QUARANTINE READS: PART 2

It’s been a hot minute since I review the books that I’ve read over the past couple of months! Most of the books came from my Book of the Month selections. BOTM is a monthly book subscription service where you can choose one (or more) book each month for $14.99. That’s amazing for a hard cover!

If you’re interested in joining, click here to sign up through my referral link ;)

ANXIOUS PEOPLE – FREDRIK BACKMAN

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I read this book as part of my work book club for the month of October.

Anxious People is about a bank robber who accidentally held a bunch of people hostage. Yes, accidentally. Because this is a silly bank robber who did not plan this through. I was a bit annoyed during the first half of the book because conversations between characters were quite silly. However, as I got to the second part of the book, I realized there was a reason behind all the silly conversations. The plot starts to get interesting as I flip through the pages, eager to unravel the robbery case.

This is easily one of my favorite books in 2020. My vocabulary is limited to express how I felt towards the end of the book as I reflected on the impact I have towards strangers (and vice versa). The saying “Everything happens for a reason” truly resonates with this story. I give this heartfelt book 4.5 stars because it has impacted me emotionally. I also thoroughly enjoyed Backman's witty writing style as I found myself laughing throughout the book. I recommend Anxious People to those who are looking for a fun and light read!

SLEEPING MURDER – AGATHA CHRISTIE

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If you know me, I am a HUGE fan of Agatha Christie and overall the murder mystery genre. I found Sleeping Murder on my roommate’s bookshelf and decided to spend an afternoon solving for a case that uncovers a crime that occurred over years ago.

Soon after the main character Gwenda moves into a new home, she encounters several odd flashbacks that she finds slightly frightening. With Miss Marple’s help, they work together to uncover the reason behind her sense of terror.

I give this book 3.5 stars because the book is not as challenging as Christie’s other classics because I figured out the culprit early on in the book. Rounding it up to 4 on Goodreads because after all, I am a die hard Agatha Christie fan.

THE VANISHING HALF – BRIT BENNETT

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I had high expectation going into The Vanishing Half and this book did not disappoint! This is a story about the identical Vignes twins, Desiree and Stella, who were separated from a young age. Years later, one sister returns to her southern hometown that consists of predominately Black people, and the other sister is living in a white neighborhood passing as White.

The story has a slow start but it is very intriguing. Brit does an excellent job in engaging readers in two individual journeys between the two sisters. I do, however, enjoy the middle part of the story more because I was invested in the twins’ completely different backgrounds–especially Stella’s story line.The ending kind of left me hanging because I was imagining a different scenario. Nonetheless, I give kudos to Brit for writing such a thought provoking yet poignant story that highlights colorism and sisterhood. 4.5 stars overall!

THE NIGHT SWIM – MEGAN GOLDIN

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I selected The Night Swim as part of my September BOTM selection because of the true crime + podcast element in the story. Also, did I mention I love a good thriller?

Rachel, a popular true crime podcast host whose goal is to set an innocent man free through her personal investigations, sets off to a small town of Neapolis to report a rape trial between a popular high school star and a girl. Strange things begin to happen when Rachel receives several anonymous letters from a girl who urges her to investigate her sister’s murder case that happened over a decade ago in the same town…

I give this book 4 stars because while I enjoyed the podcast element in the story, I found the ending (and the unravel of the case) a bit rushed. I felt that the author could spend more time crafting the ending with a more convincing plot. Overall, The Night Swim is a great read with a raw, powerful story highlighting the rape culture.

THE SILENT PATIENT – ALEX MICHAELIDES

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“The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.” – Goodreads

Alicia Berenson woke up one day and refused to talk to anyone after her husband’s death. Evidently, she was a prime suspect and was put into a mental institution. Came Theo, a psychotherapist whose goal is to make Alicia speak again.

This book is definitely a page turner, and I initially gave it 4 stars. However, after some pondering of the plot and greater details, I had to bump it down to 3 stars because there were plot holes that made the ending less convincing. Nonetheless, I was very surprised at the end and I recommend this book because this is one hell of a thriller.

WHAT WE CARRY: A MEMOIR – MAYA SHANBHAG LANG

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*I listened to the Audiobook narrated by Maya Shanbhag Lang, the author herself.

What We Carry was selected as part of my work book club for the month of August.

This is a memoir about Maya Shanbhag Lang’s relationship between her and her mother. Her story highlights topics such as motherhood, immigrants, and depression. I give this book a solid 4-stars as Maya’s story is deeply moving and thought provoking. Though I am not a mother, Maya’s heartfelt journey has made me think of my own relationship with my aging mother and how a mother sacrifices so much for her own children to ensure they have a stable life.

Did you read any of the books above? Leave a comment or DM me to discuss!

Hi, I’M MINA!

