24 Hour Travel Bug

Beware of the 24 Hour Travel Bug! Symptoms can appear suddenly...in this case, the itch to get on the road started over pancakes on Monday morning and resulted in us driving 2 hours away from NYC and paying our respects to the 32nd president of the United States by the end of the afternoon. So random but definitely fun. It was a much needed getaway and another opportunity to practice self-care. We ended up staying the night at a cute Airbnb in Hudson, NY. Stay tuned for pictures :)...

Oh, and if a stranger offers to take your picture, accept it!

Halfway through 35 weeks in front of FDR's lifelong home.

Memorial Day 2019

This post is a few days late but the photo is from the day of...5/27/2019. I grew up in a military family but after losing my brother, an Army Veteran, this holiday became more meaningful. Whether you're for or against the military, I say thanks to those who have served. 

Peanut Butter & Banana Toast

Here's a simple recipe for an easy breakfast or snack. I put this together from ingredients that I can usually find in my pantry. No brainer, healthy, and delicious. Reminds me of Elvis minus the bacon...anyone out there get that reference? *crickets*

1) Toast Multigrain bread
2) Smother toast with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
3) Top with 1 sliced banana
4) Finish with a sprinkle of chia seeds to taste (just kidding...chia seeds don't really taste like anything but they are high in fiber, omega-3s, and protein!)
5) ENJOY!

Eat Breakfast

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

It's definitely not an original thought but why do so many people skip breakfast? I like to think of it as fuel to get my day going. If I don't eat breakfast, I can't concentrate on anything else until I get food in my belly. I usually start my day with fresh fruit and oatmeal or a bagel. If I have a little more time, I might make waffles or a veggie omelette.

I also have positive memories about my mom always having breakfast ready for us when we were growing up and now I keep the 'tradition' alive. No matter how busy life got, my mom always made sure our family started the day on a good note. Pictured above is a spread I put together for my husband and a friend who was staying with us for the weekend. It doesn't have to be fancy but it's one way to show my loved ones that I care about their well-being.

What do you do to show your favorite people that you care about them?

Baby Bump Love

These photos were taken by my husband right before I was 34 weeks pregnant. I just wanted to show them off because I think they're so beautiful! I love being pregnant and watching my belly grow. I am so grateful for the opportunity to carry a human life inside me. It definitely has its uncomfortable moments but it's all worth it. Pregnancy has made me kinder, more patient...just happy. 

Girls & Pies

I know that my last post was about eating healthy so on today's post, I must indulge. It's called BALANCE! ;)

A few weeks ago, my friend and I met up for dessert at Mia's Bakery in Brooklyn. It's a great place to go for delicious baked goods and cafe drinks. It was a spur of the moment decision and as usual, we had a great time together. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the treats that we shared (pictured is a slice of key lime pie, triple berry pie, AND a creme brulee cupcake...*balance*...), my favorite part was being able to catch up with my dear friend who I met a few years ago while swimming at a local YMCA. I'm a pretty shy person but moving to a new city encouraged me to explore my surroundings and try new activities, such as swimming.

Our impromptu 'girls night out' made me reflect on how I have found an awesome group of friends just by being a little brave. Considering that all my family and many of my friends live thousands of miles away, it's nice to know that S & I have built a support system in NY for ourselves and our daughter.

Have you ever been in a situation where you've had to leave your community? How were you able to build a new one? And, what have you learned from getting out of your comfort zone?

Market Fresh

When S and I moved into our first NYC apartment, we were both unemployed and surviving on savings. Luckily, our circumstances changed for the better but until that point, trying to stay healthy with limited resources was a struggle. 

One of the ways we were able to eat healthy on a budget was by buying produce that was in season. When products are plentiful, they're usually more affordable. Additionally, buying something in season forces you to be creative with your menu. The photo above is an example of what S put together using fresh ingredients from a local produce stand: sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, carrots, mushrooms, cucumbers plus coconut rice and fresh herbs for an affordable and hearty dish. I spent about $20 to buy all the fresh ingredients for 4.5 meals. Not bad when you consider that many fast food chains sell meals for $5-9. 

We all have different situations and budgets. Fast food is quick and easy. Meal prep takes a little more time. I've been known to occasionally choose a burger and fries over a salad. However, what I do notice about myself when I go the healthy route is that I tend to feel more satisfied and energized. I don't want to make anyone feel bad about ordering off the 'value menu.' I just want to point out that it is possible for healthy to be cheap. Yay for building your own value menu! 

