Caution Roadblock Ahead

Recently, my department is undergoing a re-org since we have a new VP. At this point I still don't know who I will be reporting to going forward, at least we are assured of there is not going to be any WFR for now. With all projects, deadlines and people projects, it feels so stressful all the time. In addition to that now I have the re-org to think about.

Don't get me wrong, yes I'm thankful that I still have to get up every morning to go to work considering the current economic situation out there. Not for one second I'm not thankful. However I'm feeling that I'm at my life roadblock right now as well trying to figure out what to do with my life going forward because it seems to be pathetic right now as the conversation (one that I had with a co-worker I have know for a long time) below depicts it.

co-worker: how much PTO do you have now?
me: 100 i think
co-worker: that's good. save it for september......
me: why september
i might go crazy before then though
since it is still 4 months away
co-worker: ya ya. you said that before
you're gonna be here for 9 years
just like my bitching
me: next month it will be 9 years
co-worker: bitch bitch bitch.......still stays here......
me: hehe
at least i have moved a dept
co-worker: now it's worse cause we have mortgage
that's true. i'm still doing the same freaking job
how depressing

Need something new, something fresh to prevent my mind from rotting away. Any suggestions?

Spring brings good news, happy news ...

... got woke up by a phone call on Saturday morning, granted that it was already time to get up since it was 10.30 a.m. already :P however I was so grumpy because the first thought that came to my mind was that people from work was calling me again.

My grumpy hello wasn't greeted too well by the person on the other side of the phone, my big sister. As always, the first word that blurted out from her was, 'What time is it already, and you are still in bed?' and on it goes. Oops.. I shouldn't had been that grumpy and asked for a lesson early in the morning.

Next thing you know, she became bubbly and told me that I'm going to be an 'Ah Yi' again. I paused for a minute or two and my mind just didn't catch what she was trying to tell me. So, she repeated herself. Ah... then it clicked, she is having a baby. Indeed it was a good morning, a true blessing since she has been hoping for a baby for years already. It somehow remind me never to give up hope in anything that you do even if the chance is so slim that it will ever happens.

Not sure whether it is going to be a boy or girl right now, all I know is that we will be welcoming the baby sometime in December. My heart is so happy just blogging about this.

Rising Sales Tax coming April 1st.

I have been hearing about the issue of raising sales tax in California however I didn't realize that the law was passed already until today and will be effective until either mid-year 2011 or mid-year 2012 depending on the outcome of a vote that is going to happens around May 19th this year. I always wonder where does all those taxes money that we pay every year goes to, especially when California is one of the higher tax state around the country.

With all the economic issues that we are having right now, it is as if there is not enough effect on our daily life, now we have to add on this 1% hike in sales tax. 1% doesn't seem that much however it is over 10% hike from previous sales tax rate.

Now it is time to think of more ways to make an extra buck to cover the 1% sales tax that need to be pay everytime I visit the checkout counter at every store. We just can't catch a break these days.

Go Green, Earth Hour, did you do your part?

Everyone is talking about the campaign 'Go Green' these days. Around my company I can see posters up on the board advertising everyone to go green. One of the first action is that everyone is given a mug to use in office which I really like since this reduce usage of plastic cup. However I'm not sure why some people still continue using those plastic cup, for some reason even when it is such a small effort they don't to even give it a try.

Tonight, for an hour @ 8.30 p.m. everyone around the world is suppose to have a light out as a symbolic gesture highlighting rising concerns over climate changes.
Not that I think it is might help much if we are just doing it for one day, I still believe that every little effort adds up. So, instead of participating in just the Earth Hour, maybe we should incorporate it into our daily life.

After all, we would still want our future generations to enjoy what we have today. Wouldn't you?

Lobster Sashimi Anyone?

I was sorting photos and came across this one that was taken during one of our fancy meal that my brother brought us to at Ah Yat Abalone in Jakarta. Oh my, it is the best sashimi I have ever had thus far, lobster sashimi. The taste and texture of it is incredible. However don't ask me what is the name of that lobster, can't really recall :).



In my life so far, I have been introduce to a lot of exotic seafood by my brother who is working in F&B industry. Lucky me I would say, if it is not because of my brother I probably would not go to the restaurant and order those food.

Another sashimi that I really like is Geoduck Sashimi. Forgot a photo of it last time we were at the restaurant. You probably ask what is the big pot in the photo for, well, if you look carefully my mom is in the photo as well. She is definitely not going to miss out on the fabulous food. That pot is for her since she doesn't eat raw food. She had lobster shabu shabu instead.

Season comes season goes ...

... way of life, you would say. Without me realizing it I have been capturing moments of the season this year, which I also enjoy along the way. Here are the 3 seasons in a year that I like best.


The changing of color around us to display glorious colors that changes the mood from day to day. My prefer season if we can have it all year round just because it is such a beautiful painting. Of course it will be an added bonus as well if it is sunny during this time of the year, makes the color more bold and standout.


