Troubling Traits During Recession

As per my daily weekday routine, I watched ABC7 Good Morning America (GMA) every morning for the weather forecast and other news. One section shocked me and I just could not believe my eyes and/or ears. It is unbelievable, despicable and disgusting.

The story is about a couple living in California. They have a daughter. Both worked in sales. The husband loses his job sometime last year and has not been able to find another since so but in the meantime he is the Mr.Mom. He does all the housework, cook, clean, laundry and the whole nine yard that a typical full-time wife/mother would do. The wife is still working. Sounds normal right? It is if she treats him with respect. Not in this case though. She admitted (to the whole nation via GMA!) that ever since her husband loses his work and become Mr.Mom, she has lost a lot of respect for him and keep on bitching about how she wants to be a mother first!

Can you imagine if the situation is reversed? This woman and the family still has a house (it looks big and nice!) and 2 nice cars. A lot of people here in California has lost their job AND home. She should be thankful that at least the husband is taking over her role as the wife and mother to their only child while looking for a job. It is not like he just sits at home doing nothing and she has to do the houseworks when she comes back from work. Looking at her face, she doesn't even look guilty or feels that she is wrong. I really feel like I want to bitch-slap that bitch.

Please go read and watch the news here.

Saturday at the Beach

It has been a long time, a very long time since I walk or jog or run. So when I found out that we were going to have a very nice weather last Saturday, I told Michael that maybe we should go to the beach for a walk.

We parked our car along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) where they have a few metered parking areas at what they called the dog beach. If you owned a dog (or two or three), this would be heaven! Thank god most owners follow the rule which is clean up after your own dog. *wink*

He walked. I walked. But there were a few meter distance between us since I have short legs. :P He would make a u-turn a few times so that he didn't end up walking too far away from me.

It is going to be awhile (if ever!) for me to get back in shape and back to running but I am feeling really positive about it. Of course as long as the weather is not too cold or to hot.

Among the thousand of dogs at the beach, these two really caught my eyes. I asked the owner if I could take their pictures and he kindly agree. I know he is very proud of his dogs. Aren't they beautiful? And huge! I wish I had paid attention when he said their names but I was busy taking pictures.

I hope we are going to have nice weather this weekend so I can make this at least a weekly activity.

Cold and Wet Long Valentine and President's Day Weekend

Monday is the President Day so it is another holiday and a long weekend for some (including us i.e. Michael). The next public holiday will be in late May! Sucks huh? And to make this last long weekend/holiday before May even more fun, it is going to be cold and wet. We have been getting on and off nice days for the whole winter and a few storms too. This is hopefully the last storm for this winter. Of course I am thankful that we are not getting -20F or -50F but you know how much I 'love' too cold or too hot weather. And those rain. Sigh .... let me just say that if I were to get sick, it will be during rainy season.

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Tomorrow is a Valentine's Day. We don't really celebrate it but nevertheless would still wish each other on that day. I 'forbade' him from buying me flowers during this time of the year. I told him that he can buy me flowers (not that he buys me flowers too often. Men! :P) anytime of the 51 weeks in the year for half or 1/3 of the price that he would have to fork out during this 1 week period so why bother. Me stingy? Nah. Frugal? You betcha! So tomorrow, what we are going to do is have a poker day/night with some friends and neighbours. His friends of course have to ask him 10x if he knows what day it is when he invited them. They don't want him to get into trouble. I guess that is my Valentine 'gift' for my Baby. *wink*

Happy Valentine's Day my friends and have a great weekend!

2009 Winter Holiday - Yosemite National Park II

Can you see me? :P

To get this view, we had to walk through a forest-like area with slippery ice path and climb a few big boulders.

Tired after all the walking and holding on for my dear life. Walking on ice sure ain't easy!

Trying to find the best way to get pass the boulder

The icy path to get to the falls

This one looks like we're in Narnia

This is the beginning of the icy path. It was cold as hell too.

2009 Winter Holiday - Yosemite National Park I

First road sign that says Yosemite!

We have been planning for a winter holiday since middle of last year but it was supposed to be the Big Bear Mountain. But after looking at my friend's pictures when they went to Yosemite National Park, we decided that maybe that's a better place to go. It is between 5-6 hours drive from OC. So plans were made, hotel was booked, winter stuff were bought like tire chain, his winter overall, snow boots, ear muffs but we couldn't find winter boots for me. Apparently they are not easily found in this Southern California area. They have the regular Ugg boots but I wanted something more outdoor-sy type that I can go trekking in. So we decided to stop at Tulare, a town about 1-1.5 hrs to Oakhurst where our hotel is.

First stop was of course the Super Target but unfortunately they have none either. Upon asking the staff there, we were told of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store just down the road which might carry what I wanted. Since it's already middle of winter, there is really not many choices left but I found one that is easy on my eye (gotta have cute ones!) but the price listed was 85 before tax. If possible I really do not want to spend too much on something that I might use one a year. So I decided to ask one if the guys there if I could get any discount on them. He went somewhere and a few minutes later came back telling me that he could give me them for 60! Yay! So, the next time you shop and want to get a discount on non-discounted items, do not be shy. Just ask for it. You just might get it.

Once we paid for everything, it is time to continue with the drive. Michael is not the type who likes to drive too long and I am afraid of driving in the mountain areas. So he did all the driving while I am in charge of keeping track of the rest areas. Yup, that is usually my job. Id give him updates on how far away is the next rest areas should either one of us need to use the restroom or if we need to fill up the gas!

We reached Oakhurst around 1pm and the check-in time at Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn Oakhurst was 3pm but when we went in and asked the receptionist, she said we could check-in immediately. Phew! I guess the hotel was not pack so our room is ready. Finding the room is not quite easy since the hotel consist of a few buildings up the hill. But the room is spacious. It only cost us around 80/night and they even have indoor pool. Which brings to another story. We went there all prepared with winter clothing for a rigid winter temperature only to be faced with a rather summer-like temperature. Neither one of us brought our swimming attire so we ended up having to buy them too. Sigh!

Best Western Oakhurst Lobby

Chukchansi Casino

After lunch which was chinese food for me (pretty bad) and pizza for him, we just stayed in the room. Me watching tv while he took a nap. Poor Baby. He gotta be tired after that long drive. When he woke up, we decided to cehck out the casino which was only 15 min drive from our hotel. I was rather surprised to see the parking lot packed. Can't really imagine where all those people came from. Lol! It was also very chilly at night and we were lucky that as we parked the car, there was an open-air bus or tram drove by and asked us if we needed a ride to the hotel. Very good service indeed I must say. We did not stay long at all since it was pretty boring and we had an early day the next morning but I did manage to play the Star Wars penny slots so I was happy.

The queue at the South Gate Entrance.

We started the day with breakfast of the champion aka Carl's Jr and started our journey by stopping by at the Tourist Centre just 5min up the road. The 2 older ladies manning the office were very helpful and cheerful and very happy to hear that I am from Malaysia. They wanted to talk but we had to leave and continue up to Yosemite National Park. The fee to the Park is 20 per car (7 day pass) and for motorbike is 10 each. Do keep the ticket with you because they would ask for it when you drive down.

Road to Mariposa Grove was close to traffic but you are allowed to walk in. We went to Yosemite Valley and wanted to go to Mariposa after that but by the time we get back down it was 3pm and we spent time at Mariposa, we would have to drive down to Oakhurst in completely darkness. So in the end we decided against it. Next time, definitely!

I hope you would enjoy the pictures and story on this part I of our winter holiday at Yosemite National Park. Do come back for the next post. I took lots of pictures and will try to put most of them in a few posts.

In the background is El Capitan