Chick Flicks and Good Food

Chick Flicks.

Not going to lie, watching "Chick Flicks" is not bad.  I actually enjoy watching them.  In fact, one of my favorite movies of all time, When Harry Met Sally, is an outstanding film that I love to watch time and time again.  And I would be lying if I said there didn't exist a taboo for guys to watch chick flicks.  I understand that there is a male image that guys sculpt themselves after--not watching chick flicks except with their girlfriend for one--but what I don't understand is why chick flicks have this dark curtain over a guy.  Stupid. haha

Talking about Chick Flicks, there's a tradition developing in college, and I don't want it to ever end.

Before any strenuous tests, generally before the first set of midterms and the week or two before finals week an epic trip occurs to Zack's house.  This time John Son, Tim Young, Zack (of course..) and I arrived at the gorgeous house ready to relax.  There's something about a place that just sets you free from the worries of the world and this place definitely has a magic to it.  NAHH. ITS THE FOOD.

Although the sofas are heavenly, the swimming pool as well as the jacuzzi relaxing, what really takes the cake is the food.  No joke.  Zack's dad knows how to smoke and BBQ.

The Pork Sandwich.

The pork, while lacking its own voice, was succulent with the crust perfectly clothing the meat adding a nice layer to it.  The buns, however, were far from magical.  The store bought buns became too flimsy as the sauce soaked through it and the composure of the burger ruined because of it.  The sauce, on the other hand, is definitely something else.  It singed compared to the bun and the pork, and for whatever the other components were lacking, this made up for it and then some.

The first sauce had a sweet mesquite initial hit and slowly the smoky flavor crept in.  It was beautifully multi-dimensional and I couldn't get enough of it.  The second sauce was on a level of its own.  It had a slight sweetness, but that obviously wasn't supposed to be the main note as the spice waved in and tingled my taste buds with the tangy flavor serving as the backdrop. This was completed by the smoky dimension that set in at the end.  Overall the burger, although a bit dry because of the smoked pork, was delicious because the sauces were excellent.  Overall, the sandwich was reminiscent to a Sloppy Joe, except with quality pork.. and phenomenal sauce.

The Chicken.

Smoked chicken.  Ever had it? Its awesome.  The skin was perfectly crisp, while the meat was as moist as I have ever tried.  The meat would literally just fall off the bone.  WHAT? yea. It would just fall off the freaking bone. Just a slight tug and everything would just come off. *thats what she said. The chicken had a strong, but not overpowering taste of smokiness, which I enjoyed heavily.  Additionally, the skin of the chicken had an interesting rub of salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices I couldn't pinpoint. Not rotisserie, not baked, this chicken was a class of its own.  Altogether, the chicken was heavenly. Mmmmmm...  :)

With the baked beans and the corn on the cob as the side dishes, the meal was complete--but by no means were the baked beans and corn underplayed by the main dishes; they were just as excellent.  Just take my word for it.

I definitely ate my fill here and then some.

After all the good food and watching the Lakers create a substantial lead and almost lose it again to almost losing, the guys and I were down for a movie.  While deciding between 300, Watchmen, and Saving Private Ryan we finally decided to watch Garden State.  Curveball.

While some were opposed to the idea of watching a "Chick Flick", we decided it was the best option out of the other movies because it was the only movie we all haven't watched.  And it ended up being a very interesting movie with a serious humor I haven't laughed to in a long while.  You can find all the interesting synopsis, reviews, and blah blah blah online.

So there you go.

Memorial Day weekend before things start to go crazy... yay?

....

yay.  *sarcasm sign*

Balls to the Walls

Regret.

I feel ashamed of myself.

Not because I haven't been studying for Econ1 or a math quiz tomorrow. no.  I feel ashamed of myself because I saw, quite honestly, the prettiest girl my eyes have ever laid eyes on.

Set the scene.

Beautiful, sunny day with the weather just about as perfect as it can get. The temperature a cool sixty-four degrees with a nice breeze blowing on the side.  God, I love San Diego.  My friend Zack and I were on our way to In N Out. No big.  Went inside and switched up my order with a double-double, an extra whole grilled onion, well-done fries with the chiles on it as a kicker.  What a wonderful day it was.  I sit down as I wait for my order when it happens.  It's as if In N Out became the backdrop and the girl the focus of attention in the room.  She walked in, flanked by two of her friends, through the double doors with her dirty brunette-bond hair tied up, with loose hair bangs on the side, strolling in -- her head swung a little to the side, making the bangs on the side of her head wave with the graceful beauty she emitted.  Her face glowed a pure innocent white, while garbed in a green-black flannel with jeans loosely form fitting her legs.  Simple, but simply intoxicating.  Completely speechless, I just stared.  And much like an idiot, I just garbled some words to Zack, not knowing exactly what was coming out of my mouth, the whole time trying to think of something to say to her.  She was an angel.

