The Spoon Theory

Recently, I came across this youtube video of Christine Miserandino talking about what it is like to have lupus and what SHE goes through everyday since she has lupus. I started to silently cry while listening to her talk about how she demonstrated to her friend what having lupus feels like. I'm such a crybaby at times. The waterworks just keep on coming. I totally understand what she goes through everyday because I go through the same thing too. I posted the video on my facebook hoping that it will bring awareness to others and shed light on what it is like to have an auto-immune disease. I hate it that lupus is an invisible disease. I especially hate it that people always say you don't look sick. Sometime I have no energy at all, other days I skip dinner because I don't want to have to wash my dishes since my hands hurt. There are some days where I just want to stay curled-up in bed because it hurts too much and sometimes I just feel so fatigue. On my bad days I just stay in bed the whole day. I plan my day in advance and I usually check the weather report to plan what I am going to wear that day like Christine.

Below I have inserted the excerpt of Christine Miserandino's story. Hopefully, whoever watches the video understand me a little better. Because this video helps to explain why I am the way that I am NOW. It also helps to explain my actions. I love living in the moment, taking risks, and laughing each day (being happy). I try to laugh each day because I choose to be happy and not let my having lupus upset me. I agree with Christine that hopefully who ever read this or see the video don’t take so much for granted or their life in general. I always give a piece of myself, in every sense of the word when I do anything. I agree with Christine that my friends should feel special when I spend time with them, because they have one of my “spoons”. I started to ball when Christine said, "I don’t have room for wasted time, or wasted “spoons” and I chose to spend this time with you," to her friend. I couldn't spotted crying. I feel the same way, that I don't have time to waste. As a result, I usually spend time with people that I consider important to me and I usually don't let petty insults or other people get to me. Because there are more important things in life to worry about. I hope that my friends and family know how much they mean to me when I choose to spend time with them even when I feel miserable, or tired.

The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino www.butyoudontlooksick.com

My best friend and I were in the diner, talking. As usual, it was very late and we were eating French fries with gravy. Like normal girls our age, we spent a lot of time in the diner while in college, and most of the time we spent talking about boys, music or trivial things, that seemed very important at the time. We never got serious about anything in particular and spent most of our time laughing.

As I went to take some of my medicine with a snack as I usually did, she watched me with an awkward kind of stare, instead of continuing the conversation. She then asked me out of the blue what it felt like to have Lupus and be sick. I was shocked not only because she asked the random question, but also because I assumed she knew all there was to know about Lupus. She came to doctors with me, she saw me walk with a cane, and throw up in the bathroom. She had seen me cry in pain, what else was there to know?

I started to ramble on about pills, and aches and pains, but she kept pursuing, and didn’t seem satisfied with my answers. I was a little surprised as being my roommate in college and friend for years; I thought she already knew the medical definition of Lupus. Then she looked at me with a face every sick person knows well, the face of pure curiosity about something no one healthy can truly understand. She asked what it felt like, not physically, but what it felt like to be me, to be sick.

As I tried to gain my composure, I glanced around the table for help or guidance, or at least stall for time to think. I was trying to find the right words. How do I answer a question I never was able to answer for myself? How do I explain every detail of every day being effected, and give the emotions a sick person goes through with clarity. I could have given up, cracked a joke like I usually do, and changed the subject, but I remember thinking if I don’t try to explain this, how could I ever expect her to understand. If I can’t explain this to my best friend, how could I explain my world to anyone else? I had to at least try.

At that moment, the spoon theory was born. I quickly grabbed every spoon on the table; hell I grabbed spoons off of the other tables. I looked at her in the eyes and said “Here you go, you have Lupus”. She looked at me slightly confused, as anyone would when they are being handed a bouquet of spoons. The cold metal spoons clanked in my hands, as I grouped them together and shoved them into her hands.

I explained that the difference in being sick and being healthy is having to make choices or to consciously think about things when the rest of the world doesn’t have to. The healthy have the luxury of a life without choices, a gift most people take for granted.

