Sentosa Island {Photo Blog}

The Cockroach Dance

Some people fear snakes, others fear heights or spiders. I am deathly afraid of cockroaches (but don't get me wrong, I'm scared of big hairy spiders too). In saying that, I’d rather have a spider on my face, than a cockroach anywhere near me.

So you’re probably wondering what the cockroach dance is. It basically consists of hopping around on your tip-toes, alternating from one foot to the other, while trying not to touch the ground at all so that cockroaches can not run over your feet.

And this was my first experience of Singapore. In my head, this was my rationalization of Singapore thus far:

One Night in Bangkok

I felt the heat creep up on me slowly as I walked off the airplane. Even inside the airport terminal, I could feel the oppressiveness of it. The closer I got to the exit, the more the heat engulfed me and the more my reality set in. And then the sliding doors opened and here I was, in the middle of hundreds of people, and a suffocating heat that made every pore in my body scream. Hello, Bangkok.

We had just about 24 hours to explore the bustling city before heading to Singapore, so after checking into the hotel, we hit the streets to find our first meal. A restaurant wouldn’t do. We were hungry for more than that; a cart by the side of the road, filled with mysterious delicacies only seemed appropriate. After all, we were in Bangkok.

"Life is a Journey"

The other day I put up this map of the world right next to my mirror where I get ready every morning. Even though I spend my work days thinking and talking about travel, I wanted to have this in-my-face reminder every morning so that I don't let my personal travel goals get pushed to the far recesses of my mind. I want to actively create new trip ideas, and plan future getaways.

So here's to wherever the wind blows me.

~C

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

Vintage Photos: My Family

My mom sent me some vintage photos of my family the other day, and I can't stop thinking about them. I feel like I'm looking into a time-machine, and I love it. I wish I could have been a part of those pictures. 

My grandma in the 60s, very pregnant with my uncle.

My great-grandma on Christmas Eve in the 60s

My dad in his first kung-fu film in the 50s

My great-grandma and my grandma dressed up for a night out.

My grandma and (biological) grandpa on their wedding night.

My grandma on the beach in the 50s.

~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

Harvest Hell {Guest Post}

I've always wanted to do a series of guest posts written by friends and family, but I just haven't gotten around to bugging enough people to write something for me. Luckily for me, someone actually wrote something for me without too much pestering on my end! 

Below is a post written by my good friend Dustin who recently spent a few months harvesting wine in Oregon.
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We are all familiar with the idiom “this is when we separate the men from the boys”. Well, the harvest season in any wine producing region across the world is truly an example of the men proving that they are men, and the boys falling to pieces.  

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!)