3 websites for housing search

 

www.sccassessor.org

www.greatschools.org

www.dre.ca.gov

Plumbing rooter service

My Kitchen drain was clogged, so I need to find a plumber to unclog it. Called a couple of companies from google search and Yelp search, in the hope of finding a good and reasonable quote but failed.

https://plumbing.rootersolutionssj.com/

408-215-7696

https://www.drainrooterservice.com/

(669) 232-7086

https://www.rescuerooter-bay-area.com/

(510) 983-4008

 

Finally, Mr. Cris from Señor Rooter Plumbing quoted from pictures I sent to him without making an onsite appointment. https://www.yelp.com/biz/se%C3%B1or-rooter-plumbing-san-martin  I feel family owned business is more friendly, affordable and professional.

Top 100 Places to Eat in the Bay Area according to Yelp Elites (2024)

 https://www.yelp.com/collection/VYiUdPIDvoQ9FOLPfGgJMw/Top-100-Places-to-Eat-in-the-Bay-Area-according-to-Yelp-Elites

Top 10:

1. Zareen's in Palo Alto
2. Duc Huong in San Jose
3. The Laundromat in San Francisco
4. Butchers Korean BBQ in Sunnyvale (https://www.10butchers.net/)
5. Tony's Pizza Napoletana in San Franisco
6. House of Prime Rib in San Francisco
7. Komeya No Bento in San Franisco
8. Breakfast Little in San Francisco
9. Tiny Sushi - Oh Baby in Daly City
10. San Tung in San Francisco 

Zareen餐厅有印度菜和巴基斯坦菜。餐厅老板Zareen Khan说，这里的食物“健康、慢炖、清淡，充满了爱与真诚。”

Duc Huong是一家三明治店，他们说他们提供“正宗的越南菜、最美味的三明治以及从西贡到河内的街头小吃，采用新鲜的食材和古老的食谱。”

Tony's Pizza Napoletana最近在意大利披萨指南“50佳披萨”的全球50强中排名第六。

Two trickly questions from I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

My green card (Permanent resident card) is expiring, so I need to file form I-90 to review/replace my green card online.

The first step is to register an online account iwth USCIS at uscis.gov

The second step is to fill out the form I-90

However, there are two questions a bit tricky to answer which are:

Where did you apply for your immigrant visa or adjustment of status?
Where was your immigrant visa or adjustment of status granted?

First off, if you applied green card outside of USA, it is immigrant visa. If you applied while you were in the USA, it is adjustment of status.

Provide the location of the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office that issued your immigrant visa or permanent resident status.

This info was ten years ago, very hard to recall or identify, however, the green card has receipt number or card # starts with USCIS office code. Using the office code, ask google to find out the office. For my case, the 3 characters are LIN, so it maps to Nebraska Service Center. Questions answered.

The three-digit codes for USCIS office locations are:

• MSC: National Benefits Center
• NBC: National Benefits Center
• EAC: Vermont Service Center (formerly known as Eastern Adjudication Center)
• VSC: Vermont Service Center
• WAC: California Service Center (formerly known as Western Adjudication Center)
• CSC: California Service Center
• LIN: Nebraska Service Center
NSC: Nebraska Service Center
SRC: Texas Service Center (formerly known as Southern Regional Center)
TSC: Texas Service Center
IOE: ELIS (e-Filing)
YSC: Potomac Service Center

The first three characters of a USCIS application's 13-character receipt number indicate which USCIS service center is processing the case. The receipt number can be found on the application.

The first three letters of the card number on a green card also indicate the USCIS office that granted the adjustment of status case. The card number may be located on the front or back of the card, depending on the year it was issued.

To visit a USCIS field office, an appointment is required, and walk-ins are not permitted. The field office address can be found on the appointment or interview notice.

Hyatt and World of Hyatt

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, commonly known as Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, is an American multinational hospitality company headquartered in the Riverside Plaza area of Chicago that manages and franchises luxury and business hotels, resorts, and vacation properties. Hyatt has more than 1350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 69 countries, across six continents.

