{click for original}

PF Chang’s China Bistro

I was meeting a friend for dinner after work.  The following was the timeline of dinner.  See if you can figure out why I was so irritated and why I emailed them to tell them about it.  I’m pretty sure she was having a contest to see how fast she could get us out of her section.

5:30: Met Jenni and was quickly seated

5:40ish: Ordered appetizers and drinks.

5:45: Our server Kristen T brought our drinks and took our orders, including the carryout order I was going to get for Chuck.  She told me that she would take it and then I could let her know when I wanted her to put it in.

6ish: Our appetizers and food came almost together.

6:20ish: Kristen T asked if we wanted boxes.  I swear we still had forks in our hand but we told her yes not thinking she was going to box it up for us.  She did.

6:30: Kristen T brings our bill and Chuck’s carryout.  We weren’t planning on leaving yet.  We were talking and were possibly going to have another drink.

NOTHING. She never came back to pick up the check or ask  if we needed anything.  Clearly, we weren’t leaving anytime soon.

8:30: We asked another server to give our bills to Kristen T.  She was serving other people but never came back to ask if we even needed more water.

8:35: Kristen brings our copy of the bill to sign.

This was hands down the WORST dining experience I have ever had.  I emailed PF Changs and filled out a survey but I haven’t heard anything from them.  It’s too bad because their food is delicious.  I’m not going to lie I’m still frustrated by it.

Hopefully, if you visit PF Chang’s in Northville you won’t get Kristen T as your server.

*Update: I got an email from someone at PF Chang’s in Northville.  They are trying to remedy the situation, which makes me feel better.*

We are early vacation risers so the days started at 7am, a few mornings were 6:30.  We enjoyed the sunshine, tried food we couldn’t get at home and absorbed as much of California’s beauty as possible.

Mission Beach

We did get a little taste of Seaport Village, San Diego Harbor, Pacific Beach Shopping, Mission Bay (we rented bikes and explored), as well as, a tiny peak at Coronado Island.

We really enjoyed La Jolla Cove and the seals with their pups.  It was fascinating, with the exception of trying to find parking among all the others there to enjoy the views.  We could have spent all day there.   We drove further north near Scripp’s Institute of Oceanography* and hung out on the beach.  We got sandwiches from the cutest deli and just relaxed.

Besides that I’d have to say that Chuck’s other favorite thing we did was the USS Midway.  He even saw a plane that had been on the navy carrier his dad served on during the Vietnam war.

On our extra night in San Diego we stayed downtown.  We walked around looking for a place to get something little to eat and stumbled upon a hockey bar, Stout Public House.  The bar was filled with hockey memorabilia mostly of the Vancouver Canucks.

Stay tuned for my Delta Airlines rant and the mischief we got into on Valentine’s Day.
You can also view a  gallery of photographs I took.  More to come as I upload them.

*sidenote – Many people don’t know that  I wanted to be an oceanographer when I was in high school.  A part of me wishes I would have looked into it more seriously.

Never has a story touched me like Honolulu did. Maybe it was because of my infatuation with Hawaii or my being immersed in Korean culture lately, whatever it is this book is number one in my mind. A favorite, maybe all time favorite. I felt connected with the main character Jin. Not because I had anything in common with her but because the writing make me feel like I was with her in her struggles, journey and happiness. I don’t often become attached to the characters. The story was very well put together and the fact that it was written by a man in the perspective of Korean picture bride left me in awe. It amazes me all the background information that was read to weave the fictional story of Jin with accounts of actual picture brides and historical events and people.

This work of fiction truly inspired me. It made me realize that I read a lot of fluff, and while there is nothing wrong with that, I want to read more novels with substance.

Next time I’m asked what my favorite book is, I’ll have an answer, Honolulu by Alan Brennert.

©marialaitan.com

*I was not paid to review this book, it was something that I found in the library.

For someone who is a tiny bit afraid of heights, I never thought I’d be taking aerial yoga classes at the Detroit Flyhouse.  I didn’t think I’d be trying to flip myself upside down while I have my foot locked into fabric.  And I certainly never envisioned myself flying in mermaid pose on a trapeze.

