Reminiscing: 2009 in words

It wasn't quite an annus horribilis, but I'll be the first to admit that at times, it felt that way. 2009 has been a trying year, to say the least, and while there's a lot to be thankful for, I can't say that I'll miss it too much when it disappears in a few short hours. So to kickstart the annual "Reminiscing" series, here are the words to sum up 2009:

George - probably the most profound impact on my life this year came in the form of a now-9-pound fluffball named George. He's taught me a lot about life and the world: that pleasure can be derived from the simplest things, and there aren't too many problems in life that can't be solved by a nap or a nice long walk.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose - Yep, this one made it back on my list again this year, and then some. I know better now. Here's to a smarter, better 2010, without the same ol' drama of yesteryears.

Empire State of Mind - I know this song became every New Yorker's anthem this year, and in 2009, I became a New Yorker, too, sorta. There's still a lot to learn and love about this great town, and I hope to make more time for it in 2010.

Blessings - They come in all shapes and sizes...congrats to everyone who had babies, got married, got engaged, or were just plain blessed this year. Thanks for letting me share in your blessings and happiness.

Home is where the love is - Never felt more true than in 2009, where I basically became bicoastal/nomadic for 9 months out of 12. Not sure if there's any end in sight, but I'm grateful for the friends and family who continue to support and love me, even when I have no idea which time zone I'm in, or which "home" I'll be crashing at that night.

I think my personal theme for 2010 will be "starting fresh" -- in many, many ways. Au revoir, 2009, I don't think I'll miss you too much.

P.S. Stay tuned for Food and Travel reminiscing...

Snapshots in time, moments in memory

I am a trigger-happy person. (And no, I'm not referring to my shopping habits.) Ever since I owned any sort of camera, I have liked taking lots and lots of pictures of people, places, and moments. In college I had a wall filled with Polaroids -- the only rule about the Polaroids was that they had to have people in them; none of this fancy artistic wannabe stuff -- just pictures of mostly-happy, sometimes-intoxicated, shiny people. As I moved from dorm to dorm, the pictures followed me everywhere, growing as my network did in college. When I packed them away for good upon graduation, I noticed that many of those people in the pictures went away and became a figment of my college days as well.

Fast forward a few years and bring on my DSLR. Suddenly, every snapshot was about capturing the best and the most beautiful things that nature, foreign destinations, and restaurants had to offer. People were optional and often missing from entire albums. Vacations became another opportunity to capture that perfect shot, with the perfect light, and the perfect shadows...

But I've come to realize the world I see from behind the lens is nothing like the real one. We take pictures in an effort to remind ourselves of moments in time, and to encapsulate a moment for eternity. But our minds do a far greater job of capturing the essence of these moments -- the way the blood rushed to your cheeks, the coolness of the morning air on your bare skin, the warmth that you could only relive by closing your eyes. And remembering. Every vivid detail. And those are the memories you treasure the most.

Signs that you have traveled too much

So I've been traveling a lot recently. Perhaps that is an understatement. In reality, I probably actually live in Palo Alto, and keep a pied à terre in New York. As the miles rack up and the hours fly by, there are observations that I've noticed which indicate you have clearly passed the threshold of "frequent traveler" and into the realm of "permanent nomad". A few of these I've posted on my FB status, but here's a quick summary, in no particular order:

• When filling up gas and the machine asks for your zip code to verify your credit card billing address, you draw a blank.
  
  
• You consider taking your rental car through the car wash because you've had it so long it's gotten dirty.
  
  
• You don't pack or unpack anymore. The hotel simply stores your stuff when you check-out and restocks your closet when you check-in.
  
  
• They do the same for your dog, his bed, his food, and his toys.
  
  
• The housekeeping, valet, and front desk staff all know your dog's name, AND his walking schedule, and take time to ask you if everything's ok when you appear with him off-schedule.
  
  
• When you're sick at home, you pick up the phone to call "Emily" (name of room service operator) to ask her to bring up chicken soup. Only you realize there is no Emily because you're not in your hotel room.
  
  
• Someone asks you for your mailing address, and your response is, "Depends when you're sending it."
  
  
• Someone asks you for your mailing address, and your response is, "Room X, ABC Hotel."
  
  
• Someone asks you for your mailing address, and your response is, "I don't know."
  
  
• You have manicurists, hair stylists, masseurs, drycleaners, and complete wardrobes in multiple cities.
  
  
• You dog has vets, groomers, daycares, and doggie friends in multiple cities.
  
  
• Friends and family who call you start the conversation with, "Oh, so which timezone are you in right now?"
  
  
• Your friends say goodbye to you with "See you next time you're in town" -- even when you're in the city where you supposedly live.
  
  
• The valet say goodbye to you with "See you next week."

*Sigh*

Working late on a Friday night...

And listening to my second favourite "Sara(h)"...this song keeps haunting me.

Gravity - by Sara Bareilles

Something always brings me back to you.
It never takes too long.
No matter what I say or do
I'll still feel you here
'til the moment I'm gone.

You hold me without touch.
You keep me without chains.
I never wanted anything so much
than to drown in your love
and not feel your reign.

