It’s Christmas everywhere! Can I go home please??

Spontaneous drive to Santa Cruz Boardwalk

‘

The theme park is right by the beach.

I can’t imagine how people can swim in the beach. It’s freeeezzzinggg!

:)

November is around the corner and people in the States seem to take Halloween seriously.  To cooperate with the Halloween spirit, we attended our friend John’s pumpkin carving dinner. Since I have never carved a pumpkin in my life, I was so excited. Let me take you through the steps of carving a pumpkin. (Yes, I am an expert now)

Step 1

Go and get yourself a nice, round, orangey pumpkin.

Step 2

Take the lid off. 

Step 3

Carve out the insides. Remember to save the flesh for pumpkin soup or pinakbet.

Step 4

Carve out your design. Be creative.

How cute is my pumpkin?? Nagulat siya e ang galing ko daw magcarve :)

Here are some of our friends’ designs:

Spider - Difficulty level ****

Ghost - Difficulty level ***

Jack o lantern - Difficulty level **

Owl - Difficulty level **

Mine - Difficulty level **************** (sa akin ang pinaka mahirap gawin)

Happy halloween!!

“Napa Valley is one of the premier travel destinations in the world. Breathtaking views abound at every turn – mustard in the late winter, picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyards year-round and wineries of every stature dot the landscape.”

Last Sunday, my friends and I drove to Napa Valley to experience some culture. Napa is known for its breathtaking vineyards and exceptional wine. 

The scenery on the way to Napa was magnificent

These grapes will be ready for picking soon

We decided to stop over at the V. Sattui Winery for a picnic lunch

Wine aging old barrels

Ofcourse to complete the wine tasting experience, there’s cheese. Lots of it.

Nina and Pauline

Eat, Drink and Be merry everyone!

Over the weekend, Gem and I went on a trip to Reno. Our trip was so timely because we experienced the first snow of the year. We don’t have snow in California so the trip to Reno was soo worth it! It was my first time to see snow so imagine how ecstatic I was when I saw the cold white stuff . YEYYYYY! Wala na nga ako talaga sa Pilipinas hahhaa

Sorry model kasi ako e hahahha

Being away from the Philippines made me learn so much. I was forced to do things that I wasn’t used to doing like cooking, laundry, cleaning the house etc. Everyone can do all these things, but with the comfort of having a household help at home, these skills just go unnoticed or deemed unnecessary. 

Life in the States changed everything for me. I had to do everything on my own (well, Gem helps me). The first month was a breeze. Cooking, washing and cleaning wasn’t a problem for me. But then our first road block came. 

Our toilet got clogged. Oh owwww. This isn’t a typical dilemma that all gals go through especially in Manila. Trabaho to ng lalake e!  I knew that the solution involved a plunger, but I never had experience with one. I did saw some people do it before so Gem and I made a few tries. 10 minutes passed - no avail.  I remained calm and didn’t panic. I turned on my laptop and went to youtube. I typed: “How to unclog a toilet?”  My first video failed. Then I tried this: 

 Then it flushed!!!!!- amazzzzinnnggggg.

Then another thing happened today. (This convinced me to write this article)

We were about to cook lunch when Gem couldn’t open a stubborn pasta sauce jar. It took us about 15 mins trying.  

Gem: Kapag umiyak ba ako bubukas tong bote?”                                       Apple: Ummm, Hindi siguro. Check ko na nga lang sa youtube!

Then I came across this video:

                             And it did work!!! 

I am swearing by youtube how to videos from now on. Bow.

Last Sunday, our friend John invited us to watch a concert at the Golden gate park. The artists playing were Michelle Branch and Goo Goo Dolls. Too bad we were late and missed Michelle Branch!

I want this red bike! (basket nalang kulang)

After the concert, we went window shopping around the city.

Look what John has on. Aren’t those shoes adorable?

I hope everyone is safe back home after the typhoon. 

Yesterday, I was craving for McDonald’s cheeseburger but there was none near our place so Gem took me to this famous fastfood chain named IN-N-OUT instead. The menu was mostly burgers and fries. Hindi ka daw “American” kung hindi mo pa natry ang IN-N-OUT. (Ayaw lang kasi ako ipagdrive ni Gem sa Mcdo e!) 

So for meryenda this is what we ordered.

So as punishment for my pigging out, Gem forced me to go biking with her. Her idea of biking is not the regular “strolling by the park” biking. It was hardcore bike trekking up a mountain!! Oi Gem parang last 2 weeks pa lang ata ako natuto magbike diba?

I never thought I would ever bike up a hill in my lifetime! 

Perfect timing just before sundown. The view up the hill was spectacular. 

Pag-uwi ko daw tri-athlete nako! Yan daw ang goal ni Gem. I’m doomed. 

Last Saturday, our friends came down from Reno and invited us to the “Eat Real” festival in Jack London Square, Oakland. According to the event website, Eat Real combines a state fair, a street-food festival, and a block party to create a celebration of good food. At the Eat Real festival, participants learn where food comes from, who grows and makes it, and how they make it.  

When we arrived, the place was already teeming with people. Food stalls and trucks were set up everywhere. There was so much food to choose from. You can get tacos, to clam chowder and even Filipino food like sisig and pancit. It’s one big party!

(Galit sakin si Ate hahahha)

Filipino food!

Very long line. Gustong gusto nila ng sisig!

This is what we got! bulgogi tacos and kimchi

With our friend Lady!

We had korean food for dinner again! Just look at the appetizers. Appetizer palang busog kana e.

I’ll end the post with a nightscape of California. Goodnight!