Happy December! What an eventful past few weeks it has been. It’s strange how life can seem predicable for a long stretch of time, and then, all of a sudden, everything changes! My most recent update is work-related; I’ve left Shiseido and moved to a company called Luxury Brand Partners, still within the beauty industry and within the capacity of product development. Wao, as my mother would say!

It was a bittersweet farewell because I’ve made so many friends and connections through my time at bareMinerals, and I’m proud of the projects I contributed to while there  (shop holiday gifts by clicking link!!). Now, I’m excited about my next chapter at this new family of brands, and will share when I have more to say. I’ve only finished my first week!

Since the switch, I spent my last three weeks in three different cities.

I took a break between my jobs to spend time in San Francisco, with my friends and family, and, lucky for me, it was Thanksgiving! Unfortunately, it was the same week that the fires were destroying California and sending fumes into the Bay Area air. But even the dismal air quality couldn’t stop me from enjoying my time.

San Francisco

My best friend and her husband just bought a house in SF… what an achievement, these unicorns.

Of course, I always visit the botanical garden in Golden Gate Park when I am home. It’s my favorite place in the world, even when a smoky haze has descended upon it. Midway through the week, we got some extra fog and rain, which cleared the air significantly. I went up to a locals-only spot called Turtle hill to snap these.

GGB <3

I also got my Asian food fix, and went shopping at Ranch 99 market (which I recently learned exists in New Jersey, whoever has a car and needs Asian groceries), bought my mom a new phone and took her to the Korean spa (I am so proud of me and her!), visited the Google office (unexpected, and basically a very nice college campus), had a proper family thanksgiving. All my dreams came true 😭❤️😊

Miami

While on my SF trip, I learned that my following week, the first week on the new job, would be at the headquarters office… in Miami! I almost fell out of my chair. Since last year, Miami has been on my list of places to visit, mostly because I’ve befriended some lovely Latina friends from there who tell me how wonderful it is. I already love Spanish, heat, Latin music, Latin flavors, dancing. I had a feeling I would like Miami, but I didn’t realize I’d love it as much as I did.

Bad news is that I must have brought in a cold front, because the temperatures dipped to around 50, which is basically the coldest it ever gets there and ironically the same temperature as SF and New York on a warmer winter’s day. When I left Miami, the temp climbed back up to 80 (of course). The good news is that I still had a wonderful time, both at work and the moments I was able to step away.

I miss seeing palm trees. They don’t survive in New England 🙁

I also went to Wynwood Walls, which KIND OF reminds me of some parts of Brooklyn. There’s lots of street art, and the walls have giant murals which are all showcased during Art Basel, a super famous contemporary / modern art event.

Some important boxes I checked during my trip included visiting South Beach while listening to Miami by Will Smith, eating Cuban food at Calle Ocho whlie listening to Pitbull, and seeing the art at the Wynwood Walls while listening to Move to Miami by Enrique Iglesias. I actually think I loved this trip more than most because of the music. Miami has the best songs written about it than any city, and I’d love to have a lively debate with someone who disagrees.

I ate a considerable amount of latin food, including maduros, flan, croquetas, vaca frita, and even ceviche at one point. Next time I come, I’d like to stay for the weekend so that I can lay on the beach, go dancing and find my way onto a yacht (or a boat…)!

New York City

Now I’m back in New York, and it’s the last month of 2018. WILD! On a whim, my roommate and I bought a few Christmas decorations, and while it’s humble, it’s cute AF. Everyone who knows me knows I’m not a fan of winter, but NYC in December tends to be the most charming, since holiday cheer is alive and well, and everything can be covered in christmas lights. I will be spending the next two weeks here, and then comes my long-awaited trip to Southeast Asia! Any suggestions for Bangkok, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, send them my way.

It’s nice to be back for some time. I did my usual walk around the reservoir in Central Park and went to the church nearby to meditate. I’m really grateful for all these blessings, and the new adventures my life will be taking me on. At the same time, all the unknowns can make me a little nervous nelly, which is normal, or so I remind myself. Of course, one can’t grow if everything is predictable, and I expect this to be a growing period in my life, worth the nerves.

I hope you all have a wonderful month ahead with your own adventures! HO HO HO y’all excited for Santa?

xoxo,

Trace