Trip down south - Destination: San Diego

Now that I finally have the privilege of posting pictures on Blogger, I must take advantage of it so that my loyal readers can see that photos I took in San Diego. It was a very nice trip - relaxing and eventful. We went to all the places designated as "touristy" and more. We are actually quite pleased that we covered a lot of ground and actually got around the City + Orange County with a very generic map we picked up at our rent-a-car office. Weather was decent, first 2 days were cloudy -but by the weekend, the sun was full-blown. Met up with Wontonwrapper on Sunday to visit San Diego's world-famous Wild Animal Park. Animals were all hiding under the trees for shade -- so didn't really get to see them in full scale. Below I have some pictures to share. We went to more places than those listed, but didn't get a chance to take any pictures. This trip will just have to remain in my memory!!

A ground squirrel 

This is a very chubby squirrel we encountered at the La Jolla Cove. The picture doesn't really show the detail, but squirrels in SD doesn't have the same big tails we normally see here in NorCal. They don't climb trees at all. They just go underground and out on the streets.

The Salk Institute 

The Salk Institute is Bio-Sci research facility located on the outskirts of UCSD. This institute was established in the 1960s by Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine. This building was designed by the world-reowned architect, Louis I. Kahn. This building is now designated as a historical site and is considered an inspiration in modern architecture.

Huntington Beach  

This is actually my husband trying to swim at Huntington Beach. It's very nice there - warm and clean. We drove a good 3-4 hours along the coast, the famous Highway 1, from San Diego to Orange County. It was well worth it. Gorgeous weather, nice scenery, beautiful beaches.

Giraffes feeding at SD's Wild Animal Park 

Giraffe at San Diego Wild Animal Park 

Isn't he the cutest? Giraffes are so mellow -- but they have very long tongues!

Sunset Cliffs 

This is a stretch of beach along the western side of San Diego. Very interesting rock formation through erosion.

Unplanned Plans

Aghhhh, the Wednesday meetings are finally done. I have been in and out of meetings the entire day today. They're over now! So tired today... there are still a lot of pending issues and projects on my plate, so I sure hope I can relax and enjoy myself during this vacation and not think about work too much. This is perhaps the least prepared I've been in terms of planning a trip. I booked my tickets approximately 10 days ago, and I haven't done any research at all in terms of where to go, what to do. I have NOTHING planned, which scares me a little bit because I've also been a planner in everything I do. Well, maybe it's a good thing. I'm a merchandise planner by profession--I plan everything by month all the way out to December of 2005. Perhaps a little chaos in my non-work life might just well keep me balanced.

I have nothing to blog about today, but I feel the need to since I haven't written for over a week already. Plus, I am only 3 blogs away from beating Googi's total blog count. Ah, so I'm only 2 days away from my vacation to San Diego. As much as I'm looking forward to the trip, I can't get excited about it now since in the next 2 days, I have 3 big meetings lined up. Not to mention another one 9am in the morning on the Tuesday I come back to the office. It's not fun, not fun at all. I think I've made this point in my previous blog before -- but anyone with me on the fact that days prior to you leaving on vacation, your workload just suddenly explodes?? It happens to me so often that I am a true believer in this theory.

Back-to-Basics

Over the weekend, my cell phone went dead on me. It just decided to quit and not work for me anymore. I should have got the hint when a couple of months ago, my cell phone started to rattle. The rattling noise sounded like a loose screw inside the cell phone somewhere, but I didn't open it up because it still worked fine --so why open the can of worms? In case you're wondering, I've had this cell phone for 3 years already. In cell-phone-years, it's probably equivalent to 30 years. I never wanted to switch to a new one because I loved this phone. And I love it because it's simple. No fancy color screens, no internet access, no voice-command calling, no Non-sense. It is exactly what a cell phone does best -- make and answer phone calls. Just Perfect!

So, after my cell phone died, I tried to go around to get a new one. After a few minutes of talking to the salesperson, I ended up walking out of the store not getting any. There was way too many plans out there, way too many minutes, way too many phones to choose from. Everything got too confusing. I hate trying to figure out what's the best plan for me, and what kinds of functions of a phone I'm looking for. Shopping around for a cell phone reminds me of shopping for a car -- dreadful and tiring. Today is Monday and I do not have a cell phone to use. I didn't have a scenario when I had to use my cell phone today. I survived one day without a cell phone. Maybe I can do the same tomorrow. And the next day. The next week. Maybe I don't need a cell phone afterall. Maybe I can go back to basic, and live life without a cell phone?

Revolution

Water lilies 

My Just for Fun blogspot has just been revolutionized. How awesome is this to finally be able to post pictures here!!?!! Special thanks to BP Snake for his ingenious introduction! Absolutely fabulous! I am such a happy camper now!

Rich people

Hey, Blogger did get a new look! Haven't logged on for 2 weeks, and Blogger changed for the better! Now, only if I can post pictures on here... My first entry in May, and it's already mid-month. To my devoted readers, in case you're wondering where I have been -- I've been busy at work! At home, still busy with work. Went to New York last week. In between meetings and work in the hotel room, I was able to indulge in some fine dining. My all-time favorite was this Fushion restaurant on Madison and 58th called Tao. Love the decor, the food, and the service. Not the price, of course. Appetitzers run from $8-10 and entrees from $25-72. The $72 entree is 6 oz of Kobe beef. I heard that it was really good but for a big eater like me, I will probably need 12 oz in order to be full! Thank goodness our vendor paid for the meal -- otherwise, how can I explain the $500 meal?!

After eating at these fine restaurants, I noticed how excessively rich people can live. They can eat a $200 meal in a sitting and not skip a heartbeat. Maybe because none of my friends are super-duper rich people ... I'm just amazed how rich people can spend thousands and don't cringe a single bit. Well, maybe because they have so much money! I read in magazines about J. Lo's $4000 manicures and $10,000 massages. Boy, when will I ever get THAT rich? I think if I ever get that rich, I would still be a penny-pincher!