Travel Log: Kauai

The Garden Isle of the Hawaiian Islands is an oasis among oasis'. With no large towns or cities, it truly is a nature lover's paradise, with grand canyons, majestic waterfalls, and clear blue beaches as far as the eye can see. The island gives you the sense of rest and relaxation, and observing the local culture and its history creates a sense of calm and awe at the simple, untouched beauty of island life.

We hiked to the top of Waimea Canyon, with steep rocks high up in the clouds and a view of the entire Napali Coast. We visited the old Hanalei town, mountain views, taro fields, and old churches untouched by development. We took a catamaran along the Napali Coast and snorkeled with the the tropical fish. We swam with giant turtles at the best known beach on the island, Poipu. We took in the sights of the old Kilauea Lighthouse, and the ruins of the sugar mills. And we enjoyed the traditional Hawaiian feast of kahlua pig and poi as we watched hula dancers dining at the Smith Family Luau.

One week in Kauai will fill your heart with peace, and a dream of returning in the near future. I almost cried when I boarded the return plane home...I will remember the island fondly and make believe someday I may call it my home.

Travel Log: Encinitas

Just a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of Long Beach is a small surfer town in San Diego county, Encinitas. There are two campsites to choose from, both where you can pitch your tent right on the beach. You must reserve far in advance during the summer months at both Carlsbad and San Elijo. We chose San Elijo and stayed a blissful three days of surf, sand, and relaxing under the stars. I watched my boy ride the waves for hours as I sunbathed on the sand with a good book.

The good thing about the secluded hide-a-way is it's proximity to the city. Who knew such an oasis could be nestled within the hustle and bustle. We ate at the local favorites. Auggie's Crab House made for such a fresh and succulent dinner, perfect after the beach adventure. And a small restaurant by night fish market by day spot in the city gave us the flavor of the most tender macadamia crusted opah we've ever tasted. Not bad for a last minute mini vacation.

Lastly, who could visit San Diego without trekking through their famous zoo. The elephant odyssey was my personal favorite. But there is something to be said about those playful orangutans that capture your heart. We saw it all. Lions and tigers and bears and more! I can't wait to visit them again...and to relax by the surf in Encinitas.

Escaping the to your own private lake in Mammoth, CA

When you first hear the words Mammoth Mountain, the beautiful images of snow lifts and powdered mountain tops fill your minds with wondrous adventures. But far from the snowboarding hills of the crowded winter season comes the calm, tourist-free months of summer when the locals thrive. Summer is the time of year to truly enjoy Mammoth. The air is clear with the aromas of fresh water, newly grown pine trees, and rainbow trout just caught from one of the many lakes. It is a nature lovers’ paradise of wilderness trails, waterfalls, and fishing lakes. The best of these is Shadow Lake. This journey is not for the faint of heart. It is a four mile hiking trail through meadows and murky water and up and over steep, rocky mountain passes. Plenty of rest stops and water breaks must be taken. Then as you finally feel you can’t go on, you see it; an amazing oasis. Just you, completely engulfed by a forest of trees on a mountain top, on your own private lake with no other person as far as the eye can see. Feel free to fish for trout or just meditate atop a rock. There are no reports to be handed in here, no bumper to bumper traffic on the 405 freeway. Time and troubles are lost, and you are finally free to exhale.

Late Night Pondering

Here's the thing: I hate my job. No, I mean, I really fucking HATE my job! Don't get me wrong, it pays the bills well enough, and I like the people I work with, but in some ways I see bartending as just a few steps up from whoring yourself. You are playing this game of make believe that you are absolutely delighted to wait hand and foot on people for about an hour for their own delight and pleasure. You're basically faking it for money (usually about $5).

Now, I know exactly what I want to do with my life. I want to write, and I'm actually pretty damn good at it. I want to be a resident writer and then someday an editor of a major magazine. But, that career path is hard to come by. I could blame the failing economy or the fact that there are millions of girls in my shoes also trying to achieve my goal. But the reality is: I'm not disciplined. I don't write unless I find something worthy of writing about (just like my painting). And I have no idea how to move past the occasional freelance gig.

Here's another thing: I have been searching for a new job. My dream job of course is that coveted writing position at a major women's mag like Cosmo, Glamour, Seventeen, or LA Mag. And as much as I hate my current job, I can't seem to lower myself to settle for less than that dream. I found a job listing today for a marketing job that I am absolutely perfect for, because I have the experience and it actually involves some writing. Yet I am hesitant to apply for it because, yet again, its not the dream job I crave. Am I stupid? That is the question of night...

