I always contend that I am special because I am different. I am different in my thoughts and actions from those around me. However, I know that I am not alone in my thoughts and actions. There are people out there who share similar beliefs as me -- I have just yet to meet them all in one place.

There was a time in my life when I thought I should change to fit in with others. But the changes I was making did not make me happier, instead it left me angry with myself. I thought I was changing to make me happy, but I was changing to please others. I quickly learned that I am happy with who I am even if it does not please every person around me. I will change when it feels right for me to change.

***

Every individual are different from one another but we also share similarities. I strongly believe that even though people may hold a different set of values and beliefs on how we should live our lives, there is one common denominator: we want to be good people.

Who is a good person? When is a person good (or bad)? What is the definition of good? Who decides the definition and the standards which we are striving towards? These are some of the questions which I continue to ask myself when I approach a culture which is foreign to me. 

We do not have to agree with beliefs which opposes those we hold, but we can learn to be tolerant and respectful of them. However, I would argue that a belief should be subjected to harsh criticisms if the belief becomes an excuse for a group of people to inflict harms on others.

We should strive to help one another than to harm each other, because we are more similar to each other than we may realize. 

Hello San Francisco Day 5-6

Why hello 2017. It was the first time I brought in a new year away from home and I loved it.

Day 5: December 31, 2016 -- the last day of the year. I woke up with a sense of nostalgia and joy. I looked back on the events of the past twelve months and realized how much personal growth I have done.

We visited Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf. I wanted to visit the Boudin Restaurant but the wait was incredibly long and we were all hungry. Instead, we opted for Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood Restaurant. Everyone decided to load up on carbohydrates since we would be drinking later tonight.

I bought a matte, gold sequin dress for NYE. This fitting dress was bought from Tobi. It was cold and the boys recommended that we wore flats, but I am not always a good listener to those advice.

The quick picture we took before we ran to our ride

The only picture we took that shows the back of my dress

Day 6: I welcome 2017 with kiss and a hangover. Daphne and I slept most of the day away until my flight in the evening. San Francisco was fun and I cannot wait to come back for another visit.

January 1, 2017 marks a new beginning. This year motto is OMG, I love myself. This year is about creating and taking opportunity that I was too afraid to do the year before. This year is about making decisions that would make me feel happier each day.

Hello San Francisco Day 3-4

We can grow up in a city and never explore the places others have traveled far to see.

Day 3: I originally wanted to visit the de Young Museum in San Francisco but opted to visit the Academy of Sciences when I learned that it is home to Claude the albino alligator. An albino alligator is a rare sight and I did not want to pass up the opportunity to meet him.

The Academy has a Thursday Nightlife (21+) but the event was not offered during the holidays. I was a bit disappointed as I heard that the Thursday Nightlife is fun for adults. I suppose there is always next time!

Can you spy the leaf insect?

[Honestly, if we wanted to visit the de Young Museum, we could have. Both locations are within walking distance of each other. We did not visit the de Young Museum since we had other plans after the visit to the Academy.]

We left the Academy without seeing the planetary exhibition show. We were all hungry and driving back into the city afterward would have been too hectic.

Later that night we went to Coin-Op Game Room on 4th Street. I did not take any photos at the bar but I loved its atmosphere. The menu is designed like a comic book and they had vintage arcade games along the walls. The bar also had card and board games which patrons can play with. We played Cards Against Humanities and laughed our heads off with the cards we put down.

Read reviews of the bar on Yelp.

Day 4: I wanted to see the cable car in San Francisco and so we headed to Union Square. The line to jump on the cable car was extremely long. I decided that I only wanted a picture standing next to one. The man was kind to stop the car so we that we could quickly snapped a photo.

We then walked around Union Square looking for a NYE outfit for Daphne and had Senor Sisig for lunch. I later met up with Nedy (Daphne's mother) in the evening and we went out for a massage.

I believe I should schedule for a massage once a month. Everyone should pamper themselves after dealing with the stress in our daily lives.

Hello San Francisco Day 1-2

My friend Daphne and I met 3 years ago when we studied abroad in England. We both went to UC Irvine; she majored in English while I dual majored in Business Economics and Psychology. Despite our different majors, taking separate courses, and living in separate flats, we became close friends in the three months we spent in Europe.

I have not seen her for about a year and half since she moved back up to Northern California for work. We always talk about meeting up and traveling together again. Since I have never properly explored San Francisco (I have only been up in SF for weddings and temple visits), I told her that I would love to visit her and the city for my year end travel.

My visits was from December 27 to January 1. I had 6 days to explore the city.

Day 1: On my first day, we visited Chinatown in San Francisco. I read that San Francisco has the biggest Chinatown in the United States. The shops are quite different from the ones in Los Angeles. We had fun walking around.

We then visited City Lights. The bookstore has been described as "a place where booklovers from across the country and around the world come to browse, read, and just soak in the ambiance of alternative culture's only "Literary Landmark." Read more about the bookstore history here. 

I also wanted to see the Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread House. The gingerbread house is two-story tall and is made from real gingerbread cookies and candies.

Our last stop of the day was Twin Peaks. The hills overlooks the city and sight is even more amazing after sunset. 

Day 2: The day before I had told my friends that I wanted to have my fortune told. They mentioned that their mother reads tarot cards and that she may read mine if I asked her. I did asked her and she read my cards the next morning. 

My card showed that I have several issues to sort out. I have been hurt but I have to let go of the past in order to move forward. It was advised that I spend time alone to contemplate through my problems. My strong-willed personality will also help me sort through the issues but I have to learn how to balance my strength. 

After the reading, we started off our day in the city with lunch at the Palace Hotel. Due to the holiday season, we were not able to order from their regular lunch menu. The pre-set menu was delectable though. I had a butternut squash bisque and rib-eye steak. After, we went to the Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop for dessert. 

I love history and learning about different cultures. Our plan for day was City Hall, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, and the Nutcracker Ballet at the War Memorial Opera House. 

The Asian Art Museum currently has a special exhibition on history of Rama. I enjoyed going through the The Rama Epic exhibition and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in one of Southeast Asia's classic literature and sacred tradition. 

It was the first time Daphne and I attended a ballet performance. I had asked her before my visit if she was willing to watch a ballet with me so that I can have an excuse to wear the dress below.