Chrissy And Joachim

Lets Make a Sandwich!

2010-03-13T02:05:00Z

NOTE: THIS WAS CREATED WHEN THE MUSIC VIDEO CAME OUT IN CHINA. I AM NOT THAT LATE ON GAGA NEWS

The Lady Gaga music video for "Telephone" transformed my would-be boring breakfast routine into the best day of my life. It was so exciting. I now know how to make a sandwich!

There is "The Pussy Wagon" from Kill Bill, and its all laden with Kill Bill references!! AH! I love Kill Bill, I have the extended JAPANENESE additions, and the soundtrack. AND as a present for handling life while being sick (junior year) I was able to get the yellow jacket and O-ren's kimono made...because doing your homework while knowing you look like an assassin is awesome. Yes.

She dances! (Duh..) but its STILL AWESOME. She dances as she teaches us how to make a sandwich. She dances after she kills all the fat people in a restaurant. NO one dances as well or psychotically as Gaga. She dances in jail. She dances in an Axel Rose outfit.

I WANT HER PARTIALLY DIED HAIR! I think in college I will do what she does, yellow and white TOGETHER and it will be AWESOME.

PLUS, she is my height and weight exactly, so i feel a strong bond. We are short TOGETHER! Short people are so under represented (no one wants to be short, dark and handsome) and to see some one making being 5'2" and scrawny-ish sexy is wonderful.

- Chrissy

Senior Senior

2010-03-12T01:07:00Z

We are seniors.
Today is senior skip day.

Which technically I shouldn't post on a blog...but the super intendant posted it on his blog so all the teachers would know that the seniors wouldn't be there -___-.

So to each his own.

So excited!
Last night was senior night- but during the day I had three tests which were in replica of my final exams so....not a good day! I also had to do my IB Chinese Oral, which basically consisted of me nervously talking and then going off in a tangent on why people should/shouldn't like tai chi, and it's healing properties. AIYO!

- Chrissy

P.S. I GOT INTO AMERICAN UNIVERSITY !!!!!!
IT IS ONLY, LIKE, MY DREAM SCHOOL !!!!!!

Mass Effect

2010-03-08T14:23:00Z

Today when I got back from math, I had another wonderful surprise awaiting me on my Steam account!!!!!
It was:

MASS EFFECT ONE & TWO!!!

I am really really really happy! I can't wait to play them. To be honest, while Joachim and I have watched the trailers together I haven't played the game. However, the trailers were extremely impressive, and Joachim gushes about how cool it is and I know I will love them! SO HAPPY! AHH!

The only issue is time. With IB exams coming up, way too much work (welcome to Asia) and being under prepared in EVERYTHING neither one of us has much time to sacrifice. Aiyo.

- Chrissy

Avatar.

2010-03-07T13:07:00Z

We finally got tickets to see Avatar in the ONE Imax theater in Shanghai. You would think for a city with a 21+ million population they would have more than one Imax theater, but no. Fail. We sent Joachim's driver to get tickets, a massive amount of time in advance... while we were at school...and they were the last ones left! Front row center, which actually wasn't as bad as it sounds. You could prop up your feet on the bar in front, and you could stretch out like you are on a lazy-boy.

Before the show we bought massive amounts of candy! What pigs we are! The amount would cost roughly 50+ euros, but it only was 120 kwai, or $20. We also took sushi into the movie theater, because we are just cool like that and you can do things like that in China. I think you should all be jealous that we were eating eel while watching the magical world of Avatar.

We were quite impressed with the CGI, and the land of those tall blue people. Everything had a jellyfish quality, it either glowed neon, had flowing tentacles, or was shaped in the bell shape of jellyfish. The neon ferns were reminiscent of the ET ride at Universal, Avatar's magical Billie Jean/Fern Gully land started reminding me of the old ET ride at Universal. You know, where behind deteriorating neon painted ferms, and purple smog lights, a colony of ETs awaits to jump about and sing happy songs? However, what was disappointing was the floating mountains and people calling them "unique to the movie." Hayao Miyazaki did that ages ago, 1986, in Castles in the Sky. A lot of the "natives vs. white man" could have been airlifted right from Dances with Wolves. CGI can only carry a movie so far, and the plot, dialogue, and characterization was a bit weak. While Star Wars IV also shares with Avatar in poor acting and dialogue, there is something so endearing and perfect about it. Avatar lacks this fifth element, it was hard to care about any of the protagonists, or feel sorrow at their death (Michelle Rodriguez is the exception). The movie was too long, it dragged on, and tried to fit too much in there.

However, I must say I had a great night

Before (silliness) :

- Chrissy

Bioshock is mine.

