urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescentjasminescentjasminescentjasminescent2007-07-20T22:29:52Zurn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:6327weekend2005-08-08T00:05:11Z2005-08-08T00:05:11ZBf's cousin's wedding in queens. It was beautiful... everything was white. I must say I like the american weddings more than chinese weddings mainly because it's more lively with all the music and dancing. Chinese weddings have delicious food and more food you can ever eat but you sit there the whole time listening to some mc's.<br /><br />Saturday... ate at kinoko's, our favorite sushi buffet place. We go there once every week or two. It was delicious as always. Stuffed, we walked to central park and wished we had brought our blanket to fall asleep on in the park. Went to watch Dukes of Hazzards. It was entertaining and that's about it... certain parts were funny but oh so stupid. Simpson had a superfit body and that's about it too. Cooked noodle soup with tofu, bamboo shoots, quail eggs, preserved veggies, and chives. Surfed the web and went to sleep.<br /><br />Woke up at 9a on Sunday and made waffles and an omelet with chives and preserved veggies again. Running out of food in the fridge. Since I'll be going to las vegas next week I didnt want to have too much leftover in the fridge. We went to the tiger beer chili crab festival, which stretched about 3 blocks in brooklyn. tiger beer, chili crabs, hamburgers, hot dogs, beef skewers, and some other small eats. It was expensive at 4 bucks for barely half of a crab. The sauce was good but nothing special... sweet and spicy. We watched lion dance and some group of 3 girls dressed in 70's outfits. Probably won't go to the festival next year... After that we went to Grimaldi's for some pizza. The place is so overrated. Good pizza but nothing special. The view of Manhanttan from the promenade was fantastic! Came back to Manhattan and got jamba juice. I'm so addicted to this place. It's so hard to save money in manhattan. Good thing I've been good about buying skincare stuff and clothes... because I spend it all on food and drinks.<br /><br />I'm so enjoying my summer weekends :) I know I will have extremely busy times coming up...urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:6001jasminescent @ 2005-08-04T22:11:002005-08-05T02:16:57Z2005-08-05T02:16:57ZDarn it, this is the third attempt at updating this, and I keep on accidentally somehow deleting it.<br /><br />Well I'll make it short and sweet then.<br /><br />I love my job. I'm learning so much, I'm not overworked, I like reading about the topics, and I'm having a good time there. 9a till 5p with about 4 hours of downtime in between. The attendings love to teach and they know so much.<br /><br />Today I got out at 4p and met up with boyfriend to go to South street seaport for dinner and the river to river concert. Went to Cabana for dinner and had a fabulous view of the city, hudson river, and passing ships. It was so relaxing... felt like we were on vacation. Drank a pitcher of sangria, devoured our ropa vieja and paella marinera. They were so yummy. Walked around a bit afterwards and came home. I wish everyday can be like this. Go to work and loving my job and not being overworked and learning a lot. Come home read a little and go out and enjoy life.urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:5187back to reality2005-05-22T03:27:19Z2007-07-20T22:29:52ZJust got back from my vacation this past sunday, and have been at work for a week.<br /><br />Went to Bay Islands and Honduras for 2 weeks with my bf, whose family has a huge house by the beach. It was paradise. I mean sleep until 10am everyday, was never sleep deprived, get up have freshly squeezed fruit juices, ate breakfast, and chilled by the beach or just walk around town. Or just read about where to visit that day. Went to a national park or just somewhere... anywhere it didn't matter because I was happy just being so stress-free. Had yummy lunch and dinner, ran along the beach, went dancing... Besides the million bug bites that I got, everything was just perfect. Great sleep, great tasting food, refreshing fruit juices, clear waters, soft sand, lots of sun, and great parties. Two weeks flew by... now I'm back at work. Was so depressed on Sunday because of all the stuff that was coming up. Is all this work and stress worth it in the end?urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:4935idle day2005-04-10T01:43:08Z2005-04-10T01:43:08ZI haven't had a day like this one in awhile.<br /><br />Wake up at 7:30am just because I'm used to waking up early on weekdays so naturally on saturday I wake up way before I have gotten enough sleep. Because I am still tired, I try to go back to sleep but sounds and sunlight around me keep from falling asleep. It is now 9am. I get up and surf the web a bit. I have lots of work I should be doing but chooses not to for the rest of the day. Instead, I took a nap around 1pm after having eaten lunch. Wake up at 4:30pm. Surf more web and play a game. cook and eat dinner... attempts to do some work fail.