So I was in the PALS class like I mentioned earlier and it was depressing as hell. You see footage of kids in severe distress and you have to wonder why people aren’t doing anything about it besides obtaining footage. To say it’s disturbing is to put it mildly.

BUUUUUT then came the fun part of my day! It’s within my scope of practice to shove in what’s known as an intraosseous needle when I have no other way of obtaining vascular access. The old school way was to jam this HONKING screw looking thing at a 90 degree angle into certain parts of certain bones in your leg. Then you’re supposed to “screw it in with a twisting motion until you feel a POP sensation”.

I’ll know I did it right when the damn thing can stand up on it’s own.

Pretty freaking nuts…until I learned today that there’s this thing called the EZ-IO drill.

That’s right. Ya heard. A friggin’ DRILL. I now possess the skills to drill fat needles into people’s legs in order to save their life. Hooooly good God, my job is never boring.

Dude, I’ll be like some crazy cross between the Tool Time Girl and Tim from “Home Improvement”….except I’ll be wearing scrubs.

In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s a clip of someone getting an IO placed with the EZ-IO drill.

I can’t believe :

1. How calm this guy is
2. The fact that this crazy mofo is awake

p.s. Don’t watch this if you’re squeamish. You have been warned. It’s a little weird and disturbing if you’re not used to seeing stuff like this.

p.p.s. Do not try anything remotely similar to this at home.

Today did not start off fantastic. I had to sit through an 8 hour class for PALS. That’s short for Pediatric Advanced Life Support. In other words, I’m there to be recertify my epic skills in bringing babies and kids back from the brink of death and out of Death’s clammy grip.

Happy stuff.

Then I walk back into the ICU only to have to hunt down a body bag. Again. Not the most epic of all days. It was pretty sad.

But guess what made me not just haa-haa-haa but HAA-HAA-OMFG-HAA till phat tears were rolling down my face?

Check out the following video and share in my belly busting moment. God, I love Conan. He’s like this giant Irish ball of crazy bullfrog.

On to this AppleGirl. Clyde brought her to my attention. I’m pretty transfixed and astounded by what you can accomplish with a bunch of phones. Who knew you can recreate all these pop songs with an iPhone?! Certainly not I and that brings me to my next questions.

How the hell did she discover this?
When did she uncover this hidden latent talent of hers?
How much time does she have on her hands?

It’s Saturday night. I live next to a bunch of bars, lounges and clubs. So what am I doing on my ONE NIGHT OFF in an 8 day stretch?

I’m lounging on my super comfy couch in my pajamas eating roasted sweet potatoes (best stuff E-V-A-R!!!!! Loved these since I was a toddler in Taiwan) and watching “How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days”. I’m also loving having central air conditioning.

This movie cracks me up. I can watch this over and over and never get sick of it. Why does it make me laugh so hard?

Simple. I think throughout some point in my life, I’ve a lot of these things. I have to say, I’ve never thrown pink furry carpets in his bathroom or strewn stuffed animals around his apartment. That’s probably because I’m not fanatical about pink (I like the color but I don’t try to saturate my life with it) nor do I like stuffed animals.

I’ve also never named anything “Princess Sophia”. Haa haa haa!!!! Krull the Warrior King…omg….I’m crying.

So while I hope I never do any of these things again, I’m fairly certain I’ll hit a few more because I’m still finding my girlfriend legs.

You know. It’s like sea legs but instead of hopping on a boat, I’m swimming in a relationship.

Luckily for me, Clyde’s pretty chill. This means I get to dip my pedi feet in the pool a little at a time.

So score!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

I’ve always been terrified of getting older, and now that I’m officially in my late 20’s, it’s time to admit I no longer have the advantage of youth. Perhaps it was a subconscious awareness early on that the perpetual boozing and smoking would eventually take a wrathful toll all over my face in the form of fine lines and deep wrinkles, which has successfully fostered a frantic buying habit of every “Better than Botox” marketing scheme in a bottle. “Aging gracefully” is a luxury reserved for the genetically privileged and that’s exactly why God invented face creams for the rest of us.

—

Strivectin

Truth be told, it’s mildly stinky. It smells like Chinese herbal medicine with a hint of minty toothpaste in a poo brown formula. Ok, maybe it’s not that bad. It’s more of a poo tan. But visual and olfactory senses aside, this stuff is like crack for skin. It’s creamy and silky, with a slight tingle after application to really let you know that it’s working by burning off some layers of tissue. Although skimpy on the moisture (for people with severely dry skin), an extra coating of drugstore cream should keep you clear from a bad case of the flakies. $135 gets you a giant 6oz. tube that lasts for virtually forever and is just the right amount to efficiently hook you in for life.

