A friend I know likes to call herself “cao”, as in “cow”. Well, today I feel like a cow. Apparently happy cows produce really good meat…so if you butcher me right now, my meat will be nice and succulent, because hell yeah I’m a big fat happy cow right now!
Both my parents and I woke up pretty late after our long day yesterday, and by the time we were ready to set out on the happy search for breakfast, it was already late morning. We wanted someplace cheap and fast, so um…where else is cheaper and faster than McDonald’s?
Don’t judge— McDonald’s breakfast is pretty good! I was craving some good hotcakes, but to my utter disappointment, breakfast had just ended when we reached McDonald’s. So we had to settle for the boring old lunch menu…boo!
I got my first McDonald’s sandwich in about 4 years: 
A grilled Classic Chicken Sandwich. No need to explain what it is, as I’m sure everybody knows what it is.
Then we were off to one of my most favorite place in the world: 
Ikea! Oh, happy shopping! This is so weird…but I get so bored shopping in clothing department stores, but I’m like an Energizer Bunny when it comes to kitchen appliances and utensils and silverware. If I ever get my own apartment, you can bet my kitchen will be the biggest, most glamorous and well-stocked room!
But shopping is hard work, especially when you’re trying soooo hard to resist the temptation of buying the whole store! Yes, I seriously think it takes a lot of brain energy to fight against the Ikea Devil. So I refreshed myself with a vanilla frozen yogurt from the Ikea Bistro: 
Of course, this time I was mentally prepared: $1 froyo is NOT real froyo. So I wasn’t surprised that it tasted more like McDonald’s soft-serve than the tangy froyo I love. It still hit the spot, though! I sure was renewed with energy!
Which was a good thing because right after our shopping, we set off for a long drive to the Santa Monica Beach! 
This place is perfect for people-watching! It was really windy and rather chilly, so we didn’t do any swimming and stuff, but just walked around the pier and observed all fun that was going on around us. Let me just give you a virtual tour:
There’s a small amusement park complete with bumper cars, mini roller-coaster, arcades, and etc: 
And freaking amazing artists molding a 3-D bust of your face: 
Another mad-talented artist sweeping paint colors with his thumb to create a gorgeous landscape picture: 
Sort of bungee jumping (Wheee~): 
Some guy twirling around inside a hoop: 
A girl “surfing” on a skateboard: 
Even trapeze lessons! 
Of course the great scenery of the lovely beach itself! 
Mid-day we got kind of hungry, but it was way too early for dinner, so we grabbed a quick snack…The most expensive Taco Bell meal (damn tax!): 
Soft tacos with tons of hot sauce!! Goodness, we’re on a fast food roll!
But thankfully, the fast food adventure came to an end when it came to dinner. Actually, we were gonna stop by a fast food place again, but my dad took the wrong turn and we ended up in this fantastic place: 
It is crowded, lit with pretty lights and fashioned like an old-fashioned downtown. Oh, yes, it was a small heaven to which God sent us. 
So of course we had to listen to God and eat some expensive dinner at a fancy place: 
At Morels, a French Steakhouse and Bistro! (This is SO funny: I wasn’t gonna take a picture of my parents, but my dear daddy and mommy posed anyway, tee hee!) 
And the fact that it actually had bright lights? Total God-send! Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!
The waiter immediately served us crunchy crostinis and crusty baguette: 
I of course took charge of ordering. For my dad, I ordered the Seafood Fettuccine: 
Daily fresh fish, clams, mussels, and shrimp in tomato concasse, basil and marinara sauce, made as spicy as possible 
Holy freakuccine!! It was one fiery dish, and soo freaking delicious! The tomato was so fresh, the pasta cooked perfectly al dente, and the seafood juicy and flavorful! My dad took about 5 seconds to wolf this down, but I got to snatch a few big mouthfuls as much as I could. 
For my mom, I ordered the Soup of the Day and a mesclun salad: 
Cream of Spinach Soup with croutons. This was huge! And they served the soup in a hot saucepan which they poured into a gigantic dish (I forgot to take a picture of the salad but just imagine something green and leafy).
And also, a side of sweet potato fries: 
Oh yes, oh yes! I shocked the hell out of my parents by shoving these into my mouth. Up till now, they have yet to see me eat deep-fried stuff, but I polished more than half of these off. Freaking yum! 
It also came out with a tub of mayonnaise, but I actually preferred my fries dry: 
And now the grand finale…The best of the dishes, the prime of tonight, the highlight of the entire day was my dish: 
Alsatian Flatbread Pizza with Figs, Prosciutto, and Arugula: Mission figs, Pesto, Arugula, Emmenthal, Blue Cheese Crumbles 
Okay, the description says it all. This was just…I thought I would die happy. There was angels singing in my ears, my tongue was in food-orgasm, and my butt was popping off the seat with gastronomic-joy. Holy. Freaking. Delicious!!!!!! 
