We Found Love In A Hopeless Place

It was the first time I were to meet Ming every since high school. I knew he was staying in SF; he tried to look for a place for me to stay (unfortunately he didn't know any, so I ended up at Sandra and Gordon's).

It was a long awaited meet up. I've been living and traveling to Westfield for about a month already, and the boy had forgotten I was even in the city. -_- Fine la. He was paying for my dinner.

I wanted some real American food besides Buckhorn's, so we settled with Mel's Drive In between Westfield and the Metreon. If I'm not mistaken I was in the midst of being out of a job and I lamented to him about how my manager treated me and how if I didn't find another job in 10 days I'll probably be sent to Malaysia.

It was very refreshing to actually talk to another Malaysian after facing so many Americans. It was nice to talk to people with English you've grown up watching on the TV, but once you hear someone say "lah" after a month, Manglish actually eases the homesickness.

After all our banter over diner food (which is actually very fattening and unhealthy but like who caaaares I wanted American cuisine so I GET AMERICAN CUISINE) I wanted to head over to the Castro, cos ever since Shen went there and told me about the gay community I wanted to see it for myself.

Ming was extremely apprehensive of going there but I told him it's okay because we look like a couple anyway.... so hopefully no one of our same sex will hit on us lol. Digress for a bit, Roman was also very against going to Castro. Okay for him I think I know why lah cos he can pass off as a gay guy with all his stylish dressing but Ming? LOL

So anyways we dropped by a bar and talked more over a couple of Tsing Tao (HAHAH) beers. I remembered feeling much better because after working at Buckhorn SFC you'd be wanting some de-stressing activities in your schedule.

I then had a suggestion to look for Harvey Milk's apartment so we set off wandering the dark streets of Castro, only aided by Ming's GPS. After a while we realised the GPS was useless.. well after it led us to an appreciation place for Milk it did. I spotted a group of gays and not wanting to wander around the dark streets any longer, I made Ming ask for help.

And they were the nicest strangers I've ever met in SF. Really. The three men took us under their wing and showed us Harvey Milk's camera shop, the apartment where he lived in (which was above his camera shop) and back to the bars so we could find our way back to the Muni. While we were walking they asked us about Malaysia, what we were doing here, and I told them that I've never seen anything like Castro before. Yeah it was a bit ulu for me to say that but they laughed it off and said it's what you get in San Francisco! :)

I've forgotten their names now but well. I hope they're doing fine, wherever they are. They sure did make my SF trip a more livable one in a way.

Ahhh I feel happy now

Monthly Music

Today was pleasantly surprising. I received an unexpected message from the person who turned my lonely frown upside down ever since Natalia left for Brazil. And yes. I was quite happy the rest of the day :)

It's nice to know that I had different soundtracks to the four months I was in San Francisco, and being hooked to a new album each month kinda put my memories in order.. it made me remember different occasions and different thoughts and feelings.

December: Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday

December was a myriad, but Pink Friday was constantly on my playlist. I loved blasting her collab with Rihanna (titled Fly) while I was strutting from the Metreon towards Westfield Mall where I worked in Buckhorn. Then there was Moment 4 Life (her collaboration with Drake). I loved that song. It made all the tiring hours at Buckhorn feel like it's worth it. I was in a different country without my family for once. I was working in an environment that spoke a language that I really didn't understand. It wasn't the same as high school as I sort of knew most of what they were trying to say. Minaj's anthems of hard work and strength really did it for me.

January: Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane

January was the most torrential month for me because of the shift towards another job. That two weeks in limbo was plain agonizing. Switchfoot's Yet was extremely uplifting for me. The entire album was uplifting. It just... fitted in the entire situation.

February: Hillsong

Uh. Yeah. I felt the nip of not going to church or cell or anything religious since the Christmas play so I started listening to Hillsong mixed with Switchfoot on the way to work. Plus I started listening to online sermons too, don't mess.

