Family Photo taken by George; maaaddd love for this woman.

Happy belated Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful mothers out there! Vinny & I drove back home this past weekend to commemorate Mother’s Day with our family, returning to LA late Sunday evening with tons of food. We had initially agreed to make a card for our mom, but realized that the woman really only spends her money on three things: food, her family, & jewelry. Realistically, she’d probably throw the card away within a month & everything else such as flowers, chocolate, cake, & other presents are deemed as a “waste of money.” Why jewelry doesn’t fall under that category, I’ll never really know. We try not to question her logic since she’s satisfied with the two of us helping her in the kitchen & would scowl at any purchases we made for her, provided that she has a coupon exempting her from paying the full price we would’ve paid.

Vinny grilling steaks.

Dead herbal terrariums.

Speaking of practical/sentimental gifts, some time ago, I made my mom herbal terrariums. Before departing for her 3 week vacation to New Zealand, Australia, & Tahiti, she placed the terrariums outside to ensure their survival. She never brought them back inside & they shriveled & died. RIP herbal terrariums. We were so close to being able to harvest you.

Mother’s Day Feast.

So my mother doesn’t have a green thumb, but she’s still one of the most amazing women I know & she cracks me up all the time. There are far too many appreciative comments, apologies, & thanks we owe her for everything she’s sacrificed for us, but it’s not really worth expressing via some social media she has no idea how to function or care about. Instead, Vinny & helped her put together dinner for our family. Vinny grilled & sautéed, while I made mashed potatoes & seafood chowder.

Food!

Digressing from this past Sunday & jumping back two weeks, Josh & I went to Abalone Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes, where we subsequently were maliciously attacked by fleas/flies/random insects. I’m only half-kidding; definitely a hyperbole. The scenic views & company were worth the exposure to swarms of flies.

Abalone Cove

Abalone Cove

Josh

Abalone Cove

“I’m the master of skipping rocks,” he said.

FYI, those rocks did not skip,…well, at least no more than twice. More pictures & recipes to follow soon-ish.

New Albums

• Abalone Cove
• Mother’s Day

Timothy contemplating the menu

Last quarter in chemistry lab, one of my lab partners, Tim, discovered I had a photojournal & asked me how one gets featured on said photojournal to which I replied, “you just have to hang out with me.” Disgruntled by the thought of hanging out with me & naturally curious, he proceeded to ask me an array of personal questions that caught me off guard:

“So, what do you look for in a guy?”
“When do you want to get married?”
“Whom do you like?”
“How many kids do you want to have?”

At the time, I avoided answering the questions in detail & replied, “a lot; I don’t know; don’t worry about it; 2,” respectively. Realistically, I should’ve said, “a personality that complements mine; when the time is right; Ryan Gosling; 2,” respectively, to avoid further prying, but my inadequate answers led to more questions. The personal inquiries were a little annoying at first, but since Timothy is the comedian/class clown of our lab, it became more entertaining than irritating.

Bryan judging Tim’s table manners

When Bryan & Tim were over at my apartment to work on our soil lab project, I had ordered delivery sushi because I was hungry. Given the stressful & sleepy environment caused by the guys working so diligently on the project until 5 in the morning, we agreed to reunite after the quarter was over to have a real “sushi party.”

Volcano Roll

It would seem that Timothy ended up being featured on my photojournal after all. I picked up Bryan, Tim, & Vinny to go to Sushi Stop on Sawtelle to have that much anticipated “sushi party” without the pressure of turning in a lab report worth at least 20% of our grade. As I was returning the guys back home, right when I was about to turn onto Santa Monica, Tim inquired about my personal life once again. The question caught me by surprise that I ended up hitting the curb of the corner of Santa Monica & Sawtelle. After spending twice a week for 10 weeks in lab with Tim, I should’ve expected the dating questions.

So, Tim. It wasn’t so bad hanging out with me, right? He seemed to enjoy himself despite my presence.

I have my first round of midterms on Monday, Friday, & the week after so I probably shouldn’t be posting. After midterms are over, I’ll be sure to add the recipe of mango sorbet I made today, which has alcohol in it. SURPRISE!

Latest Shenanigans

• Sushi Stop
• Coco

Chai Latte from Makai

The late UCLA basketball Coach & legend John Wooden once said to, “make everyday your masterpiece,” & if I could pick one day out of my Spring Break that I’d call my masterpiece, it’d probably be Saturday. I awoke early enough to get dressed, grab some poke for Kevin & myself, drove to Long Beach to meet up my friends Kristin & Tempest, had amazing dinner with Vy in Newport Beach, & then drove us to Hollywood to go to PURE nightclub.

