We wander, we return, where our hearts remain.

The summer after my first year of law school, I hiked this trail almost every morning. Instead of going to Starbucks or Noah's Bagels at 6:00 a.m. with a backpack filled with law books, I headed for this trail with only a notebook, a couple of pens, and my portable CD player. (It was the days before iPods and smartphones.) So, with music from Enya's Watermark or The Memory of Trees album to keep me company, I walked this cracked, uneven road to a bench underneath a big tree, where I would write.

It was here where I contemplated dropping out of law school. The first year was really hard. As much as I wanted to be a lawyer, I also wanted to be a writer. But law consumed my life, leaving no room for the creative arts that satisfied my soul. So, that summer, I walked. And I wrote.

It was here where I realized that law school was where I belonged. And where I also realized that writing will always be a part of who I am. I promised never to stop.

Almost fourteen years later, I'm hiking this trail again. I'm a different person, but also the same. Now I know that staying didn't only make sense, but was the right choice. I can't leave this place. My heart is here. 

Wilacre Park

(also known as Fryman Canyon trail)

Studio City, CA 

DTLA | The Last Bookstore

Two weeks ago, I had to be in downtown L.A. for a seminar. And instead of driving over an hour to travel less than 15 miles, and then, scramble around one way streets for another thirty minutes to look for parking, I decided to take the train. There's a certain kind of freedom that comes with taking the train and roaming around the busy city streets. It felt good not to be confined inside my car. It felt even better not to be locked in traffic. I got to sit back, read my book and made it to downtown in thirty minutes.  

And since I was feeling especially adventurous that day, after the seminar, I walked several blocks to The Last Bookstore, while ignoring the tiny raindrops that had started to kiss my face. The moment I walked in, I knew I was in book heaven.

  

The Last Bookstore is not your ordinary bookstore. It's like a book museum, art gallery and reading nook all in one place. You could get lost in time browsing through the thousands of titles in the multi-level store until you finally settle on several books that you can sit down with in a comfy chair. Unfortunately, I didn't stay too long because the sky outside was threatening rain and I still had a mile to walk from the train station to home. But, I promised to return. 

And if you're in the area, you should definitely check it out.

The Last Bookstore

453 South Spring Street

(entrance on 4th) 

A taste of Italy in L.A.

I've lived in L.A. for most of my life, but there are so many places I'm yet to see and experience. So, after my "realization" (not-so-long-ago) that I'm not moving anytime (soon), I made it as one of my goals to explore this place that I call home. One of the places that I've been wanting to explore is the Venice Canals Walkway. This morning, I finally did it. And it didn't disappoint. 

As you can see from the photographs, the place was just serene and beautiful. A hidden gem, less than a mile away from the busy Venice Beach boardwalk. Although the canals did make me a bit nostalgic for Italy, it actually reminded me a lot more of Amsterdam. I hope that doesn't disappoint those who long to visit this beautiful place. Or, I hope that doesn't disappoint the memory of the late-Abbott Kinney, who developed this canal walkway more than one hundred years ago because he wanted to bring a taste of Venice, Italy to Southern California. I think that idea was genius, and from reading reviews of the place, many tourists and locals think so, too. I believe every big, busy city needs an oasis like this place. Somewhere you can escape to for a little while. 

So, if you're ever in the area, check it out. Grab a tea or coffee to go, and take a stroll down the walkways, over the various bridges, and dream about how it is to live in one of the many million-dollar homes that line the canals. They are quite dreamy!

NOTE: Since parking is always a concern in L.A., don't worry because there appears to be a lot of places to park around the area. You can either park in a lot on North Venice Boulevard or if you get there early in the morning, you'll most likely find street parking on one of the smaller streets.

5 reasons not to give up on L.A.

I've had a love and hate relationship with Los Angeles (L.A.) for a very long time. Since high school (which was a long, long time ago), I've been dreaming about leaving her (she's a female, by the way).

First, it was go to college in Virginia, Connecticut or New York. I had spent a summer in Virginia and was convinced the east coast was where I belonged. But, when it came to applying for colleges I never applied to any schools in those places. I went to college in L.A.

Then, it was go to grad school, get an MFA, in New York. I went to law school instead. Again, in Los Angeles.

After I passed the California bar exam, the plan was to take the New York bar or Pennsylvania's (because I heard they had reciprocity with more states), so I can finally move to the east coast, where I wanted to raise my children. I never took another bar exam again. I don't have children. I still live in Los Angeles.

I couldn't leave. I never made an attempt to leave even if it was for a short while: college for four years, law school for three. The longest I'd been away from L.A. since I became a financially independent adult was the month I spent in Europe after taking the bar exam. Yet, this churning desire to live elsewhere consumed me, especially during the days I'd commute to the office. While I marinaded in frustration in my car during an hour and a half long commute on the 405 freeway (to travel less than 25 miles, I should mention), I'd berate myself for not being a risk taker, a go-getter, aggressive and all the other things that I think people who move away are.

