Friday's Fancies (a link-up)

I haven't linked up in a while. Once in a while I will throw some in. Just for fun.

Life is all about having fun, right?

Also I don't really post about fashion. Once in a while I will throw some fashion in. Just for fun.

White Stripes by natziepatzie featuring stella mccartney

I think this outfit is fun. It's something I would wear to a concert. Like a No Doubt concert... Or even Warped Tour (which I haven't done in years). Concerts for me are all about comfort.

If you've gone to Warped Tour, it's all about heavy duty shoes just in case you get stepped on (so common)... or suddenly someone lifts you up to crowd surf and some random dude just starts to grope you, those Docs come in handy for kicking him in the face (true story).

Have a great Friday! (linking up with Long Distance Loving)

moonbeams,
Rima

We're all in this together...

Que the song...

Sorry Not Sorry for making you reminisce to High School Musical.

Mother, Father & I made pact. Well it's more to support my Father, while taking a benefit on the pact for both Mother & I.

We're Slim-Fasting. Yup, you read it right. SLIM FAST.

And we are determined. Not only that, we're eating healthy too (ok we're only eating a full meal once a day, mkay). We Asian so we eat rice... And we switched to Brown Rice (my fav!)... We're incorporating more lean protein and vegetables and fruits. Something I've been lacking off, tee hee.

I must say I've been doing okay. I do get super hungry around 9 AM if I don't snack between my first shake and lunch.

Mine you, I'm on day 2. Complain much, eh?

BUT, my willpower is getting better. This past 2 days, my office is filled with: Blueberry Muffins (zomg) with a bar of butter (zomggg), Pound Cakes (zoommggg), Bagels & Cream Cheese (zzommgg), and 2 free jugs of those Pike Place Coffee from Starbucks with creamer (ZOMG).

So what do I do when we have our "3-o-clock Coffee Break"? I nibble on my nuts. I just sniff really hard on the muffins and stuff my face with nuts. And play Candy Crush.

Now I need to walk more often.

They say losing weight is effective and more fun if you're doing it together. So here it goes to my Father and Bali/Thai Vacation Body.

moonbeams,
Rima

I'm starting to get that local nomadic itch

I live nearby El Lay, Los Angeles, City of Angels, La La Land, LA! Yet I loathe going to LA because of the traffic. 101 HWY sucks ass.

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Well actually not that nearby... More like a 40 minute drive WITHOUT traffic. With traffic, depends... 80 - 100 minutes average. Yuck.

Anyways, a couple of weeks ago, I went to LA via Metrolink with my buddy, Helga, to apply for our Indonesian Visas. And I completely fell in love with the train commute. Yes, the amount of time spent in train vs car may be equivalent, BUT Oh dear... I don't have to worry about:

1. Traffic
2. Falling asleep in traffic
3. Looking for Parking
4. Paying for Parking and Gas
5. Dealing with crossing pedestrians
6. Yelling to the crossing pedestrians

You get what I'm saying, right? Meanwhile during that same amount of time in the train I can:

1. Sleep
2. Eat
3. Text and make a phone call, legally
4. Read and/or blog
5. Knit/Crochet/Cross-Stitch/Embroidery
6. Stare at the window and look at people's ugly backyards passing by
7. Eavesdrop into people's conversation and judge them without looking at them
8. Do a staring contest with the kid across from you

Pretty legit, eh? Maybe one drawback is you can't sing out loud like you're in your car...

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Especially when you're listening to your iPod and your favorite Backstreet Boys song comes out. Damn.

Anyways... I told myself, "GURL... You've been doing subways whenever you're on vacation, why not do it locally?" I was like, "gurrrlll you know whaaatttt..." *selfhighfive*

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So this past Memorial Day weekend, aka Sunday, I embarked on a quicky trip to Los Angeles via Metro. With $10 roundtrip, I can't complain. My friend, Nneka, tagged along. She was late to the station so she ended up meeting me at Union Station and we headed out for some foodie trip.

credit: rima 

credit: rima

My original plan was to just venture out in Little Tokyo. It was already afternoon and we was hunngggrraaaay so we searched for some Sushi. Mind you, we had "American" Sushi in our head so when we landed at Sushi Go 55, we were pretty bummed, esp. when we were starving. Nneka was craving some Mexican Rolls. We kinda forgot that we were in Little Tokyo. So their sushis are the traditional kind. Since we sat down and got water, we didn't want to be rude so we ordered Cali Rolls and Spicy Tuna Rolls & Edamame. It was good. I was so hungry, I didn't take a picture.