Revisiting: San Francisco

The clang of the street cars, the rolling wonders of the hill streets, and the far off sounds of street jazz: I definitely would leave my heart in San Francisco. We stayed at a small boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown; Hotel Union Square on Powell. It was very small, but so cozy I felt as if I were in my own bedroom. We had drinks and a snack at the Irish Bank, a traditional pub and restaurant located at the end of an alley near union square. It was a fantastic sight of tables bustling full of lively patrons completely filling the alleyway, and I found myself in high spirits at the feeling of how San Franciscans carry on their day of fun and laughter in an seemingly eventless alley. The night continued with reggae in the Haight/Ashberry district at Milk nightclub. Just relaxing with a cocktail and friends.



The next day began with a walk through the city, alive with its many characters. A dinner at small jazz club close to the hotel: Les Joulins, small, dim, and and romantic. Then, what trip to the bay could ever happen without a day in Berkeley, my love's alma mater. I could see how truly uplifting the university could be with its high trees and babbling brooks running through the campus itself. what a feast of nature! It was there, while shopping through endless street merchants and small boutiques, we had heard the news; the death of a legend, Michael Jackson.
For a special birthday, I treated my beau to a fine meal at Masa's in Nob Hill, a five-course gourmet cuisine that set me back quite a few nights of bartending tips. But well worth it! They treat you like royalty and the meal was exquisit from beginning to end. Had I the funds, I would have relived the experience every night.
We ended our trip with a trolley ride to Ghirardelli Square. An irish coffee at Buena Vista Cafe, a mouth full of street crab, and the sweet aroma of sourdough bread baking in the sea air. I was in heaven and reluctant to make the journey back home.

Lakermania

Tear gas in the air, choppers in the sky, and a few hundred screaming fans...Welcome to Staples Center. Last Sunday, the Lakers won the NBA Finals against Orlando, and my boyfriend and I were right in the middle of the action at ESPN Zone across the street from Staples. It was pretty much a blowout. We new our team was going to win from the get go. But, the real celebration began after the victory. L.A. loves to riot and reek havoc, I tell ya. Burning bushes and rows upon rows of fans turned into family. The love for your team transcends all ethnic, financial and age barriers; and for a short period of time, we all belong. Cops came, of course. SWAT threw tear gas into the crowds, and we did no disperse. They shot fireworks into the crowd (blowing up right in front of my face) and still we did not disperse. For love and basketball, we poured our hearts in celebration of joy our beloved team must have felt at that moment...we wished they were here with us.

Garlic Joe's

Mike and I are on the constant look-out for a great new restaurant to try. Yelp is a tremendous help with all of its user reviews. However, we encountered a not so well reviewed restaurant called Garlic Joe's. I have always seen it passing as I drove down PCH towards Newport Beach. I love garlic, and Joe's is a fusion restaurant of Japanese and Trendy American food. It is HEAVEN! The Albacore Carpaccio is so mouthwatering that Mike and I have to order 2 because we are not willing to share. The steaks are cooked perfectly, and garlic slathered all over everything. You must love garlic to love Garlic Joe's. With that said, it is one of my most favorite restaurants thus far. We frequent it often.

Travel Log: Sedona/Grand Canyon

Now that you've ventured out into your own backyard, sometimes its fun to see what the neighbors have to offer. Quick, relaxing, and inexpensive, that's how my love and I like to travel. We took the Route 66 route to Arizona. We stopped first at Flagstaff. We found a little local-owned restaurant there that provided the best mexican food I have ever eaten! We decided next to camp the Grand Canyon for a few days. In a word...majestic. You stand and wonder at the awe of what God and Mother Nature can create. It was much too cold to camp, but luckily there are quite a few lodges along the rim of the canyon that offer marvelous views of its south rim. We were unable to take the illusive donkey ride down, due to funds, but we of course found our way to the stables and a relaxing horse-back ride. We also found a quaint little town just outside of the canyon called Williams. The Route 66 old western town has seemingly hardly changed over the years. Small general stores and local BBQ joints were very much enjoyed as we took a stroll down old main street.

After a few days of relaxation, we headed down to Sedona for some local fun. Jeep rides over rocky red rock cliffs, more horse-back riding, cowboy cookouts, and the serenity of a small peaceful community amids the glow of the red rocks and suddenly we dreamt of our own ranch. The simple life really is the most fulfilling, I believe. We had a pleasant surprise in a dinner at Elote Cafe, a small 12 table Cuban restaurant with tapas so mouth-watering I could've eaten there every night of the trip. Their signature dish, elote, was so perfectly cooked and seasoned I fell in love with corn! We finally were able to camp a bit in Oak Creek Canyon, right next to a creek that flowed through the camp site. Though we were surprised to awaken to snow fall around our tent. Luckily, it only snowed our last night, and we reluctantly headed back home, taking with us the beautiful promise of another visit.

