And In the End....

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I have decided to end updates to this blog. As of this posting, Mel's Internet Universe Flickr Blog has come to an end. There will be no further updates after this post.

The blog will remain as long as Blogger remains.

I will continue my Flickr photo account. You can look at all of my Flickr photos in various sets at my Flickr page or return to this page and watch the first few frames of the slideshow above. This slideshow features every single photo that I have publicly published to Flickr. As of this post, more than 9,700 photos are available for viewing. It would take you forever to see them all. Don't.

In addition to the slideshow, the thumbnail picture row at the top will always be automatically updated to show the 10 latest photos. The thumbnail picture column to the right will also display updated photos. So not all is lost with the closing of this blog. It lives.

Future posts regarding Flickr photos, sets, galleries and more will from now on be rolled into my main blog, The Hawaii Files. You can link to the Hawaii Files here:

• The Hawaii Files
• The Hawaii Files (alternate URL)

Have fun and visit my blog at The Hawaii Files. Aloha!

Americanized Chinese Food

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When I was around 7-12, I didn't mind eating Americanized Chinese food a lot. Whenever my parents felt like eating out, it would be at one of those American Chinese restaurants and of course my parents were the ones who had the opportunity to order the food. However, they did order us kid our favorites--chow mein, chow fun, and fried rice. Me and my siblings would devour a plate of one of those dishes really quickly.

As the years passed, me and my siblings began to get tired of those type of dishes and Chinese food. We got tired of it because we ate it too often. We got tired of it because we are surrounded by relatives or friends who were chefs of Americanized Chinese food. We were tired of it because we had to serve customers the food for several years. It no longer seemed as appetizing as it was when we were kids. Although we do each have a preference of which dishes we prefer. I prefer salt baked shrimp & honey walnut shrimp. However, whenever I find myself eating one of the dishes I just don't have the same excitement anymore. I just eat the food because I'm hungry, not because I ever crave it.

So, today, I don't find myself going out to eat at Chinese restaurants that often. When friends ask where I want to eat, it mostly likely won't be at a Chinese restaurant. The reason is because I want something that I cannot get through family or friends. Sometimes food can be like home for some people. If you don't go out a lot and usually eat family cooked food, then you will be most likely used to certain foods. And, when you try new foods, flavors, or hot foods, you may be exposed to new levels and places you're taste buds haven't been exposed to yet, which is outside your boundaries. I've always been a fan of trying new foods. Because of my curiosity and openness to try new foods, I've discovered fantastic eateries and dishes. And, I like that I'm always seeking food adventures, as well as getting to know what cities have to offer.

Krush Burger

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Food trucks are getting more popular in Sacramento and other areas in California. There are food truck events that occur occasionally. Also, there are food trucks that like to stop at different places in the city. Krush Burger, Drewski's, Shalah's are a couple of food trucks that come to my mind right away. Although I have yet to try Drewski's, I did try Krush Burger a few weeks ago.


It was a couple of weeks ago when I noticed the hashtag for #sacburgermonth. I, then, checked it out and decided to go to Krush Burger that weekend. Krush burger was at Caesar's Chavez Park in Sacramento. I think the event was Concerts in the Park and there were other food trucks there. Also, I think budweiser was sponsoring the event, so there was a lot of alcohol consumption in the park.


Before I ordered, I checked out Krush Burger online and I liked that they had mini burgers. I also like that they had flavors that were not the usual I can get from anywhere else. I decided to order three of their mini burgers to share with my sisters. I ordered the Original, Philly, and the Cowbell. The burger was better than I expected. I noticed from the menu online that the burger had grilled onions and I was going to take it off my burger, but I didn't feel the onions in my burger or I was just okay with it in my burger. Usually, the onions would be so noticeable or unpleasing that I wanted to take them off. I think their fries were okay, not that special. I think I should have ordered tater tots instead since I haven't had them in a while and because burger places don't usually offer tater tots.

UC Davis Eggheads

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There are many views that I enjoy on campus. And, among one of the sights are the eggheads.There are seven eggheads on campus. Each of them are positioned differently. However, they are all within walking distance of each other and not entirely scattered in random places that are far away from each other.

Egghead at Dutton Hall and behind North Hall; name: Stargazer

The first egghead that I took a picture of. The name of this egghead is Stargazer. I think you can tell how Stargazer got the name by looking at it. This egghead can be found behind North Hall, next to Dutton Hall and in front of Young Hall.

Egghead at Library; name: Bookhead

This egghead is name Bookhead. It can be found in front of the library. I think that it was recently cleaned or something because it's pretty white.

Egghead in front of Mrak Hall (front); name: Eye on Mrak (Fatal Laff)

Mrak Hall is the place where you will find the most eggheads. The name of this egghead is Eye on Mrak (Fatal Laff), which can be found in front of Mrak Hall. The head is upside down.

Egghead in front of Mrak Hall (back); name: Eye on Mrak (Fatal Laff)

I did not notice the back of Eye on Mrak until later. But, hey, look at that eye. It's totally looking at Mrak Hall.

Eggheads in the back of Mrak Hall and front of Law Building; name: See No Evil/Hear No Evil

I've noticed the eggheads in the back of Mrak hall, but don't go around that part of campus that often. I took this picture and then I went to Daviswiki and noticed that there was a picture like this.

Egghead (arboretum in background); name: See No Evil/Hear No Evil

I think these two eggheads are look exactly the same. I can't really tell the difference between them. I know that are facing each other in opposite directions, but other than that I can't tell which is which.

