fall into fall quarter.
it’s been a long while! i haven’t been on many food adventures (or adventures for that matter) lately… so sadly no pictures. but the holidays are coming up so that means FOOD and exploring new restaurants and fun places! so updates about that within the next month or so… i hope! haha. but i did find the most amazing cafe in the udistrict last week! well, i’ve known about it for a while but went for the first time last week and instantly fell in love! the ugly mug cafe is a family owned cafe, and the staff is SOOO nice. i love them! today as they were closing, i was leaving the place, and the owner gives me a free loaf of bread becasue they won’t be open tomorrow! i was so frazzled at how nice they were! the place itself is small but cozy. the drinks are sooo delectable, the apple cider will warm you up any cold day. i have yet to try their infamous ovaltine latte or super cheap froyo. but their sandwiches are to die for. and so cheap! they make their own baked goods and bread and soup and you can definitely tell its home made because it’s better than anything you can get at starbucks. i’m such a nerd that i look forward to my saturdays now when i have to study cause i can walk down to the ugly mug and get myself an amazing sandwich with something warm to drink and just study. aah so excited for the next time i can go!
anyways, this quarter has been CRAZYYY. like i honestly don’t know what to think. it’s definitely been a challenge in more ways than one. school wise, i think it might be one of the hardest quarters… chinese i always feel i’m in over my head. and ochem and bio are never a fun mix. or fun separately. and then global health is soooo interesting but so information packed! so i’m like studying ALL the time and not getting the grades i should be which is frustrating. but there’s not much i can do…
but personally there have been other things in my life that have been occupying my time (and mind). i’m doing a lot more thinking and reflecting and just there’s a lot of stuff i’ve been sorting out. i’m going through some tough times and i’m usually one to keep things to myself. i’m not comfortable enough to open up to people and be vulnerable and share about what’s going through my head or what’s really going on in my life. i’ve been kind of emotionally unstable this quarter… but one day i shared what was going on with our aaiv fellowship core team and it’s overwhelming how much they love me. like i don’t know what compelled me to share with them (okay i do know, it was God), but i am so amazingly happy that i did. the love and concern and everything they have for me is indescribable. knowing i have their prayers and concerns takes off a little of my load, for which i am entirely grateful.
God has definitely been with me through this quarter. i don’t always notice it, but He’s there and He’s working. through core team, through the hard times this quarter. i’ve learned not to question why things happen, because everything has its purpose in His ultimate plan. and He will answer our prayers, maybe not at the time or manner that we want, but He will, and it’ll be better than what you were expecting. 
anyways, with all that rambling, i just wanted to say happy holidays and that even though life can be rough at times, God will always be there to pick you back up, in ways that will surprise you. <3
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santa cruz
so i’m terribly bad at posting regularly. i still have plenty more of california to share though! and even though school is about to start and fall is here, i will continue to celebrate summer and the sun (which is staying here this week!) with more about our trip to cali.
we took a one day adventure down to santa cruz. this is one of the funnest and cutest cities i have ever been too! the boardwalk is just full of carnival games and rides, which brings you back to your childhood.
we took a stroll around the boardwalk before riding the sky glider!
the sky glider overlooks the entire boardwalk and the beach, which is super gorgeous. and the ride itself was really fun just cause you got to be above everyone on the boardwalk and it offered an amazing view of the beach and city.
next, the sister and i decided to ride the giant dipper, one of the country’s oldest rollercoasters. if i remember correctly, it was celebrating its 85th anniversary!
waiting in line to ride the giant dipper.
then we traveled a short distance to downtown santa cruz, which is one of the cutest downtowns i have ever seen. there were lots of trees and cute little botiques around that just made this town even better.
since it was a hot day, my sister and i wandered into a small candy shop, marini’s. it reminded us of an old school candy store with soda fountains and whatnot. and they had ice cream that was made right in santa cruz! so we just had to try it.
looks good right?
we then traveled up to uc santa cruz. the school was… different to say the least. it was very spread out and woodsy like. we felt like we were walking around at church retreat or something of the like. but then we walked out to the soccer field and realized why someone would attend ucsc. the amazing view.
where else can you find a view like that?