March: Adele's 21

Ahhh. This was because.. you know why la. But it was really funny the first time I listened to the album. The first song that played (it was on shuffle) was Someone Like You. It's so funny that I associated this song to another person before the guy I'm associating this song to now. It's even funnier that I was waiting for Roman to get to the train station (he seriously needs to invest in a watch) and I got to listen to almost the whole album before he arrived. By that time I was so emotionally affected by the cd I didn't speak to him for the first 10 minutes (he thought I merajuk kerana dia lewat tapi ialah berkenaan dengan Adele kuakuakua)

It's very effective to segment your different experiences in the year with different music so that you remember.

Try it.

Before I forget

The night when we were supposed to meet Shenminator for drinks at Vertigo. Or was it the other place across the street.. Shamrock? Can't remember.

It was one of the first few nights we had as "The Basement Club". Andy had just arrived from Switzerland and we decided to show him Polk St the second time (since the first time was a bust as we went on a Saturday night)

I didn't check which bus stop we were supposed to board at after emerging from the Civic Center BART, so we ended up going the wrong way away from Polk St. I suddenly realised we were on the wrong bus when we started going into this long uphill stretch of Victorian style houses so we jumped off the bus. Not before Andy had a situation with a stoned out homeless person who was mirroring Andy's every move (they were sitting opposite each other on the bus).

Once we got off we started our slow downhill walk back to the nearest bus station, and that picture happened.

"Quick, take a picture of me with the city down below!" Andy called out as he dashed to the middle of the crossroad.

Natalia laughed as she pulled out her camera. She wasn't so jolly after we crossed 3 blocks, since she decided to wear heels (of all days).

At that bus station we waited for almost half an hour before a bus came.

At that bus station, we got to know each other so much better. We started talking about future plans, how we were at home, how we wished we were home (or someplace else other than the dark neighbourhood we were in!) and other random stuff.

It was kinda weird to feel slightly crestfallen when we saw the bus lumbering downhill towards us, because we were having such a good time bonding.

But then again our time at Polk was great too. Random guys chatting us up (unfortunately the one who talked to me had his girlfriend in the toilet, but he was nice enough to offer me a free bike tour if I ever wanted to ride across the GGB to Sausalito), we tried playing drinking games Takahiro taught us back in December, and we were all super happy, giggling to ourselves as we bought drink after the other.

Good times.

At Waikiki Beach

I haven't been updating this blog as often as I should, but then blame it on my hectic schedule of going about, trying to cover as many sites in each city I've visited.

So far, the ONLY thing I've lost/left behind are these two v-neck baby tees, one black, one white I <3 NY shirts. I planned to give one to Sya, but like. I left them at The Wanderer's Inn cos I was in a rush to catch my airport shuttle. And the worst part is, the shirts cost me $20, when the ciplak versions only cost $3. SADS.

Anyway, out of all the cities I've been to, I think New York is the most intriguing. The hustle and bustle of Manhattan as people rush around, Harlem where its stoops look like the set of Little Bill (an old Nickelodeon show I used to watch), Central Park and its trees with cobwebb-like branches, and Fifth Avenue. Oh gosh. I SO wanna be a tai tai.

I didn't really like Los Angeles, maybe because I expected so much more, and since its public transport is somewhat limited, I was kinda constrained to only visit places that were near the train station.

And Hawaii. Major difference from the empire state I flew in from. Hawaii is so serene, its sprawling beaches and glimmering turquoise seas relaxed me. I've obtained some pretty nasty sunburns on my back and shoulders from laying under the sun too much, and not knowing how to apply sunblock properly. Though, I don't think I'd want to come back here. Malaysia's beaches are sufficient for me.

And who can forget San Francisco. I think you'd know by now I've fallen in love with that city. I can really imagine myself staying there long term, because it has so many things to see and do. I didn't get the chance to really dive into the artsy scene, and well. If I ever get a chance to go back I definitely will.

I don't know how to resume life in Malaysia now. HAHA

But I am definitely going to grab me some chilli pan mee when I touch down in KL this Friday y'all!

Pictures will be up when I'm in the comfort of my own bedroom, with Ernie under my feet :)

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Okay so the most extreme thing I've witnessed in San Francisco was the first night Andy, Natalia, Shen, her cousin and I went out to Polk Street.

