Photos: Cherry Blossoms

I went to Japantown over the long weekend to pick up some Japanese treats that I have been without for a few months now. Little did I know that I'd find myself smack-dab in the middle of an anime convention! It was really fun to see everyone dressed up in their funky costumes, walking around eating ice cream and having a good time. On my way home, I ran into these gorgeous cherry blossoms in full bloom! I love how pretty cherry blossoms are and how they can instantly make a boring old street look beautiful.

~C

Photos: Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is only about 30 minutes on the Muni train from where I live, but it feels like a completely different world. Even on a chilly winter day, the sun is shining and the water is glistening.

~C

Photos: Unexpected Beauty

I love taking walks in different cities and finding unexpected beauty. The trick is to always look around you when you walk - look up, down, and side-to-side. Sounds simple, but you'd be amazed at what you'll find when you actually do it.

Building in Chinatown, San Francisco

A sunny day at the Trump Hotel, Las Vegas

Pier on the Embarcadero at night, San Francisco

Ships in the bay, San Francisco

Hidden nature in the city, San Francisco

Wall art, Los Angeles

~C

Remembering: Thanksgiving

I wasn't planning on posting anything about Thanksgiving because my celebrations tend to look pretty much the same each year. It normally involves my whole family in LA, a huge turkey and lots of friends. But this year was different. Looking back at the photos of this year's dinner, I realized how special it was to be able to spend the one-on-one time with my aunt.

Typically, I would be fighting the crowds at Oakland Airport on my way home to LA. This year though, I happily opted to stay in the Bay and celebrate with my aunt who lives up here. Neither of us are big turkey fans, so we decided to go the non-traditional route and had a Thanksgiving melting pot of different foods. We spent the whole day together just hanging out, watching movies, eating and chatting. I loved it!

I think as long as you're with people who you love and who love you in return, then it doesn't really matter where you are or what you're eating.

Breakfast of champs: champagne, cheese and crackers

~C

Mr. B

I'm obsessed, nay, infatuated with Anthony Bourdain. I've watched every single episode of No Reservations, read his most recent book, am reading his first book, follow him on Twitter and on Facebook, and try to get him to respond to my tweets basically everyday. Clearly, he's not having it.

That's okay, he's like the dealer to my food porn addiction and I'm still planning to hussy up every buck I have to make sure the supply never runs dry.

Alright, in reality, I like the way he thinks and expresses himself. Sometimes crude, sometimes harsh, almost always sarcastic, but frank and to the point. I appreciate honestly without all the BS. I like the fact that he can sit at a bar in Boston and take shots of whiskey with the locals, and the next week sit down to a typical, yet basic family meal in Vietnam, and have a good time either way. I like that when he's eating, he can get along with everyone (have you seen the Ted Nugent episode?) Yes, he's rough around the edges, but no one is perfect.

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend's trip to Marin by ferry to go get a pumpkin! 

 ~C

(PS. Just noticed how ugly this post looks on Safari! Check it on using Firefox instead!)

Umami Burger

Umami: Taken from Japanese meaning savory. One of the five basic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter).

The first thing I was told after having been welcomed into the flagship San Francisco spot was that Umami Burger proudly grounds their own meat every day, processes their own cheese, pickles their own vegetables, and that the word umami means savory. You should expect all of their burgers to be rich in flavor, juicy, and cooked medium-rare.

I first read about Umami Burger on one of my favorite blogs, Cupcakes and Cashmere, and haven't stopped hearing about it since (my LA-based friends can't help but gush over their obsession with it). So naturally, when a co-worker casually mentioned that he had just had lunch at the new restaurant, I -literally - ran over to check it out. I wasn't the only one who was excited to be there - a reporter from the SF Chronicle was there interviewing the staff and taking photos.

A much more professional photo than mine from the Umami Burger site.