I am a San Francisco based photographer and lifestyle + travel blogger. Born and raised in Hong Kong, I’m proud to say I came from a diverse background. I speak fluent Cantonese! Follow my social media to see what I’ve been up to.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG!

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QUARANTINE READS: PART 1

Beginning of this year, I made an embarrassing goal of reading 5 books in 2020. Yes, 5 whole books. Ever since college, I just couldn’t find time to read for pleasure like I used to in high school. So, now that I have more time on my hands during quarantine, I set a goal of reading at least 5 books, which I did surpass. I since then increased the number on GoodReads (follow me!) to 10. I’m confident I can surpass the goal again. Baby steps! Below are my reviews on 6 of the books I’ve read so far:

aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe – benjamin alire saenz

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I believe it was during high school when I came across this book. I’ve always wanted to read it due to the numerous awards the book has received (clearly by the book cover) and I finally got to it! Aristole and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a coming-of-age novel about a young friendship between Aristotle (Ari) and Dante. Ari is an angry teenager who often bickers with his parents and struggles with his sense of self. One day, he meets Dante by a local pool they hit it off. Together, they explore their friendship and curiosity of the universe.

I give this a 4-star because I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations between Ari and Dante. It’s humorous, pure, and nostalgic. I loved reading how their friendship blossomed since the first day that they met. I don’t want to spoil too much here but the book also touches on LGBTQ. Overall, great and easy read!

UNTAMED – glennon doyle

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My college roommate Lea was kind enough to share this book with me after she finished it. She warned me this book did not live up to her expectations… and she wasn’t wrong. I did not enjoy this book and gave it a 2-star. Untamed, written by popular author Glennon Doyle, is her second memoir. The book is about Glennon and her motherhood while discovering her true identity. Because Glennon is a mother of 2 and the book surrounds her motherhood and relationships, I couldn’t find myself relate to her life. Thus, I lost interest half way in.

Though the words are very well written, I find the story a bit all over the place. There is no flow to her story, it felt like Glennon was spitting out random stories at once while constantly patting herself in the back for being a great mother. Don’t get me wrong, I applaud her for being excellent role model and I know the intention of the memoir is to inspire those who lack a sense of self identity. Unfortunately, I am just not her target market.

where the crawdad sings

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Set in a North Carolina coast in the 1960’s, Where the Crawdads Sing is a coming-of-age story of a young girl named Kya Clark who is often referred to as “Marsh Girl” by the snobby locals. At the young age of 6, Kya has been abandoned by her family members one by one so she has to find ways to survive. Parallel to the story of Kya’s life in the marsh, readers are introduced to a murder plot happened in the late 1960’s. Kya is suspected of murder... but how can someone so timid and kind murder a strong, grown man?

I give this a 4-star because this is different than books that I’ve read in the past. Normally, a plot that is set in the South wouldn’t appeal to me if it wasn’t for Reese’s Bookclub. However, Owens’ writing style is eloquent and beautiful. She vividly paints a picture of the marsh and the nature. I felt like I was Kya herself, frolicking through the marsh and the coast. I loved watching her blossoming into a strong, independent woman. I recommend this book to those who seeks a Southern love story with a splash of murder mystery.

THERE THERE – TOMMY ORANGE

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Set in modern day Oakland, California, There There depicts 12 different Urban Native Americans and how their everyday lives intertwine with each other’s at the end. The story touches on alcoholism, unemployment, depression, family and identity.

I had no idea what the plot was going into the book, however, it impacted me in a way that the story happens in Oakland, a city that is close by geographically yet foreign to me. I ended up learning much more about the history and culture of Native Americans. In just 304 pages, Orange was able to write 12 unique point of views and create a story that connects this cast together at the Big Powow event at the end. I appreciate Orange providing a character list in the beginning so I didn’t feel lost. The first half was slow yet entertaining while you learn about each character. Then the plot starts to pick up!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Native Americans community and the Bay Area in general.

THE GUEST LIST – LUCY FOLEY

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It wouldn’t be a book review without a murder mystery/thriller. The Guest List ,written by Lucy Foley, introduces an island wedding off the coast of Ireland. Will and Jules are about to get married but right off the bat, readers are told that someone has been murdered. This is a classic Whodunnit novel.

I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan, so I had high expectations going into the book. I give this a 4-star because it is solidly entertaining despite some slow moving parts in the first half due to character development. The end kept me on the edge of my bed. Safe to say I couldn’t guess who the murderer is until the end…. maybe I’m just not great at being detective. I suggest this book if you’re looking for your next murder mystery!

THE RIDE OF A LIFE TIME – ROBERT IGER

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*I listened to the Audiobook narrated by Bob Iger himself and Jim Frangione.

