Mark Your Calendars!

I've planned the next 4 events so you can mark your calendars and buy tickets (if necessary) for upcoming, fun-filled times ahead. Here's a recap:

Week 9: Feb. 29th @ 6:30pm - Griffith Observatory
Week 10: Mar. 8th @ 8:00pm - Kirtan at Yoga Blend
Week 10: (cont)Mar. 9th @ 1:30pm - Free Yoga Class at Yoga Blend
Week 11: Mar. 11th @ 8:00pm - Sweeney Todd at Ahmanson
Week 12: Mar. 22nd @ 10:00am - CityRace

So get on it.... but remember: if you have any questions, please contact me.

Hope to see you there. This should be enough notice for most of you; I'm just hoping you won't forget about these events as the dates get closer.

WEEK 12: March 22nd - CityRace

I love scavenger hunts and solving clues and such, so what better way than to do it in the big city? Who wants to join me...? We can form as many groups as we want. But for this we have to sign up soon because spaces will fill fast!

What: CityRace Urban Adventure Hunts - $35
Where: Downtown Los Angeles
When: Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 am

Information taken from their website: http://www.racela.com/about_cr.html

"In CityRace, teams of 2 to 4 players must utilize all their skills to solve a challenging series of clues leading them on a 3-hour hunt through one of L.A.'s many diverse neighborhoods.

Unlike the physical challenges in Race/LA, CityRace Urban Adventure Hunts will require brainpower: you'll crack codes, solve challenging puzzles, research little-known facts and more... all while racing against other teams to be first to the finish with the most correct answers.

Every team will receive a packet of clues at the start of the hunt that will range from moderately easy to very difficult. CityRace clues will lead you to various locations around a neighborhood of the city. Once there, you'll usually need to answer a question about each location, proving that you've found it. Points are given for each correct answer. You'll also receive a list of "scavenger hunt" items that you can collect along the way to earn bonus points.

The first team to reach the finish line before the three hour time limit - with the highest number of points - is the winner!

You can solve your clues in any order you wish. Most teams probably will not solve all of the clues within the three hour time limit. It'll be up to you to strategize how best to use your time - and each other - to correctly solve as many clues as possible."

WEEK 11: Musical Madness - Sweeney Todd

I love musicals, I love Johnny Depp... but since I wasn't able to watch the screen version of this classic, I jumped on the chance to watch it live on stage! Get your tickets soon, cuz these are selling fast!

What: Sweeney Todd
Where: Ahmanson Theatre - 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
When: Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 at 8:00pm

http://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=2556

WEEK 10: Yoga and Indian Food Weekend

Namaste! I want to be more healthy, physically and mentally, so yoga is a good way to start that. I'm planning on going to both of these workshops on March 8th and 9th - a weekend of yoga, basically. And what better excuse to use yoga as a nice partnership with Indian food. We'll try 2 different regions of Indian food - North (like the tandoori meats and my favorite - saag paneer and benghan bharta - with which you're probably more familiar) and South (more of the vegetarian foods, yogurts and lentil soups.)

Hopefully you can come to any of these, if not all. It's a four-event excursion in one weekend!
Check out the website and be sure to at least consider attending: http://yogablend.com/index_files/Page1073.htm


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DAY 1: Saturday, March 8th, 2008

STEP 1: EAT DINNER
What: Paru's Indian Vegetarian Restaurant (South Indian Food)
Where: 5140 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027-5708, US
When: 5:00 pm

STEP 2: CLASS
What: Kirtan with David Stringer - $20 advance; $25 at the door
Where: Yoga Blend - 1921 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
When: 8:00 pm

Here's the info taken from the website:

"The intention of kirtan is consciousness-transformative, directing the singers to vanish into the song as drops merge into the ocean. The musicians and the crowd coalesce in a cloud of intelligence, turning together like a flock of birds, until the song itself vanishes into the skies of silence. Kirtan (from the Sanskrit word for singing) is easily learned and instantly memorable. The form is simple: a lead group calls out the melodies. The crowd responds, clapping and dancing as the rhythms of tablas, finger cymbals, harmonium, tamboura, electric bass and guitar build and accelerate.

