Harrowing Complexity of the Number 13

Because I was too ashamed to show mine.

I was never a fan of Friday the 13th. No, I was never suspicious of black cats coming my way or falling under stacks of ladders. But after yesterday, I guess it doesn't hurt to believe in it a little now.

Just to warn readers now: This is for the deli savvies. You might find this pretty boring.

After a week of what I thought was the perpetual horror of SATs, Civics, and Calculus BC tutoring, I finally had a day off for the weekdays. Since Jono and I had an interesting conversations (which may involve some hostile attitude and languages), we decided to have a meal together at 三年2班 (Class 302) off the plaza near 99 Ranch Market. Because the restaurant gives off a nostalgic ambiance of Taiwan's elementary classes, I was quite eager to explore the different things that made up alot of my Taiwanese friends.

三年2班 was also food critiqued by one of our school newspaper's staff a few years ago. After reading his article, the restaurant seemed like a petite yet lively place that portrays the simple pleasures of Taiwanese deli food. Jono also mentioned that they serve their entrees in a metal container (which is common among elementary school students in Taiwan), I presumed it would be a vicarious thrill to be Taiwanese student enjoying his daily lunches.

Boy, I was wrong. The picture above is Jono's order. Reason why I was so ashamed of taking a picture of my order was the way the restaurant serves mine.

After staying in Taiwan for about two weeks and ordering from numerous Taiwanese delis, I assumed that it was custom for each Taiwanese deli to have 炸排骨飯 (fried pork chop entree that is usually served with rice, stirred fried vegetables, and mustard vegetable). As I looked into the menu, I found a picture of the entree and asked the waitress for that order. Although I called it 排骨飯, 炸排骨飯 and 排骨飯 can be used interchangeably mostly in Taiwan and other delis.

When the waitress served my meal, I could have sworn the fried pork looked like lumps of feces. Because Jono and I knew that we were both thinking of fried pork chops, we immediately asked the waiter why it looked so...horrible. They explained that their custom for pork chops is to first fry it then soak it in a sauce. Not only was the pork chop inadequate for looks, but also the vegetables appeared plain and clearly unappetizing.

Since my mom asked me to get some take out for her, we ordered a couple of other entrees along with 雞卷 on the side. Who puts 雞卷, which is clearly crispy, and covers it with steaming rice that can make the rolls soggy and gross!?

Ugh, I don't want to say anymore. I clearly didn't enjoy the food. Food for thought: ALWAYS ask specifically and meticulously what you want to order.

Overall, 三年2班 was a cute restaurant to take a look. However, the pricey orders and mediocre food is enough to eschew from the colorful black boards and school desks.



Apparently Friday the 13th plagued my brother too. After my nanny took my brothers home from Elite, one of my brothers forgot to take his schoolbag back home. Since he needed it for the following day, he had to ask our nanny again to bring it here. Since my mom would be upset with my brother since she would have to pay gas money, my brother decided to fork up the $8 and ask our nanny to keep it a secret.

Oh and I am still in utter disbelief of what my AP scores are. It's scary.

All I can do now is hope and pray.