Set me free, leave me be.
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.
Here I am and I stand so tall,
just the way I'm supposed to be.
But you're on to me
and all over me.

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile.
When I thought that I was strong.
But you touch me for a little while
and all my fragile strength is gone.

I live here on my knees as I
try to make you see that you're everything
I think I need here on the ground.

But you're neither friend nor foe
though I can't seem to let you go.
The one thing that I still know is that
you're keeping me down.

Lost and not yet found

It's been a while since I've posted.

I guess I haven't really had time to sit down and think about what it is that I'm feeling. The last couple of months have been a whirlwind of work, airports, airplanes, and hotels, none of which really help when you're trying to move and adjust to life and rhythm of a new city.

The short of it is that I've resigned to the fact that I'm merely a San Franciscan who happens to live in NYC. I work SF hours (and then some), I try to eat like I live in SF (harder than it sounds), and I generally eschew all of the very quintessential things about living in New York: staying up late (except to work), partying during the week, partying during the weekend, drinking a lot, drinking a lot while partying, and shockingly, even shopping. Part of this is by choice, and part out of necessity and self-preservation -- but one thing is clear, I don't really fit in here. And I don't really care. And maybe that in and of itself *does* make me fit in?

I won't lie. I'm feeling a bit lost right now. And no signs of being found anytime soon.

OMG it's really happening

I don't usually mix work and personal stuff. But I'm really excited about this. It's been my baby for months, and now it's only 3.5 hours away.



Seen at SFO earlier tonight...

NYC: Month 1 reflections

Written earlier on UA 19 from JFK to SFO


Three distracting thoughts:
1) I've been in NYC for a month!?
2) I only have time to write inflight. And it's always flight 19. Sad.
3) At least my footrest isn't broken this time.

It's amazing how fast time flies. George is now five months old (!), and I've officially been a New York City resident for a month (well, plus or minus two days, but who's counting, right). I can wax poetic about how the season is changing and summer is upon us, and blah blah blah, but that would just be more words to hide the fact that, well, I don't have a lot to update.

The fact that I'm on flight 19 means that I'm headed to San Francisco again. Yep, I was just there less than two weeks ago. And I'll be back again in less than two weeks. I assure you that the irony of the situation is not lost on me. Of course I happen to be driving a project at work that's based in SF right after I move. And of course, I have to fly back and forth even before the last boxes are unpacked at my new apartment. (For those keeping track, there are still 6 boxes. No progress in nearly 2 weeks. Yikes!)

And with what little actual time I have left in NYC, I'm trying to adapt to my new city. For example, like every proper New Yorker, I left the city for Memorial Day long weekend to officially kick off summer. I didn't go to the Hamptons, but the Hudson River Valley comes a close second in terms of nearby escapes. And it has better food. And like every New Yorker, I felt that being in the suburbs for 48 hours somehow "rejuvenated" me but was then inexplicably relieved to return to a place where you willingly trade tranquility for 24-hour Duane Reade's and free delivery from any restaurant.

Speaking of delivery, I've now officially ordered more takeout in the last month than I have the entire previous year combined. Some have been stellar (Blossom vegetarian) and others less than stellar (Grand Sichuan Chinese). I also happily fork over three dollars for a smallish red velvet cupcake from Billy's almost every other day. (Damn them for being on my way home from work.)

A few updates from my last reflections post:
-I have monitor risers at work now. But I've also already moved offices. No joke.

-Still no doctor yet. Nor PT for that matter. American healthcare sucks.

-My shoes have been resoled, though by my peeps in SF when I was last in town. At least I can walk again, right? :)

-George hasn't learned any new behaviours, but he's getting better about not picking up random pieces of paper on the street. He really really really likes paper. Perhaps I should write to Cesar Millan. I hear he's one of my followers on Twitter.

-I haven't crossed town (except to get to the airport) since my last post. And have no plans to anytime soon.

This is the part of the flight when I should be getting those chocolate chip cookies, and also when my laptop battery is about to die (left my power adapter in my suitcase, of course). Words cannot express how glad I am that #2 on the upgrade list didn't show so I got his/her spot. Flying across the country every other week is a bit less rough if you don't have to sit in the back. :)

NYC: Week 1 reflections

Written earlier on UA 19 from JFK to SFO

My feet are swollen, and my footrest is broken. Pardon me for being distracted, but that's the first and primary preoccupation right now.

A little over a week after I moved to New York, I'm on a plane to San Francisco. Notice the lack of the use of the word "back" in the previous sentence. I'm making a conscious effort to not call SF "home" or that I'm going "back" because it's simply not true. I live in New York now. My home is there. It still feels weird saying that, but after a week of filling out forms and repeating my address to salespeople and takeout people, it's hard to not think that way.

I've done a lot this past week. I've unpacked 50 out of 56 boxes, bought and assembled a bed, ordered a sofa and accessories, and had not one or two, but three radiator repair sessions. I guess better to fix it now than when I really need it this winter, right?

