Saturday, December 21, 2013

Four days til Christmas


Christmas is my favorite holiday.  I love the songs, the decorations and all the food but best of all, I love all the family get-togethers.  Unfortunately for me, I am on the wrong coast for the second Christmas in a row.  Sigh.

My wish this Christmas is to spend next Christmas in Los Angeles with my family and friends.

Hope everyone has a good one!  See you all next year :)

Early fall look

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Asia Trip 2013

This past May, I went to Asia - Hong Kong and Philippines - with my friend JB.  It was her first time out of the US and I forgot how it happened that we decided to take a trip to Asia.  We had a jam-packed itinerary and at the end of the trip we totaled 9 plane rides and 8 boat rides.  Pretty crazy for a 2.5 week trip.

Hong Kong - we met up with my brother for 3 days in Hong Kong.  We didn't get to do much because we were jet-lagged and the weather was kinda crappy.  I did get to take the two HK newbs to see the bronze Buddha and JB and I got to have dinner at Michelin-rated Spoons and have breakfast at the Mandarin Oriental lobby.


Then we flew to Manila for 2 nights.  While in Manila, we met up with my aunt and cousins.  They took us to Intramuros for a historical tour.  It was hella hot but the tour was very informative.


Next stop was Puerto Princesa, Palawan where we spent 2 nights.  We got to visit the Underground River and we also did the firefly tour, mangrove tour and ziplined on Sabang beach.  Such an exhausting 3 days but definitely worth it.



After that leg, we spent a night in Manila to rest because next up was Iloilo - the last leg of our Asia trip.  I have family in Iloilo so we didn't have to spend money on accommodations but we did get shuffled around quite a bit.

This leg of the trip was just as jam-packed.  Although technically we were in Iloilo for about a week and a half, we packed in a day breaking a world record, a weekend away for a high school reunion and 5 days in Boracay.
Flying Lanterns
Reunion
Boracay
Pub Crawl
Exhausting as it was, we had such a great time.  It was nice to see old friends and spend time with my family.  I also had a blast showing off the Philippines to JB.  Til 2016...


Monday, August 5, 2013

Where to Eat?

Before I leave New York (not sure when yet), I would like to eat at these places.  Hopefully, I get through more than half this list.  Yay!

Note: I'm sure there are more awesome places to eat in NY, but with my limited time, I had to whittle down the list.

Masa
Per Se
Brooklyn Fare
Eleven Madison Park
Babbo - I'm not a fan of Italian food but I think this one is a no-brainer
Le Bernardin
Park Ave. (all seasons)
wd-50
David Burke Townhouse

Runners-up:
Talde
Alder
Hudson Library Bar - they have a burger I want to try

Where do you want to eat?

Monday, July 1, 2013

Busy busy bee

I've been so busy since I came back from vacation.  Between work, clinicals and my master's thesis, I haven't had time to breath.

Updates:
- My summer rotation is at Brooklyn Methodist.  Travel time is about 1.5-2 hours each way so my clinical days are about 16 hours long.  Needless to say I am completely knackered by the time I get home.  At least I am enjoying my time there - great patient exposure and lots of eye candy (can't hurt, right?).

- Schoolwise, nothing going on except for working on my thesis.  It's probably gonna suck coz I hate writing but at least my scenario is not THAT complicated.

-Vacation updates and pics coming soon.  I'm tagged on a few on FB and I have about 2 on instagram, haha.  I had such a blast.  Probably the most fun vacation I've had in a LONG time.  I'll have a separate blog post about it.  If I don't do what I need to do tonight, I'll probably have it up tonight.

- Work is work.  I've requested to move back to days so I might have some semblance of a life but that's probably not happening anytime soon and I'm not quite sure it's the smartest thing to do.  Days are busier and drama-filled that I might end up more stressed out than usual.

I'm so close to being done with school.  One more semester after this summer and I'll be done for awhile.  Maybe then I'll have a life...maybe.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Travel Bucket List


If you "follow" this blog, you might deduce that I love to travel.  I love discovering new places, eating lots of new food and knowing more about different cultures and their ways of living.  Because life is not always how we want it to turn out, I decided to make a travel bucket list - places I'd love to visit before I die. This is not in any particular order - more like the order they popped into my head.  I haven't researched any of these places as extensively as I usually do so this list is not set in stone.  Regardless, these are where I want to go for now.

