Posts Tagged ‘experiences’

Sprinkles Ice Cream

laelene Posted in photo blog，Tags: , , , , ,
31 January 2013
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I’ve always appreciated Sprinkles for starting the whole cupcakery craze, so I was definitely interested when they opened their ice cream shop. So far I’ve been twice and tried their ice cream sandwich (using cupcake instead of cookies) and ice cream sundae. I love the triple chocolate ice cream and the sundae I chose. The red velvet cupcake used in the sandwich was a bit more dry than I would have liked. Still, fun times trying out their different designs. I’ve always wanted to have ice cream and cake bits in one!

sprinkles ice cream sandwich made of triple chocolate ice cream and red velvet cupcake

On my first visit, I tried a Sprinkles Ice Cream Sandwich with triple chocolate ice cream and red velvet cupcake as the sandwich.

sprinkles ice cream sundae made of cookie dough ice cream and s'mores cupcake

On my second visit, I tried a Sprinkles Ice Cream Sundae with cookie dough ice cream and a s’mores cupcake.

a look inside the layers of a sprinkles ice cream sundae made of ice cream and a cupcake

Inside, you can see the ice cream sandwiched between the cupcake.

On furniture innovation

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , ,
29 January 2013
0

I can’t seem to find a “perfect” spot for my desk.  Today’s the third time I’ve moved it in the past few months and I’m still not fully satisfied.  I think what I really need is a swinging desk that can rotate 90 degrees from an L shape to an I shape. I’d like to sit at the desk and have the wall/window on one side, the bed on another, and the desk filling in the other two.  So far I’ve tried it parallel to my bed, perpendicular to it, and at two random angles.  Triangles don’t seem to work since I can’t get out and keeping everything at 90 angles to each other leaves one side gaping.  I suppose I could use the back of my chair as the fourth side, but I like having my back somewhat against the wall.

I’ve always liked cozy corners and being tucked in tight, but I still need to be able to get out of my chair without having to climb around furniture like a monkey.  It’s definitely a challenge with conventional furniture that assumes people like having their space.  It also seems to be assumed that furniture shouldn’t be easy to move.  Why is that?  I am constantly rearranging my furniture, wishing that they were designed to be more mobile.  After all, a single change in your furniture  arrangement can greatly change the look and feel of a room, so it’s like moving without ever leaving!  I think it’s good to exercise change periodically.  It’s amazing the new perspectives you achieve!

I’ve actually conceived of a variety of alternative furniture ideas that I’d really like to see become a reality someday, if only for myself.  We as people are mobile and flexible, so why shouldn’t our furniture be more so?  Sure, we’ve got lazy boys that protract and retract, but what else?  Surely someone can design a desk that can change just as easily.  Alas, until then, I will probably have to continue exploring creative ways to try to achieve that effect with the stubborn bulky furniture that currently exists.

Party for Charity

laelene Posted in photo blog，Tags: , , , , ,
25 January 2013
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Tonight my friend had a birthday party fundraiser for BRAKES at 333 Live, a club in downtown LA. I’m not normally a party-goer, but I wanted to support the cause so I went. A lot of attendees were in my social circles so that was cool.

party for charity event at 333 live dance floor starting to fill up

Just getting the party started.

party for charity event at 333 live dance floor packed

Things start heating up!

party for charity event at 333 live date auction

Auctioning singles for dates!

Let the good times roll

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: ,
23 January 2013
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Whenever I’m with Panda, I have a lot of fun and often forget to do things I routinely do, such as update my blog or write in my journal. In fact, back when we met is the first time I stopped writing in my journal ever since I started in 2nd grade. I always attributed it to having too much fun to sit around writing about it. Alas, it seems to be true yet again as I get to hang out with him and find myself neglecting my writing. But I’m ok with that if it means more quality time with him!

Total cuteness

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , ,
15 January 2013
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harry otter prize won from herbal animalsYesterday, I finally got the Harry Otter eye pillow that I won from Herbal Animals (for helping to name him).  While he’s much smaller than I imagined, he’s ten times more adorable than I expected!  I guess I should have known that an eye pillow wouldn’t be all that large, but for some reason the size I was thinking of would probably be more of a face pillow (if there is such a thing!).
I was pretty thrilled and immediately posted a picture on Facebook.  Since I was heading out, I didn’t get to open him up until later in the day.  When I did, I had fun playing around with him.  He’s cool and soft to the touch and has a fresh minty + soothing/healing scent.  It’s a combination of chamomile, lavender, and peppermint.  I can definitely smell the chamomile and peppermint, and then the lavender sneaks up on me.  These herbs are very relaxing and when I want a stronger dose, I just have to massage little Harry a bit to “awaken” the scent.  It’s lovely!

holding harry otter in one handThe one thing I would have liked is for him to a bit more filled.  Right now when he sits up, his head is just full of air.  I think there’s enough room to have more herbs AND allow the free flow of his innards.  Still, I appreciate having him nonetheless and now I’m tempted to get him a friend – maybe Peter Panda or Cowlamity Jane!  I wish I was crafty like these folks and could make a cool product like this.  Someday, I’ve got to learn a skill like that.
Anyway, I was surprised to see that one of my friends on FB then decided to get an Herbal Animal for herself after seeing me post up the picture of Harry!  Who knew I’d be referring customers already? 😉  Good times.