2010-03-07T12:59:28Z

As I opened up my laptop I received the most wonderful surprise:

I am so happy. So so so so happy. When I popped open my laptop lid my Steam messaged me "you have a gift" next to two GIANT pictures of Big Daddies, I almost started jumping. Even though I have a Steam account with games, I usually just play on Joachim's account. But now I have Bioshock (1 & 2) ANYTIME and ANYWHERE.

I really love Bioshock, it's bad. It's to the point where on Fridays (and one Saturday) I just sit and play and play while Joachim....I don't know what he does. Maybe watches Supernatural. Or works on his Piezo sensor. Or sleeps....haha? I get really into it, Joachim tried to film me playing but I flipped a bitch and canned his attempts. Like I jump, and crouch, and shout and sort of shift positions as I play. I am such a noob, an embarrassment to myself.

But in all seriousness, I haven't been so happy in a long long time. BIOSHOCK!

Pictures of its awesomeness:

- Chrissy

Oligopolies - Says the Dutch

2010-03-02T08:03:00Z

"Yuup - What are examples of Oligopolies?" - Mr. Cheung

"Uhhh - Mexicans?" - Yuup van Engelshoven

Best Thing Ever.

- Chrissy

Today is a Nice Day!

2010-02-21T13:09:00Z

Today Joachim came over to my house at two o'clock. We worked on our DT IAs, fun stuff DT. ITS OUR LAST IA! WOO-HOO!

I was so happy! I thought my life would be from Friday on our filled with blue skies and endless strolls in parks. But no. Its not. Three weeks start our bloody mock exams, which I am sure anyone who goes to SAS knows. Only, I didn't know that. I thought they were a year and a half away. I though I had ages! Don't be ignorant like I was, it will just cause heartack. I guess I should pay more attention...

... But it was a nice day regardless. We worked, we were stressed, there was Diet Coke and Sprite (green snow - ahaha). We went to House of Flour, which is filled with "indie" music, has art work on the walls, and has a delicious Greek salad with salmon. We ordered 3 desserts, because we are teenagers, and each were eating clouds of yumminess. The Death by Chocolate (cake) is a fine way to die, in my opinion, it is so dense and lux!

What a nice day. Equally productive and fun, I wish more Sundays were like this.

- Chrissy

Vacation

2010-02-21T01:46:00Z

I don't want to be back in Shanghai. Vietnam was great, Cambodia was great. They are two of the best place I have ever been. Now I have to trade in my passion fruit, and tai chi on the beach for ...the IB. I was even able to watch TV!

But yes, I am back. Joachim is back as well, we both got in on Saturday. So...more blogging!

- Chrissy

JOACHIM GOT INTO U of I!

2010-02-21T01:31:00Z

Joachim is a smart person.

He is an Illini.
AEROSPACE ENGINEER.

Maybe. Maybe we both are :O

- Chrissy.

Gourmet Cafe

2010-02-18T16:40:00Z

aka Gourmet Burger...

I am well aware that we have tons of pictures from at least 5 different restaurants, which I have yet to review. By now, I forget the specific details of the items ordered, so my food review wouldn't really do the establishments justice. For example, I have not yet reviewed my birthday (bust) at Sushi Oyama. So we will start with the recent

Gourmet Cafe/Burger is located in the ritzy Portman area (Shanghai pun not intended), right next to a miu miu store. My favorite location of Gourmet Cafe has shut down, which was a grungier alternative in a tree-lined alley in the French Concession. We had to relocate and make due with a rather lux interior with dim lighting. And slow hip-hop jazz. It was a bit stiff, and formal, not a chill atmoshpere to eat a burger. I missed the Chinese Asylum quality of the other, you could go in real casual. Here, I felt like I wasn't dressed up enough, which rarely happens.

We choice the place because:
a) we missed it
b) I had to work on my Extended Essay. I started writing (again! third times the charm, eh?) yesterday. It's due on Monday. Two years of preparation have boiled down to this...

Overall, the food was very nice. This being said, it's not quite as good as I remember. Maybe it's because I am quite stressed, and so nothing tastes as good. Or perhaps I am biased to the old location, the food there matched the interior as well as tasted great. Something feels uncanny when you are being served a bean paste burger with lounge hip-hop in the background..

