#extract

God wants you to live a life of victory.
He doesn’t want you to barely get by.
He’s called El Shaddai – “The God of more than enough”.
He’s not El Cheapo – “The God of barely enough”.
So be persistent and don’t give up because He is there and won’t disappoint you.

 

Universal Studios Hollywood

My friend Ian took me out to Universal Studios Hollywood just recently and we spent the whole day there checking out famous movie sets that were being shot around the area.

JAWS-style.

Krusty-land! The Simpsons ride was one of my favorite among the bunch.
Battle of the yellow – Spongebob vs. Simpsons.
This yellow house familiar much? The Studio Tour took us to the set of Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane.


Destruction scene from the blockbuster – War of the Worlds. Steven Spielberg’s just amazing.

Anyway, on my way home I got the cutest souvenir ever ……….. Its………… *drumroll…….. “A pair of Homer Bedroom slippers!!!”

They looked completely whack on the shelves… so I decided to bring Homer home with me.

ロサンゼルスの観光

At the Americano in Glendale with Crystal…


いさしぶりの日本語のブログポストです！！ロサンゼルスのお引っ越しも１月たった！ここは東京とシンガポールに比べたら文化遺産は全然違うと思います。早 く慣れなきゃ！ここも知らなきゃ行けない事もいっぱいあります、夜一人で絶対行けない場所とか。私は習った日本語を忘れたくないからこれからウログで日本 語のポストをもっと書きます。オーケーまた今度！

SoCal

…After much effort, I’ve finally moved into my new apartment! My energy is pretty much sapped dry from moving around. If I have to deal with another week of packing and unpacking, I think I’ll honestly kill myself in frustration. On a lighter note, there is something I am totally thrilled about – There’s a Pinkberry store just a 2 minute walk away from my place!! I know… I’m ecstatic! I have pretty much been stuffing myself up with Fro-yo everyday since I moved in! I don’t know if its a good or a bad thing but those yogurt chips go so well with the fro-yo that it makes the combo irresistible and highly addictive!

Things I have learnt so far

1. You need to know how to drive in LA.

…ok, I am still having a problem with this driving habit the people here possess. I am of course planning on getting my drivers license settled soon but I have no idea how long it would take especially since I have absolutely zero experience in driving. For the past few weeks, when someone asks me a question like – “Do you have a car?” or “Do you drive?”, you should see their faces when I tell them I have never driven a car before. If you were around and haven’t heard my response, judging from these people’s reactions, you would have thought that I’ve said something outrages like I killed someone’s dog or stripped for a living.

2. Never take cabs here unless if your designated location is less than a 30 min drive away.

I love taking cabs in Japan and Singapore. And though taking cabs in Japan are known to be expensive, trust me, it can’t be compared to the cabs out here. I was staying far up north in Canoga Park during my first few days in California and I had to commute to LA to settle some stuff. The 40 minute drive back and forth cost me USD$90 per trip which ended up to be USD$180 of commute per day. And there really isn’t an efficient public transport here either or I would have used it. I’ve definetely spent more than a thousand dollars on cabs this month… and honestly, I think I’ve have had my fair share of taking in crap from these ridiculous cab drivers. Anyway, No. 1 and 2 pretty much sums up how not having a car here is a disability.

3. Basic cooking skills are needed especially if you’re staying alone.

…well unless you don’t mind eating out alone everyday. I’m so used to eating out everyday in Japan or having my maid cook for me in Singapore so I have never really bothered much about making my own food. I’m suffering the consequences now. This is what I eat every morning…

I know. Don’t even ask.

4. Ignore strangers who shoot you unnecessary comments.

I’ll sum this up by listing down an example.

“Hey you! Asian girl!! Neee haoo ma?? Anneohaseyooo!! Aishiteru!!”

This ridiculous guy was apparently trying to figure out what race I was by throwing out the only verses of Chinese, Korean and Japanese he knew. Well at least he got the Asian part right.

I am easing up on my daily routines for the next few weeks. I think I’ve stressed myself out for the past week. Anyway, my friends have been bringing me around different beaches, places for shopping, and other sightseeing areas so basically I’m still like a tourist because there is so much I have yet to know.

We drove over to Huntington Beach in Orange County…

With my peeps David and Mari whom I haven’t seen since the last time we parted in Tokyo!!


At Newport Beach. I’m madly in love with the tranquil and relaxing atmosphere here… And the sunset is beautiful!

At the Santa Monica Pier while also checking out the new mall on Third Street that opened just recently…

As for now, I’m mentally preparing myself once again for any new changes to a whole new life ahead of me…