Right, that's all good and well, but how do I *feel*? Honestly, I don't feel anything yet. It's not like I went in awaiting this huge epiphany, but I think that's what everyone else expects to happen, given the allure and mystique that surrounds arguably the most exciting city in the world. This first week has just been focused on getting settled: finding new nooks and crannies for the copious amounts of stuff I have gathered over 6 years of post-college living, establishing a routine for me and George, and securing basic services so we can live life more like urbanites and less like homeless nomads. Oh, and then there's that whole work thing, too. Despite how "seamless" they want to make you feel about transfers at work, they didn't have anything set up for me when I arrived, and I ended up having to request everything from a chair to monitor risers (the latter of which I still don't have).

I've also spent a lot of time exploring my neighbourhood, mostly during very long walks with George. I've basically reallocated the 2.5 hours I used to have each day for my commute to taking walks and hanging out with George -- which as far as I can tell, has done a lot for both of us in terms of lowering stress levels and increasing bonding. He's already learned "down" and "stay", two behaviours he was unable to do when we were in SF. Of course, there's also that blog. ;) I've found that George has made it much easier to settle into the city -- people are simply friendlier and more welcoming when they see him, so I may or may not have milked that a bit this past week. I do feel bad that I've brought him to a place where even the highest rated dog run doesn't have grass, but I think the sheer number of dogs in our neighbourhood makes up for this.

Chelsea is an interesting place -- sort of reminds me of a mini SF, filled with lots of yuppie, dog-loving people, lots of gay people, and lots of good food. (Case in my point, 4 of out the 4 neighbours that I've met on my floor are gay men who own dogs.) In my short time in NYC, I've definitely developed a heightened sense of neighbourhood bias, though. There's this strong desire to shop in, and be uber-local -- basically, you stick to your own 'hood. I've only gone uptown twice, and both were terrible furniture shopping experiences. I also dread crossing town, and both times were for equally alluring activities that I couldn't do in my chunk of Manhattan (the greenmarket at Union Square, and eating in the East Village).

So what am I missing?

My friends from SF -- I miss you dearly. Thanks to technology, I feel like I've kept in touch with most of your during my transition this past week, so I'm grateful for that.

My doctors and PTs -- this sounds weird, but you have no idea how hard it is to find good yet available medical services in NYC, especially if you have the aforementioned neighbourhood bias. I've heard that Dr. Lee and his crew at Metropolitan Medical Group are expanding to NYC in September, and let's just say I can't wait!

Yoga -- I've walked so much in this past week (maybe more than in 6 months in SF combined), but I need to get back into my yoga routine, especially to get back on track with my shoulder rehab.

My "people" -- don't laugh. Everyone has their "people", even if you don't want to admit it. They're the go-to shoe guy/manicurist/deli guy/esthetician/masseur/takeout joint/salespeople, etc. that make your life easier. My flats need to be re-soled, my back is sore, and my nails look destroyed. I miss you all. I need to get on top of finding new "people". I've got a promising manicurist, but she's more than one subway stop away. LOL.

All righty, they made me feel better about my broken footrest by giving me a mileage coupon and warm chocolate cookies, but I think that's my cue to pack up and get ready to land. In my old home. It's good to see you, San Francisco.

A new chapter

Too tired to write a lot right now. The boxes are packed, the extras have been stored away. George is passed out (and presumably happily) in his crate, and I'm settling into my seat on my first-ever one-way journey to NYC. It was weird seeing the apartment cleared out for the first time in 6 years. The skyline outside my windows had changed slightly, the decor had changed slightly, and my life has changed, well, a lot. But I suppose that's what life is about. Change. I'm ready for it. I hope you're ready for me, New York.

Things they didn't tell you about (wo)man's best friend

I'm tired. Not like, it's been a rough week tired, but TIRED tired. This weekend marks week 5 with George, and let me know tell, it's been a long five weeks. So if last post was (mostly) about the positive things about owning a dog. This post is about the stuff they left off the marketing brochure:

-I haven't slept a solid 9 (or 8) hours in 5 weeks. I'm really tired. All the time.

-Scrubbing "accident" areas and chasing down George before he poops in the wrong place has replaced yoga class and lounging on the couch

-I need a manicure. (and a pedicure for that matter, but who's keeping track?) This is the longest I've gone without one, in oh, 5 years?

-I now find it normal that I examine the duration, size, and quality of his bowel movements on a daily basis

-The only fashion sites that I keep up with are the ones related to dog leash/leads, beds, and other related dog stuff. When is that damn Trish Hampton collar coming out in George's size anyway?

-My mind now has the magical ability to map any potential social invite to George's sleep, nap, play, crate and potty schedule and make sure there are no conflicts before I respond "yes" or "no"

-George's playdates are a perfectly acceptable form of dinner and/or hanging out with friends from my former pre-George life

-I only wear heels when he is at daycare. Or at home in his crate. My Louboutins are crying. My Lanvin flats are on such rigourous rotation they're getting dizzy.

Yes, I still love him. Yes, I'll still bring him to NYC. But a girl is allowed to rant once in a while, right?

Random observations from my first week with George

I admit...I was never a dog person. Never owned a dog, never really played with dogs, and certainly didn't think that I could have a dog until a couple of weeks ago. And now, I'm a proud owner of an 11-week-old morkie (that's a maltese yorkie mix) named George. George came home with me a week ago today, and I can certainly say he's already changed my life. Some random observations from my first week with him...

