Sin City!

It is the duty of every Californian who has turned twenty one years of age to take a pilgrimage to the city of sin-lights-that never sleeps-what happens here stays here-etc.

As of last week, I have yet to pay my homage to old age.  

Yes, I've been all around Europe and Asia, been to the Macau, the Vegas of the East, been to Queen, the hottest club in Paris, been to this, been to that, but I had not stepped foot into Nevada since turning the big 2-1. 

But that was as of last week.

As a bon voyage to my final spring break, HK Krew ventured forth to Vegas where bright lights awaited our arrival...

Located in the center of the strip, we were blessed with complimentary rooms (the only way you can drag me to Vegas) at the Planet Hollywood Hotel, fitting since the Planet Hollywood restaurants (do you remember them?) always gypped my family with their $20 burgers and spaghetti dinners. Thanks Will! Thank your uncle for us, please!

We spent our day at the shooting range poppin' some bullets into the ol' AK-47 and then some into my most dreaded enemy: an illustrated profile of a zombie.

Such a bad-ass, huh?  

I was actually very, very nervous as we got to the shooting range. When I had enthusiastically suggested the idea at the beginning of our trip, it had not dawn on me that we would actually be using guns, loathsome weapons that have killed many and injured many more.  The Gun Store turned out to be a very safe place and the man assured us that bigger guns were actually easier to use than small pistols. Here are our results.

Lol, when my friend Jenn (far right) asked for her target, she said, "Can I get Obama, please" and the man corrected her, "You mean Osama, right?" I surely hope she means the latter because that girl tore into her target like no other.

My friends (with the exception of Will and Jenn) aren't big gamblers so I wasn't as tempted to throw all my money away onto the green table as I normally would be if I were around other company--namely my family. Instead, we threw our money away at the arcades of Circus Circus. Jeff was adamant about winning a stuffed animal so he played all the games of our glory years. He played...

and played...
and FINALLY won a miniature cow at the chicken pounding booth!
...which he promptly gifted to me (most likely because I teased him so badly for not winning anything for the longest time). I named the cow Lucky because I like to name things. (see: Oliver MacArthur)

Eating was a pleasure (but also a pain)  because...look at the size of this thing! It's just asking for a heart attack.

Our dinner was comp'd (these things happen when you're VIP) but none of us truly enjoyed it to the fullest extent because we were all still full from lunch. Darn you, un-expandable stomach!

We also wanted to save room to consume other things. Namely, the giant yard long drinks that seems to be a must-tote around Vegas. 

A Vegas trip isn't complete without a night out at the clubs.  We were offered entrance to most of the hot spots around town; Prive, Tao, but we wanted to check out the newest, hence most elusive, XS.

For the longest time, things looked hopeless. The line at XS stretched farther than Margarita Mondays at Acupulco and my leopard-printed 4-inch pumps were killing me. But eventually, we got in because we're...well, girls and pretty attractive.  (And my friend finally got ahold of the promoter that unlocked the velvet ropes)

When we got in the club, the first thing I noticed was how not packed it was. I hate it when people throw that exclusivity thing around to build more hype. When you have the goods, share it! But that's how the game is played, I suppose.

The gals with Jeff, who bought my first drink of the night. Thanks friend!

Finally, the drive home. I would have to say, I actually enjoy our long drives to and from Vegas.  That's the time when we bond the most, share the most, laugh the most. I'll cherish these moments when I'm old and rich and don't drive anymore because I'll own a private jet. =)

Vegas trip was definitely a success! Except for one thing: why do guys always feel that the best pick-up line for me is, "What ethnicity are you?" or "Wow, you're really tall." Do you really think that demonstrating a confusion to my "exotic" looks or commenting on my towering state of presence is going to get you anywhere? Sometimes the best opening is just a simple, "Hello." *swoon.

*muchos gracias to Jenn and Jeff for letting me steal their pictures to tell parts of my story.

Oh my pretty little blog, how I've missed updating on you!

The economy's been kind of a bummer lately and I am trying hard not to indulge myself by going on trips and journeys.  That means no Vegas trips (unless all expense-paid), no NYC visits (on again, all expense-paid. Any takers?), no spontaneous jaunts to Mexico (I'm still waiting on that all expense-paid) for awhile.  

But I'll have plenty to keep me busy.  One of them is this new blog that I've started called "Media Maid."  You can visit it at www.mediamaid.blogspot.com.  I haven't gotten very far with it but hopefully, I'll be updating more regularly in the near future.  This new blog will probably chronicle me as I navigate my way through the media world, whether it's hanging out with Al Pacino (you know, Michael Corleone) for the afternoon or just flipping through the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly.  We'll see how this goes!