The menu is extensive pages of burgers! Pages of milkshakes, spiked milkshakes, smoothies, beers from multiple continent, the list goes on. Overall, our meal was reasonable, and seemed inexpensive, for the amount we bought. However, certain items, the the 68kwai Tuscany Salad, seemed too much for the venue. Furthermore, all three vegetarian options were rather bland sounding, and the one I had previously wasn't good. A bit of grilled mushrooms on bread is a sorry excuse for a burger. However, one of the best part of Gourmet Cafe is how great the staff are. As the vegetarian burgers failed to impress me, I chose a much more luxurious burger, and asked for the beef patty to be substituted for their been and chili paste. It was a great decision, the sandwich was light and the beans and chili provided a great flavor.

We ordered a lot. Well a lot for us. Two burgers, two milkshakes, two other drinks, garlic french fries, and onion rings. Joachim ordered the "feel the cheese" burger. Its prime beef with: mature English cheddar, grilled bell pepper, aubergine, melted parmesan, and sun dried tomato relish. He added a fried egg (the boy is addicted to eggs). He said the best part of the whole sandwich was the egg, so I don’t think that’s a good since when an egg is a highlight of a burger. I got the L'Avorella, a beef burger which I substituted for a chili and bean patty. It has melted mozzarella, avocados, and sundried tomato relish. It was a bit dry, and without the chili in the patty, I think it would have lacked depth and flavor. The french fries are thick cut, golden, and perfectly done. Both are nations are the fry capitals of the free world, and we can be quite picky! But these fries are sublime! the onion rings were good, not great. A bit to much batter, a bit too greasy. Milkshakes are perfection, though I couldn't finish mine!

Over all Gourmet Cafe gave a solid, enjoyable dinner. My view on the food may have been tainted by my EE stress, but it didn't seem to deliver like the old location did. However, the food was good and imaginative, and I would like to come back again.

Rating **** out of *****.

Onion Rings:

Fries and Shakes:

My burger:

Upclose!:

Joachim's:

Upclose:

Aerial:

- Chrissy

Jade on 36

2010-02-18T10:35:00Z

We are long overdue with a Jade on 36 review. The weekend after Winter Formal we were hit up for our TOK essays, the next weekend was the EE. Understandably, for anyone in the IB, this leaves little time for blogging food reviews. Now that EEs and TOK essays are done, hopefully there will be a bit more blogging.

Luckily, Jade on 36 was unforgettable, and two weeks of high pressure would do little to erode its memory. The restaurant’s interior design is fantastic, with mixtures of modern and traditional fine dinning interwoven. The food is modern art, its exquisite, delicate, unique and subtle. Flavors were complex, a mixture of traditional and non-traditional, and the end result being a truly unique dish, with a multifaceted flavor profile.

You can tell I watch too much Top Chef. I need a life.

There is an extensive drink menu, with creative, one-of-a-kind cocktails, and a huge wine list. Also, the staff was super kind to us. This is worth mentioning, because often times this is not the case. I think restaurant staff treat us poorly because when they notice our age, they automatically think that we won't spend as much as the 40 year old business men next to us, or the rich Shanghainese to our back, and we will trash the place. The first and second is often the case, the third is not. I feel that just because two teenagers aren’t willing to throw down 3,000+ kwai on a meal, doesn't mean we should be treated poorly. We are giving them good money just the same, and should be treated with respect. If we were rude, dressed sloppy, or behaving in a trashy fashion, I would understand their argument. Sorry for the rant. I am thinking of my birthday dinner and the horrible treatment at Sushi Oyama...

The food was truely great. The lowlight was the appatiser of the cepe panacotta with garlic; it was slightly odd, a bit bland and too moist. However, to call it "bad" or even "okay" would be an understatement. It was "good", just didn't jump the high bar to "greatness". The first small dish they gave us to "cleanse our pallets" was diced vegetables with a wonderfully tender scallop on top was so light and juicy! The "saumon fume" (smoked salmon) was divine! Slightly rare, like a rich and fatty sashimi, when paired to its beetroot reduction-like sauce and spinach it was divine! We are salmon-enthusiasts, and this salmon was some of the best we have ever eaten, it was so fatty and delicious! They gave us a citrus coco cola ice soup to "cleanse our pallets" again. It was creative; one of the most unusual things I have had in a fine dining environment, but it was delicious! The "valrhona chocolat" was ordered for two reasons: it was a chocolate cake, and it had elderberry sauce. We both love chocolate, and I (Chrissy) have been trying to get Joachim into elderberries. It was a perfect choice, a great way to end the meal, and a great taste to go to winter formal with. The cake was dance and rich, the icing completely smooth and sticky! Oh my god, I miss it so much.

I think, one day, I must go back to Jade on 36. One day when I have money! Ha-ha, we are in high school after all! Maybe I will ask my dad if he wants to go here for my graduation dinner!

