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Posted on April 2, 2023January 24, 2024 by The Time Traveler — 2 Comments

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 10, 2022 to January 21, 2023. Truth be told, I had never been to an art exhibit before, so I was extremely excited to attend the group photo exhibit, to say the least!

There was a banner outside the building to help first time visitors like myself find the entrance.

The Gray Loft Gallery was located inside a tall, multi-story building. You had to take several flights of stairs to get to the actual gallery with all the artworks.

As you can see in this photo, there were several artworks visitors could look at on their way upstairs. But since they weren’t part of the actual exhibit, I won’t show them in detail.

As I made my way upstairs, I came face to face with a lady and her adorable little dog that hopped down besides her.

I presumed her to be a family member or friend of one of the artists, and fawned over her dog as I passed by. To my surprise, the lady smiled and pointed out that I would soon be seeing her dog in the exhibit. I didn’t really know what she meant at the time, so I just smiled back and moved along. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise!

“Room 32”

Once I reached the floor where the exhibit was taking place (which, I believe was the third floor), I was met with a small table with flyers displayed:

There were name cards and such of the artists whose works were being displayed. Taking a few with me, I stepped inside Room 32 and officially began my Shades of Gray experience.

The gallery was basically a large room with dividers with artworks hung here and there on the walls.

The photographs were mostly in shades of gray, with a few exceptions. But as its name suggested, the exhibit was mostly a collage of black, white and gray.

Pleasant Surprises

Amidst the artworks and people casually conversing amongst themselves, there was a station serving wine and treats with these pretty light decorations.

Visitors had the chance to support the gallery by tipping cash in this glass jar (shown above) or they could purchase the actual artworks displayed. If I recall correctly, most of the prices I saw were in the hundreds. I did see that some works had been claimed, as they had these red circle stickers below them.

The red stickers below the framed works meant that the artworks had been purchased.

As I was cruising around the room with my drink in hand, I almost froze because I came face to face with the aforementioned dog. There it was, staring me in the eye!

*Untitled #5* by Ellen Shershow. To see more of this artist’s works, visit the official website HERE or the Instagram account HERE.

It was such a pleasant surprise to see the dog again! 😂 But I think the dog was cuter in person, hopping down the stairs next to its owner. And for some reason, it looks angry in the photograph. Well, anyways, I think I appreciated the artwork so much more after having actually met the dog beforehand.

(Some of) My Favorites

I’m not exaggerating one bit when I say that I thoroughly enjoyed viewing all the artworks at the exhibit. These photographs were not just simple photos; they were captivating images that all spoke different messages through objects and figures captured. Looking back, it’s fascinating how moving each of the still images were! But these are some of the ones that I remember vividly:

1. Rub my eyes 8 2022 by Francis Baker

This work was one of the few that were not completely in black and white. Yet, it fit the theme and the exhibit so well. For more works created by the artist behind this dreamy palette, visit the official website at francisbaker.com or on Instagram HERE.

**2. Gorongosa Solitude by Mark Overgaard**

This pigment inkjet print reminiscent of a page from The National Geographic caught my attention for its simplicity and beauty. But now, after discovering that “Gorongosa” means “place of danger” in the indigenous Mwani language and learning about the history of the land in Mozambique, I appreciate this work much more than meets the eye.

To learn more about the artist behind the work, visit his official website HERE and check out his “About the Artist” page. His story is fascinating as well.

**3. Three Fish by Susan West**

I remember looking at this work and thinking, “Shouldn’t the title be ‘Four Fish’?” Whether there are 3 fish, 3.5 fish or 4 fish (or 7 if counting the shadows), this work by Susan West is fun to look at, even now.

To view more work, visit the artist’s official website at: susanwestphotography.com.

**4. Dreams of Old Birches by Anne Rabe**

Another artwork that had palettes other than shades of gray, Dreams of Old Birches was memorable in that it incorporated a piece of an actual tree. And the title of the work makes you wonder what those dreams were. For more work by Anne Rabe, visit her official website www.amr-photography.com and Instagram account HERE.

5. Desert Spirit by Melina Meza

I actually had the chance to eavesdrop on what the artist was saying about this work. If I remember correctly, she said that the original colors of Desert Spirit was a conglomerate of colors found in the desert. And I actually found Desert Spirit in its colorful original HERE! Check out more of the yoga instructor/writer/teacher/photographer’s works on the official website: www.melinameza.com/fineartphotography.

**6. Armenia by Candice Jacobus**

This work I specifically remember because of the majestically eerie landscape accompanied by a speck of green. Back when I was at the exhibit, I assumed that it was taken in some magical place in Armenia. Upon research, I did found out that, indeed, the photograph is of basalt rock formations called the “Symphony of the Stones” and “Basalt Organ” in Garni Gorge, Armenia.

More works by Candice Jacobus can be found on the artist’s website at www.candicejacobusphotography.com and Instagram account HERE.

**7. The beginning of hope/The hope of beginning by J.M. Golding**

Not only was I blown away by the beauty of this photograph (I mean, a lake/pond of water touching the evening sky? It doesn’t get any more romantic or aesthetic than that!), but also I was taken aback by just how beautiful the title was. For more works by J.M. Golding, visit the official website at www.jmgolding.com.

**8. Butterflies of My Memory by Sonia Melnikova-Raich**

Butterflies of My Memory made an impression on me for a number of reasons. 1) As someone who values history and cherishes memories, I couldn’t help falling in love with the title and its dreamlike imagery. 2) The structure behind the butterfly silhouettes somehow reminded me of the Bay. As a traveler dwelling in the area, this work holds much meaning to me.

But I just found out that this photograph was taken in Mexico City during the artist’s visit to La Casa Azul where Frida Kahlo had lived in! It’s incredible how one can take any imagery and fit it to one’s own perspective and experiences regardless of what it actually portrays.

To learn more about the artwork, visit Sonia Melnikova-Raich’s website HERE or Instagram account at www.instagram.com/soniamelnikovaraich.

**9. Adriatic Tempest IV by Laurel Anderson Malinovsky**

Lastly but certainly not least, is the tempestuous photograph by the artist Laurel Anderson Malinovsky. I got to listen to the artist talk about her work, and I was told that she had taken this photograph while visiting Eastern Europe. She explained that these dark clouds suddenly filled the sky above her and she had never seen anything quite like this before:

The reflection of the glass doesn’t do the photograph justice. When you look at it in person, the contrast of the colors are quite striking. The shades of gray displayed in the clouds, to me, feel like an allegory for a turmoil of human emotions.

The artist’s photo card that I picked up on my way inside Room 32.

To look at more of the artist’s works, visit her official website at www.cipherartanddesign.com.

Conclusion

Though I was excited even before the event, I did not expect to have this much fun at the exhibit. And I think overall the Gray Loft Gallery did a great job providing a space for its artists to showcase their works. I especially appreciated the see-through curtains and this *mobile installation, which I believe was not an artwork but a decoration. It added a nice touch to the event:

*4/3/2023 Update: According to Gray Loft Gallery’s old Instagram post, this mobile was actually a mixed media photo based work by **Mary Curtis Ratcliff**! For more stunning works by the artist, visit www.marycurtisratcliff.com.