Then, after hearing news reports after new reports about the polar vortex last winter, I thought that maybe I should try to fall in love with L.A. because I don't do too well with extremely cold weather. Low 50s is cold enough for me. I'm happy with low 50s. And it was decided, I'm never going to move.

But, how do you fall in love with a place when you already know all its flaws and have been so turned off by it?

First, I decided to let go of the past and the idea that there is some place better out there that I can call home. I made a conscious effort to look past the endless freeways filled with angry commuters and seek out the good things L.A. has to offer. I learned quite a few things and got to see new places. The best part is that I was reminded of why I shouldn't give up on L.A., why it's worth staying (aside from my family and friends - I can finally take the burden off of them):

(1) L.A. is known for its cars - the wrath of its jammed freeways. In fact, traffic is a common word in any conversation (social, business) with anyone (boss, security guard, stranger in Starbucks) you come across to in L.A. It's a part of our vocabulary. Sometimes Oftentimes, it's the first thing that we talk about. It has become the perfect, and acceptable, excuse for being late. Just blame it on traffic. However, L.A. does have a subway system, and one day, I decided to take it to downtown L.A. rather than cursing with all the other 101 commuters. I found it was quite easy and it took me from North Hollywood to downtown Civic Center in half an hour. An extra perk is that the North Hollywood station is actually quite beautiful with artwork that tourists (and non-tourists like me) can take pictures of.

(2) They are not Central Park, but downtown L.A. has beautiful, charming parks where you can read a book, drink coffee while staring at a great fountain, or just enjoy the beautiful view of the skyline.

Grand Park

Vista Hermosa Park

(3) You can hike year-round in L.A. at the many, many trails you'll find in whatever area or direction you're headed. Although L.A. is known for its seemingly endless freeways that connects its different neighborhoods and sub-cities, its hiking trails also do just that and they have the most amazing views. (If you're not much for hiking, then there's yoga. You can do yoga outdoors in L.A. year-round, as well.)

View from Runyon Canyon

(4) You don't have to travel very far (you just have to bear the traffic) or spend a lot of money to experience another country.

Just go to the Getty Villa in Malibu and pretend you spent a day in Italy.

Drive to Solvang and you can say you just spent a day in Denmark.

And, the next one on my list is to visit Venice (in Venice, California). Check out this great post on the Venice Canals: Walk Europe in Southern California.

(5)  The ocean. I don't go to the beach often enough, I'm not really a fan of sand and all, but looking at the water does wonders to my soul.

View from Sara Wan Trail.

Of course, there are a great many other things about L.A. that makes it worth staying here. But, I've been sick the  last two days. My head is stuffy. My feet are cold. So, all that comes to mind is how grateful I am that even in my sick state, I can sit outside (albeit in fuzzy socks) and work in the balcony, because even though it's mid-October (and usually I'd wish for more fall-like weather), but the sun is out, the air is calm, and the breeze is just right. Now, that sounds like I'm bragging a little. But, people move to L.A. for its weather all the time (either that or Hollywood), so let's brag away.

My 100 Aker Wood | Republic of Pie

This is my favorite cafe in the neighborhood. When I walk in, I'm automatically greeted with this creative energy that just sweeps me away to another world. In fact, this place reminds me of Winnie-the-Pooh's treehouse or what I always pictured Pooh's treehouse to look like. I guess, you can say, it's my 100 Aker Wood. The place I go to when I want to escape within the realm of my own imagination. When I just run away with my characters on their adventures.  

After I order my drink, I usually make my way to the back, where there's a tree with a bar table encircled around it. There I sit in the corner, underneath the tree branches adorned with white and blue lights, and I write. On the other side of the room, in front of a large bookcase, a group of writers with their laptops are seated on the floor around a coffee table, typing away, while a few readers occupy the shabby chic-style sofa. These readers' faces usually remain unseen behind their books. Even on a weekday morning, the wooden tables and chairs spread throughout the place are occupied by patrons engaged in energetic and colorful conversations. We're in a world of our own in there. 

Yesterday, while I sat in the usual corner, writing in my journal, the song "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" came on. And I thought, how can I not love this place? It brings all my favorite worlds together. I smiled at the photograph of a young Sinatra hanging on the wall. Definitely, all my favorites.   

This perfect leaf remained exactly the same to the bottom of the cup.

I know this place sounds cool, huh? But an important question remains unanswered? How is the coffee? And the pies? How are the pies? Well, this place is called the Republic of Pie. That means there is a heavenly variety of pies, served in extra large portions. My favorite is the Chocolate Banana Cream pie because I love chocolate and banana. Together they are sublime. And the coffee? Well, I only drink decaf. But, as decafs go, the cafe mocha always gives me more reason to smile about. Like I said, this place brings all my favorites together. And thus, I return. Again and again.

