Josh and I made pizza last night....

Josh made a margherita pizza, and I made a pear and gorgonzola pizza.




I hope everyone had a good 4th!

Hello everybody!

It has been far too long since my last post, and I hope you all are doing well. I've had a crazy few months... I had to have surgery and was busy with my classes, but now I'm finished (woo-hoo) and celebrated with a trip to visit my twin sister (Stephanie) in New York. I forget how much I miss her, and wish she would move back to the West Coast, but at the same time completely get why she loves NY so dearly. I also forgot how enamored complete strangers are with twins, hahahaha. I get that it's confusing to people, but is it really that much different than other siblings that look really similar? We don't even look thaaaat identical anymore... right? What do you gals think?

I wish I had taken more pictures of all the yummy food I ate... in the two weeks I was there, pretty sure I gained at least 5 lbs... and that's after the 3+ miles of walking I did everyday hahaha.

Here are some pics from my trip:

Checking out the sunset upon Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty aboard the Staten Island Ferry... we're classy like that (it's free hehehe, but truly scenic and offers a unique perspective of the skyline that you can't really get from Brooklyn or Jersey).

The Andy Monument near Union Square... very cool. I also love how the city is reclaiming public space and adding those sweet-ass chartreuse bistro tables and umbrellas in the various parts of town that had excess sidewalk laying around. Open public space is so refreshing, and it's neat to see that it can be executed very well by simply providing a place for people to sit down.

Definitely recommend checking the High Line out if you're in NYC. This was my favorite new discovery on this trip. It's really close to where Steph works so I frequented it quite a bit while I was in town. The city took an old, no longer operating railroad track and converted it into a public park. The train track/park is elevated about 30 feet above the street (hence High Line).

Waiting for the train in Brooklyn after checking out the Williamsburg Flea Market.

The American Museum of Natural History was really fun to check out, there's something so timeless and endearing about taxidermy hahaha. My favorite part was actually the mineral/rock collection. The picture directly above is of a giant hunk of stibinite that was recently added to their permanent collection.







While in NY, I took a mini-roadtrip to Boston with Steph and Anibal (my brother in-law) to go visit Anibal's brother Jesus. We did touristy stuff (Quincy Market, Boston Commons, Freedom Trail, Top of the Hub, etc.)and it was loads of fun. I even had a requisite lobster roll. I'm such a sucker for a scenic view, and therefore rooftop anything... restaurant, bar, beer garden, etc. even if the food/drink/service is terrible, I'm always shamelessly into it.

A couple of weekends ago my bf and I went hiking at Point Dume and ran into this little guy.

Hi friends! I miss everyone! I know you all are doing wonderful things with your lives. I'm very proud of our group of friends for accomplishing so much. Go team! I have never really known what to write in a blog but I'll try. As for me, I'm still substitute teaching and hoping a job will come my way soon. I actually heard of a drama teaching position open but it's at an all-boy Catholic high school. I'm not sure how I feel about that haha. Either way, I can't wait for summer to come! Even more, I can't wait for Clarissa to come home so we can all party like it's 1999! In closing news, we just got a new puppy and I like to show her off. She's a bundle of sass. I love her. That's Chloe. Hope all is well! Reunion soooon <3

This is Chino. My brother's bulldog that I watched all weekend. He's so ugly he's cute. he farts, he snores, he grunts, etc. I walked him for about 15 minutes and then he passed out on my brothers shoes when we got back. He's so out of shape poor thing. But in all he's a super sweet pup. I took him to work and he had a field day with the all the artist.
A few weeks back I went to Colorado with Sal to visit his special forces buddy. This guy could probably kill me with a stare. he's like the modern day Rambo. Anyways, there are no Asian people in Colorado. The ones that I saw worked at the airport. I posted pics on the Facebook. The one thing I did like in CO was Garden of the Gods, which is this giant natural red rock formation. Super pretty. i would go back just to spend a few hours there.
So i'm thinking about getting my next tattoo. I want an elephant in a henna design on my back. thoughts??

The past eight days I spent with Ryan at his family's home in SF. I am still a little shy around his family, so I didn't want to paparazzi the meals too much. Usually right before we all start eating, I would take a quick picture so there was definitely more food but my shyness prevented me from taking more yummy photos. YUM CHA! They've taught me some Chinese cultural things and, of course, I would remember the word for dim sum. I was fed yum cha three times in eight days. Needless to say, each time was much appreciated and very delicious. The next picture was the peking duck: yum. That's actually my favorite dish to eat. Ryan informed his mom of this tidbit of information, which then translated into "Myoli, can you finish the rest of the peking duck before the other dishes get here?". I loved it, but I got so easily full that evening. Yummy yummy Chinese food.