<br /><br />I didn't accomplished ANYTHING today except I finally got enough hours of sleep, but I guess thats a big accomplishment.<br /><br />Tomorrow I need to sit down and do some work.<br /><br />This is my third weekend without my bf around, and I miss him deeply. I still can't believe sometimes that our relationship have progressed to this level. I mean when we first started dating, it was fresh and exciting and lots of fun and laughter. After a few months, we started fighting and broke up numerous times, each time no longer than a day or 2. Not really breakups, but simply fights. The fighting only got worse... it was like a rollercoaster. What did we fight about? Little things from washing dishes to bigger things like the ex that was still in his life and who was determined to break us up. I'm not quite sure when the fighting stopped... maybe around the time when he cut his ex completely out of his life by not answering any phone calls or emails. Maybe after I stopped making high demands after he seriously considered breaking up because of all the fights we were having. Maybe we just learned and matured. Whatever it was, our love has grown so deep and after 6 years together I can say that I've never loved him more than I do today. Each day, I feel it more than the last.urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:3524rough week2005-03-12T16:10:30Z2005-03-12T16:10:30ZLast week was busy at work, from 8am till 7pm. Then I would come home to either prepare for teaching or for presentation, so technically my work didn't end until midnight or so. I was so sleep deprived because I must've been stressed and would wake up at 4am or so... probably just felt overwhelmed with work. well, everything went just fine last week :) Now it's the weekend but I'll probably end up doing at least 5 hours of work... I did meet up with 2 of my college friends, and it seems that none of my friends are content with their careers/jobs. It seems like our generation is more dissatisfied with careers than the previous generations. I can honestly say that I have my ups and downs in this job right now, but overall, I'm satisfied with it. There are days when I feel that the expectations and the amount of work are absolutely ridiculous and unreasonable. Of course, it's not always, or else I would hate my job.<br /><br />My credit card was compromised this week as well... apparently somebody broke into DSW shoewarehouse computer system. My credit card company closed my account and issued me a new one. Luckily, nothing happened with my account.<br /><br />I need to get in shape by May... gotta join the gym.urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:3077jasminescent @ 2005-02-21T09:06:002005-02-21T14:09:26Z2005-02-21T14:09:26ZMy vacation in May is all setup. 2 weeks in central america... costa rica, mexico possibly, puerto rico possibly, and honduras. I can't wait... costa rica is absolutely gorgeous.<br /><br />It's dark and gloomy out today. I'll be reading Angels and Demons and some stuff for work and going to Macy's to get a coat for my bf.<br /><br />I went to Cafe wha last weekend, and it was fantastic. I loved the live band there; they were so talented, and of course, listening to sasha allen, vh1 born to diva winner, was a treat. She certainly has the talent to be the next diva. Had a nannini from indian bread co. It was good but doesnt beat mamou's. I'm such a food addict... had Chola sunday buffet yesterday, and it was the best indian buffet Ive eaten. Quality and variety were both top notch.urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:2934long weekend2005-02-20T15:53:52Z2005-02-20T15:53:52ZEven with long weekends, it seems like the days just fly by. It's already Sunday.<br /><br />Went to a wedding celebration last night and went to see whats all the fuss surrounding the gates is about. 20 million dollars worth of orange fabric and metal poles in the park... first of all, the park didn't look natural anymore and it didnt look any more beautiful. The park was cluttered by these orange poles and fabrics, which you had to dodge while you were walking so you dont bang yourself into one. I like the idea of decorating the park a bit... but the poles were too close together and just too many... I have to say, the orange color was beautiful, but 20million bucks? I guess it's their money to waste.urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:2801happy2005-02-11T23:11:06Z2005-02-11T23:11:06ZWork has finally given me a break this past week. I actually had a schedule that most ppl have at work, from 8-4 :) Nice. Of course, this weekend will have a bit of work again, with another presentation coming up next, and I'm on call as well.