The scallop pallet clenser:

Cep pannacotta:

Salmon:

Second palet clenser

The drink! It glows!:

Chocolate Cake:

- Chrissy

Gone. Gone. And Gone Again...

2010-02-10T14:45:00Z

I am on my way to Vietnam!

- Chrissy.

p.s. I may not have internet.

Winter Formal - Seniors - Dinner - Minus the Food

2010-02-02T12:55:00Z

In a much needed break of E.E., here are the new uploaded of pictures of before Winter Formal during our lovely dinner at Jade on 36. While these pictures are little more than cam-whoring, perhaps that Joachim is in a tuxedo and I am in a vintage gown they are slightly redeemable.

Together, we have eaten as some pretty outstanding restaurants, yet Jade on 36 took our breath away in a way which no other had accomplished. You can faintly see the large glass light "vases" behind us, which adorn the walls, and under soft lights and smooth music the place is near surreal.

We were quite enamored with the view: the Pearl Tower was close enough to touch, the river appeared only one step away, and nothing is quite so lovely as the Bund, with all its twinkling lights, at night.

Its an view which everyone who lives, or who visits Shanghai should experience.

- Chrissy and Joachim

Cameras fail at capturing our Bund view:

Joachim:

Joachim looks like Jay Gatsby in a tuxedo:

The view:

The view - we can't get enough:

Chrissy:

My life in Bioshock - Part 1.

2010-01-30T16:21:00Z

As you can most likely tell from the previous post, Joachim has been more than excited for this year's new computer/video game releases. He would show me weekly little updates via Steam, talk to me daily on gmail, and nightly on our cellular devices. I would always listen, happy to know I would be playing them eventually but not share the same level of enthusiasm.

But then it all changed.

While Steam was doing it's slideshow of video games, a picture of Bioshock 2 came on. I was enthralled. And it's quite embarrassing why, actually. The "Little Sister" (the little girl) in the picture with her big eyes reminded me of GIR.

Invader Zim is only my favorite show. I was the very special little kid that never missed an episode, I would have my parents record it if we were out of the house during the year in a half it was on air. If I missed it, I would cry. I would quote the show constantly and pretend to be an Irkin invader. I even went through a period in time where I would only answer to the name "Zim".

I wasn't a very popular little girl.

Anyways, the picture of Bioshock reminded me of two thing I love:
- a dystopian world
- general creepy weirdness.

And just like that I was sold. I kept pestering Joachim "can we play Bioshock? can we play Bioshock? can we play Bioshock?!" And we have, or more likely I have yesterday and today. Its addicting.

It's a beautiful game, its visually stunning art deco underwater cityscape is breathtaking. I wonder around the game, just too look at the old advertisement posters splattered in blood, the dead bodies swimming with fish. (Yes, I know I sound like a creepier. A total freak show one-on-one.) The music is lovely, and sets up the atmosphere perfectly. The mortality-based storyline actually is compelling, it's intriguing and makes you both think and feel.

I am hooked. Completely, Bioshock is a drug - and I don't want to be sober.

And, purposely, I have not spent a whole post gushing about my love-at-first site. You see, dearest reader who most likely wants to see our Winter Formal pictures, I am going to draw out my love of Bioshock. Small posts, followed a massive love-fest, much like Joachim with Dragon Age. Its good. Its just that good.

Poor Joachim, he has so much patience watching me.

- Chrissy

2010 - The Year of the Video Game

2010-01-26T11:52:00Z

Its the year 2010, the year of the video game...

Mass Effect 2:
One of the most promising releases of the year comes out in a matter of hours for gamers in North America, and a matter of days for gamers in Europe and the rest of the world. Mass Effect 2 continues the legacy and legend of Commander Sheppard with all new party members, an impressive voice acting cast including the Martin Sheen and Seth Green, amazing soundtrack, a new RPG experience and an all new menace to the human race and their place in the galaxy.

And as an avid trailer viewer myself.. check out the awesome trailers!

images from http://masseffect.bioware.com

Bioshock 2:
Big Daddy and Little Sister are back and the doors to Rapture are open once again... Bioshock was one of the most praised games to date, scoring nearly as high as the best video game epic of all time, Half-Life. Just that fact alone merits a re-visit to the series.

image from http://www.bioshock2game.com/

Dragon Age: Awakening (Expansion Pack):
Still my favorite game at the moment, Dragon Age, is set to once again shock the RPG community with another amazing game and this time as an expansion pack to the award-winning original. In Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening you can decide to import your own Grey Warden or create an entirely new one from country of Orlais, and have to opportunity to meet new characters, and the return of one of the original party members. The archdemon has been slain but there is more work for the Grey Wardens, and an all new enemy to fight.

