Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Here's wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Simply June 

Anacapa Island

Being in California, we're blessed with beautiful sceneries and attractions not too far from us. There's always something to do, somewhere. With the inlaws in town, the husband decided to visit Anacapa Island. Thankfully, the harbor for us to take the ferry is just less than an hour from us. There's only one way to get to the island; via ferry which is only operated by Island Packers. They are the only licensed ferry operator (as well as some other water sports) for the Channel Islands. Ticket cost us $56 for round trip to and from the Island. Senior citizens get a little bit of discounts. There's only one pick up time for both to and from the island; so you have to be punctual or you'll miss the boat!

The boat ride departed from the Oxnard harbor at around 9.30am and it took a little over an hour to get to Anacapa Island. To prepare ourselves from getting motion sickness, we took some ginger pills (a more natural alternative) and had some delicious chewy ginger candy. We had a pretty heavy marine layer that morning, and apparently that's a good thing, as it kept the waves down, hence a smooth boat ride. Yay! We kept our eyes wide open hoping to spot some dolphins or whales, but did not manage to see any on our way to the island. As a consolation, we were rewarded by the view of the beautiful ocean and as we approach the island; views of the beautiful island.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the park ranger and a volunteer and were given some introduction about the island including what not to do. To help keep the island in pristine condition, visitors must bring out whatever trash they brought in. No pets allowed as well. This is pretty much a back to basics island where there're minimal pit toilets (no flush toilets) and no water available. So, you must bring enough drinking water for your own. If you're camping, you have to bring everything in and out of the island. No campfires allowed, so forget about brining fire wood. As you can swim/snorkel/kayak around the island, bringing those water sport equipments would be a fun way to explore the island.

The island itself is bare... you don't have much shade to hide from the scorching heat. The view from the tiny island is spectacular! The walk is quite easy.... especially for someone like me...who don't like extreme hikes.

Every part of the island offers different views. As we brought our own food to the island, we sat at benches provided to enjoy a bite and take in the beautiful scenery. There're plenty of sea lions around the island, just keep your ears open and it you hear "barks" nearby, chances are there are sea lions at the bottom of the cliffs. If you do want to look down, BE CAREFUL!! These cliffs are very dangerous and can crumble anytime. The cliffs are high so a fall can be deadly!! 

The view from Inspiration Point; inspiring indeed! So breathtaking!

Views of the lighthouse on Anacapa Island.

We are pretty much done with the island at about 1.30pm as it was getting too hot. We gathered near the information centre where's there's some shade and waited for time to head to the dock. I secretly wished they come and pick us up sooner. At 3pm, we gathered at the dock to take the only boat back to Oxnard. During the boat ride back, the captain brought us around the Arch Rock and also got us a closer views of the sea lions. We were also praying real hard to be able to catch a glimpse of dolphins and whales but after more than an hour of "eye-straining" we were left a little disappointed again. Catching a glimpse of these mammals would have made the boat ride so worth it!! It was still overall a good trip away from civilization and to be able to enjoy mother nature.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan a day trip to Anacapa Island. Don't forget to pack some lunch and plenty of water to hydrate! And take your trash home with you!

Simply June 

California : Discount Coupons!

The husband and I are always on the lookout for coupons and promo codes and such to save some money on our purchases. We don't go overly crazy and don't really do coupon clippings for groceries. However, with tons of family in town any savings that we can get is definitely helpful especially when you have a ton of places to visit! Entrance fees for theme parks and museums can add up quickly when you have a big party so every little savings we can get sure does help!

Since the husband was unable to score discount tickets from work (they ran out..=() , I decided to do some googling and stumbled upon this site: http://www.visitcalifornia.com/Fun-Spots/. They seem to have some decent deals on some famous attractions in CA.

I hope you'll find something that you need. I've already printed some to use for our next outing! =). By the way, if you're a AAA member, don't forget to bring the card out and don't be shy to ask if they give you AAA member discount. Doesn't hurt to ask! =) The extra couple bucks that we save will mean a couple extra bucks for some nice cold treats in the hot afternoons!

