Things I want to do

These past few weeks have been well, spending time with family and friends. On Sunday as I was going home, my friend asked me if there was anything else I wanted to do before I leave. I thought about it and the answer was, "No." The things I wanted to do was to spend time with my family and friends. I guess when I come back for the holidays I will have a list of things to do that may include having our holiday dinner w/ the JJ bunch, dim sum at Mayflower, a donut from Dynamo Donuts in the Mission, and hanging out w/ my Bay Area family.

I had a yummy Thai dinner at Osha at Embarcadero. The finale was a hazelnut mousse.

Sunday was brunch w/ the friends. I got to organize the day that started off at Brenda's French Soul Food. I had the sweet potato pancakes and was all sugared out after eating less than half of one pancake. So by the time I stopped eating less than half a pancake, I had already consumed a vanilla bean cupcake, coffee, and beignets. Sugared out! After, we went to New People Mall in Japantown and the Mission for Dynamo Donuts!

Mission

I saw this reflection and its just absolutely beautiful. The mural is beautiful with all the colors and symbolism.

More of the reflection.

Less than a week to go

In less than a week, I will be in New York moving into my apartment and starting my program. I'm feeling so many emotions right now with the move, the distance from my family and friends, and if I'll do well in my program. The fear of entering a new environment can do that to a person. I have the heebie jeebies at times wondering if I'll be able to make new friends and do well in the program. Those feelings do creep up on me once in a while. And on the flip side of that fear are my hopes, excitement to be in a totally different environment, and the ability to grow as an artist/designer.

As I have been detailing in my blog about spending time with my friends and family, I will as always miss those special moments. It's been hard this week especially to say goodbye to your friends who you've known for so many years and seen often to seeing each other during the holidays.

Lately, I have been trying to catch up with people who I've known years ago through messenger or by meeting up with them. I realized that things have changed in some ways. We knew each other in that instance of time where we had similar interests and passions, but we have moved on. I want to see them more and want them to be part of my life, but I can't be pushy about it. So, settling is what you do and accepting it. I had peace knowing that they're doing well and I'm doing well.

This Sunday I will start my packing. Yes, I don't pack in advance because that's just the type of person I am. As I think about what I need to pack, I think about what got me here, the experiences, and the people I've met. At this moment, I wish my mentor was alive to see this huge change that is happening in my life. If it wasn't for his inspiration and belief in me, I don't know where I would be.

This coming week I will be reflecting even more, counting my blessings, hugging everyone, and being at peace with the state of my life, relationships, and environment.

Taking some time to doodle

I'm still recovering from my sore throat that's turned to a cold. I can't believe I'm sick and in the summertime. Today, I went to have tea with my friend at Samovar in the Mission-Castro area. Here are some of my pictures I took today.

As I'm waiting for my friend, I had some time to doodle from where I was standing outside of Samovar.

I got a pu-erh tea, Maiden's Ecstasy. What a strange name.

Cute dog graphic.

A house covered in ivy.

Off the beaten path

This past week was about discovering more about my surroundings and hanging out with family and friends. I can't believe it's less than two weeks before I leave. Saturday, I received my orientation schedule and am excited about signing up for a volunteering event that they offer to the new students.

Union Point Park in Oakland- This is really off the beaten path. A pretty decent size park that overlooks Alameda, the old industrial factories, and near the boats.

Oakland - Overlooking Alameda. You can see all the industrial factories.

A really nice park where you can see a different side of Oakland.

As I'm on my way to get Velvet Cake, I saw this van in front of me. Basically, its everything you need in a car shop on a van!

Red Velvet Cake from Marita's Sweet Potato Pie Company, San Leandro

Cupcake.

Saturday, spent time with G and Susie. We made it to Pirate Cat Cafe and I got the bacon maple soy latte. Unfortunately, the soy masks the bacon maple taste.

Across the street, we got some tamales and flautas from a food cart. $1.75 each.

Pirate Cat Cafe sign

In with the old, out with the new

"In with the old, out with the new" definitely held true last week. With the govt's Cash for Clunkers program, we took part in it. I didn't think my parents would buy a new car, but with the incentive, they did. I'll miss that 19 year old Volvo that drove like a tank.

Last week and this week still felt like a vacation. Still spending the last few weeks in California with family and friends. I can't believe I'll be moving to NY in a few weeks! Crazy!

On a warm Fremont day, my brother and I went to A & W for a rootbeer float. Yummy!

Saturday, went to brunch with G at B Star Bar in the Inner Richmond.

G's duck hash.

My strawberry nutella french toast. Nutella, brings back memories of Sweden.

My parents' celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary!

Yesterday, met up with my Nektarine friends. It was so nice to see them, and as usual, went to eat pho. I'll miss my Nektar friends in NY!

Ate my way through LA & OC - Part 2

Day 3 is Disneyland day. I had so much glee inside of me and beamed happiness several times throughout the day. I haven't been here since 2003 so it brought back memories. There were a lot of people, and thank goodness for Fast Pass.

I'm happy to see this sign and walked rather quickly to get inside the park.

Nemo poster. It's one of my favorite characters! And, the ride was great too.

This screams happy and "let's celebrate."

What a cute little statue in Critter Country.

After getting off the Winnie the Pooh ride, I saw this caution sign. I love the details of the bee.

Sleeping Beauty's castle.

In my 4 days in SoCal, it was very nice and memorable. I can't wait to come back here in the near future b/c I can't stay away from Winnie the Pooh! I think I'll strive for a graphic design internship at Disney.

Ate my way through LA & OC - Part 1

I left for LA on Thursday and came back on Sunday full and happy. I practically ate my way through LA with the help of Mary and Gloria. I got to explore LA again and it brought back lots of childhood memories.

First stop on our road trip on the 5, Fosters Freeze. Mary's first taste of Fosters Freeze.

It was very hot on our trip. This dog was outside the Fosters Freeze and I thought he was quite adorable! The hottest temperature it got outside was 106 degrees.

We got into LA at around 5 pm and for dinner we went to Alegria on Sunset. Mary's pick from Food Paradise. It was delicious and filling.

After picking up Gloria, we started our eating our way through LA adventure to Roscoe's House of Chicken N Waffles. This was my first time eating here and have heard all about this place. My review was that it was okay and I prefer Berkeley's 900 Grayson.

Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills. We had to see what the rage was all about. We got cinnamon sugar, strawberry (my favorite), red velvet, and chai latte. We got to Sprinkles at a good time and didn't wait in too long of a line.

Anthropologie store in Beverly Hills. I really liked this store b/c of the architecture. It was very bright and open, different from the other Anthropologie stores I've been in.

Anthropologie decor.

I fell in love with this display in the front of the store b/c it brought back memories of my trip through France.

Paulette Beverly Hills. Delicious and unique flavor combinations for macarons.

I adore the typography on the wall.

Thank you to "No Reservations" for making this a food destination. We went to Thai Town for some Thai desserts at Bhan Kanom Thai. The only Thai desserts I've had were sticky rice and fried bananas, so its nice to know there's more than that.

This was very delicious and not too sweet.

I saw this sign in the Thai shopping plaza. $3 is a bargain.

Dinner in Little Tokyo at The Curry House. I had the vegetarian spaghetti.

After dinner, we were all definitely exhausted from walking around and eating our way through LA. We had Disneyland the next day! In my head I was super excited, but my feet were sore.