Jess + Shelton + Baby

When my friend Jess announced to me that Shelton and her are expecting a baby, I let out a hearty squeal! 

Jess: the daredevil thrill-seeker, world explorer, internationally-educated Cordon Bleu chef, the eternal prankster and the girl with the dragon back tattoo (for real, she has one!) is settling into motherhood! I was super happy for her and Shelton and a bit surprised because I always envisioned Jess as an adventurous gal that has an appetite for thrill. Perhaps a bit naive of me to assume this false dichotomy since I acknowledge that motherhood is a different type of adventure. Jess told me that she didn't think of herself as a motherly type either prior to getting pregnant but sometimes life brings you a pleasant surprise. It made me reflect a lot: "How can we know we don't want something if we haven't experienced it? Sure, we can imagine how an experience might turn out most of the time but sometimes you might just surprise yourself". Jess told me that Shelton didn't like to take pictures but when we met up, he brought a pumpkin as a prop because he was researching maternity photoshoots! HAHA guys always say they don't like pictures but then they turn out to be more enthusiastic than the girl.  I just love shooting these two: how gorgeous are they?! Please look forward to pictures of their mocha-colored baby in the near future :) 

   

All Hygged out in Copenhagen

Hello! I just got back from a short solo trip to Copenhagen, Denmark and I've fallen head over heels for this handsome city! I'll write a more comprehensive blog post on what I did and what I ate later but I can't help myself from posting a few snippets in the meanwhile. Copenhagen is easily the most aesthetically pleasing city I've visited: the architecture is clean, the people are relaxed and friendly, every corner, chair and pastry is instagram-worthy. The Danish are known for their excellent taste in design: it's modest yet tasteful, simple yet sophisticated, the right balance between beautiful form and functionality! What stood out the most to me is how comfortable the people seem. No one was in a crazy rush to get to places, the people were reserved but very friendly upon approach and everyone from the young to the old are good-looking and stylish. I could not stop staring!

I'm so glad I chose Copenhagen for my first solo trip because the city was so easy to navigate and the locals very fluent in English. This is the first time I travelled by myself and I had a great time! It felt really comfortable going at my own pace, taking the time to savour the moment and adjusting my itinerary as I saw fit. For some reason, I always thought that I'd feel lonely travelling by myself because I wouldn't have anyone to share my joy with. I'm surprised to prove myself wrong! You know what this means? More solo adventures in the future!

Guanajuato: A Dream Come True!

A few years ago, I googled "colorful Mexican houses" and stumbled upon Guanajuato. I was instantly smitten by its charms and swore I would visit this place in the future. Six years have passed since that initial Google search and we finally made it to Guanajuato! It exceeded my expectations by far and we stayed at an Airbnb with premium rooftop views. So pretty that my eyes almost jumped out of its sockets! Adri and I hiked up and down the hillside alleys: our favourite way to explore a town. During this trip, Adri and I spent a lot of time reflecting on gratitude and privilege. Many times in our daily lives, we compare ourselves to our peers who are further ahead or more accomplished and feel lacking. I know I suffer from it whenever I'm having a tough day and I scroll through Facebook. In those moments, I have to intentionally remind myself of all the good that's already present in my life. 

Here are some places that you should visit while in Guanajuato:

• Jardin de la Union - Best plaza in town to get some shade and watch the people go about their day. Guanajuato is a University town so not only are the buildings lively, the town has its own pulse. 
• Monumento al Pipila - The funicular is shut down for maintenance until further notice so Adri and I zigzagged our way up to the hill top where we had a splendid view of the pastel-colored town. Totally worth it!
• Mummy Museum - If you are interested in a shockingly morbid experience, this museum is not to be missed! There is nothing like witnessing death to make you ponder about life.
• Mercado Hidalgo - If you haven't lost your appetite at the mummy museum, head over to Mercado Hidalgo for some delicious meat tostas. We always recommend looking for the stall with the most locals.
• Aguamiel Cafe - Hands down my favourite meal in Guanajuato. Aguamiel serves up healthy options for a steal. Adri and I had their breakfast omellette with salad and french toast drizzled in yogurt, pears, cranberries and oats for 95 pesos! That's less than $7 CAD for both dishes combined!
• Cafe Tal - Craving coffee? Stop by Cafe Tal for a delicious frappucino that will jolt you back to life. 

*WARNING* Pictures below are not for the faint-hearted! I suggest you to scroll down really quickly if you don't wish to see mummy pictures.