Stringer’s sound marries the transcendent mysticism of traditional Indian instruments with the exuberant, groove-oriented sensibility of American gospel, and he is regarded as one of the most gifted singers in the genre. Stringer, who is also an accomplished composer and multi-instrumentalist, has a special ability to bring people together and inspire them to sing. His work intends to create a modern and participatory theatrical experience out of the ancient traditions of kirtan and yoga, open to a multiplicity of interpretations, and accessible to all.

For more info on Dave, check out www.davestringer.com."
-------------------
DAY 2: Sunday, March 9th, 2008

STEP 1: EAT CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH
What: Gate of India (North Indian Food)
Where: 7300 Sunset Blvd. D&E, Los Angeles, California 90046 (at Fuller Street)
When: 10:30 am

STEP 2:
What: Free Intro to Yoga Class
Where: Yoga Blend - 1921 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
When: From 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Hope to have you along whether it be for the food or the classes. If you're coming to the restaurant, RSVP to me by March 6th. If you plan on coming to the classes, make sure you RSVP with the YOGA BLEND studio.

WEEK 9: Happy Leap Year - Griffith Observatory

My friends and I were brainstorming and we decided that Griffith Park would be the perfect way to celebrate Leap Year! Sure, I considered leaping around like a raving idiot, but I also thought ballet wouldn't be something that many of us could club to (if a ballet club even exists.) But I figured we could leap frog all the way up the hill to the observatory.

What: Griffith Observatory
When: Friday, February 29, 2008 at 6:30pm
Where: 2800 East Observatory Road; Los Angeles, CA 90027 - 213-473-0800

Check out their website for more info:
http://www.griffithobservatory.org/general.html

Let's get our astronomy on!

REVIEW on WEEK 8: Ethiopian Food

This was the second time eating Ethiopian food, and it was just as amazing this time around as the first time around. The place was nice and cozy. We sat on hard seats with little tables in front of us... took up the whole middle of the restaurant. Half the people that showed were Ethiopian virgins. All of us left satisfied, our bellies content. We ordered the Super Messob Exclusive, which arrived in front of us as a large sampler platter: Doro Wot, Siga Wot, Yebeg Siga Alitcha, Yater Alitcha, Kitffo, Tibs, Yatakilt Alitcha, Alitcha, Yemisir Wot & Collard Greens all eaten with injera, a spongelike, soury bread. So much fun eating with our hands. I also tried their Ethiopian tea, which had some cinnamon flavor added. Several of the guys had the beer. I hear the beer across the street makes my friend hallucinate. I did notice that the food seemed to give me a sort of high, made me feel happy and hyper.

----- STATISTICS -----
People attended: 12
Time allocated: 2.5 hours

----- RATING ----- (out of 5 stars)
Food: 4.5 (Yum!)
Overall Experience: 4.5 - (Kinda far away for a weeknight. But we got a 10% discount!)



Great experience. Recommend it to anyone... Gabe is going to look for a Nigerian Restaurant to try sometime!

Happy Times

This site isn't only about planning events and attending them.... It's about so much more than. So I just wanted to say, "Thank you, everyone!" People like you make these events possible and make them more fun for everyone, not just me. I really appreciate you all for participating.

The past couple months have been successful for this site and its intentions, and I'm only hoping to continue with this incline. Keep spreading the word! Thanks for all the inspiration and thanks for all your dedication because you put as much into these events that I do every week...

We're making friends, creating memories, and connecting with the world through experiencing new moments together!

****

Oh, so many happy times because of you!

WEEK 8: Ethiopian Food Excursion

You know, when I first signed up with blogspot (months before I even started blogging), I thought of all the blogging possibilities.... Top of my list was displaying all the restaurants I've been to and writing a critique about the food, ambiance, service, etc. The only reason I strayed from that was because I knew I'd be like thousands of other people who have the same intention. BORING! But I do still like to try new places and different types of food, and I DO still like to critique every aspect. So let's all be food critics for a night, and we'll rate the experience together.

What: Ethiopian Messob Restaurant
Where: 1041 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019 - phone: (323) 938-8827
When: Wednesday, February 20th - 8pm (or TBD if they have no space)

I've been wanting to try Ethiopian food once again. It's been so long since I've tried it, and I've tried it only once before. I believe we went to Rosalind's the first time. So this time I'd like to try the place across the street from it: Messob.

