The Possum Bistro

Tempura udon - a life-saver in the land of high-cholesterol, calorie-clogged burgers, fries, steaks and tacos. Preeya can almost see the angels descending and the spotlight shining down on earth.

We decided to visit Downtown LA today, and although we didn't cover as much as I initially wanted to, at least we managed to see the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the interior of which seemed to be of a temporarily high priority for one of us as she had to visit the bathroom urgently.

The Japanese American museum was closed today - what a shame, because I'm positively sure it would have fascinated them. Still, I'm insistent that they come back another day to view the exhibits, because it's important that people know about this so that they can learn from the mistakes of the past and realise for themselves the fragility of security and liberty.

Of course, the major highlight of our expedition today was Little Tokyo, where we plunged into a smorgasbord of Japanese cuisine and culture, beginning with steaming bowls of udon, donburi and ramen. The miso soup was surprisingly mild, just like the Japanese would have done it.

This is a clear example of how NOT to do fusion food.

Though the ladies apparently love it!

The transportation system in LA is, to put it succintly enough so as to avoid mischaracterisation, crap. Some areas are entirely inaccessible by rail, and so the bus is the only method of public transportation. Even worse, convenience stores stocking food items may be plentiful, but those stocking essential household items such as those found in IKEA or IMM are located at some remote corner of the sprawling metropolis, forcing us to have to walk for blocks before we could finally find a place to purchase my bed linen.

I've already moved into my new campus apartment, and settled in with my other roommates, Satoru and Diego. They have been extremely accommodating and pleasant, so I foresee that my stay here till December 12th will not be too troublesome. Cooking might be a problem because there are no utensils, so we might have to buy them, though it hardly makes sense to purchase them since I will only be here in LA till December. As for meals, the Bruin (that's what they call UCLA-affiliated material) outlets and the Westwood Village eateries are pretty decent, so I'm not too worried.

First week in Los Angeles, thirteen more to go. We're headed for Universal Studios soon, with Chinatown and dim sum this weekend, and San Fran the week after. Busy, we will be; but busying ourselves shall keep us preoccupied and not too focused on counting down to the time we fly back home.

For I miss her more than ever, and to miss her even more would be seemingly unbearable. Yet I shall bear it, for she is worth every sensation of aching.