LongLong's OL Blog - 容容 的洛城OL隨記

I'm glad that my parents taught me basic common courtesies when I was young.  Clean up after yourself, respect others privacy, it's not polite to stare at strangers,  push chairs in after you leave, etc.  Maybe that's why I can't stand some people who go to the gym and seem to have no common courtesy.
Locker room manner for self absorbed blind one:
Oaky, it's normal to see people naked in the locker room, since people need to shower and change.  I definitely wasn't the type of gals who would hide in the bathroom in the locker room to change in high school PE class. I am referring to those people who walk around the gym locker room naked, stand in front of the mirror for the logest time naked, sitting on the bench chatting for hours naked......
I think once you are out of  the shower, wrap a towel around yourself, and then do whatever you need to do.  No one wants to see your wrinkle skin, big belly, and impact of the gravity on your body- we already learned about gravity in high shcool.  You are not posting for some thrid rated calendar, if you are, just make sure you have the body first.  Also, the hair dryers in the locker room is for drying your hair on top, not your feet or hairs elsewhere.....
For those messy inconsiderated pig:
If you make a mess in the locker room or the shower, clean it up after yourself.  Don't leave your stuffs all over the bench- it's the public space and not your pig cage.  Don't leave piles of paper towel on the shower floor - it's not that much effort to pick it up, walk few steps and drop it in the trash bin.  After all, you are here to workout, and it shouldn't matter to take those few additional steps. 
For those chatty one:
If you see people put on their headset listening to IPOD with their eye shut in the sauna room, it means people want to relax and not in the mood for chick chat with strangers.  So leave them alone.  People come to the gym to workout not to make friends.

After a satisfying dinner, Chia and I both felt too full to go straight home.  So, we walked over to Barnes and Nobel.  I decided to pick up few gift books for my staffs as my going away little thank you gifts.
I couldn't decide what type of book I should get. Business related books would be too typical or maybe a bit square, and inspirational might not be appropriate for work environment.  So I picked up something humor and fun.
I have to get this one for my staff, G.  This guy is calling in sick almost every other week.  I think I heard tons of excuses over the past year 
Stomach flu
My wife fell off the kitchen chair
Kids have allergy 
Doctor appointments...etc
Anything you can image.... and for some reasons they all seemed to happen on either Friday or Monday.  
This guy defintely knows how to maximize his sick days. I should have learned from him since I still have about 3 weeks worth of sick days. 
Of course, I consulted my counsel, Chia to see if I will get into HR trouble for this gift.  She said " No,  becuase there is nothing wrong with giving a gift, but he might be insulted ".  Who cares, it's a joke and I am leaving......Well, G is the type of person can take the joke.
This one is for the depressed guy, R.  I was going to get him the same book as G, since he likes to call in sick as well - but I figure they can share.
I almost wonder if he wrote this book, because on page 44 "How to Deal with your Boss".  It wrote:
*Bombard him/her with information.  
*Copy him or her on every e-mails, include him or her in every mundane meetings
*Look Busy
Chia helped me pick up this one for both of my other two gal staffs."511- Things only women understand"
Here are few quotes we can't agree more...
Only women understand:
*The alarming difference between 120 Lbs and 121 Lbs.
*The difference between pants, regular pants, nice pants, good pants, and dressy pants.
*Buying that perfect T-shirt in five different colors.
*Certain drinks:  cosmopolitan, Bellini, whiskey sour, pink russian, and champagne cocktail.
*That deodorant is as essential as air
*The crucial difference between a good haircut and a great one.

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 )
We arrived a bit after 6pm, so no problem finding a table.  It has a pretty relax environment and the staffs are friendly.  A nice hang out for family outing.
Chia ordered a 18 OZ Passion Fruit Mango Frozen Margarita and I had the house margarita on the rock. 
Chia's PFM margarita taste like Caribbean Passion Jamba Juice .  The chips and salsa are really good.  We had a very nice waiter, who kept refil our salsa without us even requesting for it. .  The service is way better than that rude waiter at Vie de France. 
We both ordered "Create your Own Combo" which we can choice any two items on the menu.  We both picked Enchilada and taco combo.  I had shrimp & spinach enchilada, and fish taco.  Chia had chicken enchilada and beef taco.  

The dinner is so yummy.  A warm melted cheese on shrimp enchilada is so tastey, and the grilled fish taco has a refreshing citric flavor.  
It's such comfort meal.  Although the food is so yummy, I can't keep feeling guilty about eating all these heavy meal with lots of cheese.....After an 18 OZ drink, with a pleasing look Chia said "this is the type of meal makes you feel Safe and Warm, especailly after a day at a brutal and cold work environment".......I can not agree more.

Thank you all the families and friends out there who have helped me selling my lovely furniture. 
I was able to find a temporary home for my beloved piano, and the sofa set has been earmarked by Debra's friend, May.
For those who do not want to miss out good deal and comfort.  Here is your last chance.  Dinning Table Set for Sales @ $150.  Glass top with four chairs in good condition.  Interested parties please contact me.

As I down size my living space for the next year or two (hopefully).  I am selling some of my furniture.  I picked up this item about four years ago when I first moved back to California. Robert & Karin drove me around various furniture shops (Thank you!!!!):  Ikea, Crate & Barrel, Scandian Design, Levitz, and etc.  My mind was elsewhere most likely wasn’t fully operated, and just tried to get settle as soon as possible.  I didn’t do too much bargain hunting.  All I can remember is within two weeks of moving back to California. I got a car, a lease for a new apartment, a completed furniture sets, and an empty saving account. 
However, although I wasn’t too much a bargain hunter at that time, but I think my taste of style was still there (I hope). Most of my furniture is still in the good condition. They are about 4 years old, and I am a clean freak!!!

