Manicures and Pedicures
Posted on July 13, 2008 by Ching under Life.
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.
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So Much for Going to the Drive-In
Posted on July 12, 2008 by Ching under Life, Movies.
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.
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Juno, Best Movie I’ve Seen in a While
Posted on June 29, 2008 by Ching under Movies.
I can’t believe it took me so long to watch Juno. Great movie. Realistic and refreshing. I thought the charcters were really good. Juno herself is interesting. She doesn’t sound like any teenager I’ve ever met. Her friend Leah is very much like your regular sixteen year old, but Juno is like like a thirty year old trapped in a teenage body. Then again, Diablo Cody has often stated that Juno is like an extension of herself.
Anyway, here are some of my favorite exchanges..
Rollo: Well, well… If it isn’t MacGuff the crime dog! Back for another test?
Juno MacGuff: I think the last one was defective. The plus sign looked more like a division sign so I remain unconvinced.
[Rollo pulls the bathroom key out of reach]
Rollo: Third test today, Mama Bear. Your eggo is preggo, no doubt about it.
Tough Girl: [to Juno] It’s really easy to tell. Is your nipples real brown?
Rollo: Yeah. Maybe your little boyfriend’s got mutant sperms. Knocked ya up twice.
Juno MacGuff: Silencio old man! Look, I just drank my weight in Sunny-D and I gotta go pronto!
Rollo: Well, you know where the lavatory is.
[Juno heads towards the bathroom]
Rollo: [yells] You pay for that pee stick when you’re done! Don’t think it’s yours just cuz ya marked it with your urine!
. . . Rollo: So what’s the prognosis, Fertile Myrtle? Minus or plus?
Juno MacGuff: I don’t know. It’s not seasoned yet.
[grabs products]
Juno MacGuff: I’ll take some of these. Nope… There it is. The little pink plus sign is so unholy.
[shakes pregnancy tester]
Rollo: That ain’t no Etch-A-Sketch. This is one doodle that can’t be un-did, Homeskillet.
Juno MacGuff: So guess what.
Paulie Bleeker: [hesitant] What?… I don’t know…
Juno MacGuff: I’m pregnant.
Paulie Bleeker: What should we do?
Juno MacGuff: Well, I should just… I was thinking I’d just nip it in the bud before it gets worse. Because they were talking about in health class how pregnancy… It can often lead to an infant.
Paulie Bleeker: Typically, yeah… Yeah that’s what happens when our mothers and teachers get pregnant.
Vanessa Loring: What’s wrong? Why are you crying?
Juno MacGuff: I’m not crying, I’m just allergic to fine home furnishing.
Juno MacGuff: I’m losing my faith in humanity.
Mac MacGuff: Think you can narrow it down for me?
Juno MacGuff: I guess I wonder sometimes if people ever stay together for good.
Mac MacGuff: You mean like couples?
Juno MacGuff: Yeah, like people in love.
Mac MacGuff: Are you having boy troubles? I gotta be honest; I don’t much approve of dating in your condition, ’cause well… that’s kind of messed up.
Juno MacGuff: Dad, no!
Mac MacGuff: Well, it’s kind of skanky. Isn’t that what you girls call it? Skanky? Skeevy?
Juno MacGuff: Please stop now.
Mac MacGuff: [persisting] Tore up from the floor up?
Juno MacGuff: Dad, it’s not about that. I just need to know if it’s possible for two people to stay happy together forever, or at least for a few years.
Mac MacGuff: It’s not easy, that’s for sure. Now, I may not have the best track record in the world, but I have been with your stepmother for 10 years now and I’m proud to say that we’re very happy.
[Juno nods]
Mac MacGuff: In my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person will still think the sun shines out your ass. That’s the kind of person that’s worth sticking with.
Juno MacGuff: I sort of already have.
Mac MacGuff: Well, of course! You’re old D-A-D! You know I’ll always be there to love and support you no matter what kind of pickle you’re in… Obviously
[nods to her belly]
Juno MacGuff: I need to go out somewhere just for a little while. I don’t have any homework and I swear I’ll be back by ten.
Mac MacGuff: You were talking about me right?
Leah: [reading] “Wholesome, spiritually wealthy couple have found true love with each other.” Aw… all that’s missing is your bastard!
. . . Juno MacGuff: Ick! I don’t want to give my baby to a couple who describes themselves as “wholesome.” I was looking for, maybe, a thirty-something graphic designer with a cool Asian girlfriend who kicks ass on the bass guitar, but I don’t know, I don’t wanna get too particular.
Brian and I actually found this funny. I missed it the first time, but noticed it the second time while watching the movie with Brian. If Brian had completed his graphic design degree and I learned how to play bass, this description would have fit us to a tee. Not that we are looking to adopt or anything. =P
Some people thought this was kind of a pro-life movie. I didn’t really think of it as propaganda. I thought it was a good movie that many people could easily relate to.. I thought it was cute that Juno and Bleeker ended up falling in love and got back together at the end. Juno comments about how typically couples fall in love before reproducing, but in her and Bleeker’s case they did it backwards. I could relate because Brian and I were pretty uncoventional ourselves.
Our relationship has evolved in a backwards kind of way. We were “making friendship” before we were officially a couple. We went through a lot of stuff before realizing we were in love. We moved in together and bought a house before getting married. We are pretty atypical.
Anyway, I’m adding Juno to my list of all-time favorite movies. I would add it to my movie wishlist, but we already have it. =P
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Monterrey Mexican Grill
Posted on June 29, 2008 by Ching under Food and Drink.
