Belinda Dao » Travels

Santana Row

Belinda — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:15:06 +0000

Santana Row is your typical upscale shopping area with high end shops and eateries. It reminded me of a mix between South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island minus dogs dressed in clothes and Botoxed women (or maybe it was too early in the morning). I did not bother to go into Gucci or BCBGMAXAZRIA, which are out of my current price range, but I did love love love their Urban Outfitters and The Container Store (first time visit!). From UO, I got a black Silence and Noise dress, a cute pair of loafers/flats, Ecote sandals, and a Deena and Ozzy purse. From The Container Store, I got an introduction to a store that I will be visiting quite frequently in the future.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco

Belinda — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:09:30 +0000

Wahoo’s Fish Taco is so yummy. It’s simple food that tastes good. I’ve already eaten at the Wahoo’s located at Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza, and Costa Mesa 2. This past week I was able to try Wahoo’s outside of Southern California at the San Jose location of Wahoo’s at Santana Row. As usual, I got the Maui Bowl, which is carne asada marinated in Teriyaki over steamed, seasoned white rice with black beans. It also comes with salsa on top of the carne asada, but since A does not like salsa we opted to get it on the side in a bowl. A, my cousin D, and I shared an order of jumbo fries and a Maui bowl. It was absolutely delicious and filling. From my experience, the good thing about the food at Wahoo’s Fish taco is it always tastes the same, something I can always count on.

This is how it comes…

with the salsa on the side…

but I love mixing everything together!

Absolutely delicious.

Tribune Tower in Chicago

Belinda — Sun, 10 May 2009 22:41:43 +0000

On Michigan Ave. near the Chicago River is the Tribune Tower. At first, I thought it was just another “wowza” building to walk by in Chicago, but on closer inspection I noticed something very unique. On the outside of this building are stones from famed sites and structures all over the world. From France to Turkey to Scotland to New York to everything around and in-between, a piece of a place in the world is on this building. It gave me one of those rare times when I get the feeling that somehow everyone in the world is connected and we are not so different and not so far apart from each other.

Tulips in Chicago

Belinda — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:47:48 +0000

As I made my way all throughout the lovely city of Chicago from Michigan Ave. to downtown by the Loop, I could not help but notice all the tulips. I guess it is some sort of event that happens in the city. Regardless, it was a pretty site to see. Refreshing. Spring.

Fog in Chicago

Belinda — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:46:45 +0000

If you were in Chicago April 29-30, 2009, then you must of noticed the fog.

John Hancock

Millenium Park

Cloud Gate at Millenium Park

Downtown

Sears Tower

Home Sweet Home

Belinda — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:04:37 +0000

Being away definitely does make the heart grow fonder. I truly have a better appreciation and perspective of home, where it is, and the people that make it home. A, meanwhile, had other priorities on her mind on our plane ride home…

Safety First from Belinda Dao on Vimeo.

Yale/Rory Gilmore

Belinda — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:38:19 +0000

I had my Rory Gilmore moment. Sort of. It happened when I found myself in New Haven at Yale. Yes. Yale. The school Rory chose to attend for college. The school where she studied for 4 seasons (minus her leave of absence). The school that was the setting for the Life and Death Brigade (inspiration for A and my Delta Alpha Omega’s In Omnia Paratus), the Harvard-Yale game tailgate party episode, the Yale Daily News, etc. This school is filled with so much history, prestige, and Gilmore-related memories. I may not have been on the undergrad part of campus, but I was on some part of the Yale campus. As I walked through the halls where famous footsteps (I assume) had preceded my own, I felt the connection to something historical, something important, something Gilmore. Or it could have been all in my head. Either way, I felt, for a minute or two, like Rory. If only I could find Stars Hollow would it have been complete. Well, at least I got to fly out of Hartford.

On an unrelated note, A pointed out that while in Connecticut we forgot to look for Stonybrook (setting for the Baby-Sitters Club).

Ikea @ New Haven

Belinda — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:48:45 +0000

IKEA New Haven Directions

What is there to do in New Haven? This was the question that A was suppose to find the answer to prior to our traveling bonanza that would take us through three cities in three different states in one week. This was the question that A was suppose to find an answer to while lounging around in her thermals in the hotel room in Cleveland and Boston. This was the question that A was suppose to find an answer to before we stepped off the Amtrak in New Haven. Default answer: Ikea. Good enough for me.

Ikea at New Haven turned out to be quite the same as Ikea at home granted that getting to Ikea at home typically entails driving down a crowded 405 freeway rather than walking in the frigid cold (thank you wind chill) on an ice-covered sidewalk. Nevertheless, the same large blue building greeted us and as I stepped through the glass entrance sliding doors, a familiar sense of being home rushed over me. Välkommen!

Although there was nothing unique about this Ikea compared to the ones in California, it provided A and me with a good hour and half of imagining what furniture would look nice in our future homes as we meandered through the showrooms. The other displays (frames, especially) also gave us good decorating ideas. Ikea is so creative! I love it! This excursion, though, proved to be a bit difficult as A reminded me that we did not have enough luggage space to buy anything. After I came to terms with this fact, we meandered some more before venturing back outside into the cold to make our way back to our hotel.

mmm Bao’s Kitchen mmm

Belinda — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 19:38:44 +0000

quick and free delivery. large portions. absolutely good.

(sorry, but no pics here. my reflex to grab chopsticks was much quicker than my reflex to grab the camera.)

Premiere Hotel and Suites in New Haven

Belinda — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 19:06:02 +0000

Overall a good stay here. The room was spacious (including a living room area, kitchen, bathroom area). A free complimentary shuttle was available on request. The free breakfast was delicious as well (especially on Sunday). The only downsides would be that there’s not much around within walking distance (unless you’re willing to walk far in the cold) and the heater made A LOT of noise when it was turning on and when it was on.