If you’re happy and you know it

laelene Posted in video blog，Tags: , , , ,
11 January 2013
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Honk your horn! 🙂 I can’t remember why the vehicles started honking, but people had fun and you can hear the people in the car next to me having a blast!

honking happiness from Mary Qin on Vimeo.

Breaking in the new year

laelene Posted in photo blog，Tags: , , ,
07 January 2013
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Panda and I got a chance to stay at the brand new Hyatt Place LAX/El Segundo, which just opened its doors on 12/12/12. Check it out!  (Oh, and kudos to them for being the FIRST hotel I’ve been to that doesn’t require me to reach or contort too much to reach the toilet paper.)

view of room at hyatt place from entrance

Walking into the room, it was very spacious and neat.

view of living room space in hyatt place room

From inside the room looking back at the door, you can appreciate the nice little living area with couch and light.

green hyatt place modern ice bucket

A cool and modern ice bucket awaits you.

hyatt place bathroom with frosted glass sliding door and giant mirror

You can’t quite make it out, but the bathroom had a nice frosted glass sliding door.

white glowing lights behind bathroom mirror at hyatt place

I really enjoyed the gentle glow of the lights behind the mirror!

long lit hallway at hyatt place

The quiet hallways were well-lit and very long.

outdoor fireplace with couch seating at hyatt place

Both on the side and at the back of the hotel, you’ll find outdoor fireplaces that make for a nice place to sit.

large water wall decoration at entrance of hyatt place

I really enjoy water walls since you get the trickle of water without the distracting noise.

lobby of hyatt place with couches and artwork

The lobby area was nice and open, but also included a recessed area for a more cozy feel.

view of field and palm trees from hyatt place

Right now the rest of the Campus El Segundo property is pretty empty, but I’m sure in years to come this view will get less green.

Birthday memorabilia

laelene Posted in photo blog，Tags: , , , ,
30 December 2012
3

A little horseshoe keepsake with my name and the date. 🙂

holding up personalized horseshoe while posing with blacksmith who made it at knott's berry farm

LOVE

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , ,
27 December 2012
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Tonight I watched the Cirque du Soleil show based on the Beatles and I realized that with no context, I probably shouldn’t have seen it. I know maybe two Beatles songs and absolutely no history surrounding them, except that they were widely popular a long time ago.

So there I was, trying to absorb everything when none of it made any sense. Instead I found myself focusing on the raw talent and technique of the performance, which had its moments but overall seemed like a lot of dancing. When I go to a Cirque performance, I expect shows of strength, flexibility, and precision beyond spinning around on the ground.

Spinning in the air is definitely good! That’s probably why I liked the Lucy song routine, where a girl was flying around and a guy was maneuvering a weighted wheel with a ladder attached. Another great scene was the roller skating on ramps – total show of skill!

So for those who are Beatles fans, I think it’s a great show to watch. For those without that background knowledge, it’d be advisable to either skip the show or really learn about Beatles songs beforehand. It’ll make the experience so much better!

Quiet Christmas

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , ,
25 December 2012
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This year the holiday season hasn’t quite felt real.  Perhaps it’s the lack of Christmas decorations, wrapping and exchanging of presents, or a family vacation.  The sense of festiveness and warmth just hasn’t struck me this time around despite the celebrations I see going on around me.  Instead, I’m spending some quiet, peaceful time with Panda.  It’s nice in its own way, but it’s something to get used to – soon enough, Panda and I will be creating our own little traditions that make this time of year special to us.

For so long now, this was the time of year that my parents and I got together pretty much without fail.  Whether I flew out to China, they came here, or we all went somewhere new, my dad always figured out a nice little vacation for us.  We’ve enjoyed some wonderful breaks as a family and it’s definitely a major reason why this year it doesn’t feel like it’s that season already.  Plus, it’s one of the rare times when I don’t actually “take” a vacation.  My days don’t change much and I’m still doing much of what I was earlier this month.  There is no traditional work or school to get away from, or crazy schedules to pause.  And so this year feels decidedly less exciting.

Of course, there are still some festivities planned that have yet to come, including a trip to Vegas and a day at Knott’s Berry Farm with Panda’s family.  Also, there are some old friends to meet up with while we’re all in town!  While the past week has been quiet and relaxing, this last week of the year will pick up a faster pace.  Before we know it, 2013 will be upon us and I do look forward to what it will bring.  I have plenty of ideas and I’ve got to get motivated to push forward with some.  Might as well join the pack and set some solid resolutions to help push me along.

I got a wonderful fortune cookie that says: “Your work interests can capture the highest status or prestige.”  Yes, please!  It’s time to make that happen in 2013!

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