Totally thought I posted this on Easter when I took it… I must be getting old if I can’t remember the little things! Hope everyone’s weekend is going well!
Author Archives: getting2knowl
Sunset through the trees
Hawaii usually gives us some pretty stunning sunsets, and yesterday was no exception.
Lunar Eclipse
Managed to capture this image of the Lunar Eclipse, despite the cloudy conditions!
Din Tai Fung
OMG, got to go grub on some bomb ass dumplings tonight. The first time I had soup dumplings I was in New York, at Shanghai Joe’s. I had never had them before, and didn’t know if I could find them here on the west coast. Thankfully my friend Laurie (a major foodie) knew exactly where I could find them. Din Tai Fung. So tonight I met some friends at the Americana in Glendale and ate until I could eat no more. The soup dumplings have a different name, here they’re called “Juicy Pork Dumplings” but they are so delicious! I highly recommend them!
Unfortunately I was too absorbed with eating them that I didn’t take a photo of the soup dumplings, so you’ll have to settle for photos of the pork and shrimp dumplings and the rice and pork dumplings.
And then there was this little dude at the door, greeting all who enter.
I’m meeting some friends for lunch tomorrow at El Torito, so expect a Mexican food post mañana!
Stay classy!
Getting2KnowL
Writers Bumps. Literally.
So I’ve been lucky to have gotten two temp assignments these last two weeks. First was at a mechanics garage, answering phones, booking appointments, processing payments, picking up parts… This week I’m at a concrete company, transcribing applications. Both jobs required heavy writing. Like hand writing. I know that I’ve preached the glories of handwriting letters and all, but I haven’t written this much since high school! My writers bump is out of control, and my tricep hurts because I grip the pen too tight!
The reappearance of my writers bump has got me thinking though, do kids these days get writers bumps? Do they even know what writers bumps are? I usually love writing, but I have to be honest, I’m looking forward to the weekend and not having to pick up a writing utensil for a few days.
Also, my ring finger is a bit numb.
Mars
So I was checking the mail a couple of minutes ago, and happened to notice this reddish looking star in the sky… except it wasn’t twinkling, so I knew it wasn’t a star, so I figured perhaps a plane or helicopter, when it remained stationary without blinking I realized it was a planet. Checking the star charts online, I discovered it was Mars. Busted out the camera, and captured this stunning image of the red planet. Enjoy!
and a further zoomed in one, it’s an angry little planet isn’t it?
Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Hike
So yesterday, my bff and I went on a rather daunting hike, Kuli’ou’ou Ridge. It starts off easily enough, set under the shade of the multiple trees, it’s nice being out of the sun… multiple switchbacks which makes for a slow incline to start, but once you reach the picnic tables (yes there’s a roofed picnic area) the hike goes from fancy free to the seventh level of hell.
The remainder of the hike is a massive incline up the mountain side, mostly stairs. You’re above the level of the trees, at this point most of the greenery is shrubs offering no respite from the blazing sun. At this point you’re high enough to walk through and sometimes above a few clouds.
But, if you can tough it out (it’s about 2.25 miles to the top) the view is spectacular and absolutely worth the hike.
The view from the top. Waimanalo side.
The Hawaii Kai side.
Absolutely stunning, and absolutely worth it. Just a few words of advice though, if you decide to do this hike, I suggest starting relatively early, that way when you’ve reached the second half (aka the seventh level of hell) it won’t be too hot under the blazing Hawaiian sun. Also, I recommend bringing water, and lots of it. While you’re doing the first half, although you’ll be protected front he sun under the shade of the lovely trees, it does get quite muggy, and humid, which leads to muddy bits and mosquitos. I recommend good shoes and mosquito repellent. Also, sunscreen.
It should also be mentioned that it is a hunting area. You should check the mailbox at the start of the trail to see if there are any hunters in the area as a precaution. I usually tend to hike during the week, so I haven’t had to share the trail with any of them, however there were a handful of hunters that checked in over the weekend. There are two trails, a valley and a ridge trail, and I think that most of the hunters stick to the valley trail as I’ve never seen any wildlife or game of any kind on the ridge hike.
Until next time my lovelies! Stay classy!
J. Paul Getty Center
So, while I was in LA, I made sure to visit one of my favorite places in the city. The J. Paul Getty Center in Brentwood, near UCLA. Seriously, the architecture, gardens, and art that’s housed there make is such a fascinating place to visit. I discover something new every time I go. It’s just such a peaceful escape from the world. That and admission is free which is always a major plus (although I feel the need to point out that parking has gone from $5 to $15) but it’s a small price to pay for the tranquil setting and mass collection of some pretty awesome art. Such as Vincent van Gogh’s Irises.