Most people start the day with unlimited amount of possibilities, and energy to do whatever they desire, especially young people. For the most part, they do not need to worry about the effects of their actions. So for my explanation, I used spoons to convey this point. I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a “loss” of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control.

She grabbed the spoons with excitement. She didn’t understand what I was doing, but she is always up for a good time, so I guess she thought I was cracking a joke of some kind like I usually do when talking about touchy topics. Little did she know how serious I would become?

I asked her to count her spoons. She asked why, and I explained that when you are healthy you expect to have a never-ending supply of “spoons”. But when you have to now plan your day, you need to know exactly how many “spoons” you are starting with. It doesn’t guarantee that you might not lose some along the way, but at least it helps to know where you are starting. She counted out 12 spoons. She laughed and said she wanted more. I said no, and I knew right away that this little game would work, when she looked disappointed, and we hadn’t even started yet. I’ve wanted more “spoons” for years and haven’t found a way yet to get more, why should she? I also told her to always be conscious of how many she had, and not to drop them because she can never forget she has Lupus.

I asked her to list off the tasks of her day, including the most simple. As, she rattled off daily chores, or just fun things to do; I explained how each one would cost her a spoon. When she jumped right into getting ready for work as her first task of the morning, I cut her off and took away a spoon. I practically jumped down her throat. I said ” No! You don’t just get up. You have to crack open your eyes, and then realize you are late. You didn’t sleep well the night before. You have to crawl out of bed, and then you have to make your self something to eat before you can do anything else, because if you don’t, you can’t take your medicine, and if you don’t take your medicine you might as well give up all your spoons for today and tomorrow too.” I quickly took away a spoon and she realized she hasn’t even gotten dressed yet. Showering cost her spoon, just for washing her hair and shaving her legs. Reaching high and low that early in the morning could actually cost more than one spoon, but I figured I would give her a break; I didn’t want to scare her right away. Getting dressed was worth another spoon. I stopped her and broke down every task to show her how every little detail needs to be thought about. You cannot simply just throw clothes on when you are sick. I explained that I have to see what clothes I can physically put on, if my hands hurt that day buttons are out of the question. If I have bruises that day, I need to wear long sleeves, and if I have a fever I need a sweater to stay warm and so on. If my hair is falling out I need to spend more time to look presentable, and then you need to factor in another 5 minutes for feeling badly that it took you 2 hours to do all this.

I think she was starting to understand when she theoretically didn’t even get to work, and she was left with 6 spoons. I then explained to her that she needed to choose the rest of her day wisely, since when your “spoons” are gone, they are gone. Sometimes you can borrow against tomorrow’s “spoons”, but just think how hard tomorrow will be with less “spoons”. I also needed to explain that a person who is sick always lives with the looming thought that tomorrow may be the day that a cold comes, or an infection, or any number of things that could be very dangerous. So you do not want to run low on “spoons”, because you never know when you truly will need them. I didn’t want to depress her, but I needed to be realistic, and unfortunately being prepared for the worst is part of a real day for me.

We went through the rest of the day, and she slowly learned that skipping lunch would cost her a spoon, as well as standing on a train, or even typing at her computer too long. She was forced to make choices and think about things differently. Hypothetically, she had to choose not to run errands, so that she could eat dinner that night.

When we got to the end of her pretend day, she said she was hungry. I summarized that she had to eat dinner but she only had one spoon left. If she cooked, she wouldn’t have enough energy to clean the pots. If she went out for dinner, she might be too tired to drive home safely. Then I also explained, that I didn’t even bother to add into this game, that she was so nauseous, that cooking was probably out of the question anyway. So she decided to make soup, it was easy. I then said it is only 7pm, you have the rest of the night but maybe end up with one spoon, so you can do something fun, or clean your apartment, or do chores, but you can’t do it all.

