7.23.17 So. Oregon Lavender Trail

Hi Everyone,

My new job has me spending time in Southern Oregon. Today, I had a relaxing day smelling lavender at 2 local lavender farms. Both are west of Medford and allow you to pick lavender while eating lavender inspired snacks enjoying views of the Rogue Valley.

 

 

Pics above taken at Lavender Fields Forever

These 2 farms also offer many classes to learn to make wreaths, wands, and oils. They also sell a lot of lavender inspired products for the home, including jams, sugar, satchels, and body products. Lavender beard oil anyone? 

 

 

Pics above taken at English Lavender Farm

And to beat the 100degree heat and to cap off a relaxing Sunday, I munched on some lavender strawberry ice cream and lavender lemonade.

 

Until next time,

Cutiee23

Links:

Lavender Fields Forever

http://lavenderfieldsforever-oregon.com/

English Lavender Farm

http://www.englishlavenderfarm.com/

Southern Oregon Lavender Trail

http://www.southernoregonlavendertrail.com/

 

07.09.2017 Tacoma, Wa

Hi Again,

On to talk more about our weekend getaway to Wa, specifically Tacoma and the Olympic Peninsula.
We made Tacoma our home base, as my hubby used to be in the military and lived there.

Tacoma is south of Seattle, about 30 to 40 ish miles away. It is a significantly smaller town, with a small downtown and few business districts. Luckily for residents, there is also a small mall. Small (relatively) is the theme. More residential with a downtown park, Wright Park, which has ponds, fountains, playgrounds, and a greenhouse. It served as a great place to have morning walks with our dogs.

Tacoma reminds me of how Portland may have been (before Portlandia and before us Californians took it over). Lots of small, bungalow houses in neighborhoods. We were driving distance from 6th Ave, which is a street with bars, restaurants, and kitschy vintage stores. Other stores include an Irish Pub, tattoo/piercing parlor, and of course a record store. We also found the local Original Pancake House, which used local berries. There is also a donut shop, Legendary donuts, which promises unique flavors. If I wasn't already full from my pancakes I would have bought some and compared them to Portland donut shops like Voodoo or Blue Star. We also passed by a store with an insanely long line, going out the door. Of course I had to google that, cuz it must be good. It turned out to be Ice Cream Social, a local area ice cream parlor using local ingredients. The new Portlandier in me wished I had time to compare it to our Salt and Straw. Again so many things to try in our return trip.

 

 

We ended our trip visiting a friend currently stationed at the joint military base. Apparently the new rule is that if you want to visit the base, you have to have your passport. I understand the safety issues, but I think it is ridiculous for me (a US Citizen) and my husband (a veteran) to need to have a passport to enter. Unfortunately we got turned away, leaving our friend to walk all the way from his barrack to the visitor parking lot. He did get to see a deer and its baby though on his hike to the parking lot. After brunch, we dropped off our friend whose military ID got us in and was able to drive the several miles in the base to his barrack. This brought many memories and stories to my hubby's mind as he reminisced about his military days. We ended up getting $1 Chinese food, one of the few restaurant options outside of base. My husband loved the Orange Chicken saying it was the best he had, but then also states this was a time when he was generally eating chow from the military canteen. I thought it was tasty. 

--Until next time,
cutiee23



Links:
Tacoma, Wa

6th Ave

Ice Cream Social

Legendary Donuts

07.08.2017 Olympic Peninsula, Wa

Hi All!

 

Just got back from our yearly family getaway. Considering my and my hubby's busy schedule, we decided to just do a quick weekend getaway. Since my hubby spent time in Wa for his prior job and loved the Olympic National Park, we decided to go there.

It was nice and intimate for him to share prior experiences/places with me. He would always talk about his time camping and hiking in the Olympic rainforest with so much happiness. It was awesome to finally see what he was talking about. 

 

He needed to give me some intro info to the area. There's a National Park, where he would go camping, but at the top is Hurricane Ridge, where you can see the top of the Olympic mountain range, which even in July still has snow at the top. After you cough up about $25 to enter, you can drive 30 minutes to the top. Up there is a ranger center, bathrooms, and a small café. There are many outlook areas and benches. You are not to go on the grass (as they want to grow/replant the meadows), which is tempting for some guests as deer graze there.

