Slice of Life: Spring Wrap-Up 2024
Spring has come to an official end with Memorial Day weekend that just passed in the states! We’re diving headfirst into Summer with sunny days and hot weather. Here are some of my highlights from Spring 2024.
Night Market at Eastern Market
Little Asian Bites hosted their third Night Market at Eastern Market’s during AAPI Heritage Month and I finally got to attend for the first time. I love finding new local restaurants and trying food that’s new to me. I had so much food, in fact a little too much, but I was bummed that some of the lines were so unorganized that I didn’t get to try some of the booths that were there. Some of favorite foods I tried are pictures here; a cheesy potato stick and a pound cake filled with fruit!
BTS Painting With a Twist Meetup
I got to meetup with my local K-Pop meetup group with my friend Becca, to paint the iconic BTS bus stop featured in their album photos. Though it was challenging, the painting process was a lot of fun and relaxing. It was great to chat with fellow BTS Army and also jam out to our favorite BTS songs.
Bandai Gashapon Store
Recently the largest Bandai Gashapon Store in North America opened up in Michigan. I’ve always seen these machines via other states or in Japan via video. They had a wide variety of machines to choose from and a clean layout. I’m excited to go back and get some new toys from the store soon.
Max’s South Seas Hideaway
I went to my first ever Tiki Bar restaurant when I visited Grand Rapids (MI). This restaurant has two-story dining and features original interior design from some of the best-known tiki artisans in the world. Everything is themed on the menu and it felt like dining in a tropical paradise. The statue I snapped a picture of gives me Legend of the Hidden Temple vibes.
John Ball Zoo Lantern Festival
I went to the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival in early June at the John Ball Zoo for the second year in a row. What an amazing display of lights! Everything looked so beautiful lit up under the night sky. There was so much to see and the zoo even had specialty-themed foods and items to buy during the event.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a 158-acre botanical garden, art museum, and outdoor sculpture park located in Grand Rapids, MI. What an incredible garden! I was in complete in awe of everything. My favorite part was the Japanese garden and its beauty and tranquility. Definitely a must visit place if you’re in the area.
Two Hands Corn Dogs
Two Hands specialize in freshly made Korean corn dogs. They got seven different variations to choose from as well as some fun drinks to try. It was the first time I tried Korean corn dogs ever. I loved the combination of sweet and savory. My favorite flavor is the Two Hands flavor.
Totally Rad Vintage Fest
At the Totally Rad Vintage Fest the vendors specialize in clothing and accessories from the 80s, 90s, and Y2K eras, while also offering a selection of toys, home goods, and more. They also had a Free-Play Vintage Arcade, and the Rad Rewind Museum, and throwback photo ops. I found some great vintage sweaters and vinyl to add to my record collection.
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design
This amazing exhibition features over 60 of the Two-Time Academy Award winning costumer designer’s original designs from iconic films. Carter became the first Black person to win in the costume design category also earning Marvel Studios their first Oscar. It was so cool to see the intricacies of each costume design in person.
What were some of your highlights from this Spring? Let me know in the comments! And as always you can follow me on my Instagram page to see my bookish adventures, life stuff, and current reads.
