Happy 2019!
Wow! I can’t believe I have had this blog for a FULL year! I didn’t think I could do it. It originally took a little bit of nudging from a friend to get it started and now here I am—just over a year later. Well, congrats to me for that!
Wow! I can’t believe I have had this blog for a FULL year! I didn’t think I could do it. It originally took a little bit of nudging from a friend to get it started and now here I am—just over a year later. Well, congrats to me for that!
How did you spend your holiday? I spent Christmas and New Year’s in Boston visiting my family. Originally, I wasn’t sure if I was going to visit my family for the holidays. But after my Tulum trip over Thanksgiving (when I quit my job, chopped off 6 inches of my hair, bought a ukelele), I booked a one way ticket to Boston and I am so glad that I did. It was really nice to get out of LA and see my family, even if it meant braving the cold winter. I got lots of play time with my little niece and nephew. I got to play the ukelele for them even though I don’t know how to play (anyone want to teach me?). My mom made some of my favorite Cambodian dishes, including noodle soup, hot pot, pineapple sweet and sour soup, and vermicelli noodles. I also cooked for my entire family Christmas Eve. I made tomato confit with spaghetti, garlic shrimp, scallops, and grilled eggplant. I think it was a success—at least, they didn’t tell me otherwise.
Even though I was in Boston for a relatively short time (though it kind of felt like a long time), I unexpectedly made a connection with someone new. Unfortunately, he lives in Boston. Why does this always happen to me? Sigh. I must love the East Coast boys. But I also love LA. That’s the problem. Why don’t I connect with anyone here? LA is big enough. Help!
While I had fun back in Boston, I am SO happy to be back home, in my own apartment, in my own bed. My body is not made for East Coast winters. My skin was so dry and irritated. My eczema acted up. I felt ugly. And I didn’t know how to dress cute in the cold. I didn’t bring any sexy clothes for dates. Plus, my mom’s place is not that comfortable. She doesn’t like me messing up her kitchen. She keeps the house cold. She wants me to wear a scarf in the house. But Mom, scarves are made for outside! Also, I felt guilty if I slept in too late or wanted to lounge on the couch all day. The first thing I did when I got home was take a hot shower, turned on my fireplace (because in LA, it’s just a flip of a switch), put on sweatpants, and ordered my usual dish at my favorite Thai restaurant. Then I slept all afternoon that first day and slept 10 hours that first night. It felt SO good. Now, I’m rested, adjusted, ready to face the world. It’s back to reality. What is on my to-do list for the new year? Finish my cookbook, find a new job in fashion, learn the ukelele, continue working out. So let’s go Davy!
Hello 2018! New Year's Eve in Sedona.
This post is a little late because I'm still adjusting to being back in LA, but HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Happy 2018! 2017 was not only a year of personal growth and transition for me but also the year that I discovered how much I love the desert. It seemed only fitting that I celebrate the end of the year by going on another desert road trip. My friend and I decided on exploring Arizona.
This post is a little late because I'm still adjusting to being back in LA, but HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Happy 2018! 2017 was not only a year of personal growth and transition for me but also the year that I discovered how much I love the desert. It seemed only fitting that I celebrate the end of the year by going on another desert road trip. My friend and I decided on exploring Arizona.
We started out our road trip by stopping in Vegas for lunch to break up the long drive. We had Hainanese chicken at Chef Sheridan Su's restaurant Flock and Fowl. I love Hainanese chicken! This dish is hard to find in LA (at least the Singaporean style that I like) unless maybe if you venture a bit outside of the city, which I don't do very often.
Our first stop was Page, AZ. Horseshoe Bend was my favorite part of that leg of the trip. It is an easy hike (more of a stroll really) with stunning views of the bend. We also did a tour of Antelope Canyon and enjoyed the incredible colors and lighting of the canyon!
After Page, we drove down to Sedona to spend a few nights and celebrate New Year's Eve. Sedona had great hikes and amazing views everywhere! We only spent 3 nights in Sedona so we didn't get to do all of the hikes but we got a nice preview of the peaceful life in Sedona. We hiked Doe Mesa Mountain and the airport loop, walked up to the Chapel, explored a bit of the pathway to Bell Rock, went on the Coyote Canyon Pink Jeep Tour, and visited a nearby ghost town called Jerome. Apparently there are vortex sites in Sedona that are conducive to healing, finding balance, and peace. We visited a couple of those sites. Even though I didn't feel the energy, I definitely felt at peace. I silently set an intention into the universe anyways. Why not? I need all the help I can get to start the new year right!
After almost 8 miles of hiking, we had a lovely last meal of 2017 at Cress on Oak Creek at L'Auberge de Sedona on New Year's Eve. It was a full 5 course meal. We were also treated to a complimentary bottle of champagne from the restaurant manager! It was a wonderful last day of 2017!