This step of leaving my comfort zone has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.  A month ago I didn’t even know something like this existed.

Clearly, I need to open my eyes to opportunities that  are less mainstream.  I’ve never felt particularly trendy or with the “popular” crowd.  I’ve tried, but it never felt right.  The more I embrace marching to my own tune, the more like me I feel.

For someone who is slightly antisocial I never thought I’d attend a blogger meet up.  I didn’t think I’d have so much to laugh and talk about.  And I certainly didn’t know that after meeting these 6 awesome ladies, I’d have wonderful new friends.

2010 is the start of exploring things I would never think of, going places I didn’t know existed and putting myself out there.  I suppose that is what living is.  Not only learning each day but taking chances and risks.

If you take a good look at your life, is that what you are doing?  And if not, what’s stopping you?

We’ve been talking about going to California for a long time now, it just seemed out of reach for our “budget”. I use that term loosely because, really, I’m horrid at actually setting a budget. The best I can do is estimate that either yes we can make it work or no we can’t.

I used to plan vacations months in advance. Now? I don’t want to wait more than a month, two, tops. So San Diego, here we come!

via peasap

Would you believe me if I told you I found a studio apartment to rent in Ocean Beach for $75/night? I did. They didn’t have any vacancy but there were others. Boy were there others. I have a whole list of places I’ve emailed and called. All for under $100/night.

Chuck and I aren’t picky about the size of the place we stay at. Mostly, it’s just a place to crash after a fun day. We’d much rather stay in a condo, studio or apartment than a hotel. That is just us. We like to be able to cook our own food so we aren’t eating out 3 meals a day. I like that a lot of rentals come with extras like boogie boards and bikes. It’s like borrowing someone’s home.

The first time we did it was on our honeymoon in Hawaii and we vowed never to stay in a hotel again, unless it was some place like Chicago or New York. For fun we’ve looked at villas in Tuscany. There are vacation rentals everywhere! Even in northern Michigan.

If you are planning a vacation and are thinking about looking into a vacation rental I use VRBO,  Home Away and Vacation Rentals.

Oh and in case you are wondering, I wasn’t asked to write this post, I’m just amazed that more people don’t know about these websites and what they have to offer.

click for original

A look back…Keep in mind the years from 2001-2004 are kind of blank to me and since my photos are a mess I might not have much to remember off the top of my head.

2000

• Spring Break in Hawaii with Lisa and Amanda
• Prom – Garden City and Harrison with Mike
• Graduation
• The best summer of my life in Oscoda.  Great friends and nothing but 4 months of time to burn before college started.
• Starting at Wayne State and thanks to June, working in the Registrar’s office where I stayed for my college career.

2001

• Met the boy that I wish I wouldn’t have. I’m blaming this on certain people that wouldn’t drive Michelle and I home from the Super 8 and he came to get us.  Just saying…
• Turning 19 and going to Canada with Scott, Aaron, Ryan, Jeff, Kurt, Heather, Tammy and of course Gabriela.
• Blink 182 with Michelle, Raychel and Jenny

2002

this is really sad…I have no idea what went on this year…

• Oh I know, met an old friend on the beach before continuing on to Hubbard Lake. I didn’t say everything I wanted to.  Hindsight is 20/20

2003

• I turned 21 and Benihana is where our last family picture was taken
• My mom passed away
• I finally broke up with the boyfriend that constantly made me feel bad about myself
• I spent Labor Day with Ryan and his friends
• I got to hang out with Landon, months before he died
• I met Chuck

2004

• Went to Myrtle Beach with Lisa and Michelle
• Took Chuck camping at Old Orchard – the first time anyone but my girlfriends came with me

2005

• Visited Arizona and Ft. Meyers with Chuck
• Graduated from Wayne State
• Moved to Florida with Chuck
• Adopted Liko
• My dad opened his Taekwondo school in Westland

2006

• Moved back to Michigan
• Started my job at U of M
• Adopted Scooby & Kona
• Started Taekwondo with my Dad

2007

• Slid on some black ice and smashed my car
• Kona and Nani got in 2 dog fights, one where I ended up in ER
• Had to give Kona back to the rescue organization
• Planned our wedding in Kauai and got married on the beach
• Turned 25  and got my first tattoo in Honolulu
• On my mom’s birthday got my second tattoo

2008

• Reunited with old friends
• Took a girl trips one with Michelle and one with Lisa
• Bought a house
• Received my Bodan in Taekwondo
• Sparred for the first time in a tournament

2009

• Built the Man Shack
• Went to Chicago and St. Pete
• Took a road trip with Lisa
• Got a promotion

It’s really sad there are times  I can’t recall what happened.  And I don’t have pictures to remind me.  Anything you can think of that happened that I should add?