so that wraps up our day in santa cruz. i will definitely be headed back to this cute little town someday in the near future. i will definitely brave more rides down at the boardwalk, eat funnel cake, and shop around town! until next time…
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Tags: california
san francisco loving
i know i promised to update about my cali trip… so let’s begin! i’ll start this post with all the wonderfulness that is san francisco! it’s like one of the best cities i’ve ever been too! it’s so eclectic and yet super fun and there’s so much to do. the city is so different, from the houses to the hills to the SHOPPING to just about everything. there’s so many neighborhoods and so much history in each of them, i can’t wait to go back to explore more! i definitely wanna live in the city one of these days, even if it’s just for a few months. that would be amazing!
anyways, the first day we went into the city, we decided to go to fisherman’s wharf. we started out at pier 39 and worked our way over to ghirardelli square.
so we walked around pier 39 for a while, but it was super touristy and mostly had restaurants. but then we walked along the streets and came across a sourdough bread company’s factory. the boudin bakery makes their own sourdough bread and it’s actually pretty good. and we got sucked into the tourist trap of getting a clam chowder bread bowl. but it was delicious and totally worth it.
then we walked over to ghirardelli square and had to eat a delicious sundae from the ghirardelli store! you will not believe how delicious their hot fudge sundae is. you just have to eat it to believe it. or even just see it.
so good, right?
then we decided to walk over to the crooked street that is lombard and i guess i never realized how beautiful the street, the view, and the houses were there!
view looking up to crooked street.
and afterwards we kept on walking over to coit tower, which has an AMAZING view of the city!
you can’t really tell in this picture, but the city is gorgeous!
and to end the day we headed over to the palace of fine arts in the presidio neighborhood. the architecture is all the remains from the 1915 pacific-panama exposition.
the next day we headed over to union square to do some shopping and just to walk around and whatnot. they have a three story forever 21 there! it was quite overwhelming yet fantastical all at the same time. and the nordstrom is even larger! it definitely has become my favorite shopping area by far.
hearts around the square.
chinatown is always a must, so we took a brief walk there and around the area. well, the sister and i actually went on an adventure down to the financial district to try to get some froyo (but the place was closed) so we got to explore two neighborhoods at once!
chinatown holds so much history!
and before we ended the night, we went to go see the painted ladies at postcard row. it’s where they shot the opening frame of full house and the houses there are GORGEOUS. like literally stunning. i love it!
so one day on our way back from napa valley, we tried walking on the golden gate bridge. but it was super cold and windy that we just couldn’t! 
NOT dressed for the weather!
but the next day, we returned to finish the task we had started. and we were blessed with gorgeous weather! so the father and i walked across the entire bridge and back. the view from the bridge is definitely unbeatable too! so if you ever get the chance, walk across it! it’s an experience you don’t wanna miss!
what a difference a day makes!
view of the city! pictures can’t capture the beauty.
lastly, we went to golden gate park to the observation tower at the de young museum. they have a 360 observational deck of the city and it is amazing as well. we just got to see lots of amazing views of the city! pretty awesome i must admit. 
so san francisco is definitely on my list of top cities i want to live in. at least while i’m still young and single. but if that doesn’t get to happen, i’ll definitely be back to visit! so just wait a little longer sf, i’m on my way back very soon!
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Tags: california
california froyo!
i returned from the land of sun and amazingness a few days ago. oh how i long to be back in the bay area! it was so much fun and the cities (especially sf) are awesome and the food is amazing… for example, frozen yogurt! when yocream opened, i was in awe of the awesomeness that was of self serve froyo. but in california, it’s no big deal. which is awesome cause that means it’s everywhere! so of course i made it my job to have frozen yogurt everyday… and succeeded! so before i post about anything else from my trip, i must dedicate this post to all my froyo adventures. and then i’ll be back with more about norcal and the bay area.
the first day we arrived, the newlywed chois took the sister and i out for some frozo’s in milpitas. i got original icy tart and mango tango. the froyo itself was only okay, a little on the icy side. but the toppings were overwhelming! they had so many choices!
all of the toppings at frozo’s.
the penguins are cute!
