Tag: tips

Are you a McDonald’s Snob?

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I have to admit, I once was. I had this notion of why eat an American fast food chain when you are in Italy, Philippines, or Korea and have other local options to choose from.

I agree…there are endless places to eat at…but there is something about discovering new items internationally at McDonald’s that you will not find in your local McD’s.

For example, I discovered the Shrimp Burger (or Ebi Filet-O) in Japan! It’s just delicious and I got a whole meal for $5.76!

That price is almost unheard of now at ALL fast food joints! This price included my Shrimp Burger, Medium Fries, and a Drink. The Ebi Filet-O had real shrimp in it and shredded lettuce. Everything about it was delicious and for the price…you can never go wrong.

In conclusion, don’t be a McDonald’s Snob. You might just be missing out on something absolutely delicious and affordable.

Ebi Filet-O
Ketchup

Limited Time Offer: Potato & Beef Black Pepper Cream Cheese – Get the Ebi Filet-O instead! This was a 3 out of 5. Side note: My dad loves his Japanese Milk…he drinks it everyday! 😀

Portland Edibles

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In Spring of 2023, I packed a carry-on and went on a weekend trip to Portland, Oregon. The main reason for going was because when my mom was still alive, I had been convincing her to hang on a bit longer so that I could take her to see the beautiful tulips at the Tulip Festival in Oregon. She didn’t last past winter. So in remembrance of her, I went to see the tulips.

Portland, however, isn’t just known for its tulips, beautiful waterfalls, and hikes. They are also known for some delicious eats and good coffee.

Below are the few food highlights during my quick trip.

For Burgers and Sliders, I highly recommend PDX sliders. Everything we ordered was delicious. Because they do have quite a few choices…I’d go with sliders so that you can try a few different options. I had the Hawthorne which consisted of beef, bacon, goat cheese, strawberry preserves on brioche bun. My next slider was the Morrison, which was an herb-marinated chicken, bacon, pesto, baby arugula, aioli on a ciabatta.

For Donuts and Chai, try Pip’s. Because the donuts were little donut holes, it didn’t feel like a crime to order a dozen between two people. So we ordered a dozen and tried every flavor, including the seasonal flavor: Pear Butter. I wasn’t too crazy about the Pear Butter and much preferred their traditional flavors, like the cinnamon sugar and the raw honey & sea salt. Also, the Chai flight was the best thing we did because I love Chai and couldn’t decide which to get. In the end, I narrowed down my favorites to: King and I & Heart of Gold.

For an Intimate Date Night Out, I do suggest trying a local favorite like Papa Haydn…it’s been around since 1978! The soup, salad, and entree were all delicious but I think the main event really belongs to the dessert. We had the Boccone Dolce…which was exquisite and a must try for everyone.

There you have it…a place for the person-on-the go, a place for the sweet tooth person in you, and a place for a dressier date night.

Fields of Tulips

Pip’s reminding you to EAT
PDX Sliders
Pip’s

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad, CA

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Last weekend, the husband and I decided on a whim, to drive down to SoCal to pay a visit to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad before they close out for the season. It was a nice drive because we barely hit any traffic and the weather was warm and inviting. (We did a detour in Los Angeles but more on that later). We gave our friends a one day notice and just hoped they were free. Thankfully they all were!

We stayed one night at our friends home in Oceanside and another night at the Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel, which was conveniently located right across the Flower Fields (IG story to be shared shortly).

I purchased our tickets for the Flower Fields on April 29 for a May 1st visit. Surprisingly, there were many tickets available throughout the day, however, I decided for the last entry (5PM-5:30PM) so that we can enjoy our Sunday meeting, have a nice lunch, and have time to check in at the hotel and relax before heading to the Flower Fields. It sounded like a nice plan in my head, but little did I know, we would have an unpleasant experience later that afternoon.

Here is the hard lesson I learned: On their website it has 9am-6pm listed on their home page and no other disclaimer about adhering to strict operational hours. However, on the purchase ticket link, you can purchase tickets for the last entry from 5:00PM-5:30PM for the same price of $22. Which means, those who purchase the last entry only received one hour or 30 minutes of exploration time. I couldn’t help but feel gypped when, 15 minutes before closing, majority of the employees were telling all the paying visitors to exit the fields. We left feeling very frustrated.

Anyhow, the next day, I had to speak out for others and myself…that the Flower Fields should not charge the same price for the last entry and that they should, at the very least, not have tickets from 5:00PM-5:30PM if the fields close at 6PM. They understood my frustration and were very accommodating.

