Author Archives: Monki

About Monki

I am a mother, a wife, a physician, and a scientist. This is a life style blog about recipe ideas to try out; fun events to check out; being a career woman; health concerns; parenting doubts and triumph; and all the silly and loving moments in between.

Bagua Bride: How I Ended Up Planning My Wedding in Three Weeks and Fell Asleep While the Priest Was Talking

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Monki

Prologue April 2005 We have been dating for five months now. Despite working as a medical intern at a busy hospital in New York and training for an upcoming marathon during my spare time, MK and I managed to talk … Continue reading →

Posted in COUPLE | Tagged being present, Bride, Chinese culture, Culinary Institute of America, DIY, internship, June Wedding, Musing, New York, stars, wedding, wedding planning, 八卦 | 3 Comments

Sunday afternoons are best spent with good friends…

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Monki

…and yummy treats! EATS: Afternoon Tea Sandwiches Makes 4 serving Ingredients: 8 oz mascarpone cheese 1/2 tsp minced garlic 1 1/2Tbs fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 1/2 Tbs fresh dill 1 1/2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice 1 1/2 tsp salt … Continue reading →

Posted in EATS, HOME, KIDS | Tagged afternoon tea, backyard fun, backyard party, being present, celebration, drought, eats, Kids, recipe, southern california living, Summer, tea sandwiches, water conservation idea | 3 Comments

Phototherapy, Pursuit of Happiness

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Monki

Today was one of those mornings where somehow everyone woke up early ready to tackle the day except for me. This is when looking at this picture I took a couple of weeks ago rejuvenates me. I suppose it is phototherapy … Continue reading →

Posted in MUSING | Tagged beach, meditation, Musing, photography, seasonal depression | Leave a comment

Restaurant Review: Santa Monica Yacht Club (SMYC)

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Monki

Andrew Kirschner has done it again! Monkey King and I were on our date night and stopped by Tar and Roses, which was usually a grand slam. However, I felt like oyster with a glass of sauvignon blanc at that … Continue reading →

Posted in COUPLE, EATS | Tagged datenight, fine dining, Santa Monica Yacht Club, seafood, SMYC, southern california living, Tar and Roses | 2 Comments

EATS: Stovetop Popcorn for a Busy Mom (Person)

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Monki

I adore the smell of freshly popped popcorn in movie theaters. The microwave version just cannot compete: that version tastes of artificial butter and is usualy either too oily or too dry. I experimented with stovetop popcorn a couple of weeks back, and can … Continue reading →

Posted in EATS, HOME, KIDS | Tagged furikake, movie, old bay, popcorn, snack, stovetop snacks | 1 Comment

Wetsuits in a Parking Lot

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Monki

Wetsuits lined up drying on the side of a van, a good time had. All that is left to do is bonfire on the beach, BBQ, salty kisses, breezy summer afternoons and starry warm nights.

Posted in COUPLE, MUSING, TRAVEL | Tagged beach, california living, Musing, wetsuit | 2 Comments

Playground Envy

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Monki

Plumster bargained herself some time at the school playground after I picked her up from school. She happily ran off to dangle herself going back and forth on the monkey bars. There were other kids dangling themselves all over the monkey bars … Continue reading →

Posted in KIDS, MUSING | Tagged being present, humor, iphone addict, Musing, parenting, playground | 1 Comment

Techno Party, With Kids

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Monki

What a fun event! The brain child of three DJ friends: Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation, Philipp Jung of M.A.N.D.Y. and Get Physical Music, and John Wander of Roam Music, U.R. Art is a fun day time dance party where our … Continue reading →

Posted in COUPLE, KIDS, TRAVEL | Tagged Bergomot Station, dance party, Give a Beat, home life, Kids, life after kids, parenthood, techno party, U.R. ART, weekend | Leave a comment

EATS: Rainy Night Mexican Hot Chocolate

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Monki

It’s raining in Los Angeles! With the rain drops falling softly outdoors and the headlights of cars swishing by, I whipped up this hot concoction for a cozy night. Here is the recipe: EATS: Rainy Night Mexican Hot Chocolate Makes … Continue reading →

Posted in EATS, HOME, KIDS | Tagged almond milk, celebration, eats, family, health, home life, Kids, Los Angeles, mexican chocolate, rainy day comfort food, southern california living | 3 Comments

Silver Chain Love: a Mother’s Day Celebration

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Monki

Plumster likes to make necklaces and bracelets. When she was five, my mother taught her how to make Chinese knotting and equipped her with a complete tool kit and colored silk cords. Plumster has been lavishing me with various intricate wearable arts ever since. When I saw that … Continue reading →