Most of us probably first had figs in a snack or as a dried snack itself. I’m pretty sure my first encounter was with fig Newton’s. I loved the sweetness and the bits of crunch that the seeds provided. It was gooey yet crispy all at once. It wasn’t until I was much older that I ever saw a fresh fig, with its bulbous shape and skin that didn’t look edible. Every now and then I crave that funky fruit and I find it extremely hard to find it offered in dishes at a restaurant. There was a fabulous salad from Bottega Louie that reignited my desire for figs, but it’s seasonal, so I struggled to find another option. When I was traveling to San Francisco once, I was thrilled to find a tea house that offered it along with other fruit, so I got that plate. Then I started to see them at Whole Foods, so I totally need to make my own salads with them. It’s gonna be great. 🙂
365great Day 276: fresh figs
365great Day 275: goofing off
You shouldn’t always take yourself seriously. In fact, I think every day we should be a little goofy, wacky, strange, even. Tonight as Panda and I were getting ready to head out to his company’s holiday party, we took a few moments to be utterly silly even as we got all dressed up. There’s no better fun than that! I had him carry me and then I gave him a piggy back ride. Later in the evening, we got home and took a selfie video of us doing a fake cheers from our silly plastic cocktail glasses. Comic relief can be a useful way to disperse tension and being goofy is a splendid way to have some fun! If you’re not already laughing or even giggling every day, maybe you should try goofing off a bit more. It’s a great way to make more memorable moments and keep a playful spirit alive.
365great Day 274: kitchen islands
My favorite feature about a kitchen is generally whether it has an island. Ever since the house in LA, I’ve enjoyed having one as a gathering spot. I like how you can stand, lean, or sit by it/at it. It’s the type of setup where you can hang out casually and spend time in other people’s company. Of course, being in the kitchen is also a fabulous location within any building – you can eat or drink while connecting with others. I love the little island we get at our condo and I can’t wait to see how we use the space. It’s going to be great!
365great Day 273: beaches
It’s so much fun to go play at the beach. One of my favorites is this quiet little stretch in Malibu, where I used to go when I wanted a tranquil area. Once I saw some dolphins swimming by and it was magical. I went to visit it again back over Thanksgiving break and had sooo much fun! I mean, just look at the gleefulness with which I am frolicking and playing there. It was such a blast. Why didn’t I go to the beach more when I lived in LA? Ah, now that I’m in the bitter cold of winter in NoVa, I lament the time I could have spent enjoying those beaches. It’s so great to be able to go there and look out over the ocean, play in the sand, appreciate the environment.
365great Day 272: stair surfing
What fun it is to goof off. College is the perfect time to go a little crazy and try out some wacky things, like sliding down stairs on a mattress. I mean, when you’re moving in or out, why not have some fun with it? That’s exactly what my friends and I did one year, when we decided that the mattresses in our rooms could use a little excitement. We took turns throwing ourselves down the stairs atop this padding, having a grand old time. Between the bumpiness and the awkwardness, it was pretty hilarious. Stair surfing is not for the faint of heart but it’s a rewarding experience for those insane enough to throw themselves headfirst down the stairs. It also happens to make for some great entertainment. Don’t try this at home, folks.
365great Day 271: pho
Pho is comfort food to me. When I’m not feeling well, whether I’m sick or sad, it’s the perfect thing to soothe me. I personally like it more than chicken noodle soup. I love the fragrance of the herbs, the thin noodles, the rich broth, and the experience of putting in the veggies when the soup comes out steaming hot. I like to get the plain noodle soup if I can, since I love it for the veggies, soup, and noodles. No need for meat for me! I always feel better after downing a large bowl and usually my sinuses and head will get cleared up by the end of it. It’s perfect for those down days and I can’t even remember what I used to do before I was introduced to pho. I guess I did get afternoon fevers pretty frequently in high school. I’m so glad that college brought me experiences like discovering pho because it’s now an important part of my diet, particularly in the colder months. It’s so great for a pick-me-up!
365great Day 270: birds of prey
Like I just mentioned, I love birds of prey. My favorite is a tossup between an owl and a hawk. I think I’d like to be a hawk in the day and an owl at night. Once, I was in my backyard in LA and this gorgeous snowy owl silently glided up past our fence. It was absolutely breathtaking and magical. I stood there dumbfounded for a good minute or two, marveling at what I just saw and hardly believing it. I love the grace, the power, the freedom of these birds. They exude confidence and ability in a way that I admire and would love to embrace. Plus, being able to fly and see so sharply would be amazing. I’d get a kick out of finding a nice perch and staring out at the world, or soaring high above it all. It’s beautiful out there and what a great way to enjoy it.
365great Day 269: bonfires
Back at UCLA, I attended the most bonfires of my life – during Beat ‘SC Week as we pumped up school spirit for the UCLA vs. USC football game, at retreats with my fraternity (AKPsi), and on random outings with friends when we met up at Dockweiler Beach. There’s something special about gathering around a giant flame, letting it heat one side of your body until you felt like it was going to singe. For the smaller bonfires, you can toast marshmallows and make s’mores. For the larger ones, you can marvel at the height of the flame and join in on a crowd mentality as hundreds of people pack in. Bonfires are such a fun activity to participate in, no matter the scale; it could be as intimate as personal time alone or as lively as participating in a group. Either way, it’s a great way to enjoy a night.
365great Day 268: Aerie
I’m getting to be quite the fan of Aerie. Awhile ago, I shared how I got free & practically free underwear from them and then today I managed to score a bra for just over $5! Now that’s a steal. Granted, $10 of that was from Wrapp (to be coming on another 365great day), but still, I’m very pleased. They always have really cute clothes and undergarments and when I wait for just the right time, I can snag them at fantastic bargains. I’ve got my eye on a bunch of clothes that I’d like to get there eventually… like maybe later this month when they have their $10 off $30 promo! I can’t wait – it’s gonna be great. 🙂
365great Day 267: tigers
I love felines of all kinds and my favorite of the large cats would have to be tigers. They have an air about them that is awe-inspiring and their strength yet grace is captivating. Their stripes are so fun and vibrant; it’s a unique pattern that no other big cats have. I got a chance to visit the Tiger Temple when I was in Thailand and it was such a special experience. When I approached the area where the adult cats were lounging, everything hushed and I carefully navigated through them with my guide. They didn’t seem to mind much that people were milling out and either let me touch them gently or didn’t even feel my hand stroking them. My favorite part was petting the baby tiger though – it was already quite big, with giant paws and far more strength than me. Yet, they still had an awkward, adorable quality about them. I absolutely loved being able to get so close to these creatures – what a great vacation stop!
