Discovery of Balboa Island

Last weekend, Jaymes and I decided to be adventurous and headed out to the orange county beaches. We ended up finding ourselves taking the ferry going across to the Balboa Island.

The ferry only takes up to 3 cars per trip and as many people as it possibily can. The cost is very minimal so it was well worth it to see the coast while crossing over.

Once we have reached the Island side, we found ourselves a parking spot and then begun our walking adventure. While walking and discovering the Island, we saw the Balboa Island Museum on the second floor of an office building which look to me as a retail store front. The lady who was volunterring there at that time was very nice in explaining about the Island to us. Amazingly to find out, the Island was actually man made.

Can you guess how big the Island is? Believe it or not, the distance around the Balboa Island are only 2.60 miles in total. The whole Island is covering with expensive homes in the million dollars range. Some of the homes even have their own private docking area and private beaches. It certainly is the rich and famous living style.

Although the Island seems to be a small community, they do have different activities throughout the year including annual parade and fun filled local gathering. It is definitely a happening Island.

Since it wasn't far to walk around the Island, we decided to walk to Marine Street, where all the local stores and restaurants are located. Marine Street is also the only street that has road access coming in and out of the Island instead of riding the ferry. While strolling down Marine Street, we discovered the declicious balboa bar serving from Sugar 'N' Spice. It is a vanilla bar dipped with chocolate and coded wtih the topping of your choice. It certainly a great treat for a warm day.

After enjoying our delicious balboa bar and checking out the local stores for a little while, we walked back to our car and decided we can't pass up the fried chickens at this local restaurant. Jaymes enjoyed his fried chickens, and I enjoyed my fish & chips. After having a great lunch, we were headed back home driving on the Pacific Coast Hwy so that we can see other beaches. We even got a chance to stop by Huntington Beach and walked on the pier. It certainly was a great day to be outdoor and enjoyed a nice weather. I am not sure what our adventure will be next but definitely you will not be the last one to know.

If you are interested to find out more about Balboa Island, please visit the following web site which will give you tons more of information: http://www.balboa-island.com/index.php/weblog/sub/C12/

One Crazy Roller Coaster

As usual Jaymes and I found ourselves at the magical place on Earth, The Disneyland Resort. We decided to go to California Adventure since we knew we will be spending more times at Disneyland. We knew exactly what we wanted to do so we proceeded to one of our favorite ride, Mulholland Madness. We would never go home without riding it at least once. It is such a crazy and curvy ride that will make you laugh and scream at the same time. Of course, this time there was no exception, and I have the video to show you how fun it was. Enjoy!

Mommy To Be

Today Jaymes and I had the honor to attend one of my good friend's baby shower. Winnie is about 8 months pregnant and her baby girl to be, Lauren will be arriving sometime close to Christmas. I am just so excited for her since she definitely makes a great mom.

For once we arrived on time at the baby shower destination. It was only 2.71 miles from us to City Terrace so it was just perfect. The decor and preparation were very well thought and organized. Among Jaymes and I, the rest were Winnie's co-workers. Winnie was such a great host to keep Jaymes and I company the whole time. The games were fun and the foods were great. Jaymes even won a prize from getting the right size of Winnie's tummy. I guess his tummy is probably about the same size or bigger.

We were drilled to be there at Winnie's baby shower and definitely can't wait to see Lauren when she arrives.

Vote No on 8

Chop Suey Cafe encourages all California voters to say No on Proposition 8

Jaymes and I have not decided to be officially married since we have no idea on how this proposition will affect us. We have been happily together for the past 8 years and had our commitment ceremony four years ago. We were thrilled when we first heard of the Supreme Court ruling to legalize the Gay marriage; however, neither of us want to jump on the band wagon to get married since we don't want to put ourselves through the emotional roller coaster if the No on Prop 8 is to be defeated.

As the economy is weaken, and everyone is focusing on Obama and McCain as to whom will be the next president to turn this country around, all gays and lesbians including the recent same sex newlyweds have been keeping their eyes on the California proposition election. Proposition 8 will appear on the November 2008 ballot in California. If it passes, it will add a new constitutional amendment to the California Constitution that will have the following text: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Basically the ballot is trying to eliminate the rights for same sex marriage.

Since the California supreme court decision to allow same sex marriage, thousands of same-sex couples that have married. Most of these couples have been together for a long time and have been waiting all their lives to be able to have the same right as every other person in this nation. Our community has always been stereotyped as being unable to have long-term relationships, well it's just not true. These couples were together for as long as 15, 20 and 30+ years.

Recent polls have indicated that a majority of Californians currently oppose proposition 8. While that offers a sense of hope for the gay and lesbian couples - Jaymes and I are not letting that slow us down. Jaymes and I will do everything we can to get the word out and remind everyone how important it is to vote and to voice what is right and what is wrong. Jaymes has been volunteering for the No on Prop 8 a couple nights of the week. I've been talking to many friends to remind them to register to vote - and to vote No on 8.

Election is in about 3 weeks, please help us fight against this battle and gain the right that all gays and lesbians should have. Chop Suey Cafe encourages everyone to support No on Prop 8 and to go out there to vote against it. You never know...if prop 8 is defeated and gay marriage is legalized, you may just be invited to the next big wedding...Jaymes and I.

For more information, visit: http://www.noonprop8.com/

11th Annual Gay Day at Disneyland

The weekend of October 3rd marks the 11th Annual Gay Days at Disneyland. The creation of Gay Days at Disneyland was due to a private party one night of the year for gays and lesbians "Gay Night" that was canceled in 1998. Since then, the birth of Gay Days Anaheim had begun. The event is mirror to the sister event in Orlando which attracts over 100,000 gays and lesbians from around the world each June.

