I experienced the most disgusting thing today at the gym. I decided to take my favorite class today (Ki Factor) and in the end, the instructor had us grab mats to stretch on. I lay my arms down on the mat and I realized it was wet. So I just turned it around. And it was still wet. Gross, right? Gets worse. It stank. The mat. The portion of my body that touched the mat. Know what it smelled like? An old man that sweats a lot that has bad freakin B.O. I took an extra long shower after my workout.

I was on TV today. We went to a taping of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire when I was out in New York, and it aired today. Only, any joe schmo watching the show wouldn't be able to tell it's me. It was for about 0.5 seconds when the camera pans out and shows the audience right before it heads for commercial. I was wearing a white tank top when they told us to wear dark clothing, so I was able to spot myself in that split second. :)

Went to go watch Shakespeare in the Park yesterday. It was so freakin cold... we all left at intermission. I would have liked to stay, but it was just way too windy. The sound was pretty bad too. I don't think we missed out on too much by leaving early. Next time I won't wait til the last minute and take advantage of the warm weather.

I've had this craving for ramen the past 2 days. The thick noodle spicy kind... like Noguri or Shin Ramen... with an egg... and some green onions. YUM. I don't think I've had that stuff for over a year. Because of my dad's health, we've all had to eat "healthier" at home. I had ramen maybe a few months ago, but it was the healthier version. The noodles weren't fried. It tastes ok, but just doesn't compare. The only time I get white rice is at church. :(

Funky piece of art at Millenium Park. Can you see me? 

Freaky Fountains... the faces change... and the people blink and open and close their mouths.  

Buckingham Fountain... Sears Tower in the background 

Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower 

corn on the cob buildings... really, i think that's what they're referred to 

Mirror maze 

View from my hotel room 

I don't think I fully realize how good I have it at this job. Yes, I know... shut up, right?

Whenever I have to go talk to my boss about something, I get really nervous right before... and I put it off for a few hours. But then after I talk to him, I tell myself I was so stupid for being nervous. He's super nice. A great boss to work for. Today he pulled me into his office to ask me about my trip to Chicago. He loves to chat.

Sorry but there's already a waiting list for any openings here. Sarah is first on the list... any other takers, line up.

I'm back in my San Francisco cubicle and I'm loving it. It felt a little weird stepping in the elevator this morning though.

We got a new coffee machine in the kitchen. It's quite a novelty... so people aren't really sure how to work it. And there's no coffee in the pot at all, so if you want to drink it, you have to make a new pot. Looks like I'll be drinking more coffee now.

I'm prepared to have no life beginning this week. I have to STUDY!

Where do I even begin describing my night out? It was quite an interesting experience to say the least.

We got to the club around 11pm, and it was completely empty. The place is huge. Lower level is like a sports bar... pool tables, arcades, tvs. First level they were playing like greatest hits from the 70's-90's. Second floor they were playing techno/house/latin music. I guess it was Latin night... they said they played more hip hop on Friday nights. But I'm not about to go back there tonight. But it was mostly hispanic people and they were dancing salsa/meringue. Pretty cool to see... Hispanic guys and girls can really move.

I was one of two asians there that night. The other asian was a really short bald guy... think of how a typical asian guy dances, then put him in a salsa setting. Yeah... interesting to see. Of course the night wouldn't be complete without your racial insult/pick-up line. There were A LOT of old people there. Like men in their 40's and 50's. Kind of gross.

Later on at night a band called Bandaleros played 2 sets. They were REALLY good. I don't know how to dance to that kind of music, so I just sat up top and listened to them play. I need to try something different than hip hop... I've always wanted to go to those salsa clubs where they give you a lesson before.

The people that I met that night was an experience in itself. Let's just say... you should consider yourself VERY lucky you didn't run into them yourselves.

I think I've had it for adventures in Chicago... I'm sticking to shopping and museums.

This is where my sister will be working. Pretty cool, eh?

The restaurant yesterday was funny. It's called Ed Debevicks. 50's type diner... so I went in thinking, maybe this girl has it wrong. It looks very much like a family environment... I even see kids eating here!