Once again, thanks for reading, readers. I've cherished every verbal and typed comments I've received about this blog but the more comments the better! It's always great to hear feedback because that's what helps me as a writer and blogger.

I suppose I shall leave you with a very beautiful picture reflecting on California's unusually sunny outlook to these otherwise gloomy economic times.

Photo taken by dear Clark.  Snazzy, wouldn't you say?

"Travel isn't always pretty, it isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But thats okay, the journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you and hopefully you leave something good behind. " 

 

Anthony Bourdain

Adieu

Zhoi Gin, Hong Kong! This is not goodbye, just see ya later.

This semester abroad has definitely been a mixed bag of emotions. There were severe highs and outrageous lows. There were tragic tears but also unbelievable joys. But the best thing that I walked away from the last half year was learning. Learning from my mistakes, learning from my experiences, learning from what I saw, what I tried, who I met.

Here are some special folks that I want to shout out to. Those that have made my semester at Hong Kong so unbelievably memorable.

EAP Group

I've never really had a group before. Never felt the need to tie myself down with one group of friends. I've always been more of a nomad, a wanderer. But I have to say, I definitely had so much fun with these guys in Hong Kong this year. Partying, cheering eachother on at basketball games, 10PM sushi dinners, traveling. You guys were a barrel of laughs, a bucket of fun and a truckload of love. Thanks for all the good times guys! Let's hang out when we get backkkkk!! I better see you all on Bruinwalk!


As much as I loved hanging out with a group, my nomad tendencies still pluck at my heartstrings. These are some one on oners that I also enjoyed spending my time with.


Annie

Girlfriend, this is going to sound soooo cheesy but I knew since the first day that I saw you at R.C. Lee when I was moving in that we were going to be great friends. It was confirmed when we went out that first night and we made that special...revelation. There's no one else I like to go clubbing with better and no one else I like to chat until the wee hours of mornings with. You call me on my shit and I am so grateful for your no-nonsense New York honesty. I can't wait to visit you in the East Coast someday (soon) and you better come over to Cali! I just realized we never went traveling together. Put that on your to-do list, okay? Okay.


Will

BF! Who would have known when we first met eachother at Jono's birthday dinner that we would end up exploring Hong Kong (and then some) together? Thanks for bursting my bubble on boys and helping me with everything, from spotting me 8 bucks to shopping with me to being my "Russell." You know way too much about me so I need to stay on your good side! Or else I'm afraid all our mutual friends-and boy, do we have a lot of mutual friends-will probably get an earful of humiliating Janice stories. Team Dynasty FTW!

Valerie

Oh my twinsie. You've been such a blast to get to know this semester. Who knew I would find my other half in a Caucasian girl from Sheboygan? I'm so sad we didn't get a chance to say a proper farewell but I'll definitely be seeing you around ol' City of Industry soon right? I mean, we lived through Thailand together! We can make it through America!  I hope you're having a blast with your family and friends back home. 30 Rock update soon!


Sara

Oh girly, class with you has been so fun this semester. Hopefully, we'll have more! I loved scarf shopping with you and talking about the sweet life in Switzerland. I know we'll have more of these moments back in LA and I can't wait.

Jeff and Jenn

Oh you two.  I've never shared more laughs or developed more insights to the world and the people living in it than when I'm with you two.  You're both always down for anything and everything, not like some party poopers that we know (speaking of poopers.....)  I love our laughs and our goofy dorkiness.  BRUINWALK REUNION PLEASE!

The Family

One of the main reasons I chose to stay in Hong Kong this semester was so I could spend more time with my cousins, Cissy and Irene.  As usual, you gals were the most gracious hostesses and provided me with everything I could ever hope for and more.  I hope you had as much fun being entertained by my awkward, clumsy, general Janice-ness as I was with your amazing Wang sister beauty, presence, charm and success.  I love you guys and can't wait until we next see each other!

I'll probably be staying put around LA for the next couple of months but that doesn't mean I won't be updating! (After all, a trip to Vegas is still traveling, right?) And also, be prepared for another blog I'm brewing up soon...

Christmas 2008

'Tis the season to be jolly!

Christmas Eve this year was a tad bit different, more high class, more glamorous, more glitzy. We dined at the elusive H-1 Italian restaurant.


My family loves pictures. We love it even more when we're all decked out and in a pretty place.





