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    Home » US Travel

    Has It Been A Year Already? Birthday Reflections

    Published: Nov 18, 2016 · Modified: Nov 11, 2017 by Jennifer Che

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    Barolo, Italy

    Today's my birthday.

    And what a crazy, eventful year it's been!

    I'm shocked that it has already been one year since I stepped on a plane headed for Milan en route to Alba, Italy. In some ways that felt like yesterday. In other ways, I feel like so much has happened.
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    I started a new job just a little over a year ago at a really exciting biotech startup in Cambridge. I've fallen in love with the energy that's ever-present at a startup. The work is fascinating, the people are great, and the company LOVES good food. It's a perfect match!

    Bryan and I have continued to travel a lot, visiting Spain twice (Madrid in June and Barcelona in October - posts for that trip coming soon) and visiting the fjords of Norway via cruise ship in August. We also took a few quick weekend trips to New York, Sonoma, and Chicago.

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    Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

    I vowed that I would finish the Around the World Birthday Extravaganza trip series before the 1-year annivesary of my trip. I guess technically I missed the 1-year anniverary of the beginning of the trip, but I returned on December 3, 2015, so I still have a couple more weeks to finish off the series. 😉

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    Kiddie Land in Omotesando, Tokyo

    I just recently finished my last Japan post (Sushi Yoshitake) so we will move onto Hong Kong next, the last stop of our trip.

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    Hong Kong Mid-Level Escalators

    Stay tuned for posts about excellent classic dim sum places, a high-end Michelin starred Chinese restaurant, and awesome dumplings.

    For now, please enjoy the many other posts from this series!

    INTRO
    Around the World Birthday Extravaganza

    PIEDMONT, ITALYDSC4600.jpg
    Alba White Truffle Fair
    Osteria Dei Sognatori - A Traditional Piedmontese Dinner
    Italy Wine Tour - Barbaresco
    Lunch at Donna Selvatica in Neive, Italy
    Dinner at a Truffle Hunter's Inn - Tra Art e Querce
    G.D.Vajra Winery
    Trattoria Della Posta in Montfort D'Alba
    Nighttime Truffle Hunting with a Dog in Alba
    Osteria della Arco - last dinner in Alba
    Stunning Images of La Morra and Barolo, Italy

    BORDEAUX, FRANCEX1C0622.jpg
    First Day In Bordeaux, France - Une Cuisine en Ville
    Chateau Haut-Brion Tour in Bordeaux France
    Restaurant Le St. James
    Touring Bordeaux Wineries - Day 1 - Left Bank
    La Tupina, Bordeaux
    Cos d'Estournel Tour
    Touring Bordeaux - Pauillac, Chateau Lynch-Bages
    Chateau Cordeillan-Bages

    PARIS, FRANCEuntitled-1475
    A Different Paris
    Le Relais de l'Entrecote
    Pirouette Paris
    L'Ambroisie Paris
    L'Arpege

    TOKYO, JAPANTotoro Cream Puff
    Hiking at Mount Takao in Japan
    Florilege
    Sushi Harutaka
    Rokurinsha ramen breakfast (六厘舎)
    Azabu Kadowaki
    Nakameguro Iguchi yakitori (中目黒いぐち)
    Sushi-Ya (すし家)
    Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory - Totoro Cream Puff
    Sushi Yohitake

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    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen
    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

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