Gay Days Anaheim is always happening on the first weekend of October. It is generally a three days event that are filled with dance parties, private lunches, scavenger hunts, group photos and much more. There is always an info center located at one of the Disney Hotel to provide the guests with event schedule and information. Since it is a general public day, to better identify the gays and lesbians from the straight crowd, we wear RED shirts. Please do take notes that this is not a Disney event (it's unofficial); therefore, you will not be able to find information on the Disneyland web site. To find more information and read more about the event, please visit: http://www.gaydaysanaheim.com/

Now that you know a little bit of the history, I can go about to tell you the adventure my husband Jaymes and I had on Saturday.

The weather started off a bit overcast but it turned out to be okay. Although the sun didn't come out too often, it ended up to be warm enough without bundling up ourselves. We arrived at Disneyland just about noon and were surprised that not too many people were there. Once the tram dropped us off at Downtown Disney, we immediately identified many RED shirts ahead of us. So it was a good sign...we can't party without the partying boys...at the least the hunky and cute ones beside the two of us. LOL!

We first went to the Buzz Lightyear Blaster ride, and I was terribly beaten by Jaymes. As you can see he is the better aimer than I was. Such a shame that I have to buy him lunch since I was the loser but then he bought me ice-cream since he was the winner. Something just doesn't equal here!!

We then proceed to have lunch in Tomorrows Land since we wasted so much energy at the Buzz ride. The food as usual was like your normal cafeteria quality that was overpriced. After having some energy, we headed over to Autopia. As usual, Jaymes was driving too careful and so slow that I almost bumped into him a few times. We then worked out way over to the Frontier Land and boarded to the Mark Twain. It was a nice smooth ride through the river and definitely spotted many more of our gays and lesbians family.

After a smooth sailing, of course we headed over to the Pirates of the Caribbean since there were hardly anyone waiting in line. We then worked our way to the Haunted Mansion. Let me tell you if you have not been to the Haunted Mansion starting fall to Christmas time, you definitely miss out a lot. Generally the Haunted Mansion is transform to the theme of Nightmare Before Christmas. The transformation in and out of the mansion are just awesome and fun. It is a must see attraction.

As Jaymes and I were deciding whether to head on home or stay for the firework, we got a surprise call from Jaymes' friend, Kenny and Sal. They suggested to meet us for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe and watch the firework together. So we headed onto the Monorail station and proceed to Downtown Disney. Rainforest Cafe was so busy that there were a 3 hours wait. Lucky for us that since we are okay with sitting at the outside patio, we were seated immediately. The food was a bit over priced and so so if you ask me. I think occassionally eating there is okay but definitely not my favorite in the Downtown Disney District. After a nice dinner with Kenny and Sal, we rode the Monorail back into Disneyland park. Jaymes and I were hoping that we got to ride the new Monorail and we were lucky that we did. Let me tell you, this new Monorail is like no ordinally one. The ride sure felt as if we were inside a luxious limo. There were neon light underneath the seating to set the mood. The seating area is spacious and clean. This time Disney sure got it right on spot.

Once we were in the park, we were walking over to the Main Street where we were going to watch the firework show. Just before the show was supposed to start, there were announcement that due to high wind the firework might be canceled. Everyone was a little bit disappointed but yet anxious to watch the show. Finally the firework show started and it was just magnificent. We eneded the evening with a great firework and great companies. Overall it was a great day to be with all our gays and lesbians brothers and sisters, not to mention the unexpected companies of Kenny and Sal.

Grand Re-opening!

Chop Suey Cafe is now re-opening for business after nine months. This time I am back with a vengues to make it only bigger and better with many twists and turns. Girlfriends and boyfriends, you never know if there will be any juicy gossip about you so don't miss out. Sit back and stay tune!

Steve & Barry's History and Experience

Okay, who or what is Steve & Barry's? Come to find out it is a clothing store that started from the East Coast by two childhood friends, Steve and Barry. They first started to sell $1 screen print T-shirt and worked their way to open their first collegiate apparel store in University of Pennsylvania in 1985. The success of the store fueled an expansion to other universities across the countries due to the same licensed collegiate merchandises were sold at a much lower price. In late 1990's, Steve & Barry's open their first superstore in the Mall and began to offer casual apparel for men, women and kids.

Currently, Steve & Barry's feature exclusive fashion line from Sarah Jessica Park, Amanda Brynes, Venus Williams and Starbury, footwear collection developed by NBA star, Stephon Marbury. Steve & Barry's offers extremely inexpensive and affordable clothings and footwears. Since I love to shop, I have to go check it out for myself over the past weekend with Jaymes, Timmy and Darren.

My first impression of the store was casual, inexpensive and general. It certainly not your Abercrombie and Fitch, Gucci or Louis Vuitton store. It is more like a bargain clothing store where you can find every day wears for an affordable price. Once you are in the store, you will notice they carried variety of T-shirts, casual wears, business attires, shoes, etc. Right now everything is on sales for $8.99, and the sign said "Sales will end without notice". Since I am such a bargain shopper at times, I have to do a walk through of all the racks to see what's really the great deal. Needless to say I ended up getting two ties, a shirt and couple T-shirt that my nephew wanted. From the price of things, the quality seems to be okay but don't have high hope. It sure isn't your Armani or your Versace. So for anyone who is on a low budget, it definitely a store to check it out. Believe it or not, Timmy went back the day after and spent $60 some dollars on several items and shoes.

To get more information on upcoming grand openings and locations near you, go to the following URL: http://www.steveandbarrys.com/