1. Canary Islands
2. Maldives
3. Thailand
4. Santorini
5. Italy - Positano, Florence, Rome, Venice, Vatican City
6. Siem Reap
7. Forbidden City in China
8. Lourdes, France
9. Costa Rica
10. Peru
11. Argentina

I didn't include Paris, Madrid and Barcelona in this list because I might end up there by the end of the year.  If I end up not going, I will add them to the list.  I will post this every year, adding new places and taking off ones I travel to.

Do you have a bucket list?  xoxo

Monday, February 11, 2013

Proust: What is your current state of mind?

My current state of mind: disappointed.  Disappointed in myself that I succumbed to being tired. I'm also in a bit of a tizzy.  I'm still not sure how I can finish all my clinical hours this semester.  I would hate to have to make it up.

I'm so tired.  I'm physically and mentally drained and I'm only two weeks into the semester.  I can't wait to be done.  December can't come soon enough.

xoxo

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

2013 Scorpio Horoscope


I don't usually put too much stock on horoscopes but this one's pretty good.  I hope all the good stuff comes true, HAHA.

*********************************

Overview

2013 has your name written all over it, Scorpio. Thirteen is the number of the Death archetype in the tarot card attributed to your sign. It's about the death of the outworn aspects of yourself and your life, while the sunrise of rebirth is always waiting on the horizon. Transformation, metamorphosis, passion and sexuality are all heavily pronounced this year for you. Saturn, the great taskmaster, has taken up long-term residency in your stars until 2015 to give you and your life a complete makeover. Add to this the fact that your ruler, Pluto, is in what is known as a 'mutual reception' with Saturn (mutual influence by means of swapping signs) and the force for rebuilding your life from its very foundation is doubled. This is a year for uncovering your greatest resourcefulness, and relinquishing any skeletons from your psychic closet. Death and rebirth become daily themes as you shed layers upon layers of the former you.

The speed at which your life is moving, evolving and changing is unprecedented, Scorpio. The total whirlwind that began in the latter half of 2012 continues as the eclipse points impact your sign directly. Watch for key events in May and November as signposts for more change to come. There's a good chance you'll change jobs, move, start or end a relationship or simply start an entirely new chapter of your life under this intense influence. Trust that whatever you're putting your passionate energy into this year will indeed build out to something lasting and beautiful.

This could easily be one of the most exhilarating and spiritual years in a long time, Scorpio. Jupiter supports your quest for deep change and self-awareness by working on the Eighth House (Scorpio sector) of your horoscope until June. Delve into your own secret depths and discover how powerful you really are. Few are as tough and resilient as you are. It's actually your sensitivity and vulnerability that make you strong. At the end of the day, you may be the most emotionally courageous sign there is. You heal others by showing them that it's safe to confront their own darkness as you have done. This is the greatest gift and strength you'll be sharing with many in 2013.

Romantic

The commitment theme extends into all life arenas this year, but especially love. Saturn demands that you stick with the relationship you've started if you ever want to learn deep and meaningful lessons about intimacy, Scorpio. If you jump from partner to partner, you'll remain stuck in shallow water. If you avoid love altogether for fear of being hurt, you'll simply end up lonely and bitter. Why not put your heart on the line and try being vulnerable for a change? Yes it might feel like it will kill you to trust someone again, but think of the rewards when deep passion and connection are possible if you're willing to take the risk.

Neptune continues to bring the longing for a soulful merger with a romantic partner again this year. Neptune is taking residence in your love zone for the long haul, so the themes of illusion, disillusion and the desire for a divine romance continue. You want a love that inspires poetry, art, music and cinema. You want a love worthy of the gods, Scorpio. Nothing less will do. You may have to lower your expectations if you want to survive in a real relationship inevitably filled with human limitations lest you suffer grave disappointment again and again. This doesn't mean you have to give up on the idea of a beautiful romantic relationship. Just know that it will have its off days and there will be moments of drudgery and discord, if you want something long-term. There is no escaping the difficult and ugly parts of romance.

