Lifelong Friendships: From Kindergarten to Wedding Bells

You know those friends who’ve been in your life for so long that you can’t even remember a time before them? The ones who have seen you grow from an awkward kid to an adult with responsibilities (and hopefully better fashion choices)? That’s Shannon for me.

We met in kindergarten—two little kids who had no idea we’d still be connected decades later. We shared Luncables, went to each other’s birthday parties, and pretty much grew up side by side. At one point, we even dated guys from the same family because, clearly, we were committed to doing everything together. And now, after all these years, I had the absolute joy of attending her wedding!

Life Took Us in Different Directions

Like many friendships, ours has had its ebbs and flows. Life pulled us in different directions—me off to school in another country, her moving out of state. There were years where we didn’t see each other at all. But somehow, we always found our way back to each other.

Sometimes, it was through a random text message that started with, “Hey, remember when we…” and spiraled into hours of reminiscing. Other times, it was a quick comment on social media that turned into a full conversation. And every now and then, we’d get lucky enough to catch up in person, picking up right where we left off, as if no time had passed at all.

That’s the beauty of lifelong friendships. They don’t require constant upkeep, just a mutual understanding that no matter how much time or distance comes between you, you’ll always be part of each other’s story.

Celebrating Her Big Day

When Shannon invited me to her wedding, I was beyond excited. It felt like another milestone in our long history—one more moment we could add to our collection of shared memories.

Of course, weddings are hectic. If you’ve ever been part of one, you know the bride is basically the celebrity of the event—everyone wants a moment of her time. I knew we wouldn’t get to hang out like old times, and that was okay. What mattered was that she wanted me there, to be part of this huge, beautiful chapter in her life.

As I watched her say “I do,” I couldn’t help but think back to the little girls we once were—braiding each other’s hair, whispering secrets, and dreaming about the future. And here she was, stepping into that future with the person she chose to spend forever with.

The Beauty of Lifelong Friendships

We don’t always get to keep everyone in our lives forever. People come and go, friendships change, and life has a way of shifting our paths. But every once in a while, you find those rare connections that stand the test of time.

Shannon and I may not see each other as often as we used to, but I know we’ll always find our way back to each other—through texts, social media, or random meetups that feel like no time has passed at all.

Here’s to lifelong friendships, love, and always making space for the people who truly matter. 💕

Why I Post More Food Than Faces (And Why You Probably Prefer It That Way)

Ever notice how my social media is basically a never-ending buffet of food pics? Like, I’ll post a perfectly lit, mouthwatering shot of my meal but barely a glimpse of the people I’m eating with. If you’ve ever wondered why, let me break it down for you.

First off, privacy is a thing. Not everyone wants their picture taken, let alone posted online for all to see. Some people are camera-shy, and others just don’t feel like being immortalized mid-bite. I respect that.

Second—and this is the big one—you, my lovely audience, don’t actually care. I mean, let’s be real: do you really want to see a bunch of strangers’ faces popping up in your feed? Probably not. Most of us scroll for entertainment, inspiration, or, in this case, food envy. Aesthetic food shots? Always a win. Random people you don’t know? Not so much.

So, instead of subjecting my friends (or myself) to the horrors of unplanned candids, I choose the safer, more universally appreciated route: food photography. Because a well-plated dish never complains about bad angles, closed eyes, or looking “too tired” for the internet.
But hey, if you ever do see a picture of me or a friend pop up, just know it’s because:

1. We were actually feeling ourselves that day.
2. The lighting was doing us a favor.
3. Or, most likely, we were feeling sentimental enough to override our usual "no photos" policy.

Until then, expect more food. Lots and lots of food.
What about you? Do you prefer seeing people in photos, or are you just here for the food content? Let me know in the comments!