And the view out the gallery was phenomenal at sunset! To look out the window to find these splash of vibrant colors was a pleasant, artistic contrast to the shades of gray displayed inside.

All in all, it was a highly enjoyable experience. I wish they had held the exhibit longer than the 1 month and 11 days they held it for… I will have to visit the Gray Loft Gallery again for another one of its exhibits!

📝 Want to read more about the Shades of Gray exhibit? Visit Malcolm Ryder’s review of the event at www.malcolmryder.com/post/review-photography-at-gray-loft-gallery-dec-2022.

🎨 HERE is the link to Gray Loft Gallery’s official website! Check out their “Upcoming Events” for art shows you can visit when you’re in the area.

Posted on January 6, 2023January 24, 2024 by The Time Traveler — 4 Comments

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 Berkeley associated with the novel and its author. And, lo and behold, I found the address to Ursula K. Le Guin’s childhood home!

The Significance of Le Guin’s Childhood Home

The author’s old house was recently listed, I believe, at around 4 million dollars. There were articles about the house, mainly from The Sacramento Bee where you can read all about it and even view a video of the house’s interiors!

Now, one may wonder – why the big fuss over an author’s childhood home? Well, besides the obvious (that it was the home of the brilliant author who wrote the Earthsea novels), it actually seems to have played a significant role in her life and literary works. So much so that she is said to have written about the very home in an essay called, “Living in a Work of Art.”

Here’s what Le Guin said about her childhood home in Berkeley:

“If I recall my childhood, I recall that house. It is where everything happened. It is where I happened. Writing this, I wonder if much of my understanding of what a novel ought to be was taught to me, ultimately, by living in that house. If so, perhaps all my life I have been trying to rebuild it around me out of words.”
Quote from SF Gate and Lit Hub.

After coming across this quote, I simply had to visit the place myself!

I mean, technically, Le Guin’s childhood home is where the magic of *Earthsea* began! 📷 by Diane Picchiottino.

Not to mention the fact that it was designed by Bernard Maybeck in 1907 – over 100 years ago! (116 years, to be exact.)

Getting There

Le Guin’s childhood home, aka the Albert Schneider House, is located at 1325 Arch Street, in a neighborhood in North Berkeley. It’s a bit far off from the famous UC Berkeley campus; it takes from 25 to 30 minutes from the campus to the house on foot:

Snapshot of the actual Google Map direction I used!

And I must say, that it was quite a hike! 1325 Arch St was up on the hills, overlooking Berkeley and the rest of the Bay. I do not recommend visiting on a hot day!

Journey to 1325 Arch St

Alas, I happened to visit on a very hot day, so I made my way to Le Guin’s childhood home huffing and puffing like some determined fan girl. The journey was strenuous with all that upward powerwalk, but I could not contain my excitement as I got closer and closer to my desired destination.

1325 Arch St

When I finally stood in front of the actual house Le Guin had grown up and lived in, I was completely breathless.

The dark, wooden house was being worked on by some construction/repair workers who I think were fixing up the place for the new resident who had just purchased the place. I so wanted to enter the open entrance and explore within; yet, I checked myself to not trespass.

The entrance to the house. It was open ajar with sounds coming from within.

Instead I looked from out on the streets, marveling at the mystical structure that held Ursula Le Guin’s childhood memories. At the open windows and the (what appeared to be) pea trees hovering over the entrance, I wondered if those had been there when the Le Guins had called the place their home.

My Experience

If I hadn’t researched beforehand, I would not have known that this house was Le Guin’s childhood home! I half-expected there to be signs or something signaling its ties to the fantasy novelist. But there were none.

To stand before the actual house felt surreal. The neighborhood was peaceful and quiet, with a few cars passing by from time to time. I half-expected there to be other tourists like myself and perhaps signs signaling the house’s ties to Le Guin, but there weren’t anything like that.

One Asian lady living across from Le Guin’s childhood home looked at me with a wary eye as I was taking way too many photos of the author’s house from all angles imaginable. It looked as if she didn’t know that the house she lived across from wasn’t just any house.

Or, maybe she did but she didn’t care for Le Guin’s works. Whichever the case, she sure is lucky! From the second floor of her own house, she could probably enjoy the view that Le Guin herself enjoyed from 1325 Arch St.

The View from 1325 Arch St

Though I haven’t had the chance to go inside, I can conjecture from the outside that the view from the top floors at 1325 Arch St would be splendid. I mean, I was able to see the Bay while walking up to the house, and despite the trees and other obstacles blocking the view, it was still delightful. I can only imagine how breathtaking the view must be from up on the second level.

View of San Francisco, CA from the North Berkeley neighborhood where 1325 Arch St is.

According to The Spaces, there are 3 bedrooms on the second floor, with the master bedroom having “views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco from its windows and private balcony” (The Spaces Team). Yup, the view would be simply breathtaking!

View of the Bay from Indian Rock Park in North Berkeley, CA.

Perhaps the view inspired the lands and seas of Earthsea Le Guin crafted in her works:

Snapshot of the map of the Earthsea world drawn by the author herself.

Around 1325 Arch St

Though there wasn’t a sign that read, “Hometown of Ursula K. Le Guin,” there were little book boxes, i.e. little free libraries that I spotted here and there. It was quite befitting for the neighborhood the Earthsea author had grown up in.

There was also this stairway in the neighborhood that led up to the Berkeley Rose Garden, a city-owned park with rose terraces and tennis courts. (The Berkeley Rose Garden requires a post of its own, so I won’t go in detail.)

Conclusion

If you also find Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea novels to be some of the best fantasy novels ever written, then I highly recommend visiting 1325 Arch St if you’re in the area. You won’t find any signs, pamphlets or souvenirs, but you will be visiting a special place where a remarkable author had grown up in. It’s a fun quest/rewarding workout/intensive hike to go on for Earthsea fans and history buffs alike.

P.S. Upon further research, I came across the official website for Le Guin’s childhood home! Here’s the link: https://www.maybeckarchitecture.com/

P.P.S. Check out the whimsical My Coffee Roastery if you’re in Berkeley! Click HERE for the full review.

Posted on September 23, 2022December 16, 2022 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

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 into widely successful film/TV adaptations.

Dragons, the quintessential element of fantasy. Photo by Sean Thomas.

But have you heard of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea novels?

If you haven’t, you’re missing out on the most magical, critically-acclaimed fantasy series of all time that’s criminally overlooked by the mass. Allow me to introduce you to Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea.

A Wizard of Earthsea: Tale of Wisdom

This photo would make the perfect movie poster for *A Wizard of Earthsea.*
Photo by Trevor McKinnon.

A Wizard of Earthsea is the first novel of The Earthsea Cycle, a series of six novels written by Ursula K. Le Guin. Published back in 1968, the book narrates the story of a great wizard named Sparrowhawk, before he became dragonlord and Archmage of all of Earthsea. Le Guin explains in the afterword of the 2012 edition (published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) that she got the idea for the book after imagining what it would have been like for wizards such as Merlin and Gandalf to learn to be wizards. And A Wizard of Earthsea is just that: how Sparrowhawk, aka Ged, came to be a great wizard, of when he was young and yet a “fool kid.”