<br /><br />Anyway, last weekend I went to Copacabana Saturday, and had too much fun. Drank 3 margaritas at blockheads before we went. Danced lots and had a shot and then some screwdriver. Drinking on an empty stomach was a BAD idea. I paid for it when we got back. I felt nauseated and yacked up a few times, and slept the entire sunday away. Going back to work on monday was quite difficult after my vacation, and I was soooo dreading it. Thank goodness, this past week was pretty ok.<br /><br />Tonight, eating out somewhere, catching the movie Hitch, and then at 2am pick up my bf's parents at the airport. His sister is getting married on Monday, valentines day.urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:2115Eating out weekend2005-01-24T20:19:10Z2005-01-24T20:19:10ZThis weekend is the start of my 2 weeks off!! I am feeling so relaxed now, after a weekend in blizzard.<br /><br />Friday was another busy day at work. I had a presentation which went ok; there are always one of those obnoxious people who ask really rude questions to try to make you look bad. I am developing a thick skin; you really need to in this field sometimes. After work, I felt so freakin relieved! <br /><br />Went to Turkish restaurant with bf, and was quite disappointed with the food. I had some lamb dish special, and it was on the salty side. The shephard salad was good but not great, and the calamari was pretty good. The interior was bright red and modern. The service was barely passing; I mean we always had to ask for water refills, and our waiter seemed to be nonchalant about customers' needs. I prefer ali baba much more and it's still my favorite place for turkish/mediterranean food. The food there is tastier and cheaper. The service there is impeccable even on the busiest days. I absolutely love their shephard's salad and grilled calamari. hmmm...<br /><br />Saturday, the city got hit by the snowstorm, but we still went out during the day. Ironically, with the weather, we went out to eat more often than other weekends. Went to Beluchi's for lunch, and had my favorite dish -- chicken korma. Then went to Barnes and Nobles to read novels and magazines. My bf and I can sit there the whole day with a great novels and a venti chai latte. Then we picked up a pizza con carne and empanadas at Nina's argentinian pizzaria. Pizza there was alright. Won't be going back again. Decided not to go out to Penang for a bday celebration... the cold and snow was getting unbearable and plus i was feeling so tired from not sleeping enough for the past week. We stayed in to watch When a man loves a woman for the first time on tv. It was such a great love story. Andy Garcia is absolutely to die for in that movie... ahhhh... <br /><br />Sunday, went to kinoko for all you can eat sushi. This is our favorite place for sushi buffet. Then went to barnes and nobles again. I am so addicted to barnes and nobles... recently, my life has been eat good food and read good books and watch good movies and get lots of sleep, and I'm as happy as can be.<br /><br />Monday, yes I'm off! Woke up at 9am but didnt get up until almost 1030am. First day of restaurant week, and we picked union square cafe. Had the boudin for appetizer, scallop for entree and coffee panna cotta for dessert. the appetizer was a bit rich for my taste but i just wanted to try it, but i preferred my bf's lentil soup. The scallop was so tender and tasty and melted right in my mouth. The napa cabbage, mushroom, and mango bits were simply perfect. Bf's duck confit was slightly on the salty side and was a bit overcooked, but it was still delicious. The desserts were the best... my coffee panna cotta and his key lime cheesecake tasted fantastic; then again, what dessert do I not like? All for 20 bucks per person. I love restaurant weeks! Other restaurants I want to try: Tabla, Gramercy Tavern, Aquavit, and Cafe Boulud.urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:1863Day Off2005-01-17T14:37:31Z2005-01-17T14:37:31ZFour more working days till my vacation!<br /><br />New Year's was good. It was a quiet and small gathering with some medical school friends and their significant others. As we get older, the smaller and quieter the gatherings get. I only partied a little in my early twenties. Sometimes I miss it and decide to go clubbing with bf or friends. For some reason, it's just not quite the same as before. Clubbing and parties lost their excitement, their novelty, their luster. Am I getting jaded too early? Or is this a normal phase of growing older? I mean I'm still in my mid-twenties going into my late twenties.