—

Olay Pro X Starter Kit

The commercials really piqued my interest: Results guaranteed in 28 days or your money back? Sounds easy enough. What’s a lot easier is to save your $60 and not even buy it to begin with. 33 days in and I’m slathering on Strivectin like a mud mask for damage control. I hate being suckered in with cleverly angled marketing ploys, but since it happens all too often, I’m used to it by now.

—

Dior Capture R60/80 XP Ultimate Wrinkle Restoring Creme

Pro: Smells great. Con: I can practically see the wrinkles crease into my skin right before my very eyes. I have one wrinkle when I smile on the left side of my cheek that I monitor with extremely close attention. Although my dry skin was smooth as a baby’s bottom, I think my wrinkle actually got worse. This is exactly why you can’t trust your livelihood looks to a brand better known for killer shoes.

—

Avon Anew Ultimate Gold Emulsion

The night cream is incredibly moisturizing without a heavy, oily residue and for the price, it’s pretty darn impressive. The day cream, on the other hand, leaves my face looking like a greasy teenager who hasn’t yet discovered the benefits of matte powder. I’m literally a shiny, happy person. It tingles, it soothes, it….burns? Curiously strong like an Altoid (although I do have sensitive skin). Yes, I can’t believe it myself that I condescended to buy Avon, one of these days I’m really going to have to learn how to say “no” to coworkers peddling crap I don’t need. Which should be easy enough, seeing how I no longer have coworkers.

—

Dr. Brandt Time Arrest

There’s nothing quite as believable as some random MD slinging skin care products. Hauschka, Murad, Perricone…will you sell me shampoo next? Unfortunately, I broke out with this one. Lots of potential (much like Murad’s Lighten and Brighten Eye Treatment with hydroquinone that was the SHIT ), but unfortunately I developed a hideous rash after a few days so discontinued use was in order. Tsk, tsk, doctors. Although who knows, maybe someone else with kevlar skin may have better luck with these awesome potent products.

—

It’s never too early to start deterring gravity from its inevitable course, you can’t rely on those Asian genetics forever!

Clyde is running the marathon. I am so proud of him. I had no idea how much dedication, pain and mental control it takes to just train for this. Prior to Clyde, I just figured you could stretch, walk, run and shake it out if you got tired.

Man, was I wrong.

I had forgotten how it felt to run long distances. I used to do cross training in high school and what’s weird is that I remember I liked it.

Don’t get me wrong. I hated it in the beginning. I limped a 18 minute mile at the beginning. I sucked.

I hated running on campus, I abhorred stair work but I especially detested running through the hills behind my high school in Honolulu.

But the weirdest thing happened. I stopped being dead last every day. I started running towards the front and then I was the front runner. I started noticing the flowers and trees and loving every breeze that cooled my over-heated ass off.

There’s a huge difference between running laps, running on a treadmill and running outside. I prefer running in Honolulu. I actually miss it a little…isn’t that crazy?

I really loved my kick ass mile time by the end of the semester.

Now? I can run 0.2 miles and flop over dead.

Ta da!!!

Clyde, on the other hand, is nuts. He’s been running for months. He tells me about socks, shoes, run shirts, this GU glop thingy and how his toenails fell off.

I smile nod and try to focus on something besides his muscles. ^^

So this is what I’ve done during the whole marathon experience so far :

- I tried not to molest Clyde when I know he’s run a gazillion miles like a crazy hamster. Key word is “tried”. Aah haa haa haa!!!

- I sat down for hours to make an mp3 CD of music I thought might help keep him going as he runs. These were songs that I listened to when I used to work out like a fiend. There’s everything on there from Danzig to Ice Cube, LL Cool J to Jinusean and PVD.

- I dutifully ate Bon Chon mutant fried chicken with him after he’s burned over 3,000 calories running and I’ve burned 100 watching TV all day. Btw, yes, that comma was intentional. He can burn over 3,000 calories when he runs over 14 miles. Wtf…I can run down the hall of the ICU when I hear the dreaded words “CODE BLUE!!! GIMME THE CRASH CART!!!” but that’s about it.

- I carbo-loaded with him yesterday for dinner. I’m not much of a pasta person unless we’re talking Angelo Pietro’s in Honolulu. He’s gonna burn most likely 4000 calories doing this marathon. I’m still trying to burn off the Bon Chon chicken.

- he woke up at 3:30 am to get ready for the marathon. I woke up when he kissed me before heading out, wished him luck, promised I’ll be at the end of the race and promptly fell back asleep.