Kristin & Tempest

My overall Spring Break was very relaxed, so Saturday was not only eventful from 12 PM until 3 AM Sunday, it was really enjoyable because I got to spend time with my favorite people. Can’t complain about meeting new people, new experiences, amazing food, & good company!

Omakase from Kitayama

Now it’s back to the grind with a new quarter in session & just 11 weeks until I graduate. It’s a bit surreal, but I’m really looking forward to proving to myself that I deserve to graduate from such a prestigious university with a Bachelors of Science. To a new quarter & a new chapter! This time around, …I’ll be doing the ass-kicking, not the finals.

New Albums

• Makai
• Kitayama

Breakfast: Cereal, Mango Passion fruit juice, scrambled eggs, arugula, & crimini mushrooms

Realistically, I shouldn’t be eating this much food in the morning. It really should just be one or the other, however it is Spring Break, therefore TREAT YOSELF. This is how obesity starts, by the way. Just thought everyone should know. Real talk though, Trader Joe’s sells some fantastic cereal. These Strawberry Yogurt O’s are probably my new favorite cereal. The random chunks of yogurt clusters scattered throughout every 3rd or 4th bite makes your breakfast just a wee bit more exciting. The juice is two notches beneath pouring sugar down your throat, so I’d recommend watering that down. Click the picture to see more pictures pop up at you.

Mung Bean Milk Tea w/Boba & Salted Pomegranate w/Milk Pudding & Aloe from 7 Leaves

On Tuesday, I caught up with Jimmy & Steven (again). Los tres amigos went to see Olympus Has Fallen after we got some drinks at the Cheesecake Factory. More on that movie…later. I mean, I probably only learned 5 general things about that movie. That’s a hyperbole. I probably learned 6.

Wild Mushroom Stew – Absolutely Delicious

Beardless Michael & Me on the Seal Beach Pier

Wednesday, my neighbor & friend Michael, shaved off his beard completely & in all of the years that I’ve known him, I have never ever seen his face. Under that manly beardy beard of his existed a face that moves & has expressions. Who knew? I didn’t. The point of this is that we went to Beachwood in Seal Beach & took pictures. I had to document beardless Michael…& the Seal Beach pier. Really couldn’t get over the beardlessness though. I mean, look at my face. I’m still shocked.

New Albums

• Spring Break
• Downtown Seal Beach

Sanriku Kaisendon: The Best Chirashi of my Life

Donald & I went to Sushi Koto yesterday to fulfill his sushi craving. I had read about how it has some of the best Chirashi bowls to offer in Orange County. Hands down, absolutely not disappointed. Everything in that bowl was fresh, high quality, & delicious. It was also very filling, especially since it came with salad, miso soup, & dessert. The Chirashi bowl consisted of: steamed abalone, salmon, tuna, big scallop, yellowtail, squid, masago, ikura, & avocado all over a bed of rice. Talk about a day in the life of a fatty. In my defense, it was the best Chirashi I’ve ever had & any type of “Best I’ve Ever Had” experience is well worth it!

Even though it’s Spring Break, I feel that I need to stop being such a glutinous pig & offset it all with exercise & a hearty soup diet. So, I added a new recipe for soup I made today.

Minestrone with Arugula

The recipe is vegan & vegetarian friendly! Also, I just realized that Donald wanted to be featured on my website, but he ended up taking pictures of me & his food instead. Whooops. Until Wednesday, Donald! Hope everyone enjoys their Spring Break or week.

Updates

• Sushi Koto
• Minestrone with Arugula

Volcano Roll: Baked scallops on top of a California Roll

Winter quarter is finally over & it’s Spring Break! Since everyone in LA is away on vacation or back home, I retreated home & got to catch up with Jimmy, Kevin, & Steven. We all went to one of Jimmy’s & my favorite sushi restaurant, Kaisen, & then went over to 7 Leaves Cafe for boba. Added two new albums from Friday & revamped the gallery page. I can’t believe it’s been 8 years since I first had a camera.

Jimmy & me at 7 Leaves Cafe

Since it’s Spring Break, I’ll finally get around to adding new recipes! I’m also planning on going on a photo adventure sometime this week, so there’ll be new slightly interesting pictures soon. Pretty excited since I get to hone in on one of my favorite hobbies, other than cooking. I … don’t have anything planned for this entire break, so it’s going to be a very relaxing week until school resumes.

Gallery Update

• Kaisen Kaiten Sushi
• 7 Leaves Cafe

Alex & Vinny with his new fedora

There was a time when I had reasoned that if I made a new theme for Tiffany Bee, I’d be more inclined to update it more often. Then that happened for a month or two & now I’m back to updating once a month. I finished creating the website for UAA during my winter break though, so check it out if you’re curious. I’ve only been working on it for the past 3 years, but finally got around to actually making it this year. This is what happens when you don’t give me a deadline. Boring. Moving on.