I personally love a good tech book and memoir–this book is the best of both worlds. In The Ride of a Lifetime, Bob Iger reflects on his 40+ years working in the tele-broadcast and entertainment industry until he would become the CEO of Disney. Bob’s story is inspiring. As one may say, he “started from the bottom” and worked his way up to ultimately become one of the most important figures in building a Disney empire. The book is broken down to 2 main parts: Bob’s ladder to success and Disney’s acquisitions such as Pixar, Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios.

I, along with millions of people in the world, grew up with Disney and Pixar films. It’s particularly interesting to see how several mergers in the 90’s transformed Disney into what it is today. I also enjoyed reading about the tech culture, Bob’s relationship with Steve Jobs, and the behind-the-scenes of each significant decision. I give this book a 5-star because of how impactful it is. I will certainly look at Disney and the entertainment industry differently from now on.

Did you read any of the books above? If so, leave a comment below and let’s discuss!

Hi, I’M MINA!

I am a San Francisco based photographer and lifestyle + travel blogger. Born and raised in Hong Kong, I’m proud to say I came from a diverse background. I speak fluent Cantonese! Follow my social media to see what I’ve been up to.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG!

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LET’S DISCUSS: FLEABAG

A few months ago on Twitter, I came across a clip of a TV scene where a woman masturbates to an Obama speech. After I cackled for a whole minute I found the name of the show–Fleabag, which was highly recommended in the comment section. Due to shelter-in-place, I finished the 2 seasons in an embarrassingly short amount of time.

Fleabag, to simply put, is a masterpiece. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a genius. You should watch it.

Fleabag is a British comedy-drama that explores the life of a depressed, witty, sarcastic, sexually active, frustrating (I could go on) woman who copes with the aftermath of a tragedy. The series is based off of Waller-Bridge’s one-woman play at the Edinburg Festival Fringe.

*SPOILER-FREE*

What makes this series unique is that Fleabag, the main character of the show, often breaks the fourth wall. By doing so, she is able to piece together some of the background of her life and provide the “audience” with her inner thoughts/monologue. Why the quotations around audience? I will explore that later in the spoiler section. The first season focuses on the relationship between Fleabag and her family, which mainly consists her estranged father, the love-hate older sister and despicable brother-in-law, and the on-and-off ex boyfriend and several men who she occasionally engages sexually. With only a few characters who have an actual name in the show, I find it easy to focus on the story line itself. I applaud Waller-Bridge for creating such a character that you sometimes find annoying from her immaturity yet empathize with her tragedy at the same time.

Fleabag is frustrating to root for at times because she thrives on making bad decisions. She is sad. Very sad. But seizes every opportunity she has to make witty comments that others find disrespectful. It also doesn’t help she has to deal with her manipulative godmother/stepmother. God, I hated her. Gotta give Olivia Coleman credits though, her performance was very convincing.

The humor in the show is everything. It’s quick and simple. It hits the spot where the scene needs it. When things get tense, the witty humor brings the mood back. Waller-Bridge captures all the raw emotions in just the first 6 episodes of Season 1. She is a spectacular play-wright. Did I mention her acting is impeccable as well? This woman does it all.

Sian Clifford, who plays Clare, is just as outstanding. She portrays someone who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. I found her character really likable despite the “I’m too good to be talking to my up-to-no-good younger sister” attitude. I liked the dynamic she has with Fleabag. Fleabag will always be there for her when Clare needs her the most. Clare just needs to find herself again.

Come Season 2, Andrew Scott joins the cast as “The Priest”. This season focuses on the 1:1 relationship between Fleabag and The Priest and the topic of faith. It’s a love story that leaves your heart warm but also broken. The dynamic between Scott and Waller-Bridge sparks a new emotion that Fleabag has never felt before. It made me happy. I think all of us watching the show are rooting for Fleabag to be happy again.

*SPOILER* aka all my random thoughts

The plot twist at the end of Season 1 is something I never saw coming. I knew Fleabag tends to make a lot of bad decisions in life but never would I thought she is the reason her best friend committed suicide. But because of this information, I empathized with her even more. All the mishaps she has caused made sense. It’s no surprised this is how a depressed person act after the fact.

From what I read regarding Fleabag’s “audience”: Was it us or was it Boo? That I couldn’t tell. Part of me thought she just wanted a friend to talk to after Boo’s death; however, could it be her talking to Boo because she misses her late friend? Guess that will be kept a mystery.

Now let’s talk about the Priest and the fourth wall!!! In my opinion, one of the most hilarious parts of the show is when the Priest breaks her fourth walls. He shows that he is the one who truly cares deeply about her and sees through Fleabag’s inner thoughts.

The ending left me feeling empty. It happens to all the shows when they end but this one is different in a sense that I felt like I needed the closure as well. My heart ached when they parted ways. Nonetheless, I am happy for Fleabag. She found happiness, though it was short-lived. I am confident she will find the right person again… hopefully not another attractive Priest.

Did you also watch the show? What are your thoughts? Comment below or send me a message on Instagram and let’s talk about it :)

Questions you may have:

Where can I watch it? Amazon Prime.