Check it out here: http://www.messob.com/
Oh, and they have a 10% website discount. Cool, huh? Print one out! http://www.messob.com/10_percent_discount.html

One thing to remember: RSVP (call, email, or comment me) by Tuesday at 7pm so that I can RSVP to the restaurant. Thank you kindly!

REVIEW on WEEK 7: Valentine's Day

This has been my second year (since I was 15) that I have been single on Valentine's Day. And let me just say, this was one of my best! I know what this may say for my choice in men, but really, I didn't feel sorry for myself like a lot of people do on this Hallmark holiday, nor did it feel like Single's Awareness Day was being rubbed in any of our faces. Just being among good company filled our hearts with joy. Surprisingly, everyone participated in my schedule for the night. And although I was starting to feel like having these parties was financially draining, I look at it and see how everyone pitched in. They brought drinks, cooked food (thanks, Amy!), and even ordered pizza (thanks, Gabe!) It's pitching in like this that doesn't drain me financially and emotionally, and that makes me continue having these events every week.

So with that said, let me just elaborate on the activities that filled out night. The early-comers watched some of "The Last Kiss." I watched bits of it, so I can't really comment on my opinion about it. When more people arrived and the movie ended, we started baking. First was prepping the crust for the apple tarts. Then we made the sugar cookie dough. People used old Christmas cookie cutters that I borrowed from my mom and used sprinkles and icing to decorate their creations. The cookies turned out pretty good. It was my first time I made sugar cookies without adult supervision (meaning, I haven't made sugar cookies since I was like 5.) As we continued this process, Tony was melting chocolate in the fondue pot. We used some chocolate with nuts to give some texture to the chocolate, and then we dipped fresh strawberries into it. Yum! Time was getting late, so we put aside the final baking and continued with the next activity - sharing something special about ourselves/sharing a special talent we have. As we went around the group, I found out just how creative and artistic every one of us are. Among the talent:
- Writing
- Drawing
- Playing Guitar
- Singing
- Dancing
- Drumming
- Photography/Painting
- Makeup Artistry
It was a beautiful experience! I feel like we all bonded that night, even those who didn't know anyone there. I didn't even know everyone there, but I think that's what makes these events so fulfilling for me - to make new connections with people. And it's thanks to you, my friends, that I can do this... This, in essence, is what my blog events are all about!

----- STATISTICS -----
People attended: 14 (better turnout than expected - all singles except for one.)
Time allocated: 5 hours

----- RATING ----- (out of 5 stars)
Food: 4.5 (Thank you Amy for making the pasta, and Gabe for ordering garlic pizza. Yum! Thanks to everyone else for the drinks.)
- Sugar Cookies: 3 (sugar cookies aren't my fave.)
- Chocolate-covered strawberries: 4 (good, but small strawberries... and I dipped my finger in the hot chocolate. OUCH! Well, it is me I'm talking about.)
- Apple Tarts: 4 (I need to modify the recipe because the apples were a little over-cooked, but it was still yummy.)
Overall Experience: 5 (Two weeks in a row!)

Yes, even though the party ended, I was still determined to make my apple tarts. So Nika and I got on it, using my famous apple pie recipe. Although I do need to modify it accordingly, the tarts turned out to be excellent! I went into work on Friday and shared the three types of treats with my co-workers. They were all happy to have some sugar in them.

Thank you all for coming! And like Kai-lan says, "You make my heart feel super happy! Zai-jian!" I really appreciate you all for coming and helping out! You make these events happen, not me. So here's to more! CHEERS!

2/13/08: Flavor of the Day

So I've been thinking about a lot of things lately... mostly my mind runs in circles because it's so confused. I feel my growth has been stifled, yet I feel I have grown so much in other areas of my life. I feel intellectually numb... intellectually brilliant but at the same time intellectually ignorant. I was speaking to a friend the other day. He said he believes the truth. But what exactly is the truth? How do we know it? I remember the X-files coined the term "The Truth is Out There." What one believes to be true may be true for one but not true for another. That is termed "belief," I suppose. Although I find it difficult at times to distinguish truth from imagination, both are extremely powerful forces of the mind. I do believe that to be true.