Because of this experience, I share with you this new knowledge:

  1. Do NOT purchase the 5:00PM-5:30PM tickets. (The 30 min window from the ticket means you can arrive between 5PM-5:30PM.)
  2. Do purchase tickets that allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours of exploration time. If you come with kids, allow for more time to enjoy the kiddie activities like the Sweet Pea Maze, collecting stamps at each location, having snacks, and the Wagon Ride (Additional $6/per adult and $3/per child).
  3. Tickets are $22/per adult, $20/per senior 60+ or military, and $10/per child (3-10 years old).
  4. If you do not wish for your feet to get dirty and dusty, wear closed toe shoes that are comfortable to walk in.
  5. The Flower Fields typically close on Mother’s Day weekend but this season has been extended to May 15, 2022. Tickets are also half off now! ($11/per adult, $10 per senior 60+ or military, and $5/per child).

Overall, it was a solid experience! A field of more than 50 acres of ranunculus, gladiolas, and even sunflowers…leaving me with a delightful memory and a lasting feast for my eyes.

Nightmare Flights

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Have you ever experienced a flight or airline/airport crew gone wrong? And it went wrong not because of your own doing. Well, a while back on my NOLA post, I mentioned the nightmare of a flight we had on our way to New Orleans. I didn’t elaborate then…so this is my follow up post on what I’ve learned and what I would recommend in the future.

  • For starters, I recommend flying direct to your destination. (Flying back home on a connecting flight is not so bad…after all, I’d rather start a vacation quickly and end it slowly.) There’s nothing worse than starting your trip on the wrong foot. That flight we booked to New Orleans had a connecting flight in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, because the grounds crew or the airline crew didn’t want to shut the airplane door, we waited on the tarmac for more than an hour. Then, the door was finally shut, we pulled back a little, but as unusual as this was…we pulled back to the gate and stayed there for another 45 minutes! At this point, I was already getting anxious and upset simultaneously. I had a feeling we were going to miss our connecting flight and NOT make it to our dinner reservation that evening. Thankfully, our story had a semi sweet ending…We did miss our connecting flight, however, I was able to push back the dinner reservation and  we made it to GW Fins.
  • Check the reviews on flights and airlines. Do their planes typically have mechanical problems? Are they known for always being delayed? What’s their reputation as an airline as a whole? Certain airlines have received a great deal of bad press lately, however, some rightfully so.
  • Choose the lesser of the two evils. How much money do you want to save by booking a connecting flight? Are you using mileage and don’t have much options in choosing which airline to fly with? Is it really a big deal if you miss your dinner reservation? These are things to consider.
  • Lastly, file a complaint. I am one to say that I dislike complainers (especially petty complainers), however, when NONE of the events that transpired were due to your inexperience and/or ignorance on your part AND you paid a fare (pun intended) price, then you ought to speak up. Some airlines are generous in compensating their clients for their mistakes, others are not. You win some, you lose some. But, you can’t win any if you don’t speak a plenty.

How about you? What did you learn from your nightmare flights and what can you recommend to me?

 

Responsible Pet Parenting

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Many pet parents have their views and ways of proper pet parenting. And, I’m not one to impose my views on others. However, I do find two things of utmost importance, and I  hope you do too!

  1. Always pick up your dog’s poop. No matter what!  I’ve used plastic bags, sandwich bags, and other items to pick up Brutus’ poop. Once, I walked up to a complete stranger and asked for a doggy bag. He gladly handed me one.
  2. Commitment. Having a pet, like a child, comes with great responsibility. It takes time, money, effort, and lots of patience. At one point, Winfred and I decided to end our lease early and move out of our place because our previous landlord gave us an ultimatum to either get rid of our dog or leave. We, of course, chose the latter. And, during that time, Winfred and I went through one of the most stressful episodes in our lives because we had to find a new place fast and lose such a bargain for our apartment.  However, it was unimaginable for us to abandon or put our dog up for adoption for the sake of pleasing her; even though we were greatly mislead. Anyways, with that being said, it is VERY important to know beforehand whether you can own a pet, and if so, if there are any weight restrictions or breed restrictions at your current place. Knowing these things will help you in becoming the committed and responsible pet parent that you possibly could be.
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Viva Las Vegas

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Las Vegas, a place where you can travel the world, yet remain on a strip. This past September (which was perfect weather), I accompanied my parents, and their friends, for a four day getaway.