Last month my brother turned 21 & experienced what it’s like to go clubbing for the first time. Despite being “Iced” twice & getting sick, he still got a fedora out of it. You can view the album here. “Icing” someone is when you conceal Smirnoff Ice so that an unsuspecting victim will find the alcoholic beverage & is forced to drink the entire bottle. Vinny was presented with 2. It did not end well.

Spinach Summer Pasta Salad

When my midterm on Friday is over, I’ll add two or so new recipes including the one for this original summer pasta salad I made. Tasty whether served cold or warm, which I think is beneficial for the indecisive ones. Sometimes you just can’t commit to a decision of whether the next 3 days should be cold summer pasta salad days or light pasta days.

My cousin Tammy & me before XS in Vegas

I can’t believe this break has gone by so quickly! Hopefully after I finish working on another project for the Anthropology club at school, I’ll be able to update the site with more recipes & other food goodies. For now, here are a bunch of new albums I’ve uploaded. Still missing a bunch. Happy belated holidays, everyone!

Newly Added

• Dinner Party
• Mary & Neo’s Wedding
• UCLA vs. Arizona
• Kevin’s 24th
• UCLA vs. Stanford
• Vegas Part I
• Vegas Part II

Beatriz & me at Cardiff Castle

It’s been a really long time since I’ve updated, but I’m slowly getting around to keeping the gallery up to date. This quarter has kind of been really hectic, but fun nevertheless. Additionally, I’ve finally finished uploading all of the pictures from my summer abroad. Getting to the last photo was definitely bittersweet. I still can’t believe it’s over & that it’s been 3 months since I was there. Coincidentally, the last picture taken was of a lake with gloomy weather & rain pouring. Reflective of how I felt upon returning to California? I’d say so. Just kidding, that’s pretty over dramatic. But really, … can I be back there already?? Since I’m in a rush, I don’t exactly have time to post up some of my favorites from each album, so a list of the new gallery updates will have to do for now!

Newest Albums

• Paris
• Le Tour Eiffel
• Cardiff
• Touring Cardiff
• Carol’s 25th

Hope everyone in the States had a wonderful & tasty Thanksgiving! I’m so thankful for my family, especially my parents for always being so supportive, & my friends who have become my family. Since my mom likes to read my blogs, I’d like to take the time to thank her for being the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing, & gregarious mother in the world. Thanks for always spoiling me with your love, delicious food, & support, even when I don’t deserve it. You are the reason I got into UCLA & dad is the reason I’m ambitious. My love, respect, & admiration for the both of you is immeasurable. When I was asked to write a piece for Miso for Life about love, my immediate thought was to write on the love you have for one another & for your children. No other pair of people have influenced my life so greatly & I thank you every day, constantly, for giving me so many opportunities to succeed. I look forward to the day in which I can repay you for all you’ve done for me. Mom, I’m not giving up on medical school just because some science classes are tough. It’s going to take a lot more than that to derail my goal. Love you!

Kaitlen, Mercedes, & me

Now that I’ve signed a lease for a place in Westwood, I can stop stressing about couch surfing at my brother’s & enjoy the rest of my summer until school begins. Lots of projects I need to finish before school gets out of control though. Not going to bore you with my to-do list, so here are a bunch of pictures from Europe.

Bruges

Bruges is the largest city in Belgium & its capital. The historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Its medieval buildings have remained intact as you can see throughout the pictures. Along with Amsterdam, it is nicknamed “the Venice of the North” due to its many canals. Click the pictures to view more & check out the newest editions to the gallery.

Bruges!

Brighton

It was the last weekend in Brighton, so Sussex had a farewell dinner. After the dinner, all of us went out to a club, & Genelli & had Indian food the next day before we finished packing to leave. I was off to St. Pancras International Station to take the Eurostar into France to meet up with my relatives for a few days.

Genelli’s & my Indian Dinner

Paris

My French relative took me to Parc de Sceaux for a picnic with his friends. The next day, after traveling around in Paris by myself, I went out to dinner with him & his friends. He & his friend Christian took me to le Tour Eiffel at night. At 12 AM, le Tour Eiffel sparkles!! C’est très jolie!

Le Tour Eiffel.

View the full albums below! Pictures from France, Wales, & being back home will be posted when I’m not busy moving my stuff back & forth to LA.

Gallery Update

• Bruges
• Farewell Dinner
• Indian Dinner
• St. Pancras
• Parc de Sceaux
• Paris