Our Hospital Maternity Tour

Hospital Entrance! See ya next month!

With our baby due the end of June, it was about time we take a tour of the place where all the fun begins. Childbirth is supposed to be fun, right?! Joking aside, I'm anxious and terrified...but I'm 100% certain that meeting our daughter will all be worth it.

I'd say that the benefits of working in a hospital setting is that I felt comfortable seeing all the medical equipment, delivery rooms, and medical staff wandering around. Being prepared makes me feel empowered, ready to get down to business! 

I'm also fully aware of how fortunate I am to be in a loving relationship with an involved partner and how that helps calm the nerves. As we get towards the end of baking this little bun in my oven, I've been doing my best to lead a stress-free life. I want baby to come into this world healthy and happy. And I think that begins with a happy, healthy mama. Self-care for me includes prenatal yoga, going on walks, and enjoying delicious (& nutritious!) meals. Anyone out there have suggestions for other forms of self-care? I'm open to ideas! 

Speaking of delicious meals: here's the one we had after our tour :)

Our Babymoon: April in New Orleans, Part 3/3

Waiting for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Arrive!

Lots of Beautiful Buildings in the French Quarter

My Talented Husband at Lafayette Cemetery #1

What's a visit to NOLA without a trip to the French Quarter, history lesson, and jazz show? S and I were lucky enough to walk through the French Quarter a few times on our visit (we caught a show at the famous Preservation Hall, ate yummy beignets at Cafe du Monde [!!!], and babygirl was gifted a set of beads by a kind stranger...haha.)

One of the most unexpectedly interesting places we visited on our last full day was the Lafayette Cemetery No.1 in the Garden District. At first, I thought it might be strange to do a walking tour of a cemetery while pregnant but this place holds so much historical value and interesting factoids, that I'm glad we got a chance to explore it! Our tour guide was funny, knowledgeable, and respectful. 

NOLA was truly a wonderful city and I'm glad I got to explore it with my best friend. Can't wait for our next adventure together: parenthood!

ANDDD...let's not forget po-boys :)

Our Babymoon: April in New Orleans, Part 2/3

Cool Kids Having a Great Time!

New Orleans is a must for jazz lovers and we were lucky enough to spend a full day at the 50th anniversary of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. We highly recommend it. Aside from Mardi Gras, it's one of the most popular times to visit NOLA and I can see why. Notable acts during our visit included Van Morrison and Al Green!

Make sure to wear comfortable footwear and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. The festival is held on a fair grounds/race course so expect to be out in the sun for a huge chunk of the day. We also saw plenty of people with camping chairs and picnic blankets- so smart! 

This was another day of less photo taking, more spending time together. All I have to show for the day is that hilarious gif of us at the AARP tent :) It's a far cry from our earlier music festival years at Bumbershoot, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. 

Concerts and music festivals have a special place in my heart. My husband and I spent so much of our dating years going to shows, dancing together and bonding over great performances. Coachella 2012 may be known to most as the Year of the Tupac Hologram but I will always remember it as the first time S told me he loved me. 

With this being our babymoon, it seemed appropriate for us to do something that we've always enjoyed. Whether it's a concert, spa day, cooking class, whatever- make time to do something that you love doing as a couple before baby arrives to remind you of why you've decided to become a parenting team. 

Thanks again for reading and stay tuned for my final babymoon post!

Our Babymoon: April in New Orleans, Part 1/3

Yours Truly in NOLA @ 31 Weeks

*This post is a long one...so sit back and relax (maybe with a drink, maybe not...a mimosa sounds nice...) or just come back when you have time. It's okay! No pressure. This is a safe space.*

A babymoon is an opportunity for soon-to-be parents to spend quality time as a couple before the baby arrives. I'm 100% new to this but I know having kids is a life changing event for partners. You're about to go from a comfortable party of 2 to an all-night rager of 3. Babymoons give us a chance to recharge and reconnect with each other before the hard work begins- like summer camp before school starts! 

We chose to visit New Orleans, Louisiana for a number of reasons: 1) Music 2) Food 3) Culture 4) A short distance from NYC that allowed us to maximize a long weekend.

Anyway, going through TSA while pregnant was not as eventful as I thought it would be but definitely check with your medical provider before making any travel plans. 

The 2.5 hour flight to NOLA was seamless. Did I mention that this was my first time in Louisiana? The people are so kind. Our Lyft driver picked us up from the airport and took us on a quick pit stop to the Visitors Center where we met more friendly Southerners.