We did NOT rent a car, but we did take advantage of the shuttle services, monorails, lyft or uber (whichever wasn’t surging at the moment…,) and the occasional taxi cabs.

We stayed at the Rio, which wasn’t as I remembered it to be, but it did OK. Every morning, we took advantage of the overpriced coffee at the Starbucks downstairs because there was no free coffee in the room (also, they charge you $0.75 for iced tap water!) The Rio isn’t on the strip…but isn’t too far away either. At that time, Rio provided a free shuttle every 30 minutes that drops you off to the strip. However, we didn’t have the time or the patience to wait each time…so we would either grab a cab or a lyft.

What parts of the world can you reach from the strip? Well, lets start at the U.S. You can go to NYC, and see the Brooklyn Bridge, have a bite of their famous burgers in Shake Shack, ride their roller coaster, and then head over to Europe. You can get a piece of these European cities: Paris, Venice, and Rome. Then head to Africa by going to the Luxor and feeling like you’re in Egypt. By the time you’ve ventured through at least three of these countries, you’ll feel exhausted and would want to retire to the comfort and coolness of your hotel room.

If you desire to venture off the strip, there is the Hoover Dam, that is about 50 minutes away. Hoover Dam has been featured in many movies such as San Andreas, Transformers, and Fools Rush In with Salma Hayek and Matthew Perry. Definitely worth checking if you’re tired of the same scene.

Another advantage to Vegas is, it’s also not too far off from the West Rim portion of the Grand Canyon. The West Rim belongs to the Hualapai (WALL-uh-pie) tribe, and isn’t part of the national park. That being said, the West Rim is still a beautiful and unique experience. We were able to see Eagle Rock and get on the Skywalk. It was truly a Magnificent experience! (I can share more about the details of the West Rim on a separate blog post.)

Overall, Vegas is a great thrill! You don’t have to be into gambling or casinos to enjoy the place…because no matter what you like, you’ll find something for yourself in Vegas!

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Sweet Treats from NYC

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Part II of my list of food places to try in New York are sweet treats. Whether it be doughnuts, cookies, or rice pudding…here are my faves:

  • Momofuku Milk Bar. Who thought someone can be so happy with cereal and soft serve? Its like comfort food on another level. And, don’t even get me started on their crack pie…
  • Doughnut Plant. I’ve always been a fan of tres leches and theirs is a must try! A few others to add to your box: Peanut butter and banana cream, vanilla bean, red velvet, crème brûlé, Peanut butter and blackberry jam…heck, just try everything!
  • Rice to Riches. If you grew up with a Filipino mom, you know what chocolate rice is. Rice to Riches is just that… but better! There are other things added to the rice other than chocolate. They have rum raisin, french toast, mascarpone, banana coconut, and the list goes on and on… Sample a few to taste what you like because it is filling and not so cheap. Then reward your belly with some yummy goodness!

I hope you get to try at least one of these three places, and let me know what you think. I have other places I want to try that I have not ticked off…such as, Levain Bakery, Cookie Dō, and others. Always gotta have a reason to come back to NYC.

New York Food List

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Prior to the trip, I had this list of food places I wanted to try. I got through most of it…and wanted to share it with you:

  • Russ & Daughter’s – A great New York bagel experience. I had a Plain bagel with Lox and Scallion Cream Cheese. Yum!
  • Julianna’s Pizza – Granted, I was pretty full already from my burger at Shake Shack…I just had to try a slice of their Buffalo Mozzarella pizza. It was delicious!
  • Shake Shack – To be completely honest, I had reservations about this place. I mean, California has some pretty legit burger joints that I’ve already tried…But, disappoint it did not! I truly enjoyed every bite of my Smokeshack burger.
  • Sabbia, formerly Baita, in Eataly’s rooftop. A little overrated for the food, but the experience was wonderful. Beautiful rooftop and great drinks!
  • Katz Deli – one and done! Meaning, one visit for me is sufficient enough…the food was meh! And the lines are crazy! To top that off, you must keep your eyes peeled for a table to be vacated, and once you find one, hope no one else grabs it before you.
  • Smorgasburg – A great place to try a variety of different foods. Eat your heart out…literally!
  • Yuji Ramen- A new take on ramen. Its all seafood base. Unique yet surprisingly good. Also, a tiny hole in the wall place, so be prepared to be in close proximity with strangers.
  • Chelsea’s Market – A wonderful place to people watch, listen to live music, shop, and eat great tacos! Yup, I had tacos and quesadillas at Los Taco’s #1 and boy were they delicious! I had the carne asada taco and the adobada especial…I highly recommend trying them!
  • Pies & Thighs – A good option for some southern food. A nice plate of chicken and waffles to make you feel that nice southern comfort; and don’t forget that smoked pork collards.

