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Dear Diary,
Here's my offering to you this week.....
* I'm back in LA. I miss my family, my friends, Brooklyn, the city, Fall in NY, the subway, Union Square, pizza, and my grandma's home cooking. It's just a plane ride away, it's just a plane ride away.
* GIVEAWAY time!!! I picked two winners to receive signed copies of "Scary Or Die". Debbie Bridge and Danny Coon!! Thank you so much for reading my blog and supporting. THANK YOU!!!
Now on to the main attraction....
I have pictures and short blurbs from my trip back home.
I update more frequently via my Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to "like" and "follow"!
I took this pic while driving into the city from Brooklyn. I know, I know...don't tell the po po.
This is my family's store in Belle Harbor, Rockaway. Doesn't it look great now? Remember when I was home to help them out when Hurricane Sandy hit? Click here for video to see how Sandy affected my family.
This is Joy Choi, my momma. We didn't have the easiest relationship when I was growing up...mother/daughter, tough love. She's a tiny and quiet little thing. I'm almost twice her size. I pick her up and start swinging her around sometimes. My mom is the type of person who only speaks when it's necessary. My grandma told me that when she was younger, people made fun of her saying she must have bad breath because she never opens her mouth (by that I mean, she's not one to gossip). She's one classy lady. Our dynamic has changed since. I kept a lot of secrets from her growing up because I assumed "she would never understand". She does. I just had to give her a chance. Sometimes it's not easy because there is a generation and cultural gap but, we communicate. I can't imagine having anyone else to be my momma. We're definitely karmic soulmates. I chose her and she chose me. I'm learning a lot from her every day even though we're 3,000 miles apart. I know I'm going to be a fantastic mom one day because of her. I love you, mom.
This is my pops, Michael Choi. I'm a spitting image of him, aren't I? I have his hands. My uncle always makes fun of me. He says, "How is it possible to take after your dad's hand so exactly?" Something about our thumb. My dad was a gangster when he was growing up. His nickname was 'The Principal'. But, he's the biggest mush inside. He has the biggest heart I know...sometimes to his detriment. He's pretty stoic until he starts telling a story. Then he gets very loud and dramatic. His voice starts to crack too because he's just so into his story. I get that from him. He is THE most reliable person I know. When he says he's going to do something, he does it. Also, I only have to tell him something once...for example, my flight itinerary....he doesn't 'forget' ever...he's there. He's always there for me. He 'shows up' in more ways than one for me and my sister, no matter what he's doing or feeling. We also didn't have the easiest relationship when I was growing up. We rarely talked to each other. When I stopped expecting him to be the dad I wanted and started being the daughter I wanted to be, he became the dad I could have only wished for. I think my dad is the most handsome man. Dad, I hope I can marry someone as wonderful as you. I love you.
This is my grams. She raised me, my sister, and a bunch of cousins. She's cool, isn't she? I made her pose for this at least three times because she would throw up deuces instead of the Asian cute peace sign. She's from Daegu, South Korea. Women from there are known to be gangster. They're strong and loud. She's got a strong personality. She was the head of the household when I was growing up. I remember the first time I talked back to her and I pushed her. She was shocked. I was in junior high. I was now taller and physical stronger than her. I think that must have been hard for her. She knows our love runs deep. And the way she shows love?? Food. This lady cooks 24/7. I used to hate bringing friends over because our house would stink like Korean food. It was stressful for me because my room was on the 2nd floor and the smell would just travel up. My clothes would always stink for school and I would always yell at her, "Why can't you stop cooking?!" I miss her cooking now. I love you, grams.
Yup, gold spoon and chopsticks. I only use this when I'm back home. I would use chopsticks over a fork any day. Better control. I even like cooking with chopsticks.
My grandma always makes this ginger/jujube tea for me when I go home. It's an ancient Korean secret. It's so good for you....digestion, insomnia, anxiety, weight control, a blood cleanser, and excellent for your immune system. Put more, actually a lot of dried jujube than ginger (unless you like your tea with a spicy kick) and boil it and let it simmer for a while. You'll see it get dark. Add honey and/or lemon if you'd like. It's very herbal-ly, which I love.
At the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew for Suzanne Whang and Jay Nickerson's wedding. That's Leela (blonde) and Kelly (brunette). We got to the church early to help set up and decorate.
At the reception. Some of The Playing Field members. Can't believe so many of us were able to fly to NY to help Suzanne and Jay celebrate.
I was pleasantly surprised to see this advertisement on the subway. It's a school that teaches about sustainable happiness. Whaaaaat. LA is full of this but, NY? I love it. I also sat next to a woman on the plane on my way to NY. We didn't say a word to each other nor did we even look at each other until 30 minutes prior to landing! We couldn't stop talking. We were talking about conscious living. She's a successful NY-er and I just assumed she was more of a left-brain user but, no...she's totally in touch with her right-brain. I was schooled!
I forgot how crazy it is driving in NY. Seriously, the pedestrians and drivers don't give a f*ck. You really have to walk and drive at your own risk. In LA, you go over the crosswalk a bit and the pedestrians mad dog you til they finish crossing. Entitled and spoiled. Try that in NY, you'll get run over.