- he’s running the marathon somewhere. I woke up, stretched, opened my black out curtains at the Viceroy (cute little boutique hotel) and stared at the fog rolling in under the overcast sky.

- he’s probably really hot running right now. I was freezing my ass off shivering on the Juliet balconey snapping a photo of the fog. Jeezus, I could see my breath! Wtf?!

- he’s running the marathon and eating GU for energy. I’m watching it on KTLA sipping coffee.

I’m supportive!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Clyde is running the marathon. I am so proud of him. I had no idea how much dedication, pain and mental control it takes to just train for this. Prior to Clyde, I just figured you could stretch, walk, run and shake it out if you got tired.

Man, was I wrong.

I had forgotten how it felt to run long distances. I used to do cross training in high school and what’s weird is that I remember I liked it.

Don’t get me wrong. I hated it in the beginning. I limped a 18 minute mile at the beginning. I sucked.

I hated running on campus, I abhorred stair work but I especially detested running through the hills behind my high school in Honolulu.

But the weirdest thing happened. I stopped being dead last every day. I started running towards the front and then I was the front runner. I started noticing the flowers and trees and loving every breeze that cooled my over-heated ass off.

There’s a huge difference between running laps, running on a treadmill and running outside. I prefer running in Honolulu. I actually miss it a little…isn’t that crazy?

I really loved my kick ass mile time by the end of the semester.

Now? I can run 0.2 miles and flop over dead.

Ta da!!!

Clyde, on the other hand, is nuts. He’s been running for months. He tells me about socks, shoes, run shirts, this GU glop thingy and how his toenails fell off.

I smile nod and try to focus on something besides his muscles. ^^

So this is what I’ve done during the whole marathon experience so far :

- I tried not to molest Clyde when I know he’s run a gazillion miles like a crazy hamster. Key word is “tried”. Aah haa haa haa!!!

- I sat down for hours to make an mp3 CD of music I thought might help keep him going as he runs. These were songs that I listened to when I used to work out like a fiend. There’s everything on there from Danzig to Ice Cube, LL Cool J to Jinusean and PVD.

- I dutifully ate Bon Chon mutant fried chicken with him after he’s burned over 3,000 calories running and I’ve burned 100 watching TV all day. Btw, yes, that comma was intentional. He can burn over 3,000 calories when he runs over 14 miles. Wtf…I can run down the hall of the ICU when I hear the dreaded words “CODE BLUE!!! GIMME THE CRASH CART!!!” but that’s about it.

- I carbo-loaded with him yesterday for dinner. I’m not much of a pasta person unless we’re talking Angelo Pietro’s in Honolulu. He’s gonna burn most likely 4000 calories doing this marathon. I’m still trying to burn off the Bon Chon chicken.

- he woke up at 3:30 am to get ready for the marathon. I woke up when he kissed me before heading out, wished him luck, promised I’ll be at the end of the race and promptly fell back asleep.

- he’s running the marathon somewhere. I woke up, stretched, opened my black out curtains at the Viceroy (cute little boutique hotel) and stared at the fog rolling in under the overcast sky.

- he’s probably really hot running right now. I was freezing my ass off shivering on the Juliet balconey snapping a photo of the fog. Jeezus, I could see my breath! Wtf?!

- he’s running the marathon and eating GU for energy. I’m watching it on KTLA sipping coffee.

I’m supportive!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Where drivers navigate like crazed maniacs in huge menacing Mercedes Benzes and supermarkets have entire aisles dedicated to soy sauce, Rowland Heights remains undisputed as a tasty, cheap foodie mecca. I mean, the Kogi Truck makes a pit stop out here once in a while, so it has to be legit right? Every imaginable Asian cuisine can be found in this neighborhood and the selection is by no means scarce. In the mood for Chinese? You’re in the right place. Korean? Definitely. Sushi? If you don’t mind it being non-Japanese owned and operated, then why not.  Here’s a breakdown of some of my local favorites:

—

Happy Family Restaurant

Normally I’d wrinkle my nose at the prospect of rabbit food veggies and tofurkey, but Happy Family doesn’t really count as vegetarian because it’s so good. The House Chicken is just like Panda Express’s Orange Chicken but way better: The batter is crispier and the sauce has more of a flavorful kick without the syrupy overkill. Oh, and instead of chicken, Happy Family’s version is made with mushrooms. Yes, mushrooms!  It’s a minor, insignificant detail that in no way affects the awesomeness of the dish. You cannot knock it until you try it!

