Week testifying in trial, or at least it felt like it.

Last week was definitely one crazy week. As some of you are probably aware, I was back in LA this last week, partly for personal business, which included the trial for my kidnapping ordeal. For those who don’t know, I was kidnapped at gunpoint, in my own vehicle, nearly two years ago on March 31^st, 2009. And almost two years later, we finally have a trial.

So on Tuesday I was transported to the Burbank courthouse by a detective for anticipation of my testimony. Somehow, jury selection took longer than expected and I didn’t even get to testify that afternoon. The deputy district attorney told me I needed to return the following morning and I would “likely” start first thing in the morning since jury selection was complete. Afterwards, I met up with a friend for a meal at Portos.

I return on Wednesday in preparation for my testimony, only to discover that that there was a problem with one of the jury members. That delayed the start and I waited and waited until noon without any answers. I’ve come to realize that when attorneys say “likely,” it actually means “low probability” of happening. So finally get to testify at 2:30 in afternoon. It was actually quite excruciating on the witness stand. Good thing no one I knew was present because it was not pretty. Felt like I was reliving the entire event all over again. I couldn't even look the defendant in the eye. 

Unfortunately, my testimony runs through the closing time for court that afternoon, so I have to return the following morning. They cancel my flight again and rebook for the following morning. On St. Patrick’s Day morning, I’m transported back to the courthouse. Thought I would start right away but there was another delay, which I never found out why. I ended up getting rushed to finish up my portion on the witness stand. Time was of the essence, as I finished just in time for my personal ride to the airport. I make a quick stop home on the way to the airport, and then barely made it on time to board my flight. So I at least got a free flight out of all that.

---

On my flight back I met a 1^st year law student from UM, whose family actually owns a castle in Spain. Sounds like their family is quite wealthy haha. The guy actually invited me to party with him that evening for St. Patrick’s Day. Too bad I had to work the next morning, and boy did I work. On Friday, I worked almost 12 hours, then on Saturday returned for more rounds. Was on call Sunday night, though still round with the cardiologist on Monday post-call, which is unheard of.

---

Was good catching up with some friends this past week, even though it was a hectic vacation, if you can even call it that. Those I didn’t get to meet up with, catch you next time perhaps.

---

For those of you who think Miami gas prices are expensive, think again. This is in LA. 

Ultra Music Festival in less than 2 days. I'm so excited and I just can't hide it. And I know I know I know...

 

Another interesting trip back to LA, trial, DMV, passports, other shenanigans

So guess my trial is really about to happen tomorrow, or rather, later on today. Wonder if I'll be able to look my perpetrator directly in the eye in court. For anyone interested, I'll be at the Burbank Courthouse, part of the LA Superior Court. Address is 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502. Really can't wait for this whole thing to be over with. Hope it doesn't drag on into Wednesday for my testimony. More updates to come later. For those who don't know, March 31st will be the two year anniversary of my kidnapping/robbery/carjacking. 

---

I flew back to Miami this last Wednesday from Fort Lauderdale(FLL) Airport, and I never knew real birds were allowed inside the terminal. After that sight, somehow I knew it was going to be another interesting flight. While going through airport security, I'm stopped for a bag check and I thought to myself, "What now?" Turns out they thought my Magic gaming cards were suspicious. Out of like 10 times so far, that was a first. Amazing. So I departed via Virgin America (which is awesome by the way) without any other hiccups, but even VA couldn't do much about the abdominal pain I was having shortly after takeoff. Maybe it was hunger, or maybe it was ulcers, but either way, pain lastly entire flight, which was horrible. Or perhaps I was already dreading my pending trial subconsciously. 

After landing and gate arrival, while getting ready to exit the plane, I recalled this girl had to have her luggage placed in an overhead compartment a little further back of the plane. It crossed my mind to let some people pass and then get the luggage for her since she was waiting diligently several rows in front of the plane for everyone else to leave. Then I thought better of it because I was in a hurry, and in quite a bit of pain. Plus, I didn't want her to think I was actually trying to steal her roller bag or something, especially since it looked like mine. So I walked by her and showed some sympathy that she's waiting for everyone to leave. In hindsight, I should have just gotten it for her. So what if I'll be holding up traffic for everyone else trying to exit the plane? Still feel guilty. Anyhow, shortly after, this little old lady who spoke only Spanish was asking for a wheelchair so ended up translating for a second. Elderly people over age of 70 should not be traveling alone within the US, especially if you don't speak any English. A few minutes later, while I was waiting for my brother to drive by the arrival gate, this Chinese couple next to a pay phone flag me down and asked me if I spoke Chinese. I reluctantly said yes, only because I was wary what they wanted. Turns out they couldn't read English (the guy was holding a business card upside down) and didn't know how the pay phone worked. So ended up busting out some Spanish and Chinese that night to help not one, but three people. Guess I could've helped a 4th person. 

