Be Happy!

What Makes You Happy?

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happiness is a state of mind. Happiness includes many aspects in life. You should keep a “Happy List” of things, places and people that can bring a smile to your face. When you’re feeling down, you can turn to your Happy List and you’ll bounce right back!

We like to look at the bottle as half-empty but overlook it as half-full! Is grass always greener on the other side? Maybe…Maybe not…it all comes down to perspectives.

When you think about what’s wrong in your life and things you don’t have, boy, you can easily get depressed. Every time I start to go thru everything that’s going wrong in my life, I try to balance it with the good things happening to me. Sure, life is never going to be perfect. It is not healthy to concentrate on the negative energy.

Positive Reinforcement

I have a quick temper. Most of my boyfriends choose not to deal with my pissy mood except for one guy, Robert. Despite it comes fast and goes away quickly, it’s still not a pretty site. Robert. It would have worked out if we lived in the same city. That’s beside the point. Anyway, he has a way with me when I’m ready to explode and bitch slap someone.

Robert would look at me with his beautiful eyes and say, “Think Positive Reinforcement.” He would tell me to take a few deep breaths, “Breathe in, breathe out…one more time…” Just like that, I could let things go and calm down from my almost erupting anger. It's simply amazing. Next time when you feel like you're about to go crazy try this method. It might work for you too!

My college girlfriends are Mommys!

I've met more babies during this vacation than any of my previous ones. Obviously I'm getting old and so are my friends. They're either getting married, having kids or going through divorce.

Eri has two boys - 5 years old & 15 months old / Melody has one 21 months old baby boy / Trish has a one year old baby girl / Donna has a 18 months old baby boy & a 10 days old baby girl and the list goes on & on...

2 Weeks before Halloween

Rochelle is 8 years old and she's so smart that I wonder if I'm smarter than a third grader. Halloween is only two weeks away. We carved the pumpkin, took out the seeds and baked pumpkin seeds with garlic & salt. Hanging out with her is very joyful. And did I mention that she's fluent in Englih & Spanish?!

Shopping at COSTCO

While waiting in line this little boy was flirting with me! It's just the most adorable thing. And he knows how to pose for the camera too!

Why I Love California

I didn't write this but a friend in California sent it to me. But I doubt that she's the author. However, it's funny, especially if you've spent time in California.

All the porn you watch is made here, cause we fuck better and thats
how it is.

We don't get snowdays because theres only snow in Mammoth, Tahoe,
Shasta, and Big Bear.

can wear sandals all year long.

the chicks are WAYYYY hotter than your's

We go to the Beach - not "down to the shore".

We know 65 mph really means 100.

When someone cuts us off, they get the horn and the finger and high
speed chase cause we dont fuck around on the road.

The drinking age is 21 but everyone starts at 14 (legally 18 if you
live close enough to the border).

We judge people based on what area code they live in, and when asked
where you're from, we give your area code.

We might get looked at funny by locals when we're on vacation in their
state, but when they find out we're from California I turn into a Greek
GOD.

We don't stop at stop signs... we do a "california roll"
No cop no stop baby!

We can get fresh and REAL Mexican food 24 hours a day.

All the TV shows you "other" states watch get filmed here.

We're the Golden State. Not the Cheese State.

Not the Garden
State.....GOLDEN!!!

We have In-N-Out (Arizona and Vegas are lucky we share that with
them).

We have the most representation in the House of Representatives.

The best athletes come from Cali.

Every good band comes from Cali.

We call it soda, not pop.

We have 3 NFL teams..Raiders, 49er's, Chargers.

…and 5 Baseball Teams..Giants, Padres, Dodgers, Angels, and A's

Other countries hate the United States but they love us.

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FRIENDS: Will stand by you while you piss.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Will shine a spotlight on you while your drunk ass is taking a piss in the bushes.

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FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Call your parents drunk as hell and tell them about the fatty you tried to pick up

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FRIENDS: Hope the night out drinking goes smoothly, and hope that no one is late for the ride home.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Know some wild shit will happen, and set
up rally points.

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FRIENDS: Bail you out of jail and tell you what you did was wrong.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Will be sitting next to you saying, Damn...that shit was fun "

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FRIENDS: Cry with you.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: laugh at you

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FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Steal each other's stuff so often nobody remembers who bought the shit in the first place.

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FRIENDS: Are happy that someone picked up a one night stand and leave them alone.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Will Crawl naked into the room with a camera and hope for the tag team.