Ok, so here's my outfit detail. Fashion is a passion of mine. I worked retail for a chunk of my life (Zara, Emporio Armani, Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Prada). I'm a Sagittarius with Aquarius moon....I'm quirky. Plus, my friends always want me to go shopping with them. I'm a bargain shopper. I splurge on certain must-haves but, I thrift a lot too. Versatile, classic, quirky, glamorous, chill....that's my style.
Jacket: Forever 21. I just got it last week so they should still have. I thought they were birds and I thought, "Oh cool...I love birds!" Then, my friend brought it to my attention that they're bats. Dang. It's cool but, it's just takes a little getting used to I guess.
Shirt: Rails Clothing. Better pic below.
Jeans: J Brand. I got it from Wasteland. I don't buy my jeans full price anymore. I'm sure these jeans probably run between $150-$200....I paid $45 and they fit me like a glove.
Bag and shoes: Zara. I bought them last week also. I LOVE them. The shoes, I literally wore everyday. It's got a bit of heel to it but, soooo comfortable. I walked around the city in these! Great litmus test.
Here's a better pic of the Rails shirt. I love plaid and Rails is known for their super soft and comfy shirts. They run about $128. They're worth it. I've been looking for a good plaid and I've been looking for a good denim. A combo! Best of both worlds.
They are bats, huh?
This was at the Mondrian SoHo.
This is me in the Matrix. Did you know that I suck at math? Don't even bother asking me how much to tip...it stresses me out. Maybe I feel the pressure as an Asian to be good at it. Still, I love numbers. I see repeating numbers all the time, like 11:11, 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, 5:55. And I love numerology.
Meet my buddy, Phil. We've been friends since high school. Phil works as an EMT in NYC. When I need a bodyguard one day, Imma call his ass. Wouldn't it be cool to have a bodyguard/medic??
Sunday brunch at Ken and Cook. I always hit whoever's around me when I'm laughing. My friend, Grace took the pics instead of being in them. She and I also have been friends since high school. We used to all cut school, go to a diner to eat, then head over to the local pool hall and hang out there all day. Truants. Bah hahaha. Yep, I used to hustle fools in pool.
This is my homegirl, C (Charlene)! We've been friends since my college days. We worked at Zara together in the city (the Midtown store on 5th and 16th/17th). She's a personal stylist. Love her new hair do. Deuces, b*tches!
Art work in Union Square. The artist is Felix Morelo. He drew a bunch of different faces and every 10 has been marked. This one was around 50.
This one made me laugh. "Bad Luck Spot". I did walk around it. Superstitious, much?
This is my Hello Kitty diary. My first diary ever! Who knew this was the beginning of The Diary Of The THRIVING Actress? It's amazing when you go back home and rummage through old things and you see how much you've changed and how much you haven't. The entries are very inconsistent. But, I do remember telling myself, "Shit, I gotta write more often". I'm doing it now! The power of intention. Sometimes things don't happen until they're suppose to happen. But, I always told myself, "Be consistent". I've been reading them over...I haven't changed!!! Ahhh hahahaha. I always start off with some kind of anger, sadness, and/or disappointment but, as I write it out, I see the lessons. I remember going into my closet before going to bed to write stuff out. I remember sobbing a lot.
Yep, that happened. I participated in a few pageants back in the day. This one was for the Miss Korea New York 2002. I placed first-runner up. I should have placed first. I'm letting it go. You see, that was a pretty big disappointment for me. The girl who placed first and the girl who placed third were twins. I split them up. There were rumors that it was rigged. Regardless, I worked hard for it. And I really thought I was going to win. I was about to step forward to accept the crown when they were about to announce the winner. That's how sure I was. I stood there and smiled even though my heart and mind couldn't understand what the hell was going on. But, I did get something out of it...a free trip to Korea to participate for the national competition. Even flew Business class. It was an experience. Still can't believe I did that. Crazy.
My first magazine cover! I did this to get some exposure for the Miss Korea NY competition. Doing pageants is like running for political office.
Had the best chicken pot pie at Lillie's in Union Square. It's all Victorian. So pretty.
Ever since I was a little girl, I always thought I had special super powers. I have to marry Superman. I have to and make super hero babies. I just have to. The world needs them.
Another pic while driving. When I say I'm from Brooklyn....I mean deep into Brooklyn. What you know about this?
Hey LA, this is how Fall looks. Just sayin. It's ok, you have your beautiful palm trees.
I was missing Bells so much. Did you know I love animals and animal print?
This was me looking for my phone to give to my friend to take a picture. I realized she was holding my phone already. Jeeeez. #ScatterBrain #IMissUnionSquare
At Strand Bookstore in Union Square.
I miss you family, friends, and NY! I wish I could have seen more friends while I was there, especially my two besties, Jeannine and Allie. Before I moved out to LA, I went to Times Square by myself to have a little alone time with the city. I looked up at billboards and I made a promise to myself. I'm not moving back until my face is up on at least one of those billboards. I don't know about that anymore. I can be pretty prideful and stubborn but, it just reminds me of my courage and determination. NY, I'm gonna make you proud. So, just set aside a billboard for me. ;)
Happy THRIVING, peeps.
with MAAAAD LOVE,
x Alex
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