$799 for a hike!

A few months ago the Travel Network had a episode on Havasu Falls near the Grand Canyon. It showed the gorgeous falls followed by the 2008 flash flood that nearly killed 5 people. The Canyon belongs to the Havasu Tribe. Near the evening of the flash fllood a local native gave a casual warning to over 200+ campers at the base, which no one took to heart. A few hours later the water level rose 5 ft and continued to climb till 2am. 5 campers were stranded on one side of the river, climbing on top of trees to save their own lives. Despite the suspense of the recap CB and I decided we wanted to go there, the falls were truly beautiful. We started our research and to reach the falls we have to drive to Hualapai Hilltop 70+ miles away from South Rim Grand Canyon. Guests must leave their cars there and either hike, horseback or helicopter to the village. The campsite is another 2 miles walk away. I thought it'll be easier and cheapest to go with a group but I was so wrong. Most organized tours charge $799 for 3 days 2 nights! They provide transportation from Flagstaff, mule transport for backpacks only, provide all gears and food. but for $799??? You still have to camp and eat camp food!! Cruise ships charge less than that for a week!

Screw that. We already own our gear so we're going to do it our way. 13 hour drive over night leaving Wednesday after work. Then hike our asses down 10miles in 80F+ heat. Carry our own food and water and if we're lucky we'll get to enjoy the falls by 1pm. Final cost excluding gas and food? $70. Where the hell do they charge $799? Even if we hired a mule to carry our backpacks it's only an additional $40.

update in a few weeks.

oh screw me.

That's it, I'm done. I spent the last four months sticking a thermometer in my mouth, peed on a stick, charted every event of my day, I have a reproductive book that I read over and over again and I'm completely baffled. I can't believe I spent so many years trying NOT to get pregnant just to find out it isn't that easy. I always wondered what the hell those couples were doing taking over a year to get pregnant. Now I know.

sweaty car

HOT HOT HOT I haven't had A/C in my car for the past two years and it's too expensive to fix. Not sure if I can bear another summer.... can't decide if I should fix it or tough it through another summer and look for a used car next year, or lease a car. CB's found a great website swapalease.com you can take over someone elses lease, some owners even offer a cash bonus!

Till then, I'll be losing weight in my mobile sauna.

True Blood

current HBO series that I'm additcted to.
Keeps my mind off shit.

It's time for another move.

Just eat it!

I was craving for deep fried chicken wings after running the Bay to Breakers. It was a HOT HOT run by the way, filled with lots of naked men. They must've really enjoyed the weather.

Anyhow, chicken wings. I wanted some kick ass Chicken Wings from this Chinese restaurant in the city but we ended up at Red Brick Pizza for some "healthy" baked chicken wings instead. That didn't satiate me at all so we ened up at KFC which was even worse. It's been a long long time since I had KFC and it'll be a very long time before I go back. We also tried the grilled chicken which is not good at all. Dont' be lazy, just go grill your own chicken.

Reminisce

Every now and then I really really miss home.
This time it was the low 70's weather with the cool breeze, blue sky and burst of greenery from the trees. I start to miss the summer days I walked out of my house to take Shaughn out for a walk. The fun midnight runs I take with some friends around Kits beach, then wrapping it up with fresh Segel's Bagels.

Everytime those memories return I always have to ask myself whether it's home I miss, or the simpler life I had.

short visit

My mom came to visit me for the first time in years. CB and I were quite happy to have her visit our place and my office since she's only seen pictures. My sister, brother in law and cousin came down the same weekend too. The visit was celebrated with lots of eating out and drinking. It's always nice to have relatives down, espeically mom, since I don't get to see her often. Then one by one left including CB for Vegas, suddenly I'm feeling all lonely and missing my mom. It's one of those relationships where I love her, but I'll need a bigger house in order to live with her. Maybe on her next visit our accomodations will be better.

bed to myself

CB is away this weekend and I get the bed all to myself. And when I wake up I get to turn on the TV and make all the noise I want.

vrooom hum...

that's the sound of our new Miele.
Our place is going to be so clean all the time because CB is going to vacuum everyday!

