Life in Snapshots: July Week 4

The last week of July was just OK. Work kicked up a notch, so my weekdays were filled with meetings and excel spreadsheets. The free time I had from the nine-to-five grind was spent working out or grabbing some food or drinks with a friend. It was what I call an even keel week. Everything was in equilibrium and I got a good amount of work and play.

Newly discovered haunts: RN74 (good happy hour and the space is enormous with lots of light)

Old stomping grounds revisited: Hobee's (this is my spot; if you have known me long enough, you have had breakfast at Hobee's with me. I have been going here since I was fifteen. It's the Central Perk of my life), Oren's Hummus, Joya (the lounge in the back isn't crowded and a great spot to sit and have a conversation), Cafe Pro Bono (my favorite Italian joint in South Bay; the owners are so fun and wonderful), Shoreline Park - the Baylands trails is my favorite spot to run in the bay area, especially during sunset time.

Needless to say, I blew my restaurant budget out of the water for the month of July. So, I guess I will balance that out in August by trying out some of those Pinterest recipes I keep pinning.

Leisurely brunch at Hobee's laughing it up with a good friend on a Sunday morning. Now you know why I have been going there for ten years. Look at that plate! The cinnamon tea is also wonderful.

The sweetest souvenir I ever received and one of the most useful too! It definitely adds some island flavor to my afternoon tea 

Two peas in a pod: catching up with one of my good friends from college

Spending Saturday indulging in my favorite activity - vacation planning!

Running away from my troubles and worries

Saturday Morning Ramblings: London

Current tea: PG Tips; Current music: London Calling by The Clash

You know how Katy Perry feels about Friday nights? Well I have the same kind of infatuation with Saturday mornings. Instead of dancing on tables and drinking too much vodka, I dance around my room in cotton pajamas while drinking too much chai. It's the time of the week when my Only Child Syndrome is the strongest. I don't want to talk to anyone; I just want to be left alone with my thoughts, some hot tea, and some good music. Today, my mind is preoccupied with the idea of London. It's the good kind of preoccupation where you just mull through your thoughts at a slow and steady pace. So, I figured I would torture you with the twisted workings of my mind because well…that's why we have the internet. 

San Francisco is my home. London is my love-affair. I fell in love with England at the ripe old age of eight when my mom introduced me to the wonders of Enid Blyton. I devoured The Secret Seven and The Famous Five series. Whenever anyone asked me what I wanted for my birthday, the reply would be swift - a Blyton book please. When I moved from India, I packed one suitcase of clothes and one suitcase of books. My dad was wonderful in indulging my bookworm tendencies and never questioned my need to bring all my books with me across the world. My Enid Blyton books were my security blanket. So, even if I was moving so far away to a country where I knew no one and had no idea about how I would fit in, I would be OK as long as I had Julian, Anne, Dick, and George with me. To this day, when I have had a particularly horrendous week, I open up my favorite Famous Five book. Fast forward a few years and I discovered the wonders of Harry Potter. The boy wizard helped me make my first set of friends in America because even though I was the new kid in Sunnyvale Middle School with an accent and two long braids, I could still relate to those around me through my love of Harry Potter. My anglophile tendencies are completely intertwined with my identity as a bookworm, so it's no surprise that the place I wanted to visit the most when I grew up was England.

I got the chance to visit London when I was 24. It was an impromptu trip triggered by one of my best friends saying she was going. I was nervous about the trip. What if it isn't as wonderful as it was in my head? What if I have the worst experience getting around that I leave completely frustrated? There's nothing so disheartening as having a dream get shattered and London was my dream world. So, I went with by bag of doubts and excitement. I loved it. I loved the vibe of the city, the atmosphere, the people, the bustle. I remember standing in the middle of Trafalgar Square on St. Patrick's Day and thinking - "I made it. I actually made it." I wished with all my heart I could spend months in that place. Ever since I got back from that trip, I kept trying to find ways to go back. Maybe I can to graduate school there. Maybe I can go work for the London office. It still remains my dream city, my prince charming when I get disillusioned with my current life, the one place in the world I desperately want to live even for a brief moment in time. Maybe that's what it should remain. A beautiful dream of a city that I can escape to once in a while. After all, we all need a place in the world that is pure fantasy and thrill and London is that for me. The city of my dreams that I feel incredibly lucky to visit and share whenever I get the chance. 

