Moments in GranoLAland, 2008

Counting up the number of months spent here in LA gradually became one full year, and all in a flash (not unlike the red light camera flash I saw today), it has been two and a half years already since I came to introduce a little Granola-ness to this wretched urban wasteland.

As the year is rapidly dwindling to the last few hours, I must do a review of the year, even if it is just for my own purpose of remembering. Because in a few hours, this will all be a champagne-induced blur, ending up in me tragically going to bed alone in this episode of Sexless in the City. So here we go, in a very entropic order.

Best thing that happened at work: I'm no longer a junior analyst, but now an analyst. But even more importantly, this is the first promotion I have received since I graduated from college. Without going into details that might jeopardize my employment, I just have to say that options need to be weighed pretty carefully. In the end, it was the right choice. Now all I'm hoping is that the automotive industry won't complete fall through the bottom.

Best Trip of the Year: Hands down, Japan. Food was the highlight of the trip, not to mention the sights that I haven't seen in over 10 years. My next trip there will probably follow much sooner. I discovered what I had already known, that I am more Japanese American than Japanese. There used to be times when I thought I was the latter, but over the years, I've lost the traditional, conservative personality, and well, you know the rest. The remaining picture has been posted here.

Funniest Moment of the Year: Ending up in a Bear Party with friends, all of whom came to be known collectively as the "Seven Skinny Bitches." Apparently I was so lit that I wasn't even aware of half the things that were happening.

Angriest Moment of the Year: After I got hit in my car in San Gabriel, less than 6 months after I got my car. The idiot was a stereotypical mid-20's Asian girl from SGV, complete with glittery eye shadow and fake designer bag. I was so angry, my friend Jane later told me she was more afraid of me than being hit by the car. The F-bomb was dropped several dozen times. Next time, I will try to exercise a little more moderation.

Embarrassing Moment of the Year: Opening the women's door bathroom accidentally at work. This was part of the building I never find myself in, and I was in a daze that day. The male and female signs looked oddly similar to one another, and when I opened one, I quickly realized it was the wrong door.

Achievement of the Year: Sort of learning how to do the "Single Ladies" dance. Christmas Party for work was SO much more enjoyable knowing how to do this dance. While there has been many people who has tried to do this dance on the Interwebs, Shane Mercado gets my nod for being one of the first.


There you have it, people. See you in 2009.