You don't give up this opportunity.

Yet, I did.  my order was called up and as I got up to get my order I passed by her and caught a fleeting glance of her eyes.  Heart struck.  Is this what it feels like to fall in love at first sight?  I fumbled and got my order, forgetting to get the ketchup, napkin, extra chiles, and spread.  Damn.  I walked back to where Zack and I were sitting, sipping on my weird concoction of a drink: two lemon squeezed and a creamer with Coca Cola.  But even with this weird and tasty mixture in my mouth, all I could think of was how I would approach her and somehow get her number...

Balls to the walls.

I couldn't find a good line, good approach, good anything to approach the girl who I deemed as the prettiest girl I have ever met. Wondering, who was I to approach such an angel?  I couldn't come up with the courage to say anything.  God damn- balls to the walls.  There I was stumbling, pathetically mumbling, stupidly indecisive over what I wanted to do.  But the last bite of the double-double sunk in and grudgingly so.

I wanted to stay for longer.  Because maybe, I could muster up some unknown courage to ask her for her number.. something.  Something could've been done.  And if it failed well, at least I wouldn't have any regrets.  I left In N Out my back turned in shame, leaving behind the prettiest girl that radiated something beautiful all around her.  And as I left, the world went back to the way it was.

But I know, the sun shined a little dimmer than this girl.  Because I glimpsed, for a brief moment, the most angelically breathtakingly girl in the world.

Music

Music.

I don't really understand why, but when I listen to music I can't just listen to it once.. I have to listen to it 'till its dead to me.  I can tell that the guys I hang out with get annoyed by this... I'm sorry.. hahaha

For me, I can't really enjoy a song unless I fully understand a lot of the little trills and hidden bass lines I didn't pick up the first, second, or even third time.  To me, each song holds trinkets the artist hides within the music, and its your job as the listener to try and unveil it.  I guess this is why I love ballads, RnB, and some other select songs much more than say rock.  Ironically, a lot of my favorite songs are from the band Switchfoot.  Back to the point, ballads and RnB have a way to expressing to me, emotion on a very personal level.  I can really feel the sentiments the songs convey.. it can't just be the lyrics, because other songs have great lyrics. hrm.. I wonder if not the lyrics than do the melodies and harmonies themselves appeal to me more?  it has to be.  I guess the presentation of ballads and RnB styled melodies and harmonies touch something in me that I can connect to, therefore I feel its superiority over other genres.. as for Switchfoot its just awesome. haha

I need to stop listening to the same song over and over again.. hrm...

N.A.S.A. "Gifted" (ft. Kanye West, Santogold, & Lykke Li)

Korean Ballads

Ballads.

Something about these ballads make life seem so graceful. Whether it be depressing or carefree, ballads have a way of making everything free of worries for me.  

A ballad strings together emotions and makes it flow.  And this flow, much like a river, has a beginning and end.  There may be rough patches and very smooth calming straights, but what really matters is the journey.  Its how you live the life and how you choose to live it.  

Would you live it calmly or take action?  Or would you choose to sit back and let the world direct your flow?

Right now.. I think I would live my life calmly(:

jchang

Happiness

Happiness.

I've been undergoing a streak of happy days.

I just can't stop smiling(: Its like I've finally found the meaning of life, yet I don't fully understand it yet. haha I love it.  I love the beautiful days that have been coming and the amazing friends I have around me.  They've been with me through a lot of things, and I can only stay grateful.  I'm sorry for not noticing earlier.  I want to be a bigger part of your lives!(:

I've been getting into different type of music latelyyy. very weird, but very refreshinggg hahahaha

Theres a lot of things I havent tried and lots of people I haven't met yet!

Loving Life(:

JChang

Beautiful

Beautiful.

Everything seems to work out in the end. Despite the pain, the suffering, the drama and all that comes with--life has a way of balancing itself out.  The journey has definitely made me stronger and much more grateful for the life I've lived.

Thank you for everything my beautiful friends(: