Let the Good Times Roll

October 21, 2018October 21, 2018Leave a comment

Hi there,

It’s been awhile.

There has been SO much that has happened since my last post. I’ve traveled a lot more and met new amazing people. Tried a bunch of new food spots. Can’t really complain there.

Life has been good.

But there have been a few bumps recently.

Both personally and with the people that I love.

You don’t realize how big the world is until you’re on another continent far, far away from your family when they need you the most.

It’s hard to hear my mom over the phone thousands of miles away not being able to cope well with what’s happening. When all I want to do is hug her and tell her that “Everything will be alright.”

Even if the outcome might not be what we would want it to be. It’s just how life goes.

When times get rough, the most important thing is to always think about and look at the positive side.

Don’t blame other things or people for what’s happened.

Don’t dwell on,

“We should’ve done…”

“We could’ve done…”

“Well maybe…”

No. Stop.

Take a deep breathe. Do it. Come on.

One. Deep. Breathe.

Exhale.

That felt good right?

Yes, the world might seem like it’s crumbling around you but you know what?

You are still here breathing.

Think of all the good times.

Go and hug your loved ones. Lean on each other.

It’s going to be okay.

I might not be able to hug my mom or my sister at the moment but I’m very happy to be able to have my husband by my side in times like these. He doesn’t mind me using his sleeve to wipe my tears and he always listens.

I wanted to fly back to the States as soon as I heard what was happening with my grandpa. I was a mess.

When I calmed myself down and thought about it, I remembered something my grandpa told me the very last time I was able to talk to him.

“I’m glad you are able to see different places around the world. It’s great that you are able to do that. It might not look the same as when I saw it [when he and my grandma went to Europe] but I’m sure it’s just as beautiful.”

So when I was able to go to the beach the one day that the sun was out in the Gold Coast, I thought of how amazing the view was.

I thought about how happy my grandpa would be to know that I’m standing there at the edge of the water taking it all in. At that moment, I felt happy. I knew everything was going to be okay.

I know that when the time comes, even if it hurts, I will be okay.

When I see him next week I will be able to sit with him and talk to him about my trip and how beautiful the different places around the world are. And tell him how grateful I am to have him in my life. For teaching me to appreciate the moments we have and to always seize the day no matter how tough life might get.

We need to remember to let the good times roll, because tomorrow is never certain.

A taste of Italia

September 11, 2018September 5, 2018Leave a comment

Hi Again!

Let me tell you something, if anyone ever tells you that the food in Italy is below average, that it will not be what you expect, or mediocre.

They. Are. Crazy.

Italian food made in Italy is by far the best cuisine I have ever had in another country EVER PERIOD.

I’m Mexican and the Al pastor tacos in Mexico are bomb af but there is no better taste than the mouthwatering flavor of freshly handmade pasta and sauce.

Its giving me a mouth-gasm just thinking about it. Ugh!

It might have been pure luck but no matter what little restaurant we ended up in the food we would eat was always to die for.

Whether it was the true authentic Neapolitan pizza from Napoli, fresh prosciutto with mouth watering burrata cheese that just oozed out as soon as you cut into it in Rome, or fresh clam pasta in Capri,

EVERYTHING,

Let me repeat,

EVERYTHING WAS BEYOND AMAZING!

I don’t think I could or would ever get tired of the Italian cuisine. It was literally one of the best cuisines I have ever had.

We had prosciutto with either fresh mozzarella or fresh burrata for almost every meal (It’s kinda addicting).

I’m a bit lactose intolerant. I can’t have whole milk or a ton of dairy or else my stomach starts having wild conversations with me. In Italy the thought of having that discomfort went out the door because none of the dairy I consumed made me feel sick. I know, CRAZY!

I swear whatever they put in our foods here in the US is what makes people sick (but that is entirely a different conversation).

Having all the fresh cheese and milk in my coffee that I wanted was one of the best things ever!

We had SO MUCH PASTA and I had SO much Espresso while we were there that I now want my own espresso machine (maybe this years Christmas present to myself???)

I could type away and continue to tell you about how incredible all the food was but instead, let me just show you with the pictures we took of it!

More Prosciutto and Burrata Cheese!

Fresh Spaghetti and Clams

I can’t remember what this is but it tasted like the fancy version of Hamburger Helper

Lemon Risotto

Lemon Granita

Prosciutto and fresh Burrata cheese

Eating Napoli Pizza from Antillo’s Pizzeria

Hike at Abalone Cove

September 7, 2018September 7, 2018Leave a comment

Hey Guys!

Thanks for coming back to read my blog! I hope that you’re enjoying all my posts! 🙂

This post is about the hike my sister and I took with Becki and her friends.

Becki & I

We had planned to meet early Friday morning in the Palos Verdes area of California. However, Becki’s friends and my sister and I woke up late so we ended up meeting at around noon for the hike.

We met at Abalone Cove Park right by the beach.

Becki had dropped a pin to show where they were. So when my sister and I got to the park we made our way over to them.

I definitely had not worn the proper shoes for the hike since I wasn’t aware that we were going to do it before getting to California. So I was trying really hard to be careful while walking on the rocky areas.

In the process of getting to her I slipped and fell on the way to the actual trail. It hurt so much since I put all the pressure of the fall on my wrist, but I worked through it to be able to continue with the hike.

Listen, I’m not an outdoorsy type person but since I wanted to see my friend I agreed to it. Don’t get me wrong, I like camping but the type of camping that’s only for 1 night and I know that the following day I can shower and sleep in the comfort of my own home. I know that might make me sound a bit boujee but hey, that’s me. haha

When I finally saw Becki I was so happy to see her! This is the 3rd place we have seen each other. The first was Orlando in April and then England about month or so ago.

We walked along the trail and made our way to the beach. The view from above the cove was beautiful. The sky was clear and the water looked so blue!

When we reached the beach we were the only ones there.

It was beautiful.

It was somewhat relaxing too because the only sound you could hear was the water gliding on the sand.

The hike was definitely worth it. I’m glad we took it because I had never been to a beach like that in California before.

It was also really nice to hangout with my friend Becki. I can’t wait to see her again.

Maybe this time it will be in Cyprus?

I guess we will see.

Until next time!xx

-Ang

Pixar Adventure!

September 5, 2018September 5, 2018Leave a comment

Hi Everyone!

Two weeks ago my sister and I took an impromptu trip to California!

My friend Becki, (she’s the same amazing Becki I have mentioned in my previous posts) was going to be in the LA area for a conference so I didn’t waste the opportunity to go visit her!

I asked my sister if she would go with me and she agreed. So off we went.

We hadn’t taken a girls road trip in a LONG time. I think the last road trip we took was about 5 or 6 years ago when we went to go watch “Allstar Weekend,” when they were still a band (Only the true fans know who I’m talking about lol).

We were going to meet with Becki on Friday, so we decided that we should go to Disney

California Adventures on Thursday to check out the new Pixar Pier.

We drove to California the night before. Let me tell you I have never driven to California so late at night. It was low key scary because the road is barely lit up and around 10pm is when they decide to plant construction cones on the road that are barely visible until you come up to them. I’m just glad that my sister was there with me or else I don’t know if I’d be able to make it.

In Anaheim, we stayed at the Majestic Garden Hotel. My husband and I had stayed there before on one of our previous Disney trips. Its conveniently right next to the parks and the freeway. They also provide a complimentary shuttle to and from the Disney parks.

Thursday morning we woke up extra early to be able to make it to the park as soon as it opened. We had purchased the Max Pass option for my phone to be able to get Fast Passes for the rides without having to go to the kiosks. It helped us get on all the rides we wanted throughout the day. I strongly recommend purchasing it on your own Disney trip to skip the regular line.

We were super excited to get on the new Incredicoaster (previously Screamin’) and the Guardians of the Galaxy ride (previously Tower of Terror). We were able to get on the Incredicoaster 3 times and the Guardians ride twice. They were both SO MUCH FUN! Definitely better then the rides that they use to be.

Don’t get me wrong, the rides were fun before but the upgrades have made them even better!

The Incredicoaster is based on the Incredible’s Movie with Jack Jack as the star. You follow the Incredible’s and Edna Mode as they try to find him along the ride. It does seems a bit slower than Screamin’ but it is still one fast coaster. I have lash extensions and the whole time my lashes felt like they were going to flutter off of my face while on the ride. If you love roller coaster and love the Incredibles this is definitely a ride for you!

The Guardians of the Galaxy-Breakout ride is set in The Collectors fortress where he is keeping the Guardians as prisoners. In the ride you help Rocket help the rest of them escape. The ride has continuous drops that make it that much more fun than the Twilight Zone ride. When you think the ride is over it goes up and down yet again making you feel like you’re free falling.

At one point my sister held hands with the girl right next to her because of how scared it made her feel.

This ride definitely makes you feel like you have butterflies in your tummy! lol

We got on all the other rides that we love at California Adventures like Toy Story Mania, Silly Symphony Swings, Grizzly River Run, and Goofy’s Sky School just to name a few.

While we were there we had a turkey leg, corn on the cob and corn dogs (I know super healthy lol). We also had our first Disney Michelada which was DELICIOUS! The girl who prepared them put just sooo much tajin and lime in it that is was PERFCET! Ugh, my mouth is watering just writing about it now.

After purchasing our micheladas we came across a janitor that was making what looked like a Mickey Mouse face on the concrete with his broom and some water. My sister and I stopped to watch as people just kept walking over it (I don’t think they realized that they were stepping on his masterpiece).

When he saw that we were actually paying attention to his work he asked us if he could draw us another character. We said yes and he drew Donald Duck. It was so cool to see how he was able to make artwork with so little.

He told us that the Creative Custodians started when one custodian in the Tokyo park started doing it just for fun. It started catching on that now they have a whole training for it for all the parks.

Next time you’re at one of the parks keep a look out for one of them!

Click Here for the video of him making Donald Duck!

We stayed until about an hour before the park closed because I started feeling sick so we only watched a few minutes of the Electric Parade.

Regardless, we had amazing time and we can’t wait to go back! I want to take my husband because I know he will love the Guardians ride!

-Ang

London Time!

August 14, 2018August 13, 2018Leave a comment

Hi There!

I wanted share some insights and all about my experience visiting London, England!

The day we went site seeing was yet another beautiful sunny day in England!

Tower Bridge

Before we started our tour of London, Tim took us to one of his favorite coffee shops in Richmond called, Butter Beans, where I had a nice Flat White and a smashed avocado toast. It was so good I had the same breakfast the next morning!

Smashed Avocado Toast

After our delicious breakfast we took the train into London to Waterloo station. From there we decided to take a Big Bus Tour around the city to see all the sites!

I had never been on an open top bus before so this was super exciting for me and for it being in LONDON?! Who wouldn’t be excited?

On our tour we got to see the Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus and a bunch more.

Tower Bridge is right next to The Tower of London where the crown jewels are kept which are literally -priceless- because they can’t actually put a price on them.

Buckingham Palace

We found out that St. Paul’s Cathedral had been built back up a few times because it burnt down each time and that the one we were seeing was the 3rd one.

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

Our tour included a boat ride on the Thames River next to Tower Bridge. On the boat ride we were able to see Cleopatra’s Needle, the London Eye, The New London Bridge (the original is in Lake Havasu in Arizona), Shakespeare Globe Theatre and Big Ben (even though it was covered in scaffolding which made it a bit underwhelming to see but still pretty cool to be right next to it).

I would definitely recommend doing a tower like this one to be able to see all the sites in London.

Here’s the link for Big Bus Tours in London

When we got off of the Boat tour we had lunch at a bar not too far from Big Ben. We had meat pies!

Steak & Mushroom Pies

Once we were done with lunch we headed towards Dowing Street to see where the Prime Minister lives. I got to take a picture next to one of the guards on his horse. I was a bit scared to get close to the horse because they had two warning signs next to each guard saying ” BEWARE: Horses may kick or bite! Thank you!”

So of course I was super scared and didn’t get as close as I wanted to.

We continued walking and I got my own infamous photo inside a Red telephone booth. My husband thought I was a dork for doing it BUT when in London it’s kind of a thing that you gotta do! Right?!

Pictures or else it didn’t happen!

Next we made our way to Trafalgar Square and saw the beautiful massive lions that they have surrounding the monuments. There were too many people taking their photos on them so my husband and I took one just in front of them.

Next we made our way to Piccadilly Circus that really gives you a New York kind of vibe. It has a massive screen displaying the newest advertisement, street performers, and restaurants.

Once we were done with the Big Bus Tour Tim asked us what else we wanted to do.

To that I said,

“Is Platform 9 3/4 far from here?”

And he said “Kinda, but lets go!”

So off we went. The line wasn’t too crazy but it still took about 45 minutes to get to the front.

While I waited in line, Tim and my husband sat in the bar near by.

By the time I got to the front of the line I was glistening not because of how excited I was but because of how much I was sweating. BUT it was definitely worth it.

The Harry Potter Shop there lets you borrow a scarf from whatever house you want. I picked Gryffindor. They also provide you with a wand and allow you to take your own photo while they also take a professional one.

They have a person assigned to throw your scarf in the air to make it seem like you’re running through the wall of the Platform. It was pretty funny because the girl who threw mine in the air also jumped while she did it.

I had such an amazing time exploring all of London in one day. I can’t wait to one day go back to explore a little more.

That’s it for now.

-Ang

For more pictures of our London Tour click the link!

AngelineCarmen

Tag: travel

Let the Good Times Roll

A taste of Italia

Hike at Abalone Cove

Pixar Adventure!

London Time!