the next day, the sister and i wanted to try this place by our hotel in milpitas called orange tree. it turns out they have one in southcenter and coming soon to the hmart mall in lynnwood and washington square! all are far from the udistrict and the couve, but still, totally going to stop by southcenter on my way up! it was a little icy but they had pistachio and like a ton of other flavors, like 14 or so. it was definitely creamier than frozo’s though and the worker guy that night was super nice and the place was super cute.
all the yogurt machines!
so then on sunday, while we were in san fran, we wandered over to chinatown. and we heard of a place called yoppi by the transamerica building, so we decided to venture the streets and hills of chinatown and the financial district to find it. and then we finally found it to see that it was closed! boo on sundays and the financial district being dead.
super sad that we trekked all the way there to find it out they weren’t opened on sunday.
but then later that day, we made a quick side trip to cupertino before dinner in mountain view. which meant a stop by none other than…. YOGURTLAND! this is by far my favorite yogurt place ever! they have a whole bunch of flavors, and the yogurt is really creamy and delicious. they have a good number of tart flavors as well as some of the best mochi ever. i really liked the coconut yogurt and raspberry pomegranate tart. both super delicious.
happy that yogurtland was open!
we finished ours very quickly!!
monday, we went into santa cruz and we got some bomb ice cream that was made there in santa cruz. so i thought that we probably wouldn’t have time or room for some froyo. but i was wrong! we dropped my sister off in fremont and stopped by yo swirl on the way. they have dole whip, which is some of the most amazing stuff i have ever had! and they also had a good number of an array of flavors and toppings and seemed just like a really good hang out place with games and tvs and whatnot. kinda reminded me of wow for froyo.
inside yoswirl.
tuesday, we went back to cupertino and i was at a loss whether or not to stick to yogurtland or try a new place called tartini. the new place won out and so we went there instead. it was cute and really bright and whatnot, but they only had about eight flavors and they weren’t that exciting. i stuck with original and pomegranate and both were pretty icy. i learned my lesson to stick with what’s good.
outside tartini.
the logo was super cute!
and because i love yogurtland so much, we went back to cupertino again the following day just so i could get some more. i definitely cannot get over just how much i love it and how amazing their yogurt is.
four flavors piled high!
thursday, we went back into the city and i was determined to try yoppi because i couldn’t last time. when i got in, i realized they only had four flavors and were definitely the most expensive, at 45 cents an ounce! but i had to get some anyways to have it. the original tart was definitely a lot more tart than i was expecting, but after i got over the shock, it was actually pretty good. same with the pomegranate tart. they also had vanilla and chocolate, but i just stuck with the two tarts.
and my last day in norcal, i was in milpitas and so i went back to orange tree. it wasn’t as good as the first time because it was kinda melty, but i think it was because their door was open and it was over 100 degrees outside. so that was kinda no good. but the yogurt was still delicious!
then after eating dinner in fremont, what better way to end my froyo adventures than a stop by yo swirl to get some dole whip! seriously, everyone must try dole whip. it is some amazing stuff.
so to rank the six places that i went to…
1. yogurtland – creamiest yogurt, tons of flavors toppings, and just super delicious!
2. tie between…
orange tree – the first time was really good but the second was melty. but i like the large number of flavors and super nice workers.
yoswirl – DOLE WHIP. enough said.
3. yoppi – tart was super tart which wasn’t expected, but it was refreshing. however, with only four flavors and 45 cents per ounce, it wasn’t a favorite.
4. tartini – too icy for my taste.
5. frozo’s – not a cute place, too icy, but tons of toppings. however, my least favorite.
i can’t wait to go back to california for more froyo adventures! i for sure have to try pinkberry and blush even though both aren’t self serve. but now that i’m back in ptown, i’ll stick with my yocream goodness and dream about my days in the bay area eating my yogurtland.
until next time…
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Tags: california, froyo
Weekend in Canada
last weekend, my family made a trip up to canada for my sister’s birthday. now, being chinese, we spend most of our time in richmond eating and eating and more eating. that’s what trips to canada always consist of. but i realized that my stomach can no longer handle so much eating and that was definitely the last time i’m going to eat so much food all in one weekend! but all that food was definitely worth it!
