A little bit here...

So here it is finally... I'm finally updating with my Canadian snowboarding adventures and my Asian travels!

Back in January, I ventured off to Whistler Blackcomb for some kickass pow. The plan was to stop over in Vancouver for a few days, of course to eat. What else is new?! One of the first things I did was check out Olympic village. It was pretty awesome to be so upclose to the rings. The rings mean a lot to me since I worked for the Beijing games and have a stint coming up at the London games.

The rings werent the only amazing thing though. The mountain itself was massive. Spent a lot of time on the Whistler side but I would say I prefer the Blackcomb side. Its definitely more boarder friendly. Unfortunately, it was quite a mild winter even for Vancouver so I wish they had more snow. Even with the limited snow, the space was just great and it was a pretty awesome experience.

The other part of Whistler was the well known Scandinave Spa. It is a Scandinavian Spa with outdoor baths. The scenery was breathtaking. To be sitting in the middle of a mountain in a bubbling hot bath was incredible. Completely serene and beautiful.





Vancouver is always fun in itself but the food adventures never miss a beat. I wont comment much about them since pictures are worth a thousand words!

(Green tea Bearded Papas, Crab from The lobster man, Japa dog, Tojo, Poutine)

A Whirlwind of Crazy

Things have been really crazy since the last time I blogged. Just finished doing a bit of traveling and trying to settle down in NY now. Its been a month since I've been back from Asia but I'm starting to feel antsy again. Since August, I traveled with some buddies to Munich for Oktoberfest, Kapadokya for some hot air balloons, and Istanbul for some spices and a good time. In January, I managed to make it to Whistler to get some boarding in since the east coast wasnt doing so well with the snow. Soon after Vancouver, I landed in Taiwan with stops in Bangkok and Angkor Wat for about 6-7 weeks.

Oktoberfest was an amazing experience and I highly recommend that everyone should experience this once in their life time. The energy, the lights, the people are all outstanding! We camped for two days in Munich for Oktoberfest and although it was a rough experience, I wouldnt have had it any other way. We met some interesting people, drank a lot of beer, and ate a lot of sausages and pretzels! I think we all gained a few pounds from all the carbs! After Oktoberfest, we ventured out to Fussen to see Neuschwanstein Castle... the castle that walt disney based his earlier classics on. Definitely a must see. Dont forget about the BMW musem either!


Turkey was another completely difference experience in itself. Our first stop was Cappadocccia (Kapadokya). Here there are known for their caves, rock houses, valleys, fairy chimneys, and wonderful hospitality. The first day we were there, we did a 9 mile? (close enough) hike through Red Rose. October is definitely a good time to visit. Very hot during the day and cools down at night. We ate at some local restaurants and smoked some hookah and called it a night. The next day, we woke at 5am for a hotair balloon ride over the colorful valleys of Cappadoccia. One of the most unique experiences in my lifetime. If you ever want a hotair balloon ride, this is the place to be. Balloons rose over the valleys and lit up the sky before sunrise. Wonderful silhouettes of the balloons hung in the background as the sun began to rise.


We flew back to Istanbul after as our last and final stop. The culture and history of this city is so fulfilling and makes you just say "Wow". From the stuffed mussels on the street, the pubs, the clubs, nightlife, to the Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, and to the Spice Market, Grand Bazaar, the density of things that happen in this city is amazing. I have to say my favorite part of this city is definitely the spice market and the grand bazaar. Wish I had more time to explore. Pierre Loti is gorgeous on a sunny day as well as the ferry ride down in the middle of town. If you ever make it to Turkey, do not overlook the hamams (bath houses). Another experience I will never forget... Women and men are separate, for good reason. You are scrubbed head to toe, felt nice afterwards but definitely exprience this with friends you are close with. Though we didnt get to visit the Asian side of Istanbul during the day time, we did have a very nice dinner at La Civert to celebrate a birthday, which is located right under a bridge and has a very nice outdoor area.


Since I'm on a travel freeze right now with school and babysitting my nephew, I'll be back soon to update Vancouver/Whistler and my Asia trip after I plan my next epicurean adventure, till then... Pleasantly Epicurious

Just a number

Its scary how fast summer comes and goes. In a blink of an eye, its over. This past tuesday, I started my first class for graduate school. As scary as I thought, it was okay. It wasnt too terrible. The next class will be even better. I started to think, hmm.. this graduate school thing might not be as bad as it sounds.

Ever just feel like a small fish in the ocean? I feel like I'm just a number, no one cares who you are. you pay all this money for people not to care about you and just to get a piece of paper. I guess when you are getting your Masters, you're supposed to fend for yourself. I'm not the first to in this program to or be getting this degree. Advisors are supposed to lead you and provide answers to questions, however, they dont even know your name. (yes, even after multiple emails and phone calls and meetings). Sometimes, I wonder why they even have a job. In any case, this program isnt too organized but we'll see how it goes. I'm sure the classes will be interesting and I'll meet a lot of cool people.

Powerless for 43 hours

Hurricane Irene hit the east coast this weekend. I personally didnt blieve it was going to make a huge dent in the tristate area, more so NY/Long Island. Stores and restaurants all around shut down starting Saturday early afternoon. The buzz and hype about Irene was incredible. Supermarkets were cleaned out, gas stations were out of gas, the world seemed like it was really ending!There was slight drizzle and rain until about 9pm Saturday. The rain started to come down around 10pm, which is also when the winds started. I was playing mahjong with the family and around 230am, the power went out. We waited and waited and waited... power at my sisters went out around 5am and they live 2 miles away. Sunday morning, the sky had cleared a bit but still no power. Roads were closed, trees were down, parks were flooded, and traffic lights were out. We ended up making breakfast/lunch on a gas grill and might I say, it was damn delicious. We made cha siew fried rice, miso soup, chapaghetti, and instant noodles. Monday morning, the skies looked so clear and cloudless it looked like Irene never touched us. Monday afternoon, still no power! This was starting to get a bit absurd. After dinner tonight around 9PM, the power FINALLY was back! I have never been so happy see electricity. All in all, we made it through and everyone is safe.

Are you happy?

A friend asked me earlier this week if I was content with my life. I wasnt quite sure how to answer. Being that we were both abroad for so long, no one else could really understand what it was like to come home. Luckily for me, my family is great. I was able to really gain a new and better perspective on what family really meant to me. One of the biggest mistakes that I am still regretful to this day, is something I cant look passed. I do have to take responsiblity for the mistake but this mistake took two. In any case, I thought about her question for a bit before I answered. I'm extremely content with where I am with my family. Socially, I could be doing better but its definitely improved a lot since last year so I'm def happy about that. Academically and profesionally... theres still a lot I need to work on. Essentially, I just want to do what I love.. its just a matter of turning that into a business or a career. In terms of relationships and romance... I cant complain. I mean no matter what happens and who you end up with... you have to love yourself and be happy witho yourself before you can be happy with someone else.

BrunoMars says it best... (Today My Life Begins)

In Search of the Perfect French Fry

In an order of french fries, how many do you have to eat before you find the perfect fry? And sometimes, you dont find one at all...

cute overload

Recently, I feel like i've been surrounded by babies. Not that its a bad thing but I feel like its making me grow up so fast. Hell, I dont even have a boyfriend to be able to think about marriage yet babies are everywhere i look! I love my nephew and hes the cutest bundle of joy ever but I know way toooo much. There are some things that should stay between the mother, father, and baby... Either way, I love infants way too much! Very excited that my friends and my sisters friends have a few more babies on the way. :) On another note, child photography is extremely hard. one out of ever twenty pictures is perfect. just gotta keep at it. I wish my creative eye was a bit better and i just had more motivation to work at it. I randomly found a friends blog and its a photojournal of the end of his college days, army days and events of his life. A photo a day is his theme and its definitely not easy. Time just flies and you dont even know where time goes. A year is quick in photos... - well said but def an understatement. sometimes i wish i could just slow time down and just freeze the good times. anyway, enough debbie downer talk... memorial day is almost here! lets keep our fingers crossed for the warm weather.

i'll leave with you this cute face :)

From Basi's Photobook Month 0-7