Baily Winery & Vinyard - Temecula, CA

It’s hard to believe, but even with how often I’m in Temecula, I’ve rarely stopped to visit any wineries. Shocking, right? Determined to change that, I’m now on a mission to explore a new winery each trip—and my latest stop was Baily Vineyard & Winery, where I got to experience their celebrated history and delicious wines firsthand.

Baily Winery is a true Temecula gem, founded in 1981 by Carol and Phil Baily, who left Los Angeles to pursue their passion for winemaking. They planted their first acre in 1982 and have since expanded to a 25-acre vineyard with a state-of-the-art production facility, a café, and two tasting rooms—all geared toward creating a top-notch wine experience for visitors.

Baily Winery
33440 La Serena Way
Temecula, CA 92591
951-676-9243

At Baily’s Carol’s Restaurant, we tried both a bottle of red and a bottle of white. While the wine was excellent, the real star for me was the Vineyard Chicken Salad ($19.95). Imagine grilled chicken breast on fresh mesclun, mixed with spicy crusted pecans, red seedless grapes (a close cousin to Cabernet Sauvignon), Gorgonzola, and a refreshing citrus vinaigrette. It’s the perfect pairing for an afternoon in wine country!

If you’re planning a Temecula trip, I highly recommend Baily Winery for a taste of both the region’s history and its flavors.

French Toast, Fresh Eggs, and Vineyard Views in Temecula!

Temecula weekends? Yeah, they’re in a league of their own. Especially when you start the day with French toast made from eggs so fresh, they practically still have farm dirt on them. Big shoutout to my buddy Greg Rager, who kicked off our weekend with a breakfast that was equal parts simple and ridiculously delicious.

I swear, breakfast always tastes better when it comes with a side of vineyard views. There’s something about that quiet, sun-kissed landscape in Temecula that makes every bite feel like you're dining in a dream. The fresh eggs, the golden French toast, and the scent of it all drifting through the air? Temecula is the kind of place where mornings are wrapped in a cozy blanket of peace and good vibes.

If you’re ever in need of a break, want to escape the grind, or just need an excuse to eat French toast at noon, I highly recommend putting a weekend in Temecula on your radar. It’s those moments—great friends, stunning views, and a perfect bite of French toast—that remind you life can be pretty darn sweet.

Greg Rager Making French Toast

French toast, hot on the griddle.

French toast with butter and maple syrup.

Aloha Hawaiian BBQ: Why Ordering a Family Meal for Lunch Is the Secret to Your Best Workday Ever (Seriously, You Need to Try This)

Family Meal from Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

If you're anything like me and your lunch packing skills are, well, a bit hit or miss, then you’ve probably had one of those days where you're standing in the breakroom, wondering if the vending machine has some sort of "mystery meat" inside it. But next time your coworkers and you forget to pack lunch (hey, we’ve all been there), why not skip the sad solo sandwich and go big with a family meal from a local restaurant? It could be the best decision of your workday.

Take this recent office lunch miracle for example. The three of us were in dire need of something hearty, satisfying, and—let’s be real—something that didn’t taste like cardboard. Enter Aloha Hawaiian BBQ in Santa Ana, which totally saved the day with their family meal. Now, this isn’t your average takeout. Nope, we’re talking about three mouthwatering entrees, a generous side of fluffy rice, and that irresistible creamy mac salad that you could probably eat as a meal in itself. (Trust me, you'll want seconds... or thirds.)

The best part? It was enough to feed five or six people... but it was just the three of us. No shame. We dove in like we hadn’t seen food in days. And the price? A steal at just $45! That’s less than most people spend on lunch individually—plus, you get a whole feast! I’d say that’s a win, wouldn’t you?

So, next time you and your work crew are faced with the lunch dilemma, just skip the individual orders and go for the family meal. It’ll save you time, money, and probably a few hangry moments. Not to mention, it’s a great way to bond over food (who doesn't love a little lunchtime joy with a side of good vibes?). Plus, you’ll have leftovers—if you can resist eating it all in one sitting, that is.

Family meal = Big win. Your stomach (and your coworkers) will thank you. Trust me.