The following day, I had an appointment with the DMV to renew my driver's license, celebrated my brother's birthday. Day after that, had to touch base with the Deputy District Attorney and take care of some drama back in Miami, even while I'm in LA (sometimes I feel like the chief resident). Went out with some friends later that evening. Saturday, I had to take care of my passport, run to the bank, set up an IRA, then meet up with friends in evening. On Sunday, did some laundry, got a haircut, called up some more friends, watched the movie Rango(which wasn't bad), ate out with friends. So yea, I've been quite busy, to say the least. Some vacation I'm having. Well, at least Ultra Music Festival is in 10 days. Can't wait for that. And I finally ate In-N-Out for first time in a year. 

Wizard World Comic Con, FOMA convention, Kidney Walk

Wow, so where did the month of February go? Days are just going by so quickly. NBA All-Star weekend was the 18^th through the 20^th, and I ended up on working entire Sunday (back-to-back shifts), thanks to a certain intern who quit a couple weeks prior, leaving me with the responsibility. Anyway, the dunk contest was awesome, the best in years. Congrats to Blake Griffin and Kobe Bryant, on the dunk contest title and All-Star game MVP, respectively.

---

Ultra Music Festival is about two weeks away, and I need to go back to LA to pick up my ticket, since it arrived today! On President’s Day, I bought a Camelbak in preparation for UMF. It should be good investment for me, since I’ll be saving so much money on water there. Can't believe the 3-day GA tickets are going for over $700. Should have known that was coming, and purchased multiple tickets.

FOMA convention was from February 24^th through the weekend in Weston, though I only went for Thursday and Friday, since I had plans that weekend already for the Wizard World Comic Con. Did a little networking, met some people, and got some free stuff at FOMA convention. During the convention, I started coughing, with an irritated throat. Wasn’t really sore, but couldn’t stop coughing. By Saturday after, I started having rhinorrhea, congestion, sneezing. That really sucked because it was during Comic Con, although I didn’t really attend the convention portion on Saturday because I was on the gaming room side, playing Magic, trying to win a couple grand in cash prize. Unfortunately for me, I got a dose of reality after getting royally pwned by elite players. Next time, I need to drop while I’m already down and out, or basically eliminated from winning any prize money haha. Me and my stubborn self trying to improve my DCI rating.

---

On Sunday, I volunteered for the Wizard World Comic Con, which was quite awesome, despite being sick. Got to meet several celebrities, including Ray Park, Cerina Vincent, Adam West, Burt Ward, Ernie Hudson, Gina Lee Nolan, and WWE divas Angela Fong, Torrie Wilson. I also met a few new friends. At the end of the day, made out with some free swag, including free autographed prints from Ray Park, Torrie Wilson, and Gina Lee Nolan.

---

Kidney Walk was this past Sunday, and it was pretty cool, though I expected it to be a longer event, especially after being at a couple prior Relay For Life events in the past. It only lasted a couple hours, and I not only walked the entire 3 laps (3 miles/5k), but walked 4 laps. The funny thing was some people barely finished one lap. After that, I realized most people are not in shape, and I can probably walk faster than 99.9% of the population haha. Wish there was a speed-walking contest haha.

---

So flying out to LA tomorrow, and I got many tasks to finish. I'll leave you with these two articles.

I'm never using a shopping cart again: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/03/07/study-fecal-bacteria-found-on-most-supermarket-shopping-carts/

Your cell phone has 18 times more bacteria than toilet handle: http://www.businessinsider.com/your-cell-phone-has-18x-more-bacteria-than-the-flush-handle-of-a-urinal-2010-10

Tron; Chinese New Year; Mia at Biscayne Super Bowl Party; Market America

Haven't posted in over month. The last few weeks have been ridiculous. Finally got to watch Tron on the 22nd and it was a great movie (not Dark Knight or Avatar awesome but still quite good) with the special effects and musical score by Daft Punk. Seeing Olivia Wilde in that black spandex bodysuit is almost worth the price of admission. She's actually single now...

The following week I went to the Mirrodin Besieged Prerelease for MtG, where I didn't do very well. I've been in a slump lately, winning nothing, and seeing my DCI rating go nowhere. Later this month I'm actually going to play in a tournament for some money, up to $5000 in prize money. We'll see how that goes. Thing is, there's also a medical convention that weekend.