I remember the first time I learned of a Miele canister vacuum 8 years ago. My sister B came home giggly with her $1000+ vacuum that looked like a mouse (computer). What ridiculousness to have purchased something so expensive! My other sister and I stood back and watched as she demonstrated the ease of this mouse looking canister with a left click on the mouse to power on and a right click to retract the power cord. Then the ease of lugging the light weight machine up and down the stairs. Oh how happy she was as we watched her vacuum and chatted. The little mouse hummed so quietly as C and I laughed so hard. "Great, YOU can vacuum all the time"

After getting fed up with the pain of dumping water out of our Rainbow CB and I finally bought a Miele as well. Opting for something more affordable we first purchased a Simplicity Cinch vacuum which is sitting in the living room right now, still in its' box. that same day CB found the Miele Calisto for pretty much the same price. We're both happy, this new puppy better not let us down. I expect it to last 20+ years, like my car.

not a size small

My legs felt a bit weird. I couldn't sleep soundly at night, that pain around my legs... it's not sciatica, I know what sciatica should feel like. This doesn't not feel like some kind of shooting pain down my leg. It's more of a discomfort around my leg, shingles maybe? I'm being overly dramatic.
What is this feeling?? It's hard to describe at first, the feeling is new to me, it's constricting, tight, almost creating a rash at the same time.
oh, I know what it is.
*sigh* my underwear is too tight. I'm not a size small anymore.

Nine Dollars

It's the 16th of February and I have $9 left in my pocket. I blame Valentine's Day for the rapid spending. Trying to budget myself makes everything seem so damn expensive. But it does help put things in perspective for me, I'm starting to see where all the little expenditures are adding up. Like the Egg tarts I bought yesterday for $1.50 each and the Chestnut cream tart for $3.75 and the Red Bean bun. It wasn't my lunch but I wanted them, and I ate all three in half an hour just to feel horribly guilty about the calories I consumed. I could've saved myself 10 bucks and 1000 Calories if I just didn't step into the bakery shop.

sensitive eggs....

I woke up a little earlier than CB this morning to prepare some pancakes and eggs for Valentine's breakfast. The pancakes obviously took a little more preparation but it was the eggs that took the beating, verbally. CB likes them over medium, slightly soft and almost runny. I like mine soft and NOT runny, but I'm not that picky. It's amazing how upset some eaters get when their eggs are not done right. CB didn't get upset, but he was sure surprised when the eggs didn't come out the way he likes it. Seriously, it's a difference of 30 seconds on the grill? or 20 seconds? Am I supposed to watch the eggs? time it? what?

Three hundred

Let me see if this will work.
A year ago I read about a couple that decided to end all spendings for a year. They only purchased essentials and cut their entertainment to a minimum.
Well, I'm on a mission to pay off my credit cards so I'm going see if I can keep my spendings to $300 a month. That excludes gas and 'business expenses'.

I typically charge everything onto my credit card, then I pay this big bill and wonder how I managed to rack up a bill. Everything seems important on that bill, gas, groceries, little things here and there, eating out ever so often. There's nothing extravagant on there but all those line items add up.

Feb 1st is the start date. I have $291 in my wallet now. $9 was spent eating out on Day 1.

Boar Brushes

I picked up two boar brushes at a spa sale. It's supposed to help clean hair better and spread natural oils down the hair to bring out shine. The brushes are much more expensive than regular synthetic brushes, but I have to say they are worth it! My hair is much shinier.
While I'm on the subject of high prices products, CB purchased Creme de La Mer for my sister as a christmas gift. I always thought these ridiculously high priced skin care products are full of shit. Using expensive ingredients that weren't valid for their purpose. The Creme de la Mer purchase came with two small samples. Those two small samples probably cost $20 each, considering how expensive the full sized bottle is. The samples lasted 4 weeks and it cleared the dark sun spots on my skin! OK It does work, but I'm not going to spend $100+ on a 1ounce jar, atleast not yet.

closet space

I'm trying to declutter. I have to admit, I'm quite messy. Not to be associated with dirty! I'm just messy. This year is about decluttering, lots of electronic and clothing donations. Get rid of junk mail immediately. Keep everything filed away. Put things back immediately after I use them. Clean regularily.

