Hi there. I’m The Time Traveler.
I like to travel to different time periods and worlds through books, novels, and other written works. Sometimes I travel physically to destinations around the world as well. As you can tell from the name, Lit Time Travel is all about literature, history, and travel.
If you are a time traveler like me, please share the worlds and time periods you’ve traveled to! If not, I hope you enjoy the voyages I embark on inside and outside the fictions and non-fictions I explore.
Welcome to Lit Time Travel!
To check out even more posts, visit Thoughts & More.
The Time Traveler is an upcoming author who holds great appreciation for both classic literature and history. The author aspires to publish historical fictions and other written works in the near future, in hopes of creating works that entertain, inform, and inspire. The author also appreciates all things aesthetic and enjoys traveling around the world to learn and observe.
Recent Posts:
- Gem of a French Bread: Fougasse from Fournée Bakery
One thing I’ve noticed after moving up to NorCal is that bakeries here are infinitely better than the ones in SoCal. What I mean is, bakeries in the Bay feel more authentic and artisanal, and often times they are. I think there are better options for bread here than in the south. Please correct me… Read more: Gem of a French Bread: Fougasse from Fournée Bakery - Hope (Of a Better Tomorrow), 2023
The Time Traveler Hope (Of a Better Tomorrow), 2023 Digital photography - Christmas at PADERIA BAKEHOUSE: ‘Twas a Holly Jolly Visit 🎄
Just four more days until Christmas! It really has felt like it for the past few weeks. With the radio blasting timeless songs and Spotify recommending playlists like “Christmas Pop” and “Merry & Bright,” it feels like Christmas is already here. And such vibes are bringing back memories of my last Christmas… when I visited… Read more: Christmas at PADERIA BAKEHOUSE: ‘Twas a Holly Jolly Visit 🎄 - Best Coffee in Berkeley, CA
It’s been a long time coming since I decided to write this post. After being inundated with material and ideas (as well as non-blog related matters) over the past six months or so, I had to postpone sharing my go-to coffee spots in Berkeley. Well, here they are now: the best coffee shops in Berkeley!… Read more: Best Coffee in Berkeley, CA - Game of Shrooms 2023: Review & Tips for Future Artists & Hunters
Well, Game of Shrooms has come and gone! It was my very first time (ever!) participating. As expected, it was exhilarating and exhausting to join in as both artist and shroom hunter. For this year’s game, I created one mushroom-themed artwork titled, Shroompoleon (aka Napoleon Shroomaparte), which was claimed by a mystery hunter within a… Read more: Game of Shrooms 2023: Review & Tips for Future Artists & Hunters - Game of Shrooms: It’s Time to Hunt for Artsy Shrooms!
It’s finally June… Which means Game of Shrooms is almost here! Next week, the 2023 Game of Shrooms will commence. What is “Game of Shrooms”? It’s an annual art hide-and-seek that takes place all over the world for just one day; and this year, it’ll be on Saturday June 10, 2023. It’s a day when… Read more: Game of Shrooms: It’s Time to Hunt for Artsy Shrooms! - The Passing of Powell Cat, A True UCLA Icon
Did you know that there was a cat named “Powell Cat” at the University of California, Los Angeles? You probably didn’t. Because not even everyone who attended or visited UCLA knew “Powell Cat.” Only some of the hundreds of thousands of alumni and friends knew. And of those who knew that such a cat had… Read more: The Passing of Powell Cat, A True UCLA Icon - Gray Loft Gallery: An Art Exhibit to Remember
Shades of Gray at the Gray Loft Gallery This January, I had an opportunity to attend an art exhibit called Shades of Gray. No, it has nothing to do with the infamous novel by E.L. James. Rather, it was the “10th Anniversary Photography Exhibit” held at the Gray Loft Gallery in Oakland, CA from December… Read more: Gray Loft Gallery: An Art Exhibit to Remember - Visiting Ursula K. Le Guin’s Childhood Home in Berkeley, CA
