Belacan Grill

I've been wanting to try Belacan Grill in Tustin, so when I saw a Groupon ($20 for $40 of food), I decided to take advantage of the deal. D's dad grew up in Malaysia, so maybe we should take D's parents here the next time they visit. Malaysian restaurants aren't that common.

Roti Canai ($3)

k's favorite. She even liked the curry dipping sauce that came on the side.

Nasi Lemak ($10)

"steamed rice with coconut milk and frangrant screwpine (pandan) leaves served with anchovies, boiled egg, cucumber, vegetables, roasted peanuts and our famous beef rendang" A little too authentic for our tastes. I guess I could have known from the description that it wouldn't be our favorite, but I was curious. The meat was kind of jerky-like. We will skip this one next time.

Char Kway Teow ($9)

Kind of like pad see ew, but I think I like pad see ew better. Not bad, though.
BTW, D was underdressed, and can I just say again that I really can't wait until November is over? (Although he did just receive a $76 donation, so that is really nice!)

Hainan Chicken ($12)

D's favorite. Personally, I can't get over the fact that it is served at room temperature, but it tastes good with the sauces and rice.

So, it turns out that Groupons apply to the tax, but not tip, so we needed to order one more roti to go to spend our full $40. We ate it for breakfast the next day! It heats up well in the toaster oven. I also put some of the leftover chicken in the leftover curry dipping sauce and it tasted pretty good! We would have probably liked some of the more Chinese-sounding dishes better, but then what it the point of going to a Malaysian restaurant?

Movember

So, throughout the month of November, or should I say Movember, D is sporting a stache. It is a good cause, no doubt, but I personally can't wait for it to be over. It started through one of D's co-workers who has done it before. Not one to say no to a challenge, D has been committed, even though he is self-conscious about it. It's times like these when I sort of wish D wasn't so dedicated to follow through with what he starts. Please donate here to make this worthwhile!

The Tustin Side of the Marketplace

This afternoon we nixxed plans to go to Fashion Island's tree lighting ceremony due to the rain. Instead we hung out at the Marketplace, on the Tustin side. First we went to Starbucks to enjoy their BOGO holiday drink special. Never seen that Starbucks that busy. k and n shared a peppermint hot chocolate and D and I shared a pumpkin latte. I couldn't resist this Starbucks ornament to add to my new "food and drink" Christmas ornament collection.


Then we went to check out the newly opened REI. Wow, it was crowded! D had fun checking out all of the ski gear.

n loves helmets of all kinds. He likes pointing out anyone else who is wearing a helmet, as well.


We also had him try on this $79 Northface jacket. No way would we ever buy this, but I really liked the color.

24 Hour Fitness

Ranking the 24 Hour Fitnesses that I have been to.

#1 Irvine Marketplace Super Sport (Towel Service, Frosted glass shower doors)
#2 Cypress Sport (Large one story, Easy parking)
#3 La Cienega Magic Johnson (Nice facility but three sotries)
#4 Orange Sport (Large two story, Easy parking)
#5 Irvine Spectrum Sport (Nice bathrooms, but no pool)
#6 South Coast Metro Center Super Sport (Nice but cramped)
#7 Irvine Center Sport (Average size)
#8 Manhattan Beach Active (Small)
#9 Irvine Culver Drive Active (Small)
#10 Sacramento (Fulton & Hurley) Active (Small and old)
#11 Tustin Active (Small and old)

Christmas Outtakes

Last week I tried to take our Christmas card picture by myself with the kids in the garden at Katie Wheeler library. Unfortunately, n was not being too cooperative, plus it was too sunny. So, here are a few shots from the outing.


This was an "almost". Too bad about the shadows.


k was sick on picture day at preschool, but I think this is a nice photo by which to remember this age.


It's really nice that there is this outside area to roam around in right next to the library. I let the kids run around whenever we go. I'll have to take pictures of the actual library because it is in an old refurbished house and it is so cute!

Jana Alayra Concert

I really should be sleeping right now because I do not feel well. k and I both came down with a bug yesterday. k missed picture day at preschool today! Being sick is so much tougher when you have other people to take care of. k is at the age where I wouldn't feel bad taking a quick nap, but n, not so much.

Saturday we went to the Blackmarket Bakery Open House which hosted three food trucks. We bought two sliders from The Burnt Truck and a skirt steak taco and empanada from Piaggio on Wheels. The Dogzilla truck was also there, but we weren't in the mood for hot dogs with mayonnaise and furikake. Blackmarket had free samples of cabernet pasta, pumpkin mousse cake, rocky road tartletts, pomegranate marshmallows and coffee. Our favorites were the empanada and the pumpkin mousse cake.



Less than two miles away was the Chinese church where Jana Alayra was performing a family concert. When we arrived, there was already a line at the door and most people had their tickets. The website didn't say anything about buying tickets in advance, so I was surprised. They said they were "sort of sold out" but told us to wait to see if they had room. Luckily, they did, so k was able to see some of her favorite songs being performed by Jana: Jump Into the Light and Absolutely Nothing. n fell asleep quite early on. I was also able to buy a CD to put into our music rotation for the car. Afterward the church had refreshments: chow mein, egg rolls, hot dogs and nachos (D's favorite). They also provided Halloween treat bags for all of the kids, which was a nice touch. Both D and I saw a few people that we know, too. I couldn't help but compare her to Junko...they both lead worship at Saddleback. I honestly don't know if I would be able to tell their voices apart aside from the songs they sing. However, it is nice that they both live in Orange County, so we can see them perform in person. My mom said that Jana had a concert at our church a while back. Funny how I didn't even know who she was, pre-kids. Looking forward to the Junko concert at our church early next year.

Top Sports Moments of My Life

1) Cal Football Holiday Bowls (2004 & 2006); Pac-10 Co-champions (2006)
2) Cal Basketball Sweet Sixteen (1997) and Pac-10 Champions (2010)
3) Indiana Basketball NCAA Champioship Game (2002); Big Ten Co-champions
4) Indiana Football Insight Bowl Game (2007)
5) San Francisco 49ers Super Bowls (1988,1989 & 1994)
6) San Francisco Giants World Series (2010)
7) Golden State Warriors Playoffs (2007)