Lublae Thai Cuisine

I love Thai food, and when I saw Lublae near the Rosemead Target, I knew I had to try the food there sometime. My chance came last Sunday when my aunt decided to take my mother, my cousin and I for dinner. I immediately suggested Lublae and since they have never tried Thai food before, I thought I'd get them to try it.

When we walked inside, we were greeted by a waitress and were led to our table. The restaurant was quite empty except for a few families. The ambiance was very relaxing and we immediately felt relaxed.

The menu is that of a typical Thai restaurant; different types of currys, rice dishes, and noddles. We decided on three dishes: Spicy Fried Rice, Pad See Ew, and their famous Pad Thai. I thought the Pad See Ew was typical of any Thai restaurant. But the Spicy Fried Rice was very delicious, soft and a very interesting mix of flavors. We ordered all of the food with beef, which I thought was well cooked and full of flavors, although it could be a little bit softer.

The Pad Thai was something else, I'm personally used to the cheap kinds that you get from take out and of course, this was exceeded all expectations, no need to describe the taste except it was excellent and there was a tangy taste to it that I was not expecting.

Overall, I thought it was a good experience. The thing I would change about it would be the price. The Pad Thai was a whoping 13 dollars, the serving was about the same size as most other restaurants so I didn't think it was worth it.

I give this place a 4.5 for food, 4 for ambiance and a 4 for service.

Address: 3684 Rosemead Boulevard
Rosemead CA. 91770

Phone: 626.572.7711

Website: http://www.lublaethaifood.com/index.htm

Temple City High

The end of semester is nearing and I think that I have grown much as a person. I guess you can say that this is a reflection of some sorts on how I have changed since its beginning. 

Academically, I didn't do as well as first semester. My grade point average has gone down about .3 points from a 3.8 to a 3.5. I think its because second semester is based on a lot of new materials rather than the review stuff I did back in first. 

Socially I'm kind of unsure about. Though I have been lucky to have met a plethora of new people due to school activities such as peer, I don't think I am more than an acquaintance to many of them. I don't think its because I don't care about them or don't want to hang out. Its just because I'm constantly up to my neck in school work. 

Personally, I think I have matured a little bit each day, though I'm not saying that I'm not saying I'm all grown up, I can safely say that I have grown a little more inside each day. I still have some trouble spots, I have recently been acknowledged of my arrogance and cockyness and I've been working towards fixing them. No one is perfect, but we can all strive to work towards something better than we are now.

I've begun to realize how little time I have left in TC and I've tried my best to soak in each day for what it is, every negative and positive thing about this school. I've began to appreciate TCHS a little more with every passing week and I'm glad I can be able to. 

Lots of kids are talking about how much they want to get out of school and get their lives started with. I've even caught myself doing so one or twice. But looking back at the years I've spent here with the people I've grown up with, I've noticed that my life has already started. Right here in this school.  Sure we might be in a limbo between elementary school and college, but the things we learn here are sure to affect us in the future.

So that's why I want to savor my time here, take in every second as if it were going to be my last because I want to have memories here. I'm a junior and I have less than one month before my junior year starts and three and a half when I become a senior. Time sure flies by doesn't it?

I wonder what I'll be saying here next year. Will I be ready to jump into college? Am I going to regret anything I have or have not done yet? Will I be proud of my accomplishments once I step up one the stage and take my diploma? Well, I'll just have to wait and see.

 

Precalc test

fml we have a precalc test today. and my life sucks.

well not really, one of my friends is back from uc berkeley for summer vacation so all is not bad. Though I have to admit school is getting to be a real bitch. It seems as if these last few weeks before school ends have drained my teachers of creativity when making assignments. Everything is gut wrenchingly boring and pointless.

Plans for the weekend: study for the math 2C test in two weeks

get peacock feathers for that art project.

hang out with the huas.

Bird By Bird- Anne Lamott

Its been a couple of days since my last completed book, Solanin and I have just finished this one during Silent Sustained Reading today. This book, as the title eludes, is about writing and life. It's interesting how Anne Lamott integrated life lessons in her writing instructions. Although I began reading the book in hopes of becoming a better writer, I ended up taking some life lessons from the experience.

The book rings honest and true about the lifestyle and hardships of a writer, it dispells all the glamour of writing and how its not all that glamorous as it is cracked up to be. Anne gives light on the ups and downs of writing while using her own personal experiences to supplement all she says. I liked how she gave us glimpses of the people in her life and how they influenced her writing and life. One of my favorite sections in the book was how she said that the books she wrote were like gifts for the people who mean the most to her. Her use of humor fits in perfectly with whatever she has to say and I have had moments when I read sections and laughed out loud. And that rarely happens to me when I read nonfiction. Overall, I give props for her and I'll be searching for her other books in the coming future.

