27 December 2018

Getting My First Tattoo


As the year comes to a close, I can only think of how crazy 2018 has been! Normally, I would be coming up with a year-end recap post. But this time around, I would like to dedicate a post to my proudest moment this year and maybe in my lifetime so far-- getting a tattoo!

The date was August 26, 2018. I clearly remember because it was a long weekend, and the timing was definitely one of the many things I considered. I'm not kidding when I say I prepared long and hard for this (saving up some money, doing heavy research, etc.)-- read more below the cut to find out!


22 September 2018

Kamakura: Kyoto of the East


Located in the Kanagawa Prefecture just south of Tokyo, Kamakura is also a must-see if you have time to spare to go outside of the capital. The city is abundant in Buddhist and Shinto temples, which is why some people hail it as the "Kyoto of the East".  One can very well spend an entire day exploring the city; however, we decided to limit ourselves to covering a few tourist spots in half-a-day. Read up on how we spent our time in Kamakura below the cut!

04 August 2018

Yokohama: Noodles Over Canoodles


True story: I could hear the rain pouring hard as I began writing this story within the comforts of home. Even with bursts of sunshine in between days, the rainy season is truly upon us. Cuddle weather, ramen weather, whatever-you-wish-to-call-it weather, it definitely makes us want something that will keep us warm. That's why I find it really timely posting about our quick day-trip to Yokohama last April. Wonder what makes it timely? Well, read on to find out!

15 July 2018

Hawaii: Iolani Palace


Maybe it was due to the implications of the animated film Moana, but I didn't exactly associate the Renaissance with Polynesian royalties. That is, until I visited Iolani Palace in Honolulu.

15 June 2018

Chasing Blossoms


Last April, my family and I flew to Tokyo with the main goal of catching the sakura trees in bloom. Although the buds began opening up a week earlier than expected, we're glad to have seen a bunch of trees still covered in varying shades of pink at Shinjuku Gyo-en

03 June 2018

Hawaii: Kualoa Ranch


Whenever I hear "Hawaii," these are what come to mind: the beach, surfing, hula, all things tropical, and from time to time-- dinosaurs, too. Wait, what? Did I just say "dinosaurs"? You bet I did! September last year, I got a taste of the aloha way of life in Oahu, HI. Out of the tourist-y things I did, one of the highlights of my trip was seeing Kualoa Private Nature Reserve, also named "Jurassic Valley" after the Jurassic Park/World films shot there.

04 February 2018

San Francisco: Palace of Fine Arts


One day in San Francisco was all we had, and we used it to be typical tourists yet again. Some sights revisited, some seen for the first time-- but this has to be the highlight for me.

13 January 2018

Lights Out


LA is full of "instagrammable" spots, to say the least. One of them is Urban Light, an outdoor art installation at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art or LACMA. Whether at day or night, it truly is a beautiful sight to behold.

07 January 2018

Universal Studios Hollywood


A staple on every LA tourist's list-- Universal Studios Hollywood. It's home to many attractions inspired by well-loved television shows and films. But you don't have to be a movie geek or TV aficionado to enjoy this place. Just have a fun-loving, adventure-seeking persona, and you're good to go!