Christmas is Here

Alright another backdated entry. I know I am supposed to be sightseeing and not shopping but the deals here are way too hard to miss. Furthermore, I totally luv the whole busy busy shopping atmosphere. Its like the whole world came out for last minute shopping.

As I stay only a few minutes from South Coast Plaza, the mall became my main bargain hunting arena. Lol. The stores were in a mess; Items on the floor, sizes all mixed up, supra long queue lines but the nice deco round the place lightens up the whole atmosphere. Its like for once I am not too bothered bout the crowded places. I’m almost enjoying the company of fellow shoppers. Lol. However, I do not enjoy it when my sizes are all snapped up!
Since I could not get everything I wanted from my main arena, I decided to move further down south. I’m glad I did as I got so many things I wanted at a super bargain price! Irvine Spectrum is really the place man. Hehe. Most importantly, they have a place open for dinner at Christmas eve. If not, we would have starved to death. Yes, almost every place closes on Christmas Eve down in OC to let ppl go home to spend time with their family. How sweet. So don’t say I didn’t warn you that the place is gonna look deserted on Christmas Day.
If you think that stayin in is the only option in Christmas Day, think again. There is always a place called pubs. Totally luved the deco. But I forgot to take pics of the place. Should’ve totally slapped myself for forgettin. Am totally gonna miss hanging out here in LA. Thanks for the wonderful company. I’ll be back, this I promise you my dreamland. Till we meet again, I’m gonna miss you so much.

I've Found That Christmas Feel

Being unsatisfied with the lights I saw at the LA lights festival and Downtown Disney, I did a lil more research on holiday events. I’m so glad I did! The Newport Beach Boat Parade was so fun. A fireworks display would have completed the experience. Too bad that its cancelled due to the rain.

The Newport Beach Boat Parade is actually OC’s answer to LA’s version at Marina Del Ray. I dunno which one comes first actually. I will need to check the other out in the future to see which is better. But for now, I am totally impressed by what I saw on Friday night.

Lucky for me, the journey down to Newport Beach was smooth. I left my bus schedule at home! Glad that strangers I met on the way are pretty helpful and nice. Chatted with ppl at every bus stop. Why can’t ppl be as warm back home? I stopped to a bus just to ask for direction at some point. The bus driver was even nice enough to drop me to the correct bus stop. Bet I would have been shouted at if the same thing happen back home. Gosh, I’m loving OC. (Do take note that inland OC is not as ‘perfect’ as south OC ok)

So I arrived at the Balboa Island round sunset time, 5pm. Still very early for the parade at 7-8pm. But the 3 hours went pass so fast. I was too busy admiring those Christmas decoration. Apparently, they have an annual contest for the most beautifully decorated home called Ring of Lights. I spent the next 3 hours ogling at the magnificently decorated million dollars home. I did not feel touristy at all as I spotted just as many locals snapping away. Totally wanna do that to my house in the near future. But almost all of these ppl owns a yatch, so think $$$$. Haha. So here are those photos for your inspiration, maybe we can try to be at least half as tastefully lit?

My Favorite House. Its like I'm in Christmas Wonderland

The Theme of A Beary Christmas is so Fresh and Cute

Before I get to even finish checkin out the houses, the parade is about the begin. Having no idea where the route is, I just followed the crowd. Lol. The boat parade was fun. Especially those with Christmas songs playing and lively commentators. My personal Favorite was a small boat with coconut tree, the huge Christmas tree and a boat full of Candies! Photo qualities aren’t as good as the boats are moving fast. Sigh. But its all in my memories. (Actually I video them :p)

After that parade, I headed on to Fashion Island to shop. More like window shop cos I’m broke now. They closed those bus stops nearest to the parade, making me walk all the way uphill to PCH. Argh! But all those effort was well paid off as the deco there was very impressive. The huge Christmas tree is so errrrr humongous. Lol. And I get to take photo with Santa Claus! Call me kiddy, I don’t care. I’ve always wanted to do this. Haha.

Totally luv the holiday season. Not only everyone is in good mood but it is also very easy to get strangers to take photos for you. Now that I’ve found that Christmas feel, I wonder what would supersede this experience? NYC? That’ll have to be next year the earliest. Merry Christmas………Happy Holidays!!!

Baby Its Cold Outside

Yup, its cold cold weather here in LA. Rain rain rain. Couldn't believe it. The most rain they've ever got in a single day and I happened to be here. Though I'm stuck indoors it is alright as I get to chill and enjoy the weather. Hehe.

Been here for almost a week now. Went around shopping and eating. Lol. I really luv shoppin at costco. Why don't they have something like this back home? Its fun buying in bulk and having lots of room to push ur carts! No more banging into people. But it was quite crowded as compared to summetime. Looks like the recession is not that bad after all, judging from the number of shoppers I see.
Shoppin centers were very nicely decorated but too bad I forgot my camera. No worries, I will be going back to shop. Hehe. But I did manage to take photos with my favourite maple tree. Lol.
One of the Chritsmas highlight of the city is the LADPW lights festival. Its actually a display or Christmas lights along a mile of street. There is light display of places of interest like the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Stastue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, etc. Luckily we decided to walk and not drive through. That helped us bypass the horrendous traffic jam. So remember, do not do the drive through! The walk in the cool weather with the display was really good though. If only I could do this more often.

The light display and decoration at Downtown Disney is definitely more impressive than the LADPW. Well, its commercial after all. Gave the me holiday mood right away. Why is Mickey and friends always this fun? Haha. Gotta visit the park itself in Christmas in the future.
Even the house near my friend's place is nicely decorated. Totally luved that snow globe and reindeer display. But I think the utilities bill will be just as appealing come January. Lol.
Meanwhile Happy Holidays........Christmas is coming. I'm so exicted!

The Longest Transit Ever

Alright I should be super happy now, judging from the fact that I am gonna be going to LA for Christmas. But why am I worrying instead of my flight there? Well, maybe I do have a good reason to worry. First of all the transit at Shanghai is gonna be like 9 hours long. Secondly, I have just read up on reviews on China Eastern Airlines and found out all sorts of complains from the passengers. But what can I do? A poor man has to fly the cheap way.

So I am really thankful that Mixue came along to have dinner and sent me off that night. My flight was at midnight and she stayed with me in the check-in queue till her last train leaves. Thanks so much, my dear friend. It certainly made the whole 1.45 hours wait more bearable. The pictures taken at Changi T3 is pretty beautiful too. Upload once I get it from her ok.

So I boarded the flight worryin bout the condition. I was happy to see that things were not as bad as ppl say on the flight to Shanghai, but the fully booked flight is definitely not enjoyable. Especially with the guy sitting next to me playing Chinese Opera channel on the radio so loud that I could hear it even when I'm wearing the headset! Is he deaf or what?

The 9 hours transit went by smoothly as I have lots of dramas on my comp. Thank goodness that they have power plugs for laptop. Hehe. Watching the sunrise at the airport was marvellous as well.I drank some 'sterilized'water from the airport fearing of getting posion. My fear become reality as I have diarrhoea on the flight. I must be fair, maybe it is not. Maybe it is those hawker food from block 85. I really dunno. But i went to the toilet for like 4 times on a 12 horus flight. Argh!

On the other hand, the flight was not as bad as I thought it is. It was not full. So I get more room to move around. But there is a lady with stinky feet on my row. Luckily my nose is running else it would really have been a torture.

Now I'm hoping that my return flight would be alrigh too. Haha. But not gonna worry bout that just yet. I'm in LA. Its time to have fun!!!!!