<br /><br />All my college suitemates, for the first time, have boyfriends. None of us are going out with someone of our own race. My spanish roommate is going out with an Indian guy. The other two caucasian roommates are going out with a black guy and a chinese guy. Everyday, I see at least one person of mixed heritage... someday, the pure korean or the pure irish will be an endangered race, and everyone will be a mutt. Everyone always has a conception that mixed people are the most good-looking. I have seen some not-so-good-looking ones as well as some gorgeous ones, so I think they are like the rest of races.<br /><br />Anyway, I have today off, and I feel so happy and relaxed. I'll be spending much of my day trying to prepare for another presentation. This week will be a busy one before my two weeks off.urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:1532Christmas Eve2004-12-25T02:32:15Z2004-12-25T02:32:15ZI simply love the holidays. So, the past 2 weeks have been busy at work as usual, but I have been extra speedy and sometimes skip lunch in order to leave a bit earlier. This past week, my daily schedule was more like from 8:30am to 5:30pm. It was nice leaving early, but I always felt so physically tired since the days were packed with work.<br /><br />Anyway, today we saw Meet the Fockers, and it was absolutely hilarious. Loved it... from seeing the previews, I thought it was gonna be kinda silly and stupid and simply trying to hard to be funny. It actually turned out to be really good. I spent sometime in Barnes and Nobles reading anything as far away from work as possible :) Confessions of a Shopaholic. Light reading, but delightful and funny at times. Just what I need when I'm on call during the holidays and hoping not to be paged.<br /><br />After the movies, me and my bf went to a xmas dinner party for about an hour and then we came back. Now, I'm debating whether or not we should go to a club. Sleep or party? Decisions, decisions, decisions. I wish I had decisions like this to make everyday!<br /><br />Tomorrow will be xmas, and I just hope I won't be paged...<br /><br />My new year's resolutions:<br />1) Join the gym so I can exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes each time<br />2) Drink 4 bottles of water everyday <br />3) Eat veggies and fruits at least twice a day<br />4) Start my 401k, put money into my roth IRA and my stock account.<br />5) Save for my downpayment of a condo<br />6) Read/study for at least 5 hours each week (I will pay later for not studying now)urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:1139Counting down2004-12-14T02:05:30Z2004-12-14T02:05:30ZCounting down to my vacation... 8 more days!!!urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:544Relaxing weekend2004-12-06T05:13:41Z2004-12-06T05:13:41ZHung out with some friends on Friday night after getting out of work around 9pm. I was working so much that I had completely forgotten i was supposed to meet some friends for dinner until I checked my phone messages after work. To top that off, I thought my friend's bf's birthday celebration was that night, and it turned out it's the next friday. I think it's obvious I spend way too much time working. After the huge confusion, the rest of the weekend passed smoothly. Went home to see my family, ate home cooking, shopped for awhile, and slept in ...ahhhh... felt so good. I got a nice pair of boots, dress for the xmas party on saturday, and a pair of jeans. Of course, I had work to do but didn't do any of it, so I'm getting into work tomorrow at 7am instead of the usual 8am.<br /><br />My baby is coming home this wednesday, but I won't see him until friday. I can't wait! My vacation is in 3 weeks!! Hurry come come, I need a break after all this work. I don't remember ever feeling this excited about my upcoming vacation, but then again, I've never had to work this much before either. Even with all the work, I actually don't dread going to work. I feel fine but just in need of some rest.<br /><br />Should get to bed... I will be exhausted tomorrow with only 6 hours of sleep... heheurn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:jasminescent:445Ramblings2004-12-01T02:48:17Z2004-12-01T02:48:17ZIt has been years since I last updated my diary. I always enjoyed reading about my past experiences, so I'm going to start one today since livejournal has made it so convenient and easy.<br /><br />Today, my bf left me for a business trip at 6am while I snoozed away until 8am. Work was so busy today, and I didn't get out until close to 8pm, that's with my collegue's help. without her help, I would've been there for another 3 hours at least. Crazy, huh. I sometimes wonder why did i get myself into this crazy career with an average of 60 hours a week.<br /><br />I've been thinking of buying a condo with my bf near manhattan. Simply tired of paying rent/money that really goes to nowhere. Combining my rent with my bf's, we can well afford a mortgage. Of course, we both have abundant amount of student loans and that always complicates things a bit.