The Good of All Outcomes

Results are emailed out. You receive an email. You are scared to read it, hopefully you got it or it's officially done. You hope in the little excerpt of the entire email in your notifications will tell you the two typical words you look for: "unfortunately" and "congratulations" (or something along the lines of those words meaning you got it or you didn't).

Today, I got two emails. These were the results I was mentioning about in the previous post. One good and one bad.

The good news is I finally officially declared my major as Business Administration with a concentration in Entertainment and Hospitality Management! Woot woot! There's a process to it and even though for this, there isn't really a denial to the action of declaring one's major, it can be turned down if requirements aren't fulfilled and so forth. Anyways, officially declared! Ahhh! No longer does it say "Pre-Business." Yes!

The bad news is... Do you want to guess? I did not get an executive board position for a club at CSUF for 2018-2019 school year. I am a little sad, but I knew that I wouldn't get it after my interview. There was just a vibe in me that told me. However, I did the best I could do, with still being sick during the interview (still currently, a cough I can't get rid of).

And you know what? I am okay. Failure does not define a person. A person is defined by what he or she does after failing. One can stand back up from where one fell or do the complete opposite. Failure helps a person grow and learn from failing. I also think this failure is helping me to ready myself when failure happens in the future, when situations are more pressing than before.

People may see these two news as a win and lose, but I see it as a win and a win. What do you see? At the end of the day, YOU get to choose how you see the outcomes in your life.

The Big Two Zero

My my my, two decades around the Sun. I turned 20 about two weeks ago and shared my birthday by celebrating pandas as it was Panda Day (so happy to share my day with my favorite animal). It's crazy how time flies. I remember being anxious to start college, and now, here I am, as a second year in college. Almost halfway done with my college career. But who knew being 20 would feel like a wrecking ball swinging in all directions.

I was sick on my birthday. It got worse when the weekend came around. The following week of school was tough, but luckily, I had no exams. I just had to make it through one more week before Spring Break. I got this, I told myself. Then Spring Break came around, now halfway done as well and all these choices through at me. Decisions to make, opportunities to jump on, but there's a catch. The opportunities collide with other opportunities, events, or plans. Now, what do I do?

It feels like that getting sick when I'm officially 20 was a sign. A sign telling me that from here on out, nothing and I mean nothing will be black and white. There will be grey times where I will have to come to decisions that are hard to make. I will be torn in all directions. Some decisions would work out and others won't, like how a wrecking ball may do a great job tearing down a building for construction but may do more damage than needed. But hey, isn't that life for all of us? Full of tasks and jobs to get done. A list that never ends. Things that will keep us awake at night.

I cannot say I am ready for it all just yet, but I'm definitely glad to get an added spoonful of sprinkles of it to get my feet wet even more to understand the world of adulting.

There is some news I am waiting upon to see and possibly share with you, my fellow readers soon but for now to keep you updated with what is happening with me is a bunch of paper planes flying and zooming around in my head. Some paper planes know where they want to land in my head and others are ramming into the walls of the inside of my head. I'll see what happens soon.

Before I leave this post, I just want to say another shout out to Women's History Month. Thank you to all the women who have inspired us all over the years and to all the women out there, you rock. Keep being you and making the rest of us proud and happy to stand together.

Simple Foodie 2018 Beginnings

Happy Women's History Month everyone! I am so proud I get to live in a time where so many strong women are standing up for what they believe in and are inspiring the women force to pursue their dreams and passions. Go us!

It is already mid-March now. Time sure flies by and I was in the midst of midterms and finally got a free week before more exams come up. To catch up on some things I have been up to lately, here are some food adventures I like to share with everyone. Enjoy!


January 3 
Place: Pizza Hut

A little lazy beginning of the year. My family and I decided to get some pizza. We got one pizza topped with mushrooms, bell peppers, and stuffed crust and another topped with pepperoni, bell peppers, and mushrooms. My parents and I never had stuffed crust before and I have to say, it was really good. Stuffed crust definitely makes the pizza more filling and you feel fuller after eating a slice. Extra cheesy pizza never hurts either.

January 10 

Place: Hanashima 

I went Hanashima with my mommy dearest, the per usual. Something simple and we love our Japanese food. I tried something different and got the Teriyaki Chicken with Shrimp and Unagi choice. It was really good! It's always nice to change up the order choice every now and then. 