Randomly Nneka wanted to go to Little Ethiopia and I was like, "YEAH!!! Let's go!!!" as I munched on my rolls. Then she blurted out, "But I want Cuban..."So we opened up Yelp, and then I saw Mario's. I was like, "GURRRLLL you gotz to try Mario's on Melrose!!!!! It's Peruvian, though?" I showed her the menu and she was sold.

Before hitting Mario's, my ultimate goal for this mini foodie trip was to try out some "roti" (means bread in Indo) from Cafe Dulce in the Japanese Village. Go on and Yelp it. The pictures will make you drool. I opted for the Green Tea Roti and Green Tea Donut (which I gave to my lovely bro). Nneka got Snowball Roti & Strawberry Cream Donut. The roti was so good. Crumbly yet soft. If only I had a cup of coffee, I would dunk the bread... and eat 3 more.

Green Tea Roti & Green Tea Donut

credit: rima

Now Mario's... Mmm Mmm... Be prepared for some serious waiting-in-line... oh and parking hunt. We parked nearby another strip mall, hoping that we won't get a ticket. Mario's was one of the first "ethnic" restaurants that the Pillow took me when we first started dating. I believe he was trying to impress me with his foodie choices, and he did. Harhar. Since then, I've been hooked on Peruvian food (our favorite is in Costa Mesa called Inca Grill). So Nneka & I stood there in line for 45 minutes. We were thissssss close on giving up and wanted to head on to La Cienega to eat at Versailles (since she mentioned Cuban food earlier), thank God the host called our name. We were giddy. 

Of course, we both ordered Lomo Saltado. If you never had Lomo Saltado... Gurl, you must try! Stir-fried steak strips with bell pepper, tomato, onions AND french fries (yes fries!) with a side of white rice (I believe it's flavored too!) and squirt some of that spicy green sauce... and Inca Cola... You're good.

 Nneka said it was worth the wait. I was like, "hell yea". After making our bellies happy, we headed back to Union Station so I can catch the train back.

See, now that I'm full of shit, I don't have to worry about falling asleep behind the wheel, stuck in traffic. I get to stare at people's ugly backyards and doze off. Best feeling ever.

DTLA is FULL of restaurants and cafes, I'm determine to go back, AGAIN, by train, just to eat. Eat walk eat walk. Must compensate the calories I put in me, ya know?

bunny kisses,
Rima

She loves Paris; He loves Barcelona (part 6)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Mini Series: 1, 2, 3

Finally. Paris. You don't know how I felt when we landed in Orly Airport. Excited. Nervous. Relieved. Happy. Sad. Enchanted.

Weather wasn't that great when arrived. It was raining when we left Barcelona (I think they were sad that awesome me was leaving, tee hee), so my expectation of a nice Spring love weather in Paris went down the loo.

Barcelona is sad for us.

Confused on land transportation, we both asked 2 Airport workers with our horrible French aka we-dont-speak-french on how to get to Luxembourg Garden by the Metro. With their broken English and multiple pin-pointing to the maps, we got to our Apartment safe and sound.

Then more confusing erupted. Apparently Paris isn't road-friendly. It was hard to find the street/road names (there are plastered on to sides of buildings). Almost having a mini-heart attack, we found our flat. Luckily the owner of the flat was so friendly and helpful (and gave me chocolate, as promised!), it made my day a tad bit better. But then again I thought, "Bitch, you in Paris."

Our little flat (when I say little, it is little) is nestled between Latin Quarter & Luxembourg Garden with a walking distance to Notre Dame. After settling in and playing around with a Nespresso machine, we decided to roam around and get familiar.

Flat view

I want this Nespresso machine!

We headed towards Notre Dame passing through St. Michel/Latin Quarter. It was cold so I bundled up like a madman. I hate the cold. But then again, walking hand-in-hand with your Beau in Paris during Winter weather is pretty cute, right? St. Michel is filled with stores and restaurants so I was happy *thefoodieinmesalutesthefoodieinyou*. Latin Quarter is food-land. Drool.

The road of our Flat

St. Michel's statue

Giddy. Notre Dame

Notre Dame is magnificent. The interior is amazing, just like the cathedrals in Barcelona. I love the Gothic ceilings and also the altars of the Saints. Rob, being the weird him, decided to lit a candle of Mother Mary.

After being in awe inside this historical building, we headed back to Latin Quarter because the foodie in me is crying for food.