Having the combination of Saturn and Neptune influencing your stars actually provides a healthy balance between reality and fantasy, so you may just find your way to that ever-elusive middle ground in love this year. Plus, the eclipse points will be moving your relationship along so fast that you'll have to learn your lessons quickly. You may be surprised how fast your partnership goes from zero to one hundred seemingly overnight. You may move in together, get married or just simply deepen your commitment level to one another.

Career

If there's been any wavering in your attitude toward your career goals, you can kiss that wishy-washy nonsense goodbye. You're ready to get super serious no matter how much discipline, hard work and perseverance is required. Having Saturn, the king of commitment, in your sign is forcing you to finally just go for it. All-talk-and-no-action was so 2012. This is the year for strategy, planning and follow through. You have all the talent required to hit it big; now you just need the structure to support your large-scale ventures. Saturn in Scorpio will provide the necessary framework to get it all done.

The eclipse points are hitting you so hard this year that your life is in constant fast-forward motion -- career included. You easily have so much going on that you struggle to keep track of it all. If you have not already considered getting an assistant or delegating some of the thousands of tasks and projects you've got sitting on the back-burner, this is the year to let some of the control go and ask for help. It's only holding you back when you insist on doing everything yourself, especially when the planets are pushing you so hard to create even more. You need time. Time is money, Scorpio, so find ways to free some up in 2013 so that you may pursue the passionate aspects of your work rather than getting bogged down by the grunt work.

Jupiter will continue to back your resourceful nature. Others (with money) want to help you, so don't be afraid to reach out. You're a worthy investment and you'll be able to pay them back tenfold with time. This is a year for building and capitalizing on your assets. Your potential is off the charts, and this year you're determined to realize it fully. You will not be satisfied with any half-baked measures in your career. When Jupiter moves into your travel zone during the second half of the year, expect to be moving from coast-to-coast or continent-to-continent frequently in order to expand your contacts and professional potential. You're definitely moving and shaking this year, Scorpio. There's no doubt about it!



Monday, February 4, 2013

Vacations galore!


Just came back from Jamaica, just booked Hong Kong + Philippines and now working on a Spain + France itinerary.  2013 is shaping up to be an awesome travel year!  Now if only school wasn't getting in the way...


Image

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Jamaica 1.21-1.25

Five days is not enough but it was a nice break from reality (and from the cold).  We originally booked at Grand Pineapple but were upgraded to Beaches - both Sandals-owned resorts.  I have never been to an all-inclusive resort and let me tell you, well worth it!!  I will definitely be back!

The wait staff at Beaches was amazing.  Entertaining and professional AND best part is they remembered us throughout the trip.  Great group of people!

 We booked a tour that included Black River, YS Falls and Appleton Rum Estate.  Black River was pretty cool.  We met a spear fisher that swims in the lake to catch fish, alongside alligators! Yikes!

YS Falls was fun - O and I did the optional zip line which was awesome!  Check me out in the middle photo with the amazing view above.  I'm glad I did it even though I'm such a chicken when it comes to heights.  Thanks to O for almost pushing me off the edge, LOL.

Appleton Rum Estate was last but certainly not least.  The rum was great - now I know why Capt. Jack Sparrow was crazy about it! And of course, I brought some home with me.  How can I not?

Set atop the cliffs in Negril, destroyed by two hurricanes but rebuilt to be stronger and better than ever, Rick's Cafe is also another must-see in Negril.  Definitely a tourist trap but worth it for the beautiful sunset views overlooking the amazing Caribbean blue sea.  We also watched people dive off the cliffs into the water.  Some of them looked like they will be hurting the next day or so!

Overall, a great trip with great girls.  Had lots of laughs, lots of drinks and LOTS of food.  I will definitely go back and I will definitely go on another trip with these girls.  Can't wait for the next trip!

xoxo

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Dovetail 01.15.13

When it comes to trying to meet up with friends, it's gotten so difficult with everyone's schedules.  My friends and I share Google calendars and when there's a day that most of us are free, we jump at the chance to schedule dinner.  This time around, our free day coincided with Restaurant Week so we made reservations at Dovetail.