January 14
Place: Han Bat Shul Lung Tang

I didn't feel so good this day, but luckily, after some Korean soup with my mom and sister, I felt better. Then we got some food at Square Mixx to go for my dad. We also got stopped by Crafted Donuts and got the following donuts: Lemon Poppy Seed, Banana Cream Pie, Blood Orange, and a Buttermilk plain one (I can't remember what it's called officially...). After a little bit of resting at home, my mom, sister, and I headed out again to Santa Anita Mall for my sister to find some eye and face cream products. Santa Anita Mall is definitely decorated and ready for Chinese New Year!

Place: Santa Anita Mall

Place: Crafted Donuts 

January 15
Place: Noodle Cafe

A family lunch at Noodle Cafe. Woot woot! Love having noodles on a cold winter day. For dinner, my mom and sister made some salmon egg rice beancurd wrap. They were SO good. Nothing beats homemade food. Ever.

Food: Homemade Salmon egg rice beancurd wrap

January 18
Place: Shaka's

I went out with a friend and we went to Shaka's and shared two choices, the Saimin Noodle Soup and Loco Moco dish. My auntie and uncle recommended these two dishes so I finally tried them both! They were pretty good. I liked the Loco Moco; it was a little bit heavier than I expected, but it was still very filling. A happy camper!

January 19
Place: Embassy Kitchen

A stop at Embassy Kitchen with the parents. I always love the Steam Rice with Shrimp Wrap in Lotus Leaf. It's so good! The other two choices were Steamed Bean Curd with Slia Sole and Black Bean Sauce, and Sliced Chicken with Vegetable. The Steamed Bean Curd with Slia Sole and Black Bean Sauce was really good too! This place never disappoints.

January 23 

Place: Noodle Express and Zero Express

First week back in school for the Spring semester and it already felt rough. My friend Gabi and I went out for lunch after our Film Music class at Noodle Express. Still loving noodles! Then we stopped at Zero Express and I got myself an earl grey tea drink. It will be my last earl grey drink there because the cashier told us that they are not serving anymore earl grey. Oh wells. These things happen. Must enjoy the now. That goes for anything really. 

January 27 

Place: Peach Cafe 

First week of school calls for a first weekend brunch with the family. We went to Peach Cafe in Monrovia to get ourselves some breakfast. Mmm mmm good! We decided to get a side of corn bread. So good! We'll be doing that more when we stop by. 

 

January 28 

Place: Descanso Gardens, Luna Grill and Baked Bear 

January 28 was the day of free museum entries at certain museums for anyone. Descanso Gardens was one of them. My family and I haven't been there for a long time, so we decided to go. Due to the winter and harsh winds, there were no flowers, no colorful sceneries. BUT nature, purely green and brown, is still beautiful all on its own. Photoed here is one of the pictures I took indoors. Most pictures are on the Nikon camera back at home, saving them for another time to post! After walking around and taking pictures, we got lunch at one of our favorite Mediterranean food places, Luna Grill. While my parents waited for the rice order, my sister and I headed to Baked Bear to get some dessert. We got a Hot Brownie Bowl topped with Bear Batter ice cream. It is similar to a pizookie at BJ's. It got sweet after several too many bites, so I definitely recommend sharing one with someone or with many.  We also got a batch of cookies for the parentals. To finish off the day, we went to the last sign hunt on my sister's list from the beginning of January and made it to the infinity sign. A well spent day with loved ones. (:

January 30 

Place: Fullerton apartments with Luigi's D'Italia Pizza

A long overdue roommate dinner. My roommates and I finally got the time to get together and bond on a deeper level. 

 February 7

Place: Fullerton apartments with Baja Fresh

Another roommate dinner on a Wednesday night. I never tried Baja Fresh before, let alone Chipotle. I got a bowl with a mix of rice, chicken, black beans, lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, and guac. It was pretty good, very filling. It did give me a little of a funny feeling in my stomach later, but for the time being when I ate it, it was good. 

February 8

Food: Home with Japanese purple yams 

There are these chewy purple yams my mom buys and cooks that my sister and I love so much. My mom marinated them for a day and cooked them for us. They were delicious! 

February 10

Place: Phoenix 

My parents and I went to Phoenix for lunch. It was so good! I love eating Chinese food when I am back in my hometown. Rarely do the Gastronome at my school serve any Chinese meals, other than Pho every Tuesday (which is categorize under Vietnamese food).

February 17

Place: Young Dong Tofu and 85C Bakery Cafe

My sister wanted Korean food, so my family and I headed to Young Dong Tofu for lunch. This place serves amazing tofu soup and their chicken is delicious. If you like something warm and fuzzy for your stomach, I would recommend this place. 

