Oops, my bad.

I totally forgot about you. Ok, not you specifically, the blog. I forgot about taking pictures (or making my photographer boyfriend take pictures), I forgot about taking the time to write a semi-entertaining post, I forgot about taking this dream I had to be world famous... blogger... to a whole new level. Well, now that I put it that way, I really was trying to be less selfish because I would have had to take a whole bunch of different things. But I'm ready now to put myself first. =)

It's been 6 months, 1 week, and 4 days since my last post. And it's not like I've been sitting around waiting for my butter to come to room temperature that entire time. Honestly, do you think I'm that much of a loser? ... Don't answer that. But this is what I've been up to:

1. I went to the Philippines! And Japan! For 3 weeks! Did I use enough exclamation points yet to tell you that I loved it?!!?!?! Highlights: the gorgeous pristine Philippine islands, my lovely family that I don't get to see nearly as often as I would like, the serenity of Japan, the kazillions of beyond adorable Japanese trinkets, my first (and 10th) Pierre Herme French macaron (!!), the freshest most amazing seafood and sushi, the multiple suckling pigs that gave their lives to the heavenly dish of baby lechon, the $5 manicures, the $15 full body massages, TOCINO the foie gras of breakfast food, uni and tako 5 minutes out of the ocean. Oh lawdy what the heck am I still doing in America?

Palawan Islands, Philippines

Embracing my inner-Asian, Tokyo, Japan

Catching crabs in the Philippines (Ok, fine, the local dudes actually caught it)

2. I took my first French dessert class. I now know how to make financiers, the most delectable sea salt caramel french macarons, and some other stuff that I don't bother remembering because why make those inferior desserts when I can make sea salt caramel French macarons? Who's with me??


3. I moved apartments! Exactly 5 blocks northeast-ish of my former apartment. It. Is. Amazing. You know you love your apartment when you battle through LA numbnut drivers to eat lunch on your lovely balcony. My roommies are great (check out Steph's blog - honestly a lifesaver because I don't know anything about hair or makeup), walking distance to amazing Thai food, a dollar store, and a trendy bar, a smooth bike ride down to Venice Beach, how much more can you ask for in LA? I have a lovely room with tons of storage, a private balcony that gets just the perfect amount of sunshine, parking, and my own bathroom (first time ever in my life!) This is a picture of my lovely bed. Thanks to my interior designer mama for decorating and the financial backing! Also thank you to Mr. Ross, Targé, and Craig Slist for their amazingly affordable furniture finds!


What's your favorite getaway spot? Where's the best place you've lived? What's your favorite French dessert/pastry?? This post is far too long now. More food related commentary to come!

New York bagels, Clowns, and Yarmulke (Yamakas)?

Last April I was in glorious New York for my first time. And in the spirit of New York, of course I had to have a bagel. While the bagel did not impress me and was nothing more than what Noah could deliver on the west coast, I was surprised with a free show along with my morning shmear.

I was quietly eating my bagel along the counter facing out to the street, when all of a sudden a van blaring Hebrew music out from its external speakers stopped right in front of the shop. Big letters on the van told me that they were here to celebrate the coming of the Messiah. Out of this van popped out at least 6 men, whose clothing varied from traditional garb to full on clown suits. A couple dudes couldn't decide what to wear that morning and just wore it all at once.

The guys came bursting in through the door, dancing and singing "Hava Nagila" (yes, I have been to several bar and bat mitzvahs back in the middle school days), grabbing other customers and obviously rejoicing in the coming of the Messiah. But no fair, as the token Asian, I was left alienated and alone with my mediocre breakfast. And since they had already outcast me, I decided to play to the stereotype. I whipped out my iPhone and tried to snap a decent picture. But those clowns sure did have fast feet, hence the blurry picture. Wonder what festivities will take place when the Messiah actually arrives?! I better be invited.

On the hunt

The Bay Area is far more superior to this disconnected, traffic-laden, sorry excuse of a city called Los Angeles. I'll take hippies over hipsters any day of the week.

And perhaps one of the things I most despise about L.A. is the lack of angel wings, despite there being a Thai restaurant on every other corner. Garlicky and sticky, the delicate balance of sweet and spicy, with the crunch of freshly fried basil, has been perfected by Marnee Thai of SF, and in second place at Coconut Bay in Burlingame.

I have scoured this wasteland for any hint of a decent angel wing, but no menu, no yelp review, no google search has pointed me in any sort of direction. I found a recipe, and I am praying that it is indeed the Marnee recipe and not a cruel joke on an innocent girl who needs her fix.


Photograph by B.