Stray Kids & Santa Barbara

One of the reasons I'd decided to go to L.A. when I did was because one of my favourite bands would be performing there, and I'd managed to score tickets! Totally unexpectedly! I literally shrieked when my purchase went through (and if you know the hell that is Ticketmaster, you would not be surprised).

I was so excited, and felt very fortunate that my grandparents lived in L.A. so I could visit them and also not spend egregious amounts of money just to see pretty boys dance on stage and sing their hearts out.

I'd be going alone to the concert, but I do most things alone and really don't mind. Besides, I knew I'd be bonding with other fans there (which I did, even while waiting in line! Super wholesome experience). There's no concert like a Kpop concert, and this remains my favourite concert experience ever, even though it was my first major one!

Spotted on the way to the concert.

By the end of the day my cheeks hurt from how hard I'd been smiling with excitement and I'd lost my voice from cheering.

Stray Kids decals on someone's car while we waited in line. I'd come two-ish hours early and the line was INSANE.

Even the wait was fun! People handed out Stray Kids freebies, as is the norm at Kpop concerts, and I ended up chatting with two girls ahead of me, bonding over other Kpop bands we liked.

I vividly remember that Seventeen's new song 'Cheers' had dropped, and we watched it on one of the girl's phones squealing over the MV.

I never had this experience as a teen, and even though I'm in my 20s, I really enjoyed (and still enjoy) this whole thing.

A photocard (similar to trading cards, collectibles that usually come in albums) that I was gifted as a freebie!

Cheesing so hard from my seat! You can see the boys on stage and also the sign language interpreters, who were AMAZING!

It was such a thrilling experience being one of THOUSANDS, all singing our hearts out in (mangled) Korean and dancing in our seats!

Confetti encore!

I even managed to see the boys wave goodbye in their SUV as they drove off after the concert! God, I still get the happy jitters when I remember this night. Top 5 experiences for sure.

The next day, my mom and I went off to beautiful Santa Barbara to spend the day! The drive was gorgeous and Santa Barbara is stunning. I've never been to Spain, but my mom has and she said it reminded her of it. Soon as we arrived, we parked and went down to the beach!

Then we drove up into the mountains for brunch, which was delicious and gave us a stunning view. We had fries, sweet potato fries, and deep fried avocados (for the first time!) with the tiniest ketchup bottle and fancy dessert. So yum!