It just happened so that I read Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea in Berkeley, the very city where the author had grown up in. And so, after finishing the wonderful fantasy novel (for the full review of A Wizard of Earthsea, click HERE), I just had to look up any place in… Read more: Visiting Ursula K. Le Guin’s Childhood Home in Berkeley, CA - A Wizard of Earthsea: One of the Best Fantasy Novels of All Time
If you think “fantasy,” what novels pop up in your mind? J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings? C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia? Or more recent works like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin? These authors are definitely the big names of fantasy with their masterpieces made… Read more: A Wizard of Earthsea: One of the Best Fantasy Novels of All Time - Lightlark Overlays (Official Preorder Gift) + Final Commentary
It’s finally here! I received my preorder gift from Abrams Books: the six custom page overlays of characters from Alex Aster’s Lightlark: The overlays came with this card with the following message from the author: Which has illustrations of the six rulers on the back, along with the prophecy from Lightlark: Lightlark Overlays I had… Read more: Lightlark Overlays (Official Preorder Gift) + Final Commentary - Lightlark Book Review & Moonling Event in San Francisco
Lightlark by Alex Aster If you’re an active social media user and an avid reader, chances are, you’ve heard of Lightlark. It’s the young adult fantasy novel written by Alex Aster, who has launched it through her famous BookToks. Her videos have garnered so much support that the cover for Lightlark was revealed in New… Read more: Lightlark Book Review & Moonling Event in San Francisco - FoodieLand Night Market: Only For Foodies with Money to Spare
After purchasing my $7.00 ticket for the FoodieLand Night Market back in July, I spent the following weeks excited at the prospect of attending the “foodie inspired multi-cultural food and entertainment event.” Due to the excitement, I couldn’t even sleep well the night before the event! FoodieLand Night Market in Berkeley, CA FoodieLand Night Market… Read more: FoodieLand Night Market: Only For Foodies with Money to Spare - MY Coffee Roastery: A Whimsical Cottage with Chill Vibes
Cute Café in Berkeley, CA If you search “cute cafes to visit in Berkeley” in Google, chances are “MY Coffee Roastery” will pop up. And being the ever-tireless fan of cute cafes, I set my heart on visiting MY Coffee Roastery a few weeks ago. Sure enough when I got there, the café was a… Read more: MY Coffee Roastery: A Whimsical Cottage with Chill Vibes - Mini Art Mart at Japantown SF 🌉
You probably know about San Francisco’s Chinatown. It’s one of the oldest and most established Chinatowns in the United States, boasting the largest Chinese population outside of Asia. But did you know that there’s a Japantown as well in San Francisco? The Japantown in San Francisco, aka Nihonmaki, is THE oldest and largest Japantown in… Read more: Mini Art Mart at Japantown SF 🌉 - Never Have I Ever: The Netflix Show That Got It Right (Mostly) 👌🏽
When I first came across the trailer for the first season of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever, I thought it was a simple show about an Indian girl who has a crush on a popular guy at school. After unintentionally binge-watching two seasons, I found out that it was SO MUCH more than that. Here… Read more: Never Have I Ever: The Netflix Show That Got It Right (Mostly) 👌🏽 - The Picture of Dorian Gray: A Cautionary Tale Against Bad Friends
For research purposes for my upcoming novel, I picked up The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I’ve heard of the classic way back in school when I heard that it was a story about a handsome young man named Dorian Gray who sells his soul to the devil for eternal youth. Though I… Read more: The Picture of Dorian Gray: A Cautionary Tale Against Bad Friends - Sneak Peek of Alex Aster’s Lightlark: Something Exciting Is Coming!
