San Diego - Chapter 2: Via Fiesta

The transition from Fremont to San Diego was very short noticed and everything was rushed. I did not have time to plan things over properly the way I wished, but I think I did the best that I could...

I swished to my computer whenever I had free time to check Craigslist (California's prime classifieds website) for places to rent and stay. It was all about location! location! location!

I shortlisted a few potential places and made appointments with them so that I could swiftly cover all my appointments in one day when I reach Carmel Valley, the northern most district in San Diego city.

It came down to these three choices that I had to make:
1) Option 1 ($700/month) - VERY close to work, fun roommate, but apartment wasn't exactly ready, and roommate is still a student, therefore potential mess and noise in the house.

2) Option 2 ($625/month) - Cheapest of the lot, near freeway, big spacious room with bed ready, but have to share ALL utilities, and the place was super Asian style (modern, distasteful, Asian style to be exact~!) so I couldn't really live in such an environment... it would just stress me up! But hey, beggars can't be choosers and I'm still young~

3) Option 3 ($680/month) - Most beautiful townhouse I've ever seen for a very long time~! But it was also the furthest away, not to mention there's really nothing to do in the surrounding area.

Which one do you think I chose? Of course if you know me well, I go for the looks!
Well, maybe that's not true, but it is a nice place, and after living in crappy conditions in Fremont, I though maybe its time I settled to a comfortable nest. I still have to split power and gas, but everything, especially internet is covered. I can also use all the cool stuff in the kitchen, and improve my culinary skills~!

That's the townhouse that I'm staying in.
Picture courtesy of Microsoft Virtual Earth


Alisa, the landlord, is very kind but always tell me how to handle her things... People may not like it, but it is totally fine with me because I never knew how to handle certain things properly to delay maintenance service.

Apart from that, I spent a whole lot just to get the essential furniture. Not to mention I was totally shocked to find out that a mattress costs alot! Fixed my computer table and numbed my fingers because the screws just don't fit! Bloody Walmart cheapos!


Other than that, the only luxury that I'm splurging on from now is my club membership. I joined a fitness club called Pacific Athletic Club, and was really amazed at the luxury of the club.

That's the place where I will shed 30 pounds minimum! If that doesn't happen, there's no more hope for me but to go for liposuction!
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Virtual Earth

Not to mention the joining and monthly fees which I don't even dare reveal~ But I hope with my boring routine of just going from home to work to home again, I hope I can finally run out of excusses to not exercise and keep fit!

I think I'm all set in my room. I just need to find friends here in San Diego to hang out with... This is the first time in my life that I'm at a place or situation that I know absolutely no one!

Oh well... Final chapter, WORK~! ugh...

P.S. If you would like to snail mail me a package, letter, present (*hint! hint!*), etcetera, you may mail it to me at the following address:

Sean Wong
14662 Via Fiesta
Unit 1
San Diego, CA 92127
U.S of A
(NOTE: This address is no more applicable as I have moved. Look for the latest posts with my new address)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

San Diego - Chapter 1: Here I Come!

I'm terribly sorry for not updating my blog as quickly as I could, but everytime I have free time, I use it to chill and sleep...

As you all know that I've got a project in San Diego at Brandes Investment Partners. It is a contractual job for at least 6 months, so I could very well sink into depression mode when I turn jobless again~ But let's not worry too much of the future and fluorish in the "glory" of the present! Yes, "glory" because it is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Chapter 1:
After getting grilled by the interviewers, I thought I blew it and turned the knob to FULL DEPRESSION mode. Thirty minutes later, I got a call informing me that I got the job! AMAZING~! Prayers do work wonders! *heard that Victor?*

Anyway, flew back to Fremont and started getting all the lengthy paperwork done. Brandes wanted me to start ASAP, therefore I was expected to be there the next Monday which was less than a week away~! I didn't have the time to say my good-byes to everyone in the bay area except those at eBAS, so to those who are reading, I apologize if I suddenly disappeared, but you know, my work needs me. =P






The small farewell party I put together before I left~ The Mojito I made was a big hit!









I was only able to start packing on Saturday and drove down at 3am on Sunday. Imagine packing all your stuff (and if you know me well, I have alot of junk everywhere!) and lugging it to your car from the third floor (NO ELEVATOR!) and in the rain! Really drama man~!

So the drive was pretty easy considering that I have experience driving cross country, the 8 hour drive was a piece of cake!

caffein + hard trance + caffein = bulging eyes!

I didn't know there's snow further south!

As a way to entertain myself, I tried catching up with the express train upfront~ People, don't try to do this, leave it to professionals =P

Sea! This is actually the first time I'm driving along the coast of the Pacific Ocean!

After checking in to my hotel in San Diego, I had to rush to all my appointments I made beforehand for places to rent and stay (good planning, eh~!). Rushed from one place to the other, I finally made a decision and rented one of the nicest townhouse I've seen for a VERY long time!

That leaves space for Chapter 2, stay tuned!

New Phase

A very quick update that I have transitioned from a jobless pig to a working ant.
:
:
:
that is to say...
:
:
:
I Have A Job~!

I got the job on my FIRST interview in San Diego. Now on my third day at work, moved into my new place and working like an ant! All I can say is, my routine has totally flipped up-side-down!

I will elaborate more later, but right now I'm just too tired for inspirational writing. Thanks for your prayers! Now pray that I don't lose my job! And that my body will not split due to extreme stress... like the one in the video...

Week of Interviews

This week will be a busy week for me as I start a marathon of interviews. When all was quiet and depressing, and to think that all companies have used up their budget for their fiscal year therefore freezing the hiring activities, companies are calling me all of a sudden for a series of interviews~! I couldn't explain how it happened except that to thank all of you, my faithful readers, that you have been praying for my success and wishing me all the best when I posted my grouses in the last few posts.

Tomorrow (Monday) I will fly to San Diego for an interview. Tuesday and Wednesday interviews in San Francisco, and who knows if I make it to the next round...

That's my first hurdle... and as I always believe, in my work ethics, to take it one step at a time.

Wish me luck~!

Potato Wedges

Having swiped my credit card one too many times leaves me nothing much to do but to stay home and wallow in all the goodies I bought last Black Friday. And with nothing to do means nothing interesting to post, you may wonder.

Fear not my loyal readers~! As I come up with new ideas to put up here, I will relive the cook in me, the epicurian of epicurians; creating, feasting and commenting on the food I make myself. Being single and all has brought out the chef in me~~~~

Feast your eyes on this!!! The best and most delicious potato wedges you will ever taste!!! And I made it myself!!! It was a discovery out of a disaster... I totally forgot about my new experiment roasting away in the oven until I smelt (is that the correct past-tense for smell?) something burning... Rushed to the rescue of my potatoes, and saved it! Amazingly, it didn't degrade into charcoal as the color turned out to be the perfect golden brown! The sides that were stuck to the pan were carefully scraped out to leave a heavenly crisp in every wedge!

The flesh was perfect buttery soft!

Crispy Skin + Snow soft flesh = SEAN ALA POTATO PERFECTO!

Beg me to make some for you~! hehe... joking~













SeansZOne does not encourage reckless potato eating as it will cause uncontrollable fart and evolution of your body to look like a potato. Please eat responsibly... :P