I had to take some up close photos of the brush strokes, they’re exquisite! I sat on the cushioned seat simply staring at this masterpiece for what seemed like hours, just lost in the majesty of it all. Made me want to return to Florence, Italy, where I got to stand in the presence of Michaelangelo’s David, which is truly something to behold.
They also have some full room recreations of victorian era France, with gorgeous antiques chandeliers and writing tables.
Talk about stunning, they just don’t make houses/decorate rooms like they used to. Those doors and the details of the walls are beautiful. The moulding, breathtaking. Really something that must be seen in person to fully appreciate.
The Getty has more than just paintings, and antique rooms, they have a collection of stunning statues, my favorite of which is the Goddess Athena. Carved in marble and absolutely gorgeous.
Athena’s always been my favorite Goddess, and to see her rendered so beautifully was a treat.
One of my other favorite things in the museum is the antique microscope from the 1770’s I believe, absolutely fascinating, and green! My second favorite color, (purple is my favorite in case you were wondering). Can you imagine the things that microscope has witnessed? What breakthroughs it might have discovered? Amazing.
Those are just a few of the amazing collections the Getty has on display. And if the art wasn’t enough to draw you in, take a look at the building and the gardens.
Gorgeous right?
So do yourself a favor and the next time you’re in LA, make sure you take the time to visit the J. Paul Getty Center. I should also mention that there is a Getty Villa out in Malibu, which I’ve heard is also lovely however I have yet to visit. It’s on my list for the next time I’m in LA. The Malibu location requires reservations, so if you want to go to the Getty Villa, make sure you go online and book reservations first! (Like the Getty Center, the Villa is also free, however there is a parking charge and I believe it’s the same as the Getty $15).
Until my next entry, health and happiness to you all!
Korean BBQ and Slap Bets
Made it to Korean BBQ! I would have cried if I hadn’t gotten to stuff my face with all the delicious beef that comes with the all you can eat smorgasbord! I’m pretty plain as far as what I like, the brisket pictured below is my favorite, I like it seared just a touch, still a little bloody. I know, I’m weird.
The best part of the meal was the company. I got to see nearly everyone, Scottie, Stevie, Yohan, Hiep, Trin… even got to meet Steve and Scottie’s girlfriends, Elyssa and Eloisa.
The food was outstanding, the company even better, we ate drank and were undeniably merry. One of the best nights I’ve had in a while. The night ended with me remembering that I had a slap bet with Yohan and Steve, one that I had never collected. So later on that night, I got to slap the hell out of the two of them. My hand still bothered me the next day, perhaps slapping them while I was tipsy didn’t work to their advantage. I think there’s a video of the slaps somewhere, I’ll post it if I can find it.
I hope to make it out to Korean BBQ again before I leave on Friday, but that’s not looking too likely.
Anywho, I’ll post some more photos from my adventures to Palmdale and my day at the Getty Center later. I’m rather pooped and The Lone Ranger is on. High-o Silver! Away!
Health and happiness to you all!
California Dreaming and Other Related Drama
So, completely a last minute trip, but I’m here in Southern California. It’s weird coming back after living here for so long, not because it seems like things have changed (which they have) but because I no longer have a home here to return to. It’s weird that I have to worry about where I’m going to stay.
I’ve been staying with my brother for the last week and a half, and while he has a great house in a quite neighborhood, he’s literally a million miles away from everything and everyone.
The reason I’m here is because my grandmother (my dad’s mom, and my last living grandparent) was hospitalized with pneumonia, and this was it, her end of days. So of course, I book a flight and fly up 48 hours later. Thank goodness fares were cheap, not that that matters, but it helps, ya know?
Anyway, she recovered and is back in her senior home, complaining about everything and anything, so I’ve been going back and forth between my brother’s house and my grandmother’s apartment. I’ve been putting on about 160 miles a day. And while I love it (there’s no way to do that much driving on Oahu unless I go around the island a couple times), I am getting a little tired. Looking forward to going back home on Friday and just doing nothing for a few days.
Now that all the family drama is done with (not going to write about that, cause really? Who wants to read that?!) I’ll get to hang out with my friends. Which is what I’m doing this weekend! I’ll be staying in Orange with Scottie, my old roommate and my oldest friend. Our other roommate Steve is coming over ( I think) so it should be just like old times, which means my liver better be prepared!
I hope to go to the Getty sometime next week. I miss it and it’s wide open gardens, and it’s massive collection of gorgeous art.
Not much more to say, so I’ll leave you with one of the funny moments that happened while I was with my 90 year old grandmother.
Nurse: Are you continent or incontinent?
G-Ma: No, I’m Catholic
I almost became incontinent laughing so hard from her response!
Until next time, wishing you all health and happiness!
getting2knowl 