I turned 24 a couple days ago! Usually, I'd be fake sobbing right now because of aging blues but since I had one of the most fun birthdays ever, if not the most fun, I am unable to entertain any other emotion besides happiness! As per my new personal celebratory tradition, I booked another birthday trip! Last year, I went home to the Philippines. That cost me quadruple my birthday treat budget so this year, I went somewhere geographically close just down south my city. I flew to California! I stayed in LA for the most part and stayed at my good friend's abode in Corona for the rest (Thanks, Leah). My high school friends, Yeye and Andie, were also California residents so I was so glad to have had the chance to spend some time with them too! I have not seen them for, literally, years! I gotta say they did not change one bit - they were all sweethearts! They drove me around Los Angeles and Leah and I even made a a two-night trip to Las Vegas for my birthday weekend (separate blog post to follow)!
I gotte be real. LA did not give me the best impression. It was on the dirtier side and definitely gave me Manila traffic vibes. However, it was the company that mattered and the Californians were rather nice and friendly the entire time I was there. I arrived pretty late so all I was able to do is stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and looked for a good place to get take-out along the boulevard. The next day, Yeye picked me up from BLVD Hotel and Suites (such a pleasant stay, highly recommend) and we drove to this really cute and hipster place for brunch called the Yellow House Cafe. After satisfying our appetite, we headed to Griffith Observatory and onto Mount Lee to hike a little bit towards the Hollywood Sign. It is the most popular Los Angeles landmark so, of course, I had to go! We just planned to go to these two attractions because they were basically in the same area but Yeye insisted to drive me to Santa Monica Pier. I did not take on the rides but just strolled around and got ice cream and relaxed by the beach while taking in all the Vitamin D before I go back to cold Van. She wanted to take me to Malibu Beach too but time was running close to dinner and I had scheduled to dine out with Leah and Andie. We went to The Grove for dinner and ate at this Japanese restaurant called Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill. The sushi was really good but it came with a price. Well, I was on vacation, so a little splurging was necessary. We also had cocktails and dessert at a nearby bar but my apologies for my unreliable memory bank. I can't remember the place but it was right across the sushi restaurant. By the end of the night, I was e x h a u s t e d! We had to call it a night because my third day consisted of more walking and more fun. We went home to Hilton Hotel, had some more wine, shared some more stories, then passed out.
The following day, Leah, Andie and I all woke up with excitement as we were really stoked on going to Universal Studios. Why? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter just opened a couple weeks back!! We are all HP lovers so imagine our thirst for butterbeer and desire to physically hold a wand to swish and flick! Haha! There was a bit of line up in Harry Potter World but the rest of Universal Studios was a breeze. There was no doubt - we definitely channeled our inner kid at heart! It was so much fun especially with great friends. It's been a week since I had returned home in lovely Vancouver but the memories still put a smile on my face.
Anywhoooo, I think that chatter was more than enough. Here's a more creative narrative of my trip if you wanna see how things went down:
I hope you enjoyed the short video and it inspired you, even a tiny bit, to treat yourself on your special day! It does not have to be grand, but just remember that you need to spoil yourself from time to time because you are awesome and you sure as heck deserve it!
Till the next,
Mace
