Last month, my youngest brother had his last ever academic decathlon meet. It’s hosted annually in the Walter Pyramid, located at the California State University – Long Beach, and is a full-day event where middle school students test their knowledge. I’ve enjoyed supporting and attending these events, but I’m glad it’s finally come to an end. Waking up at 6am to get this thing rolling can get pretty tiring.
My family checked into the Marriott by the Queen Mary so we would have a shorter drive in the morning. Driving to Long Beach was a pain this time around because of the rain and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, California drivers go crazy with some rain.
Hokkaido Seafood Buffet
The night before the decathlon, we had a family dinner at Hokkaido Seafood Buffet. This was a monumental buffet for me because I tried crawfish for the first time – like actually peeling it and it was so good. I’ve had crawfish on my sushi before but this was different – an instant love affair.
Zero Express
On the day of, my younger brother and I decided to head over to 7-11 for some drinks. We ended up stumbling upon Zero Express, a boba shop, right on the same lot. I got the ube milkshake while my brother got the Thai iced tea; we also bought an cookies n’ cream shake for the youngest one who chose to stay at the pyramid. I had asked for my ube milkshake to have no toppings but the barista forgot and I got this massive drink instead. Don’t get me wrong – it made for a good photo but it was too sweet.
Roasting Water
Remember how I got obsessed with Roasting Water ever since Nancy mentioned it in her blog? Since they had a store in Long Beach and since I was in the area, I decided to stop by before heading home. I sort of regretted it because I waited in line for 20 minutes (note to self: they are busy on weekends) but the drink was worth it. Their #SWAG drink is something everyone needs to try at least once in their life!
I had planned on writing more about the decathlon but the food took over. Sorry not sorry – but let’s be real, I have no consent to post about school-related matters online, especially when it’s not my school. Hope this post didn’t make you too hungry!
Oooh! I actually haven’t been to CSULB’s pyramid yet! Pretty cool that you got to support students at acadeca! OH YES!!! I can totally relate about Cali drivers LOL. Shh, I stayed at a hotel when I was in Seal Beach so I totally understand the commute!
Yum! You were treated well with the seafood buffet! CRAB LEGS YASSSS
Zero Express has been kicking up their aesthetic game lately! I had something similar in Monterey Park and it tasted like diabeetus @___@. BUT STILL PRETTY THO.
YESSSSSSS ROASTING WATER! That is life!!!! UGH I remember walking out once because the line was ridic but the bottle is worth it!!!
exquisitely.me
That marshmallow! And the Roasting Water bottle! So cute.
nat // http://www.dignifiable.com
Wow, these photos are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
xo Yvonne
http://www.aproposh.com
Those shakes look amazing! I want ice cream now and it’s only 6 in the morning!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
nice post!
Chiara – http://www.shesinfashionblog.com
It quite made me hungry though lol! Those milk shakes look super delish, omg. Would love to try one of these.
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
The toppings on that milkshake is intense!! Wow. Even though it looks so pretty, I probably wouldn’t be able to finish it as well with how sweet it’s gonna be.
Oh wow, I’m not surprised that your drink was super sweet but it’s so pretty, and still looks delicious.. 😍
I am now definitely hungry after reading your post and seeing your photos! It makes me want to jump on a plane and fly to California.
Such a yummy round up of foods! Love this looks so delicious! http://mariannyc.com/2018/04/11/recap-of-fashion-beauty-news/
I would love to try Roasting Water as I have never heard of it until now. The bottle looks cool!
ANOUK
I know you said you thought they were too sweet, but those milkshakes look incredible! And when I have sweet stuff I usually like it really sweet anyway. Sounds like you ate at some great places x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Ohhhhhh that seafood buffet 😋 I don’t blame you for letting the food take over this post, your photos are making me really hungry!
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
What a lovely post! That milkshake you got looks absolutely amazing, and I love all the photos you took! Xx
Loveee your photos! This looked like a lovely day, thanks for sharing!!
Phoebe x
itsphoeberose.com
Oh my gosh look at that milkshake! Mmm you’ve got me craving something sugary now. Loving your photography girlie. Lovely blog post ❤ over from littleowlblogs.wordpress.com x
Enjoyed reading this post, those milkshakes look amazing!! Food is always the priority haha
you’re making me so hungry right now and i haven’t eaten breakfast yet so that makes it worse. hahaha.
xoxo, rae
http://www.raellarina.net
The ube milkshake looks INCREDIBLE! Looks like he heard the opposite of what you asked for haha.
Vivian | LIVE IN LOVE
IG | @viviyunn_
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That purple milkshake looks so cool!!
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
I absolutely love seafood so a seafood buffet would be right up my street! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
I’m definitely hungry now lol the crawfish looks amazing, I’ve never had it like that before either but really need to try it 😀
Perrine
Oh my gosh! I’m dying over here!!!! Those drinks especially look amazing…wowwwww talk about Instagram quality food!
-Kate // http://www.classyandkate.com/reverse-bucket-list-things-ive-experienced/
Oh my gosh! I’m dying over here!!!! Those drinks especially look amazing…wowwwww talk about Instagram quality food!
-Kate // http://www.classyandkate.com/reverse-bucket-list-things-ive-experienced/
Yumyumyum! Omg that milkshake thing looks incredible!!!! WOW!