-Dog people are nice. People have been extremely helpful and generous with their advice, recommendations, and even doggie hand-me-downs. It has certainly made my transition to dog owner much much easier. Even random people on the street that I meet while walking George have been extremely helpful!

-The city person's "invisible shield" no longer exists if you are carrying/walking a dog. Kids, single people, couples, even homeless bums have no problem coming up to me and asking about my dog. It also doesn't help that George likes to meet every single person that walks up to him.

-Having a puppy is like having a kid (only a dog won't grow up and lie to you). The latter part of that statement being something that multiple friends appended when I commented about the similarities between late night feedings and George's potty breaks. What's with everyone fearing that their kids will lie to them?

-The pet industry is ridiculous! I admit it...George has a matching collar and leash, made by a yuppie pet designer. I just can't BELIEVE the amount of products associated with pets and how expensive everything costs! And I blame the Kiehl's doggie shampoo on Kai.

-Resistance is futile, and patience a necessity Your best laid plans...well, let's just hope you have a plan B. Having a puppy and raising it means that everything has to be planned around him. He just isn't going to potty whenever and wherever you want him to, and nor will he take a nap or want to play every time it strikes your fancy.

Okay, I know I have more observations but I'm exhausted, and George will be up for late night potty soon, so off to bed I go.

Latest pics of George are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/leungv/George11To12Weeks

Trading two bridges for three, plus a couple of tunnels, too

So the cat is out of the bag. I'm moving to New York.

There, I said it. Despite how much of a surprise it was to many tonight and the past few days, it's still pretty raw and new to me as well. And my deepest apologies to those I have not had a chance to tell in person. In the past two weeks, I've gone from die-hard SF resident to finding a new home in NYC and looking for a puppy to bring along for the adventure. Perhaps I'm having a mid-life crisis. Or maybe it's my destiny. I don't know which, but I guess it doesn't really matter.

A part of me has been changed forever by San Francisco. I have found amazing friendships; laughed and cried; loved and lost. But now, it's time to move on. I don't suppose I'll ever know if this is the best decision, but I know that the decision is right for right now.

I've been wearing this Maya Brenner necklace for a while -- it's called "bi-coastal" -- but tonight it felt much more appropriate and bittersweet than ever before. Every time I touch it, I will think of you, San Francisco; of all of my friends who have made this place become home for me, and who made it so much more difficult to summon up the courage to leave. I am forever indebted to your love, generosity, and kindness. I'll remember our times together, good and bad, and treasure them forever.

And so, a new adventure begin in about 40 days...stay tuned.

Home is where the love is

(written earlier tonight during UA 863 from JFK to SFO)

Anyone who's known me for a while knows that I've always struggled with the concepts of "home" and "belonging". Other than the normal anxieties surrounding identity and cross-cultural immersion that come with every immigrant child's experience, I've tacked onto that a somewhat transient lifestyle that has taken me to over 20 countries and 100+ cities over the last 10 years. In the last year alone, I spent over half of my weekends out of town -- basically anywhere else but at home. And though my "home" has been San Francisco for the last 5+ years, it still takes me a split second to process and another one or two sentences to explain to any stranger where I'm "from".

But in the last few months, one thing has become clear -- home doesn't refer to a physical place, but rather an emotional place where you feel unconditionally welcome, happy, and safe. In the company of my family and my friends in Vancouver, San Francisco, New York and beyond, I've found home. My physical residence is just an address. Love is what makes any place a home. I am grateful to everyone who has formed a part of my home. You have all showed me that when a major part of my "home" fell apart with a breakup, you are all more than able and willing to make up the difference. You've also reminded me that love doesn't always or only come in the romantic form. And for that I thank you.

And as I think of all of you while I type this note somewhere over the continent on a flight to San francisco, I already feel like I've come home...

Faster than a New York minute

And so, it's come to my last night here in NYC. This "longest ever" trip to New York also seemed to pass by the fastest. Perhaps it's because I got to mix both work and play. I got to see friends more than once, and even spent time in Jersey. I'm grateful for the friends both old and new who continue to keep our friendship strong despite my parachute-style drop-in's into this city -- you guys are the best!

And as the night sets in, I'm having a Sara Bareilles moment, as they so often happen in the late hours. The eerily beautiful and haunting words of this song are stuck in my head right now...

Gravity - by Sara Bareilles

Something always brings me back to you.

It never takes too long.

No matter what I say or do 

I'll still feel you here 

'til the moment I'm gone.

You hold me without touch.

You keep me without chains.

I never wanted anything so much 

than to drown in your love 

and not feel your reign.

Set me free, leave me be. 

I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.

Here I am and I stand so tall, 

just the way I'm supposed to be.

But you're on to me 

and all over me.

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile.

When I thought that I was strong.

But you touch me for a little while 

and all my fragile strength is gone.

I live here on my knees as I 

try to make you see that you're everything 

I think I need here on the ground.

But you're neither friend nor foe 

though I can't seem to let you go.

The one thing that I still know is that 

you're keeping me down.