I rarely see her emotional, so when I saw her upset I knew maybe I was getting through to her. I didn’t want my friend to be upset, but at the same time I was happy to think finally maybe someone understood me a little bit. She had tears in her eyes and asked quietly “Christine, How do you do it? Do you really do this everyday?” I explained that some days were worse then others; some days I have more spoons then most. But I can never make it go away and I can’t forget about it, I always have to think about it. I handed her a spoon I had been holding in reserve. I said simply, “I have learned to live life with an extra spoon in my pocket, in reserve. You need to always be prepared.”

Its hard, the hardest thing I ever had to learn is to slow down, and not do everything. I fight this to this day. I hate feeling left out, having to choose to stay home, or to not get things done that I want to. I wanted her to feel that frustration. I wanted her to understand, that everything everyone else does comes so easy, but for me it is one hundred little jobs in one. I need to think about the weather, my temperature that day, and the whole day’s plans before I can attack any one given thing. When other people can simply do things, I have to attack it and make a plan like I am strategizing a war. It is in that lifestyle, the difference between being sick and healthy. It is the beautiful ability to not think and just do. I miss that freedom. I miss never having to count “spoons”.

After we were emotional and talked about this for a little while longer, I sensed she was sad. Maybe she finally understood. Maybe she realized that she never could truly and honestly say she understands. But at least now she might not complain so much when I can’t go out for dinner some nights, or when I never seem to make it to her house and she always has to drive to mine. I gave her a hug when we walked out of the diner. I had the one spoon in my hand and I said “Don’t worry. I see this as a blessing. I have been forced to think about everything I do. Do you know how many spoons people waste everyday? I don’t have room for wasted time, or wasted “spoons” and I chose to spend this time with you.”

Ever since this night, I have used the spoon theory to explain my life to many people. In fact, my family and friends refer to spoons all the time. It has been a code word for what I can and cannot do. Once people understand the spoon theory they seem to understand me better, but I also think they live their life a little differently too. I think it isn’t just good for understanding Lupus, but anyone dealing with any disability or illness. Hopefully, they don’t take so much for granted or their life in general. I give a piece of myself, in every sense of the word when I do anything. It has become an inside joke. I have become famous for saying to people jokingly that they should feel special when I spend time with them, because they have one of my “spoons”.

xoxo,
Kat

Back to School

I had my first class today! It's only the first day and I'm already swamp with readings. Life of a college student. After four years you think I would get use to this. NOT. I only have one class today. It was really BORING. The professor speaks really slow and in a monotone voice-it just made it worse. I wanted to die walking to Cory Hall for my class. I'm not use to walking uphill for awhile now. I went to work after my first class and it felt good to be busy. It kept me from thinking too much...I am pretty excited from my classes tomorrow even though it's a Friday. I only have two classes on Friday. I can't believe that this is my LAST year at CAL!!! Hip-Hip Hooray! It's sweet and bittersweet at the same time.

I feel so old, walking on campus. I guess being a senior makes one feel old. The freshmen looks so young, naive and immature. In time they will become jaded and learn from their mistakes (if they actually mature). It still surprises me how some people never change and stays the same (for the worse).

I am tired after having class and work all day. I was on campus the whole day. When I came home my left feet started to hurt. Now both of my legs hurt. I have difficulty walking when I try to get up from the sofa. I hope the pain goes away tomorrow. I didn't overdo anything. All I did today was walk on campus. I took a painkiller, but it's not helping much. I still feel pain when I put pressure on my feet especially when I walk. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day and the pain goes away.

xoxo,
Kat

Hello Arthritis, Please go away.

Why is it so HOT in Berkeley? I feel like I am dying! I can't really breathe. I have sweat dripping down my face and body. I feel sick too (have a pounding headache and my throat hurts). Great. This is just great. I get sick two days before school starts. This really sucks. I can already see it. I will have another date night with insomnia. I am so tired but I can't fall asleep in this weather. On top of being sick, I can't move my right hand. All of my fingers on my right hand is swollen and in pain. I can't even straighten my hand. Hopefully, the swelling goes down so that I am able to take notes for my class on Thursday. This sucks since I am a righty. Arthritis, please go away (I am already into much pain).

I could really use some ice cream right about now.