How many episodes are there? 12 total.

How long is each episode? ~25 mins.

Should I watch this? Yes. You have nothing better to do.

FIRST TIME AT YOSEMITE

Recently I took a road-trip to Yosemite for the first time with a group of California-based photographers. The original intent of the trip was for the phenomenal Firefall. This phenomenon, in short, is when “burning hot embers were spilled from the top of Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park to the valley 3,000 feet below. From a distance it appeared as a glowing waterfall. ” (source: Wikipedia). However, 2 weeks prior to the trip we learned that Firefall would not happen due to the lack of water this year. Nonetheless, we visited Yosemite with the mindset of having a good bonding time.

When I arrived in Mariposa for the Airbnb, it was already 10pm on a Friday night. Our group decided to capture the sunrise together so my anticipation of driving into Yosemite at the crack of dawn was high. Though waking up at 4am was rough, we gathered everyone and headed off to Tunnel View, just in time to see the sunrise. At Tunnel View, I saw El Capital and Half Dome for the first time. It was a surreal moment as I’ve only seen pictures of them from an Apple Macbook. That morning was rainy and gloomy. Though we did not see much of a sunrise “burn”, we spent merely 3 hours “modeling” for each other and captured a group photo to document our trip.

photo credits: Nick @relativebrand

Next, we went to a spot near Cathedral Beach to view the Three Brothers. It was then the sun came out from the clouds and shined through Yosemite. I was very much in awe with the scenic views: bright blue sky, calming water and the glowing Three Brothers.

Weather was one hell of a rollercoaster on Saturday. Soon after the Three Brothers, it started to downpour again. We stayed dry in the car for a few hours mid afternoon until it stopped. Our last stop, and my personal highlight of the day, was surprisingly on a random road. What was meant for just a “regroup” spot for us turned out to be a fun bonding time, taking turn taking photos in the middle of the street while trying not to get run over by vehicles. We ended the day at Valley View. The views were quite grey and dull until a rainbow suddenly appeared. By default, every photographer whipped out their cameras to capture it before it was gone. Sunset was beautiful soon after; sky was filled with orange and pink hues. We ended the night by making some homemade Pho (thanks to Chrystal), celebrating Young Min’s birthday and having a face mask party. It was the most wholesome way to end the night.

Everyone slept in the next morning as expected. We packed our bags, cleaned up the Airbnb and headed off the Yosemite one last time. I thought I was in semi good shape but the hike (more like a rock climb) up to “The Couch” told me otherwise. Boy, was I out of breath. We were greeted by the most amazing view, overlooking the National Park. After we soaked in the views, we parted ways and headed home.

photo credits: Nathan @nathan.tung

Saying yes to new adventures has always led me to the most amazing time. Keep in mind I’ve only met most of the people on this trip ~2 months ago in the Bay. Big thanks to Grace for introducing me to the group! I learned a lot from each of them in just a span of two days. These are some of the most inspiring creators, whether it be wedding photographers, event photographers or film-makers, they are extremely passionate. Thank you for making my first time there so memorable. I’m itching to go back in a few months for the dreamy Autumn leaves.

Till next time, Yosemite. 

photo credits: Makito @makeetz (www.makitoumekita.com)

A SAN FRANCISCO BRUNCH GUIDE

As a brunch enthusiast, I was excited to experience the brunch scene in San Francisco before I moved from Philly. In the year and a half that I’ve lived in SF, I accumulated some must-go brunch spots to share with the community. Check them out!

KITCHEN STORY

Location: 3499 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

One of the most popular brunch spots in SF, Kitchen Story wins by offering unique and colorful brunch selections. Most of the dishes come with the choice of potatoes medley or fruit on the side. Kitchen Story is known for its Millionaire’s Bacon–a thick cut of bacon covered with sugar, cayenne and other spices before it is slow baked at low temperature for many hours. It’s the best kind of bacon.

Tip: They do not take weekend brunch reservations so go early to stay in line!

SWEET MAPLE

Location: 2101 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Sweet Maple is a sister restaurant of Kitchen Story. They are operated by the same owner, hence they both serve the Millionaire’s Bacon. “The taste is succulent, sweet and spicy with many different spices going in. It’s very complex,” said Hoyul Steven Choi, co-owner of Sweet Maple and several other restaurants that serve the dish across the Bay Area. (Source: SFGATE)

Tip: This place does not take reservation so go early to stay in line! Opt for outdoor seating for shorter lines.

surisan

Location: 505 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Surisan is a modern Korean-American fusion restaurant also owned by Steven Choi, hence the Millionaire’s Bacon is also offered in some of the dishes. Their menu is extensive–typical American brunch with some Korean brunch options. Brunch/Breakfast food is served till 3pm on weekends. As for drinks, they offer bottomless mimosas, which are capped at 90 minutes. They also serve coffee and matcha.