The 3rd was Chinese/Lunar New Year and I was expecting a couple old high school friends in town. Met up with one of them at a Chinese New Year party at Hilton in Downtown Miami since the other one was stranded back in CA due to crazy storm of the century blasting most of the country. On that Thursday night we went out to grab a late bite, and I learned good lesson after trying to drive back to the Extended Stay Hotel. Next time I better find the address of where someone is staying before I embark because there are many Extended Stay locations in a city. Took over an hour to find the place, which was rather embarrassing. Guess the only excuse I have is it was rather late.

On Saturday I went to the Market America World Conference at American Airlines Arena. The day was interesting, and I got to see Eva Longoria on stage. Later that night, we all partied at Nikki Beach till past 2 in the morning. I didn't get home till after 5 AM (Sunday morning) because I was so tired driving home. That actually turned out to be a 19-hour day, considering I woke up at 8 and I actually didn't sleep until 3 AM Saturday morning/Friday night from playing Magic. Super Bowl Sunday was even more awesome. Got up a little past 10, got ready, and headed off to the Doubletree Hotel near the airport to pick up my two friends. We headed off to South Beach for lunch on Ocean Drive, then hung out at the beach for a couple hours. Was planning on going to the Heat/Clippers game that afternoon but no matter because what would happen later that evening would make my night. I took them to Mia at Biscayne for a Super Bowl Party that I was invited to by Mister USA (who actually quit our program, which I'll explain later). It went down as a night to remember, as I basically got to meet quite a few models who were there for a mini pageant that was supposed to be held in Dallas but had to be relocated last minute, which worked out for moi.

I found out this last Thursday that Mister USA quit our residency, or rather, his internship. The consequence of that? Well, I became collateral damage because I got bequeathed multiple call shifts since I'm the person on backup for the week. So in one day, I tripled my call shifts. Oh well, guess that's my payment owed for the VIP partying, meeting multiple models, including Hillary Fisher.

Here are some photos from a week ago:

Congrats to Hillary who won that night. Packers also won but I really didn't care. I should probably thank Mister USA for that night.

Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. As usual, it was SAD for me.

1-11-11!!

Guess what day today is? If you can’t figure it out yet, read the title of this post. And know what’s even cooler? 11:11:11, which just passed about an hour ago Eastern time, and will soon pass Central time. And for those of you on the West Coast, that’ll soon occur =) Next palindrome will be in 11 days. By the way, November will have several palindromes this year.

---

On the 19^th of December, I went to my second Dolphins game, which was also my second NFL game. This time we did some extensive tailgating, but ended up missing the tipoff and jet flyby again. The game was alright, though a disappointing game by the home team. It was the worst display of field goal kicking I have ever seen. All Dan Carpenter had to do was make one of his four field goal attempts. Dolphins eventually lost by 3, but my two friends from Buffalo liked the end result so the drive home was good for them. I didn’t want an unpleasant group of passengers. My friend Katie tells me it was the first time in 5 years that the Bills have won in Miami.

---

The following night, or rather early morning of the 21^st, there was a lunar eclipse, which I couldn’t catch since it occurred at 3 AM haha! Guess I could’ve stayed up all night.

---

I flew back home to LA on Christmas Eve and my flight was rather interesting. Upon first boarding, while I walked to my seat, I noticed my window seat occupied by a little boy with his brother and mother next to them. She started to talk to me in Spanish, explaining how she would like to have me switch seats with her son (good thing I understood some of it). I replied in Spanish, “Yo no se,” which means “I don’t know” because I wanted to ask the stewardess. I ended up accepting of course since I couldn’t really refuse at that point right? So after taking my new seat, this guy next me started talking to me, disclosing how his last name is Chung and some mistake him for being Chinese. Minutes later, I find out he’s a Korean actor. At about the same time, the same stewardess from earlier comes by to hand me a free comfort pack because I agreed to swap seats with the kid. Cool how I got something out of it. So I end up sleeping for most of the flight. After landing, while I was waiting for my brother to pick me up, I heard someone calling me from behind. I turn around to see Albert and Anandit from my med school days. What a small world. We chatted for a few minutes before going on our separate ways but was nice running into them unexpectedly. 

So during my week break I basically spent time with family and friends. Ate out several times, and ran into an old high school friend twice in the same day, unplanned haha. Main blemish was seeing my Lakers lose to the Heat on Christmas Day haha, but overall, didn’t do much because I started having a headache from the time I got off the plane on Christmas Eve until New Year’s weekend when I flew back. At first I thought it was jet lag but couldn’t have lasted that long. Anyhow, didn’t celebrate as much as I wanted to but hope everyone had a nice holiday season. Happy New Year! Main resolution: turn in this blasted application for medical license.