Los Angeles, like other great global cities, rouses a certain kind of swanky grandeur in people’s minds. There’s a palpable pulsing energy of perfection, aspiration and possibility in the City of Angels…Basking amongst the opulence and laid back So-Cal vibe is half the fun.

I made sure to eat exactly what I’d be missing in Malaysia. So delicious!!!

As I walked 5 miles from West Hollywood to the ritzy Beverly Hills, I soaked up the sun and palm tree-lined boulevards, enjoying the USA one last time… Before heading to back to SE Asia, I stopped by Los Angeles to visit my cousin, Bianka. She’s a success story of someone making it in LA. With a great job at MGM and a lovely apartment in West Hollywood, she’s perfectly located amidst all the happenings of Tinseltown. After years of interning and finding her way in a competitive and ruthless place, I’m so proud of what she’s accomplished. As for the trip, it was the first time I had been a tourist in good ol’ America in forever. I forgot how specific Texas feels and to get away and see California was really a refreshing treat. In true Hollywood fashion, we spotted Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis on the Kiss-cam, hiked the Hollywood hills, ate amazing food, lounged around Santa Monica, took the VIP Warner Brothers tour, and finished off with a hilarious show at the Improv. It was perfect

Cousins reunited: Learning about the magic behind TV and film on the Warner Brothers lot and sitting front row at the amazing Improv.

On my last day, I strolled around and explored while Bianka worked. The best way to get the feel of a city is to walk around and walk I did. I window shopped at impossibly perfect boutiques, admired art deco architecture, gazed at the fashionable locals on their lunch breaks, perused the Farmer’s market with endless lunch options, bought and ate the most perfect cupcake, and then headed to Beverly Hills. On my way, I saw dozens of plastic surgeons offices with Ferraris and Lamborghinis parked outside. I chuckled to myself thinking, “seems about right.” If the pressure of flawlessness were to dawn on anyone, anywhere – it’d be in LA. Beautiful people, beautiful cars, perfect calorie conscious menus and an energy only Southern California can inspire, I took to this opulent city even though there for a few short days. Even if for only a moment, I wondered why I hadn’t thought of moving out there and trying my luck at living in the City of Angels.