January 11, 2024

2023 December List | 十二月清單

January 11, 2024/ Brandy C.

Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights

This light festival is worth every penny! It attracts quite the crowd. We came here every weekend in December. The cold weather and the colorful lights really bring out the holiday cheers!

這燈會值回票價，但人也特別多。可能是天冷，特別有節日氣氛！12月，我們幾乎每週都報到，就知道我們有多愛。

Truva Turkish Kitchen

http://truvaturkishkitchen.com/

Hard to find restaurants in Cincinnati that both UN and I won’t stop talking about. Truva is one that we both agree that we will go back to again and again. Everything from the atmosphere, to the quality of the foods, to the level of service, simply beyond reproach. Their portions are shareable with friends, but they also have individual sized options.

在辛辛那提能找到我和UN都愛的餐廳不太簡單，但Truva是我們一出餐廳就説下次絕對會在回來用餐。從餐廳用餐氛圍、美味可口的食物、熱情貼心的服務，完全踩不到雷。份量非常適合一群朋友一起分享，個人點餐也有單點選擇。

Carabello Coffee

107 E 9th St, Newport, KY 41071
https://www.carabellocoffee.com/

My friend M organized this winter only coffee tasting activity for us. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep after, but I slept like a baby! Chayne is our barista, he curated the different types of coffee and paired each one with some music and little games. Carabello Coffee has been doing coffee tasting for the past 8 years. No ads, only by word of mouth. Yet they attract coffee connoisseurs from all over the country!

朋友M真的有夠會找活動！冬季限定的咖啡品嚐活動，一開始我有點擔心會不會喝帶多咖啡晚上睡不著，結果晚上睡超好！Chayne是我們的老師，他煮出不同的咖啡，還配合音樂和小遊戲，真的很適合一群朋友一起來。Carabello Coffee已經舉辦這個咖啡品嚐活動八年了，不太打廣告的咖啡店，全是朋友介紹來的，就知道大家有多喜歡。連朋友的表哥在丹佛開咖啡店都特別來這裡品嚐咖啡！

Rusk Kitchen and Bar

https://ruskcincy.com/

The salmon Banh Mi that I ordered was … ordinary! I rarely give out this kind of review, but their sandwiches are no better than homemade! Good thing they have delicious cocktails.

我點的鮭魚越南三明治實在太...普通了！我真的很少這樣評價，但這三明治水準就像我在家隨便準備的感覺！但我點的Love Juice調酒特別又好喝！

Museum of Natural History and Science

https://www.cincymuseum.org/sciencemuseum/

This city never fails to surprise me! The Museum of Natural History and Science has many exhibits. Even its building is full of history! I want to get annual passes for the girls, so much fun here!

每次都被我們這城市驚艷！人文歷史科學館有超多東西可以看，外面建築也是滿滿歷史！過幾個月我一定要幫寶寶們辦年卡，這裡太好玩了！

January 04, 2023

2022 December List | 十二月清單

January 04, 2023/ Brandy C.

2022 came quietly to an end, how was everyone’s year? From being pregnant in the beginning of the year to our babies being three months old now! Time really flew by. Looking back there were too many blessings to be counted!

2022悄悄的進入尾聲，不知道大家今年過得如何？從年初懷孕到現在寶寶們三個月大，時間快的不像話，但回顧這一整年真的是滿滿的感恩。

Izola

710 13th St Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101

Known as the best croissant in America! (click here for UN and I’s review) Thanks to our cooperative babies for sleeping very well the night before, we were able to get up early and leave the house on time to make it down to San Diego for some croissants. On Christmas Eve, not many people were on the road, usually a parking spot in downtown is rare to find, but we found one right in front of Izola. When we got there, there was a sign out front that said “sold out”, and some customers in front of us left in disappointment. But we drove for almost an hour, I had to at least go in to check out the place for myself. There were two lines, one for online pre-order, and the other for walk-in order. I refused to believe all croissants were sold out, so I went to the guy at the cashier and asked. He told me they only have original croissants left, but in 15 minutes there would be more options coming out from the oven! Even my mom was happy for us hearing the good news!