Published Works

metro.pop magazine
interview with Jason Smith, co-creator of poorjames men's accessories line
November 2008

metro.pop magazine
interview with designer Jessie White, creator of Shakuhachi designs
October 2008



metro.pop magazine
interview with Masayuki Marukawa, creator of m/m
November 2007


chicagirlmagazine.com
interview with Rosario Marin, first Latina U.S. Treasurer
August 2007


fevermagazine.com
Transformers movie review
July 13, 2007


fevermagazine.com
Live Free or Die Hard movie review
July 4, 2007

Travel Log: Revisiting Morro Bay

Every chance we get, getting away from our realities no matter how small the journey is a must. With the economy failing and the country falling around us, sometimes the tiniest of adventures can save the most sorrowful of souls.

We first encountered Morro Bay for a brief afternoon on our trip up Coast Highway. This time around, we stayed the weekend. The bay is so peaceful. A small stretch of a boating community, a few fresh catch seafood restaurants, and just sea and fog surround your view of Morro Rock as you enjoy a glass of wine by the crackling fire in your modest hotel room. The mood of the weekend: rest and relaxation.


Just a few miles down the road, you glimpse a view of wealth and power; Hearst Castle. It was my first true sight of old Hollywood. Walking the halls and grounds, you can only imagine the brilliance of those who were there before you. Walt Disney, Humphrey Bogart, Eisenhower, Mickey Mantle, Marlon Brando, the Parker Bros. Within the walls you can just feel the essence of all the story-telling, you can see the networking amongst businessmen. Hollywood today fails in comparison. This castle nestled high on the hills of San Simeon, just above the clouds, truly was a magical place. How I would've loved to have seen it bustling with characters.

California is a wonder. Los Angeles to San Diego is such a hustle. The south is a pulsing metropolis of strangers just trying to get by. But further north, in Central and Northern Cali, live the small harbor communities where everybody knows your name. Where just living and loving are fulfilling enough, where the beauty of nature prevails, and all one needs to do is simply be to find happiness. Who knew that happiness was just a car ride away.

Birthday

So...I've reached that age. I wonder what I've done with my life, why I still have a crappy job, why I haven't settled down and started a family, and why I'm still always dead broke. At my age, I should have at least one of the three resolved, you'd think. Dirty 30, that's what they call it. When I was younger I couldn't wait to grow up. Now, I just want to be a kid again. I long for the simple days of no bills, no worries, and no responsibilities. It's fun isn't it? We all go full circle...back to the beginning. And Disneyland still rules!

Travel Log: Avalon

I've been to Santa Catalina Island several times over the years, but never have I really seen it. The tropical weather of the summer months, with the over-run of tourists invading the streets of this tiny town is no way to truly visit the island. My Love and I had the opportunity to get away for a few days and decided we needed to see Catalina without all the tourists. Almost alone on the streets of Avalon, we can truly see how the locals live, in this small community where everyone knew everyone and everyone could tell who was just visiting. We were told to enjoy our vacation at every restaurant though we never really told anyone we were visiting. You can walk the streets and dark alleys at night without ever feeling the caution in the back of your mind that you may be in danger. And the cold, calm atmosphere made the sunsets that more spectacular. And suddenly, I realized all that I had been missing, all that I had wrong. As a child I dreamed of the limelight, of being a famous actress and emulating the club-hopping Paris Hiltons of my time. But now I realize that this was not the life to strive for, not the lifestyle to envy. The old small towns of the 1920's were the thing. A small community where everyone knew your name, where all you needed to do was open your door and sip a cup of coffee on your porch as the sun set over the dock, where you can catch a fish in the day and fry it up for dinner that night. Simple, relaxed, and miles away from crime. Yes, we did visit the Botanical Gardens, rent a golf cart and joyrode around the island, and hike up to the cross to take a picture of the casino. We watched a movie in the old Casino theater, a must see with its hand-painted murals and original pipe organ still in use. We found ourselves enjoying coffee at Gallagher's every night, seemingly the only thing left open after 5 p.m. And dining at Villa Portofino I had my first experience of a beef so tender it melted in my mouth. But for the most part, we enjoyed the quiet, we enjoyed the sunset, we enjoyed Avalon and made believe we walked the empty streets of our future home.