And here’s the tricky part—even if most of the people I’m with don’t mind being in a photo, all it takes is ONE person who does. What am I supposed to do? Say, “Hey, get the f*ck out of the way, I need this shot”? That’s not exactly the vibe. I’m not about to turn a casual meal into a weird social standoff over a photo. So, to keep it simple, I just skip the whole situation and focus on the one thing everyone can agree on—the food.

And honestly? I get it. If someone were to snap a pic of me, I’d want to make sure I looked at least semi-polished—decent lighting, no weird angles, no accidental double chins. But let’s be honest, most of us on a day-to-day basis? We’re rocking “acceptable to be seen in public” levels of effort. Maybe that’s a brushed-through ponytail, maybe it’s a hoodie and jeans combo, but it’s rarely photo-worthy perfection.

The Cable Hoarder’s Survival Kit: Are You Also Guilty?

Raise your hand if you, too, have THE box. You know the one—overflowing with every cable known to humankind. USB (A, B, C, mini, micro), FireWire (400 and 800, because why not?), HDMI (standard, mini, micro), Ethernet (probably Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6, because you never know), RCA, S-Video, VGA, DVI, Thunderbolt (1, 2, 3, and whatever Apple is calling it now), old-school printer cables, random power adapters from long-forgotten devices, and, of course, that one mystery cable. The one that looks important but has absolutely no identifiable purpose.

Why do we keep them? Because one day—maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow—but one day, we might need to connect a device we haven’t touched in over a decade. And on that day, my friends, we will be ready.

The Psychology of Cable Hoarding

Let’s be honest—getting rid of cables feels dangerous. What if you finally declutter, only to find yourself desperately needing that exact FireWire 800 cable six months later? What if you stumble upon an old hard drive and gasp it requires an adapter you threw away? The regret would be unbearable. So, we keep them. Just in case.

This is doomsday prepping, but for tech. A survival kit for the modern digital archaeologist. 😂

The Evolution of The Box

At first, it starts small—maybe a single drawer. But then, technology evolves, connections change, and suddenly, you’ve got a sprawling mess of wires, chargers, and adapters that no longer serve any real function.
Somewhere in The Box, there’s probably:

• A 30-pin iPod charger from 2006
• An Ethernet cable that’s at least 50 feet long (because who doesn’t love hardwiring their connection when Wi-Fi inevitably fails?)
• A power brick from a device you swore you were going to fix someday
• A headphone adapter for a phone you haven’t owned in years
• A random coaxial cable—because why not?

And yet, despite this chaos, The Box remains an unshakable constant in our lives.

Should You Declutter? …Probably Not

Organizational experts might tell you to Marie Kondo your cables, but let’s be real: these little tech relics do spark joy. Or at least, they spark a comforting sense of preparedness.

That said, if your collection has reached “I can start my own RadioShack” levels, maybe it’s time to:

• Wrap cables neatly with Velcro ties (future-you will thank you).
• Label the obscure ones (because guessing games aren’t fun in a tech emergency).
• Keep only one of each common type (do you really need six micro-USB cables?).
• Donate the excess—some electronics recyclers or makerspaces would love your spares.

Final Thoughts

We may never truly escape The Box, but maybe that’s okay. Because on that fateful day, when a long-lost gadget demands an ancient connector, we’ll be ready.

Tech hoarders, unite. Stay strong. And may your cables always be untangled.

First World Beauty Problems, Theme Park Edition

You know you’ve been spending too much time at Knott’s Berry Farm when your foundation no longer matches your face. Seriously, I went to do my makeup the other day and realized my foundation is at least two shades too light. Now I look like one of those aunties who refuse to acknowledge that their skin has seen the sun.

This is what happens when you go full theme park mode—running around in the California sun, stuffing your face with boysenberry treats, and completely forgetting that SPF is not, in fact, a one-and-done situation. Reapplication? Never heard of her.

The Curse of the Accidental Tan

I started noticing something was off when I caught my reflection in a bathroom mirror at Knott’s. Under that unflattering fluorescent lighting, it hit me—my face and neck were living completely separate lives. My body has fully embraced its sun-kissed glow, while my face? A ghostly reminder of my winter complexion.

