USA - Lili on the Loose

26 10, 2015

Travel Missteps: Following the Fall Leaves on the Freedom Trail

By Lili|October 26th, 2015|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2014, Boston, fall, ghost, ghost story, Halloween, haunted, Haunted in Boston, leaves, Massachusetts, North America, trolley, USA|0 Comments

One of the best sounds in life is that crisp crunch sound when stepping on fall leaves. At my old condo, the wind would blow all the leaves in this grassy ditch behind the parking lot. The pile would get huge, up to my waist. My dog would join me as I jumped and kicked up the leaves. Then again, my dog’s main goal was to eat as many fall leaves as she cool, like they were potato chips. I still miss that home just for those fall leaves. So when I had just a single brief afternoon in Boston

5 10, 2015

Museum Monday: Poison in Detail

By Lili|October 5th, 2015|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: Colorado, Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, DMNS, exhibit, Fantasy, museum, North America, Photo Essay, Poison, The Power of Poison, USA|0 Comments

As I wrote before in my review, I loved The Power of Poison exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Here are some of the exhibits models and artifacts in more detail. A blow dart gun, and the pot to brew & dip the tips in poison. There is something so intriguing on massive ancient tomes. I really enjoyed the faux magnification of various plants and animals in the forest area. It was very eye catching. An actual "Mad" Hatter's mercury laced hat. So many Beautiful, but Toxic Butterflies! Snow White's area was beautifully decorated and felt like

3 10, 2015

Souvenir Saturday: Tasty Memory

By Lili|October 3rd, 2015|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Apple, Candied Apple, Candy Apple, Caramel Apple, Carmel Apple, Girl’s Weekend, Las Vegas, Nevada, North America, Sugar Factory, USA|0 Comments

During a Girl's Weekend in Las Vegas, I stopped into Sugar Factory and fell in love with their myriad of candy and caramel apple options. It took forever to decide on which one to get. It being a quick trip, I completely forgot to eat it until I got home. And it was delicious. Sadly, Sugar Factory closed their location in Las Vegas but they often have small kiosks at various locations and airports, so if you see be sure to check it out! Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

7 09, 2015

Museum Monday: Woman of Pompeii

By Lili|September 7th, 2015|Categories: History, Museums, Travel|Tags: Colorado, Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, DMNS, exhibit, North America, Pompeii, statue, USA|0 Comments

A statue of a woman from Pompeii I love statues, there is something captivating from being able to walk around and seeing the artwork from all sorts of angles. This statues is from Pompeii, and was part of the A Day in Pompeii exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in 2012. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

31 08, 2015

Travel Missteps: The Early Shuttle

By Lili|August 31st, 2015|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2004, 2012, Asia, Bath, button, Central America, Colorado, Costa Rica, Japan, North America, packing, pants, sewing, shuttle, Sister Cities Japan 2004, Super Shuttle, USA|0 Comments

I use to be a horrible packer, waiting until the last minute. This lead to many sleepless trips such as the time I finished packed at 4AM for my trip to Japan. Unfortunately my shuttle was picking me up at 4:30 AM so there was no point in sleeping. But one day that changed in me. I started to have everything packed and ready in advanced. And then I started cleaning my entire home and having it ready for when I returned. That was always nice as now when I get home, no matter how tired I am, I unpack

24 08, 2015

Museum Monday: Unicorns at Denver Museum of Nature & Science

By Lili|August 24th, 2015|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: Colorado, Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, DMNS, exhibit, Fantasy, museum, Mythical Creatures, Myths, North America, Unicorn, USA|0 Comments

This is a reminder that Denver Museum of Nature and Science's Mythic Creatures Exhibit ends in 2 weeks on September 7th. Read my review here. Unicorn at DMNS Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

10 08, 2015

Review: The Power of Poison at Denver Museum of Nature & Science

By Lili|August 10th, 2015|Categories: Museums, Travel, Travel Review|Tags: Colorado, Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, DMNS, exhibit, Fantasy, museum, North America, Poison, The Power of Poison, USA|0 Comments

Last month The Power of Poison opened up at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. While I didn't like the recent Mythical Creatures (ongoing until September 7th), I absolutely loved the Power of Poison! I found the way the exhibit is laid out beautifully with clearly planned themes, each with a different but congruent feel. Colombia's Chocó forest model. I recommend to come in the early hours of the exhibit so you can have it mostly to yourself. There are many smaller artifacts that require attention to read the place cards. I also would suggest this only for

30 07, 2015

Follow Your Feet at Lan Su Garden Portland, OR

By Lili|July 30th, 2015|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2012, North America, North Pacific Coast 2012, Oregon, path, pathway, Portland, stone, stones, Travel Thursday, USA|Comments Off on Follow Your Feet at Lan Su Garden Portland, OR

Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden is a beautiful place to check out on your visit to the city. Beyond the beautiful pagodas and variety of plants I was also amazed by the intricate stone pathways. They said that these stones were hand selected for placement, and were designed to be able to walk barefoot in meditation. The juxtaposition of the smooth river rocks and flat stones would give you a different feeling as you walk. Each area of the garden has its own stone designs. And will have a different feeling depending on the time of year, lighting, and how

27 07, 2015

Museum Monday: Cartier Pearl Necklace

By Lili|July 27th, 2015|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century, cartier, Colorado, DAM, Denver, Denver Art Museum, diamonds, museum, North America, pearls, platinum, USA|0 Comments

The Denver Art Museum had an exhibit called Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century which I was lucky enough to see in its last few days. I was mesmerized by some of the older designs, including this 1911 necklace that features platinum, diamonds, and pearls. Its hard to see but the connectors of the chain are a swirl around a 4 diamond floral pattern. Before cultured pearls, pearls were worth more than diamonds. 1911 Cartier Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

25 07, 2015

Souvenir Saturday: Money Cat

By Lili|July 25th, 2015|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 1997, Beckoning Cat, cat, Hawaii, International Marketplace, Japan, Lucky Cat, Maneki Neko, Money Cat, Neko, North America, Oahu, Sunburn, Sunburnt 1997, USA, Waikiki|0 Comments

It is a bit ironic that I was ripped off buying a Maneki Neko (Beckoning/Lucky/Money Cat) at the old International Marketplace in Waikiki. I was young, and didn't know you were supposed to barter in the open air tourist shopping bazaar. So when they gave me a price for this golden cat, I immediately agreed. I was just starting my obsession with Japanese culture and just had to have a Money Cat. But it was an expensive purchase...nearly all of my spending money...and at the start of the trip. My parents were shocked I spent so much on it. They