Part of my decluttering involved reorganizing my closet. I looked around for closet organizers and on picture all these closets look clean and tidy. Then I started to get irritated! In picture this person only has 5 shirts, 5 slacks, 5 pairs of shoes and some sweaters and jackets. That's it!
Stupid advertisement. I'll just store my clothes in a container and put them on rotation with the season.

The best gift to your children

I take care of strangers and preach about good health. But the people I care about, my family and friends never hear it. So, time to time I'll share them. And by the way, I'll always take care of my friends at no charge. What's the point of having these healing hands if the one's I care about never benefit from them?

Since I'm starting to feel maternal, here's the first bit.

The best gift you can give your children is to take care of your physical health and financial health.

Perhaps you share the same concerns with me when it comes to our parents. I'm always worried about their health and retirement. So, think about how your kids may worry about you.

Our generation is having children later in life, which means our children will bear the burden of caring for us at an earlier age and for a much longer period, as human lifespan is now longer.

Just as our children are beginning to start their own families, building their careers, they may already feel the pressure of your age. I just wouldn't want to place that kind of burden and stress on my children.

Just a little something to think about before you compromise your health or retirement fund for that designer silver pacifier that your baby 'needs'.

Health Insurance

If you're a healthy individual that visits your doctor once yearly for check ups, there really isn't any reason to purchase an expensive health plan. Pick a high deductible plan eg. $1000 to $3000+ Pick a deductible you know you can afford to dish out ASAP should you find yourself in dire need of emergency care. These plans may cost as little as $80/mo depending on your age, or even as little as $25 through your company. Remember, the cost doensn't end at the monthly fees. There are co-pays as well. When you choose a high deductible plan, choose to see a doctor on a cash basis. Most offices offer lower fees for not having to deal with insurance companies. You can ask for a superbill and submit the bill to your insurance company to help lower your deductible. Even though you're paying the full fee (possibly discounted fee) for the visit, by the end of the year the savings you've accumulate may be more than the higher monthly fees of a low deductible plan + its' co-pays.

I know most people are concerned about the 'what if I get hospitalized'. Once you step into the hospital and stay over night, your bill will most likely be over $1000. If you get the knife or any additional exams it'll be over $10,000 for sure. So here's another element to look at with your high deductible plan. What is your out of pocket maximum per year? and does your insurance cover at 100% after that? I had a plan with a $3000 deductible before the insurance covers a penny of my care. But after I spend $3000 (the same amount) out of my pocket, the insurance covers 100%. Which means if anything catastrophic happens the maximum I have to pay is $3000 for the year. That plan was $70/mo. Compare this to a plan that was catered to someone who requires lots of doctors visits and medication. This plan has a low deductible of $250, covers 80% of visits and drugs and an out of pocket maximum of $7000 then the insurance covers 80% as usual. Imagine if your procedure was $50,000. do the math....

My Car

With the change in economy my urge to spill my thoughts on my car has now reached a blogging level.
I love my Honda Accord. It gets me from home to work perfectly fine. That car has been with me through SFU, Palmer, LA, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Vancouver and back down several times. She's met boyfriends C to N and all the flings in between. She's met girlfriends J to C and feels lucky that no one has puked on her yet. She knows all my gossips and I know her well enough to parallel park her into the tiniest cracks in SF. And though she doesn't look the best, I make sure she runs like a puppy. After 12 years she still gives me approx 33mpg on my daily drives to and from work.

Point is. I never had plans on changing cars. Some say it's time for a new car and I ask why? Give me $300+ worth of reasons every month why I shouldn't continue to enjoy a stress free drive everday. Rocks and scratches may hurt my car but they sure don't hurt my wallet.