Tip: Skip the long wait, reserve your table on Yelp!

Cracked & Battered

Location: 1434 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Cracked & Battered is a "neighborhood restaurant" located in Potrero Hill specializing in fried chicken & waffles. I often opt for the Breakfast Waffle Plate; it consists of waffle, fried chicken, eggs and potatoes… everything that you look for in a breakfast dish. They also offer mimosas for $6 per glass, a rare find in SF.

What I like most about this place is the service. Servers and the owner are extremely friendly and make sure you are enjoying your meal.

Tip: Join their wait list through Yelp before you head to the restaurant.

PLOW

Location: 1299 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Known for their delicious Honey Biscuit, Plow is a farm-to-table American comfort food restaurant that attracts long lines on the weekends. I usually get “The Plow” whenever I visit. The dish has 2 mini lemon ricotta pancakes, eggs and meat of your choice along with crispy potatoes. If you are with a group, the Honey Biscuit is great for splitting.

Tip: 10am-11am is a good time to put your name down as the restaurant gets extra crowded around noon.

LAPISARA EATERY

Location: 698 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Another brunch place that serves delicious chicken & waffles! Lapisara Eatery is a chic restaurant that serves American classics plus a few Thai dinner dishes. Highly recommend any dish with fried chicken–they have the chicken right! The drink menu is also plentiful, serving alcoholic drinks and coffee such as Thai tea lattes and bottomless mimosas for $20.

Tip: They do not take reservations but lines go fast.

MYMY

Location: 1500 California St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Last but not least, Mymy is one of the first brunch spots I tried when I first moved to SF. Mymy serves classic American brunch. Their potatoes are on the crispier side which I love! One of the most popular drinks there is the fresh squeeze orange juice. It’s naturally sweet and you can most definitely taste the freshness of the juice. You’ve gotta get a glass when you go!

Tip: If the weather is nice, ask to be seated outside so your wait time is shorter.

MY 2019 RECAP

If there was a theme to my 2019, it would be “#DoingThings”—the motto of one of my favorite brands, Outdoor Voices. #DoingThings to them means “moving your body and having fun with friends” and my 2019 was the epitome of that. This year was filled with weekend getaways. I was on the plane for quite a few times traveling across the country. Ever since moving to the West Coast I have had the opportunities to travel to nearby states, creating memories and #DoingThings with friends. Here are some highlights from a fulfilling year:

SPOTIFY WRAPPED

What’s a recap without posting my Spotify Wrapped of 2019? My Top Artist of 2019 is ODESZA and Artist of the Decade is The 1975. *pretends to be shocked*

LOS ANGELES

My coworker Anna and I took a week off to travel to LA. It was my first time in SoCal! Despite the unfortunate rain the whole time we were there, I had a great time checking out some iconic LA touristy spots and catching up with 2 of my college friends.

SANTA CRUZ

In April, I visited Santa Cruz for the first time for a weekend getaway. I soaked up some California sun while witnessing one of the most mesmerizing sunsets. This is now my go-to weekend getaway town.

I turned 23!

To celebrate my Jordan Year, I took a weekend road trip down to Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur with two of my closest friends Julia and Joe. If only words could describe how magnificent the Pacific Ocean is… The feeling driving along the curvy mountains with windows down and our favorite tracks blasting from the radio along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) is indescribable. Shout out to my lovely coworkers who decorated my desk inspired by The Office, you know me too well.

Sf trolley party

My lovely friend/coworker Rishika hosted her birthday bash on a trolley back in June! I’ve always wanted to do this while I still live in SF. All of us were singing our hearts out along the Golden Gate Bridge during sunset. It was a day to remember.

LAKE TAHOE

I took a weekend trip to Lake Tahoe back in January, however I did not partake in skiing or outdoor sports. This time around it was summer. Joe and I, along with 2 others, drove up to Lake Tahoe to celebrate July 4. I lived up to the #DoingThings motto: moving your body and having fun with friends. The photos below speak for themselves.

SOLO TRIP TO SEATTLE

See https://www.minakwong.com/blog/solo-in-seattle.

ODESZA

To be honest, I was not particularly a huge fan of EDM music in college. Yes, I listened to EDM here and there but I didn’t pay much attention to the scene. Though ever since moving to the Bay Area, I’ve grown to love ODESZA and many other EDM artists. ODESZA’s music gives me euphoric and magical feelings–always putting me in a happy mood. Seeing their act live in LA back in July was without a doubt one of the highs of this year.

PHOENIX

Second time around in Arizona to visit my dear friends Marlon and Alnay! August in Phoenix was unbelievably HOT. But we were out and about #DoingThings in places such as Slide Rock State Park, Superstition Mountains and Old Town. Can’t wait to be back already!

VISTA LAS VEGAS

Celebrated my friend Katie’s 23rd birthday in Vegas! It was my first time in LV and boy did I have a great time. It was a cherry on top when my triplet best friends were also in town. Checked Kygo off my bucket list!

MUSIC FESTIVALS

Happy to check off Outside Lands and Austin City Limits from my festival checklist. I saw the god himself Hozier and Childish Gambino at OSL. In September I flew out to Austin to visit my best friend Julia and also to attend ACL. We somehow got backstage access to see Fisher’s set! We also saw LIZZO, Mumford and Sons and other amazing acts. I was freezing cold during OSL but dripping sweat at ACL. Weather is weird.

GETTING FEATURED ON IG

As an aspiring photographer, being recognized and featured from well-known Instagram accounts means a lot to me as it grows my confidence. Below are some posts that I have been featured in 2019. Many thanks to them!

I RAN A 5K!

Running a 5k may not seem much to some people but it was a huge accomplishment for me. I signed up one day on a whim and did not regret one bit. That was the most I’ve ran consistently. Running a little over 3 miles wasn’t too bad when the Golden Gate Bridge was my view! Shout out to Josh for waking up with me at the crack of dawn just to support me :) My goal is to attempt a 10k next year.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

Josh and I drove down to the Monterey area for a mini Holiday getaway. We lucked out with the weather, as it was absolutely beautiful along Pacific Coast Highway. The first day we visited Pebble Beach to see the 18th hole, saw a lot of cute pups and did the 17 mile drive. The second day we saw some adorable sea otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and hiked Point Lobos. The last day we enjoyed a fancy lunch at La Bicyclette. A great way to end the year :)

In retrospect, 2019 was good to me. I’ve grown a lot personally. I’ve traveled to states that I never imagined I would visit. I’ve built stronger relationships with friends who I care deeply about. And lastly, I’ve met someone special who I look forward to creating new memories with. Here’s to hoping 2020 to be just as great as this year by #Doing(more)Things.

MY 2018 RECAP

WHAT. A. YEAR.

2018 has been a rollercoaster for me personally. I hit so many milestones and created more wonderful memories around the world. Let’s begin.

January

As I was frantically looking for jobs I was reached out by a recruiter from Adobe! What a great way to start the year because this came unexpectedly. And this changed the rest of my 2018.

February

WE ARE SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS! It has almost been a year and I am still so proud of my city. Yes, I knew little about sports, but you can’t deny the fact that it was one of the best moments for those who went to school in the Philadelphia area. Seriously, what a time to be alive. #PHILLYPHILLY

March

A huge milestone of my life as I was hired by Adobe! Somehow I finessed my way through all the interviews and got offered the job on the spot. Ok, just kidding, I worked hard for this opportunity. And after that it’s safe to say I was mentally checked out of school…

Another milestone for my passion of photography also happened in March. I was reached out by Old City Jewish Art Center to showcase some of my works in Bala Cynwyd. I lived my Pam Beasley moment, just slightly better ;)

April

Third time in New Orleans. Definitely bittersweet as it was my last year to attend AMA’s conference. As usual I had the best time of my life with my fellow members.

I also turned 22 with all my closest friends whom surprised me at our pregame. It was one of the happiest nights of my life; I am so grateful to have so many kind-hearted friends who care about my well being. I love y’all.

May

I graduated college! Temple University has given me everything. A diploma, a beautiful city and most importantly my wonderful friends. It was also a bittersweet moment as I realized we would all be separated soon due to new jobs.

After graduation my best travel pal Conor and I took a trip to Austin, TX following our tradition. We met the nicest people and ate a lot of delicious food. Definitely a great way to celebrate my achievements and our friendship.

June

My mom and I spent 20 days in Asia including Hong Kong, ShenZhen and Taipei. If you know me, I always try to squeeze some of my time to visit my relatives and old friends in Hong Kong. This year was no different. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Asia trip without stuffing myself with amazing food.

July

Easily the hardest month of the year as I packed up my bags and moved cross country. Saying goodbyes to my friends SUCKED. But helllloooo San Francisco!

August

I started my first big girl job at Adobe. I am so lucky to have my coworkers as some of my good friends in San Francisco. They made my transition here so much easier. To sum up August, it was a one big happy hour. Seriously, Adobe knows how to throw parties.

September

There wasn’t much going on this month except I joined Barry’s Bootcamp (which I’m addicted to), became a Team Member at Corepower Yoga (where I got Team Member of the Month… lol) and went to my first wine tasting in Sonoma. Solid month.

October

I got my second tattoo! I kind of made a decision on a whim a few weeks before I went in but it’s definitely worth it. I am so in love with the art on my body. Huge shout out to Anita Rossi for this piece of art that reminds me to go travel more while I can. Sorry mom…

November

With all the California fire that was happening I decided to buy a last minute ticket to visit my friend Marlon in Phoenix. Best decision ever. In 2 days I got to spend time with him while crossing The Grand Canyon off our bucket list! What a weird thing to say but I love nature, and rocks.

