LINK: d3.25-d4
We all slept in till 30 minutes before check out time at noon… and it still wasn’t enough (at least for me).
We were in a rush to leave the hotel when all the sudden Linda’s son began having major constipation issues. He kept running back and forth into the bathroom, unfortunately, he wasn’t able to go. That made the two of us.
Per usual, we couldn’t decide where to eat. I finally suggested Rice Junky in Fremont, which had gimbap (김밥) and other portable Korean foods. I got the beef and veggies. They ordered typical street food sandwiches. I didn’t want all that white bread and was trying my best to get back on the gluten free wagon.
The inside of the small restaurant had these neon light signs. There was no seating in the restaurant, so we went back into the car to eat, at which Linda’s son had another melt down and was kicking and hitting himself. We let it pass before driving back to Southern California.
We had the Arirang album on repeat for hours and hours. Surprisingly, her son didn’t have a problem with it even though he does not like BTS at all. We talked on and on about the concert and our time in Stanford, then switched topics to our upcoming trip to Las Vegas, and eventually talked about ourselves.
I have a lot of extrovert friends who love to talk about themselves and I will politely listen to what they say instead of divulging information about myself. Alyssa is an open book and shares every minute detail.
Around her, I feel like I have to share version one with myself as she is quite critical and judgmental.
We made a pit stop at Starbs. I needed a decaf Americano and wanted to use a clean bathroom to go #1. While we were there, I noticed that they had a collab with miffy! I love miffy, she’s so cute so I had to get it. I don’t need another plushie but dammit, this was too adorable. They also had other merch like tumblers and cups but I didn’t want those.
I got Alyssa a cookie warmed up since she likes desserts. And I was very grateful for her driving.
While we were waiting for my drink, Alyssa made a disparaging comment about Linda’s parenting and how Linda needs to be more tough on her son. I replied, “He’s on the spectrum.” She asked what that was. I told her, “Autism spectrum.” She continued to say that it was no excuse and that his outbursts were not acceptable. I inwardly groaned. She didn’t understand mental health at all and trying to educate her about how it’s a challenge for those on the spectrum to regulate their mood and process emotions would probably be a waste of my breath and time. I was relieved that the barista had my order ready so we could leave and go back into the car.
More hours passed and I starting to get sleepy and seeing Linda and her son sleeping peacefully in the back made me even more tired. I tried my best to stay awake because I know how hard it is being a driver and staying alert while everyone is dozing off.
We made another stop at a gas station to use the facilities, get gas, and snacks.
This felt like the longest road trip ever and I wanted nothing more but to go home and sleep, but that wasn’t in the cards for me cause Alyssa wanted to eat dinner and stop by the Korean bakery again before going home.
For dinner, we went to Hangari. I laughed when we got there because Mister and I used to go to Cafe Bleu all the time to drink. Can’t say that those were good times because it was the most volatile relationship I’ve ever been in my life.
Anyway, I digress. We ordered for the table, cheese ddukbokki (떡볶이) —chewy rice cakes, fish cakes, onions, cabbage, and boiled egg simmered in gochujang and melted mozzarella cheese on top.
For myself, I got the dohlsoht bibimbap (돌솥 비빔밥)—rice bowl with an egg, veggies, and ground beef in a hot stone bowl which makes the rice on the bottom crispy.
While we were eating, a rando older woman came up to me and asked me if I went to the Stanford BTS concert. I told her that we did, it was pretty apparent considering we were dripped in Arirang merch. She told me about how she was disappointed in the concert because SUGA barely danced on day 2. To be fair, he did run a marathon earlier that morning so I’m pretty sure he was probably sore. She was offering to sell us her Las Vegas tickets to us but we already bought ours in advance.
After we ate, we walked across the street to Concerto bakery to get more food. I am a glutton for punishment. I got my mom pastries to share with her friends.
Then we drove back to where Alyssa originally picked us up days ago. I was going to Uber it back home but Linda offered to drop me off at home, which sounded good to me because I didn’t feel like waiting in the dark in an empty parking lot by myself.
As soon as I got home, I unpacked and threw all my clothes into the washer, hopped into the shower, then opened up my work laptop to find what kind of fresh hell was awaiting. Yup, I knew it. I was going to have to go into work to see patients. So much for rest and relaxation.
There is no rest for the weary…
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