I'm going to drive that car till she dies.. which may be another 15+ years, I still see 86 Honda's out there.

loser!!

I hate him so much I'm about to puke. Stupid, egotistic, insecure, LOSER! You're never going to get anywhere in Life, go back to where you came from.

Costume time

Halloween is the day to dress like a whore call it a costume.
I don't like it, but some times I get suckered into it.

Everyone's in Greece

We're headed to Greece for our honeymoon in November. We started planning for it back in June then I started noticing that everyone is going there... three newly weds went there for their honeymoon, then two friends just went there and two patients as well! Maybe I'm just more aware of the country because I'm going there. I can't wait to go away. I'm so sick of seeing CB tied to his laptop and Blackberry.

winded

5 miles on the treadmill today and I was dripping sweat. Quite pathetic. I've spent the least amount of hours in the gym this year and I have my ass to show for it. One of my slacks is a bit shorter because my ass perks it up. I didn't even know pants work that way. CB laughed at me as I walked out the door "is that supposed to be that short?" wah.... NO, my ass took up some length!

oh, I got a new office management software. I'm so excited!

Missing home

I'm missing home again. Times like this I wonder how my life would have been different had I gone home right after graduation. But whenever I go back the city feels so small, yet I still get lost. I only keep in touch with a few friends there and most of the time I stay at home with my sisters. Going about the city just makes me nostalgic and sad.

I was in a pissy mood today so I ordered geoduck at a Chinese restaurant with CB. It was pricey, but having geoduck reminds me of dinners I used to have with my family. CB choked when he saw the $65 charge just for the over sized clam. I didn't know it was THAT expensive! I didn't care, I was in a much better mood after he paid for the meal. I deserved it after having to put up with a crappy day.

I need my cell phone

I called Y today, but not on her cell. She was in Vancouver so I called her home phone, the same number that remains in my memory since highschool. Infact, the only phone numbers that I remember are home numbers from highschool. Though I still remember Y's digits, it has been over 10 years since I dialed them. I started feeling weird and even more nervous when Y's mom answered the phone... "Wei, aunty-ah" I spoke, adding the Chinese accent, I never understood why I did that, I don't even speak Cantonese. "May I speak with Y?" I prepared to give my name and then braced myself to be denied the phone call. Either Y was doing home work or they are having dinner. Instead, aunty spoke sweetly and requested I call back in 10 minutes, Y will be out of the shower soon.

It has also been over 10 years since I had to go through another family member to reach the person I want to speak to. Then I started to wonder how highschool would have been if I had a cell. I just imagine all the late nights I hid beneath the dining table covering my mouth so my parents couldn't hear me. With my cell, I could be in bed talking all night! Sneaking out would have been much easier, no more throwing rocks at windows, no more waiting by the window for your friend to whistle or bark like a dog. It surely would have made meeting up eaiser. All those hours waiting in metro town for friends to show up by bus or sky train would have been spared. Calling my boyfriend would have been easier. ah... cell phones are great, with the exeption that now it becomes expected that you answer or return calls ASAP.

rule of the game

I made a big mistake. I played the game of partnership before having the rules signed and sealed.
Now I have a loser whining because the rules are not what he expected. crap. I told you to agreee on some rules before we start, now stop crying!

So, I layed out the rules again, read it this time, change it if you want, but don't come crying at me again. I don't want to have to deal with you every time you lose.

10 lbs

I gained 10lbs since my wedding.
My jeans barely fit and I get that thigh rubbing thing going on. Shit, even my underwear suffocate my thighs. I'm really only 2 lb heavier than my average weight, but I'm bigger and less toned. Gotta hit that treadmill a bit harder. There really isn't much motivation with there's no one to impress.

Asparagus

mmmm... I love asparagus. but the pee.... eww

no more ....

