Las Vegas on My Mind (Travelogue)

We had so much fun in Vegas despite not being able to indulge in all the adult things that one can do in Vegas. I mean three days was not enough! From the hotel-hopping itself and trying all the restaurants and all the touristy places one must check-off. I must warn you this is a very long post full of pictures. 

Drive to Vegas from LA

Sunset on the road

The MGM lobby

The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace

Caesar's Palace

Delicate ceiling artwork display at The Bellagio

                                               

                         

                         

The Bellagio

Trying out the monorail

The Venetian Hotel

I don't even know where to start. I am such a reality-TV freak that the moment we landed in Vegas I wanted to eat at this restaurant so bad. Buddy V's (The Cake Boss) Italian restaurant did not disappoint. The food was soo good and I didn't even have the time to snap pictures of everything we ordered. We just ate everything with no leftovers. We even had dessert after! Yummy! Makes my mouth water just seeing this picture and planning another trip to Vegas is in order just to eat there.  

Pawn Stars. Yes we love Chumlee and the old man :)

On our way to Hoover dam is a nice view of Lake Mead. It is said to be the largest reservoir in the US by volume. The hoover dam is incredibly beautiful as it sits on the border between Arizona and Nevada with a one-hour time difference. I am in awe of how much resources it took and the number of people to build this magnificent architectural structure.
 

 

Although MGM grand is at the far end (south) of Las Vegas, it is quite accessible due to the monorail. If you do not want to deal with car rental and the grueling traffic on the strip this is a good choice. We booked our stay through bookit.com and we were very pleased as we got a 200$ restaurant coupon which we used to eat at a local Italian restaurant called Sergio's that we surprisingly loved. Read about it on Yelp and we figured it rated really good and decided to eat there for dinner the night we arrived. All in all it was a great deal for roughly a little over 200$ for a three-night stay.

We ended the trip with a nice brunch at Serendipity 3 restaurant in Las Vegas.

We tried to squeeze in as much sight seeing as possible of the three days we were there and it was not enough.

We will definitely be going back and try the high roller, watch Ka and maybe eat at all the restaurants I've missed on this trip.

How about you? What do you love about Vegas?

Stanford University and Then Some

Sometimes that one thing you wanted so much in your life never comes easy. Quite elusive actually. I might be living the dream of that so-called-domesticated-housewife-in-a-white-picket-fenced-house. Not the grandest but it is what I have imagined my life to be a few years ago. Funny how I envisioned myself as a housewife and a mom..The latter is the most challenging for me for quite some time now. I wish I have the courage to share my story but I couldn't even put into words what I feel about it. I may be able to in the future if success is on its way.

I can only disclose that I've been through a lot. Because of this, I got to go to Standford University and Hospitals. I am so excited to be able to visit the University as I have only read about them in books and magazines before. It's a nice school and pretty expensive I'd say. They have their own shopping mall that sells high-end brands to boot. Here are some of the pictures we took around the campus with my husband.

Are you in the same boat? Share your success stories in the comment box below. 

Lots of love. XoXo.

Visiting my Sister in Texas

I know I've been away way too long. I promise to make it up to you. Here's a photo diary of a time well spent with my sister and my nieces and nephew in Texas. I had a blast!

 Flying solo these days can be pretty scary. The Asiana airlines mishap in San Francisco earlier this month still gives me chills. But honestly, although my husband and I have been travelling a lot, I'm scared to fly. I close my eyes and say a prayer one or too many times.

 I am finally in Texas after seeing this greeting from my favorite Texan restaurant, Pappa Deaux! It was an easy flight. I wasn't too scared. I sat with a 3-year old kid who was very well-behaved. Thank God! He didn't whine or cry the entire trip. Props to his parents for teaching kids to behave on long haul flights. 

These two greeted me early in the morning. I miss them a lot!

  We had a lot of girly time. Playing with make-up and pretend to be a model with my adorable nieces.

 This little boy however naughty is very sweet and he is two. Gave me a kiss while watching their favorite cartoon show.

 Jimmy goofing around. 

  We went swimming at Splashtown and the kids had so much fun!

 My 14-year old niece asked me to do "ombre" on her hair to cap off her summer fun. I think we used the Loreal Feria ombre kit on her. Who would have thought I was born to become a hairdresser. Lol.