The flight to SFO was bumpy at best. The interesting thing though was seeing the same flight attendant from the last time I took Northwest Airlines. I know it happens often to those who fly a lot, but still, I wondered what this one particular attendant has been doing for the past year.

Clearly... I think too much.

Kevin came to get me at the airport. HOW NICE TO SEE HIM! He looks exactly the same, I can't believe it's almost been an entire year since we last saw each other. Sheesh. Seems like just yesterday.

First order of business was to get a visa at the Chinese Embassy for my trip to Shanghai, and that in itself was an interesting event. I had hoped that they could issue a visa on my Tai Bao Zen, but the answer I got was, "I'm sorry. We do not recognize Taiwan."

Um, okay.

I also made the mistake of inquiring about getting a visa on my Tai Bao Zen in Mandarin. The TONE of the visa officer changed dramatically (and not for the better mind you) once she realized that a) I could speak Chinese, and b) I was from Taiwan.

OUCH.

Naturally, being the kind of person that I am (i.e., borderline obnoxious), I had to go and try one last time to butter her up before I left and said (in English),

"Oh wow! Is that it? That was so fast!"

The visa officer responded with authority and in Chinese,

"Of course. We're the CHINESE Embassy."

DOUBLE OUCH!

Man. If I do end up getting funding and going to China, I have a feeling that this journal of mine is going to turn into a f*cking riot.

Watch my site get censored.

LOL.

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Since we were already in the city, Kevin and I did a little shopping. Make that... Kevin took me to Niketown to check out running shoes for Cindy (and for me) and then the menswear (for him). Kevin perused every single clothes rack there.

I can see why he and Cindy get along so well.

Ahem.

Later on we met up with Justin for lunch (gosh I already forgot the name of the restaurant) and it was really good to see him. I don't know why I expect everyone to change drastically after not seeing them for a year but in most cases, people are exactly the same.

That's a good thing.

One thing though, it is freakin' COLD in San Francisco! Brrrrr! And food in the States is so darn CHEAP. Well... American food, at least. A decent Caesar's Salad in Taipei costs me ~US$13.00. Here, I can get a Caesar's Salad, half a sandwich, AND french fries, for freaking $5.99! WOOHOO!!! I may be confused at times with my identity but when it comes to food, I am 100% American. YEAH.

So after lunch, we stopped by Justin and Anne's new place (nice!) and then went back to Kevin's where I promptly passed out for the rest of the day. Next thing I knew, Cindy showed up (HIYA GIRL!), and we all checked email before heading out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the area.

Chicken quesadilla with extra sour cream for only $5.99?!

Yes! Yes! YES!

Cindy and I spent the rest of the evening catching up at her place and that was totally awesome. I miss that girl! I also met her housemate, Irene, and the three of us hung out for awhile. I must say. Cindy's got it goin' on. Per usual! And of course, I made good use of my webcam. Smile girl!

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