I finally gave in today and took my pain killers. The reason why I don't want to take pain killers is because I don't want to be addicted to it and abuse it. I take enough drugs already. Uhh...I want to shoot myself already.

On top of everything, some of my neighbors from the other building is playing music really loudly and I can hear everything that they are talking about. These inconsiderate people kept me up last night too. They were just as loud and obnoxious until 5 am this morning. I don't know how I am going to study when school starts. I guess I will just have to be a bitch and tell them to "Shut the fuck up." A person in my condition needs all of the beauty sleep I can get. I feel so out of it. I can't even concentrate.

So instead of resting, I'm listening to Nelly-Just a dream to block out my annoying neighbors. I'm glad that Nelly is back. I love this song of his.

xoxo,
Kat

Mia Familia

So my parents and sisters came today to visit me before school starts. I'm not going to lie, it's so good to see them. I didn't realized how much I missed them until I saw them today. My family is just so important to me. I am so thankful that they drove 6 hours from southern California to see me in Berkeley. Next time I will see them in November for thanksgiving!

I know that I laugh and say that I only miss the food from home, but really I do miss my family (even though I tried very hard to deny it). It makes me sad to think that my parents are getting older since I am getting older too. I use to think that they were invincible. But they aren't. Everyone dies sooner or later. Hopefully later. I don't think that I will be able to cope if i were to lose my parents. It saddens me that they are getting older. If only everyone can stay forever young...

I use to think that I was invincible (that I was not going to grow old or die). However, I got my wake-up call pretty early when I was diagnosis with Lupus. I now am trying to make my life meaningful. I want to be able to help others like me before I pass away. I use to be so scared of dying. But I am not any longer. I am scared of not being able to accomplish all of my goals before I die. I have learned that we only live once in this lifetime and that everyone will eventually die (either because of natural causes or diseases). So instead of worrying about all the petty little things in life, I tend to focus my energy and time on things that do matter.

xoxo,
Kat

Anise Almond Grappa Raisin Ice Cream

I had Ici for the very first time today! I mean saturday. For those of you that don't know, Ici is an ice cream shop on college. They have different flavors everyday. I got the Anise almond grappa raisin ice cream. It was perfect!! I can have ice cream any day! I can't believe that I never went to Ici when I used to live on college. Nastya and I are going back to Ici on Sunday for more ice cream. I am hooked after my first lick. I want to try the Orange chocolate ice cream next time. Chocolate and Citrus is always a good combination.

I will definitely take my parents and sisters to Ici on Monday! I am so excited since they are coming up here to visit me, drop off stuff and take the things I don't need home. Wished I had an ice cream machine so that I can experiment with different flavors.

xoxo,
Kat

Quarter-Life Crisis

It's 3 A.M. Why am I still awake? I guess it's just nerves...Too much on my mind lately. It's never good when I have time to think because I'll start to analyze and dissect every little thing in my life...I try not to think so much so I don't have to ask myself what it is I am thinking. And I tend to start to question my own questions, on and on and on...

I can't believe that summer is already over! Classes start next thursday! I am freaking out and it's not good. Every student has these thoughts right? This will be my last year at CAL!!! Woohoo! Better late than never. I am pretty scared. What am I going to do with my life after CAL? There are so many options, but I don't know what direction I want to go in yet. Grad School? Photography School? Business? I don't know. All of these fields interest me. I am just a mess. I am having a quarter-life crisis at 22! I feel so lost and confused... and it's driving me crazy. What am I going to do with my life?

I love having plans. I hate it when my plans are diverted like graduating a year later. This really upset me for a really long time. But I am finally learning to go with the flow. When I don't have a clear plan of what I'm going to do, I feel very disordered and chaotic (this is one of the major things that I stress out about). I plan to be very successful in the future! I'm very scared of the job market after I graduate. Hopefully I will get hired. I am also determine to bring awareness about LUPUS and being involved with Lupus somehow to help other people like me. I want to make a difference in other people's lives that have lupus. It's not easy or fun. Especially when other people don't understand you or what lupus is. I hate it when people say "but you don't look sick." Lupus is an invisible disease. I just want people to be better educated about Lupus.

