Somewhere Over the Rainbow, there's Hawaii

I have not added much lately in terms of blog posts, I guess I will have to get on that.  Something that has to do with being a medical resident and working too much I think.  But that being said I do as a matter of fact get a fabulous 20 days per year of vacation day of which I plan on using every second of.  That does not include weekends, so actually it amounts to a good amount of time allowing sufficeient time to make the 12 hour flight to Hawaii from the East Coast of Florida.

My parents do live in Hawaii and my grandparents as well as my auntie and uncle.  My mother was born on the Island of Maui but grew up on Oahu which is the main island of Hawaii which is home to Pearl Harbor and the state capital of Honolulu.  Many people get all this confused.  But I guess I would too had I not been traveling to Hawaii every year since I was born. It's basically what I would call a second home.  I have not posted any pictures of any of my trips to Hawaii over the years that I have had this blog and it only occurred to me recently, that I guess my travel perspective should not be limited to just the places I'm perfectly accustomed to, but rather should include those places that may be less familiar to some.  This year I took my amazing and handsome boyfriend with me, so I felt justified in taking him out to do some "touristy" things that I don't normally do on my island trips these past few years.  We went Shark Cage diving, swam in Waimea Falls, and went to Pearl Harbor.  For your viewing pleasure, I created a video with my new fake "goPro" I just bought on Amazon of our vacation including the shark cage dive.  Enjoy =)

Leia Mais…

Birthday Weekend in Napa Part One

First time in Napa.  First time turning 31.  Well I think its a perfect occasion to celebrate getting old by drinking fabulous wine and eating mouth savoring food that just satisfies every taste bud you have with one amazing friend.

First night we stayed at The Mandarin Oriental in San Francisco.  I'm testing my photography skills with my new camera. Not bad right?

The Carneros Inn.  This place is not your normal hotel.  It is not your everyday run of the mill standard place standard of what one dreams of serenity with fancy modern edges of marble tiles and tranquil lighting focused on fancy water features.  Instead this place offers a different feeling of relaxation nestled in the picturesque hills of Napa Valley vineyards.  Here you will not find anything but simple everyday home essences that that are based on everything earthly.  People in Napa actually care about the environment and take pride in eating what they have grown with their own two hands.  This shows up in subtle ways at the Carneros Inn.  Every guest gets their own cottage complete with front porch, private backyard, indoor/outdoor shower (yes that is correct folks!), fireplace, french doors, heated stone floors, and whirlpool tubs.  Our cottage even had an outdoor bathtub.  Heck, you can fully immerse yourself in mother nature and take an al fresco bath in the nude using soap grown and handmade from the nearby lavender gardens.  And if that wasn't enough, you can open all the french doors in your cottage to let the cool Napa air circulate around your room and fill your lungs with that sparkling crisp air while you sleep to provide some detox to your city soul.  Sometimes we need a little reminder about this planet that we live on and in its luxury yet simple ways this place does just that.  This place wasn't located in a town but off of Old Sonoma Highway an hours drive from San Francisco.  It has its own on site restaurant called Boon Fly Cafe and Farm. 

This is the inside of our cabin.  So cute.  French doors can all be widely opened to the tranquil private backyard.

And of course I was obsessed with this fireplace given it was pouring down rain the entire weekend.

Apples.

Inside Shower.

Inside shower connected to outside shower.

Outside Shower!

Dinner on my birthday was at Bottega in Yountville.  This "craftman's kitchen" is a product of chef Michael Chiarello who is a Napa native and food network star.  He also produces his own wines from Chiarello Family vineyards.  I definitely took home a bottle of the "Eileen" Cabernet Sauvignon to save for a special day.  It was named after his wife and is a truly amazing single vineyard wine.

Black Pepper Bucatini alla Carbonara soft cooked hen egg, grilled escarole, guanciale and parmigiano brodo.

Mixing in the poached egg.

Sashimi served on a Himalayan salt ice block.

Hi, I'm a year older, can I have some more wine please?

Leia Mais…

East Coast Extravanganza: Part Three Florida

The last leg of my 4th year nomadic medical student life was in Florida.  I was actually there for 2 months.  It just so happened that I had a small break and was able to go on my very first cruise.  Which, by the way, I discovered the reason why I had avoided this inevitable curiosity.  It's like being stuck at Walmart for 4 days with no escape.  I did go by myself.  I'm sure if I were to be with a group of friends we'd be getting tipsy by the bar and suddenly it might have been that much more exciting.  Unfortunately, a cruise solo is not something that I would ever do again.  I mean come on people, who wants to be stuck on a boat in the middle of an ocean with a bunch of strangers that are coupled up and romantically whispering sweet nothing's in each others ear in the dining room?  Puke.

