Gift

My friend Genie came over last weekend and brought me this gift.

She's now temporarily staying in UK, and she had this idea of the gift she wanted to buy for me, but it couldn't be found in UK, so she asked her mom to buy in taiwan and brought to US while they traveled with tour group to west coast.

I love this gift. It really surprised me and I almost burst out tears after we opened the wrapping paper. In fact it's not common for us taiwanese to buy this kind of decoration. I know some people buy hello kitty couple for friends who're going to get married, or some random couple characters, or couple dolls, but I've never seen anyone getting gift like this kind. I really love it and it means a lot to me.

Thanks a lot Genie! Your gift is the first couple thing and first congrates we received in our house! Now I finally am getting more and more used to the "couple" type of living style, and things have been working out much better than i expected. Oh by the way, my bf proposed last saturday. :) So i guess i'm an engaged woman now... ?

(Wow... that title still scares me a bit... hehehe... :P)

Mmm... let's get some money lucks and sweep away bad ones...

SF Cherry Blossom Festival

It was a warm sunny Sunday, and i had a chance to get to see one of the biggest parades in San Francisco- Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan Town.

That was my first time to Japan town. I didn't know there's this one corner in san francisco city that everything's just decorated exactly in japaense style and sells exact japanese stuff. Once in a while i thought i was walking in one of the streets in japan. Guys and girls dressed japanese traditional clothes and kimino passing us by, no matter they're asians or latinos or caucasions or blacks, no matter the style is from Tokugawa era (德川家康時代) or Ninja (忍者) uniform or animation characters, no matter what age group they're at. It was like everything you know about japan suddenly showed up in front of you at the same time, but they're not purely japan but mixed with all colors of skins and all styles of cultures. A lot of contradictory and conflicts but all stay in a peaceful status. I can't really describe that awkward feelings of the whole scenes.

Anyway it's quite fun and a new experience to me. You can see more photos from here. Enjoy!

- Japanese sword contest

- Babies in the parade

- Energetic god servants

- Kimono dancers

- Anime characters

- Crazy clown dancers

- Nude butt wine makers

North Cali Coast

Heard of this saying, that when you find all the doors in front of you seem to be closed, God will always open a window for you. And this is how i felt last weekend.

It was the first weekend my bf was away from home ever since i came to bay area. i was a bit nervous with the unpredictable upcoming days, especially the two lonely weekends. The weather had been beautiful, and i didn't feel like staying home watching tv, so i called his best friend steve to see if he's up to a hike. He didn't answer the phone neither answer my message. The next morning, still no answer. So i called my friend sally in toronto for some chat, but she didn't pick up her mobile either. i lay on the bed, kept thinking what i could do on my own today, and finally decided to take a walk to safeway and maybe do some shopping, the phone rang.

It wasn't sally. It was steve. he found the missing calls and messages just now, and surprisingly he agreed to go hiking. It felt like a strike of sunshine came out thru heavy clouds, and the first thing i thought was "Ya!! God heard me again!:)" So i jumped up from the bed at once and did a quick wash and got ready to wait for steve's coming.

We went to the coast and hiked up to watch point. It was a short walk around 1 mile but the hill was all empty where you can see the whole sky and the ocean. Here let me show you some good shots of beautiful north cali coast....

Life Is Getting Better!

Today when i sat in the train on my way home, i suddenly had this feeling that, LIFE IS SOOOO GOOD WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GO!

The train was packed with off-work workers. Everyone carried their backpacks or suitcases, reading magazines or browsing on computer or talking on mobile phones, looking tired and relaxed, and i was one of them.

Before going home i popped in the mall for a bit looking for walking shoes. i ended up with buying these nice looking w/ 1 inch heels, black chammy cover on the middle front and the rest in faux leather, clearance ecco shoes in only $59.99 (original price $130). People went out of the mall walking toward parking lots w/ shopping bags and car keys, i was one of them.

On the road the traffic was a little bit bad, and cars were much more than i expected. i changed lanes before hitting the streets i was supposed to make turns. i didn't miss any chance and seemed to know the way like others did. Everyone here drives, and i was one of them.

As soon as i got home, i started cooking and turned the tv on. i watched Temptation Island, American's Top Model, The Simpson's, Will & Grace, and other reality shows and soaps. i talked online, i searched directions on google maps; i went to bed around 11pm, i got up at 7am; i wore flat sole shoes and fleece jacket, i carried lunch box. i'm getting more and more like one of them.

My God... I'M LIVING IN THE US!!