Life in Snapshots: July Week 3

The last week for me was all about the past (ha!). I ran into some people I haven't seen in years and reconnected with some that I haven't talked to in months. It's funny how life likes to send you a reminder that the world we live in is small and that people in your past still sometimes haunt your present. Last week was also my final week of freedom before work kicks into high-gear for a month, so I enjoyed some quality down time. I also had the worst Saturday ever where Murphy's Law kicked my sorry butt. A warm Saturday morning, farmer's market at the Ferry Building, a Free Gaza protest, and a Giants game meant the city was packed to the gills and getting anywhere was a pain. I had a graduate school event I needed to get to and that cost me a nice hefty Uber ride there and a 2 mile walk back in heels and a blazer. I was never so happy to take off my shoes and take a long bath. Fortunately, the day ended well with drinks on an outdoor patio enjoying the summer nights.

Newly discovered haunts: Mission Beach Cafe (the pancakes were the best and the wait is actually worth it), Four Barrel Coffee (great, but I am still a Philz girl)

Old stomping grounds revisited: Steins (one of my favorite places in South Bay and a great place to spend a summer evening since they have lots of outdoor seating), Fig & Thistle (cozy little wine bar), Brass Tacks

Brunch at Mission Beach Cafe with a friend who made the one-and-a-half hour wait enjoyable

Italian cooking night with the roommates and and Trader Joe's

Recreating one of my mom's curry recipes

Wandering around Mission and finding some amazing printed sundresses

The sandal tan that happens every summer

Things my dad taught me

I am uncool enough to admit that my dad is one of my best friends. He is my life coach, my go to problem solver, my career counselor, and my general compass. Throughout my life, he has taught me so many things that have since shaped into who I am now. Here some of the most important things I learned from my pop:

1) Family comes first: my dad gave up a lucrative career in order to move countries for my mom. He did it for her happiness and for the well being of our family even though it meant giving up something he worked hard for and starting over new. Jobs will come and go; careers will take lots of changes. Family should always take priority.

2) Be positive: we aren't a very religious household, but there was one book that I was required to read and it was Peale's Power of Positive Thinking. One of my dad's favorite dad-isms is "be positive, please!" There was no spiraling into woe-be-me attitude with him. He was tolerant about a lot of things but one thing he never had any patience for is negative-nancies. My Pollyanna-esque tendencies definitely come from that. Even when life kicks you in the stomach, my dad taught me to figure out to how take the hit and come out of it smiling.

3) Money shouldn't make decisions:  I never heard him say, "we can't afford that", for any request. He taught me the value of hard work but he also taught me that wealth shouldn't make the big decisions in life. Go to the college you want to go to, study the subjects you are passionate about, and love the people you want to love. Money can be earned and figured out, so that should never be the reason to do or not do something. I was also lucky enough to have parents who could provide in a fashion that made it so that money wasn't an issue. For that, I am forever thankful.

4) Be ambitious: as a woman who is well aware of the glass ceiling in the workplaces and is from a culture that discourages ambition in the female gender, this one was a big one for me. While I had distant family whose dads saw their daughters as just someone to marry off, I was fortunate enough to have a dad who never saw my gender as a disadvantage. My dad always told me that in whatever field I chose, I should be able to confidently say I am in the top 25% of my cohort. It meant if I am a teacher, I would be one of the best teachers at that school. He instilled in me an ambition and a passion to work hard in order to become the creme de la creme. Good or bad - this has become the reason I go the extra mile, why I wake up early and work late. I want to work hard for my dreams and I know my dad will always be there cheering on my every accomplishment and supporting me in every failure.

5) Brush your teeth: my dad only yelled at me once in my childhood and that was when for some reason, I decided dental hygiene was not for me. I think I was five or six at the time and HATED the idea of brushing my teeth. I would put the brush in my mouth, make a face, and then throw a tantrum about not wanting to do it. This went on for two days before he lost it and I got a good talking to. Since I had never seen him angry in my entire little life, this definitely made an impression. To this day, I can't go to sleep without brushing my teeth because I think my dad will somehow know and I would be punished. Even if he's a continent away, I make sure I brush my teeth twice a day for him.

Happy Fathers Day to all the wonderful dads and dad figures out there. 

Baa

Outfit:
Old Navy/Forever 21

Breakfast:
tropical smoothie 













I spent the weekend away from the city where the temperatures were actually in the nineties! It feels good to come back to my familiar cloud and fog where I can cozy up in a nice sweater. Since the weather where I live isn't tropical, I just make up for it by drinking tropical smoothies and pretending I am out on the beach instead of in the office. Here's my current favorite summer smoothie recipe:

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks (Safeway actually has some good ones)
- 1 banana sliced
- 2 strawberries sliced
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1/2 scoop whey protein powder (optional)

Just blend them all together for a perfect breakfast smoothie. I have to say that after a year of owning it, I love my Magic Bullet. It's something I use at least twice a week to whip up smoothies. 

Map

Outfit:
Old Navy/Bear Basics

Tote:
Harrod's (similar)















Today, I decided to wear my feelings, which at the moment include my love for two very wonderful cities. I remember when I first got back from Europe, everyone's question was. "what was your favorite city?" The answer was and will always be, London. I am going to go into my hippie mode for a minute and admit that with certain places, I just feel a click. It's like meeting someone new and knowing somewhere in the back of your mind that they are a "kindred spirit." Meaning there's something about that person that sits right with you. I think cities are very similar. You go to certain places and you enjoy them but they don't give you the feeling that you belong there. Some cities, you visit and you just get the sense that there is a neat little home waiting for you to be made there. Paris and New York for me are the cities I enjoy visiting, but we never clicked. I never had that feeling of "meant to be" with them. London, I had that feeling immediately. I knew I could see myself living there and being happy there. Here's hoping for at least a little window of my life, I will able to live in and explore London.

My S.F. love is ever present. I live here, I love it here and even when it gets on my last nerves like this past work week, I still hate the thought of leaving it. How can you not love a city where you can walk everywhere? I mean your walk may involve climbing multiple sixty-degree hills, but you can do it. How to get calves of steel? Move to San Francisco and walk everywhere. That's your fitness tip of the day.

Travelogue: Seattle

Last weekend was my second time in Seattle and I seem to fall in love with it a little bit more each time. The people are so wonderfully friendly and down-to-earth, the food is amazing, and there's plenty of greenery to make you feel like you are gulping down the freshest of air. Here is a list of things I enjoyed and would recommend for any Seattle visitor.

Must-see attractions:

Chihuly Garden and Glass - absolutely gorgeous glasswork installations and there's even an outdoor Glasshouse with some impressive sculptures. Go close to the sunset time so that you can explore the Glasshouse during day hours and at night. The pieces are breathtakingly delicate and vibrant.

Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit

Seattle Wheel - This isn't for those with a fear of heights, but it's definitely for you if you enjoy a good view. This is another attraction to checkout during sunset because there's nothing more gorgeous than watching the sunset from a little pod high up in the sky. You have the water on one side, the city on the other, and the sky all around; it's so easy to get lost in the magic of it all, especially during sunset.

Seattle Big Wheel on the Water

Kerry Park - grab a cup of coffee from Stumpton's in Queen Anne and drive over to Kerry Park to check out on of the best view's of the city's skyline. Come at night to see the city lit up and the Space Needle's vibrant and distinctive silhouette.

View from Kerry Park

Public Market: It's absolutely touristy but it's also uniquely Seattle, so it is definitely worth a visit. If you are a Starbucks addict like me, get here early and get your favorite concoction from the first Starbucks, which is conveniently right across the Market. Lots of beautiful flowers and other great things to check out at this place.

Public Market 

Must-eat Places:

1) Serious Pie - in my two visits, I have had three meals here. The pizza is absolutely phenomenal. If waiting isn't your thing, get here at 11:30 AM for an early lunch or at 6 PM for an early dinner with happy hour.

2) Dahlia Bakery - located right around the corner from Serious Pie makes this the best place to grab a quick dessert after some delicious pizza. I favor the Coconut Creme Pie bites, but they also have delicious brownies and baked goods of all varieties. The store front in pretty small, so expect to grab and go unless the weather is good. Then there are two table to eat out front.

3) Macrina Bakery - a great place to grab a breakfast pastry and some coffee or a delicious sandwich. If you go to the Belltown location, expect a crowd. 

4) Toulouse Petit - voted one of the best brunch and happy hour spots in all of United States, so try to come for one of those. I went for happy hour here and I can say their food and drink menu was extensive and delicious. I agree with the assessment of one of the best places for happy hour. 

5) Purple - an amazing baked brie and wine cellar to die-for make this one of my favorite places in the city. If you are in the mood for some good wine and a place to dress-up a little, this is your place. 

6) Fremont Coffe House - drive over the Fremont neighborhood for a quick get away from the city and enjoy and cup of their amazing coffee and latte art on the little patio. It's a relaxing place to sit and think or plan out your next steps. You can also walk around and explore the quirky Fremont neighborhood while you are there because it offers tons of little shops and stores that are fun and capture some of Seattle's spirit. If not this one, definitely check out some coffee shops while you are there. Seattle seems to be a veritable treasure for these and I had a lot of fun exploring some local places that offer delicious brews.

7) Ding Tai Fung - I was introduced to this little gem in Bellevue by my friend and I am so glad I tried it! Apparently it's a pretty popular restaurant in Taiwan and it's fame is definitely obvious. We put our name down for dinner at 5 PM and then wandered around the adjacent mall for an hour and a half before they texted us that our table was ready. The place is packed but the service is great and the dumplings are amazing! Some of their noodle dishes and the black sesame buns are also a must. Go for dinner and go hungry so that you can try lots of dishes. 

8) Molly Moon's - delicious homemade ice cream with an extremely generous scoop-size. The small is easily big enough for two people. I got a split-small-scoop of early grey and the salted caramel; just thinking about it now makes my mouth water.

9) Bathtub Gin & Co. - a great little speakeasy with excellent cocktails to unwind and kick off the night.

10) Paseo - I am a vegetarian, but one of my meat-eater friends assure me that this is one of the best sandwiches she has ever had in her life. They definitely have the crowd to prove it because even though we went for a late lunch at 3 PM, there was a line for food. A great street-food place that seems to attract lots of locals, so that's always a good sign. 

Packing:

What you have to pack: comfortable shoes that can stand the rain, a lightweight rainproof jacket with a hood, and lots of pants or jeans 

What you can leave at home: flashy dresses and high heels. Most of Seattle seems to rock the Casual Chic look, so it's very rare that we saw anyone who was dressed up. Save the dresses for Los Angeles and embrace your inner chic-hippie look. 

What else is there:

If you feel like you can do more, here's some other things to do: 

Space Needle - worth seeing once but Kerry Park has a better view of the skyline.

Gasworks Park - great views of the city again and a place to check for every fan of the movie, 10 Things I Hate About You.

Discovery Park - all the eating got you feeling a little gross? Go here and hike one of the many green and gorgeous trails that give you a workout and a view.

Ballard - walk around this cute little neighborhood and check out the many stores and cafes it has to offer. There's also a great farmer's market on Sunday mornings.

Mount Rainier - Want to get away from the city? Take the three hour drive up to visit the grandiose Mt. Rainier and take in the sweeping views of the beautiful mountainside. It will make your believe in the beauty of mother nature like no other. 

Mt. Rainier - Snow in May