LongLong's OL Blog - 容容 的洛城OL隨記

夏威夷到處都是日本觀光客, 每走幾步就會聽到日文. 有些商店的售貨員連英文都不太會說, 只說日文.  大概是專對這些日本觀光客吧.
我覺得日本女孩都很時尚, 在潮溼炎熱的夏威夷, 還可以濃妝, 頭髮吹好好的, 穿高跟鞋, 緊牛仔褲在街頭遊走. 我實在佩服.  哪裡像我這加州的鄉巴佬, 穿短褲,  flip flop, 綁馬尾.....好像很土
不過你知道在這日本人眾多的夏威夷, 哪裡看不到日本人嗎？　要不要猜猜看?
答案是珍珠港........我想他們就算想去應該很尷尬吧. 
在夏威夷的最後一天, 因為回程班機要到晚上,  所以我一個人參加半天的珍珠港.和檀香山市區遊.  度假至少要有些知性遊, 而不是只有敗家血拼......

上次 post  一張 Cabo 的照片,  大家都很好奇那兒是哪裡?  謎底揭曉了!
Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort 
Pacifica  是 adult only resort.  當時要去 Cabo 時, 本來要住這. 可是因為 Pueblo Bonito Sunset Resort 比較大, 餐廳也有比較多, 所以沒住 Pacifica.
不過 Sunset Beach Resort and Pacifica Resort are sisters resorts, there are free shuttles taking us there.  We can enjoy Pacifica's resort facilities.
Pacifica is known for a spa like resort.  一進門就可以聞到薰衣草的味道.  裡頭裝潢很雅致 very zen like.

I was typically up around 8:30am, and Chia slept till 10am. I would got up and go for a quick walk & cafe. I enjoyed the little walk in the morning. The sun is not fully out so it's not too hot. Most guests are still sleeping to recover from previous night's parties; the place is really peaceful in the morning.
The pool wasn't yet packed with people yet. 

We stayed at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort. Pueblo Bonito is a chain luxury resort in Cabo, it has four main resorts here in Cabo:  Los Cabo and Rose are older/smaller resorts both located in downtown Cabo,  Sunset Beach and Pacifica are newer and 5 miles away from downtown located on hill side by Pacific Ocean.  
Hotel Lobby - The lobby is filled with soothing fragrant, it's quite relaxing. Later on, one of the resort staff told me that, every morning, they would spray vanilla and lavender fragrant around.  Wow, what a nice treat for the guest here.
Sunset Beach is on the hill side by the beach.  There are 7 pools in this resorts including one by the resorts' private beach. Because it's on the hill, so every room here has a ocean view!   Here is our room - junior suite with a balcony

This is my overdue vacation.  OL really needs a break from work, clear her mind, and recharge.  I wasn't looking for adventures type of vacations, or the type packed with many activities.  All I want to do is DO NOTHING - stay in the nice resort by the beach, enjoy good food, spa treatment, hang by the pool with my book and  cute cabana boys serve me cocktail with little umbrella on it. 
With a strong recommendation from my co-worker, I packed my bag and headed to Cabo San Lcuas for my 5 days vacation with my long time college pal. 
Before heading to Cabo, many friends and relatives were warning me......
"It's not safe for two single girls to travel in Mexico"
"Mexico is dirty, be careful with drinks there - you will get sick"

I just returned from my 5 days vacation last night - still sorting through photos and getting familiarized with my new blog....
Here is a preview of my vacation... more to come!!! "GREAT PLACE & WONDERFUL VACATION"

Mom and I spent a leisure Saturday afternoon at Old Town Pasadena.  Old Town is one of my favoriate place in Southern California, a great place to dine, shop or just walk around & chill.  It's popluar place for local & tourist for both its modern entertinment & unique old town neighborhood hangout place. 
Mom & I both have passion for interor deisgn, and love to window shop at Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Z gallerie - especially during this time of the year when all the stores start  to display Harvest & Thanksgiving home decoration & table setting.  
We also like to walk around the antique mall, checkout antique furniture, art work, and jewelry - although we never bought thing there since we don't know where and who used to own those items.....I actually really like this antiuqe shop building - very old fashion and reminds me of Europe.  
I took Mom to that Dog Bakery where they sell pastry for dog - Mom thoguht I wanted to get some snack .  
Jane, when you come down and visit in few weeks - I will take you there, and you can get some tiramisu for Buster.
I was also glad to find this shop in Old Town - I used to love this shop in San Francsico.  Can you guess what they are selling?
It's soap!  Lush is know for handmade bath & body product.  It looks like a gourmet cheese shop! 
The weather is perfect today.  It's so beautiful in Old Town with all the fall displays - lots of pumpkin.  Fall is my favoriate season of the year.  I love harvest festival, Thanksgiving, autumn leaf, fall fashion, and family gathering.   Welcome Fall........

