Are We Really That Arrogant??

Recently I met up with a bunch of strangers for tea. It is one of my favorite pastimes. The funny thing...I am not much of a tea drinker. Actually, I am not much of a hot beverage drinker. Never really been one since a kid.

But there is something high tea that I enjoy. Someone recently asked me why I enjoy high tea so much? Was it the scones? The finger sandwiches? The tea? My answer - It's the entire experience of afternoon tea. It's getting together with friends for a few hours eating finger sandwiches, sipping on a cup of tea, trying out the scones with devonshire cream and catching up on old times. It's reminiscing about the past, complaining about the present and dreaming of the future. Of course, that is with friends.

With strangers - there is that element of "strangers" that make the experience intriguing. I am allowed to sit there and observe the various people who show up to the event, all from different age groups, nationalities and backgrounds. I am allowed to listen to each person share his or her life experience in the way he or she views the world. I have yet to meet a very strange person. So far, everyone has been pretty down to earth with the occasional "weirdness."

Anyhoo...I digress again. Well at this particular tea event, I met this man, probably in his late forties, maybe even fifties. (Actually, he is a regular as he has been to past tea events.) A few of us got onto the topic of how other countries view us in America. He mentioned that in Canada - the sales tax is 14% and everyone is fine with that. He also mentioned that the Canadians said they would be fine with paying more sales tax whereas us Americans...or is it specifically us Californians wail about a .75% increase in our sales tax. Then he also mentioned how we are an arrogant country, how others view us as arrogant and how we are self-centered. I have heard, on several occasions, that others have viewed America as an arrogant nation so it did not surprised me by his comment. But as the seconds turned to minutes, the minutes turned to hours and the hours turned to the next day...it got me thinking? Are we really that arrogant?? What is it that makes us Americans so arrogant? Is it because of our sense of individuality? Our sense of independence? Our desire to voice our opinion that makes us arrogant? Perhaps I am naive and do not know much of the world. I would like to think that I have national pride. I am a minority woman who grew up in a nation that gave me the opportunity to be who I am today. It is the same country who gave my family the same choice to be where they are. I am proud of this country and I have always been proud to live in this country.

So...when others view us Americans as arrogant...it really makes me wonder what it is that we do that makes us arrogant? And I become confused as information becomes conflicting. In one sense - we complain about our primary education such as our crappy school system or our terrible healthcare system. And then I turn around and see foreigners come to America to attend our colleges willing to pay premium dollars. I want to think that it is because other countries are envious of us but if I say that...I guess it makes me sound arrogant so then enlighten me...why are we Americans arrogant?

What Is All The Hype With Savoy Kitchen?

I. Just. Don't. Get. It. It's just steamed chicken and rice cooked in broth.

The day started out well. I woke up early in the morning and the husband and I drove to Alhambra to pick up some apothecary jars I bought over the internet. I was ecstatic to find a bargain. The jars were absolutely perfect. Although, at the moment, I have not figured out a use for them. Minor details.

Then we headed over to Savoy Kitchen to meet with ECA, his girlfriend and my parents. We were supposed to meet at this restaurant at 11 a.m., which was perfect because my jar pick-up was at 10:30 a.m. Anyway, the restaurant was ECA's pick. He seems to love the place.

Savoy Kitchen is located on the corner Valley and (I think) Monterey in Alhambra. The parking is a bitch because there is hardly any but it is expected when you are in the San Gabriel Valley area. The husband and I promptly arrived at the restaurant at 11 a.m. and I called my parents to see if they were on their way. My mom told me they were almost to the restaurant and told us to get a table. As I was on the phone with my mom, the husband was talking to the waitress. When I got off the phone, the husband told me the waitress told us that it would be better for us to sit outside because of the number of people in our party. I was fine with that until I saw the patio seating. Half of us were going to be in the sun and today was warm. So I told the husband that we should sit inside. We went inside and that was where things headed downhill.

The minute I mentioned to the waitress we were dining inside, I could tell she was annoyed and THAT was enough to ruin my experience at this restaurant. I wanted to give this restaurant a chance...really I did. I had heard about it but never treaded out this way because I did not see what was the big deal with steamed chicken. Then I came out here and this is what I get. Suck-ass parking, rude customer service and plain chicken and rice. Oh and it's not cheap either. At $ 7 a plate - it is the normal going rate so although it's not expensive, I wouldn't really consider it a cheap eat.

Yes I am aware this restaurant is popular. Why? I have no idea. Would I go back? If there is no line (luckily there was no line when we got there) and we happen to be in the area, someone else picking up the tab (by the way - they automatically add 15% gratituity to the bill for suck-ass service - can you believe that??) and I was starving, then maybe. Otherwise, it is not worth the trip.

Sorry no pics.

Missed Bargain!

I am so upset with myself! We stopped by a furniture liquidator store today in Alhambra and I saw a mailbox. I have been looking at mailboxes for several years now but I have not wanted to spend the money for a mailbox. Anywhere from $ 100 to $ 500.

Anyway, the mailbox was priced at $ 88 and I was going back and forth on whether to buy it as I wasn't sure about the design. Well, we decided to buy the mailbox, paid for it and attempted to pick up the mailbox at the pick-up station. And...I saw the associate carrying out MY mailbox into someone else's car. Apparently the guy also bought the same mailbox. Then it was my turn and they told me the mailbox was sold out unless I wanted the one on display! I did not want the display! :( We went to get our money back. Now I am so sad and wished that I'd taken action quicker. My mailbox went home with this old man.....

To top it off - I went online to, once again, search for a mailbox. I haven't found anything that is quite close to that mailbox for the price of $ 100! I did, however, found the same mailbox at LampsPlus for $ 300!! Now I really want to cry! This is when I dislike myself for being so particular...had I not question the design...I could have been the one with that last box...

It's Time...

For a vacation!! I am so ready to go on vacation!

I finally asked my boss about taking some time off and hopefully we will go on vacation soon. Now it is a matter of planning, booking and packing.

I am excited!