We meant to go up to Yosemite for a long time, but each year, the place has always been so busy and most of the accommodations were fully booked and would require one year advanced reservation. This summer, we decided that we should just do it. It is likely because of the recession, we were so lucky to be able to book a wooden cabin with private bath at the Curry Village inside the Yosemite Valley.
It was a very nice 4 hours drive from the Bay Area via Hightway 120, and time just went by fast that before we knew it, we were there already. 
Curry Village is a historic place and we just love it there for the peaceful environment we felt, being so close to the mother nature.
The cabin was a very simple one, with minimum (shower, toilet, two beds, a heater, a lamp, etc) and well situated inside the woods.
I even brought my security blanket (Hello Kitty) along.
There were so many squirrels everywhere, and they were all so friendly.
There is always so much to do in Yosemite, biking, swimming, hiking, leisure walk, museum etc etc.
We took a few hikes and we just enjoyed the great weather and everything. We hiked up to Vernal Fall (5000 feet elevation) and saw the beautiful rainbow. 
During this trip, we saw plenty of wildlife, including a black bear inside the woods, deers (walking here and there), blue Stellar Jay birds, and of course lovely squirrels everywhere.
We visited the Happy Isles, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and many places. Our legs were jello by the third day of hiking. Here in this picture, Hoops & Yoyo were in front of the Half Dome.
We also took a hike up to the Mirror Lake and enjoyed the scenery very much. The lake was dry during the summer, and we were able to take this picture standing right in the middle of the lake!
We felt kind of sad when we left Campy Curry. Hopefully, we will be back soon!
On our way back home, we stopped by at the Tuolumne Grove to take another hike and checked out the giant tunnel tree.
I thought the tunnel tree would be much bigger, but I guess it was big already.
We stopped by Fremont to have Shanghai dinner. Mo-Mo's new favorite is friend pork bun (shan gin boa) now!. I just enjoyed my usual xiu lon bao (XLB, the small steamed dumplings). Aside from the dumplings and buns, we had beef noodle soup and plain noodle soup, along with mushroom on green veggies.
It was a wonderful trip. I felt completely detoxed!
Detoxed @ Yosemite Summer 2009
Work from Home Day 082809
Because there was an ammonia leak at a nearby meat factory this morning, the office buildings including my workplace were forced to close, and I got to work from home today. However staying home cannot be always productive but I was glad I got to stay at home today so I could focus and get a few things done.
Because I had less than 35 minutes for lunch in between my telecon meetings, Mo-Mo and I were only able to drive to the nearby Korean Food Court for quick lunch. The lunch was satisfying nonetheless.
Meow: Salmon sushi with udon noodle soup, and California roll on the side. Pretty fresh.
Mo-Mo had grilled herb chicken with rice and kim chi & soup on the side. He loved the tasty chicken.
By the end of the evening, we were both tired and did not feel like cooking at home and went out for quick dinner at the Royal Teppan Steak House 皇廷鐵板燒 in Cupertino Village for ramen noodles. We normally come here for the mimi hot pots, but because it has been such a hot day, we rather had something light - ramen.
Mo-Mo: Fried chicken ramen - chicken was crispy, noodle was alright, but soup was not very tasty accordingly to Mo-Mo (I think this was a good thing because it meant there was probably very little or no MSG).
Meow: Vegetable ramen - pretty OK.
10935 N Wolfe Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 257-3688
Dinner @ Home 082709
After eating out for so many meals the last week, we felt the need to eat at hoe tonight (healthier!)
Steamed egg with kelp to create texture (replaced the rice noodle, which is a more common item to steam egg with, but I often find it too starchy).
Oven toasted wild caught salmon fillet
Organic mixed mushrooms (cooked with miso) - monkey head, oyster, shiitake (from Whole Foods)
Left over string beans with chicken (left over form last night's Schewan dinner)
Late Dinner @ Szechwan Era 川聚一堂 082609
I was staying late at work yesterday, and did not feel like cooking or eating at home.
We decided to eat out at this Szechwan place called Szechwan Era 川聚一堂 inside Cupertino Village
Since it was only two of us, we ordered two dishes to share, and ate with white rice (uhh, we are not big fan of white rice because of its low nutritious value (refined carb) and being high glycemic, but what the heck, we cannot expect every restaurant to serve brown rice, eh.
Here was the delicious string beans with chicken. It has the magic wok flavor to it.
This was the disappointing boiled fish fillet in wine. The fish was too mushy and Did not have much flavor. 
Szechuan Era Restaurant
10971 N Wolfe Rd
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 873-8628
Flower Lounge & Shan 082209
Last Saturday, we went dim sum in Milbrae with our friends at the Hong Kong Flower Lounge. The place was packed with people and the parking lot was full. We had to park a block away and walked 1/2 block to the restaurant. It was a great lunch meeting with friends and talking about just life in general. 
We were too busy chatting and did not get to take any dim sum food pictures. Here is the special chow mein dish we ate, which was very good..jpg)
At night, Mo-Mo and I visited the newly moved Shan, an Indian-Pakistan restaurant. It used to be on the same street (Steven Creeks) but a mile away. At this new location, the food is just great as always, with just more tables and was spacious.
Curry lamb - yum yum! (I forgot to take picture of the basmatic rice to go with this dish)
Nann bread - very fresh and warm (clay oven baked)
Chicken kebab
Very tasty Tandori chicken breast - juicy and tender 
Free hot chai tea
Hong Kong Flower Lounge
51 Millbrae Ave
Millbrae, CA 94030
(650) 692-6666
Shan Restaurant
5251 STEVENS CREECK BLVD
SANTA CLARA, CA. 95051
408.260-9200
Fish Dinner @ By-Th'-Bucket Fish 082009
When I feel stressed from work, I like going out for dinner with Mo-Mo. Tonight, we went to By-Th'-Bucket for fish dinner using a 2-1 special coupon.
This is apparently a family owned restaurant that has been around for over 50 years. Wow. 
The sourdough bread was warm and fresh, came with fatty creamy butter.
Garden salad with Italian dressing.
Meow: Snapper with mashed potatoes and spinach
Mo-Mo: Mahi Mahi with mashed potatoes and side veggies. 
The dinning experience was overall pretty good, except the end that the server took a long time to process our bill. Perhaps we will come back again (if we get the coupon in the mail).
By-Th'- Bucket Bar and Grill
(408) 248-6244
4565 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Cla
