So I kinda lied about traveling

As I sit in our living room sorting photos and planning the upcoming long weekends, I realize I should never speak too soon. Chances are, I will be using my passport quite a bit these next few months. Oh well.

Despite the excessive need to flee the country, I'm pretty excited to be diving back into my daily routine of taking the train to work, sipping morning coffee and attempting evening jogs. Imagine that!

Before I do, I'd like to tell you about the most amazing week I had. I was away in San Francisco for a little while catching up with old friends. This was followed by a few awesome days at our Global Sales Conference in Burlingame. Each day I'm at this company, I can't help but feel inspired and extremely grateful.

My previous MD, now a good friend, and I were just reminiscing how I had once expressed during an interview, my desire to work on a subject I could relate to. Back then I had thought, I just need something that I care about and would be happy immersing in. Something I'd want to live and breathe.

And here I am, living and breathing all of this. Good times.

Job aside, there are lotsa other things that make me happy. Meyer lemon meringue tart for one. This one from Boulette's Larder is the best. Neither too tart nor too sweet. Perfection in a slice

Meeting up with a long-time (not old) friend over coffee. Trung, you're so spontaneously awesome


Spending a day at wine country with a girlfriend. PS: Borina, on hindsight I should've snuck a few more bottles of wine back!


Rockstar photobooth shots

And coming home to the bf of course :)

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Just a taste

Raspberry macaron I made at Le Cordon Bleu

I have a gazillion photos of Paris and Barcelona, though we'll have to settle with these from my phone cause poor PC is dying and can't handle the load. Come on Dell Inspiron circa twenty 07. You can do it!

This recent trip was a short yet eventful one. It's like taking the smallest sliver from a gigantic wheel of European cheese and savoring every moment of its pungent deliciousness. Slowly disintegrating the rind between your teeth and letting the creaminess melt into your tongue.

If you're a cheese lover, you'll know what I mean.

The highlights of my travel didn't just end at Charles de Gaulle (pronounced Shahl-duh-gool) but rather continued with my visit to Facebook's HQ in Palo Alto. Every second in the building kept me drunk with optimism and excitement for what we do on a daily basis. It's hard to feel anything but in love so I've included shots from Silicon Valley as well :)

Taken during my Frenchiest lunch ever, and I say this with much affection

Here at Chez George, an obscure restaurant recommended by Alexander Lobrano, everyone is chattering over lunch in fluent French. There is no doubt I was the only non-local in there attempting to hide my flaws with even more flawed French. Tables are kept apart by a mere inch of air. The room was dimly lit, and the decor was mostly paintings, pans and mirrored walls.

I was placed next to 4 well-heeled men who were sitting at a table for four; though in the oddest arrangement ever! 3 to one side and 1 on the other ??? Halfway through his meal of simple pasta with freshly-shaved truffles (I checked the menu and it was 60 Euros a pop!) one of the gents looked over and poured me a glass of Pinot Noir. It was hard not to eavesdrop as this same gent kept pestering his companion to order le fromage. "Pascal loves cheeeese" he explained after asking if I liked traditional French food.

Across from where I sat was a group of theatrical-looking people. It's probably not clear from the picture above, but the lady in the back had a face I've only ever seen in French cartoons! It was really small and shaped like a heart with even bangs lining the forehead. Atop, was an oversized black bow. To complement the look, she had painted her cheeks with shocking pink macaron-sized circles. One on each side. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail that looked like it was snipped at the end, while still held up with a rubberband. She was skinny and fully clothed from head to toe in black. It wowed me to no end. I couldn't help but feel that she could be someone famous I just don't know.

The view from my humble hotel on Valentine's eve. I missed you hon!


Having fun at Miu Miu


What I covet but couldn't bring myself to buy

Cruella deville on her way to Denver

I spy with my little eye...

Day trip to Mont Saint Michel. It was beautiful with so much history behind it. To think monks used to risk their lives making their way there. I'd reveal more, though I'll just ruin it for you. Wiki does it better :)

Fluffy omelet that deflates in your mouth, a Normandy favorite


Seriously, the room I want to have meetings in everyday


$25 worth of fluffiness


At the Google campus

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Quick update

Remember those travel plans I had? Well, I'm back and won't be traveling for a bit now. At least not till April. I'll write more about Paris and Barcelona when I can though you must know, because I feel compelled to share, that I post most updates on Facebook now cause it's just soooo much easier.

What do you mean you haven't signed up for Facebook??! More than 600 million people are already on it! What are you waiting for? I'm talking to you Viv. Lol. I have to admit. This obsession is what led to a recent change in career. Naturally.

Thanks Stephen, Joe and Laura for being so supportive and the best references I could ever ask for. Here's to week 3!

Gong xi gong xi gong xi ni

Yes, I can still do Chinese songs. After all, I do have Jay Chou on my nano playlist - as my rather astounded coworker observed some months ago. In fact, I just sang 安靜 over karaoke this afternoon. But tomorrow, I shall sing 恭喜恭喜恭喜你.

It's too bad lil' sis can't join us this Chinese New Year. Boy do I remember those years when I had to spend CNY overseas. Where a handful of professors would remember to wish the Chinese students, while others just slogged through lectures without a word. Occasionally there were the eventful ones spent with Asian friends; notably that night in London when Suen threw a steamboat party and a bowl of spicy soup all over herself. Good times.

I'm home again for the my 3rd consecutive CNY since living in the States. It's nice to do reunion dinner with the fam, collect lai see, hear relatives comment about our fluctuating weight and stuff my face with pineapple tarts. This time, I even get to light some fireworks with my dad who got them from a reliable source. Call me if you're interested. Lol.

Here's to a prosperous year of the Rabbit with lotsa great things to celebrate, good health and good fortune all round! 恭喜发财 y'all!

Good to be home

A wee Christmas present

...for me

Rebecca Taylor quilted silk corset in 'tea.' Big ♥

I'll be home for Christmas this year. Can't wait to sit by the Christmas tree with family and open gifts in our PJs. That's one of the great things about having a big family (of girls with good taste and a generous father). Psyched!

Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you get to spend time with your family too.

Travel dates cont.

Guess where to?

I wish I could post pictures of all the beautiful things that captivated me these past months. As well as those from our recent trips and celebrations of all things good. But alas, I can't. At least not now. Don't fret though. I'll be tweeting bit by bit through the weeks. I do miss this blooog :)

Sweet tweets>

Yes. I'm still here

And if you knew how busy I've been, you'd forgive me.

It's only looking busier too. Eep! Fingers crossed I don't kill myself (or the bf) this holiday season.

Days I'll be traveling

To summarize this past month: Amsterdam kicked ass. Canals are pretty. Cycling's cool. Herring smells funny. Smashpot's overrated. Oliebollen's a cross between a you tiao and a donut. I love, absolutely LOVE, Incanto. Fifteen was an experience and a long walk from central. Red lights are diff from purple ones. Green is good. Sinterklaas is a slave-driver? London was colder. Portobello market's as lovely as I remember. Gold Mine wasn't. Borough market's yummy. Monmouth cafe reminds me of Blue Bottle. Pierre Herme set up 2 stores. The bf's getting a new toy. The big sis got her new toy. Baby Travis is in the building everyone! I've lost my appetite. Macarune's last MVPS of '10 is on the 19th. And I'm short 3 presents for Christmas.