LongLong's OL Blog - 容容 的洛城OL隨記

I've lived in Southern California on and off for 16 years, but admittedly have never visited Little Saigon or Chinatown here.  I remembered earlier our relatives and friends painted the picutre of Chinatown and Little Siagon as streets full of crime and gangster, the place to avoid.  However, being a food lover, I've alwasy wanted to visit Little Saigon for its authentic Vietnamese food.  Visiting little Siagon is one of items on my to do list before leaving Orange County.  Debra as being a good pal who coordiated a little lunch trip for me last week.  Few of us from work headed to little Siagon for my mini advanture. 

Mom didn't prepare me any dinner for the week.  Since it's my last full week in OC, Chia and I have gone out for dinner almost every night.  Tonight we visited On The Border Mexican Restaurant, becuase we both need some margarita.  Chia had a bad court day, and as for me (hmm......not much to complain since I haven't done much for a week...okay, I am being a good friend and moral support to Chia )

I was pacing around my apartment on Sunday aftenroon - major headache just thinking about my move....all the details, nagging unfinished tasks..... or Maybe I'm having a moving back home jitter .   Luckily Chia called to see if I wanted to go for eyebrow wax, so we headed to South Coast Plaza Benefit Eyebrow bar.  It actually helped to get out of the house and not to think about the move.  For those ladies out there (or gentlemen), I highly recommend Benefit brow Bar.  It's the professional eyebrow waxing within Benefit Made-up Counter in Macy's.  They do a good job on eyebrow design and most importantly, they are very clean!!!!  

After doing nothing at work for almost 6 hours, I decided to leave and went to Happy Hour with Chia.  We arrived at French 75 Bistro.  Chia and I came here few months ago for our lady's night out.  We both agree the food is over priced, but both love the cocktail lounge area here. It reminds me of those trendy bars at NYC or in Sex & the City shows.  Nicely decorated with rich color, fancy cocktail, and beautiful people.  

SmallN has never been a big drinker.  She always gets tipsy after a half glass of wine - not merlot but kitty wine like Plum wine.
That's why I was surprised when she proposed for a happy hour for a cold beer at California Brewing Co.  Hmmm.....Am I such a bad influence?  SmallN seems to enjoys wine, beer, and cocktail more since I moved back to Southern California.  Have I given my big sister a makeover from naive housewife to a "hot mommy" who likes happy hour?   Sorry, Samuel's Dad....It's all my fault.

Wednesday is Smalln and Samuel's lunch at Grandparent's day.  Mom was busy preparing feast for Prince Samuel's arrival since Tuesday night - Chinese Meat Ball.  

I went back to Mom and Dad on Tuesday night in preparing for my big "doctor" appointment on Wednesday.  I haven't gone home during a weekday night for a long time, so it actaully gave me a chance to experience how my life would be if I move home

Mitsuwa Japanese Supermarket has it's annual summer festival starting today.   Grace and I stopped by during lunch hour for a quick bite as well as to pick up few items from the sales. 

One cuisine that I can eat every day is Korean Food.  I never seem to get tired of it.  There are just so many different varieties:  bibimbap, tofu pot, BBQ, cold noodles, seafood pan cake, and ginseng chicken soup... I can keep going on and on and on the whole night.  During the cold winter time, the pot of steaming hot tofu pot with BBQ Rib is the must have.

Christabelle's Blog introduced Chinese red chili oil dumpling (Red Oil Fried Hands????) today.  It looked so yummy and made me crave for dumpling.  Luckily, Mom prepared me some dumpling last weekend, so I  prepared some for dinner.  BTW, what's the difference between the regular dumpling and "Red Oil Fried Hands"?  Isn't it just dumpling with red oil sauce?

I decided to stay in Orange County this weekend instead of my usual routine of going back to Mom and Dad.  I want to explore more about OC, maybe visit OC Fair, try few new restaurants.  Chia was so supportive and also dedicated her whole Saturday to have a girl's day out with me .  We decided to start our day with a nice brunch.  We typically would just go to French Champagne Bakery around my apartment in Irvine, but today, we decided to try something different.  
I've wanted to visit Zov's for a while.  My boss recommended this restaurant last year, especially on their grilled rack of lamb. Chia seemed to like this idea as well- since she and Thomas had their first date here.

To be honest, even though, I’ve moved to Irvine for more than one year now.  I still don’t feel like a local, and am still not very familiar with Irvine and Orange County.  My typical route is just from my apartment to work, from work to gym, to South Coast plaza, or to markets and etc.  In addition, since I live right by Irvine/Tustin Marketplace, it is so convenience that I can do pretty much everything within few blocks (grocery, theather, shops, restaurants).  I rarely need to go outside my neck of woods... 

I introduced one of my frequent lunch place – HK Korean Market earlier. (http://www.wretch.cc/blog/longlonglin&article_id=5768551)
Grace and I headed over there again for a quick bite.  This time, I tried the Korean/Chinese food stand. Orange County is so diverse; I really enjoy the convenience of dinning different cuisine

Grace ordered ChiaChia noodle. Don’t be fooled by the look (Yes, it is not very appealing), it’s actually tasted great!  

After a long day at work, I was planning to go to my Pilate class while Chia called to see if I would like to meet up for dinner. Between hard workout vs. fine dinning with friends – almost the no brainier decision (well, at this from the short term benefit perspective).

I stopped by Ralph after work to get some grocery.  I also pick up some wine cooler.  It has been extremely hot in Southern California these days, a bottle of chilled cooler and beer after work can help cool me down a bit... I haven't had any cooler since college, so I couldn't remember which flavor taste the best.  I pick up this Calypso Colada - it reminds me of the Bule Hawaii drink. 

My fun visit to Santa Moncia continued as we headed to Enterprise Fish Co. for lunch - Of course, Steve's treat

Do you know what's in this stack of Microwave Container?   
The answer is....
MaMa's Love

Happy Friday!  I’m so glad the weekend it’s here.  Just the thought of not coming to work the following two days; it makes the big difference for me waking up this morning.  I jumped out of the bed the minutes my alarm went on instead of hitting the snooze button 5 times.   I guess this shows how much “Passion” I have for my current job. 

Hmmm… I wonder what Mom is going to prepare for me this weekend?  Where should we go eat tomorrow?  I’m already in the weekend mode.