Chicken Feet

Who said that you had to go somewhere international to feel like you are in a foreign country? Right here in Oakland you can go to the The Legendary Palace where there are no menus and all you will hear is Mandarin and maybe some Cantonese, but who I am kidding there is no way in hell I would no the difference. Luckily, my two co-workers are from Hong Kong and they speak fluent Cantonese and Mandarin.

The Legendary Palace has amazing Dim Sum and it is so chaotic and busy that you hardly would think that you are in Oakland CA. The last time we went to Dim Sum they were out of Chicken Feet and although I was slightly relieved, I was determined to try it this time, bones and all!

At first glance it is not so appetizing, the claws dangle down, and you can see where they just chopped the foot off at the ankle. I gingerly put one on my plate and begin to gnaw on it and am kindly advised to eat the claw side first, naturally! I managed to eat two claws and spit out the bones and I am feeling very proud of myself until I look over and see that in the same amount of time my co-worker has eaten two and spit out all the bones!! Very impressive!! My two co-workers are just laughing at me without respiration, but they are quite impressed that I insisted on trying it and all the other Dim Sum was sooo Yummy! At least now I can officially say that I have eaten Chicken Feet!

2011

How time flys! It has almost been a year since I have been back in the states..... and in less than 3 weeks I will be going back down to Chile for a month to work down in our office in Santiago and I could not be more excited!! One of my good friends is getting married and I get to go to her wedding. I don't know how I got so lucky to have landed what could quite possibly be my dream job at 23, but those of you who know me, know that Travel, spanish, and negotiating have always been passions of mine and now I get to do those things for a living! What do you do..."You know, I am an Importer/Exporter" :)

I am not sure what to think, and sometimes I need to pinch myself, because, I live in the most amazing city, with the most incredible friends and have the most loving family that one could ever ask for. So I guess the only thing left to say is "Gracias a la vida."

Nan Nan

Dearest Nan Nan,

Your generosity will live on through your teddy bears.

Your comfort and tenderness through your mashed potato recipe.

Your wisdom and stubbornness through your antiques and beautiful possessions.

Your optimism through your glistening Rings!

Your touch through nothing more than your unforgettable hugs.

You were so many things to me, and you taught me that it is OK to show the people that you love that you really love them.

You loved us every second of everyday, and for that I am forever grateful to you, because Love is a special thing and we all need to love and be loved.

Thank you for spoiling me rotten, making me mashed potatoes when I was sick, taking me to the pool when my Mom wouldn't, buying me that Dress that my Mom wouldn't, pretty much everything that my Mom wouldn't let me do:)))

Thank you for teaching me how to bargain, I wouldn't be where I am today without that skill, but most importantly, thank you for being my NAN NAN and truly believing that I am the most wonderful thing in the world, even if it's not exactly accurate:)

You will always hold a special place in my heart, and your memory will live on.

I hope that you are where you wanted to be, be proud of yourself, your children, grand-children, your life and your memory. Your accomplishments never cease to amaze me.

I will love you always and forever.

Sincerely,

Your Clairee

Identity Crisis

1.) Left ID and credit card in cab because of my own stupid mistakes.(aka incoherent)

2.) Left bag with all important docs visible and car got broken into.

3.) Spent two weeks canceling all bank accounts, passports, reporting identity theft, and to be honest freaking out just a little bit.

4.) Guy finds my bag with everything in it besides my credit cards, and I get bag back.

I am going to look at the positive side and point out that I only spent a $160.00, a few phone calls, and irritable moments to get my identity back.

I guess sometimes you have to learn the hard way, or maybe I should just start being responsible, but who are we kidding??

Be good to yourself. (period)

We may judge others

we may compare ourselves to others

we may even wish to live the lives of others,

But you are you and I am me,

This is certain, no matter who we wish to be.

So be good to yourself,

Accept your flaws

Strive to cater to your strengths

Look in the mirror and smile everyday.

Because there is only one you and one me.

But only you can be your own worst enemy

or your best friend.

Life is short, but the longest relationship

is the one you have with yourself.

California

After traveling to some different international places and loving it, I feel even more fortunate to return to my own stomping ground and realize how beautiful not only San Francisco is, but it's surrounding areas.

California in general is an amazing, place because we have the beach, city, mountains, lakes, and deserts all within a day's reach, but how often do we take advantage of our own back yard?? When we travel we explore every inch of these new lands, but at home we tend to not do the " "touristy" thing....well you better believe, that I have been to Alcatraz, lombard st, Hollywood Blvd., the Getty Muesem, the Rose Bowl, Yoesmite, Palm Springs, etc......All thanks to my parents influence to explore and enjoy our wonderful California. But now I am ready to see MORE....only an hour to two hours away lies wonderful national parks, beautiful beaches, amazing wine country and endless fun! Because let's be honest, we Californians are spoiled, but let's not take our riches for granted.

Next stops:

Tiburon Wine Festival....love me some good vino

Gilroy Garlic Festival....my breath is naturally sweet

Big Sur...who said hiking and biking had to be done sober?

Muddy Buddy in Walnut Creek....running, biking, and crawling across a mud pit to get to end goal..BEER GARDEN ( and money goes to help cancer)

Russian River.....me, inner tube, and a beer, need I say more?(yes I drink beer now:) and I like it!

These are just a few things that I will be doing to take advantage of the place where I live, but let me know of hidden CA places that you love.....

Digas lo que digas

Mentira....

Tu eres mentiroso

pero no es mi problema, nada mas.

Espero que tu aprendes de tus errores

Te deseo una vida feliz

pero no de mi cuenta.

No es la culpa de nadie que falta

el amor entre nosotros

pero, ahora no es mi responsibilad tampoco.

Vete de San Francisco

No es tu hogar

pero yo soy fuerte y vas a ver mis acciones.

No me digas nada de la verdad

y era mi culpa por te crei.

pero yo digo la verdad.

Una persona mentiroso no sabe la verdad

Te enseno que no puedes vivir una vida como asi

pero no tengo amor para ti.

Solo quiero hacer cual es correcto por la ley.

es mejor para mi, y despues del pasado esto es lo mas importante

pero, otra vez no te quiero, solo quiero cual es justo en la vida.