I don't want anymore sweets. No more chocolate gifts, no more candies, NO MORE.

too much

It was just a casual comment when I said I wanted to go out a bit more before I have kids.
I never intended to drink 3 days/nights in a row. I think I'm still hung over. 2nd Sunday here I come.. then I'm done drinking for the month.

How do you know?

You ever wonder how you always wake up from a car ride when you're close to home?
Is it the change in car speed? getting off the freeway?

How do you manage to wake up just minutes before the alarm goes off?

Half Dome

This hike was something I have been wanting to do since I moved here in 2000. Finally, May of this year the topic was brought up in casual conversation and a few friends and I decided to train for this adventure. The group grew to about 12+ then trickled down to the final 6 who took their first steps towards a 12 hour adventure.



The plan was to start the hike at 5am so we can casually hike up, take breaks and make it down by 4 or 5pm. My cabin was CB and W.H , we woke up at 5am, oops. That's ok, we'll still be okay.

We picked up the other group of 3, BY, my cousin J and her friend Yadi. We had our backpacks ready with plenty of GU shots, Jelly belly sports, energy bars, fruits and water and filter to fill up at the Merced River.

We were well prepared and started up the trail by 6am. Life was good, I was so pumped with my iPOD in my ear, the weather couldn't have been better and the view is beautiful as always. The trails were clear and I was happy knowing we'd beat the tourist crowd to the cables. By 7:30 we were at the Nevada Falls and Glacier point fork. We took the right trail to wards Glacier Point. The signs didn't mention Half Dome, but I knew we weren't going to Nevada Falls, so it must be the Glacier Point trail. That decision became the death of us. After about an hour, rougly 2.5 miles the trail began to descend. We were dropping elevation very quickly. That just means there's steeper hills ahead to recover the elevation lost. But W.H stopped me "we're dropping too fast". Those words came like daggers, I didn't want to admit it, not after happily running down the slopes to pick up time, but I knew he was right. I shouted at the 4 ahead and they came walking back. The news didn't take long to break, everyone started dashing back. I wasn't sure if it's because they felt pressed for time or just pissed off at me. I was surely pissed off at myself.

We hiked furiously back another 2.5 miles.

Of all the times to screw up on a directions I HAD to do it on a 17 mile hike. We returned to Nevada Falls by 10am. By that time everyone and their grandma was on the trail. Our intentions of beating everyone to the cable was a lost cause. We had already covered about 7 miles and had another 4.6 miles to go with the worst yet to come. We took our first real break at the falls to fill up our bottles from the Merced River, as planned. The increased weight of my backpack immediately took it's toll on me. Fortuntely the next mile was flat. I turned on my iPod and life was good once again, but only for that one mile. The trail began to incline again and it only got steeper. With the increased crowd the trail became dusty and I coughed along the way. Finally we came out of the forested area and the dirt path became granite slabs.

Ahead of us were two large groups of tourits. How did they ever manage getting up here with those shoes that they got on? One by one, like ants, we walked up the stone carved steps along the edge of the mountain. We were probably above 7,000ft at this point. The fatigue and thin air made every step painful. I was really out of shape. We gradually made our ascent 5 steps at a time. The trail was filled with hikers needing to rest on the side. When one sits up, the spot is immediately filled with another breathless hiker. I cursed my foolish mistake with every step. had we not deviated 5 miles, 2 hours!!! I would have had more energy for this shit.

We finally reached the base of the cable. People were scattered all over, resting, some napping, some fueling up. The cable was packed and it took about 30min to reach the top of the cable. It probably would have been faster if people wore appropriate shoes, but better safe than sorry. One slip at the top could possible take the rest of us down to our death. The view at the top was magnificant, but not as pleasing as I expected. I needed to pee, I was tired, the wind was blowing hard and I was cold. After 10min we began our descent.

The descent was painful. I was miserable. We passed by Yadi who was limping with a random branch she improvised as a stick. I couldn't even care to help her. We were on our own. All I wanted was to get back, shower, grab a beer, pop a few pills, eat pizza and sleep.

And I did.