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FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

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FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd
is doing.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds ass that left you.

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FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.

CALIFORNIA FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!"

Apple Picking in Autumn

I've done cherry and strawberry picking but this is my first time picking apples.

My sister and I went to Bowman Orchards (141 Sugar Hill Road, Rexford, NY) on a Sunday afternoon. It must be a popular place for apple picking 'cuz there was a line of cars waiting to get into the parking lot.

There are 46 varieties of apples in Bowman orchards. Aside from the more popular Fuji and Gala, there are names that I have never heard before. Ambrosia, Cortland, Empire, Fortune, Golden Delicious, Greening, Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Macintosh, Macoun, Mutsu, Northern Spy, Pinova and etc. Red Delicious is the sweetest of all. You can also pick your own gourds, pumpkins and squashes. No entry fee and you only pay for what you pick. It's $0.89 / lb for apples, $0.99 / lb for gourds, $0.52 / lb for pumpkins and $0.59 / lb for squash.

We had to use the ladder for some of the apples that were high up in the trees. But there were more fallen apples on the ground. Such a waste!

There's also a bakery and a fudge & ice cream shoppe. Do try out their apple cider, apple donuts, apple butter and apple salsa!

Dinner at Wheatfields with My Sister

Saratoga Springs is an adorable small town and it has lots of restaurants & bar on two of the main streets - Broadway & Caroline. I love the signature Wheatfields' Sangria and Eggplant Parmesan, not to mention the dessert - Oreo cheesecake!

Autumn Leaves in New York

Driving on I-87 on a sunny day is a fabulous experience! I surf through all sorts of different radio stations while driving on the most scenic highway. this is truly a joy, especially when the season is definitely changing. Very romantic and cozy!

I couldn't take pictures while driving. So when I stopped by the rest areas, I snapped these pictures.

My sister said autumn is her favorite season of the year. I will second that if I live on the East Coast. In San Francisco we don't really much changes when the season is shifting from summer to fall.

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

This is my first time visiting Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. I have no idea how long the drive is going to be from Saratoga Springs to the outlets. My sister said it's 90 minutes but it took me 2 hours one way!!! Let's just say that the shopping is always exciting but driving 4 hours a day can be dreadful.

There are 220 stores, including CHANEL, BURBERRY, BALLY, Tod's, Jimmy Choo, Neiman Marcus, Coach, Celine, Fendi, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Giorgio Armani, J. Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Anne Klein, Saks Fifth Avenue and so much more! I was there on Thursday and Friday 'till closing and I still couldn't go through all the stores. But I was in no mood to drive three days in a row for outlets shopping. MISO TIRED. LOL!

Saratoga Springs, NY. Here I Come

Today I leave San Francisco for the East Coast. My destination is Saratoga Springs and I fly into Albany, NY. Flying on Southwest certainly saves a lot of money but that also means no meals will be served and seating is based on one rule: first come first serve.

My day started early. My ride picked me up before 8 am and we went to Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street for breakfast. Clam chowders, fresh oysters and smoked salmon for breakfast is such a luxury! I thought about packing up a seafood salad to eat on the plane but it may be too fishy for the passengers around me. LOL.

When I transferred via Chicago Midway airport, I saw the American flag in-between concourse. It makes me wonder about the price we have to pay in order to preserve our freedom...

LEO

The first Tuesday of each month is free museum day at the Legion of Honor, de Young Museum and SF MOMA. Leo and I began our free museum day early, hoping to visit all three museums in one day. He told me that he was excited last night when he thought about spending a whole day with me. It was like the first date all over again. But the truth is that we first met in March 2003 and that’s more than five years ago.

The last time we saw each other was March 2006 and that’s when our relationship ended. Like most couples we had a lot of drama together but we had our fair share of fun as well. Not every relationship resulted in marriage but I always knew that he loved me wholeheartedly. When we were together, I felt very much loved. He could never take his hands off me. He would always hold my hand when we walked down the street. He would kiss me constantly, from my forehead, my cheeks, my lips, to my neck, my arms and even my feet. He would carry me in his arms or put me on his lap. He had so much love and affection for me that I don’t know if I’ll ever meet another person who loved me as much as he did. You may wonder why I gave up on such a loving relationship. Let’s just say that sometimes love ain’t enough.

Hanging out with an ex-boyfriend is something that I can get used to easily. I tend to keep in touch with men from my past. Leo understands me and knows all there is to know about me, including my pet peeves and my passion. He knows that I cannot stand messy apartments and my all-time favorite breakfast place is Home Plate on Lombard Street. By all means he knows me well and has figured me out long ago when we were still an item.