Business Hour: Thursday to Sunday, 8 am to 1 pm

吃到傳說中全美第一名的可頌！（我和UN的吃後心得請點這裡）感謝寶寶們配合，前一晚睡超好，讓爸爸媽咪阿嬤能出發到San Diego吃可頌。可能是聖誕節前一天，市區沒有太多人，平時超難停車的downtown，我們竟然能找到門口的位置。Izola位在三樓，但轉角和門口都有放指示牌。當我們要進去時，在我們前面一組客人看到門口寫著Sold Out（售完）就轉身走人。但我這人，售完還是要進去看一下，太好奇了沒辦法！裡面有分預售隊伍和現場購買的隊伍，不死心的我向前問店員，店員說：我們只剩下原味可頌，但15分鐘後會有不同口味！我的天啊，連我媽只是來陪我們吃可頌都替我們開心！（原本我們想網上預訂，但餵完寶寶後一看，全賣光！）

營業時間：星期四至星期日，早上8點到下午1點

Capital Seafood Restaurant

770 Spectrum Center Dr Suite 770, Irvine, CA 92618

Have you heard of the saying that “after having kids, all your meals are eaten cold”? When the food came out, our babies started to get really fuzzy, so UN and I needed to take them out and leave my mom by herself at the restaurant. By the time we got back all the food was cold. But this is what made this restaurant’s food special: their cold dim sum dishes were still so delicious!

有聽過”生完小孩後吃飯都是冷的”這句話嗎？我們食物來時剛好寶寶們情緒起伏比較大，我和UN把我媽丟在餐廳裡去處理。回來後食物全冷掉了，但這就是這餐廳的厲害之處，連冷掉的港式點心都超好吃！那鹹水角是我們的最愛，外皮酥脆吃起來還特別香，第一口下去我和UN，我們一口同聲稱讚這家店。今天點的每份點心都超滿意，UN一直說我們下次回來要把沒點到的全點了。我們也很愛燒鴨皮蛋粥！

San Diego Botanical Garden Lightscape

Quail Gardens Drive and, Ecke Ranch Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024

Last day of 2022, we came to the San Diego Botanical Garden for the light show. Hmmm… how should I describe the light show? We all agreed that the light show in Japan made our expectations too high, but I’d like to come back during daytime.

2022年最後一天我們來這裡慶祝！以前在聖地牙哥住這麼久，我們第一次來這裡。日本燈展還是比較厲害（朋友也這樣認為），但下次我想白天來參觀植物園。

January 06, 2022

2021 December List: Merry Christmas

January 06, 2022/ Brandy C.

I love this time of the year! Despite being so cold, the numerous events kept me so busy that I couldn’t just cozy up at home if I wanted to.

我愛的月份！雖然天氣冷，但活動多讓我不能賴在家裡不想出門。（你們覺得呢？）

Tomato Plant | 家種小番茄

從種子發芽長根到紅通通，歷經這六個月，失望挫敗到欣喜諾狂。

Grown from the seed up over the past 6 month! This process took us through some emotional rollercoaster!

3 MEF Band Christmas Concert

What a performance! The music truly brought Christmas to those of us who are stationed in Japan! No wonder my clarinet teacher said this is their most popular performance!

太喜歡這次的表演了，讓住在日本的我們能好好感受聖誕氣氛、難怪我的老師說這是他們最受歡迎的表演！

Raft Fishing | 筏釣

即使這次收穫不如以往，我還是很熱衷這類能讓頭腦放空思考問題但同時不能過於發呆，且手還必須很忙一直動的活動（像刺繡！）

Even though we didn’t catch a lot of fish like we did before, I still like activities like fishing where I can think about other things while keeping my hands busy (with embroidery!)

Cake Decorating Workshop | 蛋糕裝飾課

The Naval Officer Spouse Club of Okinawa learned how to decorate a cake this month, and the product of my hard labor once again gave UN a nice surprise! Our teacher gave us step-by-step instructions, and answered many of my questions about making a cake.

軍眷團這個月來學做蛋糕，再次驚艷UN！這次有老師一步一步教課，好多以前做蛋糕遇到的疑問都被解答。

Staycation at Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island

Our wedding was held at a Hyatt hotel in San Diego, so this brand has a special place in our hearts. This Hyatt Regency in Okinawa did not disappoint! Lofted ceiling at the lobby, ocean view room, heated swimming pool and jacuzzi, and a great selection of restaurants to choose from all allowed us to relax during our staycation.

我們的婚禮辦在聖地牙哥的Hyatt，所以這家飯店一直在我們心裡有個特別的位置。在沖繩的Hyatt當然也沒讓我們失望！挑高大廳、房間外的海景和多種餐廳選擇都讓我們在這次的staycation能放鬆一下。

Christmas Party | 聖誕派對

Winner from the raffle at this year’s Christmas Party!! Hooray!

我們贏禮物耶！

3 MEF Band Chopper V Promotion

My first time witnessing the promotion of a dog! It was super cute! Chopper sang along with the band for the Marine’s anthem, and even barked once when asked to give a speech for his promotion!

我還真的第一次看到狗狗被升級，有夠可愛！Chopper在大家唱歌時也一起唱歌，當大家請Chopper致詞時，他還旺了一下！