Momofuku birthday

Momofuku means "lucky peach"...and of course, also happens to be the name of several highly successful Korean-fusion eateries in NYC. Tonight, I honestly felt like I was the momofuku, if not a "lil" one...haha I'm a dork. In any case, I've never had so much fun turning 25 again. Thanks to R, B, JK, JS, D, and M for spending their Saturday night with me. And although the excitement of my birthday may have been overshadowed by a certain announcement, I am so grateful that I was surrounded by friends, food, and lots of pork love. We ordered the bo ssam, which is an entire pork butt with all of the fixings to create our own ssam wraps. I think I am still having pork coma right now. And of course, dinner was followed by elegant drinks at the W Union Square (ah, the memories!) and then me pooping out from having slept only 4.5 hours last night.

Again. Thank you. I was definitely the momofuku tonight.

Reminiscing: NYC then and now

Yesterday I stepped foot inside the Hilton NYC again, eleven years after the first time I went with my grade 11 classmates for Model United Nations. Eleven years ago, it was the first time I visited New York City, and we were staying at the Hilton for the duration of our trip. Everything about that trip was exciting -- being in the one of the biggest cities in the world with your closest friends, boyfriend, and even a teacher or two. I remembering shooting one of my first photo essays in New York on that trip: the requisite Time Square shot, a homeless lady on a park bench, and a pedestrian weaving his way through a sea of cabs. Little bits and pieces of that trip come back to me now and again...getting ramen, hiding people in the bathroom during bed-check, that little black Armani...

Fast forward to today...things have changed in ways I could not have predicted. This time around, I was at the Hilton to attend a tradeshow for work. New York City is no longer a stranger to me. The city, while still exciting, has be become a tangible reality, as opposed to this almost-mythical place appearing only in movies and TV shows. Other than SF and Vancouver, it's probably the next city that I know best. And yet, there's so much more to be discovered. 

I've been to NYC over twenty times since that fateful trip in grade 11. But this current trip will be the longest consecutive stay I've ever had.  There's something almost fateful about that, but that's a whole different post. All I can say is, I <3 NYC. And there will always be a special place in my heart for this city.

Sunday Supper (redux)

It's been a while since I've hosted Sunday Supper. Tonight was the inaugural "single Viv" Sunday Supper and I think it went off pretty well. Here's what we ate and drank:

Arugula & Mizuna greens with Asian pear and Parmigiano-Reggiano
in a white wine vinaigrette

Traditional Beef Stroganoff / Mushroom & Tofu Vegetarian Stroganoff

Duo of Southern Pies (Pecan and Buttermilk),
served with duo of vanilla and eggless honey vanilla ice creams

Mini Carrot Cupcakes

Wines
Merry Edwards Russian River Pinot Noir, 2005
Etude Deer Camp Pinot Noir, 2005

Thanks to S, K, A, J, and B for joining me on this new culinary adventure! Can't wait until the next supper! :)

Stranger

You're a stranger to me
I once thought I knew
How you think
How you feel
Who you were

And then it changed
And then you were
Just as anyone else
A stranger
In passing

But now it's clear
Nothing has changed
You were just a stranger
Always
Now and forever

10 weeks post-op: milestones!

Today is exactly 10 weeks after my surgery. While I'm still in pain often and in PT weekly, there are definitely a couple of milestones in my recovery. Today, I was able to take off my sweater while standing straight up and lifting it over my head with my arms. For the past 10 weeks, I had to bend forward at the waist until i was making a 90-degree angle with my body, and then use my left arm to pull the sweater (shirt, tank top, whatever) up my back towards my head and pull it off that way. Okay, so I didn't explain it that way, but just realize that it was a big milestone I've been trying to get to all week.

Tomorrow is another one (hopefully) -- my first yoga class post-surgery. Probably won't be doing any sun salutations anytime soon, but it'll be nice to get back into the groove of things. I miss yoga!

No more Whole Food totes...

Just got this picture from Erin at Appetite Design in Portland -- my absolute new favourite hand-printed home decor place. She made these custom "green bag" totes for me (and there's one other on the way)...suddenly makes me want to go grocery shopping even more! :)

February quick (sound)bytes

- Desperately wants a Kindle 2

- Flu shot clearly only half worked. I still got sick.

- Shoulder still hurts. It also might also be frozen.

- Chris Brown is a loser. Rihanna should dump his a*s. Even if it isn't her that he beat up, but it's looking more and more like it is. :(

- Turning 25 (again!) soon...birthday party will be in NYC this year! March 6th if you're around! :)

- Just saw He's Just Not That Into You with J this weekend. Not recommended if you're feeling jaded about boys and relationships. Otherwise, it's a cute romantic comedy.

- I'm tired. And feeling a bit sad. Good thing February is the shortest month. ;)

25 things about me...

The 25 things phenomenon has taken over Facebook, and admittedly, I've been sucked in as well. I figured it was a good list to re-post here...

1. I'm an only child. Most people (even strangers) who hear that will assume that they suddenly know everything about me or how I think. But do you really? All you know now is that I have no siblings.

2. I was born in Hong Kong and that technically makes me a member of the British Commonwealth, or a Chinese citizen. But in reality, I feel a much stronger connection to Canada, my adopted country.

