I went to San Francisco for a very quick work trip, visiting the set of my Christmas movie. I was excited, but also really nervous. Throughout the pandemic, it seems like San Francisco and the Bay Area have become a massive danger zone, especially if you're Asian. Since I was only bringing a carry on, I realized I wasn't going to be able to bring my pepper spray, and I worried. Thankfully, I also have a self-defense alarm and I also thought about how my big heavy water bottle could also serve as a weapon if needed. This may seem overdramatic, but I was very concerned about being Asian and a woman, walking around this once charming city.

​Well, I can tell you now that the city is still charming, and though it's still important to be cautious and attacks against Asians are still a regular occurrence, I found that especially in Chinatown, I felt safe. And Chinatown looked more beautiful than ever.

When Lucille Ball first dipped her toe into the giant barrel of squishy grapes in the "I Love Lucy"  episode, Lucy's Italian Movie, she inspired generations of Americans to partake in the ancient tradition of grape stomping . Ever since I watched that episode it has been a dream of mine, and I finally fulfilled that dream this weekend at Bell Wine Cellars in Napa Valley. It was everything I dreamed of and more.