Aloha Hawaiian BBQ
2729 N. Bristol St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
714-547-8280

How to Live the Good Life in Long Beach: Friends, Food, and Ocean Breezes at Schooner or Later

Just another sunny California day spent catching up with my buddy Mike, visiting all the way from Thailand, and the legendary Ron & Nancy Miller, who I don’t get to see nearly as often as I’d like. Life has that way of pulling us in all directions, doesn’t it?

We met up at Schooner or Later in Long Beach. The food is good, the views are even better, and the vibe? Pure Long Beach. Oh, and if you’ve been to Long Beach, you know: parking is practically an endangered species. But here? Plenty of spaces! It’s almost a miracle.

There’s just something about sitting on the water’s edge, soaking up that California sun, and letting the world slow down. The hustle fades, and all that matters is what’s right in front of you. With outdoor seating right on the water, we were treated to views of boats drifting in and out of the marina while I dove into a plate of Chicken Fried Steak smothered in sausage gravy and sipped on a Bloody Mary (or two).

If you’re ever around the area, do yourself a favor: bring someone who makes you laugh, order something delicious, and just soak it all in. Life moves fast enough—sometimes you just need a day by the water to let it all slow down.

Leftovers, Gratitude, and a Whole Lot of Heart: My Thanksgiving Takeaways

So Thanksgiving’s officially in the rearview mirror... but let’s be real, those leftovers are still living their best life! I’m pretty sure I’ll be eating turkey and mashed potatoes ‘til Christmas at this rate. Anyone else still knee-deep in holiday food? Yeah, I thought so.

Now, a little fun fact: My family and I don’t get together much—life’s busy, y’know? Growing up, Thanksgiving wasn’t really on the radar. My family’s from Thailand, so we didn’t exactly have a turkey-and-gravy tradition. But here’s the kicker: Over the past decade, we’ve totally jumped on the Thanksgiving bandwagon. And let me tell you, it’s become a seriously special time for us. Now, I get to eat a mountain of food AND have an excuse to hang out with family (which is kind of a big deal when everyone's got their own life to lead).

  

 

So, while our hangouts might be few and far between, I just want to take a moment to shout out to all of you amazing humans. From my family to yours, thank you for being the light in this wild world. Even when we’re not all in the same place, you make life so much more colorful!

I hope your Thanksgiving was full of good food, good company, and maybe just a little bit of downtime (but not too much, because let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a bit of chaos with their turkey?). Now, let’s buckle up and get ready for the rest of this holiday season. It’s gonna be epic, my friends!

Perseid meteor shower 2023 & Light Pollution | Joshua Tree National Park

Hey party people! So, I pulled an all-nighter with half of Southern California to catch the Perseid meteor shower at Joshua Tree National Park. It was like the celestial Super Bowl, only with shooting stars instead of touchdowns. I saw dozens and dozens of shooting stars and even managed to photograph a few.

Now, would I do it again? Maybe, but hold on to your telescope. There was way too much traffic to get into the park, even at 2:00 am. And escaping the headlights of passing cars? Easier said than done. Back in the day, during the Geminid meteor shower, I could've counted the cars on one hand. Now? It's like a stellar rush hour. The light pollution from the nearby towns is also worse than it used to be.

But fear not, I found a semi-secret spot in JT without needing a spaceship to get there. It was just me, a handful of fellow starry-eyed folks, and the occasional jackrabbit trying to join the meteor party. Sadly, I had to abandon my dreams of light painting out of respect for my fellow stargazers. Sacrifices were made, my friends. I set my camera up on a tripod and used the intervalometer to continuously shoot for the time I was there. After that, I just sat back, drank wine, and enjoyed the show.

Here's the deal: let's talk about light pollution, shall we? I want you to enjoy the stars, not a glare festival. So, be a star and join the fight against light pollution. Let's all take a cosmic vow to reduce light pollution. It's time to let the stars have their moment in the spotlight (or, you know, the lack of it). Turn off unnecessary lights, shield those pesky bulbs, and let the universe sparkle without interference. Let's keep it stellar, my friends! 

#SaveTheStarryNight

Kruang Tedd Thai Restaurant | Los Angeles, CA

Kruang Tedd

Kruang Tedd
5151 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: (323) 667-9800

Hey folks! Just had the most epic late lunch hangout with Pam at Krung Tedd in LA. And yep, we totally ordered enough food for a small army, but let’s be real, snapping pics got in the way of the most important job—devouring all that deliciousness! Sometimes, you gotta prioritize the eating over the ‘gramming, am I right?