I'll just have to take one day at a time. But I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty terrified of life after college. I should also enjoy my last year at CAL and try not to have a nervous break down by my constant rambling thoughts (like 2 years ago).

xoxo,
Kat

Stereo Love

"I can fix all those lies
But baby, baby I run, but I'm running to you
You won't see me cry, I'm hiding inside
My heart is in pain but I'm smiling for you
Oh baby I'll try to make things right"

These lyrics are so sweet. It makes me want to cry and smile at the same time. This song always put me in a good mood. I absolutely LOVE Edward Maya & Vika Jigulia's song: stereo love. I love the beat, and the lyrics. It has a very catchy tune to it. I have been listening to this song for the past couple of days...Apparently Romanians can sing too. hahha...The beat of the song reminds me of some greek song (that you see at greek weddings) that I had to dance to for a class. I wonder why the song is called stereo love? Because no where in the song is stereo love mentioned.

xoxo,
Kat

Goodbye MoonFace

After TWO years I am going to be off prednisone!!! WooHOo!!! I am jumping for joy! You don't know how happy I am to finally be able to not take steroids. I can't wait to start losing all the water weight that I gained from taking the steroids. No more moonface. There are days when I wake-up in the morning and just want to hide because my face is swollen from the water retention (my face would be really puffy). I seriously don't recognize the girl that stares back at me in the mirror. I've put on a total of twenty-six pounds from the steroids... =[

My Rheumy informed me that I will have to take steroids again when I lose all the weight that I have gained. So I guess I can't run from it. There is just no winning with Lupus. Steroids are my poison. I didn't choose to take it; it chose me. After being back on steroids, my other meds will be cut down since my body weight is too less to handle a high dose...I just wish there was a magic pill that I can take besides the steroids. Plus it tastes so nasty. I don't understand why anyone would choose it as there drug of choice.

I don't know if there is a connection with my steroids being cut and waking up this morning feeling like a cripple. I couldn't walk. It hurts a lot putting pressure on my right leg. So I walk with a limp. I don't know how I am going to survive working tomorrow. I think I might die. I am not experiencing arthritis pain in my joints. So I don't know what's wrong. Hopefully, I will be able to walk tomorrow or I'll be screwed!

xoxo,
Kat

Water & Oil

Recently Italian Vogue did a 24-page fashion spread featuring model Kristen McMenamy wearing oil-soaked black feathered outfits, withering away on a beach. Famed photographer Steven Meisel shot the controversial Gulf disaster-inspired images of Kristen McMenamy caught in nets, spitting up oil, and flopping like a dying seal on rocks. I think that the shoot was brilliant. It is very controversial. People are talking, saying that it is tasteless referring to the BP oil spill. But I think from an artistic standpoint, the images are very powerful and thought provoking. The photos are magnificent. I would consider the photographs as pieces of art. They are poignant and very intense. Like water and oil, some will like the photos and others won't like them.

xoxo,
Kat

Bye Bye Prop 8

I am so happy that Prop 8 is declared unconstitutional. I personally believe that gays and lesbians should be able to marry. I do not think that marriage should only be DEFINED as an union between a man and a woman. I think that gays and lesbians should have the same rights to marry whom ever they want to.

xoxo,
Kat

Death Scare

On our last night in San Francisco, we decided to rent a room at Gaylord Suites. The hotel room was pretty nice. Here are a few photos of the hotel room. Oh what a night! This is the most memorable birthday Jenny and I have ever had. I will never forget it.


We didn't get to check into the hotel until 3pm. So, we left our bags there. We went to the Golden Gate Bridge and came back to rest before our last night out in the City. To night was supposed to be a memorable night since it was mine and Jenny's 22nd birthday! I felt really safe since I was with family and we finally get to party together again (the last time was Rose's birthday many years ago). It was supposed to be a fun night. I will always remember this birthday for the rest of my life.

