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Amtrak Coast Starlight: Portland to Los Angeles

ByMalia Yoshioka

The first time I can remember catching a real train (the Sugar Cane Train and the Pearlridge Monorail don’t count) was the summer after I graduated from high school, when I spent three months backpacking around Europe before heading off to college. My friend Meghan and I bought the Europass option that allowed us 8…

Destinations · Food · Foodie · Landmarks · Seattle · Things to Do · Travel · Travel Planning · Travel Tips · Washington

Things to Do in Seattle: An Afternoon in Fremont

ByMalia Yoshioka

The 2014 AWP Conference took place this year in Downtown Seattle at the Washington State Convention Center. It was a great location, just minutes from the Pike Place Market and with easy access to public transportation to take you elsewhere if you desire. We were fortunate to have great weather the first day or so,…

Destinations · Food · Garden · Seattle · Things to Do · Travel · Travel Tips · Washington

Where to Eat in Downtown Seattle

ByMalia Yoshioka

For me, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Seattle – no, not Nirvana, grunge, or even good beer – is fresh seafood. Sure, it’s a bit corny that the fishmongers in Pike Place Market still put on their show for the tourists where they toss around huge salmon like a…

California · Destinations · Los Angeles · Portland · Train Travel · Travel · Travel

Ghost of the Train

ByMalia Yoshioka

It’s just after 4am and the train stops in Chico, CA. We’ve now crossed the 13 hour mark, almost halfway into my 30-hour train ride. I’ve gotten maybe five straight hours of sleep, which is quite amazing and more than I’d hoped. I’m sure I’ll nap again before the journey is up, but for now…

A brown ceramic bowl full of creamy corn chowder with bacon.

Food · Foodie · Hawaii · Maui · Nostaglia · Recipe Cards

Comfort food: Grandma’s Corn Chowder

ByMalia Yoshioka

A bowlful of comfort – creamy corn chowder with bacon the way my grandmother made it.

Food · Foodie · Hawaii · Honolulu · Support Local · Things to Do

Hawaii Food and Wine Festival 2013

ByMalia Yoshioka

Food lovers in Honolulu know that there are a few events worth marking in your calendar. Restaurant Week in November. Taste of Marukai. Joy of Sake. Made in Hawaii Festival. Eat the Street. And then there’s the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival. It’s truly in a different category than those listed above, because of the…

Food · Foodie · Hawaii · Honolulu · Things to Do

Quest for Honolulu’s Best

ByMalia Yoshioka

This month’s Honolulu Magazine is probably one of my favorite issues, ever. I have subscribed to the magazine for years because I love the historical portraits of Honolulu over time, unique perspectives on people and places that make our city so diverse, as well as some of the Honolulu’s best food writing. This month’s issue…

Food · Foodie · Hawaii · Honolulu · Shopping · Small Business · Support Local · Things to Do

Made in Hawaii Festival

ByMalia Yoshioka

NOTE: This post was from a previous Made in Hawaii Festival. It’s now being held at the Honolulu Convention Center! For 2024, I recommend checking out this guide from Honolulu Magazine and the official Made in Hawaii Festival website. Despite the crowds, ridiculous parking fee, and the fact that I spend more than I budget…

Art · Destinations · New York City · Things to Do · Travel · Travel Planning · Travel Tips

Visiting Rain Room at the MoMA

ByMalia Yoshioka

You might say I’m crazy. I just waited over three hours – in the rain – to stand in a room full of artificial rain for all of ten minutes. Oh, the irony. Sweet, sweet irony. Was it worth it? I have to say that it was. But not for the reasons I thought. I…

Food · Foodie · Garden · Healthy · Support Local

Cheers to Good Health!

ByMalia Yoshioka

After the glorious excess that was Birth Month, I’m finding a need to gain some balance back into my life, especially in my eating habits. I won’t lie, April was a month with some truly amazing meals shared with some of my nearest and dearest, many of which I still need to post. Starting with…

Shoyu Sugar