Then we get seated and the waiter comes and says, "Menus are on the table. I'll be back in 3 minutes to get your order. If you can't decide what to eat in 3 minutes, you don't deserve to eat." and walked away. Hilarious. He was really nice though. Supposedly, the waiters get up on the counter and sing a song (kind of like Monica in Friends?) but we didn't get to see that.

This girl and I are going to check out this club tonight. It's kind of funny because this ajushee and ajumma want to join us there. We'll see how the evening goes.

CONGRATULATIONS to my sister! She got a job at a nice little salon. I told her it was almost too easy. Didn't get very much detail about what kind of place it is because we kept catching each other at a bad time. But once I find out the name of the salon I'll post up a link. :)

The training sessions are getting better. I've been discovering more shopping places during my lunch hour. hahaha. someone help me! I've had a few almost-celebrity encounters at work. There's a guy in my training class that sounds EXACTLY like Ray Romano from Everybody Loves Raymond. hehe. And a speaker today reminded me a lot of Billy Bob Thorton.

I had dinner with Jane Moon yesterday. It's nice to have a familiar face in a new city. I'm headed out to dinner now. Apparently, this girl in my training session found out about a restaurant where they waiters treat you like crap. She has a weird sense of humor. But we're supposed to go to Navy Pier tonight, so I'm excited.

I'm in Chicago right now for training. I'm a loner. I'm a loser. hahaha.

1. I didn't know Chicago was only a 2 hour time difference from San Francisco... I thought, East side of the US... must be 3 hours. That broke the ice at my table.
(=loser)

2. My stomach let out the biggest growl this morning. I'm sure everyone in the room heard, but everyone was polite enough not to snicker. (=Loser)

3. The people in the training session are all old... well, not OLD, but much older than I am. So I hang out alone. (=LOSER)

I don't think I can do this travel life. Eating dinner alone... walking around alone.. .just not my thing. Give me a call, friends. hahaha.

I gave myself quite a scare this week. I have chocolate cravings once in a while. But the amount I consumed this past week is enough to disgust even Sarah. To my future husband... this is just an advanced apology for what I'll put you through when I'm pregnant.

Congrats to my sister! She is a licensed cosmetologist. Now comes the hard part... looking for a job. She told my mom yesterday if I go out to New York for work, she's going to follow me out there and look for a job. My mom's immediate answer: NO! Her reasoning? Who's going to give me haircuts? I can't fly out to New York everytime. hahaha. So it's ok for me to go to New York for work, but my sister has some persuading to do.

We went out to dinner at Belden place to celebrate. Little alley in the middle of the financial district with outside seating... lights strung up above. Very cute. Very loud. But good. We ate at Cafe Tiramisu... good food, but I think my parents were a little sad about the small portions. I want to check out the other restaurants there too.

Today is just going to be a little random:

- My sister is taking her California Cosmetology State Board exam at this very moment. Wish her luck.

- I was talking on the phone with Sylvia yesterday... I told her I was getting every practice problem wrong and she said, "Something must be wrong with the test." :) I only wish... but thanks for making me smile.

- Kenneth, if I ever want to impress a guy, I'll give you a call and request the special scent potion.

- My boss is super nice. Last week, he pulled me into the office to show me what the weather was going to be like in New York. Yesterday and today, he came by and sat on my desk to ask me about my trip.

- I love Brazilian food.

Karen & Chris 

Paul, Derek, Chris 

New York 

New York was a lot of fun. Definitely want to go back, now that I have the touristy things out of the way. I wanted to list all the highlights of my trip, but I think there are just too many. Pictures will be posted tonight (hopefully).

We'll see if I make the move out there within 2 years' time.

NEW YORK HERE I COME!!!!!!!!

This morning on the MUNI, this lady was listening to her discman and really got into the music. At first she was just bobbing her head to the music. Then I hear this humming and I look over and she's dancing in her seat. :)

To enjoy something that much...

To have that I'm-so-content-right-now-I-don't-care-what-anyone-thinks, kind of confidence...

:)