—-

Love Letter Pizza and Chicken

Two words: Bulgogi Pizza. Then, top it off with an oozing golden sweet potato puree stuffed crust and suddenly you’re in carb hell that is so wrong, yet so right. And since it’s about 100 Weight Watcher points per slice, you might as well go all the way and order the deep fried chicken to bury yourself in gluttonous sorrow. You can use the skin to wipe away the tears.

—-

Foo Foo Tei

First impression: Wow, this place is a dump! Second impression: People are actually lining up for this?! Situated on a dodgy street next to a railroad track in the middle of nowhere, Foo Foo Tei hardly seems like a credible place to be dishing out great ramen. Well…sometimes (but not often) it really is a pleasure to be proven wrong! I’m no ramen connoisseur, but I really enjoy the #17 Nanchette Ramen. It’s your basic components of noodles and fatty pork sitting atop a white creamy broth that reminds of the nondescript free stuff served at Cantonese style cafes. Whether it’s the high flavor value or sodium content, either way it hits the spot.

—-

Akasaka

Across the street from Foo Foo Tei, the sushi in this cramped, stuffy box is surprisingly decent, but here it’s all about the BEEF TATAKI. I cannot get enough of this beefy goodness. If I had a choice to save either a loved one or a bowl of this from a fiery death, it would be a tough call. It’s a hefty serving of lightly broiled, pink fatty beef marinating in a pool tangy ponzu topped with avocado, green onion and spicy daikon. Roughly $30 a bowl, one bite is all it takes to become a believer.

—-

Four Seas Restaurant

This humble little joint sandwiched between a Rite-Aid and dialysis center dishes all the Taiwanese street food classics complete with authenticity and value. The menu, the staff and the clientele is all Chinese, so bring a native when visiting. Chinese egg pancake, fried turnip cake, salty soy milk doused with vinegar and chili oil, Shanghai buns, radish flaky pastry. The checkout lady looks appalled (and is no doubt thinking “This is why your ass is so huge”) when I place this order. For myself.

And since you’re in the area, you might as well check out Arcade Infinity in Diamond Plaza. Sure, it smells like teenage boy and anime funk but it’s definitely worth it as long as you avoid the pee splattered bathroom. There’s some great classic games (Puzzle Fighter, anyone?) along with some rareties. Looking to show off your wicked Typing of the Dead skills? This place has got you covered!

Ever wonder what the hoopla with Yelp soirees are all about?  Well, now is your chance to find out!

With the generosity of local businesses and sponsors, Yelpers are occasionally treated to fabulously themed parties produced out of love (or obligation, same thing right?) by our doting community manager. Ordinarily shrouded in mystery to the general community, these social affairs are a small luxury complete with hosted cocktails, swag bags and gourmet tasting menus. It’s kind of like a glorified happy hour with the drinks, hor d’œuvres and good company but for one tiny difference: everything is free.

In an unusual turn of events (and courtesy of LA’s new CM Katie B), featured next on the calendar is “Yelp Gets Elemental” to celebrate the environment, the elements and above all, sustainability. Hosted at downtown LA’s J Lounge, this event takes unprecedented form as festivities will be open to the public! All it takes is an existing Yelp profile as passport to a fun-filled night of entertainment.

For full event details (the food and drink list looks pretty nuts!), follow the link and don’t forget to RSVP!

Clyde and I went last night to Kollaboration 10. I love this show!! It’s simply amazing to see what a bunch of Asians can do if you just give us a venue to showcase all our talents.

Jason Yang did some things to a violin I never knew you could do. That ish was mind blowing. Good God… I was amazed.

Another competitor I really liked watching was Bhangra Empire. Hoooly sh!t….that was crazy. They mixed hip hop, rap and traditional songs into the baddest mix I’ve ever heard. Dude, they were high kicking to Tupac’s “California Love”. FTW!!!! Holy crap, I got tired watching them dance but it looked like a lot of fun. I loved the women’s costumes. Very pretty and colorful. I’m a glitter whore.

ANBU Black Ops killed it with their performance. I nearly peed my pants when I heard the theme song for Mortal Kombat. Call me retarded but I still love that song. FIGHT!!! Don’t get me wrong. I love to hear people sing (hence my obsession with karaoke and screeching in my car / shower) but what I really love is watching people dance. So. F*cking. Hawt. This is probably why one of my favorite movies to watch is Take The Lead.

But my favorite? Sam Hart’s “Mario Kart Love Song”. It. Is. The. Sweetest. Song. E-V-A-R!!! And he lets his geek flag fly high!!! * wipes tear * So in love….now to find a way to wheedle Clyde to sing this to me. Haa haa haa!!!

