This winter thing is getting OLD. I don’t know if I really have seasonal affective disorder, whether it’s another health problem, or I’m just neurotic, but I’ve been EXTREMELY tired lately. I’ve been more tired than I usually am. Without question, I’m usually just a tired person in general, you can ask anyone. It doesn’t help that my sleeping schedule is all over the board and the terrible thing is, THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD REASON for having a horrible schedule, except for the fact that I have a husband who has as terrible of a schedule as I do. We have absolutely no discipline for sleeping at normal times. You’d think being an MBA student, he would strive to have a normal sleeping schedule, but he doesn’t. Anyway, this isn’t what I meant to have the entire post be about BECAUSE Dan and I are going to Los Angeles for spring break! We’d always planned on going someplace fun as a sort of one last hurrah before having a baby and starting our family. I’d always hoped it’d be going to Beijing or to Vermont, where we spent part of our honeymoon, but Los Angeles should be just as glorious because there will be SUNSHINE and the most delicious food that I can’t get anywhere near the middle of nowhere. (I do have to say, though, that I have found two recent gems that I’ll have to save up and write about at another time.)

As excited as I am about the places we’ll visit, I’m much more excited about the food we’ll get to eat! I realize how strange this might sound but, honestly, while growing up the only places my parents took us on “vacation” were to visit friends and family and day trips to Seattle’s Chinatown for the food! (In fact, I thought Seattle only consisted of Chinatown before I went to the University of Washington for school.)

So what exactly am I excited for?

Dim sum. Surprisingly there are two decent Chinese restaurants near me, but make no doubt the closest thing to dim sum here is frozen shu mai and potstickers. Dan supposedly took me to Ocean Star Restaurant before, only I don’t remember. Last time we were in L.A. together, it was a bit overwhelming. We were there to attend our friends’ wedding and visit with some of Dan’s old Pasadena friends. But, it was mostly overwhelming because this is also when Dan proposed to me. Everything else is just a blur. My mouth is already watering as I think about all the lovely little dishes of shu mai, ha gao, shao long bao, fried taro, and many other goodies that have suddenly slipped my mind. Thankfully, they come on little carts so I don’t have to look too foolish having forgotten all the proper Chinese names my parents used to order all my fav dishes. (For foodie reviews of Ocean Star and other places around L.A. and where I found this photo, please go to Pleasure Palate.)

An In-N-Out burger, animal style. I’ve had these burgers maybe two or three times in my life. It only takes once. I’m an absolute fan. Who can ask for a better basic burger with the patty cooked in mustard, sauteed onions on top, pickles and extra sauce?

La Estrella fish tacos. I remember the first time Dan suggested that we go to La Estrella to eat one, I was completely apprehensive to say the least. Fish? In a tortilla? Oh, it’s breaded and friend? There’s something wrong with this picture, even if it’s fried. But if you haven’t tried fish tacos, definitely give them a chance, especially if you’re fortunate enough to be in California! Though I haven’t tasted one nearly as delicious as these specific ones, you may be pleasantly surprised with the fried fish goodness.

California rolls from Mako Bowl. I know, I know it’s a little hole in the wall. I’m not sure what they do with the crab meat to make it melt in your mouth as they do, but really this is the best place I’ve had California rolls on the go.

Sprinkles Cupcakes. I’ve never been to Sprinkles Cupcakes, but have to admit that I want to know what all the fuss is about. When a friend of ours heard we’d be in L.A. it was one of the definitive places he recommended we go to. Honestly, I hadn’t heard of these cupcakes till he mentioned them and then read up on all the hype that’s been culminating since Katie Holmes gave glowing reviews of the remarkable cupcake. I know they have their cynics, but I genuinely want to know what a cupcake made with Madagascar vanilla at two hundred dollars a gallon, topped with wax-less chocolate sprinkles imported from France made with rich chocolate, baked freshly every couple of hours with all natural ingredients tastes like, because that $3.25 you pay for each one isn’t just for the cake, it’s also for the experience. We’ve already decided we’d try two, one being the red velvet since Dan is a chocolate-fiend. He gave up candy and soda for Lent, so he’s got to satisfy his sweet tooth with something. Don’t even get me started on the frosting shots! Did one of their promos actually say, if you want to save on calories, you can opt for the frosting shot?

Sushi. Really sushi anywhere in L.A. will be fine, because at least California is near water. We tried sushi here at the only restaurant I know has it, where there’s no fish to be seen anywhere near here, because, yes, we were that desperate and curious. Will only eat again if absolutely necessary. I’ve had wonderful, very expensive sushi before and yes, I do realize it makes a difference, but considering where I’m coming from really, anything will do. That being said, we might just go to Todai, because living off student loans, beggars can’t be choosers. Did I really just use that idiom for sushi? Sheesh, what a snob, I’ve become. What I meant to say is, we can’t rationalize blowing off all of our vacation money on raw fish albeit absolutely delicious sashimi, which I would adore!