PS: I'm not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in this post. Just merely sharing some money saving tips and coupons whenever I see them! I heart deals! 

Simply June 

iMoodFashion

This is another shout out to a friend's business. They just launched a pretty cool product that allows you to "change" the back cover of your iPhone to suit your outfit, mood and even activity.

To give you a better idea of the product, I picked up this description from their website, 

"iMoods stick to your iPhone with electrostatic forces instead of using any glue or adhesive.  That means when you remove a Mood from your iPhone to store it, it won't get all dirty and lose its ability to stick the next time you want to use it. You can carry all your Moods around with you and interchange whenever you feel like it, totally hassle-free."

Check out what iMoodFashion is and how you can customize your iPhone quickly...as often as you like!

Head on to their website and check out the promotion that they are offering right now. They stock a variety of designs and I'm sure you'll be able to find out that you like! This is also an excellent product for fund raising to show school spirit or as a promotional product to put your brand name out there. http://www.imoodfashion.com/ . They are also on Facebook, so check them out and feel free to give them a "LIKE".

Simply June 

Trip to India

The husband and I plus 2 of our good friends are planning a trip to India. We've done a couple trips in the past, but I somehow find this trip the hardest to plan overall. I guess with vacation day limitations, a wedding to squeeze in between, and the desire to visit as many places as possible during this short trip is proving to be quite a challenge.

I'm struggling to find the best route in and out of exotic India and I know the few key places that we will need to do is New Delhi, Agra, Indore and Mumbai.

All suggestions on routes, must see places, best way (and safest) to see India, recommended hotels, and must try delicacies are welcome!

Thanks in advance! =)

PS: We want to travel around India on our on... that means not following the convenient tour groups. Hiring a driver or a personal tour guide might be an option though...


Simply June 

Check List

I aim to keep my blog ad-free. And when I do blog about a company or service, it's voluntary and I do not get a commission or a cut.

Sometimes I blog because of a satisfactory service/product. This time it's just simply to help out a friend's new business in errand running. So, if you're in the Thousand Oaks area (Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village) and need someone to run some errands for you, house sit or pet sit, please contact CHECK LIST.

Check out some of the services CHECK LIST offers and don't hesitate to contact them if you don't see a service you need listed.


Simply June 

TLC, DIY and the Patio!

Welcome to my home!.. in this case, my patio! =)

The husband and I do enjoy DIY. Well, I should admit that the husband probably enjoys it a little more than I do. However, we both think the results from your own DIY is absolutely rewarding. You get to learn the process, save some money, control the scenario and be somewhat proud of your achievement after putting 101% of your efforts and time into the project!

We were somewhat lucky to find a place very quickly in the Thousand Oaks area and being only semi-handy we didn't want to get too much of a fixer upper and obviously have a stick within our budget.
Our new home already had some upgrades done and it just needed some TLC to make it ours. Changing out some light fixtures, putting fresh coat of paint in most of the rooms and changing out old dingy carpet upstairs for some nice updated flooring were the few projects we knew we had to do first.

Changing out the flooring was a huge project and as much as we like to learn how to do it, we hired someone professional to do that. There's too much living space at risk to DIY! =) So we stuck to changing out light, painting and some interior decorating (which just translates to shopping!!)

I hated the old patio lights, and wanted something that had a little more personality and fit our design of the patio! The husband nicely changed them out for me! =)

After house hunting and visiting over 20 properties both of us fell in love with this one. I think the fenced in nice size patio (we didn't want a big yard) sealed the deal! It was bricked and it had some space for greeneries; enough for us to try to grow a green thumb and chill out comfortably. We saw the potential and was fairly quick to customize that space to make it ours. This was the first space in the house that we furnished, even before our household shipment from MA arrived! Here's the before and after....(yes Brady came along to the west coast too!)