Hyatt operates a loyalty program called World of Hyatt, which replaced Gold Passport on March 1, 2017.[56] This program includes membership tiers of base members, Discoverists, Explorists, and Globalists. The program offers Hyatt members benefits such as room upgrades and complimentary breakfast, based on how many nights they stayed in Hyatt-affiliated hotels or how much they spend in Hyatt properties.[57]

Hyatt has 25+ distinctive brands and over 1,300 locations to explore. 

Hyatt manages many different brands of properties:

• Alila
• Alua Hotels & Resorts
• Andaz
• Atona
• Breathless Resorts
• Caption by Hyatt
• Destination by Hyatt
• Dreams Resorts & Spas
• Grand Hyatt
• Hyatt
• Hyatt Centric
• Hyatt House
• Hyatt Place
• Hyatt Regency
• Hyatt Residence Club
• Hyatt Studios
• Hyatt Vivid
• Hyatt Zilara
• Hyatt Ziva
• Impression by Secrets
• JdV by Hyatt
• Miraval
• Park Hyatt
• Secrets Resorts & Spas
• Sunscape Resorts & Spas
• Thompson Hotels
• The Unbound Collection
• UrCove by Hyatt
• Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts

Hilton and Hilton Honors

As one of the world's largest hospitality companies, Hilton is committed to driving responsible travel and tourism globally. At Hilton, there's a hotel brand for everyone, from the no-frills Hampton Inn traveler to the luxury seeker who wants to be pampered at a Conrad or Waldorf Astoria. Hilton’s portfolio includes 23 brands, from the luxury Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels and Resorts to mid-scale Tru by Hilton.

Hilton Honors points have a value of 0.5 cent each. Hilton Honors points are worth less than the average hotel point. As a member of the Hilton Honors program, you'll be able to earn and redeem your points on everything from affordable hotels with all the basics to some of the most luxurious addresses around the world.

Canopy by Hilton (Lifestyle)

Conrad Hotels & Resorts (Luxury, named after founder)
Curio Collection by Hilton (Upper upscale)
DoubleTree by Hilton (Upscale)
Embassy Suites by Hilton (Upper upscale)
Hampton by Hilton (Upper midscale)
Hilton Club (Timeshare)
Hilton Garden Inn (Upscale)
Hilton Grand Vacations Club (Timeshare)
Hilton Vacation Club (Timeshare)
Hilton Hotels & Resorts (Upper upscale)
Home2 Suites by Hilton (Upper midscale)
Homewood Suites by Hilton (Upscale)
LivSmart Studios (Extended Stay)
LXR Hotels & Resorts (Luxury)
Motto by Hilton (Upper midscale)
Signia by Hilton (Upscale)
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (Upscale independent hotels)
Spark by Hilton (Premium economy)

Tapestry Collection by Hilton (Upscale independent hotels)
Tempo by Hilton (Upscale)
Tru by Hilton (Midscale)
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts (Luxury)

IHG and Marriott

Always a bit confused by so many hotel brands, so I spent some time learning these two hotel groups: IHG and Marriott. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts, or InterContinental Hotels Group, is a British hospitality company that operates more than 6,000 hotels and resorts in over 100 countries. IHG is known for its brands, which include InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Hualuxe, Avid, and Garner.

IHG offers a free IHG One Rewards program that allows members to earn points that can be redeemed for hotel nights, transferred to airlines, and more. Members can also earn elite status and receive benefits like room upgrades and late checkout. There are many opportunities to earn and redeem IHG One Rewards points at iconic hotel brands like Intercontinental, Kimpton, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and more.

https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/about/brands

Marriott International is a multinational company that operates, franchises, and licenses lodging brands, including hotels, residential properties, and timeshares. Marriott has over 30 brands and 8,785 locations in 139 countries and territories, with 1,597,380 rooms across its network. Some of Marriott's brands include The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Sheraton, and Marriott Hotels Resorts & Suites.