What about you, what does your decade in review look like?

©marialaitan.com

We couldn’t find Liko. He was hiding under a blanket his eyes as big as dinner plates.   When we called him he could barely walk and was swaying from side to side.  We were pretty sure that the bottle was almost full and Liko weighs 15 pounds.

Frantic calls to the Animal Poison Control and to the emergency vet, since it was Sunday, had us wrapping the now projectile vomiting rat terrier in a blanket and rushing him to the emergency room.  He had to stay overnight where they gave him charcoal and flushed his blood.

The next day the emergency vet let us take him to our regular veterinary office where they advised he stay overnight for the same treatment.  Dr. Mathew let us take him home that night with instructions to bring him back in a couple of days for tests, to make sure no permanent damage had been done to his liver or kidneys.

Luckily, Liko’s test came back fine and 6 months later he tested normal again.  It was such a relief.  What was not a relief was the $800 emergency veterinary bill and the $300 bill to Dr. Mathew.

According the an article on Dog Age I received via email, here are ways to help pay for unexpected vet expenses:

• Consider pet insurance. Although it requires making small but continual payments, having pet insurance could help soften the blow of bigger vet bills down the road.
• Be honest with your vet. Let him or her know that you’re having trouble making ends meet, and ask if he or she would be willing to work out a payment plan to help you get your bills paid off. See if there is a monthly amount you could pay that would work for both of you.
• Talk to some other vets. Although it will probably cost you a consultation fee, it might be worth it to get a second opinion — or even a third — before committing to expensive services or procedures.
• Visit a vet school. Many schools operate clinics that provide services at discounted rates, so check around to see if there is one anywhere near you.
• Check with your local shelter. Their staff might be able to recommend subsidized vet clinics or other programs that can offer assistance. Also, check with the Humane Society of the United States for other available resources.

This post is purely of my opinion and personal experience.

©marialaitan.com

Probably the most exciting hockey game I ever went to was Game 7 of the Red Wings vs the Anaheim Ducks in May 2009.  I was with Chuck, my Uncle Andy and Aunt Liza.  It was beyond the edge of your seats game.  I’ve never heard the Joe so loud before. It really was an experience.

Unfortunately, I picked that night to forget my camera!  We had a really good time and we were definitely high on the crowd’s energy and ready for the next round to start when we left the arena!

The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge:
Click here to participate

19 Minutes by Jodi Piccoult.

It was an emotional book that showed both sides of a school tragedy.  You didn’t want to sympathize with the shooter because of the awful situation he created but you couldn’t help it.  The book made me really understand that there are two sides to everything.

If you are looking for a thought provoker this is definitely a good read.

The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge:
Click here to participate

I told Amy that we aren’t allowed to sit by anyone because I really don’t want to get yelled at for our sarcastic remarks. It’s about the experience of the movie, not the movie itself. Plus, I won’t have to feel bad about not working out tonight because Amy makes me laugh so hard it’s like doing sit-ups anyways.

At work yesterday someone’s daughter had a baby and named her Isabella, yes it is thought after Bella in Twilight. This scares me. These poor babies being born that are named after characters in a book. And let’s be honest, a book that wasn’t exactly well written. It’s not like it’s a classic. This lady got lucky. The plot is great, the writing, not so much.

Moving on, it just so happens that Jacob is one of the only boy names Chuck and I have both liked. Now, if* we ever have a boy Jacob is totally out of the question because of all the twilight freaks.  Now if only I can get Chuck to like Evan…

Total bummer.

*THAT IS A BIG IF DON’T READ INTO IT. THANKYOUVERYMUCH