And if you can’t already tell from the picture, it was GIGANTIC! But the flavor was even bigger. The salty prosciutto, the bitter arugula, the sweet figs, the broiled cheese, the piquant pesto… 
After our meal we were in total food coma. We had to drag ourselves out of the restaurant, and trudged around the Grove, enjoying the night scenery: 
Beau
tiful, eh? But my eyes were too glazed and my body too heavy with food belly to enjoy it much. 
We did stop by Forever 21 though, and while my mom and I racked through the clothes, my dad entertained himself by trying on some nice sunglasses: 
But this was his my favorite: 
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That sure made my day!
Okay, once again, I have to apologize for blabbing and sprouting incoherent sentences, but I’m drowsy with fatigue (the good kind!) and an immensely stuffed tummy. Ooh~ I don’t know how I’m gonna be able to eat anything again, thats for tomorrow’s worry.
Oh, by the way, tomorrow I’ll finally be moving in to my college apartment…Wish me luck! Next time I “see” you, I’ll be typing at my new desk in my new room! AHH! So excited!
Related posts:
holy crap, this post is packed with so much fun! i was so excited as i scrolled on to all the exciting equipment. haha. i love those bungee trampoline things. oh and disney land has a run for it’s money because IKEA just may be the happiest place on earth!!
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Ahahaha, your dad is just too cute! My dad would die before he would try on sunglasses at forever21. The heart ones I my favorite too
The food looks amazing and those sweet potato fries are calling my name! LOL I love “hearing” the excitement in voice as you talk about that flat bread. Isn’t it great when food makes you that happy?
California is so awesome, I haven’t been there in a while, and need to plan a trip there asap!
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Good luck moving in, how exciting! I love all the gorgeous pics, it looks like you’re having so much fun! Wow, that flat pizza does look fabulous! Love the pic of your dad w/ the heart sunglasses!
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don’t tell anyone, but i love mcgriddles …
i also love their cheeseburgers no onions and mustard extra extra pickles dipped in extra ketchup, fries, and chicken nuggets.
good thing i go there maybe once every 6 months LOL.
wow those bust artists are awesome!
holy crap, they loaded your soft taco with cheese! complete wrong portion lol. (i work at tb)
looks like you had a great time and those sunglasses look great on your pa! LOL. the first ones anyway lol. the second ones look nice too i guess XD
gorgeous light and fountain pics!
good luck on your move!
-muffy
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I’ve heard of the Grove – always wanted to go.
I can’t do McDonalds except for Breakfast. But I do love BK whoppers (although I haven’t had one in years). The chicken nuggets at BK are good too.
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Wow, what a wonderful time! So much fun, esp the latter part, hahaha.
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Sounds like a wonderful time. I love all the pics of your parents… It’s such an exciting time in your life; happy memories…
Good luck moving into your apartment!
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Cool pics of your dad:) Good luck with your move to the apartment. have you been shopping for kitchen stuff?:) How fun!
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I went to Ikea for the first time 2 weeks ago. I could probably live there for a week and not get bored.
Ohhh that pizza sounds so good right now…
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haha your daddio is the coolest guy ever!!
ikea is DANGEROUS! honestly — whenever i go in there i just want to redo every room in my house! so tempting.
oh how i used to love the Mickey D’s breakfast fare.. Egg-Mcmuffins, i swoon <3
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What an excititing time! I can feel it in the air…or ah, on your blog page! The beginning of a new college year. I can’t wait to hear more about it. Btw, your parents are totally cool. Mine would have never put on dorky sunglasses!
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hahaha love it! What a fun, food filled day! I haven’t eaten at Mikkie D’s in ages, but I don’t mind their egg McMuffin or small yogurt parfait
I love the combo of proscuitto and figs on pizza!!! I like to add caramelized onions, fontina and balsamic reduction yum!
Yay! You have an oven, how freakin’ cool is that?! I wish we had an ikea here, but then again that would be very very dangerous.
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What a FUN day!!!
I have to admit that I sometimes eat at Mickey D’s too…haha. I try to stick to the Grilled Chicken Sandwich too, but sometimes the QP w/ cheese screams to me
Fig, Proscuitto and Blue Cheese is definitely one of my all time favorite combos!
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Your food always makes me drool!
Have fun setting up your room!
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Wow yummie eats:) and Fun filled pics. Bahahah I loved the forever 21 pic of ur dad
!
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Oh mee God, your posts take me to food heaven! Aren’t dads the best! My Dad does these antics too when he is out on a vacation!
Again great great eats!
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It’s so cool that you have such a great relationship with your parents. Most college kids don’t want anything to do with mom and dad unless it involves them paying tuition. You definitely have a good head on your shoulders. Did I say that right? I’m always messing up cliches or whatever they’re called.
Your pictures are making me homesick. I think I’ll go back and visit Cali this year.
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I like good ol’ McD’s once and awhile–everything in moderation!
I got ALL my apartment furnishings, etc at IKEA–you will have SO much fun decorating your kitchen, I sure did 
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Glad you had such a fun day – fast food and all! Sometimes fast food is the only option in a pinch, no harm there. I’m also happy to hear you finally got a successfully, fully delicious dish! It seems you’ve had quite a few less than good ones lately.