-Emily | http://www.East91Blog.com
OMG those drinks you got from the boba store got me drooling and craving for some sweet drinks 😩
https://annicklau.com
Omg the food looks so good!! Food fairs are my absolute favorite!
-Emily http://www.coatandcoffee.com
Making me hungry right here with these food shots. Sounds like a good day spent.
https://www.missymayification.co.uk
That’s so amazing you were able to come along on the trip!! aaaaand now I’m hungry after looking at these pictures, ha!
xo, Allie
http://www.champagne-tuesdays.com
Wow that Zero Express looks like heaven! I’ve never been to California so I’ll remember that if I ever go.
Those Zero drinks look amazing, I really need to try one!
Alys / alysgeorge.blogspot.co.uk
That drink looks awesome . My daughter would love it.
Oh my goodness! Those shakes look incredible! I would definitely go for the marshmallow one x
Okay, I need to get myself over to Long Beach, if only for that drink! I can imagine it was far too sweet, but it looks SO nice–and of course, Instagram worthy. Nevermind the fact that I live on the other side of the world of anything, haha!
Your drink is SOOO pretty, but yeah it looks like it’d be too sweet lol BUT it’s so pretty for photos hehe
Awesome pictures, loving the boba!! Honestly I love hearing about food when people go on trips, it’s the best part. And that water bottle is so cute! 🙂
omg I was also in california! great blog
Ohhhhh boba is my favorite! Our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Boulder has watermelon boba and it’s one of my favorite drinks in the world. That is an EPIC drink right there!
You always find these incredible drink spots and I want to try them ALL.
At least the food made up for the early mornings!
Susie | http://milehighdreamers.com
OMG Zero Express look so good! Those look incredible!
x,
S | Je M’appelle Chanel
Those shakes look so good!! They look really pretty 😀
I’ve never had crawfish before, but I’m actually curious as to what it tastes like. That Zero Express place sounds awesome. Those look like yummy treats, and I love the marshmallows on the one.
Oh my goodness those shakes look absolutely amazing! Seriously droooling
xx
Lizzie | Takeoffs & Landings
First of all, your photos are stunning. Second of all, you have me so hungry just now! Those shakes look amazing! xx corinne
Oh my gosh! That milkshake looks incredible! Such a pretty colour! It’s a shame it was too sweet though. I don’t think I’ve tried crawfish before but I’d definitely be willing to give it a go though! I love seafood!
OMG, these shakes look so delicious and cute! I love seafood, so I’d definitely eat at this place, I wished I had some great seafood restaurants around but without a sea, it’s not that easy ;). xx
Woot for supporting events like the one you attended, but no woot for waking up so early!
I had to giggle since crawfish and Hokkaido just doesn’t go together in my head. I am glad you had a good meal there!
Zero Express looks yummy! That ube drink topping is definitely massive!!! It looks pretty, though And yassss! Roasting Water! You and Nancy are both making me want to check it out if I am ever in Cali!
This place looks tempting.
The food looks delish.
Hey hey for fellow pinay
Much Love,
Jane | The Bandwagon Chic
THIS POST MADE ME HUNGRY. 😂
That crawfish looks delicious! I can’t forget that Roasting Water blog post from Nancy’s blog – I’ve since it on yours and hers since and whenever it pops up on my socials I just think of you both haha! I’d love to try it someday. 😀
I hope your brother had fun at the decathlon – I’ve not heard of it before, what sort of knowledge do they test? Is it like general knowledge or stuff they were taught at school?
I am so hungry now!! Those shakes are now on my bucket list!
Wow! Even though it’s probably too sweet for me too, that milkshake looks amazing! 💖 Your photography is fantastic and this post has definitely made me hungry! 😍 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
The shakes look beautiful, but I do believe you say they were way too sweet. 😉
And as for the food… hmmm you made me hungry. *runs to grab food*
These choices look so great! I love the milkshake! Sorry to hear that it was too sweet, but at least the photos looked amazing 🙂
The Hokkaido Seafood Buffet and the Zero Express milkshakes look absolutely incredible. Your photo’s are amazing.
Emma x
emmarollason.com
Those drinks look so delicious and also very photogenic!
Happy Monday!
Andrea.
Seize your Style
Yes to crayfish! And that ube milkshake is intense, I guess the topping is worth it you have made us drool over it haha.
http://www.busyandfab.com
That’s one heck of a food trip!!!
Sheena | http://www.sheenaalovessunsets.com
these look so good!!
Lesley-Kim
I’m actually disappointed that I didn’t know this was happening because it looks like it was so awesome! I’d never heard of Roasting Water before…time to check it out!
Oh my…the food and those milkshakes!! <3
http://hungrycaramella.blogspot.it/
Those milkshakes look insane but I can imagine that they were really sweet! I’ve never heard of Roasting Water but I’m really intrigued now – queuing for 20 minutes is a bit of a pain though but at least it was worth it. I recently queued for over an hour to get a table at a really popular café, at least the weather wasn’t too bad that day haha xx
113thingstosay.com
Just found your blog (thanks Twitter!) and I loooove it. That food looks amazing but I had to laugh when you mentioned California drivers. I live in Adelaide, South Australia – our climate is very similar. And my god do people go nuts on the road when it rains! Never seen anything like it 😂