Wide Alley, Narrow Alley

China is going through rapid changes... in the 90s and 2000s, they were all into building western style shiny skyscrapers, but in the past five years or so, there has been a clear trend to reach back to China's roots, and re-develop Chinese style entertainment quarters... In Chengdu, there is a new "old" entertainment quarter called Wide Alley, Narrow Alley ((寬巷子, 窄巷子). Each alley is lined with high end restaurants and bars...and the developers clearly spared no expenses, I was pleasantly surprised at the level of detail they put into the construction... Here is one of the restaurants...

You knock on the gate, and the server opens, the idea is that it's like going home...

Here the headwaitress is giving patrons a tour of the facility, indeed, these are not mere restaurants, they are like museums... just beautifully constructed.

Here is the hot pot place we went to... I love the names of the places, this one is called 養雲 (Young Yun) or Cultivate Cloud... sounds much more poetic in Chinese.

天趣 (Tian Chiu) or Heavenly Pleasure (gee, it's impossible to translate properly... Tian Chiu sounds so much better)

And... Starbucks... Yep, mystery has been solved, Starbucks actually originated in Ming Dynasty China. Ok, really, my reaction when I saw this was WTH, I mean, there is an occasion for everything, Starbucks, why do you have to throw yourself in this mix? Come on.

地潤 (Di Ren) or Land of Plenty... I am particularly impressed by this entry gate, very majestic and mysterious, like it came out of a period movie or something...

典味 (Dian Wei) or Special Flavor (hmmm, not sure what a better translation for Dian should be, my English translation sounds rather un-special), Look at the young waitstaff waiting in front... it was a rainy night, so business was rather brisk. On a regular night, the place is packed.

Locals passing a rainy night playing Mah-joong. Chengdu-nese are very laid back people, they love entertaining, playing cards, mah-joong, eating out...

Stuck in Hong Kong

My trip is almost completed... taking a flight home from Hong Kong today. I couldn't do any bloggie updates cuz as you know my blog is blocked in China... Dear Comrades, free whereiscat! Here is a pic I took in Chengdu of a server helping us with our hot pot. More food pics to come.

Open Letter

Dear members of the gay and lesbian community of Los Angeles:

When I walked up to the two lovely gentlemen to mingle, I had not realized that they were on a blind date. For that, I apologize.

Sincerely, Cat

WTH, I was at this Chinese American lawyers happy hour at The Standard, and was walking around networking with my fellow legal eagles, and suddenly I saw two white dudes standing on the side. I was like, oh, we need to show that we are a inclusive bunch, so I walked over to mingle. They seemed somewhat uneasy. Then we learned that they were here to meet, but they did not seem to know each other... hmmm... we soon put two and two together and realized we were being accidental third and fourth wheels...so I politely looked over to L and suggested that we get another round of drinks and left the love birds in peace.

A very bubbly restaurant...

I ordered salmon but got this, goodness evolution is happening fast these days... btw, thanks L for letting me borrow your flash again... I feel I should contribute to your electricity bill.

And here is L's roasted beet salad... so pretty. But, where are the beets?

Phew, that was close. This is my frequent patron card at Take a Bao in Century City Mall food court. I love their East/West fusion steaming hot bao sandwiches... but alas, I kind of threw this card in with my business cards, and almost handed it out at the lawyers' happy hour... *BLUSH* But then again, the line between prostitution and being a lawyer is rather fine :-P

California Dream'n

A recently moved from Maryland to sunny SoCal... and we met up in Katsuya in Hollywood. Pretty stainglass entrance, do you see the pair of Japanese flip flops floating on top?

We got some drinks...

...and sushi.

Afterward dinner, we strolled over to the newly opened W hotel in Hollywood... very pretty entrance, how many Ws do you see in this pic? I see three.

Hilarious pic... L was trying to take a pic too, and her blackberry's got a huge flashlight, while her flashlight illuminated the whole table, my camera took this pic, so it was a team effort. Oh yeah, we got chocolate fondue and a bunch of other desserts and I also got a Reverse Bellini... after the W we call it a day.

But our weekend get together was not over yet... the next day, L and I went over to check out A's new pad in Laguna Beach... blue sky peeking out in the courtyard...

View from A's balcony, L and I were both like... WOW. Btw, the little house in the middle with the whitish roof, well, that's my future house. But given my current salary level, I would either need to win the lottery, marry a rich man or conquer it...  decisions decisions :-P

Here is a close up of my future house. So cute. It's even got a little make out area facing the ocean...

Early dinner at Wahoo's fish taco, totally recommend the place. Yum yum.

There are so many super expensive beach houses and here is the entrance to one... people must have a lot of $$$ to have a sun/moon door.

Another view of the ocean... so beautiful and relaxing...ahhhhhhh...Welcome to Socal A, so happy to have an old friend here :-)

Kitty Pad Hunter

Teeny Tiny Townhouse for US$700,000... Location is pretty good. Should I buy it?

Luke, I am your father.

My heart almost sank when I saw the headline, U.S. Identifies Vast Mineral Riches in Afghanistan. It's like you are so naive, so idealistic, believe in doing the right thing, fighting against the forces of evil... only to wake up one day and be told you ARE the devil's spawn, the BADDIE. Now I know how Luke Skywalker felt when Darth Vader uttered the words: Luke, I am your DADDY.

I am disgusted to the core. If we are there to steal other people's resources, let's rid of this freedom, democracy charade and just go all out realpolitik. I hate hypocrisy.

Pretty in Pink

Congratulations H! I am sure you are going to be a beautiful bride :-) These bridesmaids sure know how to throw a bridal shower, I hadn't felt this feminine in a long time. K, time to go home and play with my Hello Kitty dolls :-)

I got to sit at the family table, cuz I pretended to be H's cousin only to meet her real cous. Oh well. Nice party favors too!

Yummy food spread... aside girls, aside girls, Cat coming through.

Maybe I should be a dainty, giggly girly girl for once....kekeke, how are ya, my name is Cat... kekeke... your dress is like so pretty! Woo, where did you get your nails done...kekeke...MUNCH, CHOMP, MUNCH...cover mouth...kekeke...