Seattle Japanese Garden

While we were in Seattle last November, I had some time to chill by myself. Melo was at the ABRCMS conference all day, so I planned an outing to explore what Seattle had to offer me. I had brunch, afternoon coffee, and even dinner by myself (more on those later). But the highlight was definitely getting to spend some time at the Seattle Japanese Garden that’s part of the Washington Park Arboretum.

The garden as an idea was sparked in 1909. There was a Japanese pavilion at the Alaska Yukon Exhibition that year and it generated interest in the public for such a space. However, due to the ensuing World Wars and the racism and xenophobia that they provoked, the idea for the garden wasn’t actualized until 50 years later in 1959.

Admission is $6, however, there is a $2 discount for students, young children, seniors, and the disabled. There are also tours at 12:30pm during the week and at 2pm on the weekends. They also have events such as garden parties, moon viewing festivals, and a maple viewing festival in the fall.

 

Pho Sho

Every so often, when the weather is perfectly chilly in the apartment, Melo gets a little sick. And every time that happens, the only cure and comfort is pho.

Garnish plates Continue reading Pho Sho

The Emerald City

This past November we traveled to Seattle so that I can mentor undergraduate students of color in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) from all over the country, as they present their research projects at the 15th Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). Tai had never been this far up in the Pacific Northwest, while I’ve been twice but during the summer when it was all sunshine. I guess I was expecting sunshine in November, because I was surprised when we arrived in the Emerald City, greeted by gray skies and cold rain. Despite the foggy welcome, however, we happily strolled the streets of Seattle like a pair of gay munchkins!

Continue reading The Emerald City

The Emerald City part 2: Gallery

Autumn Sangria

We had some friends from Melo’s cohort over for dinner not too long ago. If you know me, you know I love hosting small, intimate dinner parties. And since this was our *first* official “having friends over for dinner” party, I went all out with the menu! We had chicken adobo (a Philippine dish), corn casserole, beer braised carrots, brown rice, and gnocchi mac’n’cheese. For dessert I made The Pioneer Woman’s apple dumplings–so easy and delicious! But what I really wanna talk to you about today is the SUPER easy sangria I made for dinner. Continue reading Autumn Sangria