In any case, I have analyzed why I plan so many random things. I have many different interests, as you all know, and I guess in a sense I'm trying to discover who I "truly" am. I'm young still, right? I can experiment with different substances, partake in adventures of various degrees. I want to learn about different realms of existences, different paths to the spiritual world, different masks to wear in different situations. I want life to unveil and reveal itself to me like the unfurling colors of a kaleidoscope. I want to experience various walks of life, to further understand the world. I want to keep learning, keep being spiritually connected to the world so that I can be in harmony with it one day. That, to me, is a certain truth about me.

One other thing I do BELIEVE to be TRUE is this: Life is an adventure, given to us once, taken almost immediately when we least expect. Live in the present, for it is a gift of love. The choices we make today will affect how karma treats us tomorrow. Choose wisely, live freely, love unconditionally.

Be good....
Well, what's good?
Oh, the semantics of words....

Some future adventures to digest...

Here is a basic outline of what I am planning in the near future. I have listed them so anyone who wants to go can purchase tickets ahead of time.

Spring:
1. Sweeny Todd - March 11th at the Ahmanson - 7pm
2. Race/LA - http://www.racela.com/about_cr.html
3. Wicked - a weeknight in March/April
4. Road trip to Grand Canyon or Arizona
5. Dancing at the Derby http://www.clubderby.com/
6. Silver Lake and Hippie food
7. Griffith Observatory
8. Dinner and a Movie - Cinespace Hollywood http://www.cinespace.info/movies_template_calendar.html

Summer:
1. Skydiving
2. Japanese Party
3. New York
4. Hollywood Park http://www.hollywoodpark.com/
5. Mountain and River Adventure in the Kern Valley (road trip) http://www.mtnriver.com/climb.htm

Restaurants to try: http://www.latimemachines.com/new_page_7.htm
http://novaexpresscafe.com/main.html
http://www.darkdining.com/
http://www.geocities.com/bahookarestaurant/welcome.htm
http://www.cliftonscafeteria.com/home.html
Moun of Tunis
Ehtiopian

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2812673-los_angeles_things_to_do-i

Please let me know if you're interested in attending... especially the Sweeny Todd show coming up. I have already purchased tickets, but wanted to put it out there so you can purchase your own. We may not be sitting together, but at least we'll be at the same performance and can eat dinner before or after. Any other events you want to make, let me know, and if you have anything you want to do, please let me know as well.

Fun times ahead...

WEEK 7: Will You Be My Valentine?

What: Valentines Day
When: Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 8:00pm
Where: My apt.

It's that holiday again. You either love it or loathe it. I don't particularly care for it, if I'm single, smitten, or taken. To me, being with someone you love who equally loves you seems not to exist... so when I see other people that have their significant others, I'm happy for them, sure, but I doubt I'll be that lucky in the near future. But I digress...

This holiday is meant to share with those you love, whether they're significant others or family or friends. But ultimately it's self-love that you must achieve before you can freely give it to another. And what better way than with friends.

So what I have planned is this (and please eat dinner before you come over as we will only be baking treats this week, not a real meal):

1. Bake cookies and other goodies so that my apt. smells all yummy (for the sweet part of us.)
2. Dip strawberries in chocolate (for the passionate part of our hearts.)
3. Share and tell: we all tell others what we love about ourselves, what makes us unique
4. Gratitude list: we list all the things we are thankful for
5. Meditation and love prayer

As you can tell, this is meant for singles, but couples are more than welcome to come. I just figure the couples would most likely like to be alone that night. So while you couples are getting it on, we'll be getting on with something as well. (You can't hog all the fun on this holiday, you know.)

So all you who view this blog weekly, answer me this: Will YOU be my Valentine? I'm up for grabs this year, guys and gals! :)

REVIEW on WEEK 6: Chinese New Year Celebration

I'm excited about this New Year. How appropriate to celebrate my first Chinese New Year with the first animal of the zodiac. And how doubly appropriate that the show I'm working on "Ni Hao Kai-lan" (a preschool show about a Chinese-American girl and her friends) premiered that day as well.

On the Menu:
- Mandarin oranges
- Dried squid
- Wontons - Crabby cream cheese/pork
- Wonton soup
- Fish - baked/fried
- Buddha's Delight - yes, I actually attempted to make it
- Stir fry noodles

I don't usually cook any kind of Chinese food aside from wontons. Most people brought over drinks, and we all shared in the holiday festivities. I did want to decorate, but I wasn't at work the past couple days so I couldn't "borrow" any of the decorations from my production team.