Polk Street's famous for bars (make sure you drop by Vertigo or Shamrock, cos those were the only two places I tried out) but since we went on a Saturday right after Natalia's work... there were crazy lines outside the doors of these two pubs, so we decided to call it a night and buy liquor.

So we were at this liquor store at the corner of Geary and Polk, I think, and I noticed this weird looking homeless dude shuffling outside the store. He was wrinkly looking, and there were bald patches on his head. He muttered to himself angrily as he padded around aimlessly with his worn out shoes.

We avoided him and went into the store. What did we buy? Liquor la DUH.

While Shen and her cousin were paying, Nat, Andy and I stood near the entrance of the store (we were still inside) so as to not block the way.

So in front of the queue was this father and his two daughters, one was a toddler and the other slightly older. After paying and grabbing his things, (i)obviously(/i) he went out the store. He warned his kids to stay close to him, as he noticed the homeless druggie from before. True enough, the druggie started coming closer to the kids, wanting to touch them. "I hate you! I really hate you!" he started saying angrilly to the father, trying to grab hold of the youngest daughter.

She squealed.

Then...

I am not making this up.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY CHILDREN!!!!" the father yelled, aiming a flying kick right at the druggie's chest.

WHOMP. The druggie flew backwards from the impact.

The girls started crying as the father herded them away to safety.

Druggie started yelling profanities at them.

"I don't want to go out nowwww!" I whined at Andy as he chuckled. "This is insaaaaane!" he said, sounding astounded.

Apparently he and I were the only ones in our posse to witness the drama, cos Natalia's back was turned (she heard the kick) and Shen and her cousin were busy paying for our party fuel.

So yeah that was THE most crazy thing I have witnessed in SF.



Today I was riding the train in LA. I'm staying with my cousin, so I had to go places alone. Renting a car was out of the question, and so was borrowing their car, ahahaha.

So yeah I was in the train today, passing by Compton (it is SO much more scarier than Tenderloin. It's not sketchy. It's just plain scary. Like the fear of me getting beaten up cos I WAS THE ONLY ASIAN ON THE TRAIN) and well. Apparently there was this woman who was sitting next to an empty seat, and this dad wanted to let his young daughter sit, and apparently she didn't move over or accidentally kicked the daughter or something... then... all hell broke loose.

Like they were full on fighting. He was yanking her hair, she was kicking him, they were struggling... some Good Samaritan-looking Mexicans were trying to help break up the fight and all...

And the shouting. Oh my gosh. I was so scared everyone will jump into the forray and start fighting each other. The woman next to me was yelling "She always causin trouble, she from the shelter, I remember her! DON'T LET HER GET AWAY! Beat her ass!" Wtf

At the next stop, he GRABBED her and yanked her off the train station. Seconds later, security came rushing to break it up.

Phew.

Then like on the way back, there was almost a fight because some guy accidentally kicked this other guy's foot, causing the kicker to trip slightly. They really looked like they were gonna start punching each other.


Mannnn why so kancheong one United Staaaates

Super Random In-N-Out Post

Uh. Yeah. Was trying my hand at vlogging.

The video is quite pointless, but hey. I'm n00bing here.

More to follow!

Wonder Con!

So instead of going to Haight today, I remembered that Janis had plans to go to Wonder Con. After a super disgustingly unhealthy lunch of Carl's Jr (to get carb points) we walked to Moscone Center to see some real life geeks. Not to be derogatory... but like. Camannn. One store had this slogan "For geeks by geeks." Just sayin

Janis got a day pass from one of the convention-goers who was done with it, so instead of paying $25, my pass was $10. The dude who sold it to us was like "This is legit, fo'sho". I felt slightly more gangsta after that. Just kidding.

She got her pass from her boyfriend so like. We shared the $10 pass so I only paid $5 to enter! Nais.


Posters! I wanted a Harry Potter one but then... it would be a hassle to pack.


Spot bare arse.

