Strength & Honor

   The heaviness of this past week still pulls at me. It's one of those things you read about in obnoxiously loud tabloids and think, "damn that sucks", and wish everyone well. Then, close the article, maybe check social media for a bit, contribute in a share, and move on.

But suddenly one day, it affects those you're close to. You see it and watch it happening right in front of you. And any semblance of comfort or compassion is stripped of the words that we learned were supposed to hold a positive charge to them... no matter what. They feel weak. They fall short of impact on the intended target. And all you can do is hold someone while they cry into your arms. 

...

The following day, I get wonderful news about my mom.

And finally, I short circuit, staring blankly into my v-day dinner at the Peruvian restaurant by work.

In spite of everything, some have come to me with updates. Good ones. Reassuring my belief that Blizz fam, and the other studios, are strong-willed, resilient mfs, and absolutely will not see themselves as forfeit. It's why they were there to begin with. The community came together in a massive out pour of support. And to me, speaks volumes on the gravity and significance of what came to pass. 

 From here on out, it's forward momentum. There will be unfamiliar challenges many will face head on. But they will come to realize that these obstacles will only be favorable in their pursuit of personal growth and skill sets. 

Blizz love was not lacking on Valentine's Day.

Or the week, for that matter. Affection was in abundance, which is all anyone can really ask for in a time of doubt.

This weekend is going to be a lax one, with the exception of a belated Chinese New Year dinner with the boyfriend and his fam. Also there was a lot of fish. Just in general.

because

Chicken had gotten us tickets last year to visit the aquarium. But then, shortly after, work was like... HAY EVERYONE. WE'RE GOING TO THE AQUARIUM :D

and we were like

loloh.

SO for a year, these tickets were just sitting there. We finally went on a cold, overcast weekday.

 

 TWO WEINERS

 the penguins were cute.
and in the middle of trying to get a cool dive shot, it pooped.
and I got this instead.
I'm not even upset

LED jellyfish

ur my type

TEEHEE STAAAAHP

He'd never been to Hooters. And it's a minute walk away. So... I nagged him into it lol. 

  Hooters has this weird, almost negative connotation to it. Only confirmed when I went in to work the following day and excitedly told my coworker about finally taking my bf to Hooters, and he was like.... "that's not my thing." And I'm like.... watlol u dont like food?

and he was like, "isn't that place like.... the girls have giant boobs and are kinda skimpy and .. just yeah"

and I was like.... bruh. tf u even talking about

 ALLOW ME TO CLARIFY 

A THING

 Hooters is an actual restaurant. They even serve food sometimes. Most of the time, it's actually all of the time. Because it's a restaurant. Weird, I know. And I think they have bathrooms and like, drinks even. Crazy. Guests can even like, sit at booths I think, on like, whole chairs LOL WHAAaaatT

menus?! YEAH, THOSE TOO

Man. People out here thinking Hooters is some kind of brothel or something... WHACKEST WHACK

The hostesses and waitresses wear the tank tops and orange booty shorts, and that's as far as it goes. They're like... really, really tame fan service- for lonely dudes at best. But they don't all look like ..massive titty blonde orange stripper chicks. And even if they did, so what? I've taken a date to a strip club too, lol.

They're like, normal girls, always super nice and friendly. They're not trying to get on your bf's' weiner or make me feel less attractive. That's' number 1.

Number 2, the food is BOMB. Their wings and appetizers are so... omfg. And their drinks are mmpf.

And finally,

Number 3 -  if you're uncomfortable by the idea of going somewhere with your significant other because something may present the slightest undertone of sexuality-that isn't you- it's time to reassess why that bothers you. 

just saying
be secure about yourself and your relationships because
hotter people exist.
ya gotta be stronger than that, c'mon now

Belated Chinese New Year dinner with his fam was at this renowned sushi joint in OC; Taiko

This was our second time here. The first time, we were lucky enough to just be able to walk in with no wait. This was on a week day, on like, a Wednesday or something, after work. We got a seat at the bar, and it was the best sushi experience fucking ever. Toshi was our chef, and he's like, best boy. 

This time around, it was.. not.. a Wednesday or something. It was actually the worst day to go ever. Which we can all deduce to be an infernal Saturday late afternoon. They open their doors at 5. We were advised to arrive at 4:30, because there would be a line. We suck, and didn't get there until 4:47. Thankfully, one of his family members was already in line. The rest, in the car staying warm. 

There were a LOT of people. I knew this place is like, good. But wow... I can't really think back on a time where I had to wait in a long ass line to get into a place, to be put on a wait list. Like, wait list, sure. But this was insane. 

3 HOURS. We waited 3 WHOLE HOURS until the 1st and 2nd rounds at the bar were finished and we got called in. The whole reason this place was picked was because his parents hadn't experienced it. Like, the sushi bar. It's a totally different experience and so awesome. Everyone should do it, imo. It would've been a significantly less wait time had we just dined in... but, she's a foodie- I respect this. And I understand the appreciation of experience when it comes to dining, so waiting didn't phase me. 

 Chicken on the other hand, and his parents, were less than enthused lol. BUT... after much Candy Crush, we were called back, and I see OUR BOY TOSHI. He remembers us! I was stoked when he saw us and was like WHUSSUP and we're like HAY BEST FRIEND and it was just beautiful

Naturally, I asked, and he happily posed for a photo ^_^

This time, we had a different chef, but we got to sit near Toshi, which was great, even if he wasn't specifically sharing his trade with us this time around. 

 We began with the Yellow Tail, and the decadent Toro nigiri
fuckin MMPF



A beautiful, rich, seafood medley to sip on throughout our meal

I've watched a couple documentaries about sushi chefs, the lifestyle, and read a few articles about the discipline as a whole. And oh man... the dignity, tradition, honor, and discipline that goes into this craft is ... scary, but admirable. 

There are foods that we as consumers respect, 

and then there are foods that we  R E S P E C T. 

Sushi is without doubt the latter.

 

 Salmon nigiri, and Yellow Tail sashimi

Albacore

Best boy and his colleague were preparing for the dine-in patrons that night, but watching his work was just as mesmerizing as last time. Made me wonder, was this how people watched me when I was at Starbucks stores? lol

Salmon skin, and Spicy Yellow Tail hand rolls

Everyone was done, but I wanted to finish it off with Halibut

And then I was done.

Just kidding because a few shops down, I got frozen yogurt. 

And then I was done. And started writing this, but am finally finishing it today. 

Hi.

 J u n j i    I t o   is going to be at Crunchy Roll Expo and I'm trying to rationalize attending JUST for him. Which is a very real possibility. But I also understand that my hope to meet him will very likely be met with the also very real possibility of being in a line for most of the day. Also assuming I arrive early enough to get a spot before it caps. That's also assuming he's there for all days of the event. Which is unlikely. 

But if not for him, at least for the experience.

To be a fan girl :|

Anywho, Chicken made me some super yummy fried rice, and the Shanghai Dragons lost their first game of the season. And Apex Legends is cute, but I need to get over my shyness and being intimidated by a huge map. 

Awkward ending..... here goes

byyyyyeeeeeee