53rd & 6th

There is a food cart, a halal cart to be exact, on 53rd & 6th in Manhattan that is known for their delicious chicken & rice dish! Omigosh... I drool just remembering the taste. There are numerous threads online trying to imitate the taste. I think this should be my next cooking endeavor.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

When Dave and I were dating in Vancouver, we frequented the Theatre Under the Stars at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park and Bard on the Beach at Vanier Park. We were excited when we found the Shakespeare play put on by the Vanguard Repertory Company/La Canada Shakespeare Festival. It was performed at the Byrnes Amphitheatre located on the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy campus.

The beautiful campus was nestled away on the mountainside west of the 210 highway. When we finally found it, it was a quaint little amphitheatre. You're free to bring food and blankets. I recommend maybe bringing a seat cushion too. $10 for students. $28 for regular adult admission. Although, they didn't really check our student IDs.

Home sweet home

My perception of home is constantly changing. With the fear that Dave's school housing may soon figure out he's not taking any more classes, I've been frantically searching for homes... a place to rent or a place to buy. I was on the computer madly absorbed in the search when Dave driven by my madness finally asked me, "What's wrong with you?!"

Anxiety & fear filled my mind thinking that the next place we live may have to be a little more permanent... a place where we can raise our kids, a place where family can come to visit comfortably. A place we can call home.

But.. nothing. Either it's too far, too isolated, too expensive, too dangerous, too small... ugh! After the insanity subsided... I started crying. Maybe it's because of Father's Day, but I sobbed to Dave "I miss my parents. You're lucky to have your mom and brother close by. Maybe that's why you don't feel as anxious about potentially moving... What's home to you?"

So back to the world of reason and sanity.

Dave reminded me, "Home is where you are, honey."

Sub(urban) living

First of all... can I just say that I am exhausted! Three admissions and one transfer to ICU probably doesn't mean much to you, does it. On my way back from a non-stop night at work, I couldn't help but enjoy the urban Pasadena scenery.


8am: Driving on Fair Oaks, I see a server nicely dressed with apron around waist at Elements Cafe, draping a table cloth on one of their outdoor tables. I love driving by this brick building decorated with yellow umbrellas. Almost makes me want to go and spend $9 for their mac n cheese again. Dave's frugality has been rubbing off on me.


On my five minute drive home, I pass by Central Park and Pasadena Memorial Park, and Old Town Pasadena. At Fair Oaks and Green St, I see two small dogs drawn to each other, drawing their owners to say a friendly hello.

Dave and I will soon be faced with the decision to move. Anticipating any time in the next 6 months. We love the benefits of urban living - especially when it's in down-to-earth trendy Pasadena. You can read more about Pasadena at Ben's daily blog theskyisbig.

Let's be honest, $ to sq.footage ratio not so great in urban setting. Renting in urban setting vs. buying in suburban setting. What would you choose?

I read an article yesterday in the Murrieta local newspaper about a 75 year old woman who has been cleaning up abandoned/foreclosed homes for 2 years. Two years ago, she was taking a walk and after seeing so many foreclosed homes, she resolved to better the aesthetic quality of the neighborhood with weed whacker and gardening gloves in hand. She retired yesterday due to family pressure, though.

"Maybe they think I need to be knitting or something, but I'd rather do this."

I love it!

Lois meets Superman

I recently changed the title of my blog. Yes, I grew up with many years of teasing. No matter how hard I tried to evade the association, it'd always come crawling back. "Hi, my name's Lois." "Louis?" "No, Lois. L-O-I-S-." "Ah! Like Lois Lane. Where's Superman?"

Well, folks. Here he is! I met Dave on June 13, 2004 in Vancouver, Canada, and he's been my superhero since. It's pretty funny going back to some of our old pictures from then. Like this one.

Fuzzy peaches

I was biting into a juicy peach the other day and thought "wow! this tastes like a Fuzzy Peach"... the jelly snack. Hm... says something about my eating habits if fruit tastes more like candy and not the other way around.