 

It's a breathtaking view as you are surrounded by 180 degrees of mountain tops. There are many hiking trails, but unfortunately dogs aren't allowed. In addition, there are some steep mountain roads that you can drive, which looked like the Jeep and off road vehicles seem to enjoy. I also saw many mountain bikers try to bike up the steep hill to the top. Poor guy, we entered the park at the same time, and on our way down we saw he was only halfway up. Not for the faint at heart. 

 

Setting is mostly forest and meadows, but my hubby said there is a rainforest also in the neighboring area, which is under the Wa State Park. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to explore, but hey that gives us a reason to visit next time.

At the bottom of the Olympic National Park, is the town of Port Angeles, Wa, which is off the Puget Sound. It is a training site for the National Guard (one of my friends told me=) Reminds me of a typical NW coast little town. Has a small downtown/business district with restaurants and cafes. Also has a pier that looks out at the Puget Sound. Port Angeles has a marine aquarium too, which has a cool rock sculpture of an octopus. 

 

We ended our day eating bbq from Coyote BBQ. Reasonable priced and got a bbq plate with 2 meats and sides for about $20ish dollars. We got brisket and bbq chicken. Sauce was on the side (which was great because I hate when there is too much sauce). Sauce was not overtly sweet and somewhat vinegary which was awesome. Brisket was flavorful with chicken cooked perfectly (not dry at all) with a subtle, yummy brine. Potato salad was on point and had a hint of dill.  Also had to add an order of chili cheese fries, that had lots of meat, including sausage. 

 

 
We ended our day around 8pm and as the sun set we made our way back to our home base in Tacoma, Wa.


--Until next time,
cutiee23


Links:
Olympic National Park


Port Angeles, Wa


Coyote BBQ

 

 

06.23.2017: Sunshine and Senioritis

Just finished my last clinical week of residency and now just need to wrap up paperwork. 

Finally feel like an adult and on to start my career.

I get to start enjoying the Portland summer sunshine.

Take Care,

Cutiee23 

Paris Takeways

 

1. There is too much to do in one visit. Expect to come back, multiple times if you are lucky.
My hubby and I came up with a plan in future trips to have each part of the day devoted to something (ie. Museum or tour), but leave the rest of the day for relaxation and spontaneity. What's the point of taking a vacation when you are working hard to go from one site to the next and that leaves you drained for the day?  Doesn't sound like much of a vacation.

2. Paris is a walking city. Bring good walking shoes. Pack some band aids. Get a foot massage. (If you happen to be stopping in San Francisco each terminal has an express spa. SFO also has a yoga room, but I digress...)

3. People move slower than expected for a big city. Enjoy it. Embrace it.

4. Savor your food. Dine for hours.

5. Enjoy a lazy day, have a picnic and nap.

6. Bonjour, Merci, and S'il vous plait are need to know phrases. More people know English than you expect, but some will appreciate your effort to use French. Parisians are no more ruder than anyone else who lives in a big city.

7. Appreciate every moment.


Until next time, cutiee23

5. 14-15 2017: Exploring the City of Lights

 

No plans or tickets today. Just exploring the beauty of Paris on Champs de Elysses and Montmartre. I loved the hat shop at the bottom of the hill, whose owner brings her black lab to enjoy the ambience. The guy dressed in all white and trying to pass as a human statue was a laugh. The white vans were a big giveaway.

Until next time,

Cutiee23

5.12.2017 First Full Day in Paris

 

I have come to the conclusion that there is too much to do and see in one visit. Once I understood that, I was able to slow down a bit and enjoy what I was seeing in front of me, instead of all the sites I wouldn't be able to get to. I'll guess I'll just have to return again. Not a bad consolation prize. 

Learning to use the Paris metro is pretty easy, after a few tries. However, what my hubby and I learned with all the map reading is that what seems close on the map is not as close in reality. Almost missed our Eiffel Tower Tour because we came out of one of the many metro stops that are close to the tower, but ended up at a stop that is exactly opposite end than where we needed to go. Guess it was a learning experience. Must say that it was worth getting the Skip the Line Tour and Summit access for the Eiffel Tower. I know Paris is a walking city, but after running to make the tour, I didn't want to walk the hundreds of steps up.

 

At Notre Dame, my hubby and I learned that it is good practice to ignore most people that ask you if you speak English. Turned out they ask you to fill out a survey (mostly your contact info) to help a charity, then ask for money, then proceed to ask for more money. Later on, I read in my Rick Steves' Guidebook this is a common scam. At least we left before we gave them any money.

 

One thing I love about France the appreciation of beauty in multiple aspects of their life. Case in point is the Sainte Chapelle Chapel, a medieval chapel filled with stained glass. I could just stare at the walls all day. 

