Welcome to My New and Improved Website!

Brainstorming Session

Welcome to my newly revamped website—a space where passion meets purpose! When I first created this platform, my goal was to share my unique travel experiences with the world. However, like many creative ventures, it wasn’t without its challenges. Keeping the site updated and relevant proved tricky, not to mention the costs of maintaining it. Over time, my life filled up with new endeavors, especially my online bakeshop and pop-up events. These projects have demanded laser focus and most of my hard-earned resources to fund and sustain.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what truly brings me joy and how to sustain a sense of work-life balance. Before my bakeshop entered the picture a year and a half ago, that balance revolved around work and travel - two commitments that were relatively easy to manage together, but as the bakeshop evolved, travel fell to the wayside. Living in San Francisco while trying to juggle travel costs, bakeshop expenses, and the weight of living costs is a strain. The truth is, I just don’t have enough money to make everything work, and it’s mentally exhausting; It's a constant push-and-pull that leaves me frustrated and disheartened. I'm truly grateful for all the blessings in my life, but I'm striving for a kind of success that feels deeply personal and meaningful to me.

It’s funny—one day while waiting for my coffee order at Starbucks, the barista asked me what I did for a living and if I loved my job. Then, on another occasion, my hairstylist posed the same question. My immediate, gut reaction both times was the same: I don’t hate my job, but I can’t say I love it either. What I am, though, is grateful for it. I don’t love it because, ideally, I’d rather be doing something I'm passionate over—but that “something” wouldn’t pay the bills or provide stability.

It's going to be hard to hold back with my bakeshop because I'm so determined to see it grow and succeed. But over the past year, without taking a travel break, I felt myself slowly deflating- like the drive and energy I once had were slipping away bit by bit.

It’s ironic that during the lockdown, I didn’t experience the social isolation or cabin fever I had expected to feel from being unable to leave the house or travel. Baking was my lifeline—it saved both my mental and physical health during a most unique situation. But now that the world has settled back into its usual rhythm, I find myself feeling restless and agitated. So, I need a fantastical outlet to decompress, or disconnect, from the stressors of everyday life.

Last December, my international holiday travel plans fell apart because I relied on my understanding of keeping documents up-to-date for every day situations. Unfortunately, this approach was not applicable, and my misjudgment left me unable to travel. That experience really pushed me to reprioritize and renew this project.

And this year marks an important milestone for me, so I’ve resolved to find a better balance among my full-time job, school, bakeshop, and travel, dividing my time and money as equally as possible. Along the way, I aim to be more mindful and intentional about documenting and sharing my travel process. I want to inspire and be inspired by new destinations, attend exciting events, and savor the flavors that life has to offer.

My goal is to create an inclusive and respectful network where everyone feels welcome to share and make use of the ideas, tips, and insights about travel, culinary adventures, and life experiences—whether they come from this platform or my YouTube videos. I believe in the power of community and the magic that happens when diverse voices come together.

Thank you for being a part of my journey. I can’t wait to connect with you and create unforgettable memories together.

Happy exploring!