Hello ladies and gents
For my birthday this year, it was more about rekindling old feelings
and remembering my past than anything else.
Spending the time with my family and spoiling them, like they've been doing for me each and every year.
We visited some thrift stores. (surprise, surprise! lol) Watched the new release of The Lion King. (A childhood classic for me!) And ended the day with some Chinese food and an Ice Cream Bar. (The Chinese food was from a place we used to always get when I was a kid, too. Told ya it was going to be an all around "rekindling" fest! lol)
We actually went to see the movie a few days earlier, since my birthday fell on August 1st and the release date for the film was July 19th but we ended up watching it on the 29th! (The tickets sold pretty quick, apparently!) This was a surprise from my family, so I had absolutely no idea we were going to see this. I'm so happy I did, it was AMAZING!
Spending the time with my family and spoiling them, like they've been doing for me each and every year.
We visited some thrift stores. (surprise, surprise! lol) Watched the new release of The Lion King. (A childhood classic for me!) And ended the day with some Chinese food and an Ice Cream Bar. (The Chinese food was from a place we used to always get when I was a kid, too. Told ya it was going to be an all around "rekindling" fest! lol)
We actually went to see the movie a few days earlier, since my birthday fell on August 1st and the release date for the film was July 19th but we ended up watching it on the 29th! (The tickets sold pretty quick, apparently!) This was a surprise from my family, so I had absolutely no idea we were going to see this. I'm so happy I did, it was AMAZING!
THE LION KING MOVIE
Waiting in line for the tickets. |
We had to kill some time, because we were catching the 3o' clock movie. It was an hour wait, or so. This is my dad acting a goof. He hurt his knee a while back, so the crutch fit perfectly with the shark. lol Not going to lie--the 47 meters down movie looks pretty badass! |
Me. I didn't even know we were going to see The Lion King--but for some reason, I wanted to dress up as my version of Pocahontas. Weird. I guess I'll forever be a Disney child. <3 |
The place was busy as hell. Lines miles long ran from inside to the outside. Including the refreshment section. |
~1 HOUR LATER~
Not going to lie--the seats were very very nice. Probably the nicest I've sat in for a movie theater. |
Just waiting for the house to fill up and waiting for that message of "turn your phone off NOW" lmfao |
To end the movie--it was GREAT. It completely kept to the classic animated movie I knew and loved growing up. A few minor set-backs--like not fully singing a few songs or NOT LETTING TIMON AND PUMBA DO THE HULA SCENE!! But other than that, it was everything I loved about my favorite childhood movie! ALSO, Scar was played by one of my favorite actors from one of my favorite movies--Kinky Boots~ <3 No complaints here!
And the stairs I used to run up and down on as a kid. I used to pretend I was ascending into some unknown place in a different time. |
SUPERIOR THRIFT
Located in Stockton, off highway 99.
"The Best Place For Bargain Hunting"
Growing up--we spent a lot of time thrifting.
Many of my most happiest moments were spent rummaging through antiques and ancient clothing.
Hearing the clang and rolling thunder of ceramic being slid across shelves.
That musical "shwiing" of metal hangers screeching against metal pipes between aisles.
Located in Stockton, off highway 99.
"The Best Place For Bargain Hunting"
Growing up--we spent a lot of time thrifting.
Many of my most happiest moments were spent rummaging through antiques and ancient clothing.
Hearing the clang and rolling thunder of ceramic being slid across shelves.
That musical "shwiing" of metal hangers screeching against metal pipes between aisles.
The musty scent of decaying books, moth balls and fresh ink on newly stapled paper tags.
Nothing soothes my soul more than to be surrounded by all of this. Experiencing all of this.
Thrifting, to me, is much deeper than finding a "cool vintage thing" at a shop. It's something that was apart of me, will always be a part of me. No matter my age.
One store I used to always shop in was called Superior Thrift.
I have no problem exposing the name nor the location, since I am far away from this place now...
but aside from that, It MUST be recorded here. In my virtual diary.
For future me to read and enjoy as I please.
One store I used to always shop in was called Superior Thrift.
I have no problem exposing the name nor the location, since I am far away from this place now...
but aside from that, It MUST be recorded here. In my virtual diary.
For future me to read and enjoy as I please.
