define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true); _sh1ft.org » freezing, freezing, frozen
May
03

freezing, freezing, frozen

we’re back! Regan and I promise each other now and then to have an computer-free weekend, so since friday I’ve been keeping myself busy (and warm) in the ‘real’ world. it’s odd to come back to the computer after a couple of days away and now that i’ve typed that out, that sounds pretty pathetic to say haha. but i work pretty much 15 hours each day here, so it’s like i never leave (and i don’t).

on saturday, we went book hunting and i discovered my next favourite hangout in this city. Books Kinokuniya! it reminds me alot of shopping in malaysia, all these tiny tiny asian things. cute little cards, cool markers, an endless supply of things i don’t need. i just wanted to buy everything and i almost did! but i stopped after i remembered my wallet ain’t as plump as i wanted it…. there were some incredible photography books there that i might go back and get one day

Regan also made us a great dinner saturday night which was awesome 🙂

sunday, we drove out to my parents house to go see Kill Bill Vol. 2 with my sister and do a bit of shopping out that way. we all really liked the movie, i loooove Gordon Lui as Pei Mai!!! later that night, we had our semi-regular family dinner and celebrated my birthday with cake cake and more cake (my favourite combination).

so it’s back to the working week, and autumn is acting like winter. i’m back into 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of pants, 3 layers of shirts, a jacket, a hot water bottle and a blanket; and all in front of this computer.

we’re slowly getting our act together to plan a trip back to the States in August/September. there were a couple of options for us like flying around the world to save money (it works out cheaper can you believe it?) or stopping over in Tokyo for an even cheaper flight… i think we’re pretty much just set on getting to the States and coming back within 4 weeks though. unfortunately we don’t have enough time or money between us to visit anywhere else but if you have any tips or advice about either Tokyo or LA or San Fran, let us know!!

i wanted to thank everyone for leaving a comment in the last entry. if anything, i’ve learnt that you can you should take the opportunity to learn about others whenever you can because their day, their week, month or year is just as important as your own.

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shar • May 3rd, 2004 at 12:57 pm

san francisco is fun fun fun. lots of art museums, and you could have over a day’s worth of fun just around union square. because union square is shopping galore with a huge FAO store and whatnot, and sometimes they have festivals or parades around that area.. the metreon/yerba buena gardens is about a block or two away (walking distance yay!) and the SF moma (museum of modern art) is around there too. doot dee doot. have funnnnn on your trip when you go 🙂

leanbean • May 3rd, 2004 at 2:27 pm

what is it like to be married so young? i dont plan on getting married till im 30. but you seem like you got things going..so kudos to you. i love ur calendars. =)

susan • May 3rd, 2004 at 7:06 pm

SF is fun fun, as Zach and I visit there often. 🙂 LA is alright, but there’s not as much culture as there is in SF.

Jennifer • May 4th, 2004 at 1:15 am

SF and LA both have a lot of things you can do. However, LA is VERY large and hard to maneuver if you don’t have a car. SF, while VERY hilly in parts, is much easier to get around in by foot or trolley or whatever. I think I agree that there seem to be more cultural things (or at least closer together) in SF, and there would be TONS of photo opps for you.

If you go there you should visit Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, China Town, see the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, take a Trolley ride, etc.

Sadly, while I grew up near LA, I can’t actually think of anything specific to do there! I guess I never did the touristy stuff since it was always so close!

Tiffanie • May 4th, 2004 at 8:55 am

I used to live in the San Francisco area and I’d much rather go there than LA. It’s much easier to get around in SFO. There’s a BART train that goes from SFO airport to downtown SFO. Also, check out http://www.sfvisitor.org/e-commerce/preferred_travel/home.html there are discounts for you if you have a visa card. It can be a bank card with the visa logo. Also.. the exploratorium, a fun science museum, has free admission on the first wednesday of each month.
please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or want to know of some cool spots to go.

Mike • May 4th, 2004 at 10:07 am

Canada is always a cheap place to visit and there isn’t a big exchange rate on our money and if there was chances are australian money is worth more. And summer’s just starting here.

Amy • May 4th, 2004 at 2:29 pm

You HAVE to come to PUERTO RICO!!!!!!!!!! You both can stay at my place and my Mom will cook super delicious food! Heheh

OKay that was kinda psychoish considering you don’t know who the heck I am 🙂 BUt seriously, PR is beautiful 🙂

Amy • May 4th, 2004 at 2:30 pm

by the way, thanks for the May calendar, WOOOO!

IM happy cuz I printed some good pictures today (yeap in the good ol’ darkroom)!!

Marie • May 5th, 2004 at 1:24 am

If you’re into theme parks, Southern California has lots of them: Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World (San Diego-1-2 hrs from L.A.). I can hook you up with discounted tickets, just let me know. The touristy stuff to do in L.A. are: go to Rodeo Drive, see the "Hollywood" sign near Griffith Park, hit the beaches, take the scenic drive along Pacific Coast Highway, and so much more. Go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g32655-Activities-c7-Los_Angeles_California.html for more ideas. Lots of photo ops here too but you do need a car to get around as others have pointed out. I’ve only been to Tokyo for stop overs and have been impressed with the neat and modern Narita airport. I so want to visit Japan sometime (soon, I hope).

Ronald • May 5th, 2004 at 4:06 pm

I grew up in the LA area (actually Irvine) but I’m currently living in San Jose (about an hour south of SF). LA is definitely a cooler place if you wanna go to amusement parks and the likes (Disney Land, Universal Studios, etc.) but if you wanna really check out the city, LA can be quite a pain due to traffic. SF can also be a pain to navigate, you can ride the trolleys, BART trains, or MUNI buses. Be sure to check out Union Square and the SF Japan Town (they also have a Kinokuniya bookstore).

Andrew • May 5th, 2004 at 9:03 pm

LA is good if you like movies, TV and fun parks. Do check out the smaller studio tours like Warner Bros and Paramount Studios. These are working studios rather than a fun park like Universal.

Tickets for TV show tapings are free. Just eat well before hand as they often run overtime and will not let you out for any reason.

SF is alot like Sydney. Easier to get around then LA.

james m • May 5th, 2004 at 11:15 pm

that Books Kinokuniya in the city is an evil place, I don’t think I have walked in there and not spent money 🙂

Amy • May 6th, 2004 at 1:58 am

Wow, it’s kinda weird to hear the words "cold in summer". You crazy South hemisphere people 🙂

Alyse • May 6th, 2004 at 6:24 am

LA has a reputation of misguided stereotypes. My advice – stay in downtown and take the metro to hollywood, pasadena, and silverlake and venture via bus to santa monica and venice. You can get around via bus or walking and you will end up seeing more of the city (the real city) than by driving on freeways. There is so much history and culture in pockets of LA like downtown and silverlake and venice. find those out of the way spots. do one day of touristy things like hollywood, but you will have more fun exploring neighborhoods and beaches and check out the local bars for some shows while you are here. there’s always a show happening on the sunset strip or in silverlake. drop me an email if you need more tips or help. oh, and SF is amazing! so beautiful and so much to see. take your time to enjoy all that city has to offer.