After dinner, we sang our hearts out. It wasn't really Christmas carols but it'll do.

Morning after, we all woke up extra early to open presents!!! Despite the current state of the economy, we still managed to make the Christmas tree look cheery and bright.

Jasmine's been a good girl this year. =)

And December 26th meant...BOXING DAY! AFTER-CHRISTMAS SALES!! Jessica and I dressed alike so we can spot each other out on the crowds. You bet we got called twins a lot.
Happy holidays everyone! I'll see you soon!

Family Matters

With pesky school out of the way, I was able to finally spend some quality time with the familia. My cousin Cissy's kids are growing up so fast! I remember it was just yesterday when she announced she was pregnant.

So much time has passed, so much has changed and yet...sometimes I feel like I haven't progressed as much as the kids. I mean, Jasmine can spell! She knows the entire Camp Rock by heart and can perform it with the right dance moves, facial expressions and everything! What have I accomplished over the past four years?

I love my family. We're a crazy bunch but close as heck. When I'm with them, I get fully absorbed into their world, which is why I've been MIA so often with my school friends at HKU. If I had the time (or enough drive), I would so write a sitcom based on my family. And you would so watch it.

Janice's Untitled Sitcom Project (let's call it The Family for now)

The thinking baby would act as the narrator, voicing the ongoings of the family in his gentle yet objective point of view.

The Family does normal everyday things! Like bake gingerbread men!

Of course half the gingerbread ends up burnt. Chaos and hilarity ensues.

Baby makes cute funny faces! Hilarity ensues!

The Family has photogenic Faces! Great for placing on billboards and in magazine ads.

The Family does impersonation of Sarah Palin! Cheaper version of Tina Fey!
The Family is dysfunctional. But cute.

The Family does normal things! Like go on their Apple laptops...which every single member of The Family owns. Every single one.

I love The Family. Coming soon to a television set near you.

I Flung the Fling

This entry was going to come sooner or later.  

At first, I thought it was going to be one on how I can't do flings because I'm the type of girl that falls too hard, too fast and is more cautious when treading relationship waters.  I'm more of an all-talk, less action sort of gal.  Sure, I'll squeal about marrying this boy or gush over how cute that one is but I don't actually do anything about it!  

I had been planning on writing an entry on overseas romance.  But only from a bystander's point of view because it was not something I had actually personally experienced.  Sure, there were a couple of kisses, numbers, and texts exchanged but everything was fleeting.  I was too busy traveling, taking pictures, playing with friends, exploring, meeting new people for anything more!

It's a romantic concept.  While abroad, you're alone in this new world, away from your closest family and friends.  You meet a beautiful stranger and you two only have a limited time together.  How can one not succumb to finding a love while studying abroad?  All those love stories must have some legs behind them.

I've had many a friends fallen into this spell while abroad.  Some came home with new lovers.  Some left their old ones for a foreign fling.  Some married.  Some broke up.  I'm sure everyone has stories.

But not me.  I never did.  I don't do flings.  I'm not a fling sort of girl.  

Until three weeks ago. 

I fell.  I fell hard and fast.  Our beginning came straight out of a Korean drama (except, you know, neither he nor I were Korean.)  For those first couple of weeks, I was living out a fairy tale.  So long I have been kissing frogs, have I finally found my prince?  

Then I realized that I'm not a princess. (Not yet, anyway) and we live in the 21st century Hong Kong, not Neverland.  

He did everything right... and if I were a girl ready to find "The One," I would have been done and over with.  But I wasn't and the "thing" became a "fling" which resulted in me finding out that I can't do flings.  I have much better things to do with my time. (Like HIMYM waiting for me to watch)

The experience was terribly fun, I must say.  I have plenty of stories now! (And you know me, I love stories)  I wouldn't take back anything that happened because after all, everything happens for a reason, right?  And at least I got a guy to play piano and serenade me out of it. (Just practice for my married life with Wang Lee Hom, I guess)

I'm so glad I didn't put him before Him.

Ahh...to be young and in love...what a wonderful feeling! But to be young and aware of the world and living each moment by being most true to yourself and learning and growing from every experience, even better.

P.S. It's amazing that a single song, (Taylor Swift's "Love Story") can symbolize an entire relationship from beginning to end.

*edit: scratch that.  Swift's "Forever and Always" has replaced "Love Story."  Actually, Taylor Swift's entire album is super rockin'.  I wonder, can you be a Chinese Californian country singer? (Time to start considering future career choices...)