3. I like hockey. I will forever have a soft spot for my hometown team, the Canucks. But for practicality reasons, I've started rooting for the Sharks. To resolve my guilt, I have jerseys from both teams.

4. Ever since I started baking seriously, I've become hyper-critical of desserts that I have to pay for.

5. The longest I've been single without a boyfriend since I was 15 years old is 6 months. I think I'm about to smash that record.

6. I have a Season Pass to record Jeopardy! on my Tivo. I like to watch it while I eat dinner on the couch.

7. I still don't really understand the Fahrenheit temperature scale, but I know enough anchor points to b.s. my way around it.

8. I have "auto-concussed" 4 times. That means I've given myself a concussion four times: twice from walking into store windows, and twice from skiing.

9. When I'm feeling sad or down, I like to go to my "spot" ... it's the bench in front of the Rothko painting at the SFMoMA. I can stare at the colour blocks for hours.

10. I like sunrises more than sunsets.

11. I like traveling alone. It gives me time to think and reflect. There are only a handful of people that I can stand traveling with; they know who they are.

12. I have an abnormal fascination with commercial aviation and airplanes.

13. When I was 12, I thought I was going to be a lawyer or a flight attendant. I'm still not sure why.

14. Most people think I'm a foodie, but I try to have McDonald's once a week.

15. Horror movies give me nightmares so I avoid them.

16. Both my high school and college best friend live over 2,000 miles away.

17. My favourite ice cream flavour is Baskin-Robbins mint chip. Nothing else comes close.

18. I am much better with words than I am with numbers.

19. Throughout high school and college, I always thought that denim should only be worn on "casual Fridays" and on the weekend when you're doing activities where you need to get dirty. Then I moved to California. Now I wear jeans on any day of the week, even though I still feel guilty if I wear them on a Monday or Tuesday.

20. I believe that the quality of a conversation diminishes exponentially with each additional person that enters it. For that reason, I prefer intimate meals with a handful of people rather than big parties.

21. I think eggs are the most versatile and amazing food in existence.

22. I believe that I put a little piece of myself in every dish and dessert that I make, and that's my way of sharing love with the people around me. So when I offer you a bite or a cookie, please don't reject me.

23. I will probably never run a marathon or take a century ride. But if you do, I can definitely be at the finish line to support you.

24. Yes, it's true. I own a lot of expensive footwear. But I've never owned a car, so in the end, the math all works out. And no, I won't tell you how many pairs of shoes I own, so don't ask me. And I won't ask you how much your car costs.

25. I think eating ice cream while in a hot bath is one of the most luxurious activities in the world.

They came. They saw. They Sundanced.

The end is just like the beginning. The cabin is quiet. The ski/snowboard crew have left for their final day of snow in the Utah mountains. Their gear has been cleared out. The food has been devoured. Four days of non-stop movie/skiing/snowboarding/eating/attempting to party is drawing to a close. 

And in the end, I wound up seeing* only 6 films:

• Toe to Toe
  
• Rudo y Cursi
  
• Amreeka
  
• Don't Let Me Drown
  
• Sin Nombre
  
• Adam (*later today)
  

Altitude sickness made me miss Tyson and The Carter, the former of which I'm especially bummed about since I hear it was a pretty sweet movie and Mike Tyson actually showed up. In any case, if I had to choose a favourite (without having seen Adam yet), it would probably be a toss-up between Amreeka and Sin Nombre. Interestingly enough, both are stories about immigration (with one being legal and one illegal), and I suppose that's a theme I can relate to. What's your citizenship? Where is your home? Where are you from? They're all simple questions that you'd think you can answer quickly...but can you? It certainly takes me multiple disclaimers to get my answer across. Does who we are and where we're from really matter? Or should we be judged on the basis of our actions alone?

I didn't expect this Sundance wrap-up post to be so hazy. Maybe the lack of oxygen going to my brain is making it all fuzzy. At some point I will do these films more justice by writing down my thoughts and sharing quotes I've been keeping in my notebook all weekend. But for now, the weekend has come full circle. The beginning was just like the end.

P.S. Random people I met/bumped into this weekend: Ricardo Antonio Chavira ("Carlos" on D.H.), Gina Torres, Cary Fukunaga (director of Sin Nombre), and few other cool indie directors. Oh, and Georges Harik, too. You can't escape the GOOG!

(Not really) Live-blogging Sundance 2009

Just arrived at Salt Lake City airport...nothing too different so far, except there are a lot of limo drivers holding signs with names that aren't mine, and there is actually a Starbucks in the airport. No dudes with multiple women in tow. No celebrity sightings. No paparazzi. Nothing out of the ordinary. Basically, I could be in any airport in America. The flight here was uneventful and uncomfortable -- Canadair Jets should really not be used anymore! 

I'm pretty stoked about being here for Sundance 2009!! After two failed attempts, I finally got my act together this year and bought tickets in time! The opening party is tonight, and then I've got around 10 movies lined up over the next four days. Probably won't actually have time to live-blog, per se, but will definitely try my best to summarize each day...stay tuned!

What can you buy with $18,975?

Use a little imagination...the explanation for this random figure comes at the end of the post. So, what *can* you buy for $18,975?

