triggering Action Potential

I forgot how to smile. But if you give me some food (preferrably bones), then I'll be your best pal!

Full-baked

Scorching weather predicted for the coming week in Chicago, with heat index up in the 110°. Plenty of sun and not much cover. This is the craziest summer since a few years back. I know because we had to buy an A/C unit to survive through this summer.

Better stay indoor with cooling and drink plenty of water, and chill-out!

Who is walking who?

"I'm a cute puppy... really, I am!"

I am a kitty... look at me drool...

Small steps

This on-again off-again exercise regime that I have is now: on-again.
actually, I have decided to stick to a simple routine: at least 30 minutes a day, for at least 5 days a week. And I don't want to limit myself to the type of activity. It can be biking, lifting weights, jogging, indoor sports, walking the stairs, etc. The more options I allow myself, less the chance I will get bored and give up. The goal is to lower my blood cholesterol level by the end of this calendar year, and to start a fitness program.

I need to allocate enough time so that later in life, I won't regret it. Sort of like anything with compound interest. So small steps for now, enriched life for now and forever.

Cuisine de San Fran (day 3)

Dinner: Hatoru Japanese Cuisine, San Mateo CA
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

A budget find, especially for sushi. A small local eatery that blends good sushi rolls with reasonable prices. Coming from Chicago with the knowledge that some sushi places are too trendy for their own good, Hatoru is the opposite. Although you don't get the warm hand towel before dinner, you are treated to excellent fresh hamachi sashimi (generous cut, very buttery and actually not all white meat cut), the negihama is simple and tasty, the spicy tuna roll is yummi, and the rainbow roll ($8) is affordable. A little too much mayo on the crab salad for rainbow roll filler and Hatoru is generous with the avocado as well. Will have to try the cooked meals because mostly of them are under $10.

Cuisine de San Fran (Day 2)

Lunch: In N Out, Millbrae CA
Rating: 3 out of 5

Since 1948, In N Out burger uses fresh beef ground everyday and fresh potatos dice for fresh fries. The place also makes the burger as each order is taken, and the customer waits about 5-10 minutes. The menu is simple: only 4 types of burgers and 1 fries. Nice juicy hamburger meat and good trimming (letteuce, tomato, and onion). The bun could be better, as the pretzel roll bun at Rosebud steakhouse is great for a thick burger. Regardless, the business is not too shabby, as by 11am on a Sunday morning, it was already too busy with the dine-in and the drive-through. There are more locations through CA, AZ, and NV. Overall, much much better than any other fast food burger places out there.

Dinner: China Bee Restaurant, San Mateo CA
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

A good Taiwanese restaurant in a sea of many Chinese dining places. Decided to order Chinese eggplant with basil (very delicious), Mapo tofu (good spice, but not like the eggplant dish), and on the next visit, had the infamous sticking tofu (oh that brought back memories). Traditional Taiwanese cuisine at affordable prices. And you get enough for left overs. What else can you ask for??

Cuisine de San Fran (day 1)

Lunch: Fatima Family Restaurant, Cupertino CA
rating: 4 out of 5

Nestled near the Apple campus is Fatima, a Chinese Muslim restaurant. yes, that is rare. The owner is a Taiwanese who used to be Buddhist. I remembered the first time I visited Fatima a few years ago and the food wowed me. This time was no different. We ordered the sesame bread with green onion (a big flat bread baked with one side full of toasted sesame seeds and green onion in the dough), knife-cut noodle (a homemade specialty that reflects one of the culinary arts of Chinese cuisine), and Mongolian beef. It is very difficult to find homemade noodles in Chinese restaurants, found only one in DC, one in Chicago-area, and one here in Cupertino. I know for certain that lamb dishes are very good as well. Bottom line, you know it's a good Chinese restaurant when the host greets you in Chinese.

Dinner: Hola! Mexican restaurant, Belmont CA
rating: 4 out of 5

The Mariachi band (two trumpets, one violin, one bass, and two guitars, and great voice!!). That's one live entertainment you don't see everyday at your local Mexican restaurant. We walked in a family-friendly joint that served great Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes that are affordable. The 'ritas are good, I ordered a pineapple and my lady-friend had a La Casa 'rita. The chips and salsa were flavorful, very much like a chipotle salsa. The entrees, we tried the beef fajita and chicken burrito. Both came with ample amount of food that could be bagged up for left overs. Hola! is festive and a place to celebrate with friends!

Lost time

two months have passed since I last posted. I spent a lot of productive hours working on my thesis project, where I scheduled and had a meeting with my committee members. The overall discussion was helpful and I'm on the right track. Just have a lot more experiments to do done. At least one hurdle is finished.

Now I'm spending some time in SF to relax because this is sort of like the calm before the storm. I plan to hike some trails, visit SF city, check out surrounding towns, eat well, and play with dog and cat. and my oh my, do the pets need lots of love and attention. I only got 4 more days left on my trip, and I should make the most of it. The weather is very nice here, with morning cloud coverage that clears up by mid-morning, and not too hot (rather chilly if you ask me). I could probably also relax in Chicago, but getting out of Illinois does a mind good.

Fresh Dungeness crab also does a mind good!