This is cast off from port of Miami.

Well hey the staff have exceptional towel rolling skills.

Now it just feels like I'm back home in Vegas in a casino from the 80's.

The ship parked at Key West.

Now nothing against Carnival Cruise line at all, I think that they did a fantastic job for the money I spent.  It was $250 bucks for all you can eat, accommodation, a half day in Key West, FL and a whole day in Mexico.  You can't even stay one night in a hotel for that price.  Being that I'm a person who likes adventure and getting lost, the cruise ship just wasn't big enough for all 4 feet 11 inches of my incredibly itchy feet.  But I can definitely understand why many American's get a very big thrill out of cruising.  And I say "Cruise on baby! Bon Voyage!"   
   
So there was one cool thing I did as an outside excursion when we went to Mexico at Cozumel.  I booked a trip on "The Secret River".  Underwater cave hiking, as the best way I can describe it.  It's pretty awesome.  The water is actually fresh water, not salt as you might not expect for something connected to the ocean.  Definitely worth it if you ever get a chance to check it out.  There was a couple who was in my group who were in their 70's that was able to do it, so no excuses!

I know I look dorky, but isn't this awesome?  These rock formations are made of calcified calcium over hundreds of years.

Okay, so more on Florida.  The drivers suck.  I was afraid of my life driving around down there.  People are kinda mean sometimes, and they definitely have never seen an Asian before.  But besides that I can't argue with the weather and beaches.  I rode my bike and ran on the beach board walk many days of the week.  I might actually be moving soon hint hint ;)

Fell in love with "Josh's Organic Garden" on Sunday's at the Hollywood boardwalk.  Josh is seen in the back with the blue baseball cap.  The colors really were amazing and the produce some of the best I've ever had. Gotta love Florida for that, not just a bunch of oranges!  

This was from a sweets shop on the Hollywood boardwalk.  I fell in love with their Gelatti's.  It's Italian Ice with ice cream. 

Hollywood Beach. So surreal.

Hollywood Beach.

Hollywood beach sunset.

If you haven't guessed it by now, I stayed at Hollywood beach.  Ciao!

Leia Mais…

East Coast Extravaganza: Quickie to Philly

I had never been to Philly before this past year of traveling, and I never really even consciously thought about it as an actual place to visualize in my mind. Being in New Jersey I took a little side trip to the cheesesteak home for a school meeting and also for a Michael Buble concert.  Driving to Philly from Jersey is an easy drive if you have at least $20 bucks in cash to ride the Jersey turnpike. Unfortunately being a west coast girl where it is free to drive on the freeways, I was a virgin to this toll road concept.  Just for your information, if ever you happen to run out of cash on the toll road they will not take credit or debit cards, nor will they accept any other forms of bribes to get you past. Instead they might just make you pull over on the side of the road to wait for a police escort to the nearest ATM.

I have some mundane photos of Philly. I'm sure any other Asian with a camera could do better.  Man I need to work on my photography skills. Anyways, here's what I have:

Liberty Bell

Independence Hall

Here's my pictures from the concert.  I really think he's just so talented. The Frank Sinatra of my generation.  And handsome and cute.  I'm such a hopeless romantic softie at heart.

By the way, in case you were wondering I reminded myself to take a trip to the ATM before attempting to drive back.  Why do they call it a turnpike anyways? What the hell is a turnpike?

Leia Mais…

East Coast Extravanza; Part Two New Jersey

The next leg of my medical school pilgrimage took me to New Jersey.   Seriously, I gained some extra adipose tissue in areas not to be mentioned, but it was definitely worth it.  New Jersey was amazing for the Italian food.  I loved the fact that I could hop on a bus and be in NYC in ten minutes.  I love that New Jersey is home to the working class of people.  From professionals to blue collar workers, Jersey is the place that so many commute and make the trip across the Hudson. Some would describe it as a gritty and dirty city suburb of the big apple, but I love it.  It gives it some character. Could I live here?  I would say a definite yes to that.  Yes I know I'm an odd breed of human who would actually volunteer to live in this no frills, harsh city snuggled in the shadows of New York.  Its really just amazing to be so close yet just far enough from the one and only city. 

 Um, hello Cake Boss!

Most of the pictures I took were on my outings into the city.  I spent most of my time in New Jersey but I guess I was too busy working to remember to take pictures.

