Mini Ventura Road Trip

Why hello there beautiful people!

In early October, a few of my girlfriends and I went to visit a friend of ours in Ventura. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014 and the cancer came back this year after two years of remission. Her spirits have, understandably, been a rollercoaster of ups and downs.

My girlfriends and I had an idea to visit her. Three of us drove up together. The lady of the hour had no idea I was coming. I was the surprise. I waited at cafe table out on the street patio and when they walked by I had said, "Brenda, is that you?" Then were girly screams and shrieks of happiness. 

We ate some Thai food at Rice Thai cafe and got our nails done.  After that we had dessert and coffee at Palermo Cafe.

Done at All Star Nails salon in Ventura, CA

Spicy Thai beef salad :p

I had a pumpkin cobbler bar (far left) and a lavender mocha iced coffee

It was such a beautiful day from start to finish. I was living on the adrenaline for the whole week. My biggest joy was seeing how happy my friend was to see all of us. 

When you're going through a tough time, you can sometimes feel isolated. I am happy we were able to lift up her spirits. The smile on her face is something I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.

Life is short everyone. Tell your loved ones you love them. And enjoy life. Overnight, life can change in an instant without any warning. 


Xoxoxo

Hello, Gainesville!

Last week, I went on a mini vacation to Florida!

It was very short. Too short. I flew in on a Wednesday night and left Sunday morning. It was definitely not a enough time to explore. Despite the time crunch, I was able to get a good sense of the community that I was in. 

I spent most of my time in Gainesville, a small college town. It was definitely a cultural shock coming from the big bustling city of Los Angeles. Gainesville is very low key, rural-looking in some parts, and has a communal small town feel.

Native residents had southern accents. It was pretty cool! As a medical social worker in Los Angeles, I've come across many many different peoples and cultures. My patients from the south have been some of my most favorite: humble, communal, spiritual, and kind. It was really exciting for me to be on their home turf. 

The weekend I came was homecoming weekend at the University of Florida, Gainesville. I was an honorary Gator (UF) for the weekend, able to partake in homecoming activities such as the law school tailgate and Gator Growl (concert). 

Check out some pictures below (WARNING: Some pictures may be "boring"/random but each is a memory for me):

Winn Dixie: a supermarket chain with the nicest employees! My first taste of the southern charm!

So random! But I had to take a picture!

Lake Alice: Lays in the middle of the UF campus! It is home to alligators, fish and turtles. So sad I didn't get to see an alligator :(

You can't really tell, but I'm holding a Cuban coffee cortadito

The most interesting turtle I've ever seen! Spotted in Lake Alice

Saw Ludacris perform at Gator Growl. Also saw Foster the People

Alligator Rice Bowl: I know! But it was so good! It tasted like a hybrid of popcorn chicken and popcorn shrimp

Key lime pie: I searched all over for Key West key lime pie. I couldn't find any in Gainesville so I settled for this, a key lime tart. It was okay =/

Watermelon as a side?! "Only in the south" says a Gainesville resident

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

Ta-daaaa!

Instead of getting a parking entry ticket, I got a poker chip! Never have seen this before!

Bayshore Blvd in Tampa

The sun is setting on the Bayshore Blvd. So so beautiful. These pictures don't do the Bayshore Blvd any justice. It was breathtaking in person. The homes along Bayshore Blvd were also breathtaking.

It's been real, Gainesville. This city girl really enjoyed the small town vibe that you gave. You totally captured my heart <3

I hope to see you again one day....

<3<3<3

I'm Back From the Philippines!

Over 24 hours of travel time, over 5 hours of layover time, nearly 10 hours of waiting for boarding; after 5 trips to the airport, 6 boarding passes, 4 baggage claims, my vacation has come to an end.