I was worried that people wouldn't have much to do. I mean, I planned the feasting, but other than that, I wasn't sure. I did my research and found some stories about how the rat climbed (or conned) its way up to being first on the zodiac. That was fun, although everyone was bashing on the two rats there, calling them words that connoted manipulative and underhanded actions. It was all in good fun, though. Besides that, I wasn't sure how to entertain my guests. I thought maybe a game of mahjong or Chinese checkers, or maybe a Chinese movie - drama or kung fu. Thought that might be overkill though. But people ended up playing the Wii, playing cards, playing guitar, and just talking and getting to know each other in general. Friends from all over came - from school, work, random friends, and friends of friends. Even my brother was there! I was excited about that. At the end of the night, I gave everyone who attended a Chinese envelope with some pennies inside, and of course a fortune cookie for good luck. (My roomies and I didn't clean till today because we didn't want to clean the good luck away.)

One thing, however, was that I also wanted to celebrate in honor of my grandmother Elsie. She's my Chinese grandma, and even though she doesn't know a word of Chinese, she's shed light on some good Chinese food and Chinese-American culture. She passed away this past Tuesday (which is why I didn't attend the Farmers Market this weekend.) God rest her soul. I am at peace knowing she's in a better place and remembering that she had a long and happy life, and a huge family that loves her dearly. I miss her so much. She raised my brother, cousin, and I in the summers till i was 12, and has been a huge inspiration on my life. She was such a strong and independent woman. I felt her soul descend on mine the moment she went to heaven. She is with me still, and our love will bind us forever. I love you, grandma. And I miss you...

----- STATISTICS -----
People attended: 16+ (better turnout than expected, and best ever!)
Time allocated: 4 hours

----- RATING ----- (out of 5 stars)
Food: 4 (My roomies and I did most the cooking. Thank you Amy for making the noodles. Thanks to everyone else for the drinks, dessert, etc.)
Overall Experience: 5 (first ever!!!)

Thank you everyone who attended! I had a lot of positive feedback about this event... it's even inspired me to do something more. Happy new year of the rat, everyone. May the year be prosperous!



Gong xi! Gong xi!

WEEK 6: Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Rat

I've never celebrated Chinese New Year, nor do I know much about its custom. I know, I'm a sorry excuse for a person of Chinese descent, but I'm trying, so that should matter, right?

According to my friends, a big part of the Chinese New Year is not only spending it with family and friends, but spending it eating. Hopefully I'll either have time to make or pick up the following items:
1. Fish - a white fish probably (SURPLUS)
2. Noodles - most likely chow mein (LONGEVITY)
3. Dumplings - I'll probably make wonton soup and fried cream cheese/crab wontons (LUCK)
4. Buddha's Delight - if I can find this dish... I won't attempt to make it myself

The Chinese do a thorough cleansing of the home. (Hopefully my roomies and I will have it all crisp and tidy for everyone.) They also decorate with a lot of RED items, like lanterns, fireworks, etc. Coins, flowers, and mandarin oranges are another familiar item seen on the new year.

We'll exchange Chinese folk tales, especially the one about the zodiac race. This is the year of the rat, and if you don't know the story, the rat came in first place. So all born in '72 and '84: this is your year!

I really don't know how authentic it will be, but it's my interpretation, so if you've never celebrated before, maybe now's the time to see what it's like. It'll be another experimental night! In any case, we will be culturally educated and (hopefully) enlightened.

In another sense, this is a great complement to the Ni Hao Kai-lan Premiere Party. Yes, my show is finally going to air on this date. It's been a long time coming, so this is another great way to celebrate a couple years' worth of hard work.. blood and sweat has been soaked into that show. My colleagues and I all need a nice pat on the back instead of the familiar whip lashing against our already-broken backs.... But I diverge... this is a happy time of year! :D

If you want to contribute to the festivities and bring a dish or decorations, please let me know. For some info on the holiday:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year. With the Chinese being highly superstitious, I encourage you to read the good luck/bad luck section of the article. It's always good to be prepared.

Again, let me know who's coming and what you're bringing. I'll need a number count because I already have a few RSVPs even before I post this. Thank you!

恭喜發財 and Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo nálái!