 

And to top off the day, the Louvre. We learned that the Louvre opens late on Wednesday and Friday nights which can be a way to beat the crowds. I don't know if its just me being on a vacation or what, but time seemed to pass by so quickly. I felt I was taking forever to do anything, but my partner in crime reminds me that its because I am savoring my experiences. Our goal was to see the 3 or 4 important works of art (Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo) and that took us about 1.5 hours. It was an awe-inspiring experience to see in real life these artworks that I've learned about in high school and college. As someone who is not creative or artistic, I am envious of anyone who has an imagination to create. It's a really gift.

Until next time,
cutiee 23

5.13.2017 The luxurious lifestyle at Versailles

 

The theme again with this trip: THERE IS TOO MUCH TO SEE AND DO! Versailles is no exception. We were able to see the Chateau and some of the gardens, but there is more garden to explore as well as additional property that is a 30 minute hike from the gardens. Another place that we will re-visit during our next trip to Paris.

 Maybe it's the little girl in me, but I love visiting castles and estates. I love to pretend its my property and dream that I can relax around luxury. I knew Marie Antoinette loved papillons (my favorite dog breed) so was glad to see a few portraits of women with their papillions. Gidget (my papillon) would fit right in. After all the walking, I took a nap with my hubby next to the canal in the garden. What a perfect way to end a visit. 

 

 Until next time, cutiee23

5.11.2017 Sleeping with a smile on my face

  

I hardly got any sleep for the past two nights because I can't believe I am finally here. I'm in the city I dreamed of visiting for so long. I romanticized about Paris for at least ten years. And now I am finally here.

My trip kept being delayed due to my schooling and finances. For so long, I pushed aside some of my desires to focus on my career. But I realized I was getting lost in the day to day work shuffle. Isn't the point of working so we can enjoy life sometimes? I just kept putting off really enjoying the life part. Even when looking at this blog, which is an attempt to enjoy the moments of life, you can see how disjointed it is because adult life kept getting in the way.

In my idealized view of Europe, but especially France, is that them their citizens seem to better get this enjoying life concept, far better than us Americans and Asians. I feel that is the reason I am drawn to France, and  made it a bucket list to visit Paris.

Now that I am here, I've been excited for the past two days (granted there are some stressful moments than most travelers including me have) but for whatever reason ( my idealism) is pushing my through to enjoy exploring this amazing city. I tell my husband and travel companion that it feels so surreal, like a dream. I just hope I enjoy it long enough before I wake up. 

Till next time,

Cutiee 23

 

Back from Hiatus and now in Japan 02.28.2015

Work has taken over the past 2 years, but hopefully as my training is progressing I'll have more time for fun stuff. While I am at a conference for work, its in a Japan. So maybe its a sign its possible to balance work and fun?

I've never been to Japan before, and am intimated by the unfamiliar alphabet. Luckily, signs also are in English.

Here's some new facts I learned during my travel today:

• For my domestic flight to Fukuoka, we boarded a bus to our plane. We walked up stairs old school style to enter and it felt like it took 20 minutes to get from where our plane is parked to the take off site.
• Also noticed how small the overhead bins and under seat storage area compared to my United flight coming over. No wonder the other passengers backed light. 
• Had to take a pause and figure out how to "use a toilet." There's multiple buttons on the side. Also when i went on, it felt warm, so I freaked out for a sec that I might have peed on myself. that was not the case..it's a freakening seat warmer. And the music button plays music as you pee.
• there's also some type of stall with a hole in the floor. still have to figure out why that's there.
• they drive on the left side of the road
• you feel like a baller when you exchange your money. $100 US dollars is somewhat equivalent to 10,000 yen. good friend told me to drop the last 2 zeros on the price (in yen) to get an idea what it equals in US dollars.

Till my next adventure,

cutiee 23

08.04.2013. Awesome Shoes @ Hawthorne District, Portland OR.

Just came back from brunch and shopping and found an amazing shoe store, Imelda's Shoes, on Hawthorne. Lots of comfy, yet stylish heels, boots, and sneakers from some of my fave designers, like Born & Hunter. More expensive that average shoes, but it makes up in price and quality. With limited closet space and money, its time for me to grow up and invest in a wardrobe that's amazing.

Imelda's Shoes has 2 locations in Portland, in Hawthorne and in the Pearl.