The 2012 edition of *A Wizard of Earthsea* published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
It includes the author’s afterword.

One gets to see the main character, Sparrowhawk/Ged, grow from a young, impatient boy from the island of Gont to a wise, thoughtful wizard after unleashing an evil shadow onto the world while meddling with ancient spells at the School for Wizards. Running away from the dark unnamed being that hunts him, he learns from his mistake and pride, eventually setting forth to face the evil to do what must be done. It’s a magical tale of growth filled with nuggets of wisdom that only come from someone who’s lived long enough to know the ways of the world or insightful enough to understand one or two things about how life works.

It’s not flashy or action-packed, although there are enough adventures throughout. Unlike many of today’s wild, fast-paced novels, A Wizard of Earthsea is a calm, peaceful journey of a reading with irresistible charm and intrigue. And while novels popular with the masses these days are like cheap fast-food with little nutritional value, Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea is like a healthy, well-cooked meal to enjoy with ample amount of time.

*A Wizard of Earthsea* will take you on a mesmerizing journey across the isles and seas of Earthsea. Photo by François Genon.

The World of Earthsea

Another beauty of Le Guin‘s A Wizard of Earthsea is the incredible worldbuilding. As you follow the protagonist, Ged, on his voyages to the different isles of Earthsea, the world genuinely feels more than some fictional creation. Le Guin crafted the world so well with her descriptions and explanations that Earthsea feels like it’s part of the world we live in, tucked away in some part of the world not well known yet.

As opposed to some other fantasy novels I’ve read lately (*cough* Lightlark *cough.* To see what I mean, check out my Lightlark posts HERE.) the world of Earthsea makes sense. It make so much sense that I buy into the world Le Guin created, so much to the point that it feels like a real world I haven’t explored yet. Her descriptions of the isles and the seas, the people of the different parts of Earthsea don’t confuse me, despite the presence of magic, wizards, and dragons. And not only is her worldbuilding easy to understand, consistent and unique, but it’s also deep.

Here’s what I mean:

True Names of Things

In the world of Earthsea, there is the Old Speech and New Speech, much like how there are Old and modern English. (And like how all languages today have their ancient and modern counterparts.) For wizards to use magic, they must use the true names of things in the Old Speech. As Le Guin explains on page 54, “magic consists in this, the true naming of a thing.”

Here’s how the Master Namer, Kurremkarmerruk, of the School for Wizards explains the principle:

"But magic, true magic, is worked only by those beings who speak the Hardic tongue of Earthsea, or the Old Speech from which it grew. That is the language dragons speak, and the language Segoy spoke who made the islands of the world, and the language of our lays and songs, spells, enchantments, and invocations. Its words lie hidden and changed among our Hardic words."
- From A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin. Page 54-55.

Real Names

In accordance to this principle of true names, the people of Earthsea have “real names” that they cannot share with anyone but close friends and families they trust:

"No one knows a man's true name but himself and his namer. He may choose at length to tell it to his brother, or his wife, or his friend, yet even those few will never use it where any third person may hear it. In front of other people they will, like other people, call him by his use-name, his nickname... Who knows a man's name, holds that man's life in his keeping." 
- Le Guin 81-82.

Danger of Shapeshifting

Just listen to this excellent explanation as to why shapeshifting is extremely dangerous to wizards:

"As a boy, Ogion like all boys had thought it would be a very pleasant game to take by art-magic whatever shape one liked, man or beast, tree or cloud, and so to play at a thousand beings. But as a wizard he had learned the price of the game, which is the peril of losing one's self, playing away the truth. The longer a man stays in a form not his own, the greater this peril."
- Le Guin 147-148.

These ideas, including the power of names, the true names of different things and people, and the danger of shapeshifting, make such great sense and are kept consistent throughout the entire novel that with the map, Earthsea feels as real as clusters of unexplored islands in the middle of the Pacific:

Photo of map of Earthsea from the 1984 edition of *A Wizard of Earthsea* published by Bantam.

Conclusion

A Wizard of Earthsea has all the elements of true fantasy: magic, dragons and quests that span across seas. It’s a treat to follow Ged on his journeys from one isle to another, using the map illustrated and provided by the author herself. But unlike your conventional fantasy books, Earthsea shows paths a young boy takes to become the great wizard that he later becomes. Through his grave mistake and subsequent trials, Ged learns to face his fears, ultimately overcoming them to become whole as he masters the darkness within.

🧙‍♂️🦅🌠

A Wizard of Earthsea exudes much wisdom about life, offers plenty of suspense from the existence of “the shadow,” and bewitches readers with flawless, deep worldbuilding. It is a masterfully written book that deserves its spot right beside the biggest titles of fantasy literature.

It’s one of the best fantasy novels of all time.

P.S. The next Earthsea novel is called The Tombs of Atuan. It even won a Newbery Award in 1972!

*The Tombs of Atuan* with copies of *A Wizard of Earthsea.*

Photo of the back cover of *A Wizard of Earthsea* (2012).

I can’t wait to read all the sequels. I have a feeling that they’re all going to be stellar like A Wizard of Earthsea.

P.P.S. Learn more about the incredible mind behind Earthsea, author Ursula K. Le Guin, by visiting her official website HERE.

Posted on September 13, 2022January 24, 2024 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

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 six overlays! Illustrated by the talented @kalisamiii

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 to wait a few more weeks after receiving the book on August 24th for these overlays. Though I wished it had shipped with my preordered book, now I’m just happy to have gotten them! Here they are placed inside Lightlark. Aren’t they just stunning?

🥀 Isla Crown, the main protagonist of *Lightlark*.
Ruler of Wildling.

🌌 Grimshaw, aka ruler of Nightshade.
1 of the 2 love interests of Isla Crown.

☀ King Oro aka the Sunling ruler who is also the King of Lightlark. The other love interest of Isla Crown.

🌙 Cleo, the ruler of Moonling, who hates Isla Crown.

🌟 Celeste, ruler of Starlings and Isla’s best friend.

Kalisami did such a great job depicting each of the Lightlark rulers! They look just as they’re supposed to look, based on the descriptions from the book. And I love how she added in the different elements behind each ruler to show what powers they have.

Final Comments on Alex Aster’s Lightlark

As someone who actually preordered Lightlark and read it, I can say that I enjoyed reading the book. Though it wasn’t the best YA fantasy I’ve ever read or the best piece of fiction, I liked reading about the different realms, albeit some confusing parts that I still don’t fully get.

I especially enjoyed reading the plot twist. I knew something was coming but I certainly did not expect it to have unfolded the way it did. The last 100 pages or so were stunning!

However, I do think that the book was marketed with misleading information. Though it didn’t affect me much as I didn’t buy the book hoping it to be like The Hunger Games or A Court of Thorns and Roses, I can see why many people were/are upset. As someone who followed Alex Aster on Instagram for months, I did notice that some of the parts or quotes that were advertised for Lightlark weren’t in the novel.

Aside from the false advertisement and some editorial mistakes, Lightlark can be a great introductory novel for readers who haven’t read YA fantasy. Something readers can read before jumping into the world of YA fantasy.

Anyways, I’m happy to have read it, to have attended the wonderful Moonling event in San Francisco and to have these overlays to keep:

What are your thoughts on Lightlark?