I don’t even tan on purpose! But between waiting in lines, walking from one ride to the next, and spending an unreasonable amount of time debating whether I should get another boysenberry soft serve (spoiler: I always do), my skin has naturally leveled up a shade or two.

First World Beauty Problems, Theme Park Edition

This is peak first-world problems. I mean, in the grand scheme of things, accidentally turning into two different skin tones isn’t exactly a crisis. But still! My carefully curated makeup routine? Wrecked. My foundation, my concealer—useless. Now I have two choices:

1. Buy a darker foundation to match my new summer shade.

2. Accept my fate and just blend down to my chest like my life depends on it.

Neither of these options change the fact that I’ll probably forget to reapply sunscreen again next weekend and continue this never-ending cycle.

Lessons Learned (Or Not)

Let’s be real—am I going to start carrying around a travel-sized sunscreen and actually use it? Probably not. But in case you’re smarter than me, here are some quick survival tips for anyone who practically lives at a theme park:

• Reapply Sunscreen Like It’s Your Job – Every two hours, especially if you’re sweating or eating anything messy (which, let’s face it, you are).

• Find a Foundation with SPF – It’s not a replacement for sunscreen, but every little bit helps.

• Embrace the Tan – Maybe it’s time to lean into that post-theme park glow and stop fighting it.

So, will this makeup dilemma stop me from going to Knott’s every weekend? Absolutely not. But will I be the person in line at GhostRider with a half-blended face and a mild identity crisis? Also yes.

If you’ve ever had your theme park obsession mess with your beauty routine, tell me in the comments so I know I’m not alone! And if you see me at Knott’s, just pretend my face and neck match, okay?

What Is Grang Jai? The Thai Concept That’s Hard to Translate But Easy to Feel

If you've ever visited Thailand or spent time around Thai people, you might've noticed something a little different in how people interact—something polite, almost poetic. That something might be grang jai (เกรงใจ), one of the most deeply rooted values in Thai culture.

So What is Grang Jai?

Literally translated, grang (เกรง) means "to fear" or "to be wary of," and jai (ใจ) means "heart." So put together, grang jai roughly means “to be wary of someone’s heart.” But it’s not about fear in the scary sense. It’s more about being exquisitely considerate—not wanting to impose, inconvenience, or burden someone else, especially if they’re doing something for you out of kindness or obligation.

You might experience grang jai in everyday situations like:

• Someone offering you food, and you politely refusing at first—even if you’re hungry—because you don’t want them to go out of their way.

• A friend giving you a ride, and you trying to avoid asking even if it’s raining, because you don’t want to inconvenience them.

• Your colleague quietly doing more work than necessary because they don’t want to ask for help or seem demanding.

At its core, grang jai is a mix of respect, modesty, and emotional intelligence. It’s the unspoken desire to avoid making others uncomfortable or inconvenienced. In a Western context, you might call it “not wanting to put someone out,” but grang jai goes deeper than that. It’s about tuning in to how your actions might make others feel—and adjusting yourself accordingly.

Why It’s Beautiful (and Sometimes Complicated)

Grang jai makes Thai society feel incredibly polite and harmonious. It’s why people are so gentle in their speech, why “no” is rarely said directly, and why kindness often comes in the form of subtle gestures.

But it can also lead to situations where people hold back their needs or avoid conflict to the point of discomfort. A Thai person might say yes to something they don’t really want to do, just to avoid making you feel bad. That’s grang jai at work, too.

If You’re Visiting Thailand…

Don’t stress about mastering grang jai right away. Just being aware of it already puts you ahead of the game. Try to read between the lines in conversations. Notice when someone hesitates or seems overly polite—they might be practicing grang jai. And when in doubt, kindness and humility go a long way.