Brian was feeling generous after his magnificent poker win so we decided to take his mom and dad out to dinner and a movie. The movie we had planned on in advance, but they originally had dinner plans with Bill and Lisa. Their plans fell through, so we figured the four of us could have dinner instead.
Since we invited them to dinner, we had them pick the restaurant. They picked Monterrey. We had never been there before so I figured it would be a good time to try it. Never again. We are going to pick the restaurants from now on. =P
We live on the Northeast side of town so we always drive by it, going to and from various places. We’d always wondered what the food was like, but never ventured in. I guess our instincts were correct.
Monterrey has got to be the most insignificant restaurant that has ever opened. Seriously. Notice how there are no pictures of food above. That’s because the food wasn’t picture worthy.
Here’s the quick and dirty. Though they weren’t really busy, the service was slow. The food was so-so. Chips were a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10. Abuelo’s chips tips the scale. They have the best chips in town. Chili’s chips are good, too. Heck, Felipe’s has better chips. Salsa was average. They really needed good salsa to overcome the chips deficiency. So far, not so good.
By the time the server came by to take our drink orders, we were ready to order our meals. I did order a glass of sangria. I have to give it a try from every place that serves it. Blech. Worst sangria ever! What a turn off! My suggestion would be to take it off the menu.
I think Donna ordered a pick two and Dave ordered a pick three, while Brian and I decided to share a pick two between the two of us. He got a bean and cheese burrito while I had a the beef quesadilla. It’s pretty hard to mess up a bean and cheese burrito so I’m thinking Brian was fine with his portion of the meal. I wondered about mine, though. My quesadilla came out looking like a soft taco. When we asked the waiter, he said that is their quesadilla. I kind of expected it to be flatter. Hmmm… Brian and I agreed that our waiter could be (a) lying so that he doens’t have to take the food back to the kitchen and make them redo it, or (b) that’s really how they make their quesadillas, in which case I’m sure we are not the first patrons to scratch our heads.
Donna wasn’t impressed with her meal either. She made a comment that the food was way better the first time they tried the place. She gave it a rating of 2 forks out of 4. I don’t really give ratings, I just give feedback. If I make a repeat visit, then you know you’re doing something right.
As I mentioned earlier the food was pretty average and bland. David almost emptied the salt shaker on his plate. Either his food had no flavor at all, or he is just being himself. He is a bit of a salt addict.
I guess the one nice thing is that the server was conscientious enough to take the sangria off our tab. He could sense that I didn’t like it. I gave it all of three sips. I figured maybe it would get better, but it didn’t. Anyway, I guess he saw that my sangria was still very full at the end of the meal so he didn’t charge us for it.
I wouldn’t say the prices were reasonable because I wouldn’t pay to eat that stuff. If I were to put a price tag on the food, it’d have to be negative. I can say the prices are cheap, though. Well, compared to similar restaurants. Three full entrees and three drinks only cost $30. As they say, you get what you pay for…
I have no idea how they’ll stay in business. I mean, if I want to eat Mexican food I’ll go to Abuelo’s or Felipe’s. You wouldn’t be able to drag me back to this place even if you tried. The food was so insignificant that it made me wish that Red Hot and Blue had never closed. By the end of the meal, I was fully prepared to make a deal with the devil to eat at Red Hot and Blue every week just so they would return and erase this place. I give it about six months to a year.
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Brian Took Home Third and $100 Last Night
Posted on June 28, 2008 by Ching under Poker.
Brian, in an amazing display of poker prowess or just getting really, really lucky, made it to the final table again. He was very, very short-stacked. As in, he only had $40K left compared to all of the big stacks. He managed to survive getting knocked out and actually finished in third place, taking home $100 bucks. Now, we have money to go to the movies tonight. Anyway, I’m glad that Brian did my chips proud.
We got to poker late because DHL was acting crazy and making me freakishly paranoid about my package (contents of said package will be blogged about later). Anyway, we decided to go to poker at the last minute. We made it to poker without being short-chipped but not early enough to not have to sit at the same table. I hate being at the same table as Brian (unless it’s the final table, which we did achieve not too long ago) because inevitably one of us knocks the other out of the poker tournament.
Unfortunately for me last night, I was the victim of the spouse-on-spouse carnage. Brian knocked me out with the first 30 minutes of the tournament. We hadn’t even gone to $200-$400 yet.
So here’s the set up: Brian and I had one player, Kaye, in between us. Kaye was dealer this hand, and I was in the small-blind position. It comes to Brian and he raises to $1600. I should know better than to tangle with my own husband this early in the game, but I looked down at two lovely ladies. I re-raised to $3200, just to see where I stand. He re-raises and goes all in. My BS meter goes off the charts. There is no way he has my hand beat. Needless to say, I called his all in and he revealed pocket aces. Ugh. Bloody hell. He was off to a good start and had won a few hands already so he had my chip stacked covered. That was the end of the tournament for me. I was sidelined before 7:30 PM.
At least Brian was nice enough to loan me his Cowon A3. That thing really comes in handy. I watched Juno, which we’ve had for a while, I just haven’t had the time to watch it. Finished it before break and then I watched Ben Stiller’s The Heartbreak Kid after the break. I finished the second movie and Brian was still in the tourney, amazingly enough.
That’s the story of my poor showing at Friday night poker and Brian’s totally brilliant performance. Then again, he might just gotten really lucky all night.
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