What a great memorial.  Site of the World Trade Center now home to the 9-11 Memorial.  Two squares with infinity waters and lighting. 

Washington Square Park.  Uberly romantic.

Times Square

What can I say about Times Square?  I honestly can say that rubbing shoulder to shoulder in the crowded street next to crazed international tourists for something that is not the ultimate definition of New York City seems very cliche.  None the less, seen it, done it.  Now where's the real New York?        

Chelsea Market.  Yup. Been there.  Best food ever! Have the lobster bisque from the Lobster Place.  You'll thank me later.

Bryant Park.

Grand Central Station

You can't go to NYC and not have a pizza! This place is the classic.  Lombardi's Coal Oven Pizza. They say it's the New York water that gives these suckers its flavor.  I say its the New York everything.

Good night New York.  Views of Manhattan over the Hudson River from the Jersey side.  This gives me just as much of a thrill as it would be to over look the grandest of all that mother nature has to offer.  The New York City skyline is just so grand, and to think that this was all truly built with man's two hands and willpower.  I love New York.  If New York City were a man I passed by on the street, I would say it was love at first sight.  I would probably go running after him and he wouldn't be difficult to spot.  He would have a distinctly gorgeous face with a confident demeanor.  What can I say? What girl doesn't like tall, dark, and handsome? New York has something to offer for everyone.  And for anyone looking to fall in love, you might just do that in this city and possibly with this city. 

Leia Mais…

East Coast Extravaganza; Part One Chicago

I went on a 5 month  pilgrimage of medical school called audition rotations.  Its basically where I show up to different hospitals, for one month at a time, and show myself off.  I attempt to make myself look like the most genius of all in comparison to all the other medical school brats trying to do the exact same thing.  My overall experience of this whole charade is something that I would say is a test to my ability to adapt.  My chosen route was Chicago in August, New Jersey in September, Florida for October/November, and with a mini trip to Philadelphia and D.C.   Given the tardiness of this post, here are some highlights.

I've never been to Chicago nor can I say that I ever was dying to come. I didn't know that Chicago was such a culturally diverse, clean, and earth friendly city.  The people enjoy summer concerts that are dense with the qualities of the human spirit and they enjoy running outside in the open air. I enjoy the food.

My first weekend in the windy city was a welcoming Cubs game.  Now I'm no huge sports fan in general, but when someone invites me to a ball game outside in a beautiful weather where you can day drink and eat a couple of dogs, I'd be crazy to say no to that.

Chicago river.  Goes right through downtown.  Beautiful day.  Beautiful kayakers.

I visited the famous bean with my new pseudo roomate Stu.

 Chicago skyline from a boat.  I mean really if you are going to visit Chicago in the gorgeous summer weather when it is not freezing cold over lake Michigan you have to take a boat ride. 

 As a former McDonald's employee I can only say that this is the most impressive one I have ever seen!  I mean I would really not be disappointed if I got taken on a date here. 

 From the top of the John Hancock.  Believe it or not, this picture was taken from the ladies restroom.  Sorry guys, your tough out of luck for this viewing.  It's a sexist view only.

 Millennium Park during a summer concert.  Awe how romantic.

Millennium Park by day.  A great place for a stroll, and a great place to be lazy, people watch, and grab a Chicago dog.

 Okay, it seems weird but I'm obsessed with grocery stores.  And I found one I loved in the Chi town suburbs.  It was called Mariano's Fresh Market.  And yes, I had died and gone to organic food store heaven every time I walked in.  I loved it so much I sat and studied and read for hours there.  They had a juice bar and a hot food bar where I would pig out.  They had organic fresh made gelato.  They had organic meats beautifully displayed in all its grass fed glory.

As much as Chicago was very much a city where I understood the people in all their organic, juicing, yoga, running, fitness type of language, there were many things about Chicago that I didn't care for. 
I hated that everywhere I drove in the Chi-Land would take me 30 minutes to get to anywhere.  I didn't like the terrible traffic going into the city.  I know the weather, as fabulous as it may have been was short lived.  I hated being in the suburbs.  There are some die hard sports fans in Chicago.  I mean death by Cubs, Sox, or Bears with a big axe sort of weirdness.  I absolutely loved Garrett's popcorn.  Oh man.  It was like eating crack.  Best damn popcorn I have ever had in my life.  

Leia Mais…

The World is my Oyster

My new passport arrived today! Let the new adventures begin. :) 

Leia Mais…