The Eiffel Tower Experience

These are pictures we took inside Paris and also from the top of the Eiffel Tower. We had to wait in line for 30 minutes to go to the top. The view was breathtaking, but it was really crowded. I think next time (if we ever go again) we’ll just make reservations to dine at the Eiffel Tower restaurant. I heard that is one of the most romantic restaurants on the strip and is a good place for wedding proposals. Too bad Brian and I are already married. =P

July 28, 2008 | Posted by Ching under Flickr, Travel

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Pictures from Cory and April’s Wedding

Here are some of my favorite photos from Cory and April’s wedding..

Click here for more photos of Cory and April’s big day.

July 27, 2008 | Posted by Ching under Life

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First Night in Vegas

Our first night in Las Vegas entailed having dinner with April, Cory, and all the family and friends who have traveled to LV to witness and share their special day. It was a very long day. Brian and I were up for 24 hours straight because we had the brilliant idea of working a half day before flying out. We’ve been carpooling to work so we both worked from 7 am to 11 am. We were up a couple of hours before that finalizing our packing and loading everything into the trunk of the car (so that when we got out of work, we could head to the airport without having to return to the house to pick up our bags).

When we arrived in LV, we had picked up a shuttle to our hotel. Dill and them had planned on picking us up at the airport, but they were out getting tuxes and stuff so we were on our own. At only $6 per person (or $15 after tipping the driver), the shuttle was pretty cheap, though. We had just enough time to check and unpack before we had to head out to dinner on the opposite end of the strip (we were on the North end). We didn’t even have time to change or anything, so Brian and I both still had on our clothes we wore to work that morning.

Dill had advised us to use the Duece as our primary mode of transportation, but I had read some negatives about it online. Most of the folks at Trip Advisor recommended the Monorail. Brian and I went ahead and purchased two 3-day unlimited passes. They are non-shareable, unfortunately. That cost us $28 per person, but it worked out great because the Monorail costs $5 a ride and we must have ridden it a hundred times that weekend. We got our money’s worth, that’s for sure.

The guys arrived late because they were stuck at the tux shop. The Dills arrived even later. Dinner was alright. It gave us the opportunity to meet everyone. I couldn’t believe how many people came out to attend April and Cory’s wedding. I thought that spoke volumes about how much their friends and family cared for them.

After dinner everyone wanted to go clubbing. Brian only brought one pair of nice pants, though. And he was wearing it to the wedding the next day so we couldn’t afford to mess it up. Besides that, he doesn’t drink so the clubbing thing was not really all that appealing. I would have liked to have gone, though. We bowed out and returned to our hotel.

The plan was to rest because we were both exhausted from being up so early. Actually, exhausted is an understatement. However, as you know, plans often change at the last minute. We were wandering around the hotel casino and found out that there was an 11 pm poker tournament and we were just in time for it. Brian and I gave it a try. That took us all the way up to almost 4 am because I made it to the final two tables. When I got knocked out, I was really disappointed because I had played for almost 5 hours, I was completely fatigued, my eyes were drying out and my contacts were beginning to cling to my eyeballs, and I had nothing to show for it. We stayed up and for what? Nothing. It was quite frustrating.

Anyway, that’s the story of our first night in LV. Stayed tuned for more pictures in future posts.

July 27, 2008 | Posted by Ching under Travel

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Unlucky at Poker but Lucky in Life

I was a bit downtrodden after getting knocked out of the $45 (plus one $20 rebuy) 11 PM poker tournament at the Sahara last night with three tables still going. I was severly short-stacked and was pretty much folding everything.

I was big blind with a third of my stack already folded. This guy looked at my stack and asked how much I had left. Fearlessly, I showed him what I’ve got left even though this is one of my pet peeves. He raised just enough to put me all in. Everyone else folds and action goes back to me. I look down at K-9 off suit. Normally, I would never even play these cards but given the situation I felt the correct choice was to call and put my tournament life on the line.

