Exploring LA

My friends and I explored LA for a couple of days. We visited Rodeo Drive to window shop and see all the beautiful buildings. Traffic, by the way, is crazy! We ate at The Griddle for breakfast...while the pancakes were incredibly delicious, one dish is enough for a family of five (at least). The pancakes come in huge servings, and unfortunately, we got seated in a dark room so the pictures turned out grainy and dark. I think the best part of Rodeo Drive was finally, finally seeing the Sprinkles ATM and the newly opened Sprinkles ice cream. 

Afterward, we got to visit Santa Monica Pier. For someone who lives in Los Angeles, it was only my second time. The first time I visited the pier, I hung out on the rides but this time, we hung out on the beach. The sand was burning hot, but the water was extremely refreshing and cool. Santa Monica is one of the prettiest beaches around Southern California.

The day after, we went to Laguna Beach to fulfill Christine's dream. She watched Laguna Beach as a child and wanted to visit the place where it all started. The weather finally cooled down a bit, and it was one of those places where we could drive with the windows rolled down and music blasting through our ears. It was a gorgeous, relaxing day out. If I were ever a beach-hater, I definitely am not anymore. We finished the day off with dinner at the Boiling Crab (my first time ever) and the Cajun fries are a total winner!

Being back in Northern California makes me miss LA just a bit. I miss everything about it except for the blistering hot weather.

Finally, the OC Fair

My friends and I drove six hours from Berkeley to Los Angeles over the weekend. It was an awesome way for us to relax after a stressful summer. It was one of those "blast your music loud and drive fast" kind of trips. Plus, it was so great to finally drive again!

For five years, I've wanted to visit the OC Fair but never had the time. I finally went, but it was way to hot to really enjoy myself. It hit 100 degrees, which made it really difficult to do anything but sip on some strawberry lemonade. Though we didn't go on any of the carnival rides, we were able to watch pigs race. At the "race," I bumped into my high school coach and a couple of my former teammates!

I really want to go to the fair again, but definitely when it's below 85 degrees. I'd want to ride a couple of rides, try some of the infamous deep fried oreos and butter, and see the ice sculptures. 

til next time, OC fair!

Everybody dies, but not everybody lives

These three weeks have been pretty amazing. I never really liked or appreciated the beach, but I think I've gone to five different beaches in the span of a week and a half. I enjoyed being able to drive again, experience the delicious eats again, and hang out with my friends - both from high school and college. It's been really great waking up at noon everyday, something I've never really been able to do. During this time, I've also been able to check off many things from my summer list!

At the same time, I'm extremely excited to go back to Berkeley. It's becoming more and more like home to me. Public transportation and my own two feet save me gas money, and I'm also looking forward to eat and shop in places I haven't been able to visit during the school year. The colder weather is definitely something I'm excited for. Getting sunburned for the first time in my life while biking to Huntington Beach last week was not fun. So, good-bye Southern California, thank you for making me feel so alive!

The past three weeks in a wrap:

baking and cooking {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

prom pictures for Jeff and Jessica

Corona del Mar, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica Pier {+ Huntington Beach}

Hollywood w/ K and D

Read my articles for Caliber Magazine: 1 2 (another upcoming one on June 4)

A week with Berkeleyans

Some Berkeley friends from NorCal and SoCal met up from Monday afternoon until Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Being together brought back warm memories of late nights (or early mornings) at Putnam, midnight movie nights at Dwinelle Hall, and birthday celebrations. Here, we wanted to show our NorCal buds what SoCal is all about!

The first day, we met up at UCLA and toured around with our friends who attend the school. The dorm food, by the way, is amazing (even on an "off day"). Near 5pm, we headed to Little Tokyo for Daikokuya (famous for ramen).

{The girls reunited at UCLA}

{Group picture in front of the wishing tree}

On the second day, we explored the major SoCal joints. We ate brunch at Porto's, enjoyed Venice Beach (which reminded us much of Berkeley), appreciated art at LACMA, and dined at Bruxie's and Guppy's. We did so much in just a day! Admittedly, it was exhausting especially on the drivers, but it was well worth it. Such a great day spent with great company!

{Delicious potato balls + red velvet cupcake at Porto's}

{Venice Beach's graffiti art walls}

{Spaghetti Art at LACMA, where anything can be art}

{The lampposts...finally!}

{Bruxie Burger @ Bruxie's...mmm!}

The last full day was spent visiting college campuses, driving A LOT, drinking Half & Half Teahouse for the first time (which totally didn't meet expectations), and making hot dogs & s'mores at Huntington Beach. 'Twas a good time.

{Goodbye bonfire}