We arrived hours early for check-in at our charming Uptown Airbnb but our gracious host allowed us to drop off our bags and play with her 2 adorable pups before we headed out on an important mission: lunch.

Magasin Vietnamese Cafe on Magazine St. 

Pho is probably not the first thing tourists think about eating when visiting NOLA but pregnancy cravings are real! Also, I heard/maybe watched something on TV about the rich history of the Vietnamese culture in NOLA and figured, hey- this might actually be a great place to have Vietnamese cuisine! Good thing I was informed because our meal was fantastic. We started out with shiitake mushroom fresh spring rolls, an eggplant banh mi, and before I finish- let me just explain that my sweet husband is a vegetarian which I fully support but I have yet to join the team- a bright & delicious vegan pho for the him, the most satisfying grilled shrimp bun for me. Apologies for the lo-res pictures. This place did not disappoint. 10/10 would eat there again.

After lunch, we went on a leisurely stroll back to our place. Thankfully, we stayed within walking distance of Magazine Street- a great part of town full of restaurants, bars, and shops. Once we got back, I put my feet up and took a nap before *surprise*: dinner!

Saba on Magazine St.

The Love of My Life with our Delicious Starters

100% credit goes to my husband for getting us reservations at this amazing Israeli restaurant. Saba is Alon Shaya's first restaurant since leaving Shaya (that's a different story to unpack so Google if you must). The food was incredible, the ambience was calming, and the people watching was fun! I've never been so excited to get refills on pita in my life. This was definitely an experience that I spent less time documenting and more time being present. We had such a great time and it was a nice way to end our first day in NOLA.

Stay tuned for a few more posts about our babymoon!

Destroybear

1/10,000 pictures of my sweet pup that you will find on my phone...photos don't do him justice- he was a real winner!

His name was Destroybear AKA Troyboy AKA Mr. Boy AKA Mr. Boyboy AKA Hey Buddy AKA Handsome Guy...

...the list goes on. Named because of his teddy bear face and tail that wagged so hard, it knocked down everything in its path.

And May 5th will forever be remembered as his adoptiversary.

I still remember the day I walked into the Everett Animal Shelter and met my new best friend. He was about 4 months old, super smiley, and had a lot to say. My silly little husky mix.

When my husband and I started dating, Troy really took a liking to him. If that wasn't a good enough sign, I don't know what is.

Troy was lovable, sweet, and one of the biggest sources of comfort in my life. I could fill pages and pages with stories about my boy!

In 2018, we unfortunately lost Troy to cancer at the age of 12 years old. My heart aches a little knowing that our babygirl won't be crawling all over him, getting slobbered on by his many kisses.

I count myself as one of the lucky people who have had the opportunity to establish a strong bond with a pet. For many of us, dogs (or cats, birds, reptiles, etc.) are family.

After Troy passed away, my husband and I started volunteering a local animal shelter. In addition to being therapeutic for us, it was a great way to give back to our community. There are so many sweethearts waiting for their person and dreaming of their forever homes. And even if you're not in the right place to provide that, I know they appreciate getting any piece of your love and affection!

Have you ever considered adopting a pet or volunteering for an animal organization? What are some other ways that you've given back to your community? I can't think of a time when I've volunteered and thought- hmm, that was a bad idea! I know that life can get hectic but it's always nice to help others.

Why The Blog Not?

Pictured: my wedding day in my family's home country...can you guess where? 

I've been writing in a journal ever since I was a kid. I've always enjoyed being able to go back and read old entries, remembering details I may have forgotten, just by looking over a few lines from the past. Some entries are really fun or funny...others, pretty embarrassing (probably should've taken a break during my teen years ;). And the multi year journal entry books? Game changer! It's so interesting to see where life has taken you from 1 year ago to exactly 1 year later. 

I'm a first generation American who's parents didn't have the luxury of daydreaming the way their hard work has allowed me. We don't talk about the past, we just move towards the goal of a better future. Now that I'm about to become a mother, I want to be able to document my life and learning experiences for my daughter. To me, blogging is another outlet for journaling and being creative. It doesn't have to be serious all the time. As you get to know me, you'll see I'm too awkward and jolly for that type of thing. 

For all you fellow bloggers out there, what are your reasons for putting your thoughts on the world wide web?

*All pics by me and hubby unless otherwise noted. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line! Thanks for reading :)*