whenever we arrive, we always go to aberdeen center. they have like little asian shops there, and a huge daiso as well. but alas, we do not go for the shopping. we go for MONDO GELATO! seriously some of THE best gelato i have ever had. and we always get the same thing, after eight and nutella!
then later that night we headed to the night market where there was CRAZY madness of people!
night market madness.
so we walked around a little but knew what we wanted to eat… korean fish waffles! so we first got one filled with chocolate and nutella and went back for a second one filled with custard. these are definitely some of my new loves. <3
the next day we went to dim sum and ate some of the best barbecue pork buns ever. and then we headed to downtown vancouver and robson. and we saw this!
olympic countdown!
and of course, when you’re on robson, japadog is a must for my sister. and i gotta admit, it’s pretty good.
but definitely not as good as cafe crepe’s chicken mozzarella tomato panini! i think i could die happy eating this.
it’s so good it deserves TWO pictures.
the next morning we headed over to yaohan to get some little bean. watermelon slush is by far something amazing, and the mango slush was delicious as well!
and of course we did a little sightseeing too. we went up to stanley park and saw amazing views of vancouver! i would love to live in that city one day if i could afford it. i seriously believe that it is one of the most hip-happening cities in the world!
view of north vancouver.
and while we were at stanley park we saw the cutest racoon!
and finally on our last day, we went to the richmond olympic oval where speed skating will be during the olympics next year. it is sooooo awesome. like it’s massive and gorgeous and amazing and i can’t even describe how cool it was to be there and like touch the ice where an olympic gold medalist will be (and apollo anton ohno!)
outside the rink.
this picture does not do justice.
we definitely ate more than just posted but i didn’t want to overwhelm you. canada has always been a favorite place to travel for our family, and i know that when i get older, i will definitely keep coming back!
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alki
wednesday was the HOTTEST day in seattle history since 1891! of course, it was unbearably hot in the udistrict and my apartment. so sarah and i headed down to alki to study some and enjoy the gorgeous view and weather down at alki. trust me, it was at least 10 degrees cooler if not more at alki!
so we studied for a few hours before we got hungry at decided to walk down to pegasus for some bomb garlic bread and pizza. and we got patio seating!
pegasus special.
i have a garlic bread fetish.
and then before heading back to the suffocating heat that consumed seattle, we took a walk along the beach. i would love to live in alki one day!
hope you all stayed cool during the heat wave!
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torchlight weekend
this weekend, i ran my very first race! torchlight, part of seattle’s seafair festival, has both a 5k and 8k run. i obviously only did the 5k, but it was my very first run and a lot of fun! while running, it wasn’t always fun cause it was super hot and muggy and i got a really bad side cramp in the middle, but i completed my fastest run yet! all the adrenaline and everything just got me all pumped and now i want to do more and more runs!
before the race.
running at 6:45 pm in 85 degree weather when it’s muggy isn’t the greatest, or when there are hills that you weren’t expecting, but all in all, i would do it over and over again!
afterwards all gross and sweaty.
then after we cleaned up, we ate a late dinner at tutta bella’s! i swear, this is slowly (or not so slowly) becoming my favorite restaurant. or one of them at least. their pizza and salads and newly discovered flat bread are by far stomach pleasers.
ciro pizza.
house salad on flatbread.
and even though we were SUPER full, we had to head over to molly moon’s to buy a pint of raspberry mint sorbet and mojito sorbet. i swear, i think i would die without molly moon’s. and if it weren’t so fattening, it’d probably be my frozen treat obsession in seattle. okay, so it already is. i love love love going.
this morning, we went to brunch at portage bay. i got the special strawberry and peach french toast, which was delicious. however, i still wish i got just regular french toast with the trip to the toppings bar. but you live and you learn. it was still wonderfully amazing. and the chicken sausage scramble and potatoes are love, as always.
then tonight i went on a date with my love! we went to tutta bella’s again (i seriously love the place) and ate more delicious food. but by far, they have THE best tiramisu i have ever had. i can freaking devour the thing in seconds. makes me fall in love with tutta bella even more. <3
my love with our tiramisu.