We got ready around 9pm to go to dinner. We drank before we when to dinner (vodka=my poison once again). It was really cold, but I didn't bring a jacket when I packed that morning to go to SF. I was freezing in my black pants, and ruffle one-sleeved blouse (the alcohol helped me stayed warmed).

We ate at the Daily Grill. We had some white and rose wine. The food was good. I am not that much of a steak person, so I didn't order steak. I order fish instead. There is no surprise there since I love seafood.

After dinner, we went back to our hotel room, drank some more, and took a cab to Ivan's place (my cousin Rose's friend) to go hang out with him. We were all sober. We arrived at Ivan's around 11pm, he lives in the Marina District. We went to the Bucaneer, a bar. It was alright (crowded). We all took a shot together as a group. Jenny and I bought a round of drinks for my cousins and us. Ivan introduced us to some of his friends that were at the bar. Felipe was one of his friends. He is so not my type or my sister's type. I was so not feeling him. He was trying to be really suave, but I was not having it. He tried to make a move on me, but I was giving him the don't fuck with me vibe.

My cousins and I really wanted to dance, since we haven't danced in a long time. So we left to go clubbing; however, the clubs close earlier in SF. So it is back to the bar for all of us.

My cousin Bich and I were talking to some guys around us and Jenny was talking to Felipe and some other guy. I kept my eyes on Jenny the whole time since I was sober even after I drinking a beer. I noticed that Felipe was all over my sister and was really touchy towards her, and so was the other guy. I thought the other guy was really shady because he had a girl with him when we first walked into the bar. It was clear that he is taken. I also noticed that Jenny was overly friendly. But I didn't see if Felipe or the other guy slip my sister a drink. I am pretty sure that they did.

My attention was distracted because it was closing call. The three guys that I was talking to, found out that it was my birthday, and they started to sing happy birthday to me and the whole bar sang along with them. We went outside to call a cab back to Ivan's and that is when I started to notice that there is something wrong with Jenny. She was swerving worst than a drunk person. She lost all control of her body. I knew that she is not drunk because I have seen her drunk. She can drink a lot like me.

When we got back to Ivan's, all Jenny wanted to do was sleep. When Ivan's roommate let us into their apartment, Jenny couldn't walk anymore. Her body was dead weight. She started to hyperventilate and she needed help up the stairs. I wanted to cry when her eyes started to roll. She couldn't really throw up. She looked like she was on drugs, and she was making noises like she was choking. It didn't help that her head kept on flopping back and forth. I had to pull her hair to keep her head up. Bich and I was terrified. We brought her to the bathtub to force her to throw up, but nothing came up. When we tried to get her to drink water she couldn't swallow. The water just drip down her mouth. She was asking for someone to help her since she can't breathe. I thought she was going to die. We told Rose to call 911 so that she can be taken to the hospital. It was 3 a.m. and there flight home was at 7a.m. I didn't know if they would be able to make it home.

The paramedics took her to the hospital, but they did not do a drug test on her. They think that she is just "intoxicated." Are you fucking me? I KNOW that she was drugged! Her eyes never stopped rolling and she had anxiety. She said that she felt like she was dying. This is not how my sister is like when she is drunk. I was scared to death.

They discharged her at 5 a.m. from the hospital. I thought that the hospital did a poor job of helping my sister. Her body was in shock when she came out. She was shaking, her eyes are still rolling, and she looked like a sick person. She did not look normal. It broke my heart seeing her like this. I felt so helpless and I didn't know what to do.

I have never been so afraid in my entire life. I was afraid that I was going to lose my best friend, my twin, some one that knows me better than anyone else in this entire world. I do get annoyed at her, but I can not imagine losing her. She is my best friend-my partner in crime. Our bond is unconditional. She is more than just my best friend. I wanted to cry, to hit someone, and to beat up the douche bag that did this to my sister. I now understand how she feels when she sees me in pain because of my lupus. My sister means the world to me even if I do not show it. I don't think I will ever recover if I were to lose her. I think that I am more afraid of her passing than my own health.

