grace be on purpose

Address: 9500 Brimhall Rd, Bakersfield CA 93312

I only order the Cream Cheese Puffs. Each pastry is soft and flaky; with the cream cheese filling, every bite is a delight. It is even better when warm.

If you love Porto’s Bakery Cheese Rolls and don’t want to drive to Los Angeles, then these Cream Cheese Puffs are perfect!

Cream Cheese Puffs $9.99/dozen

with love, 

Address: 5550 California Ave, Bakersfield CA 93309

Date of visit: 5/27/2020

For the past few years, I have noticed there are many new Asian restaurants popping up in Bakersfield, California. Before, my family and I would drive to the Los Angeles area for some Asian food cravings, whether it be Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Filipino cuisine, etc. Today was no different. I have been craving Korean food since I binge watched the show Crash Landing On You. I did a little Google search and Tofu House on California Ave. popped up. I went with my family this afternoon, and we were not disappointed. We left feeling full and satisfied.

Value for money: 5/5 – The dishes were generously portioned.

Service: 5/5 – Our server was friendly and attentive without being “in-your-face.” Our drinks were never empty. Food was promptly served.

Food: 4/5

My parents shared the Haemul Meuntang. It was the right amount of spice for them. Make sure to let them know what your spice preference are; it could be too spicy for some people. This large seafood soup could easily feed 2-3 people. It came with a big squid, a couple of fried fish, crab, generous number of clams and mussels, shrimp, and some tofu.

My brother ordered the Chicken Bulgogi Bibimbap. The dish came in the biggest hot stone plate I have ever seen. It was delicious, and we were still able to take home half of it seeing as it was so big.

My youngest brother, the picky eater, got the Chicken Skewer in Garlic sauce. The dish came in 4 skewers with a side of rice. He finished all his food with an extra order of rice.

I judge Korean restaurant based on how much I like their soondubu-jjiggae. I ordered their seafood “Soon Tofu” soup in medium spicy that came with a side of rice. They were very generous with the amount of seafood in the soup. While it was not the best soondubu-jjiggae I’ve ever had, the soup was delicious and satisfied my cravings. It is still worth it.

Haemul Meuntan

Mama and Papa with the Haemul Meuntang

Chicken Bulgogi Bibimbap

Chicken Skewers with Garlic sauce

Seafood Soon Tofu

various side dishes for the table

Will return? -absolutely

with love,

Dear future self,

Don’t forget to treat yourself sometimes.

with love,

Tonight, Jake and I are finally watching the last episode [16] of Crash Landing On You. This show quickly became one of my favorites after starting the show only 7 days ago. I am writing my real-time reactions to this episode so I can look back and remember my feelings of watching the show finale. 

Se-ri is soooo beautiful.

I really hope Seung-jun and Dan have a happy ending.

The previous episode showed Se-ri in septic shock and crashing… I don’t think she’ll die though.

Seung-jun got shot… I don’t think he’ll die either.

The people on this show have such beautiful, plump lips.

Seung-jun is dead.

Se-ri is stable now.

Are the North Korean boys staying? I hope so! But Man Duk has a family so I hope he goes back.

Captain Ri’s dad looks like an older version of my dad.

Captain Ri will go back to North Korea?! But what about Se-ri??? It has to be NOW?

“I’ve said goodbye to him a number of times already.”

This is my favorite haircut on Captain Ri. He’s so fine.

Oh no, why’d he move?! Captain Ri! Se-ri wants to look at you!

Oh, Se-ri. I know what you mean. I know how you feel.

The North Korean boys are now on the bus to go back to North Korea.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I think Se-ri and Captain Ri will get to see each other. I have goosebumps.

Wait, what. They are about to cross over to North Korea. Where is Se-ri?!

Oh interesting. North Korea is exchanging some South Korean citizens over.

Why are they are getting arrested?!

WHAT THE FUCK.

WHAT.

Oh my heart.