We took a stroll around Venice Beach.  It's Samuel's first time at the beach- he seems a bit scare.
I like walking around the beach.  Looking at the blue ocean just helps to open my mind.  The smell of the sea helps me forget all my NUT (Nagging Unfinished Tasks).
I like to walk on the sand, and enjoy the moment when my feet touch the cold wave...
Venice Beach brought back a lot of old teen memories.  This is the 1st time I'm back to Venice Beach since high school.  A group of us from our youth group used to come here a lot after chruch on Sunday or before Saturday band practices.  We were a close group, those are good friends who helped me during the transition to U.S.  We were young and fearless with one comment linkage - the passion for Christ.  Although, we've all gone different ways now, and might or might not agree on the path each other took.  However, as I stood at the Venice Beach, I can't help to think about the old crew, wonder how everyone is doing, and be thankful for the friendships.  

I took Monday off for the long weekend.  Gloria, Samuel and I took a short road trip to visit Steve's office at Marina Del Rey.  Marina Del Rey is a nice coastal town in Santa Monica close by Venice Beach.  I envy Steve for wokring in such a nice town.....  
I love Santa Monica - even better than Orange County.  It has that typical coastal town life style - very relax and laid back, but most importantly it also has a special artistic feeling.  It's different than OC's stuck up attitude.   
As we drove around the town, it's interesting to see the contrast of architectures in this town.  There are those millions dollar houses near the coast - similar to those Newport Beach houses.  Glamorous parties with Dom Perignon all year round.
You can also see those cute charming beach apartment.  Blue Roof with beauty flower at the balcony.  it makes you want to just sit there, drink ice tea, and read some book - what  a great way to enjoy a hot summer afternoon.
Those beach apartments remind me a lot of my college life at Santa Barbara.  Our little apartment at Goleta.  Although the buildings were old and samll, but the walking distance to the ocean made it all worth it.
The commerical building around here are also very unique.  I felt like I was at Havana or some South America town.
 
or China... I wonder what kind of food do they serve at Mao's kitchen.
Santa Monica is like a mixed pot.  It's colorful and has soul.  Each has it's own charm.  That's why I like this town so much. 

Although there are still two more days to go before the weekend, but I can't help to start thinking about the weekend plan.  It's going to be a 4 days weekend for me!!! July 4th is on Tuesday, so I decided to take Monday off also.  I can't wait!!!!
Here are few ideas for the weekend:
1.  Watch World Cup at California Brewing Co on Saturday
France vs. Brazil at Noon.  Maybe someone is going to take me out for that using her reward from her published articles??????  The only problem is what should we do with Samuel?
2. Outdoor Performance at Temple City - 天普市週日辦國慶音樂會
I found this event from World Journal News- it sounds fun.  Anyone wants to join me this weekend?  Maybe Samuel can take his favorite Auntie and Grandpa this Sunday?
7月2日（週日）下午在天普市公園舉辦國慶音樂會，由美國空軍金西軍樂隊演奏，免費入場，歡迎民眾參加。 
音樂會之前將舉辦野餐烤肉，公園有攤位出售熱狗和三明治等食品及飲料。燒烤下午3時30分至5時，音樂會5時開始。 此外，天普市公園從現在開始，每週三晚上7時舉辦免費音樂會，日期為7月5日、12日、19日、26日、8月2日、9日、16日、23日及30日。每場音樂會由不同的樂隊演奏，適合全家帶毯子或小椅子圍坐在草地上，邊吃野餐，邊聽音樂。天普市將在天普高中及其他五處設攤位出售國慶焰火。 天普市公園地址為:9701 Las Tunas Drive。聯絡電話:626-285-2171。 
3.  BBQ
I missed having BBQ at Nebres' -it's the traditional for July 4th....Do you think Robert/Karin/Hannah can come this weekend?  Robert can BBQ some meat for his favoriate sister-in-law?  Or maybe Dad can light up the gril, and make some Taiwanese BBQ?
4.  Santa Monica Site Visit - (Shhhhhh- it's a secert)
I guess it's okay to write about it, since Steve never visits my blog :).  Samuel, SmallN, Dad, and I are planning to visit Steve at his work place on Monday in Santa Monica.  It will be a surprise.  We can have some seafood around, and hang at the beach.....
5.   Go Camping at Almansor Park
Maybe Samuel can bring his new tent and will invite me to his new tent this time.....(http://www.wretch.cc/blog/smalln5683&article_id=8393775)
6.  Day Spa
Good idea, but expensive....Maybe I can try the Korean Spa Debra mentioned to me today who does body scrub (somehow scrub away your fat per Debra), massage, and hair/head massage.
7.  Watch Movies
I haven't seen a movie for awhile, not sure what's on.  Chick flicks or some no brainer movies might be good way to kill summer hours...
8.  Writing Blog
9.  Thinking about what to do for the next weekend?

Any more ideas, people?????  We need to spice up our weekend a bit more, more outdoor activites, less shopping.