OK. Another REVIVAL. The Passion of Jess will now be debuting @ a website near you! Anyways, I have been "away" for awhile, forgetting to update good ol' blogger-----Anything Less, Wouldn't Be Jess. Now onto more important matters.

Since last posting in freakin SEPTEMBER, it is now borderline MARCH. Let's name off a few important benchmark time-passers.
1. ALIAS - we are already on Episode 14. Best show on earth, though season 3 has not been up to Season' 2 LEVEL of GREATEST SHOW ON TELEVISION!!!! Syd and Vaughn are finally expressing their feelings, and syd is kickin' ass in the SPY WORLD as she should...and MICHAEL VARTAN is again, the hottest breathing mammal EVER. haha.
2. GOIN TO TAIWAN--- this Sunday for two weeks. First BIG vacation in years. I'm surprised work let me take these many days off. Hopefully by the time I get back, I'll get..... we'll continue this THING Sat. evening, maybe I'll know the finalilites. Anyways, goin to the Motherland to see my Gramps, Grams, Cousins, Aunts, UNcles, nieces, etc. etc. Walk with Grams to the open market each morning, helping her cook, taking Gramps for walks, basically....being good grandchildren. And of course, being given the THIRD DEGREE by my youngest aunt, who REFUSES to believe that all of the Chen Girls, i.e. My two sisters and myself, don't have boyfriends. Should I be surprised that my aunt gives us the THIRD DEGREE about BF's? Maybe not, cuz sometimes I do wonder, why the hell don't we have a nice, sweet dish by our sides? And trust me, this is not me thinkin' we're ALLL THAT. We're just good decent looking people with good hearts and good personalities. What's the problem?!

In a nutshell, I can definitely expect EVERYONE to ask if either of us have BFs, so does anyone want to help me brainstorm believable reasons why that is? Then they will ask what we are doing with our lives. Then they will ask us when we are going to get married. Then they will tell us how crappy our Chinese has gotten. And maybe, they will decide to give me an arranged marriage and introduce me to a nice FOBBY boy. Blech.

3. NEW RESTAURANTS --- for you to try out. TOAST -$- on 3rd st. between La Cienega and Fairfax. GO for BRUNCH and LUNCH. What's good? EVERYTHING on their b-fast menu. B-fast quesadilla, the pasta, SHakshuka, 3 eggs special, and ALWAYS go for their side choice of FRUIT SALAD. It's sooo good - fresh berries, kiwi, mango, pineapple, melons. Best in town! Don't leave without trying their Banana Pudding with Nila Wafers. To die For! TIPS: ON weekends, arrive by 10 if you want a short wait. If arriving later, expect 20-35 min. wait. Salads and sandwiches are great too! Fast service!
JOE's -$$$- in Venice on Abbot Kinney. Try their Price Fix Specials, otherwise, great tuna tartare, foiegras, peach cheesecake thingy. Great ambience, definitely pricey, save for special occays. Make Rezzies. NAPA VALLEY GRILLE - $$- Westwood. great Lavender Duck, Grain Mustard Pork CHop, Seafood Risotto, and Lamb. Cute ambiance. BANDERA - $$- Wilshire and Barrington. omg. I just went here yesterday for the 6th, 7th time? YUM. Start of with their Bread Platter for a buck-fitty..or DEFINITELY go for their HOME SMOKED SALMON PLATTER for $13. SOOO GOOD. Toasted thin white bread with a generous serving of smoked salmon with a herb spread. Drinks: Nick got the bourbon, but that's NOT my cup of tea. Try the CInnabar red wine for $7. Generous glass. Onto the FOOD! The LEg of Lamb is delish, as well as their Beef Tenderloin and Spinach/CHicken Enchilada Platter with Escobece (southwestern vegetable salad with lime, cilantro and champagne vinagrette) and rice. HELLA GOOD. Their CHeeseburger is hella good too. For dessert... homemade oreo ice cream sandwiches. YUM. Drinks. Appetizer. Entree. ~ $30/person. Jazz piano/guiatar/bass group plays on most evenings.

OK. All this talk about food is making me hungry. DInner rezzies @ GYUKAKU - japanese-korean yakiniku bbq on PICO. It's great tooooo! Grill your own meat without leaving smelling like it!!!

Bon appetit! Live, love, eat.

"In life, go big, or go home."