It's Only Up From Here

Once a foodie, always a foodie! Of course I rode the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) roundtrip from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. Visited all of Kyoto's famous Pagodas. Toured the Imperial Palace. Did it all using public transportation I had to try it xD. Most times you're not in a bad mood, you're just hangry!  Spent some of my leisure time exploring the Fushimi-Inari Taisha shrine and other historical sites Any guess as to what may be in this time capsule? How do you imagine Earth will look in 5000 years? You knew there would be more food! Need to remember to bring my personal chopsticks on more trips Of course your  favorite  history buff and scientist toured inside Osaka Castle and walked its grounds. Can't say no to beautiful pencils and pens. Perfect tool for journaling and signing documents Shopping in Osaka. There's a time and place for everything xD A photo from Japan to reassure my parents it's worthwhile to safeguard my cards. Quality > Quantity. Had to secu...

2020 remains unforgettable. Photos from my time in Southeast Asia will be added in the future Accepted into Arizona State University's Biology Ph.D program (concentration: Biology & Society).   Checked a few more scenic hikes off my bucket list. Witnessing how nature defines resiliency in deserts.. Enjoyed the rest of my Senior Year in California's Bay Area/Silicon Valley Graduated with my Bachelors in Biology from San Jose State; minors in Chemistry and Humanities. Lived in Japan for a year. Completed language classes. Enjoyed tons of ramen, gyoza, and yakatori. Confirmed I am not a fan of eating "natto". Can't knock things until you try them xD Survived being snowed in during Christmas (location: Japanese Alps). The onsens are still 10/10   Attended traditional tea ceremonies with dropping backgrounds. The snow banks kept growing.   Invested in personalized chopsticks. Embarked on a chef sidequest and learned to make my own ramen. Continued seeking delicious...

It's been a bit. Figured I have some updating to do before the graduation and medical school posts arrive.  Photos from my time in Korea will be added in the future My foodie adventures continued. Amazing Korean chicken wings! Just casually rafting through a jungle in Asia xD Reconnected with family during the holidays and ate well. Cherish the little things! Visited the Appalachian mountains. Summited a few mountains. Saw many horses. Enjoyed more food and of course I added more spice to my life (that's non-negotiable)! Just casually rafting through Southeast Asia xD Hiked Mt Fuji (rain, sleet, and sunshine all in one day). Slept in a mountain lodge on Mt. Fuji. Had a struggle meal before summiting Mt. Fuji to watch the sunrise Reached the summit of Mt Fuji in time for sunrise (it was freezing cold, pitch black, and I almost walked into the crater). Story for another time lol. Hiked backed down the same day. Enjoyed more hikes in Japan. Something about cobblestone always makes...

                                                         Watched an NBA game and went shopping in Los Angeles Relaxing vacations: Drove a golf cart around Catalina Island and rode horses in Mexico Checking another National Park off my bucket list. Yosemite is every bit as beautiful in person A little baseball at Petco Park Just a foodie at the fair. Saw a few horse races in Del Mar   Another extended vacation on the East Coast. Toured all sites, including the White House (inside & out) Stopped by the National Archives like the academic I am; truly appreciative of physical media/records Secured tickets to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture Toured Morehouse and its library. Supported a few record/vinyl stops nearby             Got my fix of local seafoo...