Marriott also offers hotel reservations, timeshare vacations, flight and hotel packages, and car rental services. The company also operates loyalty programs, including Marriott Bonvoy, which allows members to earn and redeem points for benefits such as hotel stays, credit card spending, tours and activities, and more. Membership in Marriott Bonvoy is free to enroll in and maintain.

https://www.marriott.com/marriott-brands/explore-our-brands.mi

HSA Advantages

HSA: Health savings account, or Health investment account, or Health retirement account

• Triple tax advantage (contribute, grow, withdraw all tax free)
  
• Invest HSA money (for future growth)
  
• Carry-over (HSA account belongs to you and no expiration like FSA)
• Tax free withdraw for medical expenses
• Penalty free 65+ use funds on anything (Use HSA for anything after 65 years old)
• Use the receipt loophole (Don't use HSA for medical expenses when you are young, you can reimburse yourself for past medical expense after retirement)
• You cannot contribute HSA when take medicare (Medicare at 65, no more HSA contribution)

17 books for financial learnings (4 stages)

the alchemist
think and grow rich
atomic habits
money master the game

the 4 hours workweek
influence the psychology of persuasion
confessions of an advertising man
the never split the difference
the lean startup
how to win friends and influence people
the 48 laws of power
the personal MBA

the intelligent investor
reality transurfing
misbehaving

the creature from Jekyll Island
the house of morgan

24节气

1. 立春：悄悄地，悄悄地，春的脚步近了。
2. 雨水：随风潜入夜，润物细无声。
3. 惊蛰：初惊蛰，鸟鸣虫动，踏青寻景，春雷相伴。
4. 春分：南园春半踏青时，风和闻马嘶。
5. 清明：书页受了惊扰而跳动，只因不识字的清风太过调皮。
6. 谷雨：春天唱起了歌，她的声音，是存封了千年的酒。
7. 立夏：星影憧憧，醉目点点，是为夏夜。
8. 小满：普洱叶，紫砂壶，菊花几瓣，清泉一掬。
9. 芒种：茶农香清，渗人心扉，哪知艳阳天。
10. 夏至：碧波轻弄影，荡舟杨柳中。
11. 小暑：风摇莲叶轻弄月，一片蛙声唱荷花。
12. 大暑：品夜风徐徐，听蝉声一二。
13. 立秋：卷帘凉暗度，迎扇暑先除。
14. 处暑：西风解事，为人间，洗尽三庚烦暑。
15. 白露：书堆寻碎玉，月下点流萤。
16. 秋分：秋浓蟹肥，邀知己三五，酌花雕数杯。
17. 寒露：为君持酒劝斜阳，且向花间留晚照。
18. 霜降：碧云天，黄叶地，秋色连波，波上寒烟翠。
19. 立冬：冬天的第一个早晨，被喧闹的阳光唤醒。
20. 小雪：片片互玲珑，飞扬玉漏终。
21. 大雪：千树万树梨花开，竟比春烂漫。
22. 冬至：岸容待腊将舒柳，山意冲寒欲放梅。
23. 小寒：折香骨一支，玉瓶置之，就一口雄黄，秀色可餐。
24. 大寒：且忘却浓寒，更登高，观雪景。

白驹过隙，寒暑几许。对酒当歌，回首望，流金岁月，哪有虚度的年华。

5 Fidelity funds

• Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund (FXNAX) 
• Fidelity Total International Index Fund (FTIHX)
• Fidelity Zero Total Market Index Fund (FZROX) 
• Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX)
• Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)
  

Tax Free investment

• Tax-Free Long-Term Capital Gains (below certain income threshold, up to 20% tax rate)
• Tax-Free Municipal Bonds (e.g. VTEAX)
• Tax-Free Treasury Securities (e.g. Bills/Notes/Bonds)
• Tax-Free Roth IRA (after tax contribution)
• Tax-Free Roth 401K (after tax contribution)
  
• Tax-Free Life Insurance (IUL - loan with interest rates)
• Tax-Free HSA (triple tax benefits) 
• Real Estate Can Be Tax-Free (Deprecations non-cash expense)
• Tax-Free Business (if expense is more than income)