Egghead (science buildings in background); name: See No Evil/ Hear No Evil

The other egghead in the other direction.

in front of Main theater and behind Olson Hall; name: Yin & Yang

I like these eggheads. One of the eggheads is speaking, while the other one is lying down listening. I couldn't tell which one was Yin & Yang though,

either Yin or Yang?

Notice that flower on top? I think its a sunflower.

either Yin or Yang?

It's funny how someone left that piece of paper or whatever on top of this statue. It looks like his earring.

Chinese School

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I said that I would blog about Chinese school in a earlier blog post, so here is the post about Chinese school.

Cindy's 11th birthday

I don't remember when I began Chinese school. It was probably in middle school when I first started going to Chinese school and stopped going during high school. I didn't like the idea of going to Chinese school. I attended Chinese school with my other siblings, Cindy and Brandon. We are not all the same age. Brandon is three years younger than me and Cindy is three years younger than Brandon. Yet, we all began Chinese school at different ages and in the same class, kindergarten. The class was pretty easy since it was mostly step by step work and we didn't really learn that much. Then, we went on to 1st grade. 1st grade was much better since we learned more stuff. But, we also made some new friends from the other classmates. Not all of us are the same age, but with a small class we all knew each other. In fact, I believe everyone recognized each other.


I found Chinese school fun because I got to connect with other people that I wouldn't be able to at regular school. It was fun celebrating someones birthday. We got to have pizza parties, water balloon fights, and did other silly things. It became really funny when someone did something silly because everyone in the class would laugh along.



 Me and my siblings went up to 4th grade before we decided we were not going to go anymore. There were some teachers that my class liked or did not like. And, we had new teachers every once in a while. Unfortunately, some of the most unpleasing moments were because we did not have that much fun learning with some teachers.


The picture above is how Chinese school use to look like. That building was pretty old. Some of the tables broke and the chairs were old. The building was remodeled over a year ago, so this building is no longer what Chinese school looks like. When I was still attending Chinese school, there were plans to remodel Chinese school and a build a playground. But, unfortunately, only the building got remodeled and no playground. The building for Chinese school is also next to the temple. The temple is a spot for some funeral ceremonies.


Here is another view of another side of what is around the building. There is a pond and it is pretty dirty, yet there were a lot of fishes there.

Judge, detective, baker, and an author

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Judge, detective, baker, and an author is what I would say I wanted to be if you were to ask me during my middle school days. I knew it didn't sound realistic, but I knew that I was interested in those job positions. They were not in any order of preference, but each of those positions sort of defined my values and interests when I was in middle school.

I wanted to be a judge because I believe that there were too many inequalities in the world and I really wanted to help provide truth and equality. I notice that not everybody was treated equality and I wanted to help out. I believed that I could play a part in helping someone, and not let them go through any troubles that I experienced. Today, injustices still are still prevalent and strong; I still want to be a part of diminishing it.

I wanted to be a detective because I love solving mysteries. I love figuring out people. I like to notice how peoples reactions, behaviors or whatever can lead me to understand the person. I liked to find ways to understand what I didn't already knew. I liked to conquer unfamiliar territory and explore new places that I haven't been to yet. I liked solving Sudoku, scrambles, and word search puzzles. I thought it was fun stuff to figure out things and people; and, I still feel that I like to do those stuff. But, now I realize that I also like to figure out food, places, cultures, and so much more.

I wanted to be a baker because I love bakery products. I like cookies, cupcakes, croissants, and so much more. I thought it was wonderful to be surrounded by food that you loved and made. I like the idea of providing good food to people. I guess that's why I always enjoyed baking and found it a fun activity. However, I don't think I would want to pursue baking as a career, rather more as a fun activity.

I wanted to be an author because I really want to write amazing stories that people wanted to read. I've read some amazing pieces that were inspirational, touching, and/or deep and I wanted to do that someday too. There are so many amazing authors out there with good ideas and I want to have a good idea too. I believed my ideas and experiences could also be potentially useful. Today, I still want to be an author and write at least one book that is published at some point in my life, but maybe during my later years.

I understood that it would be rather impossible to pursue all of those professions at the same time. Yet, I still kept those professions in my mind because there was a reason that I wanted to pursue them. The reasons why I was interested in each of the four has shaped what I love to today and what I want to do someday although it might not be in a fixed position. What I do could be something small or all out, but somehow still relates to the few tasks of those four positions. That would make my childhood self happy; and, that I did what I've like to do since I was a child.

Start Planning for Floydfest

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Our favorite music festival, Floydfest, has announced its official lineup and along with the inherent beauty of the Blue Ridge parkway, pulls us in again. This year the festival runs July 26-29th and features some incredible headliners: Drive-By Truckers, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Galactic, Leftover Salmon, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Jackson Browne, Toubab Krewe. Add in some of our favorites such as Yarn, Sam Bush, Big Daddy Love, Darrell Scott, Steep Canyon Rangers, Anders Osborne, SOJA, Hoots & Hellmouth, Punch Brothers, Brandi Carlile, American Aquarium, Gary Clark Jr., David Wax Museum, Ha Ha Tonka, Dawes, Sara Watkins, and many, many more. You get the idea. And then there's the Under the Radar lineup with Justin Jones, Farm Vegas, Amber Rubarth, Bryan Elijah Smith & The Wild Hearts, Megan Jean & the KFB, Spirit Family Reunion among many other.

Tickets are extremely reasonable $60 for Sunday, $125 for Sat\Sun, $150 for Fri->Sun, and $175 for the entire four days. There's also two Beer Gardens, which includes Sierra Nevada Brewing Company this year, along with local wineries: Chateau Morrisette & Villa Appalaccia Winery. Floydfest is a party - even for families. My son still talks about his participation a few years ago.