There’s an exciting YA book coming this August. It’s none other than Alex Aster’s Lightlark! By Alex Aster For those who don’t know, Alex Aster is an award-winning author whose viral TikTok video (aka BookTok) of her Lightlark landed her a six-figure book deal with Amulet Books. She utilized the social media platform to launch… Read more: Sneak Peek of Alex Aster’s Lightlark: Something Exciting Is Coming! - Twilight Book Review: A Problematic Teen Novel
*Note: This is a review of Twilight, the first novel by Stephenie Meyer. This is NOT a review of the entire series – which is even more problematic. I remember how popular Twilight was back when I was in school. After its publication in 2005, the novel by Stephanie Meyer was THE book everyone talked… Read more: Twilight Book Review: A Problematic Teen Novel - Edward Cullen: A Teenage Dream Come True
I haven’t read all the novels of the Twilight series. I didn’t even watch all the films. And with the era of Team Edward vs. Team Jacob being way over, my opinion on Edward Cullen would neither matter nor be solid, with MUCH details about him missing. Same goes for Jacob Black. But as someone… Read more: Edward Cullen: A Teenage Dream Come True - Things to Do in Corona Del Mar, aka “Crown of the Sea” 👑
I touched upon Corona Del Mar in my post about Rendez Vous French Bakery & Cafe (click HERE for the post), but it really deserves a post of its own. So here’s a post dedicated to the ever-beautiful Corona Del Mar! Pristine Beauty of Architectural Delights Corona Del Mar is a seaside neighborhood in Newport… Read more: Things to Do in Corona Del Mar, aka “Crown of the Sea” 👑 - Ahoy, Scratch-Made Treats! Blackmarket Bakery 🏴☠️
Nestled in an eco-friendly retail campus surrounded by the 73, 55 and 405 highways is a glass building with a logo reminiscent of the pirate flag. It’s none other than Blackmarket Bakery! Allow me to introduce you to the unique bakery serving scratch-made treats, fresh bread and savory sandwiches. The CAMP at Costa Mesa Blackmarket… Read more: Ahoy, Scratch-Made Treats! Blackmarket Bakery 🏴☠️ - Rendez Vous Cafe in Corona Del Mar: Best Beignets, Worst Latte 🥐
If someone had asked me where my favorite café was just three months ago, I would have readily answered: Rendez Vous French Bakery & Cafe in Corona Del Mar, CA! But now I can’t. Because despite their still delicious beignets and food, it saddens me to say that I’ve tasted one of the worst lattes… Read more: Rendez Vous Cafe in Corona Del Mar: Best Beignets, Worst Latte 🥐 - Bridgerton Novel #3: An Offer from a Gentleman
I know that I bid adieu to the Bridgerton series after watching season 2. But I must write one more book review of the series, as I’ve already finished the third Bridgerton novel by Julia Quinn, An Offer from a Gentleman aka Benedict’s story. I had read it before season 2 in hopes of being… Read more: Bridgerton Novel #3: An Offer from a Gentleman - Bridgerton Season 2 Review: The Good & The Bad
Dear reader, I have just finished season 2 of Netflix’s Bridgerton, as you can tell by my introduction. And I have much to say about it, both good and bad. I shall start with the good. The Good: Bridgerton Does It Again 👍Visuals & Music The most anticipated series to return last month, Bridgerton season… Read more: Bridgerton Season 2 Review: The Good & The Bad - Irvine French Baking Class #2: Apple Pie & Tarte Tatin
After attending the fun lemon tart class I attended last year, I signed up for the “Apple Pie and Tatin Tart” class when it opened a few months back. Despite registering early for the Irvine baking class, I almost decided to withdraw the night before. After months of hectic schedule, I didn’t think I could… Read more: Irvine French Baking Class #2: Apple Pie & Tarte Tatin - Bridgerton Season 2 Fan Art
Just 10 More Days The countdown has really begun for Netflix’s Bridgerton Season 2! Just 10 more days until the series return with Julia Quinn’s second Bridgerton novel, The Viscount Who Loved Me. As mentioned in my previous post, I fell hard for the Bridgerton series. The characters written by Julia Quinn are interesting and… Read more: Bridgerton Season 2 Fan Art - Bridgerton Novel #2: The Viscount Who Loved Me