Much to our surprise, Dovetail only offers a lunch special for Restaurant Week.  Two of our friends wanted to leave and the other two wanted to stay.  I ordered a glass of wine, so we ended up staying, HAHA.  I was glad we stayed because I had a great meal.  I chose the Four Course Prix Fixe and ordered the chestnut soup, fuji apple salad, duck breast and sticky toffee parsnip cake. Ooh, did I mention the "free" canapes, amuse bouche and petit fours?  Extra is always good especially when free!

Overall, a great meal with topnotch service (and so hot - but married).  I would definitely go again  and maybe try the Chef Tasting menu.

Wild Mushroom Salad
Long Island Duck Breast



Sticky Toffee Parsnip Cake with Cream Cheese Ice Cream


Dark Chocolate Souffle with Peppermint Ice Cream

If you get a chance, stop by.  It's worth it.  xoxo

Friday, January 11, 2013

Holiday Party

In typical Debbie fashion, there has been a last minute switcheroo on my holiday outfit.  I was getting concerned that people thought my holiday party outfit was "too sexy" so I decided to go with something a little more subdued. And also in typical Debbie fashion, everything still had tags on. 


Outfit: Top - Madewell, Skirt - Brandy & Melville, Shoes - Christian Louboutin, Necklace - Madewell, Rings - various (I'm wearing 3)

I also wore a sweater and a leather jacket over it.  Some people on FB were concerned that my prior outfit was "inappropriate" for winter.  I don't understand what that means.

Here's an action shot - nurses in action:


Sunday, January 6, 2013

Holiday Party Outfit

Can't decide which way I should go for the holiday party....help please (but please do ignore the price tag, LOL).  First, tights and boots or bare legs and pumps?  Second, tucked in or out?




Outfit - Top: Zara, Shorts: Forever21, Boots: Christian Louboutin, Pumps: Christian Louboutin, Tights: Banana Republic, Necklace: Madewell


Saturday, January 5, 2013

Proust: What is your greatest fear?

First question in the Proust questionnaire: What is your greatest fear?

I had this conversation with my mom a few years ago and it's still fresh in my memory.  I asked her this question which made her pause for a quick second.  She then looked me straight in the eye and said, "Zombies". Yes, my mom is that awesome.

Now if you ask me, there are a lot of things I'm afraid of: bugs, the dark, responsibility, failure, loss...just to name a few but it we're talking about greatest fear, on the top of my head, it's probably not living up to my parents' expectations to the point that I probably overcompensate.

What about you guys? What is your greatest fear?  xoxo

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

New Year, New Post

I'm feeling a little under the weather.  Not sick, just tired.  I can not wait to go on vacation.  Nineteen more days til I hit the beaches and feel the hot sun in my face.

Anyway, it's a new year and as much as I would like to reflect on last year's resolutions, I can't.  My other blog has vanished into the netherworld and I didn't really jot anything down on paper.  I think it went something like: work out more, spend less and live healthier.  That's my best guess since it seems to be a theme with me. 

How did I do? Let's see, I did work out more, I probably did NOT spend less and I think I am a smidge healthier.  This year, I might just have to stick with the same three "resolutions".  You know what they say, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again.  LOL.

This year, I also have packed schedule.  Between school, clinicals and work, I may not have a social life.  Kind of a bummer but even more depressing is the lack of sleep that I see on the horizon.  For those who know me, I kind of like sleeping.  I guess I'll have to deal. 

Things to look forward to this year:
1. Finishing school.  I'm done in December, YAY!
2. Vacations!  More yay!  First one coming up in 19 days (I know I already mentioned that) - Jamaica, I'm coming for you.  After the Spring semester, Philippines + Hong Kong, here I come!  My day just got better thinking about these two vacations.
3. Health and happiness - trying be healthier so I will be trying to eat clean and incorporating more juices and green smoothies into my diet.  This, of course, is also beneficial to my goal of having a beach ready body for my upcoming beach vacations.
4. Love?  HAHAHHAHAH, oh who am I kidding???


Hope everyone has a great start to 2013!!  What are you looking forward to this year?  xoxo