Lo and behold... we accidentally walked across the Love Locked Bridge (or whatever you call it) on Pont de l'Archevêché. I was so excited. I pulled a Kristen Wiig's Taylor Swift impression when I saw the bridge...

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Latin Quarter is filled with Restaurants/Cafes that offer 3 to 5 course meals. So we opted for a 3-course meal. We on a budget yo. And the food was delish. 

Mmm, I opted for the french onion soup (not pictured), boeuf bourguignon and creme brûlée  Duh. Rob's apple tart was gooooood.

One thing I loved about they way they serve the food is the timing. They really give you a lot of space between entrees. Gives you time for your body to digest the food & helps you avoid stuffing your face with food. When I saw the portion of our main course, I was like, "uh, I will be hungry in 1 hour". It was small. Small for an average American girl. Next thing you know, when they served our dessert, I was like SUPER STUFFED after my 4th bite of the creme brûlée. I was pretty amazed.

Well, now excuse me as I bite into a chocolate madeleine that I made yesterday.

à bientôt!

Rima

Revisit: 12 Things

Seriously? 1 month passed by already? I saw the date and was like, "Dank I gotta do a recap for 12 Things..."

Not familiar with 12 Things? You can read about it here :)

For my last Revisit: 12 Things, click here.

2012 12 Things: here

For my Bucket List: here

As a reminder... Here are the things I want to accomplish in 2013.

1. Attend a Baking/Bread Class.
2. 30 days Work-Out trial.
3. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
4. Watch a live soccer game
5. Try a new crafty skill
6. Attend a Bucket List Concert: Bon Jovi, U2, Coldplay (can't get enough of them!), Celine Dion, Jay-Z (*this is an add on*)
7. The Color Run in Los Angeles
8. Make/Bake a Pie
9. Take more pictures with my film cameras and create an album
10. Swim with the Dolphins
11. Medical Missionary
12. Take a picture with Ariel, the Little Mermaid

And funny thing is I DID NOT ACCOMPLISHED AN-Y-THING.

zero. nada. zilch. nol. nil.

As how the pace of the year is going, looks like #11 won't happen. I think I'm gonna change it.

11. Dare Devil: Go Bungee Jumping

This will probably happen when I'm in Bali. My bff Gaby wants to do it and being the weird girl I am, it will happen.

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Wah. I probably will take a shot of Vodka prior jumping. 

Are you doing 12 Things? Please share you link in the comments below :)

moonbeams,

Rima

What I Wore Sunday

Happy Memorial Day weekend!! May y'all enjoy all the BBQs and that sticky smoky smell in your hair.

I'm going to Little Tokyo via Metrolink because I enjoyed my last trip with my co-worker to LA a couple of weeks ago. This time is more of a foodie trip. I ain't BBQing...

Mmm I'm craving Ramen. And some Japanese Milk Buns. bunsbunsbuns.

Anyways, since SoCal's weather is being weird again, I decided to dress... safe. I hate getting cold so I decided to pull some leggings on. I may regret later if the weather turns warm. Damn.

Shirt: H&M Paris
Tank Top: Target
Leggings: Target
Socks: Forever 21
Pinky ring: somewhere from Hong Kong
Ring finger ring: Tiffany & Co.
Earrings: Claires
Glasses: David Cardigan from Coastal.com
Lipstick: Christian Dior from my BFF in Paris

I might carry a cardigan with me (i hate the collddddd)

Eat up people. And let's remember the soldiers that fought for our FREEDOM.

moonbeams,
Rima

I like to do random BIG purchases

Such as this.

Finding out that today was the advanced sales for Coachella, AND having Coachella as a music bucket list of mine, I tried out to see if it was sold out or not. To my luck, it wasn't.

I went cray at work begging to borrow my co-worker's iPad (since... juno... you can't use your work's internet for "personal" reasons idoitallthetime) and got 2 Coachella tickets. The lucky partner in crime? My brother. I haven't bonded in the longest time with him even though he sleeps right next door to me. Sad but true. We both LOVE music and we've been to several music festivals Warped Tours together and we haven't done it in a LONG time.

Thank God for monthly payments.

Any of you have been to Coachella? I need tips & insights. Never been to one. All I can picture is people dressing like hippies and passing a joint and having beers in their hands. *groan*

Are you going?

xo,
Rima

Old Asian Men...

are just plain funny.

I really want to meet this guy.

- Rima

So I woke up to a pink eye...

and it was gross and annoying.

And still that nasty acid reflux taste in my mouth and chest.

Gross.

