Eleanor Sally Mirai Mock

wanderlust

where to go next?

Reno

So we are in the process of re-doing our bathrooms.  Our house was built in 1971 and there isn't a master bath in the master bedroom.  Also both bathrooms have shag carpeting.

Adam only has one request.  A Japanese bidet.  Have you ever tried one of these things?  They are common in Japan.  Adam fell in love with them during our trip this year.  I think we might be getting one of these. omg.

image via

LA LA Land

Just came back from a whirlwind trip from Los Angeles.  It was a solo one since Adam had taken a lot of days off from work the past couple of months he didn't want to miss anymore.  

I was in town to celebrate my nephew-to-be.  The first in our little family.  We are so happy.

I also got to see a lot of people.  I have friends who want to see me! haha

It was a busy and fun trip.  I love LA (but just to visit).

image via: pinterest

Mock Family Vacation

I can't even believe I'm saying this but... I prefer Michigan over Portland.  

I guess it didn't help that heading back to Michigan, we flew over a thunderstorm and everyone on the plane thought we were going to die.  Scariest flight of my life.

Will update Portland soon.

friends

Yesterday I received a call from an old friend.  We talk like once a year (maybe even less) but it is always the same... we talk like no time had passed.  

When she called last night, I expected her to tell me she had a kid, or something big news she had kept secret or forgot to tell me.  Instead she is crying and tells me the worst news you could ever expect.  I am not very good with feelings and I had no idea what to say.  I just cried with her.

I still don't know what to do in these situations... and living a whole country away doesn't help.

I just hope that she is able to feel better everyday.

LA

Just came back from a whirlwind of a trip from LA.  Adam is really happy.  Ben took two days off from work to hang out with us.  I was such a third wheel.

Will update photos from the trip which included a ton of eating.  Good stuff.

photo via

walking shoes

I want to look stylish especially when we are heading to New York.  The weather report said that it was going to be rainy and a little bit cold, so I decided to bring my swedish hasbeens.  They are pretty comfortable straight out of the box.

These boots have been popular with Brooklyn/Tomboy celebrity set (ie. Chloe Sevigny, Michelle Williams, SJP, etc).

I guess I should remember that when we head to a city, we will be doing a ton of walking.  Anyway, we missed a bus to a subway stop so we ended up walking to that stop.. plus walking around the MOMA, my feet were killing me.  We made a stop to the Niketown and Adam bought me some new sneakers. Spoiled!

I got a ton of compliments from waitresses and strangers on the street.  Adam said that he would see people looking towards us but they were checking out my shoes.  Adam said he wanted to tell them, "she ain't that cool." Haha.

Anyway, note to self: ALWAYS bring sneakers to NY.

Detroit

Detroit is slowly becoming one of my favorite cities.  I've only been there like three times though. haha.  It is listed as number 1 most dangerous city in the United States (Forbes article from 2012).  I don't ever feel like I am in danger... maybe cause i'm from the mean streets of LA (which wasn't on the list?). I try to bring Clif Bars to give out (I don't carry much cash) to the homeless.

This is kind of a guide when we have visitors?

Breakfast: New Center Eatery

When my family came to visit last fall, we went to New Center Eatery for breakfast.  Since they were coming in from the west coast, the best thing to do to get rid of jet lag is eat foods at the time of your destination.  They arrive early 5:30am and waited for me at the airport.  Our first stop was breakfast at New Center Eatery.  When I yelped them, a reviewer wrote, "better than Roscoes."  It's true.  They were really nice there and gave us a discount because it was my mom's birthday and my brothers wedding anniversary.  It was awesome.  The place is pretty clean and the customers were all locals (equals the place to eat!).

Museum: DIA



Okay, so I have yet to go to the DIA but it has been on my To Do forever.  It has the famous WPA Diego Rivera mural which is considered his best works and was recently named a national landmark!

Coffee: Astro Coffee

I have been coming to Astro Coffee every Detroit trip.  It is a little hipster but Michigan version so they are nice and friendly.  The coffee is delicious and the pastries are really good.  A nice place to take a break.  It is in a neighborhood called Corktown which is starting to have a revival due to Astros and our next place Slows.

Dinner:  Slows BBQ


Slows is not your neighborhood BBQ joint.  It is clean and a large beer selection and just a few doors down from Astros.  I am not a BBQ connoisseur I can't tell you what to get.  There are a few sampler platters you can share and a large assortment of sides.  Sooo good. So I get some BBQ from here and pick up an espresso and pastry from Astro's  for the drive home.

turks and caicos

We took a last minute trip to Turks and Caicos for spring break this year.  This winter in Michigan has been the most brutal.  A person I take yoga with said that it has been the coldest since the blizzerd of '77.  That blizzard is famous (I've seen t-shirts!).  

 The islands are pretty small and there isn't much to do.  Lots of relaxing and reading.  I like museums and exploring but this was a nice change.

We went on a boat cruise.  A part of it was conch hunting.  Adam was the only one on the boat that found a conch.  I was a proud wifey.

Damn, the beaches were the beautifulest beaches I have ever seen in my life.

covet: fuji x100s

I can not pack light ever.  Whenever I travel this is what I bring in my carry on:

ipad

book (currently reading)

new york times

magazines

change of clothing (international), toothbrush

glass water bottle

snacks

dslr

scarf

I have been looking for a lightweight camera for travels and I think I found the one.  What do you think?

photo via thesartorialist

back to regular scheduling

So we have gotten back to our regular (hermit) schedule.  Adam has been busy with work conference trips (VA and FL x3) the last couple of months and we have gone to two countries this year (!!!).

We don't really like watching TV shows in real time.  The only ones we do watch are the Mindy Project, Mad Men and some NBC shows.  Everyone has been telling us to watch Breaking Bad and I think we started watching last year?   Adam loves it and I started to like it finally on season 4 (the last three episodes).  Very excited for the last season and a little scared.

photo via

dream vacay

the last couple of days in mount pleasant have been really weird. very cold and windy.  the day before that had lots of rain that melted the snow, then we got hit with more cold freezing the rain (making for icy, slippery roads).  thank goodness for the sun today.

I am totally wishing for a warm getaway.  Living in the cold is very hard.

So I am thinking this one piece ...

and the Turks and Caicos for my fantasy vacation getaway?

Note to Self: Bangs

Sayaka,

when you get the urge to cut yourself some blunt bangs again, don't do it.  it looks bad and you look extra fat and makes your face huge.  Thanks.

husbands

weekend

Adam is in Florida this weekend.  I am very jealous.  I want to be in miami at art basel instead of working on my final.

I am home alone thinking of the movie the 'strangers,'  hoping no one knocks on the door, as I will freak out.

I miss the husband.  He says i should clean the house but I didn't.