Ending the parking lot of the thrift store--I instantly got hit by a ton of memories. We would always park in this lot. All the time, every single day. |
A lot of things being sold. A lot of pretty little dainty things. Truthfully, not my sort of thing. I like big and bold. |
A lot of costume jewelry, too. Being sold at crazy prices. |
Now, I'm not trying to be mean. Maybe I have been tainted by being spoiled from my local shops but the stuff here was EXPENSIVE. Way more than what they used to sell things for growing up. The lowest price they had was around $5 dollars. Crazy!
I did happen to like the little hat box with the children on it. Very haunting. Much too expensive but pretty. |
Very busy, especially for a thrift store. The people were very rude, too. Not even going to hide it. Pushing and bumping into you without as much as a "excuse me." |
These two things were pretty cool. Out of everything. Not "OMG I GOTTA HAVE IT NOW" cool but still pretty cool. |
I want to include a few things I remember about this place
in this following section:
1. They used to have grab bags of ALL kinds for nearly a dollar a pop. Toys, Trinkets, Doll accessories, jewelry, etc. They'd STUFF those things with a TON of random goods. Me and my mom used to always buy a few of the Jewelry grab bags. The bags were always so heavy, which made the dollar seem like such a great bargain. Sometimes you'd get a ton of costume jewelry or just a bunch of mardi gras beads but other times you'd get a cool vintage trinket or a random strange find. It was always a gamble but well worth the risk.
2. Aside from these cool grab bags--they'd also have 5 shirts in a bag.
Randomly selected shirts (probably the stuff that didn't sell!) and they'd roll all 5 of them up in a bag and put them on a rack or in a bin. You'd have to sit there for a few minutes making selections of what you wanted by the print you'd see from the inside or if you could see anything at all. I remember me and my mom just elbows deep in the bins searching for a cool pattern or a print that called out to us. Maybe we liked the weight of one compared to another. A gut feeling selection. It was so much fun!
And 3. The prices were always so reasonable. Growing up in a low income family, this was like the best thing for me and my brother. We struggled a lot. Not even going to hide it, so being able to splurge a ten dollar occasionally at a thrift store getting SO MUCH STUFF with that single 10 dollar bill was like Christmas. The prices in this store nowadays was insane. I don't know how anyone can come out of here feeling like they didn't do anything but burn holes in their wallets. Sad. Very sad.
in this following section:
1. They used to have grab bags of ALL kinds for nearly a dollar a pop. Toys, Trinkets, Doll accessories, jewelry, etc. They'd STUFF those things with a TON of random goods. Me and my mom used to always buy a few of the Jewelry grab bags. The bags were always so heavy, which made the dollar seem like such a great bargain. Sometimes you'd get a ton of costume jewelry or just a bunch of mardi gras beads but other times you'd get a cool vintage trinket or a random strange find. It was always a gamble but well worth the risk.
2. Aside from these cool grab bags--they'd also have 5 shirts in a bag.
Randomly selected shirts (probably the stuff that didn't sell!) and they'd roll all 5 of them up in a bag and put them on a rack or in a bin. You'd have to sit there for a few minutes making selections of what you wanted by the print you'd see from the inside or if you could see anything at all. I remember me and my mom just elbows deep in the bins searching for a cool pattern or a print that called out to us. Maybe we liked the weight of one compared to another. A gut feeling selection. It was so much fun!
And 3. The prices were always so reasonable. Growing up in a low income family, this was like the best thing for me and my brother. We struggled a lot. Not even going to hide it, so being able to splurge a ten dollar occasionally at a thrift store getting SO MUCH STUFF with that single 10 dollar bill was like Christmas. The prices in this store nowadays was insane. I don't know how anyone can come out of here feeling like they didn't do anything but burn holes in their wallets. Sad. Very sad.