December

Ah, the holiday season. This year I spent Christmas in Jamaica with my best friend from home. It was a much needed vacation. Soon after I was home with all my friends and spent NYE in Brooklyn. Last year I spent NYE on a plane while missing out on all the festivities. So it’s safe to say this year made up for it.

This year was filled with ups and downs but overall 2018 has treated me well.

Welp, if you read this far, might as well read my goals for this year.

2019 Personal Goals:

1. Read more than 5 books

2. Go out and shoot more photos

3. Consider selling my prints

4. Gain more exposure on IG

5. Exercise/Eat cleaner

6. Learn more Photoshop/Lightroom skills

7. Make more friends in the photography community in SF

8. Spend less money/Save for traveling

9. Let things be

10. Give less shit about what others think

Some of them are probably unrealistic (like I love food too much) but I will try my best to stick to them. Here’s to a better year!

ADULTING?

“Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.” — Mary Schmich 

This quote came from an odd yet nostalgic music video “Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen” my friend Erica suggested me to watch. It derived from Mary Schmich’s book Wear Sunscreen: A Primer for Real Life. Though I only lived in New York briefly for a year and a half after I immigrated from Hong Kong, I could easily differentiate the lifestyle between “The City that Never Sleeps” and Northern California. And yes, California does have the ability to make you soft. 

Here’s what I learned in 3 months post-grad, the two things that almost everyone has in common in San Francisco are tech and yoga. Oh, and no one says “San Fran” here, please say SF when you come visit.

3 months into “adulting” made me feel like I’ve been working in San Francisco for 2 years instead of 2 months. I work 8am-5pm; my daily routine is wake up, work, go to Barry’s/Corepower Yoga to workout, occasionally attend happy hours, go home, make dinner, sleep and repeat. On the weekends I do a variety of things depending on what my friends are up to. And by friends I mean my coworkers because we see each other basically 24/7. 

Frankly, before moving here, I never had to worry about making more connections in a new city, paying rents, dealing with health care, 401K and stocks (I still don’t know how any of this works). I seldom call my mother because there are days where I am confused about everything and I only want to talk to her when I have my sh*t together. (Sorry mom, I’ll work on that.) There are also days where I feel homesick. The hardest part that I am still coping with is not having your closest friends right down the block from you—to share how your day went or someone to talk to when you feel low. However, I am confident that my personality will eventually allow me to overcome this feeling when I make more connections in the city. 

To keep myself busy, I’ve discovered some places in SF that I like to visit on the weekends. First, Philz Coffee. Philz is my go-to coffee shop and undoubtedly the place I frequent the most. Nothing beats an Iced Mint Mojito and a breakfast burrito on a Sunday morning while hungover (unfortunately I frequent this place the most after a night of having too much fun).

Second, Presidio of San Francisco. For $5, I can take an Uber to see the most breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean alongside the Golden Gate Bridge. This is one of the moments where I think, “Wow, I’ve made it. I’m here.”

Lastly, Mission Dolores Park. This is the closest thing I have to “summer” where I can wear a dress or shorts and keep my summer tan. Hundreds of kids and adults spend time at the park on the weekends. You can find some great tunes, great weather and great alcoholic drinks offered to you by sellers who take Venmo. It’s a place where time doesn’t seem to exist until dusk hits to tell you it’s time to head home. 

To all my closest friends that have helped me when I don’t feel my best or am having a rough week, I am so grateful to have you in my life. You make it easy when I am still adjusting to the city.

Quite frankly, there isn’t much purpose to this blog post except for me to show you what I’ve been up to in Northern California. I am starting to love this city and its people. I don’t know what my future holds just yet but I know it’s time to grab my camera and do some more exploring. It’s rather difficult when you have a full-time job but photography is forever my passion. And who knows? Maybe I will finally figure out how stocks work along the way. 

THE ONE WHERE I MOVED CROSS COUNTRY

Half a year ago I was binge watching “Silicon Valley” from an unreliable website because I have always been interested in working in tech one day. Little did I know I would actually make it after college. 

Moving across the country, to San Francisco specifically, wasn’t easy. Was I nervous? A little. Was I excited? Absolutely yes.

Almost 1 month has passed and I still have the same excitement as I did the day I got on the plane. Though social media posts may tell you that I am having the best time of my life, there are times I feel lost and lonely. Being in a completely foreign city and knowing just a few acquaintances can be scary, but thankfully the pace of life here picked up after I met my roommates, coworkers and a few awesome people I am happy to call friends. I can’t express how lucky I am to have landed a perfect job, met the sweetest roommates all while living in one of the most beautiful cities. 