Solanin- Inio Asano

Well, I just finished this 420 pager this weekend. Overall, I really liked the storyline (not going to spoil it for you :]) But if I could comment, I liked the way the author portrayed the characters in an imperfect way, the guys aren't buff, nor are the girls full breasted as seen in other mangas which adds to the feel that these characters are simple, everyday and one that we can relate to.

I'd recommend this book to any manga lover out there who wants a break from the sword fighting, the shojo love stories or anything in between and wants an offbeat story.

Bookie Challenge

The other day I read a post from this blogger (1330v i believe) and she mentioned a reading challenge called 'fill in the gaps". the rule is that you're supposed to read 100 books in a certain period of time. Thats utter insanity.

I'm a busy kid with a busy schedule so I'll try remix this challenge a little bit. Instead of 100 books in a year or two, I'll try 9 books in 3 months which comes out to a good 3 books a month. Mind you these aren't the kind of books that turn your mind to mush (cough cough Twilight cough cough). I'm hoping to actually learn something by the time I'm through with them.

So without further ado, here's my list.

1. Bird By Bird- Anne Lamott (I'm already halfway done with it)
2. Ahead of the Curve- Philip Delves Broughton
3. A More Perfect Constitution- Larry J. sabato
4. 10 Books That Screwed Up The World- Benjamin Wilker
5. Beside A Burning Sea- John Shors
6. Tigerheart- Peter David
7. Solanin- Inio Asano
8. T.O's Finding Fitness
9. The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald (reading in English Class)

I'll write a review of each book as I finish it just for the heck of it.

Lesson Learned

So the other day I talked about the injustice of not being allowed into AP Art History. Well, apparently there were the other factors that contributed to it. Though I don't think they were really that important, they must have added to the problem. Most were just for eating in class, talking to friends when I got sent outside. The works.

I got a chance to talk to my facilitator in Peer Listeners and my art teacher (whom I'm really close to) and they explained that what I thought to be insignificant, they became very significant over time.

Its time that I look back at this incident with more open eyes. Though I might not agree with the other side's decision (maybe I might never will) I have begun to see the other side's issues. I learned during the talk that AP teachers are EXTREMELY stressed out though they might not seem so. They get scored on the quality and score of their students during AP testing. The material they cover are much and the difficulty very hard and they don't have the time nor the patience to control one crazy, energetic student (ahem me) from getting a classroom go nuts (which I'll admit I realize I do unintentionally) so if they get any notion that I might become a small bit of trouble, they will have to boot me out. They're only looking out for themselves.

Its not to say that this is unfair on my part (what part of life isnt?) but I feel like I should've had some kind of warning or some kind of idea of what the consequences were going to be. I would have learned or tried my best to learn from my mistakes and moved on and let it go under the bridge but I guess it will have to be remembered for the future.

The lesson I take from this is simple: don't be so self centered! be aware of the people around you and take into consideration how they would react to something what seems insignifigant to you might not seem that way to the other party. My close friend told me the other day that I have to look at both sides of the story. Learn what the other side has to say. Maybe I didn't do it perfectly, but at least I learned how to do it better this time.

So I might not have gotten into AP Art History, but at least I came off on better terms with one of the teachers and learned a new lesson and I think thats better than coming out of it on bad terms and still thinking that I was completely right. Theres really no clear cut, black and white approach to life many times, both sides is somewhat right, both sides have things that arent really commendable. I guess its time for me to move on. Now that I have and extra slot in my schedule I think I might take Begining Drafting and learn something new

Bad Bad Week

Things have been tough for the past week or so. I'm not going to go very far into the details but it involves some teacher drama and me being kicked out of AP Art History. I'm not entirely sure what is going to be in store for me in the coming days but I know its not going to be easy. Hell, what part of life isn't?

Sometimes I wonder whether the stuff that has happened to me is meant to be, maybe getting in to the class was just a motivator for me to work harder and that another door will open for me to try something else. Or maybe God gave this to me and wants me to fight to be able to keep it and be able to appreciate it more. In the end though, I'm going to fight to keep it because I believe that what has happened to me is unfair and I don't deserve to be dropped from the class. If worse comes to worse and I am dropped indefinitely, then that's what was meant to be and I'll try something else.