It’s a gorgeous day in San Francisco and we’ve just finished checking out the Legion of Honor. The fog was slowly disappearing and the view was absolutely stunning. And Leo asked the million dollar question:

“Do you still love me?”

Just like that, loud and clear he threw me off. He’s asked me that question before but I totally didn’t see it coming this time around.

Without saying a word, I just smiled.

“It’s either a YES or No, simple as that.” He pursued it further.

“I will take the Fifth on that question. I have a feeling that this is a tricky question.”

Honestly I don’t know how to answer his question and I probably need some time to think it over.

“You love me! I know you and you’re not the kind of person who has troubles making up her mind, especially when the answer is as simple as a YES or NO.” he grimes.

Is that right? Am I still in love with him or simply enjoying the affection from a man who still loves me dearly?

He said he thought about marrying me before I broke up with him. What?! Why tell me now? Why now? What does it mean?

“If we’ve gotten married, then you would become an instant grandmother!”

His younger son is 23 years old this year and a father of two little girls.

Me? A grandmother?! I don’t even plan on becoming a mother!

Cheesecake Factory - Yummy!

It has become a ritual that I viist the Cheesecake Factory with my college professor during my stay in San Francisco. We would share a salad and a cheesecake but we like to try different dishes every time we meet. So this time we ordered seared Ahi Tuna salad and 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cake CheeseCake (two layers of original cheesecake and two layers of creamy chocolate fudge cake filled with chocolate cream and finished with crunchy pearls of chocolate)

Dreamy Wine Tasting at Opus One

I Left My Heart in San Francisco FOREVER

Crossing the Bay Bridge on a sunny day in a convertible is a treat!

I went over to Dave's for dinner tonight and my college best friend Eddy joined us as well. He told me that he ran into one of our classmates recently. His exact words are "she blew up! she's so fat!!! how fat??? Let's just say if you're on one side of the city and she's on the other side, you still can't miss her!" Man, there's one thing that has never changed since college, that is Eddy being so mean all the time. LOL!

Saturday Morning Coffee with James

I went to bed at 3:30 am and woke up at 7:30. Why? I dunno. And James called me at 8:40 am. We decided to go for coffee at Simple Pleasures which is 20 blocks away from where I'm staying. I jogged there and showed up sweating like mad...what was I thinkin'???

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Concert in Golden Gate Park

Free concerts start on Friday and throughout the weekend in Golden Gate Park!!!

Breakfast at Tartine

My favorite bakery in the city is Tartine. The fruit bread pudding (ask for a bowl because a cup just won't do it)is just super delicious! If you come by in the afternoon, there's a good chance that it will be sold out by then!

Rodney and I sat at the table on the sidewalk and enjoyed morning coffee with the bread pudding! I'm a happy camper. Very happy :)

Dinner at Salt House

Tom and I met at a volunteer event about five years ago. And a month after our first encounter we became roommates. See, a good deed goes a long way!

Tonight Tom took me to Salt House for dinner. And let me tell you, the food is amazing! We met for an early dinner at 6 o'clock because Tom had to catch BART to go home. But the company was just as awesome as the food. We got carried away with the time and by the time we got out of there, it was past 10.

It was so sweet of Tom to offer me money for a cab ride but I insisted on taking the bus. So he waited with me by the bus stop and watched me getting on bus 38. As soon as I sat down, I received a text message from Dave.

Dave: "Miso tired. How's dinner?"

My reply: "Fabulous dinner at Salt House. On my way home now on bus 38."

Dave: "Nice! I've never been there. I'll see you online when you get back. How long is the bus ride?"

My reply: "35 to 45 minutes; after getting off the bus, gotta walk from Geary to Fulton. It's about 5 blocks."

Dave: "I can meet you at the bus stop and give you a ride home. I was thinking of hitting Safeway. So it wouldn't be a problem."

Just like that. Dave was nice enough to come all the way from the other side of the park to come get me and give me a ride home that lasted only 5 blocks. Thanks Dave!

舊金山也有許留山喔

走在路上突然看到許留山的招牌
Geary Blvd. in the Richmond district, San Francisco
很妙!

The sky is so blue and it doesn't seem real at times! I really enjoy the weather in San Francisco. When I walked down the street today, a total stranger came up to me and said the nicest thing to me: I just want to tell you that you look lovely, just lovely! LOL.