Currently I am living in the Mission District. It’s perfect for me because everything is close by—bars, shops, restaurants and coffee shops etc. For the past few weeks I’ve been trying to explore different districts while working full time. I work with a team of 7 where all of them are fun, intelligent and dedicated. I am incredibly lucky to be part of the Adobe family.

I visited one of the most beautiful places in San Francisco called Lands End the past weekend. Staring at the magnificent Pacific Ocean makes me realize how fortunate I am to be able to pursue the things I want to do in life. 

I am writing this post so you can understand how it feels to be away from all your closest friends and family back home. That was the hardest part. For 4 years I have lived and breathed in Philadelphia. That was, and still is, a place I call home. I am not afraid of change but leaving my fondest memories at a place I love wasn't easy. Being in a city that you don’t know East or West is frightening sometimes, but I am here for a reason and I am excited to have this chance to explore a new city. 

A close friend once told me, “Be honest and fearless, always be smart and strong. I know you are capable of amazing things, never sell yourself short.” I still live by this everyday. With this, I encourage anyone who is reading this to take a chance sometimes. Another close friend of mine is moving to Phoenix from Philly and I admire his courage to just go without knowing the next steps. You may never know until you try. And to the City of Brotherly Love, I shall be back very soon. 

THINGS I DID AS A 21-YEAR-OLD

With two more months until I celebrate my not-so-exciting 22nd birthday, I thought it's time to do a reflection on what I did as a 21-year-old. Here are 25 highlights: 

1. Celebrated my 21st at a rooftop bar in NYC.

Yeah, I was boujee AF. 

2. Became one of the Directors of AMA for the second time.

3. Went to my first ever Firefly Music Festival FOR FREE! (also didn't shower for 3 days.)

4. Went to the Lantern Festival for the first time. (one of the best nights of my life.)

5. Made my first travel vlog after I visited Hong Kong.

6. Got my first tattoo! Shh... please don't tell my mom. 

7. Traveled to Washington D.C. for the first time with my best friend Conor. 

8. Spent too much money at SIPS in the summer...

9. Worked at [ 2 one 5 ] Creative as a Marketing Intern. 

10. Found a new internship at Sidecar Interactive. 

11. Watched my brother graduate high school. 

12. Became a College Fashionista!

13. Went to Mad Decent for the first time.

14. Completely chopped off my hair. (one of the best decisions I've ever made.)

15. Went to Made in America for the 4th time. 

16. Had the time of my life in Atlantic City with my closest friends.

17. Visited the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time.

18. Finally dressed as a Harry Potter character for Halloween.

19. Went to my first Temple basketball game.. as a Senior...

20. Improved my photography/editing skills A LOT.

21. Visited the Golden Gate bridge for the first time. 

22. Had In-N-Out for the first time.

23. Won AMA's Beer Olympics with my buddy Nick! (the next morning was not fun.)

24. Attended the Philadelphia Women's March for the first time.

25. Witnessed the Eagle's winning the first Super Bowl & joined the riots/parade.

Many great first times being 21. Of course, there were also too many embarrassing moments that I'm not going to include. Although checking my bank account was horrifying when all my friends slowly turned 21, I did enjoy getting together with them and having the best nights of our lives. As a 21-year-old, I am excited to see where my future holds as everything is about to change after I graduate college very soon. Here's to more adventures!

DESTINATION UNKNOWN

Welcome to my site! 

so... What is this?

This blog is a personal space for me to share my interest in art, style/fashion, food, and traveling. 

Who am I?

You probably don't want to read a 1000-word background story of me, so here's a short version:

Born and raised in Hong Kong → Moved to NYC with my family when I was 11 → Moved to Bucks County, PA → High school was a blur →Marketing student now at Temple University 

(Yes, I am bilingual. If that makes me cool.) Definitely will write a blog post about my background in the near future.

You can also direct yourself to "About Me" for other info. 

The Creation of This Blog

I got really into blogging when I was around 10. To be honest, I probably still have 3-4 abandoned blogs floating around the Internet. Though I love blogging, I always have more fun designing the layout than actually creating blog content. And I want to change that.

As a Marketing student, I've realized the importance of personal branding. How can you sell your products and/or services if you can't even market yourself? I also have a lot of stories to tell and I want to share with my friends where I go to eat + explore. 

Why "Destination Unknown"?

As a 21-year-old college student, I receive so many questions about what am I going to do in 5 years, where I'm living in a year, and what I want to do with my Marketing degree, etc. And to answer those questions: I simply don't know. I believe it's too young for me to figure everything out just yet. My destination is currently unknown but I know for sure it will be a fun ride.  

So, here I am, promising myself that this isn't going to be yet another abandoned blog in the future. I love Philadelphia too much that I want to have a place for me to share my explorations.

Thank you for reading this far. Follow me on all social media (@mina.kwong)! #ShamlessPlug