"... life was like a box of chocolates.  You'd never know what you're gotta get."  Forrest Gump

My all time favorite quote from my favorite film Forrest Gump. I used to think living life is all about getting my ducks in a row. From what I’m going to be to who I will be with in the future, I set my mind to live the life I envisioned. However, the the truth is no matter how much I plan or prepare myself, I really have no control of what’s going to happen next, let alone what will happen today. Take this Saturday for example. I planned to wake up at seven a.m. but I didn’t really get out bed till almost 8 am. I also wasn’t expecting my cat to go to the bathroom on the kitchen floor either or eat an amazing Eggs Benedict because all of a sudden I lost the urge to cook breakfast.

As I got older, I learned to find the serendipity in living the present moment that comes from embracing some spontaneity in life. Somehow today, the kitty accident delightfully morphed into eating out to relish a favorite dish on a rainy day at Sweet Lakes & Biscuits. Definitely no regrets there.

Then an hour later, another mishap. The apartment elevator broke, leaving me stuck with a dolly full of cat litter and bulk Costco goods. As I was going up the steps, a neighbor stopped to help. I was not expecting to get the day’s exercise but I was thankful not to be stuck in an elevator. I got to meet my neighbor Laurence who was so kind to help me bring some heavy stuff up the stairwell to my door. Spontaneity can come through an impactful change such as a broken elevator but can turn into meeting a fellow warm soul in the middle of a cold rainy morning.

Planning certainly helps but change can come at any given moment. Instead of wallowing in disappointment when things didn’t turn out as planned, I am learning to face the change, learn to work with it, and turn it into a positive experience.

So why hangry you ask?? First off, that word describes me to the tee. I have to be near some good food if I am going to stay nice to you. Second, this is a food and travel blog. But not your usual food blog that just talks about how delicious the food is and where to find it. This blog goes beyond just pointing my readers to exotic locales and the best travel deals. Food doesn’t just nourish and satisfy us physically, it is also like any other life experience, an experience that can inspire the deepest thoughts and evoke the fondest memories.

As a transplant from another state, my love for food and travel has connected me to people I wouldn’t otherwise meet. Yesterday, I was excitedly discussing with another fellow foodie at Whole Foods how amazing the blueberry scones are. They simply just are. It was free fall Friday, the day I can eat whatever I want. After a long day at work, what better way to start the weekend than fresh blueberry scones from Whole Foods.

So go ahead, don’t be afraid to open your box of chocolates.