If you are living independently, you are obliged to be more careful of yourself. You need to be well and healthy all the time because it is hard to get sick most especially if you are away from your family as no one would be there to look after you. So just recently, I started some adjustments with my daily activities. Allow me to share some of these changes in my life.

I now wake up earlier than usual and I strictly follow a meal plan that I created. I make it sure that I get to eat the just the right amount of meat and have vegetables on my menu. I also drink milk before sleeping. Aside from that, I just started running. It’s not something that I would submissively do every day but I plan to run at least twice a week. I ran for twenty minutes the other day and I would like to run more next time. From what I’ve read on this article, running makes one happier, it reduces the chances of dying early due to cancer, and it also improves memory and learning. See the benefits? Why not add running to your weekly routine too?

The first quarter of this year, I must say that I got sick a lot of times. I even got sick during my birthday! I hope to stick with these modifications not only for this year but for the years to come as well. One of my ultimate goals this year is to be healthier and stronger.

PS. I am looking for an app to monitor my running. Do you have any suggestions? Comment them below.

2. Universal Studios. Enjoy different rides and attractions inspired by your favorite Hollywood films like Transformers, Jurassic Park, and Despicable Me. You may also interact and take selfies with the different characters roaming around the lot. I got to meet Spongebob Squarepants and Doc Brown from Back to the Future! When we went there, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was still under construction but here’s the good news for you, geeks – it’s already open!

3. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. If you’re a person with a big love for art, then LACMA is the best place to go to. With an admission fee of $15 for adult and $10 for seniors and students, you can enjoy viewing the wonderful works made by different artists. By the way, members and children (17 and under) do not need to pay! You may also view the famous Urban Light installation outside the LACMA which has been used as a location in the film, No Strings Attached.

4. Walk of Fame. Your visit to Hollywood would never be complete without visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You may not be lucky enough to see your fave celebrities but at least you can have a picture with their stars on the pavement and you can claim that you’ve been to a place where that personality has been! You can also enjoy shopping at the different stores along the boulevard or visit attractions like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not and the Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.

5. Hollywood Sign. When you’re just in the vicinity, you may have a glimpse of the big Hollywood Sign on the mountain. But it would be really cool if you get to see it up close. There’s the Griffith Observatory that you can head on to but when we went there, the GPS took us to a residential area near the spot where the sign is located. The road leading to it is steep but you’ll surely have the best view.

6. The Last Bookstore. Are you a book enthusiast? I highly suggest you visit the Last Bookstore located in Downtown L.A.. Aside from the thousands of books available, there are also records and other stuff sold like bags and shirts. You may also score some used books at lower prices. Besides that, the place is so fantastic. There are different installation arts inside and I’m sure you’ll love the vintage-y feel of this book haven. There are also different events held here. You may visit their Facebook page to be updated (The Last Bookstore).

7. LA. Live. Since you’re already in downtown, why not go to L.A. Live? To make the most of your visit, check in advance if there’s any show or game you want to watch at the Staples Center or at the Microsoft Theater. Just a little stroll would also take you to the Grammy Museum where you can see different music-related exhibits. There are also embedded records of the Grammy winners on the pavement outside. I successfully found and took a picture of the Fun. record back in 2013.

What Imperial sand dunes recreation area looks like on a Friday afternoon. Cool! 😎

A video posted by Henna Rose Geronimo (@hennageronimo) on Nov 28, 2015 at 12:52am PST

9. Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Far away from the city, but nearer to our place (Mexicali), you can enjoy some sand adventure. It is a four-hour drive from Los Angeles but it is totally worth it. You can bring your own ATV or just rent there. Feel the adrenaline rush as you drive on perfectly fine sand dunes!

10. In-N-Out. After exhausting yourself from all the sight-seeing and adventure, look for the nearest In-N-Out. Have a taste of California’s staple. Try their delightful burgers and partner it with animal fries and milkshake! It’s a taste you would go back to.

SoCal is just a portion of California and a chunk of the whole USA. There are more to see and explore! I’d love to visit other places next time. How about you? Have you been to any of these or planning to go to one? I would love to hear you SoCal stories too! Share them below.

I’ve been fortunate to see San Francisco during the Christmas holiday. My family, together with three other Filipino families went on an unusual 610-mile- trip. Traveling on a rented 15-seater van, we crossed the traffic-free Mexicali-Calexico border on the eve of Christmas. With Christmas songs on the car playlist, it took us thirteen hours to reach the Golden Gate Bridge. We had several stops on the road for bathroom breaks, gas refills, and snow encounter. Surreal as it may seem, we also paused at a rest stop in Coalinga. It was a freezing winter morning so you wouldn’t believe we had our post-Noche Buena salu-salo outside. It was hard to eat because we were shivering but we still managed. The Golden Gate Bridge was packed as it was a holiday. We stayed there for a couple of hours. Viewing the bridge from the deck was a sight to behold. You would just admire the scenery. The red bridge stretching its arms, connecting one island to the other; the waters below kissing the shore. It is postcard-worthy indeed.


The following day, we went to Lombard Street.  We parked the van in another street and we walked to our destination. San Francisco streets are steep so walking uphill was a challenge. Tourists were flocking the famous place as they take pictures. Sure, it is one of its kind but you wouldn’t want to live in a busy street like that. We went there on a winter time so it was less attractive. There were just bushes. I remember my friend who went there during spring and there were blooming flowers.


 When we got back to our vehicle, we found out that our side mirror was hit by another car. It was a hassle but we only have a little time for that holiday trip so we just went right away to the nearby Fisherman’s Wharf where we had our lunch.


After that, the boys looked for another side mirror, while we, the girls, strolled at the pier. There were a lot of stores selling souvenirs and food. We went inside a chocolate store and there was a fellow kababayan who recognized and assisted us.


Later that day, my sister and I also looked for this certain tram station because my sister wants to take a picture with the trams. We got a free map and analyzed where it was located. We luckily found it.


It was already dark when the boys got back and they just got a temporary replacement for the side mirror. We then went to Daly City and visited a distant relative. Then we ended the day at a Filipino restaurant. We left San Fo Saturday morning. We would have loved to visit other places but we only got a limited time since my father has work on Sundays. On our way home, we took a side trip to Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto.

San Francisco is a special place. I try to keep aflame in my mind not only its attractions but the memories that we made. It’s not just about the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s about the thirteen-hour drive, with struggles of passing snowy, slippery roads, and parking an over-sized van in a limited space. It’s not just about the crooked Lombard Street. It’s also about how you reach it – by climbing the steep streets and catching your breath while holding the people you love. It’s not just about the coldness of the Bay Area but also the sips of coffee, thick clothes, and warm hugs. To me, the memories and feelings are the unknown riches which can be taken away from San Francisco.