I can drive now

For the past three days, I have been busy with something else. I was busy driving.

Eventhough I was in North Carolina for three years, I never got my US driving license there. I lived so near to my workplace, and with my economical situation, I don't think it is worth it to drive a car.

However, for the final few months I was there, when I finally decided to take the driving test, my visa status in US did not allow me to do so.

The only way was to take the driving test after I have moved to CA.

So, on Oct 19th, after my writing test, which I marginally passed, I started my first driving lesson with a driving school on Oct 23rd.

Three 2-hr classes, plus one time to the driving test, cost around US$350. It was expensive for me, but The Hubby thought it worthed the price if that will make me become a good defensive driver in the future.

I was so hoping to get the license ASAP, but the earliest driving test schedule was on Nov 10th.

So, every Sunday, I have been a Sunday driver, with The Hubby sitting beside me while I maneuvered his stick shift Toyota SUV on the freeway. Then, Monday was my 2-hr driving classes with the school.

Finally, today was the time for me to take the behind-the-wheel test.

Despite driving since the age of 17, got my license both in Malaysia and Japan, I was actually very nervous. I was so worried if I failed, I will have to reschedule the test again, which might be another 1 month later. I couldn't wait that long because I need the license to start to find myself a job.

I was so relieved when the examiner said, "Go to take your driving license in the counter, you passed."

Woohoo~~~

"Sir, could you please tell me how many errors did I make?"

"2 errors." The short answers from him really made me so happy. Then later I found out he commented in my result, "Good job."

I made only 2 errors out of the 15 maximum errors allowed. I am proud of myself this time. Not only because I passed it, but I passed it with a good result I did not expect.

I did not call The Hubby to tell him. Instead, I printed out the route to go to his workplace, and drove there to tell him. I wanted to thank him in person.

I am now excited for my first road trip to San Francisco this Thanksgiving.

Going around in US is so much more flexible for me now. ^_^

Catfish in Favori

I begin to like Thursday evening. It is the only weekday evening where we will go out to eat. It is our weekly restaurant exploring.

The Hubby has been doing it with two of his friends since a decade ago, and until now, he has yet to finish all the restaurants.

Now, one of the friend pulled out, replacing with me. I am really hoping he will change his mind one day to join us again. I always like to go out in even number, rather than odd.




This week, The Hubby decided to bring me to try Favori Restaurant in Little Saigon.




This French named restaurant is actually a French Vietnamese restaurant. The interesting part, it is claimed as the Best Vietnamese food in Orange County.

The menu came with quite a few French dishes including escargot and frog leg. However, we decided to go for something more "Asian".




Every table came with fresh greens. It was a good thing since I hardly spotted any vegetable dishes in the menu.




Our appertizer was some fried spring rolls. It was okay inside but the crispy part was too greasy.




We also tried a Vietnamese crepe.




The filling was bean spout, pork and shrimp.

Beautifully looking crepe but not that delicious. I did not like the too "hard" crepe, and the filling was somewhat bland.




Our entrees were however, did not disappointing.

We had a bowl of beef and tendon curry. The potatoes were really good. Not too soft nor hard, not too starchy. Every bite of the potatoes made me want more. It was impressive how good the texture was considering the beef was cooked so soft it melted in the mouth. Love the gravy too. I could finish a whole bowl of steamed rice with the gravy alone.

But, that was not the reason why we were there.

We had the best for last.

It was a small size baked catfish.




Tada~~~ "Small" catfish! How small was it? 18 inch from head to tail! Does it look more like a roasted pig to you?

I was so eager to eat it I totally forgot to take picture how to eat it.

So, I will just describe how we ate it.

Damp a piece of thin Vietnamese rice paper. Then load the greens that you like. I topped it with young sliced banana, cucumber, lettuce and pickled radish. After that, put some of the catfish flesh in it. Finally, add in some sauce, wrap the whole thing up with the already soft rice paper and chomp it like you would eat a fresh Vietnamese roll.

It was an awesome first time for me. Definitely different from the normal ingredient that use beef or shrimp or chicken.

It was so good I had 4 rounds of it.

The fish was huge we had to take away the remaining.

The bill turned out to be US$23 per person, but definitely worth it.




I might be naive, but I just got to know how many teeth a catfish has. Yike!!