The Loveseat and the chair are on sale for $200 for both pieces.  I bought this set from Levitz for a north of $1,000 something. Sorry, you would need to arrange for pick up.  The item will be available for pick up starting next Monday.  Well, if the buyer needs to pick up even earlier, I think I might be okay sitting on the floor for a week. 
All interested parties, please contact me.   

All this furniture has brought me much comfort in the past few years, and I’m sure they will bring many to the new owner as well.

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 our little bautification, we went to Vie de France for a little snack.  Vie de France is a little bakery cafe inside South Coast Plaza. It's a great place for brunch or pastries.  They made a good baguette, the ham & cheese sandwich is my favoriate.  
We both ordered their citron cooler.  It's a mixed of club soda with cranberry juice, orange juice and lime juice.  It's very refreshing for the summer time.  This is the must order every time we come here.
We shared crabmeat/brie filled mushroom and Brie & pate plate.
The pate and brie taste good with their baguette, the fruit is super sweet, too.  The stuffed crabmeat brie is just right, warm brie and crabmeat on top of toasted baguette.  Perfect little snack for the afternoon.  
We like the food there, but the service isn't very good.  It reminds me of the typical rude French waiters..... Both Chia and I also dislike the service here, but this place is always packed with long line, and we keep coming back. 

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.  
French 75 is a chain culinary adventures restruants in Southern California. It's the sister restaurant of Chat Noir Jazz Lounge (which we plan to visit before I leave OC...so stay tune).  I found out last week that French 75 offers Bubbly Hour Monday to Friday with 50% off all their signatue champagne cocktails.  So after a long court day for Chia and a long "boring" day for me, we decided to go and took advantage of the deal.
The place wasn't crowded when we arrived before 5pm.  It started to fill with people after awhile.  Luckily we came early and was able to find a nice table. 
The bar is so dark, I guess a great place for dates?
We ordered their signatue champagne cocktails - Champagne with cognac & jucie.  Chia got Chanel (with Strawberry liquor) - don't you love the name?
I got pomegranate flavor.  We love the hot pink table setting, and the warm chips! 
The champagne cocktails are alright, not as great as we expected.  Chia thinks $11 a bottle of Asti champagne is better. 
We ordered Cheese Plate.  
Top row (right to left) :  Plain Brie, blackberry, Goat Cheese Brie
Middle row: Pearl grape, apricot paste, blue cheese, and green apple to go with Brie.
Bottom Row:  aged parmeasn cheese, berry paste, honey roasted walnut, and less aged parmeasn.  
We both like Brie the most.  I like Goat cheese, too.  Parmeasn cheese a little too salty, but it balance will with the sweat walnut and berry 
Don't you think the stacked apple display is a piece of art?
I was craving for the tiny french fries.  So we orded French Sliders:  3 petit burgers made out of Brioche bum with goat cheese, and fries....It's so yummy.  The burger meet is very flavorable, but not greasy.
We sat there for about two hours, had 3 glasses of cocktail, and enjoy the abiance. 
Although the food might not worth its price, but it's great warm & lovely place to just hang out.  I would recommend martini cocktail over their champagne cocktails.

Do you still remember your 1^st diary?  How did it look?  What did you write about? 
This is my first diary. 

A yellow snoopy note book, Mom and I picked up at "San Shum" department store.  I still like Snoopy a lot!!
I think I was in my first or second grade at that time - just barely learned how to write all those complicated Chinese Characters.  
I even named my diary - "Growth Diary".
I couldn't remember if I meant to draw a rabbit or just a cat with long ears.
You must wonder why I called it "Growth Diary".  I guess I was a kid with long term vision who knew people would ask 20 years later, so I wrote it down.

"Growth Diary" represents a person who writes journal during her growth period.  Hmmmm... Simple and to the point.  Maybe not too creative? 
You must wonder what a  7 years old would write in the diary. 

Nothing fancy, definitely no deep philosophy nor life long inspirational phrase (Well, still can’t write any of those after two decades ….) Just a simple laundry list of things I did - of course with my childish drawing

It's always fun to discover things from the past- a old friend, an album, a old piece or jewelry, or even a old diary.  It brings back many memories that you cherish.  
I am glad that I am writing my blog now - the childish handwriting & drawing are replaced by fancy computer font & digital pictures. However, I am sure 20 years later, joy of rediscover the past will be the same and it will be irreplaceable.
I consider this as my "BLOG Movement" during these long boring work days till my last day at work - To Those Lazy Blogger, Keep Writing!!!
 

 

 

 

 

There is never an easy way to quit a job. I finally gave my boss my two week notice.
Although I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, have dreamed about telling them “screw you all- I quit” – but the actual feeling of quitting didn’t turn out to be as over the top as I anticipated.  It’s kind of sad.  Don’t get me wrong here, I definitely are excited and can’t stop smiling about my new job.  What I am referring to is the excitement of quitting a job….that little sweet ravage feeling.  It’s not there.

Dear Families & Families - i have a good news to share today.  I finally got my new offer this afternoon, and I verbally accepted it!  Once I got the offical offer letter tomororw, I will "QUIT" my job (FINALLY)!!!
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement in the past months.    My family kept reminding me through out this job hunting process - God will prepare me a perfect job in his prefect timing.  Debra also said the same thing to me, and today she told me "See, when it's the job God is preparing for you, everything is going to come smoothly".  Yes, my intervew process and compensation offering have been smooth.  The compesnation package is above my expectation which I didn't even need to negotiate.  
I can't wait to move home (although, I can't beleive I need to move again...).  I am excitied to start a new job.
Hello, PCS - I am back.
Goodbye, WM