We spotted this commotion at the Green Lantern booth, so we tried to walk over to check it out. Apparently Green Lantern himself, Ryan Reynolds, was there for the movie promo. Since I couldn't get a clear picture of him (security kept telling us to move along so as to not block the way) but it's okay, cos I got a glimpse of him. In real life, he looks like any other normal cute ang moh boy.

So yeah. First celebrity encounter woopwoop


We kinda bumped into this Ugly Doll three times, so I decided that we should at least take a picture with it.

Then I saw this. Potter Puppet Pals! So cute that I just HAD to take a picture with them :)

Random people dressed up for Wonder Con walking by Metreon

We were hungry so we had Denny's for dinner. While waiting for food we decided to pose with our purchases

Meet Chlamydia. It's an STD plushie I found at a booth that I thought would be perfect for Harry, since he's studying microbiology and like viruses and stuff... and his favourite colour is green.

After Janis bought this I asked her why. "I like toys!" she said defensively. It's like those egg thingies you get in those machines where you turn a dial and the egg comes out? You get what I mean right. But yeah. It's quite useful if you have like... tictacs or some jewelry to bring around or whatevs. *trying to justify Janis' purchase for her*

It was fun going to Wonder Con, but I feel like it isn't worth the $25. If I had paid the full amount I would definitely be kicking myself right now. Because it's super not worth it if you're me in a convention like this! I think I've lost any artsy fartsy bone in my body, so when I see super creative stuff, I just see it as that. Not as inspiration. Man. I should start drawing again.

Righto. Till next time!

More Alamo Square and Baker's Beach

It's surreal to think that I won't be able to see these houses any more... or any time soon, if I am planning to return to this enchanting city.





I always have this idea in my head that one of the Charmed sisters (Prue, Phoebe, Piper or Paige, for those of you who didn't grow up trying to avoid watching the TV series) coming out of these Victorian-esque houses.

It was sunny yesterday and Roman was working the whole day (and soon the whole night) so I dragged SzeMing out to Baker's Beach.

We had to hike down this steep path to get to the beach. Everyone was in bikinis or something summery, while SzeMing and I, afraid that there might be a sudden change in weather, were in JEANS (and for his case, a hoodie). Goodness gracious.

Plus since I knew SzeMing couldn't stay for long, I didn't bother packing anything. He did, but he forgot. So we lay down on the sand without a blanket, watching forlornly as the group next to us sipped happily on their Sierra Nevadas.

Guy in front of me that looked like Roman. LOL. I think as angmohs look at Asians and think we all look the same, it's the same thing the other way around.

But as the dude got up, I realised it's not him. HAHA. If it was him.. walao. One swift kick to send him flying into the crashing waves.


The SzeMing, being the supernice guide/teman-er as he is, brought me to have pho since I was whining about how everyone is so busy and I'm left doing stuff alone. #foreveralone

It tastes like wantan mee in curry laksa OMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOM

Plus we had Thai Tea. Yummms

I was supposed to go to the museum with Roman today, but since he's ALWAYS working (ugh) I suppose I'll just wander around the city alone AGAIN.

I mean I love this city and all, but like this is ridiculous! It's crazy impossible to find people to hang out with me. Mainly because I don't know enough people. Sads. I wish all my friends were here, then I would be INSANELY happy.

Maybe I'll attempt another visit to Haight.

It's my last week!

So I'm in the middle of my final week in San Francisco. It has been a good run, and I am really going to miss this lovely city. But then again I'm looking forward to travelling around so like.. half-half lah.

I am planning to visit Haight Ashbury later to get some souvenirs. I have to run my errands alone because

1. Shen's going to be out of town, and she's always working anyway
2. Roman, who said he will be "totally free" during his spring break, now has to go to work for most of the day
3. Janis has class
4. SzeMing has stomach problems (wth that's such a ZimSen-ny excuse)

I seriously wish Natalia was still here so she can accompany me with all these things that I don't feel like doing but have to do. Blehs.

Some random pictures since last week

Yerba Buena gardens and its cherry blossom trees. So pretty

Checked out the Cartoon Art Museum. Total ripoff. It's better to go when they have free entrance day. Otherwise... bleh.