How is this gonna end?! Are they going to have their happily ever after? I want them to get married and have babies.

I think Captain Ri just got into more trouble.

I’m not sure how accurate this show is representing North Korean life, but it is very interesting to watch their houses, daily living, and community.

Hohoho. Captain Ri’s Papa to the rescue.

Captain Ri’s Papa is a badass.

Awww families reunited.

The ring that Seung-jun first gave to Se-ri, then gave to Dan, is one ugly ring.

Seri’s brother and his wife getting what they deserve. This is why you should love and respect your sister.

Seri’s kitchen is fully stocked with groceries and how to make noodles thanks to Captain Ri. This is sad.

Seri playing a recording of Captain Ri playing the piano… this is sad.

OMG. OMG. OMG. Captain Ri can text her?!

Oh, false alarm. It’s pre-dated texts. Lame.

“I love you” on the bookshelf.

This scene is heartbreaking.

Seri’s Choice’s new products are so cute. I love how she honored the ladies from North Korea. Such a satisfactory scene to watch.

Oh, poor Dan. I hope she gets a happier ending.

Switzerland is one of my favorite places. the fact that it’s a part of this show’s story line makes this show even more special.

I just spent 5 minutes crying because of the text messages.

I think there’s a chance Captain Ri and Se-ri can meet up. But how will that be enough, though? I want them to have a life together.

Switzerland is so beautiful.

How many years has it been?! She’s been going to Switzerland hoping he’ll show up.

I’m speechless. *hysterical*

What a wholesome, satisfactory, beautiful ending.

I am going to miss the places, the characters, and the love story from Crash Landing On You. 

with love, 

miss you. 

with love, 

(in no particular order)

Episode 11 of Hospital Playlist: I love the friendships depicted on this show. In this episode, it was revealed that Ik-joon used to have feelings for Song-hwa back when they were in med school. I ship them so hard.

Episode 10 and 11 of Crash Landing On You: The North Korean boys are now in Seoul! So many hilarious moments and also kinda relatable (lol I used to be a FOB). And of course Captain Ri and Se-Ri… so much kilig.

Taro Boba: Yuuuummmm. I’ve been consuming a lot of taro boba for the past few weeks. I can’t wait until my Amazon order arrives so I can start making it at home.

Ube pandesal from Umaga cafe: Uhmmm yummmm. This Ube pandesal comes with cheese filing. So happy I found them on Instagram. The owners are Filipino nurses who wants to bring authentic Filipino coffee to Bakersfield, and also they make Filipino bake goods. At the moment, they’ve rented a space in Downtown Bakersfield and most of the traction they’ve had is from word of mouth. I’m so excited for them to open up a permanent spot so they can serve the people of Bakersfield good coffee, good food, and good vibes while surrounded by authentic Filipino hospitality and love.

Daily Questions: Grateful to have a couple people to do questions with everyday through Zoom videos. They keep me motivated and disciplined! #roadto280 with #team280

...and of course, there is a wonderful person behind the cute layout of this blog who makes me happy everyday.

with love, 

It’s 2020.

I remember a decade ago how I have always wanted to start a blog. A blog of no particular topic. I just wanted to write about things that interested me, things that brought me joy, and things that moved me. One of my best friends has a blog dating back to 2009 she never publishes publicly. She posts about quotes, books, travels, and her musings on what she calls her “diary”. Now, she has more than 10 years of content that she can look back on. She inspired me to do the same. She inspired me to start writing. She inspired to START. I don’t tend to dwell on regret, but I can honestly say I regret not starting this blog sooner.

Oh well. Hindsight is 20/20.

And better late than never.

So who is grace be? I have an idea, but really I’m not quite sure yet. I am excited to share it with you as I discover who I really am.

On here, I would like to share what I am doing, food I am eating, places I am traveling, people I am meeting… basically, share the life I am creating.

In this little corner of the universe, I am going to share my life.

With love,