We stopped by 85C Bakery Cafe before we headed home for some bread and dessert. My family have been trying different bakery taro cake slices, so my mom can choose the best one for her birthday cake. I missed the first taro cake slice from Diamond Bakery, but I was able to try this one! The taro cake slice was very light and not too heavy, which I really liked.  

February 18

Place: El Pollo Loco 

When you have coupons for El Pollo Loco, what do you do? Use it! My parents and I finally used the Family Chicken Meal coupon that weekend. I personally love the salsa. I am not a fan of spicy foods, but the salsa's spiciness gives the chicken just a little kick that I like. Plus we get the mild salsa. (: Therefore, very little kick when I taste it. We got the 12 Piece Meal option. I had two drumsticks, two thighs, two servings of each of the following sides: macaroni and cheese, Spanish rice, and mash potatoes and gravy. Yes, I would say I can eat. I may have a small mouth, but I got a big appetite and big stomach. Happy tummies all around for lunch. We ended up with some leftover chicken and sides. 

For dinner, I had 1.5 thighs, a bowl of porridge, and half a bowl of rice. We were able to finish all the chicken pieces by dinner. Definitely a coupon well spent.  

February 19

Place: Dim Sum at 888 Seafood Restaurant

I have been craving Dim Sum for a while, so my parents took me to get Dim Sum at 888 Seafood Restaurant. It was my first time there and I have to say, I really liked it. The food was less greasy compared to other Dim Sum restaurants we tried in the past. The price for each steamer basket was a little pricier than prices at other Dim Sum restaurants (just by a little), but you honestly get what you paid for. It's worth it.

February 22 

Food: Homemade Chicken and Tomatoes with New Avenue Jellyfish 

My parents picked me up from Fullerton and I come home to some leftover food from dinner that night for me. I love it! I get to eat again! The jellyfish was so good as always and the chicken was really juicy and nicely shredded. Love my mom's cooking! 

February 23 

Place: JJ² Bakery 

Before I went to work at my internship, I would go grocery shopping with my mom. We bought some groceries at Sprouts; then we headed to JJ² Bakery to buy some bread and taro cake slice. This was the third taro flavored cake slice my family bought and it was my mom's favorite one. I liked it too, but I still liked 85C Bakery Cafe just a smidge more. 

February 24 

Place: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

February 24 was the day I met my mentor for the first time. I decided to participate in a Mentor/Mentee Program at my college. I was excited yet so nervous that day. My tummy was full of butterflies. Alas, my mentor came through the door and we started talking. I was still nervous throughout the time we met, but my nerves slowly dissipated. The meeting went well and I am so happy and excited to be mentored by him! 

March 2 

Food: Homemade Chicken Wings 

Another weekend with homemade cooking from my mommy dearest. My sister has been craving chicken wings for the longest of time and finally, my mom was able to buy good-looking chicken wings (yes, chicken wings have to be good-looking too) at the market. They were phenomenal. I hope my mom's cooking skills will somehow be genetic, so I can embody the skill to make amazing food one day. I will learn!

March 3 

Place: Embassy Kitchen and Lady M

A family lunch trip to Embassy Kitchen. I think the noodles dish was my favorite this time around. It included meat and pickles but the pickles did not overpower the noodles or meat flavor. The noodles were very smooth and silky. The eggs with shrimp would be my second favorite. The eggs were so smooth. So smooth as a baby's palm. So good. The porridge was my least favorite, only because the peanuts in it were overpowering in my opinion and I am not a huge fan of peanuts in my porridge. 

Later that day, my mom and sister went to do some shopping and stopped by the store Lady M and bought some cake. Lady M is known for their twenty paper-thin handmade layered cakes. The cakes are very fluffy. It somewhat just melts in your mouth. My sister has been wanting to try the earl grey flavored cake, and finally Lady M had it when she went! It turned out to be not as pleasing for my sister, but I liked it. It was a little stronger in the flower taste department, but it was still light. I think the green tea flavored cake is my family's favorite overall out of the cakes we tried from Lady M.

March 4

Place: Jasmine House

A long overdue trip to the movie theatres to watch the one and only... Black Panther. The movie was wonderful. I loved it. I love how it's an empowering movie, and it inspires the new generation of America to believe in themselves and fight for what they believe in. Black Panther is one of my favorite Marvel's superhero now. 

As for lunch, we got take out from Jasmine House. Huge portions for low prices, which is the best.