- 19,166 songs from iTunes @ $0.99 each (assuming the fixed price from before)

- 18,975 McChicken sandwiches @ $1 each

- 5,345 Iced tall soy white mochas @ $3.55 each

- 54 years' worth of the New York Times @ $6.70 per weekly subscription, or $384.40 per year

- 421 Muni monthly passes @ $45 each, or 35 years of cable car, bus and street car rides in San Francisco

- 253 MoMA memberships @ $75 each, so either you can be cultured for two lifetimes, or you and two hundred and fifty two of your closest friends can pretend to be for a year

- Dinner for 69 people at the French Laundry @ $275 each. Maybe kick some people out of the dinner party if you want to drink wine with your food.

- 34 nights in a Chateau Marmont cottage @ $550 each. Lindsay Lohan *must* be seen at least once if you stay there for over a month, right?

- 1 first class roundtrip ticket from SFO to DXB on Emirates @ $17824.87, plus a grand for spending money while in Dubai

- 1 PT Cruiser, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Rabbit, Honda Civic, or a bunch of other entry level sedans and trucks @ $18000 or less

...or, you could spend it all on a shoulder capsular repair surgery, like I did. Or well, my insurance company did. That's how much my recent shoulder surgery cost -- $18,975 plus some change. Apparently, the anaesthesia alone cost $2,000 and the recovery room was another $3,000. The American healthcare system is completely, mind-bogglingly frightening to me. Thank goodness for insurance. I'd rather spend that money on McChicken's.

Reminiscing: 2008 in food

And I thought 2007 couldn't be topped...but alas, 2008 turned out to be one of the most phenomenal culinary adventures of all time, including not one, but two 3-Michelin star restaurants (and correspondingly, two of the most expensive meals I've ever paid for). To make up for all the caloric intake, I did pick up a Wii Fit to try to work it all off...not sure it's working yet. Anyway, let's get to the list (in no particular order):

Matsuhisa Joel Robouchon at the Mansion A16 Le Pigeon SPQR Hominy Grill The Farm Espetus Farmicia Cav Park Avenue Summer Ted's Bakery Clary's Salumi Buddakan (Philadelphia) Digestif Cha-Bella Restaurant Zoe Aziza Per Se New Sammy's Cowboy Bistro Memphis Minnie's South Stumptown Coffee COCO500 Momofuku Ssam Voodoo Doughnuts Giovanni's Shrimp Truck Bon Chon Lady & Sons Beverly Soon Tofu Park Fora Elizabeth on 37th Lu's Kitchen the girl & the fig Quince Alan Wong's The Herb Box Giordano's

Wow. And that's just some of the more memorable / travel-related places!

Most disappointing canceled food product - Starbucks almond syrup. It's gone, along with my favourite drink of all time -- iced tall almond soy latte. :( They tell me that it'll be back this Februrary with a "limited edition" drink, but still, the damage has been done.

Longest lines for a local favourite - (tied 3-way) Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland, Oregon, Giovanni's Shrimp Truck on Oahu, and sandwiches at Salumi (yes, Mario Batali's family's place) in Seattle, Washington.

Most random location for a gourmet meal - that would be, without a doubt, New Sammy's Cowboy Bistro in Talent, Oregon. Located near the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, this place is literally in the middle of nowhere, with some of the best locally-sourced ingredients and gourmet cuisine.

Best celebrity chef encounter - Chef Joel Robouchon, at his restaurant Joel Robouchon at the Mansion at MGM in Vegas. Apparently, Chef has "just arrived from Tokyo" and took the time to chitchat and pose for a picture with us. Awesome.

Most random celebrity 'encounter' - That would be Miss Lindsay Lohan herself at Matsuhisa in LA, not too long after she was "cleaned up". She *did* spend a lot of time in the bathroom...suspicious.

Best decor - (tied) the downtown location of Stumptown Coffee in Portland, and Joel Robouchon at the Mansion. The former was a great example of industrial chic, and the latter was the most luscious "living room" I've ever been in, complete with beautifully upholstered banquettes and dark purple floral arrangements throughout.

Most elaborate meal - (tied) 16 courses at Joel Robouchon vs. 10 (?) at Per Se. There were four courses just dedicated to truffle alone at JR. Two of the best restaurants in the country (and in the world), two of the best meals of my life.

Weirdest thing I ate that I really liked - the bacon maple bar from Voodoo Doughnuts. Basically a maple-glazed long john-shaped doughnut with a piece of bacon on top. Awesome. Addictive.

Best eating trip - the Pacific Northwest road trip in July takes the cake. Some of the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer including Le Pigeon, The Farm, New Sammy's Cowboy Bistro and much much more.

Best dessert - this is somewhat unexpected, but I'm going to have to go with the buttermilk pie at Hominy Grill in Charleston, NC. It's not fancy, and it's not fussy, but it was damn good.

Best meal for under a dollar - Turkish pide (flatbread with meat and potatoes inside) from a random store in Istanbul for 1 lira...that's like 60 cents.

Favourite place where I ate repeatedly on the same trip - The Herb Box at DC Ranch in Scottsdale. Awesome sandwiches and salads, and the desserts aren't half bad either. Mmmm cheesecake lollipops...