The more time you spend in Thailand, the more you’ll feel what grang jai means, even if you can’t always explain it. It’s one of those beautiful cultural codes that make Thailand such a warm and gracious place to be.

How Art School Made Me Better at Taking Criticism

One of the most valuable things I took away from art school wasn’t just technical skill—it was learning how to take criticism. If you’ve ever been through an art critique, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. Every few weeks, we’d pin our work up on the wall, stand back, and brace ourselves as classmates and professors tore it apart. At first, it felt personal. But over time, I realized something: critique wasn’t about tearing me down—it was data I could use to improve.

Seeing Criticism as Data, Not an Attack

In the beginning, every comment felt like a gut punch. I had poured hours into my work, and someone pointing out its flaws felt like they were questioning my talent. But as the critiques continued, I started to shift my perspective. I realized that every piece of feedback was a new piece of data—something I could analyze, learn from, and use to refine my work. The more I embraced it, the more my skills improved.

This mindset shift has been invaluable, not just in my artistic career but in life in general. Whether it’s client feedback, social media comments, or even just unsolicited opinions, I now view criticism as neutral information. It’s up to me to decide what’s useful and what’s not.

Consider the Source: Is This Someone You Want to Be?

Not all feedback is created equal. In art school, I quickly learned that while everyone had an opinion, not everyone’s opinion was worth the same weight. A classmate who struggled with composition wasn’t the best source for composition advice. A professor with decades of experience? That was worth listening to.

Now, whenever I receive feedback, I ask myself: Is this person where I want to be? If the answer is yes, I pay close attention. If not, I take their input with a grain of salt. That doesn’t mean I dismiss all criticism, but I do filter it through the lens of the person giving it.

How to Respond to Criticism Like a Pro

Handling criticism well is a skill, and like any skill, it gets easier with practice. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

1. Pause Before Reacting – It’s natural to feel defensive, but don’t respond emotionally. Take a breath, absorb the feedback, and give yourself time to process it before replying.

2. Ask Clarifying Questions – If the feedback isn’t clear, ask for specifics. “Can you elaborate on what you mean by that?” or “Do you have suggestions on how I could improve this?” can turn vague criticism into actionable advice.

3. Look for Patterns – One person’s opinion is just that—an opinion. But if multiple people point out the same issue, it’s worth paying attention to.

4. Separate Yourself from Your Work – Your work is not you. Critique of your work is not a critique of your value as a person or artist.

5. Know When to Let It Go – Not all feedback is helpful. If the criticism isn’t constructive or comes from someone who isn’t where you want to be, you don’t have to take it to heart.

Art school was tough, but it taught me resilience. Learning to handle criticism with grace and discernment has made me a stronger artist, entrepreneur, and person. Now, instead of dreading feedback, I welcome it. Because every critique—good or bad—is just another piece of data that can help me grow.

If you struggle with criticism, start small. Shift your perspective, filter the noise, and remember: the best artists, creatives, and professionals in any field are the ones who never stop learning.

Barrel Tasting in Temecula: Wine, Food, and a Whole Lot of Fun!

Ahh, that magical time of year when wine lovers flock to Southern California’s very own wine country—Temecula—for an event unlike any other: Barrel Tasting Weekend! If you’ve never been, let me paint you a picture. Imagine swirling, sipping, and savoring wine straight from the barrel before it’s officially bottled, getting a sneak peek at what’s to come. Now add delicious food pairings, breathtaking vineyard views, and a whole lot of laughter with friends. Yep, that’s exactly what went down!

The Lowdown on Barrel Tasting Weekend

Hosted by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, this two-day event (held on Saturday and Sunday) features around three dozen wineries opening their cellars and barrels for wine enthusiasts to explore. The festivities kick off at 11 AM and wrap up at 4 PM, giving you five glorious hours each day to make the rounds, sip amazing wine, and indulge in gourmet bites carefully crafted to complement each pour.