I have worked hard. I have put blood, sweat and tears to raise my grades and above all, to grow and mature as a person. I'm not going to go around and bitch and moan about what is happening, I'm going to take a stand and fight for what I want. Some of you might be thinking "Its only AP Art History, why are you so butthurt about this?"

Well, because I care. If I were to be dropped because I did something really inappropriate, then so be it I'll learn from my mistake and move on. But I believe that what is happening to me is unfair and unjust. If I let this off with a shrug, what will the other party think? I'll tell you what, they'll think that it is alright to do this to someone simply because they can and get away with it. I won't allow something like this to happen. Not for me, nor for anyone else after me. I'm not the kind of person that demurely sits by and watches while another does something like this to me and my future. Sure I'm Christian and the Bible teaches all of us to "turn the other cheeck", but I'd soon rip that hand out with my bare teeth than allow someone the chance to slap the other side and do it to someone else in the future.

What I did could not and should not affect me being dropped from a class. (Seriously, it was a minor electronics violation). I'm not here to make accusations. I'm merely putting my firm opinion out on the floor.

The question I have is this: Are they dropping me from the class simply because their friend advises them to do so? Or do they really, deep down in their hearts believe that what I did was so bad, so unforgivable that it merits an expulsion from a class I am more than qualified for?

Been Too Long

Its been quite some time! UI've been really busy recently and I haven't really updated anything in a while. Anyways, the Berkeley trip was really fun. Too bad I stopped posting after the third committee meeting. I was the only one in the group that actually went to the closing ceremony that day. The ceremony was alright. Except I happened to sit next to the group from Mira Cosa High School. I swear i have never seen another bunch of humorless people. They were all serious and stuff. I liked the ones that were in my committee. But yeah, they were pretty cold.

After everything was over, we went to an Ethiopian restaurant called Finfine. It was the first time I tried that kind of food. It was actually pretty good! You eat everything with your fingers with these bread things. I thought they were towels when they first came out. Smart huh? anyways the stuff tasted like sourdough bread only it was unleavened.

http://www.finfine.com/

Overall I thought that the food there was extremely delicious and if anyone is in the Berkeley area, please come to this restaurant.

After, we headed back to the hotel, packed and headed to the airport. We happened to see Edyta from Dancing With The Stars and Ms. Park went nuts! No Kidding

Since then, I've added the people I've become friends with on Facebook but haven't really talked to anyone recently.

Committee Conference #3

-1.30-

Okay so I just got back from lunch and the third committee conference has started. We've begun discussing the resolutions in the formal caucus. I'm not sure what the next plan of action is going to be yet but i'm pretty sure that we are going to be voting on the resolutions next. I'm a little groggy from all the food I just ate (Calamari and grilled skirt steak from Blake's). 

The conference is going to last until around 5.30 today and the Delegate dance is going to be tonight. Aaron doesn't want to go for some reason but I'm going to try to get him to go. 

Anyways, many of the resolutions on the floor right now are very innovative and unique and its really cool. 

-2.39-

All the resolutions just passed. I really don't know how that happened but it did. we're moving onto our next topic "The Global Problem of Street Children". The speakers list has just reopened and I am number 24. Now I have to make some changes to my speech to fit the new 1 minute 30 second time requirement.

United Nations Committee Session #2

wow this is really cool. I was just able to connect to the UC Berkeley internet a while back (thanks Hugo!!) anyways our topic for discussion right now is "Childhood Education in the African Conflict Regions" there are a lot of well versed people here so the debates are very informational. Anyways we're almost dome with the speakers list and we're about to send up the resolutions soon. I'm a sponsor of the US resolution but I'm also a signatory for the Russian, Argentine and  

I'll keep you guys updated and I'm still working towards reimporting all of my lost blog posts from facebook. 

Haha omg my life sucks

me and my smart self just deleted all of my posts =.= for some reason 14 of them were saved thank god. okay i'll try to get them back somehow.

6.11 AM

Hey im on my way to the airport right now. I woke up at about 430 this morning. All of us just met a while back at the high school and im in tinnychan's car right now. We should reach the airport in about an hour.

6.17 AM

We're kind of lost right now. We took the wrong fork at huntington. Were trying to find route 66 right now. :p

6.52 AM

Whee we reached the airport! Haha this is the first time Ive been to one since i was like three :)

Heading to BMUN!!!!

I'm really excited for the model United Nations Trip to the UC Berkeley conference this Friday. We meet at school at about 6 am at the high school. And we should be arriving at the airport at 7 and our flight should be about 8 am. 

Only 3 more days. i'll try to keep you updated asap.