Republic of Pie

Magnolia and Lankershim

NoHo Arts District

The morning ride

I rode the subway to downtown today. The station is a mile from my place, but I've never taken it to downtown by myself. In fact, the only three times I can remember riding the subway from the North Hollywood train station to downtown was to go to a Lakers game, a "500 Days of Summer" downtown tour, and when I ran the Rock 'N Roll half-marathon.

But it's not that I never go to downtown. I'm there at least once a week for work, which means once a week I brace myself for the crawling traffic and hour-plus drive on the 101 to travel just 14 miles. For those of you who commute to work, you must understand the frustration that comes with sitting in traffic, feeling confined and completely useless inside a metal contraption.

Today I wanted to do something different. It was time I stepped out of my comfort zone. Honestly, I was tired of complaining about traffic and about how L.A. has a crappy public transportation system. Who was I to rant and criticize when there was a metro station a mile away and I never used it? I decided to change that this morning.

The walk to the metro station alone was liberating. I immediately felt connected to the city. The morning air was still slightly cool, but it felt fresh and welcoming. As cars passed by I couldn't help but smile because I was free to roam and wander. My eyes weren't stuck looking at the short distance ahead of me.

While walking I saw buildings and shops I never noticed before. I was able to see and appreciate the little things around me. There's a park between my apartment and the metro station. As I walked through it this morning, I saw a squirrel drinking from a water fountain. It was such a delightful sight that I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. A smile just wasn't enough. I wanted to take out my camera to take a picture but for some reason, I didn't want to disturb it. Finally, the squirrel sensed my presence and turned to look at me. For a moment, we just stared at each other until it jumped off the water fountain and ran up a tree. But that short moment made my day.

And riding the subway made me love home again. This place is beautiful if I really take the time to see it.

It was obvious that I was a newbie or amateur metro traveler because it took me about five tries before I figured out how to pay for the fare. I didn't even know how much the fare was and had to ask someone. Since the decision to take the subway was spontaneous, I didn't have time to plan and check the important details. But, I made it in time. Although the subway cars were full by the time I got in, and I had to stand for most of the 28-minute ride from North Hollywood to the Civic Center stop, it was fine. I was happy.

The wide-eyed look and smile on my face must have also been a dead giveaway that I was there for an adventure. Most of the commuters looked serious, like they were just determined to get to their destination. No one was reading the newspaper or a book. Except for two ladies near me, no one really spoke or acknowledged each other in the car I was in.  People didn't smile at each other. Is it an L.A. thing? We don't smile at strangers? That made me a little sad. There were a lot of anxious looks. People ready to jump out the moment the train made its stop. 

It felt good not having to be that person today. Most of the time I'm rushing to be somewhere or to do something that I don't acknowledge or notice the people around me. So I understand the anxious looks. My comments stem more from empathy than anything. 

I'm also glad that I got to observe, absorb and experience the subway ride. It's definitely a ride I'll take again and again. 

a happy place

It doesn't take much to make me happy. Mention coffee and gelato, and I'm there.

I met up with a friend for a last minute coffee/gelato date at this gem of a place (Gelato Bar & Espresso Caffe) in Studio City. It's one of those places perfect to go to if you want to read somewhere outside of your own home, but yet still want the coziness and comfort of your own little nook. It's also the perfect place for good ol' catching up and bonding. There's something special about a place that draws people together. A place that makes you want to share everyday matters and big dreams. A place where you can't help but smile at the person in front of you or next to you. Whether it's from the joy of licking your spoon clean of the heavenly gelato or sipping the rich hot chocolate or just engaging in conversation with a good friend, smiles are a common sight there.

Every time I think of Gelato Bar, I picture a snow globe because when I'm there, I feel like I'm in a magical happy place and nothing else matters but the space I'm in.

full moon hike

Last Friday, I went with a hiking group for a full moon hike at Griffith Park.  It was a great way to end a tough week.  I had never been on a night hike before, and it was amazing.  The city lights looked beautiful.  And being high above the city, with the feel of the cool breeze on my face, all my worries seemed so far away.  Almost non-existent.  I can't wait to go on another night hike again.

Although honestly, I don't think I'd do it without a big group because it was a little scary walking down the hillside in the dark.  (I wouldn't go with just a few people either.)  Even though the moon was bright (and I sometimes cheated by turning on my mini flashlight), it was still difficult to see what I was stepping on or what was making noises in the bushes around me.  When we reached the bottom, noises became more distinct.  There were coyotes howling not too far from us.  For a few minutes, about ten of us gathered in a circle and contemplated whether we should make a run for it or walk slowly to our cars.  The howling eventually stopped, and we quickened our pace to the lit parking lot.  Needless to say, it was quite an adventure!

Sometimes, I really do love this city.