After going through this food list, I want to do an 8 mile hike or longer. Happy Noshing!

Pies and Thighs
Eataly eats

4 Nights in NOLA

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New Orleans, Louisiana…I have loved you from the start! From the many other places I wanted to visit in the States, New Orleans ranked high on the list. So as not to use up much vacation time, I opted to visit during Thanksgiving Weekend. Thankfully, I was able to find a moderately priced package deal that had airline tickets and hotel for two.

On this blog post, I wanted to share our itinerary and possibly give you some ideas for when you visit NOLA.

We flew in on Tuesday evening after a nightmare of a flight (saving that story for another time…) In time, to catch a dinner reservation at GW Fins. Definitely, had a great experience from start to finish. Food was delectable and service was stellar. Also, our hotel was nearby, so we just walked to and fro. Great way to also catch some action on Bourbon St.

The next day we took the Riverfront Line Streetcar (red one) to the Riverwalk Outlet. The reason for me to even pay this place a visit was to catch sight of the cruise ship and to sit and admire the Mississippi River. There is a Cafè Du Monde there, however, we opted to go to the stand alone 24 hour operation on 800 Decatur St. And yes, I will go there at 12 midnight to indulge in a warm beignet and a cafè au lait. Another noteworthy thing to do is to take the St. Charles Line Streetcar (green one) from Carondelet to the very end of the line. It’ll take you through mansions, the Loyola and Tulane Universities, and Audubon Gardens. On the way back, we hopped off near Magazine St and did some shopping.

On our third day, we did a Swamp Tour with Cajun Encounters that we booked through our concierge. A small bus picked us up at our hotel lobby and drove us to Slidell where we began our adventure. We saw alligators, wild boar, raccoons, snakes, owls, egrets, and more. Definitely a great way to experience the Louisiana bayou!

New Orleans is home to Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino so my visit wouldn’t be complete if I did not devote any time to listening to some good live jazz and soulful music on Frenchmen St. And, I can attest to it that Jazz music is so much better live! I might add too, if you’re anything like me, you’d spend more time on Frenchmen St than on Bourbon St. Just sayin…

I’ll be back NOLA…for your poboys, beignets, and live music! This isn’t the last of me.

 

 

 

 

Happy Decade!

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Winter Outfit: Lacey Camisole and Tan Fleece Hoodie
Throwing Peace Signs at a Bowling Alley

Last month, I officially lived a whole ten years off the little rock I once called home. This little rock was the island of Guam. I remember vividly my aspirations of being able to live somewhere far away, on my own, and achieving my goals. I didn’t think I was going to be away this long…yet, it went by so quickly!

I graduated and earned my bachelor’s. I married a good man. I actually like my job and enjoy going to work every day. I can honestly say that I’ve achieved my goals.

The first year was admittedly the toughest. I had no friends. I didn’t know how to take care of my skin. I broke out so bad because I didn’t know how much I needed to moisturize during the dry and cold winter months. I didn’t like my job, but I did it anyways. I had no idea how to dress in cold weather, so I always looked awkward and would either be too cold or too hot.

Over the years, I met people who filled the void that I once felt as a newcomer. I made close and lasting friendships. I sought the help of a dermatologist to help me get my skin back to the way it was. And, I started browsing Japanese fashion magazines and watching Youtube for Winter Fashion ideas…that really helped! It made me realize that my cowboy boots had to go as they were not winter fashion friendly, as I thought they were (Imagine…I  wore those to field service and meetings!)

As a former newcomer, these are things that helped me plant roots in a new place:

Make new friends. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and talk to people. Spend time with those whom you gravitate to the most and have common interest with.  Invest time and feelings. If you do so, you will make friendships that will prove its strength through good and bad times.

Try a new job. I always worked in Hospitality when I was in Guam and never thought I’d go into a different industry. When I moved to California, I went straight into Banking. Later, I realized it wasn’t what I was looking for and found a decent job in a whole different industry.

Explore your city. I found all my local favorites in the area. My favorite Persian restaurant, my favorite Crepe place, my favorite Nail Salon, etc. Also, check out the local hiking trails and any outdoor activities your area offers. You’ll be sure to have a good time!

What are things that you did to make you feel more at home in a new place?

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