GOOD LUCK TOMORROW, I’m so excited to hear about everything!
Much love,
Rachel
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I’ve always wanted to go to that pier – looks like tons of fun. LOL at your dad’s pic!!! hahahaha totally made my day
I can only imagine my dad wearing those attractive glasses.
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Ikea is awesome! It’s like Disney World!
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Ikea seems like an awesome place!!
Those glasses on your dad are adorable! So cute! Mmm sweet potato fries!!!
<3 jess
xoxo
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Love your photos- It looks like pure summer fun! Makes me feel like I’ve been doing this whole season all wrong.
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yay yay and yay! the photos of daddio made me laugh and i love the fast food 2x in a day. it won’t kill ya, plus you more than made up for it with that dinner. yowza…sooo good!
can’t wait to see the new place and hear all your fun college stories!
http://thehealthyeverythingtarian.wordpress.com
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Looks like you’re having an awesome time!! I love your dad’s sunglasses…
<3 <3
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Nuh, uh…
I feel like I had almost an identical day when I was in LA…IKEA store(Burbank?), Santa Monica Pier . But really, you had me at IKEA. Happiness indeed.
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Lucky girl, getting to go to Ikea! They don’t have them near me, so I can only visit occasionally.
Your dinner looks truly fabulous, especially the SP fries.
Love the sunglasses pics:)
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Sophia, the pics are terrific! Your dad’s a hoot!
My dad’s a camwhore himself. Hehehe.
Good luck moving in! Can’t wait to see pics of the new place.
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Wow that was fun to read! It seems like you are embracing life with a whole new set of sun glasses…Im so happy for you. FIgtreeapps <3
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You are such a hoot!! I love reading your blogs, makes me feel I’m there.
Love the glasses! hee hee
Hop over & have a peep at my neighbours glasses, when he turned up at our house!
Good luck with your new abode x
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I’m with you on Ikea versus clothes shopping! The dinner looked delicious. I’m not sure that’s the best look for your dad, though (er… the second pair of glasses).
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What fun – looks looks like the perfect day!
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Ikea is one of those stores that I should not be allowed in. Ever. Because I might never ever leave. And if I do leave, I will be broke for sure.
I am so glad you are having fun with your parents before your move! You are going to love college SO much. I am ridiculously excited for you. That flatbread pizza looks delicious.
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I second that – I’m actually quite pro-MickeyD, they have some good choices, and from all the restaurant chains, they have the best quality
xx
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I love IKEA too! That picture of your Dad at the end cracked me up – too cute! Your flatbread also looked so good. Good luck with your move tomorrow, I hope it goes smoothly!
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GOOD LUCK! I am so excited for you!
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Your dad’s toooo cute! Looks like you had a really fun action-packed day. I bet you’re pooped after that! Good luck with the move!
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Your flatbread is making me drool! Good luck in the new place!
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Loved seeing the photos of your parents, especially your dad with those sunglasses, haha.
Santa Monica beach looks amazing! I’d love to take trapeze lessons!
Good luck with moving in!
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Great post! I have never been to Santa Monica Pier and now I want to go (and The Grove!).
Loved the food, pics, all of it!
Best of luck with your move and settling in. Can’t wait for your next post from campus
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i just went to the grove today! good luck with everything!
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I love the Grove, Santa Monica, and Ikea!! I have family that lives right around that area of California
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Don’t you hate when you have your heart set on hotcakes and you have to order a chicken sandwich! Just the worst!
Your dinner looks fabulous!
Have fun moving into your new digs! :0)
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The McDonalds actually looks like a pretty goo sandwich. Either way your dinner definitely made up for it!
The little carnival looks fun! And I’m the same way with shopping- I’m super antsy when it comes to clothes but I can spend all day in IKEA.
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Good luck! Can’t wait to hear about your first day!
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I hope everything’s going good with your moving in and getting settled!! The flatbread looks amazing!! Can’t wait to hear about your new living quarters!
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vat a perfect dinner!! hope the moving thingy going well!! guess you had a lotssa fun huh!! thats great!!
cheers!!
ps. love all the pics
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“Holy freakuccine”!! My god ..u sure comes up with the most marvellous adjectives!!
Perfect course for ya aitelyu..Journalism!! hehe
the McD here in Msia & other ctry not the same, i realized after visitn some outlets in China, Thai, and macau etc.
Your burger looks so much better! Darn, all Mcds elsewher is better than Msia’s ;p
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Hi there! I first wanted to say how much I LOVE your blog… it’s so inspirational and helpful at the same time. Even though I just found it today, I plan on visiting very often.
Secondly, I love fast food! It’s nice to see a blogger chow down on some of it occassionally. The McD’s chicken sandwhich is one of my favorites from there, and you can’t beat Taco Bell (fourth meal! haha).
Wow, so my comment was kind of pointless, but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the content here. And your dinner is making me drool… haha
Take care, and best wishes!
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