The Belle: Virginia Beach, VA

I lived three months of my life this 2015 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I didn't like it at first because of the cold weather and because of my job and because I was still bitter I wasn't in sunny Florida (long story). But towards the end, when I was already getting used to my life there, I began to like it. So I had major sepanx when I had to leave. There was so much I didn't get to do and so much I didn't get to see!

So we have a favorite Chinese place at VA beach called Golden City and it's our go-to place when we're in a rush, when we're on a budget or when we want rice meals. I have opened a lot of these fortune cookies in my whole stay there because I don't think there was ever a week that we didn't eat at Golden City! Sometimes, when I'm feeling down and we go to Golden City, I based my luck on whatever my 'fortune' says.

We had a 4-day adjustment period to get rid of the jet lag and familiarize with the place before we start working. We went to Hilltop West Shopping Center which is 5-10 mins away from the Oceanfront by bus. We went there with our Korean and Chinese friends. I was hungry because we got up around lunch time (jet lag) and we haven't eaten anything yet. I was up for pizza so we tried this Italian restaurant called La Vera Pizzeria which was managed by the owner himself. I love their White Florentine Pizza! I can still remember what it tasted like while I'm typing this!!! It was too bad we couldn't go there again.

I would've never thought that I'll get attached to this place. I'll fly to the US now if I can just to buy some ice cream. I remember all my late night milkshake fix (Mint Cookie) with Glyza and Patty, or just that scoop of Coconut 7 Layer Bar ice cream (fave) on a chocolate dipped sugar cone, or that Brownie Special sundae I came to love but couldn't really finish. If ever you're in VA beach, whoever you are reading this, sample some ice cream! My top picks are Coconut 7 Layer Bar, Milk & Cookies, Mint Chocolate Chunk, Tonight Dough, and Triple Caramel Chunk. (and okay, I tasted this around Williamsburg because it just came out that time, I love Save Our Swirled!!)

Our go-to hang out place, Buffalo Wild Wings! I'm not into spicy when it comes to wings so I always just order Parmesan Garlic, traditional and their Cherry Lemonade.

I love walking along the board walk, alone or with company. It doesn't really matter. When I was transferred to a different branch, I sometimes walk along here going to and from wherever I'm going. The first time I actually walked along here, it was at night around April and I was with great company. It was really peaceful and I remember smiling while watching people passing by and hearing the waves crashing on the shore.

We were lucky to have Tita Zeny and Tito Jim (Glyza's aunt and uncle). They're very caring and loving and they're one of the reasons why I want to go back to Virginia. It was really a pleasure meeting them!

This was after work and I remember being bummed about something because plans didn't push thru. We went to eat dinner at Soya, this Japanese restaurant around 30th St. I had so much fun with Glyza, Eloisa, Hercel and Christine that I forgot what I was bummed about.

This was our first time at Tita Lulu and Tito Charles' place. They're also the two people I'm so glad I met during my stay there. They're very accommodating and sweet. It was too bad I didn't get to see them again before I left.

Our first Jollibee experience. Hahaha we missed this Philippine fast food chain so much I just had to order my favorite fix, their chicken with spaghetti.

I remember this as the time we went to Lynnhaven Mall (our go-to mall) and I splurged on clothes for myself that I literally bought an item at every store we went to and I also remember this as the time we got lost going home because we got on the wrong bus. We were already halfway to Pleasure Island when we realized that the bus was driving away from the Oceanfront. Luckily, the lady bus driver was very kind, contacted her supervisor and drove us to the Oceanfront again even though it was already supposed to be her last trip of the night. (Love you Krizzia, Mysa, Josh, Minette and Hanna!)

It wasn't supposed to be my day off that day but I felt like shit I just had to get away. Thanks Christine for taking care of my shift. And thank you to these girls because I always have a great time with you!

I. Regret. I regret not buying this orange teddy bear at Toys R Us!!!!!!! I absolutely love Orange and I absolutely love stuffed toys... Why did I not buy this? This one was so perfect I shouldn't have let go!!! I'll marry the guy who'll buy this for me! (haha sobrang babaw but meh.)

We spent our last Thursday night at VA beach at Peabody's, the first and maybe last bar/club I would ever set foot in in my entire life. I love you girls!

My night before my last night at VA beach was spent at the beach and it was the first time I ever hung out at the beach with my friends because...work.

When we found out that we still have a schedule on our last day (and a 15-hr shift at that), I decided to drag my friends to the beach because we haven't been at the beach ever and we live just a few blocks from there. It was ridiculous that for the whole three months we lived there, we haven't hung out at the beach, ever! (I was bitter because I thought we'll have time to hang out a few times but work happened...so.)

And we went to eat at Bella Pizza (which I learned about during my last week. It's this pizza place just one store away from ours and we only found out about it because Minette and I were so hungry that we looked for nearby places to eat aside from 7/11)

I really am grateful that I have met them. I'm glad I spent my summer with you guys. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Even though it wasn't all happy days, I still wish I can turn back time and spend another day with them. Love them to bits.