The only thing that was reasonably priced, among a few things total, were the music. I ended up getting a few albums for my bday, along with 2 CDs. |
RETURNING TO MY TOWN
Since I only ended up getting a few items at the Superior Thrift, we decided to check out all the other thrift stores in our own town. Pop in a few and settle on some. We were all jacked up on the road trip aftermath which resulted into a few "WTF" moments...so, we thought it was only necessary to do this. We all didn't get ready for nothing, you know? lol
I say this with the most urgency--I'm glad to be home! lol
I say this with the most urgency--I'm glad to be home! lol
My store was already bringing out the Halloween trinkets. This brought a HUGE smile to my painted face~ |
I really love the box she is in, as well. I wish I could have afforded her. I would have snagged her in a second, if I could. |
Another HUGE regret. Among a few chosen this visit. I was a little down from the other thrift store not bearing any finds, so I missed a lot this visit. Like this cute strange cat thing. Damn. |
My parents were contemplating grabbing these but settled on "No, it's Hannah's Bday!" I kept saying they should, but they didn't. I feel so sad because I liked them, too. Damn. |
Another strange find I would have snagged if it wasn't too expensive. I like strange things that can't quite be explained. Damn. |
This cute guy was among a few other cute dolls. Another regret but the price tag was the reason, this time. lol |
And lastly, this beautiful painting. Had I had the room, I would have. She wasn't too expensive, either. Oh well. |
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN
After the adventures that lasted quite a few hours. We came back home.
But before home, we decided on getting some Chinese food.
Settled on a place we used to eat out at a lot growing up.
Wong's Mandarin Restaurant!
But before home, we decided on getting some Chinese food.
Settled on a place we used to eat out at a lot growing up.
Wong's Mandarin Restaurant!
The inside of the place is so beautiful. Sorry to the guy who got captured. |
My beautiful mom. |
The color selection in the whole place is just so beautiful. It hasn't changed, which is so great. It's like I stepped back into my past to relive a happy moment all over again. |
The artwork in the place was breath-taking. |
The decorations were equally beautiful! |
And can we talk about the ceiling? Oh my goodness, it's beautiful! |
THE FOOD
This specific Chinese restaurant was something me and my family grew up on.
Probably the best this town has to offer, in terms of food quality, cleanliness AND hospitality.
The people greet you with smiles. They make sure to get down everything you want with whatever substitutions you'd like. Always polite and never rude in any way at all. If the price point was merely based on how a restaurant treats you, this place can have ALL MY MONEY. lol
This specific Chinese restaurant was something me and my family grew up on.
Probably the best this town has to offer, in terms of food quality, cleanliness AND hospitality.
The people greet you with smiles. They make sure to get down everything you want with whatever substitutions you'd like. Always polite and never rude in any way at all. If the price point was merely based on how a restaurant treats you, this place can have ALL MY MONEY. lol
I can't believe how much food we got for $30 dollars. And this is for 4 adults. Because of the wait being a bit long, the hostess gave us SO MUCH EXTRAS! |
These were the extras we got for the wait! 4 bags of food consisting of 2 chicken pieces and 3 fried shrimps each! |
A look inside the bags. Aside from this, they also gave us two additional little bags that contained the following: A Crab Cake, a Spring Roll and Egg FooYung. |
FOR DESSERT
I just want to make sure I put this out here, in case someone thinks otherwise--I don't eat like this all the time. Actually, I pretty much each like a bird for most of my everyday life. I do, however, allow myself to have cheat days and my birthday/special holidays are usually when I will indulge the most.
For my bday, instead of cake, I had a mini Ice Cream bar.
I don't know, I'm just not too big on cake. Never really was, not even when I was a child.
I like it as a decoration or something to have on a bday occasionally but Ice Cream is my biggest weakness. lmfao
We got a few things to put in the Ice Cream. Cookies, Cool Whip, Syrups, things like that. |
THE LOOK FOR THE YEAR
Every year I like to add to a growing collection of birthday looks I do.
This year, I went more "creep" than "pretty."
Here is the look I did last year, for my bday.
Every year I like to add to a growing collection of birthday looks I do.
This year, I went more "creep" than "pretty."
Here is the look I did last year, for my bday.
Maybe that was why I didn't wanna do Cake this year. I can still feel the sting of the frosting in my eyes from last year. lmfao |
BALLOON BUFFOON
This year, I went more towards Balloons.
Since I got some for my Bday as decorations in the house.
This year, I went more towards Balloons.
Since I got some for my Bday as decorations in the house.
There you have it. My life, my strangeness and my birthday.
I will update here about the link to my gifts, for those curious.
Until then. Thanks for reading.
I will update here about the link to my gifts, for those curious.
Until then. Thanks for reading.
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