Last week, I came back from vacationing in the Philippines! I had the bestest time and I really wish I was still on vacation, but back to reality I must go! Boo :(

I was there for nearly two weeks. I spent most of time in Dumaguete City which is in Negros Oriental, or the the Visayas. I spent about 3-4 days in Manila. As mentioned, there was a lot of travel time and airport time involved, but it was all so very worth it. And I would it again in a heartbeat.

In Dumaguete City is where my grandma (or Lola, which means grandma in Tagalog), my aunt and my cousin live. They are more homebody than me so we didn't go on extravagant adventures. It was also Holy Week when I was here. The majority of the Philippines are Catholic. It was crazy because the majority of shops closed on Thursday and Friday of Holy Week. It was so quiet!

W went to the mall, which is what many many people do in the Philippines to avail of the AC because of the hot hot heat and humidity. March is when summer begins. I was lucky because it was supposed to be dreadfully hot, but thankfully, summer started late this year! My first day in Dumaguete was pretty hot, but after the first day, it rained at night (and sometimes during the day) for 3 days straight. Rain brings cooler weather. It was pretty funny because the weather was in the 70s and my family were cold! It's usually in the 80s and 90s in the Philippines. Add on humidity and you have recipe for sweat central.  Funny thing is that when I left the Philippines, summer started full-fledged! Thank you mother nature for sparing me hot misery!

In Dumaguete, we also went to the Boulevard, my cousin's university, and downtown. I bought some shoes at Robinsons mall. I'll show my very few goodies that I bought (I totally wish I bought more) in an upcoming post. I really didn't do much in Dumaguete, but spending time with my family meant more to me than anything.

FAVORITE DUMAGUETE MOMENT: Sitting with my Lola on a bench at the ball. She was telling me about her life when she was younger. I just have to share that she uses the word "preggy" for pregnant. It is adorable. I love her!

After Dumaguete, I went back to Manila where I stayed with my aunt and two cousins in Cubao, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. Yes, that was a long description. The Philippines have a long description of a location incorporating neighborhood, district and city! My aunt took me to the mall which I enjoy doing. We took many pictures. I saw my cousins. I met my nephew and niece for the firs time. It was adorable! The little girl is 5 years old. She loves the camera and knows how to work the camera. 

FAVORITE MOMENTS IN MANILA: 1) Easter lunch/despedida (going away party) with my family, 2) holding hands with my niece when we walked throughout the mall, and 3) when it was time for her to go home, she didn't want to go and said she wanted to stay with me. 

Here are some photos from my journey:

Manny Pacquiao was boxing this day! Filipinos at the mall had to stop and watch it!

I claim being Pacqiao's good luck charm because he won. The last time I was in the Philippines, he fought and won too. You'e welcome, Pacman! LOL

Dumaguete City

Beautiful view from a patio at Robinsons mall

Dumaguete City

Silliman University

Dumaguete City

Watermelon crush and brazo cupcake. AMAZING. I need to find this in Los Angeles!

Dumaguete City

The Boulevard. This sign is new and gorgeously lights up at night

Dumaguete City

I love going to and from Dumaguete. You board the plane this way. Makes me feel like a celebrity. 

Dumaguete City

Makati

Makita, Manila

 Some of the Easter decor at Sky Garden, a part of the mall (P.S. Filipino malls in Manila are every girl's dream! There's usually 2-3 HUGE malls that connect by a bridge. My poor wallet!!)

Quezon City, Manila

LOVE. She didn't want to let go

Mister Donut, my favorite donut spot. Mine was mango custard filled!

Quezon City, Manila

Random crosswalk

A super cute donut I purchased at Dunkin Donuts Incheon Airport in South Korea. I am obsessed with teddies so I couldn't resist. Too bad it wasn't good :(

That's it for now. Thank you for joining in on my journey. I hope it wasn't too boring :)
I will be posting a mini (literally mini since I bought more food than clothing items) haul soon. I'm still getting back into the swing of things. And my job just recently asked me to be part of a pilot program at the hospitals so I've been busy and exhausted!

Talk to you soon!

<3<3<3