I’m happy to announce that I just finished the second Bridgerton novel by Julia Quinn, The Viscount Who Loved Me. I was worried about not finishing on time by March 25th, which is when Netflix’s Bridgerton returns with Anthony’s story. In other words, when The Viscount Who Loved Me debuts on Netflix. I honestly can’t… Read more: Bridgerton Novel #2: The Viscount Who Loved Me - PADERIA BAKEHOUSE: A Whole New Level of Quality Pastry
Not all pastry shops are the same. There are the good ones that sell pastries that aren’t overly sweet but still taste excellent; the bad ones with tasty but sugary goods that make one feel really guilty for having consumed them. And the ugly, where cheap-looking, sugar-coated treats make one feel sick after a few… Read more: PADERIA BAKEHOUSE: A Whole New Level of Quality Pastry - Confessions of an Ex-Army #1: How I Became a BTS Fan
I am no longer an avid fan of BTS. What I mean is, I still like their music but have grown out of the fangirl phase. But here is how I became an “Army,” aka a fan of BTS, the K-pop boy band otherwise known as Bangtan Boys/Bangtan Sonyeondan/ 방탄소년단. It all goes back to… Read more: Confessions of an Ex-Army #1: How I Became a BTS Fan - Bridgerton Novel #5: To Sir Philip, With Love
So I finished To Sir Philip, With Love, aka Eloise’s story today and… I have a complaint quite a few complaints. #1) Philip It has been written in the novel that Philip Crane is a good man. He is described as a “nice” and “honorable” man. To be sure, he is: he married his late… Read more: Bridgerton Novel #5: To Sir Philip, With Love - Bridgerton Novel #4: Romancing Mister Bridgerton
Like the rest of the ton who watched Netflix’s first season of Bridgerton, I fell prey to the addictive series. And I fell hard, looking up details for the next season once season 1 ended ended and starting to devour the original novels written by Julia Quinn. Just a week ago, I finished reading Brigerton… Read more: Bridgerton Novel #4: Romancing Mister Bridgerton - The Other Cafe Lola: The Henderson Location
2021 came to an end a few weeks ago. Yet, there is still no sign of the pandemic coming to an end. Not even close. The pandemic, as everyone knows, has been terrible, affecting everyone across the globe. It has taken the lives of countless, disrupted the hopes of many. I dreamed of traveling after… Read more: The Other Cafe Lola: The Henderson Location - “Not Your Grandma’s Coffee Shop”: The One and Only, Coffee Dose ☕
Ever in search of aesthetic cafes, I came across an interesting coffee shop this month. It’s called, “Coffee Dose.” Nestled between office buildings in Irvine (also located in LA and Costa Mesa), Coffee Dose is certainly “not your grandma’s coffee shop.” They have coffee cups with words “Fuck Mornings,” “Anti-Bitch Club,” “Anti-Bitch Serum.” and a… Read more: “Not Your Grandma’s Coffee Shop”: The One and Only, Coffee Dose ☕ - Exploring Deeper into Howl’s Moving Castle: The Cast & More
Hi. It’s the Time Traveler here, again, with final things to say about Howl’s Moving Castle. I had so much to share about the Ghibli film that I decided to break it into two parts. As you can tell, my last post on the movie was already long enough. So now, I shall continue with… Read more: Exploring Deeper into Howl’s Moving Castle: The Cast & More - Review of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Artistic Triumph
As written in my last post HERE, I could not watch Howl’s Moving Castle in theaters for this year’s Ghibli Fest. I mean, I was going to but chose not to as the lax CDC guidelines the theaters were following made me feel really uncomfortable. Not enforcing social distancing and masks were odd, considering the… Read more: Review of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Artistic Triumph - Ghibli Fest 2021: Howl’s Moving Castle During the Pandemic
I can’t believe it’s already been about 2 years since the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, China back in December 2019. And it’s sad to know that the world hasn’t recovered from it yet. There are still countless cases and deaths throughout the world. But despite the worldwide struggle against COVID-19, some parts of the… Read more: Ghibli Fest 2021: Howl’s Moving Castle During the Pandemic - Honey & Butter Macarons: Where Macarons Are Pieces of Art