Seriously though, Krung Tedd is the real deal. Legit authentic flavors, portions big enough to feed a hungry Grace, and oh boy, those signature cocktails are something else! If you're in LA and craving some darn good eats, this spot's a winner. Cheers to good food and even better company!

Dishes Ordered
Kai Jeaw Moo Sap (Thai-style omelet with pork) | ไข่เจียวหมูสับ
Yum Woon Sen (glass noodle salad with pork, shrimp, and squid) | ยำวุ้นเส้น
Khao Mok Gai | ข้าวหมกไก่
Som Tum Plara (Papaya Salad with Fermented Fish Sauce) | ส้มตำปลาร้า
Tom Yum Soup | ต้มยำ
BBQ Pork | หมูย่าง
Andaman Sea Cocktail

Spicy Glass Noodle Salad ยำวุ้นเส้น

Khao Mok Gai ข้าวหมกไก่

Andaman Sea

Return to Blogging

Hello dear readers - all 2 of you (maybe less now - it has been a while). I’ve said several times over the past few years that I would return to writing here regularly, but I didn’t. Life just got in the way. You know how that goes….

Well, as it turns out, part of that life recently got out of my way and, suddenly, here I am with a bit more time on my hands than I used to have.

Several people have told me over the past decade that I should start blogging, not knowing I’ve had one since 2006. Hardly any of my friends knew about it because I never told them. They told me to write about my travel and dining experiences, to expand on my short posts from Facebook. I said, “Sure,” but never actually followed through. I never thought anyone would care enough about what I had to say, let alone be any good at writing. A part of me still doesn’t. 

Recently, I started writing theater reviews for the La Mirada Blog. I suppose Tony Aiello, the blog’s owner and editor, just wanted more content and was willing to help get me free tickets in return for a few notes on the show. Well, I guess he liked my writing. He wasn’t the first person to tell me that. I’d heard it a handful of times, but they were from my friends and I assume they just said that to be nice. Maybe. Just maybe. I’m not as bad I as think I am.

Well, FUCK IT. I like to write, so I’m gonna do it… even if I think I suck. 

NICHES

I’ve heard that in order to have a successful blog, you have to have a niche. “They” say If you’re interested in a topic, chances are, other people will be too. And I subscribe to that notion. I subscribe to YouTube channels, Instagram pages, and Podcasts that are niche specific. I don’t subscribe to anything in which the topic changes from day to day. 

I’m interested in so many things though!!! Budget traveling. Eating Out (not that kind of “eating out”). Arts. Entertainment. Etc. I’d hate it if I had to pick just one. So I’m not. I’m going to keep writing about EVERYTHING I’m interested in. If certain topics resonate with people more than others then I’ll consider creating a blog that is specific to that niche. If there are topics you want me to write more about, let me know. I’m open to suggestions. 

PICTURES

I like taking pictures. Rest assured, future posts will contain them (and maybe even videos), but not tonight. Not right now. Sleep calls to me.

Right now, this post is for the readers amongst us. 

CHANGES

I haven't updated this blog in YEARS. Be warned. I will be cleaning up this blog over the next few weeks. Posts I now find cringy will be removed. Links will be updated. If you have any suggestions to make this better, please let me know.

Love you all!

I’m Reading Books Again

I read a total of two books last year - and one of those books was half comprised of illustrations. The decade before that: none (that I can remember). I do BUY lots of books though, but never really read them. 

I used to read a lot in my childhood and through my teenage years. Oh, how I looked forward to those cheap newsprint Scholastic Book order forms each month! And no matter how many books I wanted to order or what books I wanted to read, my family just handed me the $$$ - no questions asked. Any time I wanted to go to the library, I was just taken. 

I don’t know if that was a deliberate choice by my family in order to encourage me to read or if it was just because I was spoiled. In any case, I’m grateful for that. I was never forced to read any books (to the detriment of my academic career), but I was never stopped from reading anything I wanted to either. I read just as much fiction as non-fiction. I swapped back and forth as my mood dictated. Because of that, reading and learning have always been considered pleasurable activities. I LOVED reading. 

As I got to college I read fewer and fewer books until it trickled to a stop. 