My friends and I set out on a mission: Hit as many wineries as possible while still finding time to actually enjoy the experience. Easier said than done, but hey, we love a challenge! And if you’re anything like me, you’ll strategically bring a friend or two who don’t always use all their drink tickets… you know, for a little extra ‘research.’

What to Expect at Each Winery

Each participating winery offers one tasting from a barrel plus three additional tastings of their finished and newly released wines. Every tasting is one ounce, and let’s just say—by the end of the day, after eight wineries, I was probably one sip away from dancing on a tabletop.

While some people meticulously plan their route based on wine preferences, my friends and I had slightly different priorities: food pairings. Because let’s be real, good wine is great, but good wine with amazing food? That’s a whole new level of happiness.

Here’s where we ended up this year:

🍷 Cougar Winery – Known for their Italian varietals and generous pours, Cougar set the bar high with their rich reds and perfectly paired bites.

Food Pairing: Their famous spicy Arrabiata sauced meatballs made with our Estate Barbera. Served with a garlic crostini.

🍷 Europa Village – A little slice of Europe in Temecula! The ambiance, the wines, the cheese—everything about this place screamed sophistication.

Food Pairing: Traditional wild Mushroom bruschetta carefully prepared with the finest ingredients by Chef Hany Ali & the Europa Village Culinary Team

🍷 Bel Vino Winery – Cozy vibes and bold wines made this stop a must. Their Syrah straight from the barrel? Chef’s kiss.

Food Pairing: Chocolate Mousse Cups by VeneCacao

🍷 Lorimar Winery – If you love live music with your wine, Lorimar is a must-visit. Bonus points for their perfectly paired small bites!

Food Pairing: Italian Sausage & Pepper Pasta - Sauteed sliced Italian sausage, onions, mixed bell peppers and garlic tossed with marinara cream sauce & penne pasta served with focaccia bread 

🍷 Wilson Creek Winery – Famous for their almond sparkling wine, but their barrel tasting was equally impressive. This is always a crowd-pleaser!

Food Pairing: Sliced Akaushi Wagyu Ribeye, perfectly seared to buttery perfection. Paired with blue cheese- crushed red potatoes that add a creamy, tangy flair, and finished with a luxurious truffle demi-glace 

🍷 Oak Mountain Winery – Home to Temecula’s only wine cave! Sipping barrel wine in an underground cave? Yes, please!

Food Pairing: Cave Shrimp - Seasoned shrimp wrapped and deep fried in a crunchy wrap served with a sweet and spicy sauce.

🍷 Leoness Cellars – A fan favorite for a reason! Their barrel-aged reds were smooth and delicious, and the food? Let’s just say we considered sneaking seconds.

Food Pairing: Temecula Catering: Slow Braised Beef Bourguignon, Mushrooms, Carrots, Bacon and Pearl Onions 

🍷 Masia De La Vinya Winery – A hidden gem with Spanish-style wines and a laid-back vibe. Their Tempranillo was bold and delicious, perfectly complemented by a well-thought-out food pairing.

Food Pairing: Short Rib Croquette with Chimichurri aioli garnished with Micro Bulls Blood by Savage Chef

By the end of the day, our wine glasses were empty, our stomachs were full, and our spirits were high. Barrel Tasting Weekend in Temecula is an absolute must for anyone who loves wine, food, and a fun-filled weekend in beautiful wine country. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or just in it for the vibes, this event never disappoints.

And I don't know if this counts as a 9th winery or not, but we ended the day in Greg's living room which happens to be a Satalite tasting room for Chapin Winery.

Pro Tips for Next Year: ✔️ Pace yourself – It’s a marathon, not a sprint. ✔️ Stay hydrated – Water is your best friend. ✔️ Plan your route – Prioritize wineries with the best food pairings (trust me on this one). ✔️ Bring a designated driver – Safety first! Or better yet, book a wine tour shuttle and sip stress-free.

So, who’s coming with me next year? 🍷🥂