We were driving up Fairfax by the time Josh realized that we live in the valley now and that I'd driven all the way to pick him up in mid-wilshire, and we were on our way due east to monterey park for some post-christmas dim sum. You see, he lives in Santa Cruz so we only get to see one another once or twice a year. I guess he didn't know we moved. I wasn't sure if the look on his face was astonishment or delight that I would drive so far just for breakfast. I assured him this would be no ordinary breakfast. Josh (and avid breakfast-lover) had called up and told me visits to LA always put him in a rut. Same old relationships with people, same old breakfast places (which isn't to say the the Griddle and Doughboys aren't awesome), and that he was in the mood for a Sara food adventure, as none of his other friends ever wanted to go any place new or out of the way. He lamented a story about some sad Mexican restaurant in Silverlake his friends had taken him to, where the salsa was poor and the chips were undercooked (the waiter simply said, "yeah, we're famous for that").

So off we were to Ocean Star. Part of the marvellous fun I must explain. You see, after knowing someone for a long time, there are things you just take for granted. Where most people might get annoyed that no one there really spoke english or when I kept wanting to see which delight was under every single steam plate on every single cart that came around, Josh just smiled and craned his neck to see along with me, as we discussed whether or not we thought we'd enjoy chicken feet (we didn't). I guess after 23 years of friendship you learn things by osmosis. We talked about our parents and families and rediscovered (as we always seem to) that both of us have good perspectives on other others' life, because we've generally been around for all of it. In the meantime we dipped our har gao and chili sauce and munched on delicious chicken and pork buns. Josh poured my tea for me like a gentleman, which made me smile inwardly and marvel at how I can still love spending time with someone after so many years.

On the way out they even gave us plastic new years posters, which delighted Josh, as his had some kind of saying on it (his roommates love to write wise quotes up on the board in the kitchen). Josh's had koi fish on it, mine had cute little cartoon characters. All in all a real delight of a morning, not to mention enlightening (or at least fantastic) conversation.