Coolest "perk" in a meal - the tour of the Per Se kitchen and private dining room after our dinner. Did you know that they have a room dedicated (and climate-controlled) just to making chocolate?! And that the entire French Laundry (dining room and kitchen) can fit into just the kitchen at Per Se?

Favourite protein of the year - pork belly. Hands down.

What culinary adventures does 2009 bring? Not sure yet, but a few places I have my eye on: Alinea (Chicago) , Sukiyabashi Jiro (Tokyo), Momofuku Ko (NYC) and many many more...

Reminiscing: 2008 in travel

Another year of crazy plane-hopping, jetsetting, and general travel mayhem. I think this year, there was generally more restraint and more domestic-ness in my travels. I did my first ever day-trip to LA for work, and even flew coach to Europe. (Don't try it at home...babies and people who kick your seat for 14 hours straight suck.) Didn't make it back to 1K, but at least I'll be Premier Exec again next year. :)

So here are 2008's cities in no particular order:

Tahoe Honolulu Savannah Portland Orlando New York City Boston Munich Las Vegas Vancouver Charleston Whistler Flagstaff Scottsdale Napa Seattle Klamath Istanbul Ashland Phoenix Albuquerque Sonoma Grand Canyon Los Angeles Denver Chicago Frankfurt Arcadia Mcminnville Kaneohe

Miles flow - 51,509

Most surprising hotel - W Istanbul. Cooler, hipper, and way less tired-looking than any of its Stateside cousins. They really *do* do things differently in Europe.

Most random flight itinerary - SFO - Denver - Orlando - Chicago - Portland - SFO. Ew. The things we do for work.

Shortest trip - 12 hours in LA. Took the 6am flight out, and came home on the 6pm flight. Again, the things we do for work.

Longest trip (without a plane) - 10-day road trip up the Pacific Northwest. I love the Pacific Northwest!

Most nerve-racking travel moment - (tied) Locking the keys in the trunk of a car during said road trip (I had to climb through the luckily-open sun roof to pop the trunk) in Ashland. Being almost run off the road coming back from the Grand Canyon in the middle of the night by a giant trucker going 90MPH. Uphill. My crappy rental PT Cruiser didn't stand a chance.

Most awkward place to visit - Albuquerque, New Mexico. Went there for a friend's wedding -- turns out that every other Asian person we saw at the airport, the restaurants, and the city were all there for the same wedding.

Most awkward tourist attraction - Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. It was eerily beautiful, and extremely popular due to the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. But I still felt like I was trespassing the entire time I was there.

Most visited cities this year (and frequency) - Vancouver & New York City (3), Los Angeles, Boston & Las Vegas (2)

Shortest time between 2 continents - 15 minutes. We went from Europe to Asia in just 15 minutes on a ferry in Istanbul. There was no "Welcome to Asia" sign on the other side. I was disappointed.

Most thematic tourist destination - Ashland, Oregon. Home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, almost every hotel, restaurant and store in town is named after something Bard-related, including the Best Western Bard's Inn.

All beds, and breakfasts, too - This year, I finally took advantage of the actual breakfast portion of B&B (unlike last year). My two favourites would be Morical House in Ashland for its contemporary modern design and yummy food, and the A'Tuscan Estate in Mcminnville for its delicious gourmet breakfasts (ostrich egg omelets!).

Best "3 Days or Less..." destination - Well, it was more like 4 days, but Istanbul, Turkey takes the cake. So it's a bit crazy to fly halfway around the world for 4 days, but hey, why not?

This year, I'll probably be taking it easy due to my shoulder recovery. But there are still some interesting travel destinations on the horizon...including my first Sundance in January, maybe cherry blossoms in Japan in March, and some eating trips here and there. :)

Reminiscing: 2008 in words

Another year. Wow. I always love doing the "Reminiscing" series of posts each year...especially since that's how I first started this blog. In addition to the usual "Travel" and "Food" reminiscing, I wanted to add a new category this year -- "Words" -- general thoughts and words about the year that don't fit into the travel or food categories.

So here goes:

Slow down - my new motto for the year. Slow down so you don't trip and fall and end up having shoulder surgery. Slow down so you don't give yourself a concussion in the bathroom mirror. Slow down in general.

Happily ever after. But not for everyone - Congrats to many friends who tied the knot this year, especially to Mendel and Derek. While I'm still shocked and dismayed that Prop 8 passed in California, I'm so glad that M&D were able to get married in Boston. My hope for 2009 is that *everyone* can tied the knot and live happily ever after as they choose.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose - Still working on this one. Still complicated. Still somewhat unresolved.

Recession - ouch. Horrible year in 2008 for money and all things investing related. How it will actually affect us remains to be seen in 2009.

Obama - almost made me want to be American! (Emphasis on the word "almost") I love his mind *and* his body (LOL). Well done, Americans.

3 Days or Less... - new blog. New identity. New outlet!

Angels - never underestimate the presence of angels in your life. They are present in friends and family members all around you. I'm grateful to all of you that have helped me out in some way/shape/form this year. Thank you.

2009, here we come!

P.S. Travel and Food reminiscing to follow...stay tuned!