Buca di beppo

I got a coupon from the mailer and decided to pick up some Buca di beppo on the way home.  Since Paul cooked spaghetti yesterday, I brought caesar salad, broccoli with garlic, potato salad, and tiramisu :)
Also had drumstick from wholefood and my favorite smoothie (strawberry and mango)

Insomnia

One of my customer used to look really drained.  Yesterday she came to me and looked really good.  I ask her why she looked so good. Her answer "I got enough sleep lately." When I asked her what kinda medicine she took, she answered "I didn't take any medicine, I got a cat and the cat sleep with me everyday." "I feel relaxed when I am with her" WOW, an answer I didn't expect, but it makes sense :)

Spring is here

This morning, I walk Charlie.. it's my regular routine.  As I walk Charlie, I thought about how I wanted a guided dog for the blind when I was little.  Now I am the guided person for Charlie.  Eventhough he can't see, he always walk way ahead of me.

I have a lady took a pix of us on the way back home. :)

Spring is here.. i can see from all the flowers blooming.

Today is Vinh's last day.  As usual, we did a pot luck.

Vinh and Nichole

Rubina and I

After work, we ate at Queen's house on Castro. We had their special (3 dishes) and beef noodle soup

So much food today! We went to bookstore afterwards and then home to rest.

Shopping at Valley Fair

I took Monica and Michelle to shopping today :)

Villa Montalvo

This has become our Thursday ritual.  We went hiking today at Villa Montalvo. Once I parked, I can't help loving the water sounds near the trail head.

The hike wasn't that hard but the view of the redwoods and the shade is great!

We are on our way to the top

This couple show us where the trail is got to the top before us.  They says they hike this trail everyday!

We came back down and headed to Hongs Gourmet on Big Basin Way.  We all shared the lunch special.

We enjoyed our hiking day :)

Hold On Tight

I picked Monica from her piano lesson today and she says there was a small bird in Ms Anika's backyard and she saw it flew into window and heard a loud "BANG!" I know it's just a bird to some people, but to me, it means so much more. Every spring, lots of birds comes to garden.  They pollinate flowers and make our lives beautiful.  The bird seemed disoriented for few minutes and then it flew away.

And then I got to thinking.  The same is true with our lives. One minute you are doing fine... enjoying your life, spending times with your family and friends, relaxing in your home, and then, there it is! Something comes along and snatches your mid-flight, whisking you off into the unknown.  One of your children becomes sick, your spouse leaves you, you lost your job.... And just like that bird, in an instand, your handing on for dear life. Unsure what the future has in store for you.

And like the bird, sometimes we need to take a deep breath, hold on tight and see where the road takes us. Wait for life to slow back down so we can catch our breath once again.  We, too, will know when it's ok to let go. We'll know when it's safe to take flight again. We always do.

Sushi 85

I had lunch with June today.  She suggested Sushi 85.  It's next to 99 ranch in mountain view, pretty good bento and we had nice chat :)

Villa 08

We went to Villa 08 with the Choi's.  I love their dim sum buffet.
Here is a few of my favorites...
Shark fin soup

tripe

and chicken feet :)

Since I didn't have veggies.. I got a plate with veggie and crab leg

The adults and kids all had fun.  Adults watched "Up in the Air" and the kids played video games and cards :)

Apple Galette

This is the most easy and tasty dessert i made recently with Monica.  I finally figure out the secret :)
Here are the ingredients

The receipe.. I sub the dough with classic puff pastry.

Here is the pre bake pic 400 F for 45 min.

Here is the after pic

Serve on the plate. Yum!

You can eat with ice cream as well.

St Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve and Opa!

Another hiking day! This time, Jeannie joins us instead of Anne.  Anne got a job last week and is unable to join us.
We meet behind my work and walked to the trail.... there are many ways to go up to the top, as long as you follow the main road, you will get there.
Here is the hilltop

Two bikers were nice enough to take pictures of us.

It took us about 2 hours round trip.  We came out of Jones road and it leads to main street.
We ate at Opa!
Here is what i ate...  greek salad

and veggie pita

Another successful day of exercise and eating :)

Cheap and comfort food

After dropped off kids at Friday night fellowship, Paul and I decided to explore 99 ranch in Milpitas area.  We looked around and ate at Nutrition House...strange because the chinese name is totally different. They are christian since the chinese translation of the restaurant is in the bible.  Also, they have the verse
from 1 corinthians 13:4 on the wall...  "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Here is what we ordered...

ribs

seafood tofu claypot

and noodle soup

Can you believe the bill come out to be $29.50?  And we had left over for another meal...
Portion is pretty huge.  I guess it was a great find!

Co-workers and Bai Tong

I had lunch with Rubina and Ban.

We went to Bai Tong, a thai restaurant in downtown Saratoga.
I had soup.

and catfish with brown rice.

Rubina took us to see her family owned gas station (76) and showed us where her house is.
We walked around town and said good-bye.
It was a fun outing!