I figured that he was weak and was simply bullying me into surrendering my big blind. When I called he said, “You caught me.” I read him correctly. He had 3-6 off suit and was totally bluffing. I suppose he expected to be able to buy the pot uncontested. I’m thinking if I were a guy, he never would have made such a move on me. However, since I’m a girl he thought he could bully me.

What he failed to take into account was the fact that I was short-stacked and already had a third of my stack in the middle. Given the odds offered by the pot, I was committed to call with any two cards just about.

I was pleased that I made a good read. The flop was all junk, but I did manage to hit top pair. I hit the 9. The turn was blank and I was so close to doubling up. Unfortunately, the bully rivered a 5 for a straight. Just like that, I was knocked out of the tournament. I was a good sport and told him “Nice hand,” before I got up from my chair and left the event. You can’t beat lucky, no matter how foolish they might be.

Now, I had been enduring a “backless” phone for the last three days. I had lost the back cover of my phone somewhere between the Sahara and Mandalay Bay while we were on our way to the wedding yesterday. We were in a hurry and there were crows everywhere so I didn’t even realize when it came off. Anyway, as much as I hate having to spend another $300 on a new phone, Brian and I figured we would just hit the local T-Mobile store and look for any 2 MP phones they might have. They are more common now than when I first got my Wing so we were thinking we might be able to get one cheaply with another 2-year contract.

When we got there, there weren’t really any phones that were of interest. They didn’t have any other 2 MP touchscreens. The new phones don’t come out until fall, about September. The guy at the store said we might be able to save money by just ordering a new back cover for my Wing from HTC. It would be way cheaper than getting a new phone. The downside is that I would have to wait for them to ship it to me.

I guess he felt sorry for me because he pulled off the back cover from another phone and just gave it to me to put on my phone. So now my phone has a back cover again. And, I got to save my money. I totally didn’t expect this so I was truly dazzled. It’s not everyday that someone goes the extra mile and does something that they really don’t have to do. We asked him a couple of times if he was sure that this was okay and he told us not to worry about it. Wow! Is that lucky or what? It works out because I had originally planned to hold out and just keep using my crappy phone until the new phone models come out.

I love T-Mobile! Not only do they have the best rate plans, but they have good people too. I am going to be a loyal customer for life. Well, that and I’m contractually obligated. LOL.

July 21, 2008 | Posted by Ching under Life, Poker, Reviews

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Vegas Here We Come

I’m really looking forward to our Vegas trip this weekend. I’m glad that we can be there for Corey and April’s special day. Their wedding will be held at 3:00 PM PST on Saturday, July 19, at the silver wedding chapel inside Mandalay Bay. There is a live webcast available at http://webcasting.cashmanpro.com/mandalay/?d=07/19/2008. Keep in mind that 3:00 PM PST is 1:00 PM PST. Although, even if you don’t watch it live, you’ll be able to watch the video for the next 30 days.

It will be a hectic weekend with dinner at the Luxor on Friday, followed by some pre-wedding partying. Then wedding on Saturday afternoon, and then brunch at Tropicana on Sunday. We’ve got something going on each day.

Stay tuned for pictures!

July 17, 2008 | Posted by Ching under Life, Travel

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Manicures and Pedicures

I skipped my regular workout yesterday in order to meet a 9:30 AM waxing appointment. I usually schedule it on Saturday afternoons to work around my workout schedule, but I had to get a manicure and pedicure this time (in preparation for our trip to Las Vegas next weekend). The only way to arrange it so that I wouldn’t have to leave and then return was to move my waxing appointment to Saturday morning.

I am too cheap to have regular manicures and pedicures. I don’t consider it a necessity like waxing, which if I miss then I end up looking like Chewbacca. Ask Brian. Since manicures and pedicures are somewhat of a luxury for me, I don’t really have a regular place that I frequent. I have tried a handful of places in the past.

However, I usually end up going to California Nails. They’re like the McDonald’s of manicures. They don’t require appointments. Unless there’s some huge event going on throughout town, like prom or something, you can pretty much walk in and get your nails done any time.