P.S. To read about the Moonling event I attended in San Francisco, click HERE.

P.P.S. For the other preorder gift from Abrams Books (i.e. the sneak peek), check out the post HERE.

Posted on August 29, 2022January 24, 2024 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

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 York’s Time Square! I don’t use TikTok, but I do use Instagram, where the reels about the “BookTok Phenomenon” trickled down to my feed.

I usually don’t buy a book I haven’t read from the bookstore (I prefer going to the library first), let alone preorder something that hasn’t even been published yet. But the synopsis for Lightlark was so intriguing that I couldn’t resist preordering a copy from Barnes & Noble. I was so impatient to read the novel that I preordered it three months before its official release date (August 23rd, 2022) for the sneak peek. (For the review of the sneak peek, click HERE.)

And AT LAST! I received my copy of Lightlark last Wednesday, a day after the official release. (I’m still waiting for my 6 overlays that are being shipped separately.)

At last! My copy of *Lightlark* from Barnes & Noble.

Different Reviews Online

After finishing the first five chapters given as a reward for the preorder, I was a little worried about Lightlark, to be honest. Because while its synopsis was as intriguing as advertised, with the six rulers and this island that appears every 100 years for the deadly games, the world building was confusing. But as I had only read the first five chapters, I refrained from judging and remained hopeful that it would only get better.

Meanwhile, influencers who’ve read the entire book before everyone else were raving about it. So I wasn’t too worried about Lightlark. Alas, negative reviews started to pop up on Goodreads. There probably were people who unfairly gave out 1 star reviews without actually having read the book. But as I tiptoed around spoilers, I noticed that there were also some people who actually read it and didn’t like it.

I couldn’t wait to finish the book myself and see who was telling the truth: the raving fans on Instagram or the disapproving reviewers on Goodreads.

My Predictions

The front cover behind the jacket. I believe it was 1 of the 2 mock covers that TikTok users got to vote on.

Here were some predictions I made as I read:

Terra, Poppy, and Celeste are a little sus. The way Terra and Poppy have her locked away is a bit too much. And Celeste – Isla Crown, our protagonist, only knew her for 3 years but they were practically best friends, no, “sisters” (page 62). I don’t think 3 year is enough time to become sisters with someone, let alone a competing ruler.
Are Celeste and Cleo related? ‘Cause the moon and stars belong together, and their names are a bit similar, both starting with a “C.” Maybe they’re sisters? I’ve been seeing on the author’s IG stories how influencers and bloggers are blown away by “twists.” Plus the back of the book inside the jacket says “There are lies and liars all around you.” I have a strong feeling that Isla Crown is surrounded by liars, i.e. Terra, Poppy, and Celeste.

I think Grimshaw had a crush on Isla way before the games began. I mean, he can become invisible and walk through walls. I feel like he definitely stalked Isla and liked her even before she knew him, which is really creepy. And I think he’s going to sacrifice himself or something for her.

The back cover with the words, “There are lies and liars all around you.” This quote comes from page 275 in chapter 36.

Book Review ⚠ Warning: Spoilers Ahead! ⚠

I just finished Lightlark.

And… I did NOT see the stuff that happened coming! I now understand why the book bloggers were screaming in their Instagram stories, completely overwhelmed. Chapter 53 had me SHOOK. I really did get goosebumps. This was literally the face I was making: 😳

I could not keep the book down after the revelation! And with Oro and Grim both losing their powers, I expected it to end on a cliffhanger. The author could have, and I still would have raved about the ending, though upset and desperate for the sequel. Thankfully, she didn’t leave the readers hanging, discarding the impostor and bringing peace back on Lightlark.

With all the new surprising twists, from Celeste being Aurora, the bondbreaker being bondmaker, Isla having both Nigthshade and Wildling power, the final chapters were like a series of blows to my head. Neither unpleasant nor violent, but just so striking as to make my eyes widen as I flipped the pages.

Another thing I found great was how the first pages of the novel tied to the final chapters. How the omitted scenes before the very first paragraphs were Isla’s lost memories. The way the story began with Grim’s influence on Isla’s memories without the readers knowing until the very last pages. I loved it!

There were some flaws, like the confusing world building, much repetition of certain vocabulary like “grinned,” “frowned,” and etc. And while it was marketed as something similar to The Hunger Games and A Court of Thorns and Roses, I found some parts of the novel similar to the Harry Potter series instead. Celeste’s demonstration where the rulers face their fears in the magical mirror was like a combination of the Mirror of Erised and Boggart from the Harry Potter series. Even the part where a mermaid/night creature pulls Isla further below the water reminded me of the merpeople in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Regardless, I’m happy to have read it! Just in time for…

The Lightlark Event in the SF Ferry Building!

So, as mentioned before in my previous Lightlark post, there was going to be a national book tour of Lightlark. Today is actually the last day of the tour, with the final stop being the bookstore called, “The Ripped Bodice” in Los Angeles, CA. Each stop or independent bookstore was themed after one of the six realms of Lightlark with…

Brookline Booksmith in Boston, MA as Starling 🌟
The Georgia Center for the Book in Atlanta, GA as Sunling ☀
Anderson’s Bookshop in Chicago, IL as Skyling ☁
BookPeople in Austin, TX as Nightshade 🌃
Book Passage in San Francisco, CA as Moonling 🌙
The Ripped Bodice in Los Angeles, CA as Wildling 🥀

And I got to attend the Moonling-themed event at San Francisco’s iconic Ferry Building yesterday!

The Ferry Building in San Francisco! This iconic monument deserves a post of its own. Coming very soon. 😉

The Book Passage at the Ferry Building was literally the perfect Moonling, since it’s right by the water, and water is an element of the Moonlings. 🌊❄🌕

The view outside the bookstore. You can see the Treasure Island and Bay Bridge.

The people at the Book Passage even decorated the store with sparkly fringe curtain and balloons in the realm’s color:

The color of Lightlark’s Moon realm is white.

Before the Event

This being my first book event ever, I arrived like an hour early just in case. And because I was SO excited to meet the inspiring Alex Aster and Selene Velez, the BookToker who was invited to talk with her.

The event was going to start at 2PM with the check-in starting at 1:30, but people were already lined up outside waiting at around 1PM.

Waiting outside behind the Book Passage Cart on the back plaza by the water.

Look at this lovely chalkboard art Book Passage made for the Lightlark event!

When it was time for us to enter the bookstore, each person was given a free, pre-signed copy of Lightlark along with a special tour gift:

Left: The free tour gift was a lovely Moonling pin exclusive to the event. Right: Alex Aster’s signature in the free copy of *Lightlark*. She drew the moon, too! 🌙💕💕

When we went inside one by one (with masks, of course), Alex Aster was already there! She was finishing up signing all the copies being given out at the event.

After she signed all the copies, Alex went outside for some minutes while the front area was reorganized. Seating near the front row facing the glistening decorations and with the water right outside the store, it truly felt like I was at a Moonling event.

You can actually see the water outside inside the store.

The Lightlark Event

The event officially began with an associate of Book Passage welcoming Alex and Selene into the bookstore. Once they were seated at the front, Alex and Selene were introduced, after which Selene interviewed Alex with some questions she prepared beforehand. She asked questions about Lightlark (i.e. which character Alex would be friends with in real life, which she wouldn’t be, what she liked about the Moon realm and its ruler, Cleo, and more) and about Alex’s literary journey as well as her writing process. Alex also asked Selene questions about her literary journey, the BookTok that changed her life, and more.

It was really inspiring to listen to them talk.

Towards the end of the event, the audience were allowed to ask questions, too. They asked really great questions, like how far Alex had gotten into writing the sequel (Lightlark Book 2) and what advice she would give to aspiring authors. After the event, each attendee was given a chance to meet Alex, get their pre-signed Lightlark personalized, and take photos with her. We were also allowed to talk to and take photos with Selene, too.

There were cupcakes provided by Alex’s publisher that we got to grab on our way out:

Chocolate and vanilla cupcakes at the event. 🧁

Conclusion

The Lightlark event in San Francisco was such a wonderful experience where everyone got to celebrate the novel’s launch, listen to inspiring women in the book industry, and meet fellow bibliophiles. Alex and Selene were friendly and sweet in real life, too, and it was a joy to get to talk to them. They’re both truly inspiring, with Alex bringing her novel (of stunning twists!) into life via BookTok after countless rejections and with Selene, who’s still in college, already making an impact in the book community.

Here’s a video of my first book event!

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P.S. To learn more about Book Passage, click HERE. For more on San Francisco’s historic Ferry Building, click HERE.

P.P.S. Oh, and Lightlark is going to be made into a movie by Universal in partnership with Temple Hill! Visit The Hollywood Reporter or Alex Aster’s IG post for all the deets!

Posted on August 8, 2022January 24, 2024 by The Time Traveler — 2 Comments

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 is held at multiple locations throughout California. The event I was going to was the one in Berkeley, CA held at the Golden Gate Fields.

Golden Gate Fields is a horse racing track in Albany, CA/ west Berkeley, CA. The FoodieLand Night Market is NOT held in this building. It’s held further down in an open area.

Look for these red banners! You’ll get to the entrance if you follow the arrows.

The Golden Gate Fields overlooks the Bay and San Francisco. You can even see the Golden Gate Bridge 🌉:

The Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco seen from the Golden Gate Fields parking lot.

I had purchased the ticket for the 1PM entry (the first entrance period), but came early just in case – arriving at around 12:40 PM. Even though it was 20 minutes before the event, there was a long line already. (But luckily the line moved along quickly and I was able to enter a few minutes after 1PM.)

Waiting in line. The red tents were where the inspections and security screenings were taking place. (Plus where you show your tickets to the event staff.)

Restrictions

As stated on their website, you can’t bring large backpacks or bags. Clear, see-through bags under 12 x 12 inches are allowed, along with strollers and small handbags. There was a detailed bag policy on the Cal Expo State Fair website for Sacramento’s FoodieLand Night Market event HERE, so I referred to it. But even when I brought a small clutch bag exactly 5 x 8 inches, the staff inspected what was inside my bag. And they did a body inspection, too. 🙁

So be prepared to have your bags inspected even if you meet the bag requirements.

More Restrictions

Per FoodieLand Night Market’s guidelines, tickets are available only via Eventbrite, and no pets are allowed (except for service animals). To check out the official website for the FoodieLand Night Market event held in Berkeley, CA from August 5th-7th, 2022 (the one I attended), click HERE. If you’re going to attend future FoodieLand Night Markets, make sure to look up the official website for the event you’ll be attending.

The Event

Upon entering, I found myself surrounded by rows of booths after booths selling all kinds of food and drinks, like tacos, chicken, boba, tea, macarons, dim sums, ramen burgers, donuts, kettle corn, corn dogs, oysters, and even frog legs!

I couldn’t wait to try all the food!

Cheesy waffle fries, famous garlic shrimps from Hawaii and food trucks!

Little did I know about the costs…

Delicious BUT Expensive

Having paid an entrance fee of $7.00, I thought the prices of the food/drink items would be from $5 to $10. Based on my past experiences at various events, I had NO idea that most of the items here would be about $20!

#1: Cheese Wheel Pasta (Black Truffle Cream Pasta – $28 <$30 with tax>)

My first booth – “Cheese Wheel Pasta from Italy.”

I decided to start off with “Cheese Wheel Pasta.” They sold basil pesto, bacon, garlic lobster, and black truffle cream pastas. I decided to get the black truffle cream pasta.

It was $28. With tax, it was a total of $30.

To be fair, their pasta was “imported from Italy,” “aged for 24 months,” “made with the freshest milk,” and made with “ingredients from the Provinces of Parma & Reggio Emilia.” But I did not expect the food to be this expensive at this foodie event.

Pasta being prepared. (Doused in sauce?)

And the thing was, they didn’t have the prices up for people to see. It was only after you get to the cashier and order the item that they tell you how much you have to pay.

But since the pasta was delicious and I had it for lunch, I thought it was worth it.

I mean, all the other booths would be much cheaper, right?

#2: Kusina ni Javen Jesel (Bone Marrow Tacos – $25)

Next, I went to the booth named “Kusina ni Javen Jesel.” They were selling Filipino infused food, including lumpia, empanada and bone marrow tacos.

The bone marrow tacos were $25.

Again, to be fair, bone marrow tacos have quite some meat to it. Plus, it tasted great.

The bone marrow tacos even had these sesame mochi ball things. It was delicious!

After two food items, I had already spent over $50. It hurt, but the food was great and I had faith that the other food & drinks were cheaper.

Boy was I wrong…

#3 – LemonTea Squeeze (Animal Jar Drinks – $25 with cash payment)

Having consumed pasta and tacos, I needed to drink something. Having read about cute animal jar drinks on the vendor list, I went over to the booth named “LemonTea Squeeze” to purchase one.

Again, the prices weren’t shown on the booth. It was only after waiting in line and reaching the cashier that I learned how much one animal drink cost.

It cost $25. Twenty-five bucks if I paid in cash, and $27 dollars (and I don’t remember the exact change) if I paid with my card.

But I was thirsty, had waited in line, and was swayed by the words “free refills.”

I purchased the $25 animal jar drink, with peach iced tea flavor.

After two items and one drink, I had spent about $80… It was too much, but since it was an “all you can drink” offer with this cute bear jar, I let it go.

#4 – Churromania Bakery (Churro Sundae – $12, Churro – $5 each)

This FoodieLand Night Market was until 9:30 PM. It was around 3PM when my friends and I wanted to try more food. We wanted to try the Hawaiian Honey Cones aka the J-shaped ice cream. But they were, if I remember correctly, over $20 each! I don’t remember the exact cost, as we ended up not buying the expensive ice cream. But I do remember it being as expensive as the pasta/tacos/animal jar.

So we decided to settle for some churros & churro sundae at this booth called “Churromania Bakery.” Churros couldn’t be that expensive, right?

The line at Churromania Bakery, with a Churro figure standing outside.

The churro sundae was $12 and the churros cost $5 each. It was definitely overpriced, considering the fact that regular churros cost $1.50 to $2.00 each.

But as it was one of the cheaper food items (compared to the $20 ice cream!), we got the sundae and churros. And of course, we paid the $2.14 tax that was added.

The $12 churro sundae. (Single churros not shown in the photo.)

#5 – Big Baby Bottle (Small Baby Bottle – $27.56)

It was 4PM when my friends and I were sitting around in the table area unwilling to buy more food. Everything was overpriced. Maybe not everything, as we couldn’t check out all the booths and food trucks (which were, according to the website, over 150 in total.) But the ones that looked good and the ones we did get were all overpriced. And we were running out of money about halfway into the event. (The event closed at 9:30 PM.)

But before leaving the event for good (as re-entries were NOT allowed), we decided to try the baby bottles people were drinking from. We wanted to get the really big baby bottles, but we figured they would be outrageously expensive. So we decided to go for the smaller ones.

Again, no price shown on the banners. You find out later at the cashier.

When we got to the front of the line, we were told that the small bottles cost $25 in cash, $27.56 in card payment…

And I’m ashamed to say…

We got the small baby bottles…

The famous baby bottle. The small one cost as much as the Animal Jar.

Conclusion

Though the event had a ton of great booths, I regret attending the event. Most of the food and drink items were overpriced. I regret getting the small Baby Bottle. And I regret purchasing the Bear Jar, because the thing leaked really easily. My phone got wet with the peach iced tea that leaked out, and now I have a broken iPhone.

Other people might have had a great time at the FoodieLand Night Market. I personally regret attending it. I’m broke and phoneless after the event. (Beware: the cute animal jar leaks!)

In my opinion, FoodieLand Night Market is a great event ONLY for foodies with money to spare. It’s fun ONLY if you can afford everything without worrying about it afterwards.

Heading back home, with the expensive FoodieLand Night Market behind. We couldn’t even stay until the end – we ran out of money around 4PM.

P.S. There were also live performances and game booths. I do NOT recommend the game booths, especially this one selling giant Pokemons:

Because it’s IMPOSSIBLE to win the game. You need to throw the ball, hit this board, and have it fall into this basket. The man in charge of the booth does it well BECAUSE of where he is standing. From where you are required to stand, it’s impossible. ☹ I’ve seen everyone fail, including myself.

P.P.S. If you DO decide to attend the FoodieLand event but you are NOT a foodie with money to spare, I suggest that you eat just 1-2 food/drink items and purchase products instead.

From my experience, it’s just WAY more cost effective. Instead of spending $20 on a single food/drink item, you can purchase a plushie/keychain/succulent/K-pop merchandise or some other stuff that you can bring home as a souvenir.

There was this cute keychain shop called “Cloris Creates” that I couldn’t buy from because I ran out of money. They had key chains of different breeds of dogs, cats, bunnies, parrots and reptiles! Plus, I recommend this cute succulent shop that I THINK was called “Juliet’s Succulent Garden.” I didn’t have money left to buy anything from them, but they had really cute succulent keychains & more.

Posted on August 4, 2022January 24, 2024 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

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 whimsical cottage sitting at the intersection of Addison St and Martin Luther King Jr. Way:

The café from across the street. It’s super close to Trader Joe’s on University Ave.

But when I got closer…

MY Coffee Roastery is CLOSED on Mondays and Tuesdays! I made the mistake of visiting on a Tuesday… Make sure you visit on any days EXCEPT Monday/Tuesday, from Wednesday to Sunday. And beware, this cute cottage opens and closes early as you can see from the photo below 👇:

Be aware of their business days & hours!

✨Straight Out of a Fairytale✨

Now being aware of the cafe’s hours, I successfully entered the cottage on a Thursday. It was like entering a whimsical cottage straight from a fairytale! The cafe reminded me of the little cottage in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. With its pretty iron fence, pots of plants and succulents, red flowers, cute bench cushions, parasols, blue and white mosaic tables and stony walls, MY Coffee Roastery was as lovely and unique as it could be. I mean, there were literally butterflies flying about in the outdoor seating area!

The entrance. Love the red bench and flowers! 🌹

Once I entered, I was immediately at the counter, where baked goods and coffee beans were displayed. I wanted to try their waffle, but as they had ran out of them, I ordered their almond croissant instead with a cup of iced Americano.

I think the cafe is owned and managed by a Chinese lady and her family – I’m not sure. But I have a hunch that she is the one behind the lovely cottage and its design. Even the interior is chic, with black chandeliers and stoned walls with wide windows that are left open.

The Menu

My drink and food came out quickly, as I wasn’t done marveling at the chic interior when they had finished warming up the croissant. Sitting outside in the patio area, I took a bite of my almond croissant and I must say, I like it better than other almond croissants I’ve had!

The delicious almond croissant & Americano. 🥐☕💕

It had sweet stuff inside – I don’t know what it’s called. Whatever it is, it made the croissant more flavorful and went perfectly with the iced Americano.

I personally wished there were more menu options, like sandwiches to eat for brunch or lunch, but the café is still great as is. I think their focus is on coffee, not so much the food.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MY Coffee Roastery is one of those chill cafes where you can get work done. They offer free wifi that works – they have the wifi password posted on the walls inside the cottage.

The inside seating area had the wifi banner with the password (see above). There was another wifi banner facing the front counter.

And with sufficient outdoor seating, it felt safe to eat and work there amidst the pandemic. Though cars drive by and many people frequent the cafe, it wasn’t distracting at all.

And the parasols create just the right amount of shade! ⛱

With friendly staff, good food and drinks along with aesthetic architecture and natural decor, MY Coffee Roastery is a cafe for students, professionals, and writers alike. It’s for anyone who appreciates uniquely chic spaces with chill vibes!

I can’t wait to go back to try their waffle. (And their latte, too!) 😊

P.S. To learn more about MY Coffee Roastery, visit their official website HERE. Or their IG account HERE.

P.P.S. And here are more aesthetic shots of the café:

P.P.P.S. 8/18/2022 Update: I revisited to try their waffle! But the waffles aren’t made at the cafe; they are premade waffles packed in wrapper that are unwrapped and placed on the display. Though it tasted alright, I wouldn’t deliberately come here to eat it again. Regardless, the whimsical cafe always has GREAT vibes✨ and good coffee.

Posted on August 1, 2022January 24, 2024 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

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 the U.S. And it’s one of the only Japantowns left in the country, along with Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo and San Jose’s Nihonmaki.

They have many restaurants, shops and businesses in and around the Japan Center. And this really cool pagoda in the middle of the Japantown Center Mall:

The San Francisco Peace Pagoda, given to San Francisco from its sister city, Osaka, in the 1960s. Designed by Japanese architect Yoshiro Taniguchi.

Japantown Center Malls (Brief Overview)

Model of Japantown SF, cropped and colored by Lit Time Travel. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Peace_Pagoda#/media/File:Yoshiro_Taniguchi_&Minoru_Yamasaki-Japan_Center(model)_(cropped).png

There is a total of 5 large mall buildings in Japantown, including AMC Kabuki 8 and Hotel Kabuki. But the three main buildings: the Kinokuniya Mall, Japan Center West (formerly called Kintetsu Mall), and Japan Center East (formerly called Miyako Mall).

The Kinokuniya Mall has Boks Kinokuniya, a two-story bookstore that sells Japanese novels, books, mangas (comic books), Studio Ghibli related products and DVDs, and cute stationery.

Japanese chain bookstore whose company headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan.

Not to mention the many restaurants, cafes and shops that offer the best of Japanese food and goods!

Maido Fine Stationery and Gifts (LEFT) sell the cutest stickers, pens, plushies, and… you name it! Matcha Cafe Maiko (RIGHT) have stellar matcha soft serve and drinks.

In the middle of the seating area surrounded by Maido shop and Maiko cafe is a Japanese castle replica. I believe the castle is the Osaka Castle. I’ll have to visit again to double check!

Now moving onto Japan Center West! You can get to Japan Center West by taking an indoor bridge from the Kinokuniya Center.

I think this center had the most restaurants, with even one on the bridge itself. There’s also this dark alley with restaurants lined up, just like how it is in Japan.

Kushi Tsuru, one of the many restaurants located in Japan Center West. I haven’t been to this restaurant yet.

Once you exit, you’ll arrive to the plaza where the San Francisco Peace Pagoda stands!

The Japantown Peace Plaza is where most community events are hosted.

The plaza is right in between Japan Center West and Japan Center East. You’ll have to pass by the pagoda and the plaza and enter the third and last building to get to Japan Center East.

From my observation, Japan Center East had the most cultural decorations, including this red bridge and beautiful wall art of Japanese fans:

The Mini Art Mart

Now, the day I visited San Francisco’s Japantown was on July 16th, the day of the Mini Art Mart. The Mini Art Mart is a monthly market held in Japantown where local artists come together to display and sell their Japanese-inspired artworks.

There were so many visitors eager to look at the works created by independent artists!

Crowds of people were by the artists’ booths on the first and second floors of the Kinokuniya Mall, with more throngs hanging out by the restaurants, cafes and stores in Japan Center West. In Japan Center East, there were more booths, but they were selling jewelry and clothes rather than artworks:

My Favorite Artists

There were a bunch of booths with countless artworks hung up everywhere. Most featured characters from anime, manga, and Studio Ghibli, but there were some that were just artworks of cats, dogs and other cute animals.

Most of the local artists seemed like independent artists who weren’t well known. A few artworks seemed to be done by beginning artists. There was also Yanchako, an artist who is already well-established, with her works being permanently sold in the Maido stationery store. She left early with her assistant, so I don’t have photos of her work. But here is her IG account!

Along with Yanchako, I had two artists whose artworks I just HAD to purchase: Starry-Droplets and Starfish.

Starry-Droplets (Sandy K.)

As I was browsing through the second floor of the Kinokuniya Mall, I was drawn to this booth by Sophie’s Crepes:

Not only did this artist draw some of my favorite anime/mangas, but also her art style was just so lovely!

*Inuyasha, Howl’s Moving Castle* and *Spirited Away*? YES!!! 😍

Aren’t these artworks simply charming? You can recognize the different characters AND know that they’re from Sandy K.!

Although there were postcards, keychains and stickers, too, I was completely won over by the illustrations. The 5 x 7 illustration cards were $7 each – they’re definitely not cheap! But to show my support and to keep the lovely souvenirs, I purchased two. (I’ll reveal which ones I got at the end! 😉)

The booth of Starry Droplets (Sandy K.) was definitely one of my favorites that day. Her artworks were the prettiest, in my opinion, because I adore cute, bright illustrations. 💕

Starfish (Single Brain Cell Club)

The other artist that made me open my wallet was Starfish. She was located on the second floor, too, close to Starry-Droplets.

Her artworks were much darker, but regardless stunning. And I loved how her artworks weren’t only about anime/manga. For instance, look at this pin with the cutest little puppy sleeping!

Though all the illustrations were stunning, I couldn’t afford to spend too much more. So after purchasing the cute dog pin ($5, again not cheap!), I had to retreat, leaving these artworks behind:

But I got the artist’s QR code:

*The keychains on the left were SO cute! They were chic keychains in the shape of polaroid photos with succulents drawn on them.

I honestly can’t wait to see more illustrations done by Starfish!

Mini Art Mart + Japantown = Ultimate Outing

It was such a fun day to visit San Francisco’s Japantown on the day of the Mini Art Mart! I got to see beautiful illustrations drawn by local artists AND eat a delicious bowl of curry udon at Udon Mugizo.

Udon Mugizo. The curry udon and Nabe Yaki udon were excellent. 👌🏻

And I got these two lovely artworks! (Along with a very cute pin.)

Yes, I got the *Howl’s Moving Cas*tle illustration…💕💕 Check out my post on the Ghibli film HERE for more fanarts done by talented artists!

And this *Tokyo Mew Mew* illustration! The artist even included the sixth member. 🐇

I highly recommend visiting Japantown during the Min Art Mart. It was such a lively event where lovers of Japanese anime & manga got to connect with local, independent artists. If you don’t mind all the crowd, the Mini Art Mart will make your visit to Japantown even more fun.

P.S. For the full directory of stores at Japantown SF, visit their official website HERE.

For more info on the Mini Art Mart, check out their Instagram account HERE.

P.P.S. Want to learn more about the artists Sandy and Starfish? Use these links below:

Starrydoplets (Sandy K.) & Starfish (Single Brain Cell Club)

Posted on June 14, 2022July 20, 2022 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

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 Beach, CA. It boasts breezy cliffside views of open beaches and tidepools.

“CdM,” as locals call it, also showcases rows of grandiose homes lined up along its cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

With Newport Beach being one of the richest neighborhoods in the U.S., these rows of luxurious houses are no surprise. But what set these estates apart from those in other affluent neighborhoods are that not one looks alike and each has its own unique charm.

From whimsical cottages to stunning modern buildings, these homes are architectural delights to behold!

This home is straight out of a fairytale!

Beautiful modern home with geometric designs.

Things To Do in CdM

There’s a plethora of things to do in Corona Del Mar. First, there is the obvious list of swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and sunbathing at the Corona Del Mar State Beach.

Visitors can even drive to the nearby Crystal Cove State Park and Laguna Beach, which are also excellent, breathtaking destinations for the aforementioned activities.

The immaculate Crystal Cove State Park. Post coming soon!

Secondly, there are chic cafes and stores to visit along the Pacific Coast Highway (California 1) in addition to the Corona Del Mar Plaza and Fashion Island Shopping Center in Newport Beach, CA. Rendez Vous French Bakery and Café, Rose Bakery Cafe, and Zinc Cafe & Market are some good cafes to check out! 😉

Next, you can take the coffee or whatever drink/food you order and head over to the Lookout Point for a peaceful stroll. (I suggest doing so on a weekday when the lovely park isn’t crowded with visitors/pedestrians.) It’s a treat to look out into the wide Pacific from the cliffs of CdM with the breeze lightly touching your face as you enjoy your drink.

And when you’re done staring out into the shimmery sea, you can head towards the flower-named streets lined with vibrant flowers and the previously mentioned architectural delights:

This house features some of the most beautiful roses in the area!

If you want to enjoy even more blooms and blossoms, then head over to Sherman Library & Gardens or Roger’s Gardens!

A Gem of a Place

Like its name, Corona Del Mar is a true gem of a place. Its wide beaches and breathtaking cliffside views never fail to inspire, even on foggy or cloudy days.

It’s a gem not only because of its pristine nature, but also due to the residents who treasure it and keep it beautiful.

Residents of CdM do their part to keep this gem of a place shine.

P.S. To learn more about Corona Del Mar State Beach, visit the California Department of Parks and Recreation HERE.

P.P.S. Here are the official websites of Sherman Library & Gardens and Roger’s Gardens!

Sherman Library & Gardens showcases exotic plants, flowers, and koi ponds as well as toilet, bathtub, and bed surrounded by plants! It’s truly a unique botanical paradise for all nature lovers.

As for Roger’s Gardens, I’ll have to visit there one day myself! But it looks like a lovely place to visit, especially during Halloween or Christmas. Check out their Christmas video HERE on YouTube.

Posted on June 8, 2022July 20, 2022 by The Time Traveler — Leave a comment

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 Bakery is a small, locally-owned business located within the CAMP, a green, eco-friendly shopping center in Costa Mesa, CA. It’s located near South Coast Plaza, LAB Anti-Mall, Mitsuwa Marketplace, and John Wayne Airport.

It really looks and feels like a camp in the middle of the city, with lots of wild plants, old trailers and camp-related decorations scattered about:

With around 25 stores that focus on healthy, active lifestyles, the shopping center hosts a bunch of events designed to bring awareness to the environment and the local community. (Plus arts & craft classes, free movie showings and drive-in concerts!) *For a full list of shops and services, visit the CAMP’s website HERE. For their calendar of events, HERE.

Now, back to Blackmarket. The bakery sits at the tip of the CAMP, right in front of the main parking lot that’s painted with feel-good messages in white:

I highly recommend choosing and parking at your favorite message! 😁

The Vibe

The first time I visited, I was taken aback by the exterior. From the outside, it didn’t look anything like a bakery with its modern glass windows and wild plants growing outside. I mean, I couldn’t see a single trace of baked goods. But the logo of a cake shaped like a skull, words “Bakery” pasted here and there plus these UFO-shaped cakes let me know that I had come to the right place.

It looks nothing like a bakery, with the only hint being the logo with the
Jolly Roger cake. ☠

Though it didn’t look at all like a bakery, it was plenty chic with its unique logo and vinyl stickers. As I entered, I expected the interior to be more “normal,” with clean walls in warm colors and baked goods neatly displayed in glass countertops like other bakeries.

But the interior was as eccentric and chic as the exterior:

The bakery was like an industrial factory with metallic lights hanging from above. I honestly didn’t know where to look with all these cool merchandise and aesthetic chocolate bars lying about. They had these cool periodic table lunch boxes, cookies shaped like dragonflies, metallic trailer displays and treats that all look good.

Menu & More

After being overwhelmed by all the products and standing dumbfounded for about a minute, I was able to make my way towards the counter to order. As I stood at the very end of the line, I got to watch bakers kneading the dough by hand:

Bakers kneading behind rows of freshly made breads.

When I moved a few inches closer to the cashier, I saw this huge menu board:

Visit https://www.blackmarketbakery.com/menus/ to view the official menu online.

Having witnessed all the tasty-looking cookies and bread at the entrance, I had confidence in all the menu items. In fact, I wanted to try everything on the menu plus all the treats displayed. But as I physically and financially couldn’t afford to do so, I narrowed down my choice to the Hot Potato Egg Sandwich, i.e. Hot Potato “Eggywich,” as called by the crew.

Along with the Berry Basque Tart and latte.

The Food

By the time I received my orders, I was too hungry to remember about blogging it. So… I devoured the Hot Potato Eggywich without taking any photos of it! 😫 But I remember and can say with confidence that it was good. The over easy eggs, bacon, and hash brown patty made it a hearty meal – an excellent breakfast. The pickled onions and garlic aioli sauce made it very savory.

Despite my overall satisfaction, I personally found the Eggywich to be a bit overwhelming. It was too much to eat the aforementioned ingredients with its butter croissant bread. I didn’t realize while I was eating it, but once I finished, I really was feeling overwhelmed.

The Berry Basque Tart was VERY good. It had a crumbly tart crust with fresh raspberries, thin almond slices, and lemony cream with powered sugar sprinkled on top. And the latte was smooth, with a good amount of foam. Both the tart and the latte were excellent. HOWEVER, I wouldn’t drive all the way to Costa Mesa just to have these again – especially with the insane gas prices these days. I would if I happened to be in the area and wanted some good tart and latte.

A few weeks later, I had another chance to visit Costa Mesa and so I went again to Blackmarket Bakery. This time, I ordered the Fresh Prince Eggywich. I liked it better than the Hot Potato Eggywich:

+ Update 6/18/22: I visited the bakery yet AGAIN and this time I got the Plain Jane. It wasn’t overwhelming with just cheddar cheese, eggs and brioche bun. It tasted great with fresh orange juice:

Delicious! I liked it better than the other eggywiches I tried.

A Bakery Worth Visiting

Blackmarket Bakery is definitely worth visiting – at the very least once. They’ve got good food and superb treats – made fresh every day. And equally importantly, they’ve got unique, clever decorations that you won’t be able to find anywhere else, like the metallic UFO cakes, chess boards painted on tables, and whisks hanging from above.

It’s a must-see bakery for photographers, bloggers and tourists alike who appreciate industrial chic decor with creative, artistic culinary touches.

More About Blackmarket Bakery

🏴‍☠️Fun Fact #1: The unique Blackmarket Bakery in Costa Mesa was founded back in 2012 by Rachel Klemek, a UCI alumni. Her first Blackmarket Bakery opened even further back in 2004 in the city of Irvine (now closed).

🏴‍☠️Fun Fact #2: Chef Rachel Klemek is a champion of the Food Network show Chopped! Watch her slay in the “Sweets Showdown: Cake!” episode (Season 43, Episode 10) on Food Network. Watch the full episode at: https://watch.foodnetwork.com/video/chopped-volume-3-food-network-atve-us/sweets-showdown-cake

🏴‍☠️Fun Fact #3: According to the founder herself, the name “Blackmarket” comes from the fact that baking fundamentals like butter, flour, sugar and eggs were only available via black markets during World War II. She says in an interview with OC Weekly that the name for the bakery was developed during the Atkins diet craze in the early 2000s when baked goods seemed culturally outlawed (read the full interview HERE).

What brilliant way to incorporate history to one’s bakery! 🤩

🏴‍☠️Fun Fact #4: There are currently 2 Blackmarket Bakeries: one in Costa Mesa and one in San Diego (with another San Diego store coming soon). They offer online ordering, gift cards, and loyalty cards that you can use to get free coffee:

The chic red loyalty card from Blackmarket Bakery.

Visit these links to learn more about Blackmarket Bakery!

🍪Get to know Blackmarket Bakery – from CAMP’s website

🍞Interview with Chef Rachel Klemek – from Great Taste Magazine

🍰Podcast Interview with Chef Klemek – from UCI School of Social Sciences

🎂Interview from Chef’s Insight – featuring Chef Klemek’s chocolate caramel tart + marshmallows

P.S. Visit their official Instagram Page HERE for seriously aesthetic cookies & more!