My Birthday Night With Friends!

I turned the big 2-5 earlier this month! My birthday week was pretty crazy work-wise, but I managed to get the night off to have dinner and spend time with friends. I originally was planning on starting my night off by going to the opening of the 4-day cat cafe "Catfe" pop-up event in Chinatown - if you know me, you'll know that I am a TOTAL cat lady and one of my dreams is to go to a cat cafe in Japan - imagine my excitement when I found out there was a Kickstarter campaign to open one right here in LA! You should've seen me flip out when I found out the pop up event to promote the campaign was opening ON my birthday - it was fate. However, turns out there was a 2-hour wait for the cat cafe which would've made us later for our dinner reservation so we had to pass. My heart aches just thinking about it D': 

So to pass a little time until dinner I went and got my FREE Starbucks birthday drink - a Butterbeer frappacino from their Secret Menu in Grande size, of course. Then we walked around the plaza in Little Tokyo. It's such a cute area, I love it there. 

We had dinner at this great Japanese restaurant called Honda Ya. I had been there once before alone and was really impressed with the very traditional Japanese decor, the reasonable pricing and variety of the menu, and the quality of the food. Add to the fact that they have a separate area where you can take off your shoes and sit on the floor while you eat, and I knew this was where I wanted to do my birthday dinner. 

One thing that I thought was pretty cool was when they brought out the green tea ice cream birthday dessert, they turned off the lights in the WHOLE restaurant (well probably not the kitchen and stuff but at least the whole front of house). I definitely wasn't expecting that. Maybe turn off the lights in the separate area we were at, but the ENTIRE restaurant? It puts the spotlight on you which is a little embarrassing but also made you feel special :) 

Afterwards, we went to a nearby karaoke place and had fun singing along to Frozen tunes and songs from our high school years. If you watch the video posted below, you'll see that my sister and I get reallyyyy into our karaoke performances. "Dream On" is also our staple karaoke song although I think "Let It Go" is going to give it a run for its money.

Thus concludes my 25th birthday night! Nothing too crazy, everyone was back home before midnight. I can't tell if this means I'm getting older or just boring haha. Honestly, it was one of the best birthdays I ever had. I feel so blessed that I got to celebrate this milestone birthday in this new city that I love with my wonderfully amazing sister (seriously, check out the video, she's the bees knees) and incredibly amazing friends. Last year in NYC was incredibly lonely for me, so to see the drastic change a year later, just confirms to me how my move to LA was one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

Not going to lie, turning a quarter of a century is a little scary, but being surrounded by people like this, makes it a little less daunting. Looking forward to what 25 brings!

Be sure to check out my video below!! 

Caution for those with sensitive ears, there IS karaoke! :D

What was your best birthday?

My Birthday Wish List

In less than 2 weeks, I will be a quarter of a century old. I really can't believe how fast time flies. There's just no way I'm turning 25! And yet, I am.

My dad and sister have been asking me what I would like as a gift so instead of just forwarding them my Amazon wish list, I thought I'd put together for them a nice convenient little blog post. And yes, I do plan to treat myself with one some of these items. Sooooo here we go!

My Birthday Wish List

1. Wacom Intuous Pro Pen and Touch Tablet - I've been drawing most of my life and have dabbled in coloring my traditional art in Photoshop with a mouse, but I know that nowhere compares to what one can do with a pen and tablet. Drawing is one of my hobbies that brings me such joy and sense of accomplishment - I'm happy with what I can do with paper and pencil. but I would love to take my art to the next level and start doing more digital work. I've contemplated getting a tablet in the past, but was a little intimidated. I've now done my research and feel ready to take this step.
2. Attack On Titan: Colossal Edition - I discovered this amazing show over the summer and it has quickly become my favorite anime ever, yes ever. I thought about buying some of the manga volumes, but then heard about this "Colossal" edition which contains the first five volumes and 15 color pages. Sounds like a good deal to me!
3. iTunes Gift Cards - I've recently been introduced to the world of otome games and have taken quite a liking become absolutely OBSESSED with them. I'm pretty sure in this last month I've charged more to iTunes for these games than I have for food. So, yes, if you have absolutely no idea what to get me as a gift- you cannot go wrong with these in any amount.
4. Custom Plushie - I've always always wanted a custom plushie. Daddy, Melissa, if you are reading this and contemplating to do this, please let me know and I will forward you several images of my favorite otome characters. This will take a little extra effort but it WILL make my life. 
5. A Song of Ice and Fire 5-Book Set - Even though I love the complex world of Westeros and enjoy the books more than the show, I actually have never owned any of the books! I've always borrowed them from others! Me getting this box set will happen eventually. If not now, then later, but until then it's on the wish list.
6. Subscription to Q Box - This is basically a subscription box for CUTE things, and goodness, do they deliver on the cute. Their past boxes are filled with such adorable, quality items - no wonder they're sold out until November! I've researched a lot of different subscription boxes and this definitely looks to be my favorite!
7. Mini Freezer - I live in a bachelor apartment which means I don't have a full-sized kitchen. I have a sink and a mini-fridge. If you know me, I love the Trader Joe's frozen section as well as keeping frozen fruits for my Nutri-Bullet smoothies. I have not been able to do this for a while since I do not have a freezer. A mini freezer would totally rectify this situation! 
8. Haircut - My sister recently lopped off a good 10" or so of hair and looks absolutely adorable. Every time I see her I can't help but point out how cute she looks. Not saying I'm brave enough to do the same, but my hair definitely could use a good, quality cut. My split ends and layers are out of control.
9. Combat Boots - I have been on the lookout for a cute pair of everyday combat boots for, well, forever. I LOVE the way they look and definitely would love a pair for fall.
10. Gym Membership - I remember when I had two gym memberships (thank you, Groupon) in college on top of the free on campus gym. I also remember back when I had a good metabolism *cries* Now, I do have my elliptical out on the balcony which I love, but boy do I miss actually going to a gym with AC. Also, I'm excited to show off my new VS Sport gear and wear cute athletic tanks like this Free! one from lookhuman.com.

Also anything from the aforementioned lookhuman.com or thinkgeek.com. Things like THIS Star Trek Spock Oven Mitt or THIS cute Sailor Moon baseball tee (all baseball tees currently on sale for $20!) are right up my alley.

Anyone else have a birthday in October? What's on your wish list?