Their rates are lower than other salons or spas, but they don’t really spend much on making the place pretty and relaxing or anything like that. Getting your nails done is pretty relaxing, but at California nails you kind of have to tune out the dozen other people who are also getting their nails done around you. I think part of the reason their rates are lower is economies of scale. They zip customers in and out of the shop so fast. I’m sure they complete hundreds of manicures and pedicures a day, much much more than other places.

I decided to try Beau Monde this time, as opposed to just going to California Nails (there’s one by our local supermarket close to our house, and then there’s also one inside Towne East Mall) because (a) I’m already going to be there for my waxing so I’d kill two birds with one stone (and save on gas, lol) and (b) I thought I would splurge. The waiting room that I photographed above is for the spa section. Beau Monde has a separate waiting area at the front of the building for their nail clients. They have a cool lip couch that I wish I would have photographed. Brian waited for me there for the second part of my appointment.

I really liked the ambience at Beau Monde. The nail salon portion of the spa is decorated very nicely. It is quiet, cozy, and comfortable. Instead of feeling rushed like at California Nails, you are actually able to relax because they work on your nails at a nice liesurely (almost slow) pace. That could be just my nail tech, though.

Samantha, the nail tech assigned to me, used to work at Individually Yours like Patricia. She transferred to Beau Monde after Patricia did and she said that Patricia helped her to land the job. She said she really likes working at Beau Monde because she gets to work with other people as opposed to just working by herself. She was the only nail tech they had at Individually Yours.

Anyway, Samantha was pretty gentle with me. She didn’t ferociously clip cuticles like she was angry at them as previous nail techs have done. Maybe it was just their Asian demeanor and they weren’t really angry? I can’t tell for sure. That is actually one of the things I found refreshing about getting my nails done at Beau Monde. I had an American person who speaks English doing my nails. I had someone I could actually converse with.

I never would have been able to converse with someone at California Nails. Not to be prejudiced or anything, but so often I get nail techs who speak five words of English. The rest of the time they just yammer on with fellow nail techs, making me uncomfortable. Are they talking about my ugly toes? She probably thinking, “I can’t belive this girl doesn’t shave her legs.” Or maybe, “What ugly stinky feet this girl has!” Since you can’t understand what they are going on and on about, it makes your imagination run wild.

I was really happy with my manidcure and pedicure from Beau Monde (not to be confused with Beau Monde Salon and Spa in New York, lol). I will more than likely go there again for my next one. Even though it is quite a bit more expensive.

July 13, 2008 | Posted by Ching under Life

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So Much for Going to the Drive-In

Brian and I were planning another trip to the drive-in tonight. Unfortunately, the weather isn’t cooperating. I’ve only been to the drive-in a couple of times, once last year and once last weekend, but I really enjoy it. I think it’s a great value.

Brian wants to go see Hellboy II. I really wasn’t so keen on it at first, but after watching the previews I’m coming around. I think it will be 10 times better than the first one. Specially since this one is directed by the same director who did Pan’s Labyrinth (great movie).

We originally decided to watch it at the Warren, even though it’s not in the balcony. I was supposed to buy discounted tickets from Carly at work (we used our last four VIP passes when we treated Brian’s parents to Wanted a few weeks ago), but I have been so busy this week. Since I didn’t get discounted tickets, our backup plan was to just watch a mantinee. However, matinees now cost $7. Hardly a bargain. I just can’t stomach paying full price for movies anymore.

Our final plan was go to the drive-in where we can watch three movies for less than $20 (a much better value). This time it would have been Hellboy II, Wanted, and Incredible Hulk. We have seen the other two movies (Wanted and Incredible Hulk) already, but we wouldn’t mind watching them again for free. The only problem is that we watch movies from the back of Brian’s truck and, with it being a rainy weekend, we are likely to get rained on.

So we nixed the drive-in idea and we are back to the matinee idea. It won’t be as much fun, but at least the sound and picture quality will be better.

Anyhow, here are some pictures we took at the drive-in last week when we went to see Hancock, Get Smart, and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan.