Explore “Travels” to read about some seriously aesthetic places to visit around the world! Beware: personal travel narratives (and even travel attempts) included.
- International House at UC Berkeley: A Building Steeped in History
Have you heard of “International House,” aka “I-House”? I had never heard of it until 2022 when I found out that such a place existed at UC Berkeley. And after learning about its history and significance, I wish UCLA had an International House as well! Alas, it is only exclusively at Berkeley, NYC, Chicago, Paris,… Read more: International House at UC Berkeley: A Building Steeped in History - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 🌉 - 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 🥐 - 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 - 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 ☕ - 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 - 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 - 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)