SE Portland

3426 SE Hawthorne
Portland, OR 97214
503 233 7476 

NW Portland

935 NW Everett
Portland, OR 97209
503 595 4970

Shoes that are to die for on their website:

  

 

I may be Filipina born in America, who doesn't know much about Philippine History, but this image came to mind when the words IMELDA and SHOES are used together.

Img source: http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/26/14116385-philippines-city-restores-imelda-marcos-shoe-collection-after-flood-damage?lite

Img Source: http://www.notorious-mag.com/2012/03/25/imelda-marcos-and-shoes/

Until the next adventure,

cutiee23

07.20.2013: Sauvie Island, OR

After the suggestion of some friends, I was excited to find a beach within close driving distance from Downtown Portland.  I guess its the Cali girl in me. Sauvie Island is only 10 miles Northwest from downtown, but takes 45 min to get there. After crossing the bridge into the island, there are only a few streets on the island, many with bicyclists. With no bike lane, they can hold up the traffic at times.

 

 

Sauvie Island Bridge/ Photo from Wikipedia

Sauvie Island is home to farmland and wildlife. It offers a quick escape to a rural setting. As I drove by, there are many U pick farms, where you can pick various kinds of berries and other produce. I also saw a sign for a lavender farm, which I must go to another time. Because its rural, there are only 2 or 3 stores on the Island and no gas station. In order to park at the beach, you need to buy a parking pass, about $7/day. They also offer monthly and yearly passess.

Sauvie Island Farms/ Photo from Wikipedia

 

 

 

Island Cove Market is one store you can buy your parking pass from/Photo form Yelp

As for the beaches, there's a handful: Walton beach, North Unit, and Collins beach that are available to the public. Our party went to Collins beach, that has a nude, clothing optional beach on one side. We chose a spot, not knowing we were at the border between the clothing and clothing optional beaches, and could see a few people in their birthday suits walking into the water. Strangely, a very tan gentleman keep walking slowly in and out of the water, then looking at the general direction of the clothing beach. I don't know what he was thinking, but maybe showing off? who knows.... According to the Wikipedia article, the north end of Collins beach is a popular LGBT party spot. Unfortunately, no party when I went =(  Maybe next time.

And by the way, it seems all beaches here are dog friendly...

Until my next adventure,
Cutiee23


Links:
Sauvie Island Community Association
Wikipedia: Sauvie Island
Island Cove Cafe and Market

Cannon Beach, OR: June 2013

As a California girl, summer means going to the beach, so I had to scoop out where the local beaches are. Lucky for me, within 1.5 hour driving distance from Portland on the 101 are a few beaches that can satisfy my beach craving.

My husband, fur babies, and I made the quick drive to Cannon Beach, OR.  The Pacific Ocean is cold, and the water temperature is not too far off what I experience in Southern California. However, the air temperature is much cooler here, making the water seem relatively colder. Yet, I love how this beach is less busy, quieter, and more secluded. Dogs are welcome on-leash, and you can put them off leash in areas with few/no people. My dogs loved running around in the sand, but were a bit timid when it came to the water.

Our Kirin enjoying the tide pools

Our Gidget wades in the water

 I love nature and both the mountains and beaches, so it was amazing to see the juxtaposition of mountain & beach all in one view. I love the mountain background. A friend told me that there is forest-type hiking and camping at neighboring Ecola State Park. When I go back, it is on my must-do list.

Below are pictures of Haystack rock, the landmark that Cannon Beach is known for, with its surrounding tide pools. Many birds call the rock home.

Below are pictures from Tolovana State Park, southern end of Cannon Beach.

Mo's Restaurant: What a view!

What is equally amazing about my trip is the friendliness of the people we meet. As my husband and I ate dinner, we enjoyed chatting up with two separate parties at our shared table. When another guest was unable to finish her steak, our doggies were offered the remaining pieces. And, as we finished drinks at the firepit table, we were joined by two servers who told us about there gypsy-type lifestyle, bouncing from various vacation spots, working and enjoying life.

Cannon Beach "Graffiti"

Bonus points if you can identify this compound, and no I did not do this.

-Until the Next Adventure, cutiee23


Links:
Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park
Tolovana State Park


Land's End Inn : Amazing place to stay~affordable, dog-friendly, ocean front
Puppy by the Sea: Friendly owners~ dog-friendly, great place to stock up on treats while on vacay


Yummy places for chowder:
Mo's Restaurant 
Driftwood Restaurant 
Ecola Seafoods: great place to buy fresh fish & prepared food to bring for a seaside picnic