Toronto Caribana

My cousin was in the Islands studying abroad and mentioned how much fun Caribana was there. Unfortunately, I was deployed and couldn't make it so when i came back we decided we were going. We opted for Caribana in Toronto, great idea! I absolutely love caribana. Foods, music, people and sunshine... What's not to love? It was suggested that we should play mass if we go, so we played mass. We played mass with Saldenah and got to walk in the parade wearing a costume designed by the Seldenah team. It was such an amazing experience and so much culture. Besides the festivities we participated in for Caribana, Canada is also an amazing Country. I would call Canada the United State's cool older cousin. 

LACMA

Another day another art museum. Today I went to the Los Angeles County Museum of  Art aka LACMA. LACMA is great because it is located on Museum Row and the light fixtures in front of the building. Honestly, I enjoyed the exhibits at The Broad more but I definetly appreciated LACMA's surrounding more. 

Mississippi Goddam

I was born and raised in California however, my entire family is from Picayune Mississippi (a city you have probably never heard of before). Picayune is about 45 min from New Orleans and despite my California up-bringing, I absolutely love Picayune. I spent many of summers and holiday breaks since the age of 7 in my mother's hometown. All of my relatives live in walking distance from each other and everyone knows everyone. I find so much tranquility in just sitting on the porch catching up with my cousins. Last summer while visiting, my mother told me that a street was named after my great grandpa John Hunt. I stood on the street and cried as I felt the whispers of my ancestors. "Herstory." 

Portland, Oregon

I am a experience junkie with an itch for travel. Of course I aspire to go out and explore the world, but I'd be remiss to go see the world and forget the beauty in my backyard. For Valentine's Day, I took advantage of the opportunity to hop on a plane to feel love and fall in love with a new state in my "beloved" America. Portland is beyond breathtaking, I feel like it is one of the United States best kept secrets. While in Portland, I went to Multnomah Falls and that was definitely the highlight of my trip. I know everyone is obsessed with stamps in their passport, but remember we have some treasures right here under our noses.