images from http://dragonage.bioware.com/

Star Trek: Online:

I was fortunate enough to be able to play during the open beta of Star Trek Online, and I must say, as a Trekkie it was an absolute thrill. From the combat style, to the sci-fi of Star Trek accuracy, this game holds promise to be an amazing sci-fi MMO and possibly even rival EVE. Chrissy and I have both bought the game, and plan to play it whenever we can. And here is a quote to get you started:

""The best diplomat that I know is a fully-loaded phaser bank." - Montgomery Scott

images from http://startrekonline.com/

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm:
While I myself am not a fan of World of Warcraft, just due to its undending popularity its worth a mention. And yes, it looks like Blizzard is once again ready to entertain its 10 millions players once again with an all new expansion pack. One can only wonder what they have in store for us next.

images from http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/

Star Wars: The Old Republic:
A Star Wars MMO.. who would have thought it possible? And it certainly looks like it will not disappoint. Currently still in development, and towards its final stages, Star Wars: The Old Republic has gotten a lot of attention especially considering that Bioware, the RPG super-developer, has decided to also help in its production. Features include a wide variety of classes possible, a fully voiced MMO, team based combat and much much more.

images from http://www.swtor.com/

Other titles to look forward to:
Assassin's Creed 2
Medal of Honor
Portal 2
Crysis 2
Battlefield 1943
Stargate Resistance
Command and Conquer 4
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
R.U.S.E.
Starcraft 2
Fallout: New Vegas
Gears of War 3
... and hopefully.. Half-Life 2: Episode 3!!!

- Joachim.

p.s: I will keep you updated as the games near their release dates.

Winter Formal - Seniors Part 1.

2010-01-24T11:59:00Z

Winter Formal.

More to come.

- Chrissy and Joachim.

Chrissy and Joachim by Rainbow

2010-01-24T03:34:00Z

A visual masterpiece by Rainbow.

Thank you so much,

- Joachim.

Veronica Lake

2010-01-23T06:09:00Z

Today is Winter Formal.
Big cheer. Yeah.

I leave soon to get my hair done. My dress looks like the one bellow, only peach in color. Well I don't know, maybe Veronica's dress was peach - I can't read black and white. I am asking Donald, my hair-man-with-a-plan, to get my hair done in her signature lux style. She is an icon.

If I could die looking like Veronica Lake I would be quite happy. If I don't look at all like her, in dress and hair at least tonight, I think my mission will fail. My mom thinks I am too intense and high strung. Maybe she is right. But honestly:
Is there really a point in Winter Formal if I don't look like Veronica lake?

No.

... back to Chinese.

OH! Joachim is wearing a tux.

Impending Winter Formal

2010-01-20T14:01:00Z

This was last year at Winter Formal. I didn't realize we were matching until someone pointed out that Joachim's tie matched my dress. I am tired. As you can tell my language. ANYWAYS. its so silky and oh-so-glamorous, hah! I was bigger then, so I don't look as good...but no worries!

Anyways, I am wishy washy about going to this years Winter Formal on Saturday. Maybe I have a bad case of senioritus, but Winter Formal seems a bit cliché, to dress up and act much more glamorous and special than we really are. I have been there and done that - TWICE! Realistically, I am just tired. As I said earlier. Joachim is also exhausted, the IB is catching up to us. We are tired of school and moreover tired of work. We are in the middle of our IOCs, EEs, and TOK essays (for anyone in the IB out there - GAH!!!!...AP and non-IB kids won't understand the subside). Along with everything else, I would almost rather stay home. That being said, while my dress may not be CK (like last year) and is a vintage dress of my mom's part of me is still happy to go. Getting my hair and nails done maybe the kind of thing I need...maybe.

- Chrissy

Natalia Vodianova

2010-01-14T13:39:46Z

Joachim bought me this shirt, from my favorite store: Tough Jeans. It was a total surprise! We went to see Avatar, but its sold out for the month of January in China. So we went shopping for Joachim, because the boy needs more clothes. Or at least, more clothes which I pick out. I have holier-than-thou taste and am very picky

THE BEST PART IS IT HAS MY HERO (AFTER RICHARD BRANSON) ON IT! NATALIA VODIANOVA! I LOVE HER TO THE POINT OF OBSESSION! AHHHHH! TO HAVE HER ON MY SHIRT IS SUBLIME. If not creepy.

But! How Lovely! He thought I looked great in it, and so he bought it! I was so happy! I wore it the next day!

- Chrissy

Haha, I was talking when this was taken. It looks like something from Valley of the Dolls: