SF + Seattle + NY + Vancouver = MDW

Last weekend, for Memorial Day Weekend I was lucky enough to see my friends from SF! For all of the May babies, we had a huge group head up to Vancouver to party. The i5 bridge in Mount Vernon collapsed on Thursday night, but luckily everyone else seemed to have canceled their travel plans. We actually got to/from Vancouver from Seattle faster than we would on any normal weekend!

We went to Celebrities nightclub for Laidback Luke on Friday night. On Saturday, the Seattle people went to Ramen Santouka and Bubble World. We also walked around a lot after lunch to explore! After heading back to the hotel to get sleepy Charles, we decided to venture out and find a liquor store. We ended up walking really far and visiting two liquor stores where we discovered something amazing called Spicebox! Like Fireball.. but better. With 3 bottles of Canadian whiskey, we headed back to our hotel to get wasted. Charles and I went to get dinner before we headed with Sean to Empire (which used to be Fabric, I totally recognized it!). I got to party with all of my beautiful SF friends in a club that was essentially ours! Love love love my Al Pals. The drink of the weekend was Red Dragon, something else and 151 mixed shots. I also got to see Zach, who I haven't seen since I worked in San Mateo.



Sunday we walked around a bit more downtown and then headed back to Seattle. The traveling and partying was definitely exhausting, but we made it out to see Starkillers at Foundation Sunday night. I'm really glad we went, because I seriously had a blast. I'm so lucky to have friends in two cities, and I love that they love each other. THE BEST!

DIY: Breaking Boundaries

Yesterday, I so desperately wanted to watch the Sharks game that I did something that I've always wanted to do, but never was able to get myself to do - I went to a bar alone. The Angry Beaver is a new hockey bar (and I think the only one) in Seattle. And yes, THEY WERE PLAYING MY GAME! AND THEY'RE GOING TO PLAY ALL OF THEM! So glad I actually went, the owner was really nice and welcoming and I didn't feel awkward at all. I met a guy from Pittsburg and we made small talk. It's hard to talk to people at the bar when I'm watching hockey though, I guess I'll get better at multi-tasking. Because I'm definitely going back! I also had poutine for the first time, it was pretty darned good.

Today during lunch at work I took a walk to the bank because it was so gorgeous out. I ended up eating at Genki sushi by myself, and it was awesome. Didn't have to wait for anyone, didn't have to share either. I haven't eaten alone at a restaurant since college.. when I had long breaks between classes and I used to grab dinner at the pizza place near campus.

Look at me, doing it myself. WHAT'S NEXT? :)

Home Sweet Home

Last Friday, I flew into SF and Andy picked me up from the airport. Had some delicious chicken and rice from the deli around the corner from the apt. and ate it while watching the Sharks game. I miss being able to watch hockey! :( Later that night, we went to Alesso at the Warfield and then Ruby Skye after. I met some new people, ran into a lot of old faces, and had a seriously amazing time.





Saturday I headed home to have lunch with my parents. I didn't realize how long it's been since I've seen them! We got Korean food in Japantown, and it was actually pretty good. I then got my taxes done with the help of my mama (what would I do without her?) and later Colby came over and we had Lee's sandwiches for dinner. YUM! I stayed home Saturday night and watched Korean soap operas with her. We also watch Death Note which is apparently a TV series now. Lots of gossipping about family and catching up, I love quality time with mama! Sleeping with my fave blanket was awesome.. I think I might need to have that shipped to me!

First thing Sunday, Alex and Nan picked me up and we drove down to San Jose. Alex and I went to the Sharks game!!! Lost in the shootout, but it's okay... at least I got to see a shoot out? I feel so out of the loop, after this season's trades I barely know half of the team anymore. It definitely doesn't help that I haven't been keeping up with the games. Being at the tank was amazing though, and I forgot how exciting the energy is. I'm pretty set on going back for a play off game, as long as it lands on a weekend.

Coming back to Seattle was bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter. I was sad to leave my mom but I was glad to be back in Seattle. It really feels like home now! Being single gives me so much more time to hang out with other people, and I really feel like I'm part of some legitimate friendships in Seattle. When it's time to move back to SF, I will surely be torn.

Losing Weight & Gaining Time

When I first got back from Miami, I gained 2 lbs. But then I lost it again and was 119 lbs this morning. Not complaining! Went to Tia Lou's last weekend for Mike's birthday and had a BLAST dancing, especially with the folks that went to Miami.



We also went to Major Lazer last night, and boy was today a rough Wednesday!



But the losing weight I'm referring to in this post's title is not about pounds. It's about something far more heavy. The Friday after we got back from Miami, Victor and I had a serious talk about our relationship. For probably the second time ever. That's right, we never were able to communicate seriously about anything because we just took things day by day. And as our days passed, our relationship snowballed into something real. But was it real enough to last? I figured we should quit while we were ahead, and save the friendship. To my relief, he agreed. And since Friday we've actually been able to hang out as friends. This is by far the cleanest, most healthy break-up I've ever had. Although it's hard to let someone go after enjoying their close company for over a year, I can honestly say that I'm okay with knowing that we'll be able to remain close friends.

And now I have more time to enjoy Spring and Summer! It's starting to warm up in Seattle, and I can't wait to see what the rest of this year has in store. I'm so thankful for lucky transitions in Seattle, and the amazing people that make it possible. I'm starting to think that it'll be tough to move away when the time comes. But only time will tell.

Ultra Music Festival Miami 2013

Last weekend was seriously amazing. We had one huge trip with many laughs and memories. So many good DJs, beautiful weather, exploring a new city, and experiencing another music festival of epic proportions!

The flight there was long and grueling, but at least on the way there we got to take a Boeing 747 and had access to free entertainment. We also had the most awesome flightstaff members who were giving us a buy1get1 deal. Awesome.

When we got there, we met up with people at our condo in downtown Miami. It was actually above the Doubletree hotel, so it was really nice and definitely a prime location. More than half of the group went to see Alesso at LIV that night, but I wasn't really feeling like it. I ended up going to Blue Martini with Sean, Sarah, and Matt and we had a blast! There was a cover band doing Mexicanish dance music and EDM hits. Tons of fun to dance to, and I don't regret missing the club at all. When everyone got back to the condo, we stayed up late and talked. It was maybe one of my favorite nights.

Friday we went to South Beach for lunch and enjoyed sidewalk seating in a small and cute alley-looking street. The food was so-so, but the restaurant that we wanted to eat at was closed to we just chose a random one that we walked by.



Everyone was super excited for UMF, but we didn't get there until later than expected. I think we only saw a few DJ sets, but everyone saw what they came for - Swedish House Mafia. And it was amazing, spectacular, everything we had dreamed of. The first night of UMF I was trying to compare it to EDC and I think that really took away from the experience. I think the EDC LA stages were better and more organized. I wasn't really happy about the black dust that we were breathing at UMF that first night. After the rave, it took a long time to get out of the venue because we stayed until the end. By the time we got back to the condo and had gotten ready, it was too late to go to Hyde Beach. We stayed in and drank while listening to music and talking, it was still good times.



Saturday we went to the Shelbourne pool party. The event staff... oh my goodness they were all idiots. They didn't know how to look up names on the will-call list and it took forever to get in..for no reason. Once we finally got in the pool was smaller than expected. I guess it doesn't live up to Las Vegas pool party expectations. The deejays were amazing though, so that made everything worthwhile. There were tons of nasty beach balls getting kicked around. Actually they were fun when they first came out, but quickly became sticky and dirty. Carnage was my fave DJ from the pool party. After his set we stopped by the beach and then headed back to the condo to get ready. UMF the second night was also short, which I didn't mind at all! We got to see Kaskade and then Infected Mushroom which were my 2nd and 3rd top priorities of the lineup. So I was happy! The Live stage reminded me of Shoreline Amphitheatre back home where I first fell in love with Kaskade at ID. After the rave, a bunch of the group went to see Diplo at Grand Central. Andy, Victor, Andrey, and I had sold our tickets so we hung out with Kim and Shnell. I fell asleep pretty early that night, I was beat.




Sunday a bunch of the group went to hang out on the beach. Victor, Charles, and I went to get delicioso Peruvian food! I wish I wasn't so hungover that day, so I could have eaten more of the food. I think we were delirious at this point, I couldn't stop laughing at Charles about something he said when I pointed out an HIV Testing banner. Andy met us up at the condo so we could head to UMF first, we wanted to get in early because it was the last day. We made it for Krewella and the end of Flosstradamus (awesome), and then Major Lazer (even more awesome), and finally SNOOP DOGG (THE MOST AWESOME)!!! Man I almost lost my voice rapping along with Snoop. I was so happy because when I went to Rock the Bells last year I was sorely disappointed when I found out Snoop couldn't perform in SF. But YES! YES YES YES! Ugh, so good. ANd I got a turkey leg for dinner that night, which was also really good. Mmmm turkey leg!




After the rave, we went back to the condo to get ready for Zedd at Mansion. Zedd was good, Skrillex came out, but the best part was Funk Agenda. OMG he was better than both of them! Super bassy high energy beats, loved it. Kept me dancing until 5 AM. Sober. That's insanity. And by the time we left and were struggling to get a cab, I was seriously beat. Monday we woke up, packed, and flew back home. I wish I had stayed the extra days like the others because it would have been nice to relax before leaving. Soak up some more of that Miami sun. But in retrospect, I'm glad I didn't because I had so much work to do!




Anyway, truly an amazing trip. I'd do it all over again if I could.

Salad Days

Miami is just one week from today! With a 64-hour work week, TONS shopping to do, and no time to hit the gym.... two weeks of salads it is!



Good thing I got my salmon and taco salads recipes right. Salsa and smoked sockeye salmon are saving my salads. :)