So why did I stop? I thought about WHY I used to read so much in the first place. It was because it was a source of entertainment and information for me. There weren’t many choices back then. Once a more robust internet came along I had a different source of entertainment and ways to gather information. That, coupled with the demands of academic life and work life, I just felt like I didn’t have time to read for pleasure anymore. It just wasn’t a priority for me. 

After a decade of barely reading anything (short of social media posts and a couple of online articles), I finally remember that books are still a good source of entertainment and they are a great source of in-depth information too. So here I am, starting to reading again. 

Oh, how I miss that feeling of getting lost in a story that I just don’t get when I watch a TV show. I miss the depth of information that a 15-minute YouTube video just doesn’t give me.

Don’t get me wrong, I still think the internet is fantastic. I can communicate with friends half a world away practically in real-time. I have access to far more information now than I ever did in the first 40 years of my life combined. It’s still a rich resource I would never want to give it up. But there’s room for books too. The more the merrier, right?

Advice

I once read, "Don't take advice from someone who isn't where you want to be."

That has stuck with me for nearly 20 years. Over the years I have noticed that many people give me advice and most of the time it's unsolicited. Unsolicited advice is now a pet peeve of mine. Most of the time, it's waste of my time.

First off, let me say that I appreciate advice, even when it's unsolicited. I understand that people are just trying to be helpful and I am grateful for that. However, for me, when advice is given without asking, it's just a waste of my time. No, I don't think that I'm sooooo smart, I never need advice. I need advice frequently, but when I WANT it, I ask.

I have noticed that people often give me advice without ever asking what it is I want to accomplish, let alone asking if I already have a plan to do what I want. No, they just give it to me. I can only assume that they are presuming to know what I want (but I think it's often projection) and assuming that I don't know enough to do what I want.

I often don't ask for advice from people because I know how to use Google. I have been told many times that you can't believe everything on the web. Then I wonder why the person who told me that feels the need to say it? Have they met people who believe everything they read online? Who are those people? Why are they associating with them? Anyway, NO, I don't believe the majority of the things I read online. I do take into consideration the credibility of the source of the information. I also take the time to search for multiple, credible sources and take that information into consideration. When I think Google is a more efficient source of information, I will search for it there. When I think asking someone with credibility for information is the more efficient source of information, I will ask the person. Most of the time, Google serves my needs.

I have a disdain for unsolicited advice, enough so that I try my hardest to never give it. I have been thanked by several people for the advice I gave them even though I NEVER gave a word of advice. When people lament on a problem, I start asking questions. The first thing I ask is what they want. Then I ask them why they want it and what they are doing to get what they want. Over the course of the conversation, I haven't given a single piece of advice. They come to their own conclusion about what they want to do and then they thank me for the "good" advice.

I have found that people often know what they want, even if they haven't articulated it - even to themselves. I have also found out that people, generally, have an idea about how they want to accomplish it. When I don't think it's a good idea, I ask them why they think that will help them accomplish their goal. Sometimes, their explanation makes sense to me. When it doesn't, I ask more questions, like, "have you considered __________?" or why they don't think a particular course of action will work.

If the person is still at a loss of how to accomplish what they want to do, I ASK them if they want suggestions or help. If they don't, I don't give it and we move on to the next topic.

For me, please feel free to give me suggestions AFTER after you have asked what it is I want to accomplish and AFTER you have asked me if I already have a plan and why I want to do something a certain way, but only if you disagree with it. I will always take that advice under consideration, but it doesn't mean I'll take it. 

The Golden Rule

This is the best thing I read today. "The Golden Rule—treat others as you want to be treated—has a fatal flaw: it assumes that all people want to be treated the same way."

Breakups

I recently broke up with my boyfriend and it's been interesting, particularly my friends' reaction to it. Many friends have offered their sympathy and some other well-meaning friends have offered their unsolicited (but appreciated) advice on how to deal with it.

Now, I've been through a few breakups in my day and I haven't felt the exact same way about any of them. Sometimes I think good riddance. Other times I long to have my loved one back. This last one is a mix of both. There are things I miss terribly. There are things I am elated to not have deal with anymore. For this break up I just want to be alone so I sort can through the two conflicting emotions, find out what’s at the root of each, and then figure out what to do about them.