I had Moroccan theme in mind, and wanted lots of bright bold colors. Lots of accent pillows and outdoor lanterns. I think I came pretty close to what I had planned. The nights here surprisingly can get pretty chilly, so I think we will need to get a chiminea or a fire pit...something cute that will fit in with with the rest of the furniture! I am still looking for some pieces here and there, but until then we are absolutely loving this part of the house!

Simply June

Happy Birthday, Bro! XOXO

Another Year

I’m wishing you another year
Of laughter, joy and fun,
Surprises, love and happiness,
And when your birthday’s done,

I hope you feel deep in your heart,
As your birthdays come and go,
How very much you mean to me,
More than you can know

By Joanna Fusch

Here’s wishing my brother a HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY!!

See you soon!

Simply June 

Testing Out the New Lens..

Took my camera and my new 50mm lens I received from the husband on my birthday. Here are some shots I took over the Memorial Day weekend when we decided to check out Great Brook Farms @ Carlisle, MA.

Mobile Blogging..

…..and more aboard the mighty MegaBus! The husband and I are on the bus from Boston to New York for a one day trip. The ultimate purpose of our trip to the big apple is to renew our passports. After weighing in the pros and cons of driving ourselves vs taking the bus; we decided to take the bus since it would be more stress free! With a price of about $50 roundtrip for 2 and free WiFi on the bus, we have no reason to say NO! Plus, we probably save a bunch of money finding parking too! I am looking forward to stuffing my face silly in NYC and of course getting our passports renewed asap!

My New Toy!

And loving it! This was a birthday gift from the husband and I’m still learning to take pictures with my brand new macro lens! =)

Killer Stare??…..

He doesn’t look too please with me, does he? =)

Happy Mother’s Day!

A Thousand Thanks

Mother's Day brings to mind
The thousands of things you did for me
that helped make me happier,
stronger and wiser,
because I had you as a role model.

I'm grateful for all the times
you healed my hurts
and calmed my fears,
so that I could face the world
feeling safe and secure.

I'm thankful for all you showed me
about how to love and give--
lessons that now bring
so many blessings to me
each and every day.

Your sacrifices and unselfishness
did not go unnoticed, Mom.
I admire you, I respect you,
I love you.
And I'm so glad you're my mother!

Happy Mother's Day!

By Joanna Fuchs

Happy Mother’s Day Mom, Mom-in-law and all the mothers out there!

Sightseeing Washington DC – April 3, 2010 (Part Two)

This is one ambitious short trip to the capital of the United States. We squeeze in a walk around the Tidal Basin and to the Jefferson Memorial to enjoy the scenery of the Cherry Blossoms. From there, we walked towards the Smithsonian and spent the rest of our days in 3 different museums. We pick and choose the sections we wanted to see most in the museums spent more time in one section and less or none in some others.

Smithsonian Institution (according to Wikipedia) is an educational and research institute and associated museum complexes, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities and magazines. Most of its facilities are located in Washington, D.C., but its 19 museums, zoo, and nine research centers include sites in New York City, Virginia, Panama, and elsewhere. The museum is perfect for family fun and definitely every educational. Best part..FREE! No entrance fee! Eating at the museum does however cost you, i.e, we spent about $70 for lunch for 4.

Here are the pictures from our maiden tour into the Smithsonian. First stop was the American History Musuem. I wasn’t too keen to go to this one, but I was glad I did at the end of it!

Something old and something new. Top Hat from Abraham Lincoln (Bottom Left) which is at least 140 years old and Michele Obama’s Inaugural Ball evening dress (Bottom Right). The first lady had just recently donated this dress to the museum. See Michele Obama in the dress HERE.

And the renown Julia Child’s kitchen (bottom), donated by the chef herself in 2001. I don’t need to own 20 frying pans, I nor do I want her kitchen…I just want to be able to cook like her. Boeuf bourguignon, perhaps? Or the duck dish, Pate de canard en croute?

