Madeleines

September 23, 2010

This is the second time we made madeleines together. We came home after I had lunch at the dim sum truck and you got the necessary baking stuff (and I helped you get the baking spray).

The eight that I brought home all survived the trip back, except one that got slightly broken. I ate that one today, so they're all right now.

Six-way

September 23, 2010 | Hoover & Jefferson

I was going to cross, but I was amazed at the number of bikers on the intersection. So I took this picture and waited for the next light.

These intersections seem dangerous. Not only do you have to watch for cars coming from all sides, but also other bike and pedestrian traffic. There's 6 ways to go here: four side intersections and two diagonal ones.

Doggie

September 22, 2010 | USC Entrance on Exposition (the West one)

This was my last full day in LA, the day when you took me to lab and I spend hours reading the book written by His Holiness. You also took me to Yogurtland one more time, and we watched the movie related to my previous post.

In response to the picture, all I can say is: awwww...

Summer

September 20, 2010 | Park on 4th and Hill

There was lots of interesting stuff downtown. This park, however, has a completely different significance. You know what it is.

Library

September 20, 2010 | Los Angeles Central Library from Flower St.

When my last week in LA came, I realized that I need to explore some. So I went downtown. The first day, the 20th, it was sunny and very interesting. The second day I went to the outskirts which were kind of sketchy... and not sunny.

This is the LA Central Library. I couldn't go inside it because it was closed, but it was interesting enough on the outside. This fountain path starts with a rock and an ancient lizard skeleton behind it. The next level is another rock and a live, more modern lizard. Finally there's a third rock with a bird on top, ready to fly. There's also a peace bell to the right.

Hollywood

September 19, 2010 | Griffith Park, Mulholland Hwy Viewpoint

In Griffith, we took pictures of us with a tripod. This is probably my favorite one. We also took another one by the observatory that I like.

The viewpoint is on Mulholland Hwy, just East (well... North) of the dog park on Canyon Lake Drive. We went to the dog park later to eat the lunch that we packed. There we got swarmed by man's best friends and had to take refuge in the playground. The dogs were funny.

Griffith

September 19, 2010 Griffith Observatory

This place is so cool, and the view would be spectacular if the smog weren't so heavy. Unfortunately, we didn't go on the long hike that we had planned. But we still had lots of fun at the Observatory. Many shiny objects to check out.

Chinatown

September 18, 2010 Chinatown, Los Angeles

Chinatown is so fancy. The only thing it is missing is food. Where was the food?! I guess I should have looked harder. The green building is where a portion of Jackie Chan's "best-seller movie" Rush Hour was filmed.

Lettuce

September 17, 2010 Free Lettuce Seeds!

Friday was Park(ing) Day. I think the idea is that you take a metered parking spot and do something other than park a car there to convey the message that space can be used for things other than cars. So, these people had a table and chairs. One of the spaces was giving away plants. I wanted something edible, so I got lettuce. I'm excited to plant them somewhere.

34th

September 16, 2010 The street where the tram goes

I took this picture hoping it would be of use for you, but you never took the tram while you were here. It is a magical place, the tram stop. I have fond memories of waking up for the 7AM tram to the Health Science Campus and waiting in the fog and cold. I miss hospital work.

Sample

September 15, 2010 Part of the new campus center building

I came out to have dinner with my friends. Sadly, the food choices are lacking, and the options aren't always cheap. Lines get insane during lunch, but dinner was better. There was much more seating during dinner. In this picture is the new administration building, I think, which is attached to the campus center.

Social

September 14, 2010 From Sunday

No interesting pictures were taken today. So this comes from the Sunday party. This year we have 3 or 4 guys on the team which is very exciting because in our brief 4.5-5.5 hours of existence, we've never had guy regulars before.

Westward

September 13, 2010 Taking pictures while biking

So, I've noticed that every morning I bike towards the sun. The light bothers me, and I have to hold my hand up to block the sun. In the evenings when I come home, I have towards the sun yet again! My house is so perfectly west of campus. Argh, Annoying.

Chinatown

September 18, 2010 | Hill & Gin Ling, Chinatown, L.A.

Today was Chinatown... though, the picture speaks for itself. This is the entrance to the Old Chinatown, which is very pretty. We've also seen the market (lots and lots of clothes and random stuff), the gate (not that exciting but a gate nevertheless), the temple (from the outside.. shiny); and had lunch.

But first we dropped Peter off at the airport. He'll be back before I leave next week.

I should say that next Wednesday is Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節). I want moon cakes. Too bad we won't be in much of a celebrating mood: Jessica is busy, and I'm leaving back home on Thursday.

Burgers

September 17, 2010 | In-n-Out by Target somewhere

Right after I came back we left to Target. I bought a long-promised towel, others bought a bunch more stuff, but before Target we "ate out" ad In-n-Out. For those who don't know: it's a burger chain that doesn't exist in Washington. Eating here is a requirement for anyone coming to LA.

Not that I like burgers - as a general rule, I don't - but this place is somewhat exception by itself, and the occasion warranted eating here.

Oh, yeah... don't feel embarrassed if you're in this picture. I'm often embarrassed taking pictures, actually.

Pomona

September 17, 2010 | Pomona College Central Square

I don't know what the square is called - it's the square with the clock tower, a fountain, and the upper-level dorms. A view from this square is on my collage until the end of the year. I really like this campus - and Claremont in general.

I took this picture shortly before going back to Case to get my stuff and leave (on a long and slow trip to the train station). For a few minutes I just sat and watched the fountain. I had time.

Cactus

September 16, 2010 | Somewhere in Pitzer

Meet Cactus Man. He lives on the Pitzer campus with other cacti. But the other cacti don't have a face like Cactus Man.

Stampede

September 15, 2010 | Harvey Mudd College, East Dorm

One of the HMC frosh was showing off his new NERF gun today. (Before he did, though, others surprised him and sprayed him with darts.) This is the NERF Stampede, released in the states just 6 days ago. Then a few of us stood there and talked about (NERF) guns.

Then someone from Claremont-McKenna joined us. He's a self-proclaimed expert on modifications, seems to have quite a bit of experience with NERF guns and mods, and is the Claremont Colleges Humans vs. Zombies moderator. He also talked about guns and fixed one or two that had problems.

Anyway... I arrived in Claremont via the Union St. 11:20 train, slowly made my way all the way up to Case Hall in HMC (one of the farthest-away buildings in the 5C), got Carl to come out, put my stuff inside, and felt much more free immediately afterward. (I got there in time for Lunch, yay!) I very soon bumped into a few of old friends I wanted to see - it's nice being on a very small campus.

Brownies

September 14, 2010 | Jessica's House

You made these yesterday! And we all liked them.

I left the heart-shaped cookie in the fridge on your shelf. It's for you if you want - I decided not to stuff it in my backpack.

Globe

September 13, 2010 | Von Kleinsmid Center

Here's the VKC Tower. I hope my somewhat original approach is good enough.