Saying His Name

One friend mentioned that he was surprised that I still talk casually about my ex and still use his name. For a moment I thought that was odd. Why would I mind saying his name? He said he had a couple of friends who, nearly, immediately started calling their ex “that woman” or “that man”. Come to think of it, my ex, Sal, rarely said any of his ex’s names either.

Getting Rid of His Stuff

Another friend was surprised that I was keeping a lot of stuff that belonged to my ex. They were things he didn’t seem to want to take with him when he left. I’m keeping some things for sentimental reason and I’m keeping others because they’re useful. I’m not throwing out the ice trays he bought. I really like ice. I’m not throwing out the chair he bought, it’s quite comfortable. I’m not throwing out the bench press or the bar because I want to use it. My arms could use some strength training. I’m not throwing out pictures of him either because, to me, they are just a part of my story. Anything I didn’t want, I gave back or threw out.

Don't Hurt Myself

More than a few friends suggested that I don’t hurt myself. The first time I heard it, I just took it with a grain of salt thinking, yeah, I guess some people do want to hurt themselves after a breakup, but I’m not one of them. Then, when more people started to say it, I started to worry. Am I giving off some sort of vibe that makes people feel that I’m going to hurt myself and compels them to let me know this? Really, I just want a few days to mope around and think about how I feel. I recognize that I sometimes zone out when I have something on my mind, but does it give off the impression that I want to hurt myself?

Distract Yourself

Others have suggested I go out and distract myself, to go out with friends and do something, anything. Why would I want to avoid dealing with my emotions only to have to deal with them later because I put it off? I’m not planning on wallowing in my grief forever nor planning to live as a hermit. Left to my own devices, I’m estimating about three days of soul searching. It’s going to take much longer if I just keep putting it off. Of course, it doesn’t mean that I haven’t put it off. I’ve gone to work. I’ve gone out with friends, but my mind isn’t completely there because my attention is still on the breakup.

Dealing With It

A friend of mine sent me the above Dilbert comic strip. It’s about work and interruptions. Tasks get completed far more quickly without interruptions. Distracting myself is an interruption.

So, maybe, when your other friend hasn’t dealt with their break up 6 months later and you’re wondering why they are still dwelling on it, maybe, it’s because they have followed that advice to not dwell on it and therefore not deal with it.

I think everyone deals with breakups in their own way. For me, please, please just let me deal with this in my own way.

Fresno and Bravo Farms

I drove out to Fresno today to renew my driver's license. Heck, I love road trips.

I stopped by Bravo Farms on the way back, it's my favorite place on earth. It's my little escape and I hope to have a home just like it one day, complete with goats, a mini golf course, and a pool table. Oh, and of course, the tree house.

Tomorrow begins my mission to bring a little of that Bravo Farms feeling to my back yard. I'll be cleaning and working in the garden all day. Yup. I will.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Today is my birthday and I'm one of those people who LOVES celebrate to my birthday.

This year was different. I wanted a quiet birthday. My birthday gift to myself this year was just time to reassess my life and my goals.  I just got out of a relationship that ended badly a few weeks prior. For the first time in over 20 years, I'm single and I plan to stay that way... for a while.

There are things I want to do with my life and having to balance that with time and consideration for a significant other is not something I want right now. I have a lot of quirks and I know that it can drive someone nuts. I'm 37 and have been compromising with someone else for the better part of my life. I'm taking this time for me.

I hope you keep stopping by this blog in the days and weeks to come. Hopefully, we can begin this new chapter in my life together.

Arizona

We are so behind schedule. We should be setting up camp somewhere in Winslow AZ by now, but we barely just left Laughlin and have just crossed over into Arizona. 

Primm, NV

Just crossed the first state line on my Road trip. We stopped at Primm, Nevada to get gas, but I noticed it was mostly dark at Buffalo Bill's. That's my favorite casino at state line! I love that roller coaster! It was the only roller coaster I've ever been on that gave me butterflies in my tummy. I loved that they had a huge lounge non-gamblers could sit at for hours, waiting for their gambler friends. I read there for hours. Oh, I hope they are just renovating. 

Baker, CA

It's now 57 degrees in Baker according to the big thermometer. 

The 15

Living in LA, I don't get to see many stars. I'm lucky if I see 10. This is the first time in 6 months I've looked up in the sky and it's filled with stars. I can barely make out constellations. I see Orion, bright and clear, but everything else is lost in the sea of lights.