Memorial Weekend + Birthday

This past weekend was memorial weekend and my birthday. There was SO much going on. I am absolutely exhausted. I find myself yawning every few seconds throughout the day.

The kick off of the weekend was in fact, a deep sleep that begun around 7:30pm every night. I have no idea why exactly I'm that exhausted throughout the work week, but I'm glad I let myself rest because the weekend was nonstop chauffeuring.

My family and family friends came over to visit for one of the most important and memorable trips that I'll remember forever. We visited one of the biggest temples here together and met with monks from China that have travelled overseas to visit the numerous temples throughout the continental US. We ate at one of my favorite local vegetarian Taiwanese restaurants. Everyone really enjoyed dining at the restaurant. Although there are numerous vegetarian options and restaurants up in the Bay Area, everyone says there isn't quite a Taiwanese vegetarian restaurant like the one we went to. The taste, the ingredients, the display, and the price is unbeatable.

All the food we ate was vegetarian at a local popular vegetarian restaurant. I really liked this homemade jello (no gelatin, of course!) with seaweed inside. The imitation eel tasted just like real eel. The texture and the taste was identical, so phenomenal. Everyone loved this restaurant!

For the actual day of my birthday, somehow I just felt like it was just another ordinary day. Usually, I go to South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island and hit up Newport Beach for shopping, dining, and relaxing at the beach. But this year, everyone and myself was surprised to find that I had no interest in any of that. Instead, I went golfing for my very first time with my boyfriend and his brother. I must say, it's way harder than it looks. Although I'm right handed, I found myself better at hitting the golf balls as a lefty. Does anyone else find opposite hand easier?

After golfing, we went to another vegetarian restaurant for dinner . This was my first time here and this place is huge. I was too focused on taking photos of the food, and not the restaurant.

I love stinky tofu. The stinkier the better! Apparently, that's not how my boyfriend and his brother felt about it when I ordered it. I think they lost a bit of their appetite. I asked them how it was and they forcefully said it was "not bad".

I'm leaving you with a picture of our little bundle of joy. I was eating my late night tiramisu, and this was her underneath the coffee table. She can be the most patient little thing when it comes to waiting for you to drop a crumb of anything you're eating.

Favorite Barista

Yesterday, I had lunch with my grandmother, aunt, and father. For some reason, I found myself very nervous. I'm not very close with my grandmother and aunt, nor do I often see them. We had lunch at a sushi restaurant that was apparently rated fairly well. For my taste buds, I prefer the one I usually go to. I prepared a gift bag for them which contained a bottle of shampoo, body lotion, and lip balm. They frequently travel, and I thought these would make a fairly practical gift. They loved it and I was relieved that the luncheon went better than expected.

On the way home, I stopped by my favorite Starbucks. It's one of those Starbucks that is located in a supermarket. The reason why this location ha s become my favorite is because I'm so glad I've finally found a very friendly and creative barista. He always makes the best recommendations with just a little something extra added to make it just that much better. I met him right around the holidays when Starbucks began to push out their red and festive holiday cups, with the pumpkin spice latte being one of their drinks. My barista got me hooked on that drink!

Yesterday was in the high 80's, so I ordered my soy caramel macchiato. He suggested extra caramel, and I was hesitant as I'm sure every gal watches her waistline, more or less. Everytime he suggests something, he's never wrong.

So here is my venti soy caramel macchiato with EXTRAAA caramel. His friendliness is the cherry on top to my Starbucks experience, each and every time I stop in.

Is there anyone that you don't know, but kind of know, that can bring you to smile and lift your spirits, please share with me. I'd love to hear your experiences, thoughts, and comments.

Surprise Envelope

I started off my morning by going to yoga with my absolute favorite yoga instructor. She is extremely motivating and whenever we are all struggling, she tells us to hold the post, and SMILE. Everyone always busts out with laughter. Laughter makes everything better, don't you think?

I came home to find in my mailbox, a wonderful surprise (along with a few bills, of course) from my childhood best friend. We now live 600 miles apart, but we always meet whenever I am back, or whenever she makes a trip over. She's been my hiking buddy, my Peet's buddy, my dessert buddy, my please-come-with-me-get-my-old-car-fixed-and-smog-check buddy, and an ear to listen to me vent whenever it is necessary. I'm so fortunate and grateful to have such a wonderful friend like her.

This is the beautiful package that was delivered to my mailbox today. I'm sure even the mail man wanted to take a peek at what's inside.

I was very surprised to find just how jam packed this envelope was. It was filled with goodies and memories. 

From left to right:

1. A package of Thai curry. I love Thai food, especially their curry! This is what I'll be making for dinner tonight!

2. Box of Kancho chocolate biscuits. Who doesn't love snacks? Especially Asian snacks?

3. Two very memorable photos. One was taken at Cocola at Santana Row, and the other was taken at a waterfall when we went hiking in LA.

4. Beautifully handcrafted card. I love 3D cards. The fact that it pops out a little makes it so much more interesting.

5. HI-CHEWS! I've had them in strawberry, but haven't tried it in mango. I'm definitely excited to try it as it is one of my favorite fruit. I've been warned it's addicting...

6. Two nail polishes. I love nail polish! I can never have too much nail polish.

I'm truly grateful to have such a great friend that I can share my feelings with. She's been by my side and has lend me an ear through my ups and downs. 

What are some of the small items that you've received or you've given that really make someone happy?

Hello, Blog World!

Hello! I'm fairly new to the world of blogging, as this is my very first post. I'm hoping that my blog will be able to bring happy faces to all readers who may come across my page. I find smiles and laughter to be one of the best medicine. Not to mention, highly contagious.

I'd like to share with you one of my favorite and most cherished items. It is a stuffed Hello Kitty that my Thailand exchange student got me a few Christmas' ago while staying in San Francisco. It is one of my favorite gifts because it brings back many great and cherished memories. I'm also a fan for Hello Kitty, as you will see in little bits and pieces here and there.

What is one of your most prized possessions, gifts, and the meaning behind it? Does it always bring a smile to your face when you see it?

If you have any comments or suggestions to a new blogger, please advise!