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bite and obon!
this past weekend, seattle held their annual bite of seattle. and boy was i glad i went! we first walked in and there was a BUNCH of food vendors. and we didn’t know what we wanted! there was everything from fried mac and cheese to shiskaberries to strawberry short cake to curly fries to barbecue to crepes to thai to indian to basically everything imaginable. but then you walk in further and there’s even more food! and then even more! like it was never ending! it was all overwhelming but oh so delicious! they also had three seperate stages where different bands performed, a skateboarding demonstration, cool jewelry and stuff, and best of all, a simulation taking you through your own arteries! aaron and i definitely were super excited when we saw this and we knew we HAD to go on it! i’m definitely coming back to the bite EVERY year from now on!
loads and loads of people at the bite!
then we headed over to bon odori, a japanese festival full of dancing, food, drums, and just lots of fun cultural stuff. we definitely ate here too. kori is shaved ice and i also had a fried rice ball thing. delish for sure. and i was fun to just hang out with everyone, see people dancing, and whatnot.
bon odori.
definitely a wonderful weekend in seattle! these things and more are why i love love love this city!
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Celebrating Independence
so this was definitely a fun filled weekend! adventures and whatnot and food fest ensued!
i first went to fremont to explore. i was slightly being ditzy and thought walking two miles there in 85 degree weather would not be such a trek. boy was in for a surprise. a long walk and 40 minutes later, i arrived!
- art engulfs building
then on my walk back i stopped by gasworks to meet up with the roomie and to enjoy the amazing view! definitely one of my favorite spots in seattle.
- view from gasworks
the next day the roommate and i chilled at a park in capitol hill. she serenaded me and i found my new favorite swing! it seriously is my new favorite find of the week! it’s a seat that’s a swing! how awesome is that!?!
- new favorite swing!
and for my favorite part of the night, we crossed the street and got some MOLLY MOONS! best ice cream you will ever ever have.
molly moon's!
and then geoff and alicia came up so we went to alki to admire the amazing view that is seattle.
view from alki
then for the fourth we barbecued and baked an apple pie and ate a whole lot of deliciousness. one of the best weekends by far up here! more adventures soon to come!
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alki and pikes.
earlier this week the sister came up so we went on a quick trip to alki before she headed home. and of course when you go to alki you have to go to bubbles. and when you go to bubbles you most definitely have to get some chai. oh bubbles’ chai, how i have missed you. crucial error in getting the iced chai though even though it was nice outside. the chai flavor just wasn’t as strong and the ice made it a little bit watery. but still delicious as ever. and the view from alki too. amazinggg. i wish west seattle weren’t so hard to get to by bus!
view from alki with our bubbles!
then yesterday i really wanted local strawberries so that definitely called for a trip down to pikes!
and along the way i just had to stop by the confectional (best cheesecakes EVER). i was super tempted to get one but went against my better judgement and took a picture and left before the temptation overruled. but seriously, if you’re ever at pikes, you HAVE to try one.
then i stopped by bottega italiana for some gelato. super sad that they’re other freezer broke so they only had like four flavors, but they had coffee, which happens to be one of my favorites. so no harm done. and it was delicioussss. i am such a sucker for anything ice cream/gelato/sorbet/frozen yogurt related.
coffee gelato at its best.
then i took a stroll through the market and saw the super long line for the best donuts in the world. again, temptation was calling out my name but i decided that i should try something new at pikes since i always end up with a bag of these donuts. so i left promptly so i would not give into any more temptation.
and that’s when i remembered why i love pikes so much. the atmosphere, the amazing markets (and yes i did get my local strawberries), the crafts, the super cheap gorgeous flower bouquets, the deliciousness all around… there’s nothing better than going down to pikes and the waterfront on a nice sunny day.
i love love love the fresh and local produce!
and seriously, so many flowers! it made my day.
and on my walk back to the bus stop, i smelt something so wonderful and delicious that i knew i had to get whatever it was. and it turned out to be piroshky piroshky! the smell drew me in but the flaky, buttery, warm, delicious piroshky (i got ham, cheese, and spinach) will bring me back for more! and i hear the smoked salmon one is to die for. so it just means another trip to pikes soon!
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