Luckily, I had just missed the lunch rush, and was able to sit down at the bar immediately. I asked the bartender what the most popular burger was and he suggested either the Umami Burger or the Hatch Burger. I chose the Umami Burger since, hey, it's Umami Burger, with a Japanese Caprese Salad to start.

Fleet Week

Fleet Week is upon us! This weekend both the Marina and Embarcadero were packed with thousands of people coming to view the Blue Angels show and the docked Navy ships. So, I decided to take a walk down to the Embarcadero to see all the people, and to visit the farmers market.

Crowd down at The Embarcadero

Fleet Week sign

Happy Birthday To Me!

My birthday was a few days ago, and this year I wanted to celebrate by doing something low key. I started the day by taking a long walk with my aunt down to the water near Fisherman's Wharf, through Fort Mason and to the Marina. We decided to have lunch at this cute little place called Rose's Cafe where I had some amazing lemonade: sparkling lavender lemonade with a piece of mint (if you don't like sour, you might want to add some sugar)....mmm so good, I'm craving it right now!

On our way back to Nob Hill, we passed through Polk St. and stopped for some birthday froyo at Loving Cup. They are known for their creative way of mixing their froyo flavors and for their realllly delicious rice pudding. 

I Believe...

I believe that there is beauty everywhere. I  believe in a glass of wine a day, new book smell and sparkly accessories. I believe that "it is written" and that everything happens for a reason.

I believe in wearing your retainers at night, and soaking the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. I believe in "may I", "please" and "thank you".

I believe that laughter is the best medicine, but so are kisses and cuddles. I believe in switching off, signing out and logging out every once in a while. I believe that wealth doesn't necessarily equal right, moral or kind-hearted.

I believe in laughing at yourself.

I believe that good friends can last forever.

I believe in kombucha, The Giants and good communication.

I believe in traveling around the world, forming new bonds and having new experiences. I believe in loyalty, compassion and positive energy.

What do you believe in?

(Inspired by C'est Christine and Where My Heart Resides) 

~C

A White Trash Weekend

I'm a little late on this post, but this picture is worth it. This 4th of July was celebrated in true white trash style: mullets, baby bumps and the sound of "U.S.A, U.S.A" chanted over and over while a bag of wine was passed around. Happy Birthday, Amurrica. Happy Birthday.

~C

An Angel in Disguise

I met Sean the other day. He was hanging out at the Sugar Cafe bar all alone, and I just happened to sit next to him. He looked like he had just left work, dressed in a green button down and black slacks, drinking an Anchor Steam. The bartender (who is also my roommate) handed me a cocktail from the menu, and Sean and I sat in awkward silence for a few minutes not acknowledging each other's presence.

He looked lonely, and even though my mom taught me not to speak to strangers, sometimes I just can't help it. So I asked him what had brought him to this bar. Turns out he had come there once before, a few years ago on a layover from Australia to his home in Ireland, and he was repeating his tradition again that night.

Without any agenda or expectations - we ended up talking for almost 2 hours. Out of nowhere, he started telling me a story about how he had packed up his life about 6 years ago, and moved to Australia. He explained to me how it was the most exciting thing he'd ever done; he had met so many new people and had so many wonderful and spontaneous experiences, and he didn't regret a thing...and told me that I have to do it.

Funny thing is, with all this free time lately, it has lead me to start thinking radically, radically about what the next months of my life should be like. Every day is different: I go from pondering about a 9-5 job in the city, to living in London or down by the Riviera, to traveling to the Bahamas to bartend my way through tiki huts and clear blue water, or even to spending a year down under throwing shrimp on the barbie with the Aussies.

Before I left the bar that night, I told Sean that I was happy to have met him. And I genuinely was...and still am. He reminded me of the things I've been dying to do, of the things I yearn to do, and of the things I had pushed to the back of my mind because I was stuck in a routine. He reminded me of how much I love to travel and how much I love to experience new things. He reminded me not to be scared and that the first step would be the hardest and most scary, but that it would all be worth it in the end.

So, should I stay or should I go?

~C