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Being responsible me (kinda), I went to Urgent Care to get checked up. Being on an empty stomach in the morning ain't fun. Now I kinda feel how my patients feel being NPO.

Anyways, the doc gave me an Rx for some antibiotic eyedrops and told me to take Prilosec on a daily basis for at least 2 weeks. Great. I feel so old right now.

No I'm not pregnant (ew) and Yes I do see Alka-Seltzer being my friend in the near future. Getting old ain't no fun.

Anyways while I was in the waiting room, I decided to browsed thru some old pictures on my phone and found these...

This is what tourists do in Bali. They take pictures of themselves in Balinese clothes. Look how my brother posed on that top pictures. He was werkin' on his fierceness. Snap snap hand on my hip.

Major #throwbackthursday, eh?

Oh well, I feel like napping now and watch Brave after I wake up... with goop in my eye. #gross

xo,
Rima

I really wanted to barf...

in the middle of Body Combat.

This was me in the beginning of Body Combat

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This was me during Body Combat

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This is me after Body Combat

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The work out actually aggravated my Acid Reflux. I had a major heartburn attack. Not fun people. I had to pause a couple of times because I can feel like crap creeping up my throat whenever I was doing a kick or a upper cut. Not cool.

Mind you, this is my first work out in like... 5 months? I'm such a Pro.

But being the awesome me, I was able to maintained my composure and managed to not barf in the middle of class and walk out. Homegirl finished, yo. So proud.

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After patting myself in the back, I went home and had a corn dog and fries.

#fail.

moonbeams,
Rima

Insert Sad Face Here

Why?

After a LOONNNGGG discussion with my future-travel-partner-in-crime, Kat Von D's Cousin Helga, we both decided to not volunteer with BAWA Bali (read my earlier post here).

Why?

The Rabies vaccine that is required cost a BUTT LOAD of travel money. It's a series of shots (3!) and each shot costs about $280 (and according to the travel pharmacist, that's a discount!) That's Bungee Jumping money!

So Helga and I discussed that we rather each bring MORE supplies/stuffs that BAWA needs along with us to Bali. So I emailed Kim from BAWA and she responded me with things they need...

Hello Rima

That is sad news, but very understandable, the vaccines are very expensive!  

Thank you so much for offering to bring us donations - every single one helps us out so much.  

If you are going to get toys then please get hard rubber ones, the cloth type spread disease.  And clip collars are so much better for Bali dogs that buckle ones.  

Old towels are the best type of bedding, old towels are soft and absorbent - new ones take several washes and sometimes they get chewed after the first use!  

Dog bowls - oh my, we always need dog bowls.  Metal ones, Bali Dogs chew these up like they are rubber so you can imagine what they do with plastic ones!  

If you like you can also purchase us items once you arrive in Bali.  We always need rice, chicken, eggs, bleach, washing powder, liquid soap, dry dog food, cat food etc. all of which you can purchase easily in Bali.  

Thank you so much for trying to volunteer with us.  If you would like I would be very happy to give you a tour around our clinic so that you can see our work in action.  You won't be able to touch the animals but it will give you a sense of the type of work that we do - and you will get to see where your donations are going.  If you would like this then please let us know the date and time you would like to come - we only do clinic tours by appointment.  

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Warm Regards

Kim

I'm happy at least I can tour the place and see them in action. They also take monetary donations via their website. AND if you show proof of donation to me, I will mail you a jar full of madeleines.

SETARRA, yours is coming up this weekend :)

Thank you fellow fur friends.

Rima

JM's Detox Water

Imagine this girl screaming at your face...

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Oh lawd.

Anyways, that fine lady up there has a Detox Water recipe that claimed to help you lose up to 5lbs in excess water in 7 days... Bloated? Try it.

You will need:

• 60 oz of distilled water
• 2 tablespoon of lemon juice/water
• 1 tablespoon pure cranberry juice (unsweetened please)
• 1 bag of Dandelion tea

Put it in a jar, let it fuse in the fridge and drink up thru out the day.

I used the Yogi DeTox tea. It does have an acquired taste, but it's not too bad. I sweetened mine a bit with stevia and it's pretty fresh on a hot day. 

 

I like pretty water so I added frozen strawberries and some mint leaves. It does make the water/tea taste better & fresh. 

This recipe is all over Pinterest and I've read some blogs and they claim that this water works. I'm pretty intrigued on trying this for a week, since I feel bloated all the time.

I will let you know on an update!

hopefully-bloat-free,

Rima