We had a pretty relaxing Spring Break. If anyone wants to see more pictures, there are additional photos on my facebook. Our first whole day (Saturday), we (Ryan, momma Cheung and myself) went to pick up Ryan's baby sister from UC Davis. We took the GGB, then another to Richmond (I forget the bridge name...), followed by a long, straightforward, stormy gray drive up to Davis. Our second day was a Sunday, so Ryan's family and I went to mass at his grammar school, St. Anne's in SF. It is a gorgeous church with light pink walls, tall ceilings, wooden pews, and a gorgeous elaborate marble altar. It's truly lovely. Funny aside story: one of the collectors looks like the detective from Law & Order. We had quite the busy afternoon/evening after mass! I feel like we drove all over the city running errands, eating yum cha, hitting up a Chinese restaurant supply store (my favorite), coffee stop at Peet's, running around with Ryan's aunt (Yi Yi - the spelling is probably completely off) and baby cousin Mia (the cutest), visiting momma Cheung's pharmacy, moving a huge rug, and ending the evening with some delicious hot pot that will make your eyes tear with happiness. On the third day, Ryan and I did a little "date day" in the city and went to the California Academy of Sciences to watch the afternoon penguin feeding time. It was absolutely endearing to watch. We went to a hometown sammy place for lunch and had dinner with Ryan's parents at home. Poppa Cheung can cook some yummy home style food! By Tuesday, Jeremy- the guy whose head is in the yum cha picture- came home and we spent the next two days having "family time". We revisited the academy and toured around the city to some of the family's favorite spots. It was such a great two days. Thursday was very rainy and I wasn't feeling too good, so Ryan and I stayed in and did a 750-piece Disney puzzle! It was so much fun, we're quite the nerdy couple. We did the puzzle in 3 to 4 hours and later enjoyed a home style dinner with his parents. Friday was quite relaxing. Ryan's auntie and Mia came over for "Thai takeout night" from their family's preferred Thai restaurant. Since it was Friday during Lent, we had all non-meat dishes. My favorite was this vegetable medley in peanut sauce, but a close-second were these angel wings made out of tofu. If you're curious to put faces to names, personal pictures of the academy, and/or any of the aforementioned food, then feel free to take a look-see at my facebook album.

So that was 3/18-26. San Francisco is such an amazing, eclectic metropolitan city. I love it there, it automatically feels like home. Something about the aura is just so welcoming. Or maybe it was the extremely cordial nature of the Cheung family. Either way, it was an amazing time and I just wanted to share with everyone.


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Congrats on the acceptance to UC Davis Vet School, Amanda!!

Hello All!

Well, It looks like I will be going to Veterinary school at UC Davis!! I haven't been so excited, overwhelmed, and terrified at the same time. I know I've been working towards this for several years now, but now it's actually happening and I'm not sure how to wrap my head around it.

One difficulty is that Jon didn't get into Davis, but he got into Western, and I didn't get into Western, but I got into Davis. Weird right? That would be our luck. And I know some people probably think it's a mistake for us to go to separate schools, considering it is four years, but I can't imagine one of us not going this year and then not getting in next year. That would be worse than the separation. I feel like we were extremely lucky that we both got in somewhere, and we actually have a direction now. In January we didn't know where our lives would be in 6 months and at least now we have a plan.

I figure that Davis isn't really that far, and there is skype. Where there is a will, there's a way. We both knew this was a distinct possibility, and believe me, we both have the will. :)

The moral of the story is I'm ecstatic I get to move forward with my life, even if it's not in what I would consider to be perfect circumstances. That and I expect everyone to come visit me wherever I move to in Davis. :)

Hi, this is my owl mug, Hooter, my spam can pencil holder and my bamboo plant that is impossible to kill...all sitting on my desk to provide me with nourishment and energy. :-)

Comparative animal physio, stem cell bio, advanced cell bio, and intro business can lead to a very stressed Myoli. I hope everyone is enjoying their week and feeling refreshed. Today is Ash Wednesday in the Catholic community, hence the ashes on my forehead (they're sort of fading...). We're supposed to become closer to God during the Lenten season, give up our sins, and practice self-denial.

In the spirit of things, I'd like to start by letting everyone know I am grateful to have such amazing friends who have given me so much <3 I'll pray for everyone's good health, happiness, and peace within our own hearts and in our lives. A best friend of mine has asked that I not bottle things up... it's unhealthy... and I agree. So with that, I am going through a lot with my professional and personal life and would hope that as my friends we can all be there for each other however we can, whenever we can, in whatever way we can. I hope that things are going better for everyone else!!

On a brighter note, I may be visiting a zoo and/or museums soon... so expect pictures!!!! Elephants and donkey photos have been requested... any other requests? Better yet, any suggestions as to which museums I should visit? I am open to SF, LA, and San Diego. Thanks friends!

It's not quite Valentine's Day, BUT... I am making a presentation on Academic Excellence for the UCR Kappas and am using this cute picture I found online. :D So before I forget, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to everyone. Whether you are spending it alone, with the company of a friend, husband, boyfriend, or whatever, I hope we can all enjoy our Hallmark holiday and remember... I'll always be your friend hehe. Ohhhh on another note, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! I have spent my day taking two exams starting at 8am and ending at 11am. It has been delightful regurgitating and analyzing data regarding comparative animal physiology and advanced cell biology so early in the morning, haha.

<3 you all very very much! Let the countdown begin: 10 months.

Kansas!!!

This past Saturday I had a vet school interview at Kansas state university. I know everyone's thinking, what? Kansas? Some little hick town? Like the Wizard of Oz? I know because I thought the same thing at first. This pic is from the patio of the hotel I stayed at. I guess they just had a pretty heave storm, so they said they don't get much more snow than this. Who knows. Believe me, it was cold, but the school is amazing. First off, it's pretty big. They have a setup for just about any animal you can imagine. The students and faculty there were sooooo nice. I was terrified right before my interview, but it was really unnecessary. The town is a college town, so there is stuff to do. They have a Chinese place, Indian, a pita place, Mexican, and more BBQ places than I could count. One of the interviewers recommended a micro-brewery to me, hehehehe. All in all it was a good trip and I have to say I really liked the school. They interviewed 350 out of state kids for about 65 spots, so cross your fingers :{ Now only to find out if they liked me too... :)

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"