So this year is Paul’s last year. I’m kind of sad because I don’t know what Kollaboration is going to be like without seeing him on stage telling funny jokes or seeing the most random YouTube clips of him promoting the event.

All I know is whoever comes on board next has some pretty big shoes to fill.

There’s two places I always need to hit up when traveling to a new city: the local Chinatown, and any nearby shabu shabu restaurant.  There’s nothing quite like paper-thin slivers of tender, fatty beef luxuriously bathed in crisp, citrus ponzu to earn its title as my absolute favorite meal of all time.

(YUM. It’s such a shame I’ve been deprived of this basic pleasure since I now live so dang far from everything! This may be incentive enough to seek new residence.)

My cousin recently asked me for a restaurant recommendation — the one place in Los Angeles that I consider without a doubt to be the best. This challenge was a lot harder than I thought and in the end, I could only settle on a Top 5:

1.) Kagaya

418 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 617-1016

If I was forced to name a winner, this one would probably take the cake. With Kagaya, it’s more about the collective of exquisitely prepared dishes rather than the isolated shabu itself. It’s the ultimate culinary experience with a complete, six course menu that starts with two delicately crafted appetizers and a soup du jour. Next comes the shabu meat (choice of prime beef, wagyu, even a super Premium wagyu) for the event highlight. Either an udon or rice porridge is whipped up with the residual broth, and the meal is capped with a sinfully delicious sweet treat. It’s heaven in a rundown shopping plaza.

Tip: If you’re dying for Wagyu, save your dollars for a thick slab at Mako instead. The basic beef menu option here is impressive enough, Wagyu is overkill. And I love fatty beef as much as the next girl, but Wagyu shabu is a shame since you lose the best parts.

2.)Shin-sen-gumi – Torrance

1695 W Artesia Blvd
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-0728

Shin-sen-gumi doesn’t really place second, I would call it more of a tie. They’re simply too different for a comparative analysis, and both are equally good in their own right. It’s shabu basics done to perfection. There’s nothing I hate more than a weak sauce, but here the ponzu is a harmonious balance of lemon, vinegar and soy. The sauce is just as important as the beef, and is often neglected at places of inferior rank. Oh, did I forget to mention the goma? This is a common occurrence, I only really taste it when I’m waiting for a ponzu refill.  However at Shin-sen-gumi, the sesame sauce is pleasantly rich and creamy in flavor, spiked with buttery peanut and hints of garlic. Weirdly enough, other Shin-sen-gumi locations dish up epic fails so make sure you hit up the right one in Torrance.

3.) Mizu 212

2000 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90189
(310) 478-8979

Mizu 212 garners a lot of hate from Yelpers for some strange reason, and based on the reviews alone, I nearly wrote this place off entirely without even trying it out. Luckily, a lot of Yelpers don’t know what the heck they’re talking about. Bottom line, the food is good, there’s hardly ever a wait, and the price is fair. Yes, it could be cheaper. Yes, it could have bigger portions. And yes, if you’ve never had shabu shabu and are offended with the whole “cook your own food / boiled beef” concept, then this probably isn’t the place for you. Without trekking to OC, DTLA or SGV, Mizu 212 is your best bet for shabu on the west side.

4.) Shabu House

127 Japanese Village Plz Mall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 680-3890

For the price and the quality, Shabu House simply be can’t be beat. $17 a plate is a damn steal, but the problem resides in the tiny cramped space and the perpetual long lines that plague this worthy establishment. The average wait time I’ve been subjected to is roughly 1.5 hours, which is far too long to kept hungry and cranky for the sake of saving a few bucks. For those who don’t mind braving the crowds, Shabu House does not disappoint but expect to be rushed through the meal if you dilly dally. This place is all about turnaround.

5.) Kushi Shabu

123 Astronaut E S Onizuka #305
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 621-0210

Although I’m not a particular fan of the meat, I find myself dining here more often than I’d like. I prefer to savor the delicacy and marbling of the beef, rather than compulsively rack up empty plates in my own personal eating contest. All you can eat always seems like some sort of grade school dare, it’s really hard to exhibit self-restraint and moderation despite my better judgement. Don’t get me wrong, I love AYCE. But sometimes it’s best to avoid it altogether.  $26  for unlimited (somewhat decent) beef is dirt cheap, and as the only AYCE shabu joint in LA, it deserves at very least an honorable mention on this list.

Protip: A 20% discount is offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays, given diners show up before 7pm. It pays to upgrade to premium meat option, the taste difference will be worth it.

Swish swish, and enjoy!