My cousins and I will probably look back on this moment and laugh about it in a few years, but not now. My cousins and sister did make flight home. It saddens me when I talked to my sister later that day she asked me what happened. She didn't remember getting on the cab, flying home, being in the hospital. All she remembers is going to the bar and drinking with all of us and that is it. She doesn't remember anything that happens afterward. I KNOW for sure that it was either Felipe or the other guy that drugged my sister. For two days after the incident, my sister still feels out of it and not like her usual self.

I can just imagine other girls that are not as lucky as my sister, who ends up getting rape, waking up naked in a strange bed, not knowing how many guys raped you. I think that guys that do these things should be brought to justice. I don't understand how they can do this and feel no remorse. I sometimes wonder what if these guys have daughters in the future, would they want their daughters to be treated like how they treat women. I guess I am just really disappointed in men. They just see women as a piece of meat and we aren't. I am not generalizing all men, just the douchebags that can't get girls that resort to drugging women. Who do they think they are?

I have never felt so disappoint in my entire life. I want to leash out at someone, but I can't. I just need to talk to someone. I feel so lost and angry. This is why for the past two weeks I have not post anything new. What a great way to end our birthday with Jenny almost getting rape. We are never living down this birthday!

xoxo,
Kat

Golden Gate Bridge

This is a photo of all of us at the Golden Gate Bridge! It was really cold and grey that day.

xoxo,
Kat

SF MOMA

Another place that we all wanted to visit was the SF Museum of Modern Art. They were showing some of Andy Warhol's works! I was expecting more of his work. They had a very limited collection. I especially wanted to see some of his work since he greatly influenced pop culture. Andy Warhol once said in 1968 that "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." What he is referring to is people who tries to be famous in the entertainment industry such as Youtube, and reality tv. Here are some of his works:


Look at these Dior shoes

Here are a few pieces at the museum that I absolutely loved.



xoxo,
Kat

Fentons

We ate dinner at Fentons in Oakland! In the movie UP, the old man and the little boy ate at Fentons too. There chicken tenders were to die for! The four of us girls shared dessert. It was really decadent. It is true what they say, "A moment on my lips, a lifetime on my hips." I guess I will just have to exercise more, and eat healthier.


xoxo,
Kat

San Fran

We played tourists and went to china town to get some Dim Sum. I haven't had Dim Sum in such a long time. The Dim Sum was alright. The window displays look so delicious. I couldn't really use some Dim Sum right now! I have never seen such jumbo Pocky or Panda cookies in my entire life.

The vegetables looked so fresh! I wonder how much it costed.

xoxo,
Kat

Biking

We were supposed to wake up and be out of the apartment by 10am. However, we didn't leave my apartment until 1pm. We overslept and had so much plans to do. I remembered waking up, smelling of alcohol and having alcohol breathe (how attractive). The next day we went biking down Fishermen's Wharf! We rented our bikes at Bike Hut. The rate was $8 per hour. The man was right that we would be tired after biking down Fishermen's Wharf with the wind blowing in our hair. I had so much fun! It has been a while since I rode a bike. We wanted to bike the Golden Gate Bridge, but it was not to be. Maybe next time. I should have brought a jacket-it was pretty cold in San Francisco. Next time, I go biking I'm bringing a jacket.

xoxo,
Kat

Girls Weekend

It's been a while since my last post. Get ready to be bombarded with many overdue posts. About three weeks ago, my sister Jenny and cousins Bich and Rosemary came to visit me in San Francisco. I was so excited! (The next time I am going to see them is 5 months from now). I thought that this was the first time Jenny and I will be spending our birthday apart from each other. This was going to be a perfect girls weekend of relaxing, sightseeing, playing tourists and drinking.

Jenny, Bich, and Rose stayed at my apartment. They were only here for three nights. They had an early 7 a.m. flight on Sunday. Day 1: We went to Blondie's for some pizza for lunch! Blondie's is Rose's favorite pizza place. It was so yummy. We ordered a large half pepperoni and half Hawaiian pizza. I personally don't like pepperoni ever since I was a little girl.

After lunch we went to Safeway to get so Hennessey and coke for later that night.

xoxo,
Kat