Walked around the Financial District. Even when there wasn't really anything to do, I loved walking past the looming buildings with its amazing architecture, listening to John Mayer and whatnot

Had clam chowder at Boudin Bakery & Cafe. Apparently it's quite popular here in San Francisco... But yeah it's hella good

Financial District again


WAIT Rancangan tergendala sebentar. My dumbass roommate is cursing to himself and he just called his girlfriend a dumbass over the phone. WOW. Kids today I tell you. Wait a while so I can pause typing and glare at him kejap

Okay back to the photos

Some weird protest thing going on in front of the Metreon. I was chilling at Starbucks since Roman had issues with his phone (hence us not spending the weekend together as planned dayumnn) and ZimSen had some other issues to attend to, so SzeMing and him would only be spending dinner with me. Walao. I walked the entire Financial District alone because NO ONE was available to teman me FML

So I walked to Chinatown too. Ahh I'm gonna miss this place... It's so colourful and tourist trappy that there's so much to see at every corner.

So karrerfu

Then we had Indonesian at Borobudur Restaurant then headed to 4th Street Bar for some green beer

Okay so it was only ZimSen who had it. Apparently it tastes like... *drumrolls* beer. Heh. It's just a few drops of colouring, said the bartenderess. She looked at us funny when we kept insisting on ordering one.. until she gave in to us Asian-folk



Then on Saturday I finally got a hold of Roman (who finally got himself a new phone) and we went to Fisherman's Wharf cos I hadn't had crab at Pier 39 before

While waiting for the old school train to get us. Or in Andy's terms, The Gay Train. HOW IS THIS TRAIN GAY YOU TELL ME

Waiting for more than half an hour for the stupid train. Roman was getting extra jumpy because there was one train that came and didn't let us on board because it was too full, so we had to wait for the next one.

He finally snatched the camera out of my hands so he could take a picture of me with "Americans" in the background. I love how people are so big size here. It makes me slimmer in comparison hecks yeahhh

The train finally came! :D

The crabs were too expensive (I'm figuring the season's already over FML) so we grabbed some clam chowdahh in a bread bowl. It's like the Frisco version of Malaysian roadside cendol... only this one warms you up on a windy day.



We were hungry so we found a classy diner on the way back from the pier. He had sliders, I had grilled chicken sataaaaaayyyyyy! Kinda sucked cos it's too dry, so I let him finish it


Met up with Janis on Monday and we tried the Jap fusion restaurant on the bridge connecting the two JapanTown buildings. I had scallop curry with rice.

Nomnomnom

After that Janis and I chatted over roadhouse onions and beer at Shen's workplace. Gosh I miss those yummy fried things!

Walked to Alamo Square ALONE since Roman had to go in for work. It was nice though, looking at the old fashioned houses, this time listening to Adele. I wonder how much people pay to live in those houses. And won't it be fun to have tourists taking pictures of your house all the time? So rockstar wei.


Aaaaand finally (phew that was a lot of pictures) last night Roman felt like eating in, so he cooked me some spaghetti and prepared bruschetta and poured red wine. Then we had Cherry Garcia for dessert mm-mm-mmmmm..

Yeah the whole time he was cooking, I just stood there blocking the way. I found his sink to be stacked with dishes so as to not look like a useless person, I proceeded to washing the dishes. Then later found out those weren't even HIS to begin with, it was his housemate's. FML

The food was niiiice. :) Fresh mozzarella FTW

The treacherous flight of stairs up to my house that I'm going to miss. Thanks to this old school exercise track, I have a smaller butt (or at least I hope it is)


Okay time to go out. Till next time! :)

Last Day Of Work

I went to work last Friday and Julissa told me they weren't opening for Spring Break as planned. So it was my last day that Friday. With a heavy heart, I wiped down the counters and the refridgerators for the last time, stocked the forks for the last time, drank Bombay Chai for the last time, and swept the floor for the last time.

I really wish I started working there earlier, because they are heaps of fun! It really felt like a family to me, since the cafe was so small and the lines cooks, Ruben and Cesar were really really nice to me. Plus Julissa and Robert were lightyears better than my previous manager. Even my replacement, Megan, was really nice. Gosh. If only I could extend my visa for a few more months!