After spending a couple hours at the American History museum, we walked to the Natural History museum. I did not see much that captured my attention, perhaps the exhibition was almost like the Field Museum in Chicago?

We were greeted by this huge 14 foot tall African elephant  (Bottom Left) in the lobby area. Don’t worry, it wasn’t live and kicking. It was just a statue. (I think) that comes alive at night. =)

We walked around and stumbled the evolution of man area. I found one of the display interesting (Bottom Right). Click to see more clearly. Are we seriously 60% genetically similar to banana trees??

 

We were eager to catch a glimpse of the Hope Diamond at the Natural History Musuem (Bottom Left). There were many people surrounding all those precious stones on display taking pictures and wishing they could own just one. I was one of them =) The Hope Diamond weighs at 42.52 carat and is believed to be cursed. The Smithsonian houses this huge rock which is removed from its original setting as it is apparently getting a new upgraded setting in the future.

There were also some other interesting natural minerals (Bottom Left) that were so colorful and pretty.

After the Natural History Museum, we walked towards the Smithsonian Castle (Bottom Left) which is mainly an information center and perhaps an event hall. The garden (Bottom Right) at the back was nice with nicely trimmed plants and rows of tulips.

 

Our final stop was the Air & Space Museum. Just tons of air craft and the history of it. I spotted Amelia Earheart’s airplane (Bottom Left). She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. We then realized, this wasn’t the air and space museum we wanted to see. We wanted to see the Air and Space Museum @ Udvar-Hazy Center which was a couple minutes’ drive away and not in the National Mall area.

Overall, the visit to the museums were quite educational. it would have been better if they had better air conditioning inside. It was hot and stuffy sometimes and I’m not sure if it was because of the large crowd on a Easter weekend? Or was it always like that. Well, can’t complain much since did not pay the entrance fees…but I think part of our tax dollar probably made its way here…right?

Sightseeing Washington DC – April 3, 2010 (Part One)

After spending one night in Baltimore, we started the day early and drove to Washington DC. When I said we started the day early…we did..we check out between 7am – 7.30am. After loading stuff into the car, filling up the tank we finally made it into DC slightly close to 9 I think. Finding parking was quite tough but we managed to park in a shopping mall and walked to the main attractions. The walk wasn’t that bad. Weather was quite decent, although it was a bit chilly early in the morning.

We did not really visit all the historical monuments and memorials this trip as we’ve seen it a couple times..minus the cherry blossoms. I’ve done all the monuments and memorials twice or thrice, the last was last year when I brought my parents and my brother here. I don’t think I’ve poasted pictures from that trip. Maybe I will well….when I’m not that lazy to go through my archives =).

So, here are pictures from the main reason we took the trip…Cherry Blossoms!!! All of these Cherry Blossoms are taken around the Tidal Basin as we walked towards the Jefferson Memorial.

                

The cherry blossoms are definitely pretty. They are not as huge as the ones in Japan though. These Cherry Blossoms were actually gifts from the people of Japan to the people of the United States in 1912.

Since we’ve had enough of monuments and memorials, we took the opportunity to visit some Smithsonian museums. I’ll post pictures from our trip to the museum next! =)

Been a Lil’ Lazy…

Sorry I’ve not been updating this blog as frequently as I used to. The only excuse I have is I’ve been a lil’ lazy especially after a long day at work. I spend most of my days at work now, and I don’t have the luxury to be cooking fancy stuff on weekdays anymore. Fret not, I’m still cooking.. just a lil lazy to update my blog…..

My week night meals are now usually quick and easy meals. That does not mean I’m eating instant noodles, frozen food, canned food or sandwiches with deli meat……It’s hot cooked food…mostly from scratch!. On some days, I do however go all out, if I get home early from work, not too tired or is in the zone to cook something a lil’ fancy…..These days too, I try to bake sweet treats on weekdays and bring it to work to bribe the people I work with.. =)

Look out for posting on my first attempt at making Panna Cotta (Italian custard/cooked cream).