors opening at 9:30pm, at Bruno's in the Mission District of San Francisco.  For more information on Realistic Orchestra and other bands associated with them, please go to Jazz's Mafia's website.

I had an opportunity of assisting on a live recording Realistic Orchestra at a club/venue, because I used to work with them.  When all the tracks were recorded, I mixed and edited the session. Although I am still finding time to work on this project, here's a preview of what's to come. Please listen and enjoy!