Candace, Ruben, Cesar and I.


Candaaaaaace! Every time I see the word "hella", I'm reminded of her. I am really going to miss her wacky sense of humor and her whiny singing. Haha!


Ruben! No matter how limited his English vocabulary was, we bonded a good bit over his crush, and how he wanted to ask her out on a date, to how he confessed to her and stuff. He's super nice!


Cesar came a week after I started, since the previous line cook got fired for being too slow (which kinda freaked me out a bit) and he's been calling me "Beauty" or "Double Beauty" HAHA. To which I will respond "guapo", which means good looking guy in Spanish.





Robert and Julissa! Which reminds me, I should get a gift for their baby. Julissa's due in May, and it's really too bad I can't be there to see the newborn :(


It's been so much fun working with them, that when I hugged each of them goodbye, I almost burst into tears. They really turned my mood on the working part of my trip around. I used to hate going to work at Buckhorn, but at Jessie's, I look forward to boarding the Muni to SF State. Unless it's raining that day. Because who wants to travel to work in the rain.

Arrgh I love you guys to bits!

Yosemite Park

So about three weeks ago, I went to Yosemite Park with Andy and Giuseppe, my German speaking housemates. I basically went just to be the "gaybreaker" of the duo, and since I had my weekend off I must as well just tag along.

Giuseppe rented an Audi to drive us four hours up to the mountains. He said that there wasn't any fixed plans, and we were supposed to just go with the flow. "If you don't plan anything, you won't have expectations, then you won't be let down," he jested as he steered up the winding road. So when we got there at 11 something at night, most of the inns were closed or were full. Thank God we found one set deep into a camping site, because Giuseppe almost wanted us to sleep in the car T___T

The morning after:


The view from outside our room.


The sun was shining, so we chilled at the parking lot after packing our stuff into the trunk (or kaufelaumb in German) so that Andy and Giuseppe could have a smoke before setting off into the park.



Snow, glorious snow!



I love how it reminds me of my trip up to Banff in Calgary. Although this time it's less cold. Cold, but not as cold as I remembered Calgary to be.



Barren trees.




We stopped at the side of a road to take pictures (and so that the boys can have a cigarette break) while I chucked snow around. Like a kid.



It was pretty misty everywhere, so a lot of pictures didn't come out well. :(




See what I mean?! But it still looks pretty impressive. Not as pretty as the Canadian Rockies, but still gorgeous. It's views like these that I am reminded of God's pure awesomeness.



We stopped at a waterfall because... we were sick of sitting in the car. LOL. So up the short trek we went.



The Bridalveil fall. It was COLD up there. And I was wearing Converse sneakers while the other experienced angmohs were in snow gear. Literally. Snow boots. And this Malaysian girl wore rubber soled shoes like a noob.



Sweet silent serenity. Too bad the boys weren't much of picture takers, or else I would do a Multiple Leeza picture or something.



There was this polite angmoh lady who told me to be careful as I hiked up the hill to the waterfalls. She even helped me up when I looked like I was going to slip. I love polite angmoh ladies!


Pretty impressive, huh.


Oh then something very unfortunate happened after this picture. You see, I'm not much of a gadgety person (I didn't know how to use an iPod before buying one for myself.. which explains why I didn't get a touch screen phone before my Nokia E63) so I COMPLETELY FORGOT to charge my camera before this.

Yeah.

So like.

SADS.

But Giuseppe took a lot of pictures on his DSLR.. though he hasn't given them to me yet. Bah. :(



All in all it was a very relaxing trip. The guys were pretty contented with only driving around for the day, so we made our way back home instead of staying another night. That and also because we sort of got lost and found ourselves driving down the mountain instead of being on another route in Yosemite HAHAHA

It's funny cos I didn't really want to go to Yosemite because I am not a very nature-loving person (city chick born and raised babeh) so of course I felt content even though we didn't get to see as much as there was to offer.

Dad would like Yosemite fo-sho.