Then all the colorful color turn brown and with time the shedding of leaves happens until all of it is gone before it conserves energy to produce new bubs next fall. With the exception of those that needs to keep it to help it goes through winter freezing. Tis is the season to gather and enjoy the companion of your love ones to warm up your tired body and soul after a long year and also the energize for the next year to come.


Then we welcome the new life of the year with blossoming flowers and growing new bubs on the trees. This season around we are surrounded by all different colors that you have in your crayon box and the fragrance smell of new life. A time to spend if you have, sipping coffee in your backyard under the sunny sky.

What will be the next season like? It is yet to be capture and I will tell you more when it is ready. All I need now is a new patio set for my backyard so I can enjoy the blossoming jasmine.

Fresh from oven

Never have I been so motivated to get up early in the morning on a weekend to bake for breakfast. However, I'm not sure what have gotten into me, maybe a whole month of getting up really early for meeting cause it.

Last Saturday, I got up early and saw the last banana on the table and suddenly I felt like baking. I know I'm a little weird. Baking and cooking sometime help me relax my mind and body. I do that sometime to help me destress. Try it sometime, it really helps, however of course you need to be in the mood, else it will be even more stressful.

After couple minutes of looking around the pantry, I found some almond as well, so might as well make banana nut cake for breakfast. After 15 minutes, here is what I whip up and it is ready to go into the oven.


25 to 30 minutes later, I have fresh banana cake on the table for breakfast.
The recipe is courtesy of Joy of Baking.

Recipe:
1 cup (115 grams) walnuts or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)
1 3/4 cups (245 grams) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 ripe large bananas (approximately 1 pound or 454 grams), mashed well (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Garnish: (Optional)
1 large banana, sliced or dried banana chips



Add another cup of joe and my breakfast is set. Time to sit down for breakfast by the window to enjoy the garden and the morning sun. Hmmm... only if we can do this everyday. Ah... what a day it would be.

Happy 'Niu' Year

So bump out that this year I wasn't going to celebrate Chinese New Year back home. I miss everything about it. The people, the atmosphere, the food, the gambling, everything and anything about it. People always said the celebration is less significant anymore when you grow older however, maybe because of being so far away from home, I felt that is not true. If not I won't mind missing it. To me it is a very important time to reconnect with your family members, take time and catch up on time you miss throughout the year.

Instead of staying home and sulk, I decided to take a trip to San Francisco Chinatown to visit the Flower Market they had to celebrate the coming year. This is my first time visiting the flower market. I was surprised that it was so crowded and the atmosphere is cheering me up too. At last I felt like the existence of the celebration a little.



There are stalls setup along Grant street and also the cross street. I'm glad that I took the trip. From decorations, food and clothing.



I can't resist these shots of traditional baby kids clothing especially in a variety of red colors. All baby kids would look so cute in them.






Everyone is buying flower, so I bought myself a bunch as well. Some red color for the house to light up the mood.


Here is what I cooked up for the reunion dinner at my home, first ever reunion dinner at my new home. Nothing too fancy like what I would have been serve if I was back home with my parents.

Happy 'Niu' Year everyone, hopefully it will be a better year for you. Crossing my finger :)

Glad to be still WORKING?

I have been MIA for a while now. Where have I been? Truth is, no where, I was at work. Finally, couple hours ago, I finished a production rollout for a customer. One down and couples more to go. This year started off with a bang. I was superbusy at work, never have I been so in need of more time since the first day I started working close to 9 years ago.

You must be thinking that I should be thankful to still have a job, why am I still ranting? Every other day, left and right there are news of layoff happening. I must have to be out of my mind if I'm not. Well, of course I am thankful that I'm still holding onto a job. However, to draw a line of not bringing work home is getting tougher. Will it affect my life outside my job? This is what worry me most.

Looking at news everyday, it doesn't seems like the economy is going to get any better anytime soon. One month down and 11 more to go. Argh....

Christmas In The Park

This is one long overdue post.

Every year, City of San Jose host Christmas in the Park by downtown. It started right after Thanksgiving. Always wanted to go every year however, I have always been away from town around Christmas. Last year although I didn't go too far, however I still managed to go only on the last day prior to them taking down all the decorations. Oh well, it is better late than never.



The weather was perfect that day, it was sunny albeit a little cold. So we just stroll around and took some photos of those leftover decorations that hadn't been take down yet.



Always think of trying to capture a picture of the ferris wheel when it in running at night to get the effect of a light ring but never have a chance yet. Something I should pay more attention to and see where I can find a ferris wheel that is still operating at night.






Apart from the Christmas decorations, there is also an open air ice skating rink setup so you can enjoy skating in the open air or under the starry sky. Sounds so romantic, too bad didn't get to really try it, bleh.


This year, I think I should make a point to go earlier to get into Christmasy mood. Always plan to, however who knows what the plan will turn out to be.