But You Do Care What I Had for Lunch

One popular gift during yesterday's White Elephant exchange was this book:

I thought about swiping it. You know full well I blog about what I eat nearly every day. But, hey, you guys keep reading. See?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Everybody likes food!

Last night, Mr. Monkey and I had dinner with Mama Monkey, Grandma Monkey, and Scary Crazy Uncle Monkey at NYC Seafood Restaurant.

It was tasty, but, upon my arrival, Grandma Monkey muttered in Taiwanese, "Why is she always so fat? She blew up like a balloon." In light of my 23-pound weight loss, I was livid and had a sour face the rest of the night.

Ugh. Family. Here's what my balloon butt ate.

After dinner, Grandma Monkey asked if I wanted to go to shopping with her in the next few weeks, and, if so, whether I wanted to go to the outlets, Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills, or South Coast Plaza. I was still angry, but I'm not stupid. I chose Rodeo or South Coast. Fuck the outlets! Grandma must pay dearly for calling me fat. Literally. Hmph.

My work day was pleasantly uneventful. A paralegal took some pics of me today to put on our internal portal for the "new attorneys" blurb. Too bad nobody warned me about my office ANTM session. Like my makeup-less mug? I slapped on some Kiehl's Lip Balm #1, flashed my pearly whites, and hoped for the best.

I look kind of insane in the second pic. Well, what can you do? I don't hang out in front of California Reporters every day, whereas I do have lots of practice for the "oh-hi-there-I'm-working" look.

Later, my co-workers and I went to lunch at a nearby Chinese restaurant, which was located in the same strip mall as a restaurant where Mr. Monkey's family often has dim sum. I was excited to eat authentic Chinese food with my co-workers, not just because I like real Chinese food, but because I love befriending people who aren't boring eaters.

We had hot and sour soup, green onion pancakes, egg fried rice, fish fillet with black bean sauce, walnut shrimp, shredded pork with onions, and string beans.

Best part? It only cost five bucks each!

After lunch, I bought some boba milk tea. Add that to my snobby shampoo-bottle-like water, and I was set for the afternoon.

But wait! There's more! A co-worker came by with a dish full of homemade gingerbread. My li'l man was so delicious.

'Tis the season! Ho ho ho!