A Special Occasion Last Saturday on October 16th, Honey & Butter released macarons in collaboration with LINE FRIENDS (characters popular in Asia). According to their website, they will continue to release these special macarons for two more dates, on October 23rd & 30th. As I expected there to be much competition, I set out at… Read more: Honey & Butter Macarons: Where Macarons Are Pieces of Art - Irvine French Baking Class #1: Lemon Tart
On a crisp October morning, I went to attend a French baking class in Irvine that I had signed up for a few weeks back. To tell the truth, my very first dream was becoming a patisserie. Of course, back when I was little, I had no idea that such a word existed. So I… Read more: Irvine French Baking Class #1: Lemon Tart - Bella Grace: Epitome of a Beautiful Magazine
Last week, when it drizzled in the ever-sunny city of my residence, I stopped by at a Barnes & Noble bookstore. For the past few years, I’ve been on-and-off writing my first novel, and I wanted to research the tone and style of recently published books. As is always the case whenever I’m in bookstores,… Read more: Bella Grace: Epitome of a Beautiful Magazine - Cafe Lola Summerlin: An Aesthetic Café by Red Rock Canyon
This summer, I had a chance to visit Las Vegas with my family. But as we are in the midst of a pandemic, we chose to explore the outdoors around the city instead of lingering in the populous hub. As we had already visited Death Valley, Grand Canyon, and Sedona, we decided to explore Red… Read more: Cafe Lola Summerlin: An Aesthetic Café by Red Rock Canyon - Raccoon in the Hood 🦝
The town I live in abounds with animals of all kinds. We have squirrels, rabbits, lizards, rats, doves, ducks, crows, parrots, coyotes, and even mountain lions roaming about. But I had no idea that I would come face to face with a raccoon! Encountering My Neighbor, Raccoon One evening, after a walk in the park,… Read more: Raccoon in the Hood 🦝 - Chung Sul Youn Kim – Life of a Pioneer
It’s past Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, but I would still like to share Chung Sul Youn’s story. It is not as well known as it ought to be, especially considering the fact that she was a pioneer in many different ways. As one of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S., she… Read more: Chung Sul Youn Kim – Life of a Pioneer - EPIK Essay: Thoughts on Teaching & Encountering Cultural Differences
While applying to EPIK this year, I had to write personal statements on teaching as well as encountering cultural differences. Below are my teaching philosophy and thoughts on cultural differences (2 of the 3 EPIK essay prompts). *But as EPIK essay prompts may change, be sure to always check their official website! Prompt #1: My… Read more: EPIK Essay: Thoughts on Teaching & Encountering Cultural Differences - Applying to EPIK: Not So Epic Experience (Part III – The Questions)
The EPIK Interview My EPIK interview via Zoom finally took place on Friday, September 17th. But my EPIK coordinator had trouble with Internet connection that day too, so his screen was pitch-black. Hence, I had my interview without seeing him, only hearing his voice. It wasn’t ideal, but regardless, I was grateful to just proceed… Read more: Applying to EPIK: Not So Epic Experience (Part III – The Questions) - Applying to EPIK: Not So Epic Experience (PART II – The Interview)
So in my last post, I left off at the part where I find out that I had wasted my money, time and energy on the criminal record check that was no longer needed for EPIK’s initial application. It was no longer required as of September 6th. I had applied early on August 27th. I… Read more: Applying to EPIK: Not So Epic Experience (PART II – The Interview) - Applying to EPIK: Not So Epic Experience (PART I)
After working for a company for about two years, I left in search of a new one. It’s not that I disliked the company or my colleagues. In fact, my job was very fulfilling, my superiors and teammates great, and I loved the industry that I worked in. But with the onset of the pandemic,… Read more: Applying to EPIK: Not So Epic Experience (PART I) - My Latest KFC Review: Still Terrible
KFC was one of my favorite fast-food restaurants out there. With its menu of coleslaw, mashed potatoes & gravy, fried chicken, as well as biscuits with jam and butter, KFC had a solid menu of gustatory harmony. But about a decade ago, things changed. My family and I were given undercooked fried chicken – so… Read more: My Latest KFC Review: Still Terrible