Holiday Greetings Readers!

Today is Christmas Eve and I wish it wasn’t true but I’m sick. Let me focus on the specific disease I have. I have homesickness. What you heard is correct folks, I surely am HOMEsick.  Ugh this horrible feeling I wish not to have, on a city of which I am in an abusive love/hate relationship with. I do not understand why I woke in a cold sweat on Christmas Eve at 6 o’clock this morning but here I am to write about my hometown. I swear to you that it is not something that I am not very fond of but there must have been subliminal messages running through my dreams last night that has put me up to this dastardly deed. I think the real conspiracy is that the city of San Bernardino must have secret chips implanted into the brains of its citizens like they did to Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to control them to never leave. I am just one of the lucky ones to have escaped the San Bernardino curse, but I am definitely feeling the after effects of it now. Continue to read and I promise you a cookie once my ranting is done.

I am sure you are still reading for the cookie right? Or at least I hope so.

Okay what is there to say about San Bernardino? Many people ask this question to me and usually I come up with blanks but since last night there were subliminal messages of my hometown running through my head I guess I have lots to say. I mean normal people want to dream of sugarplum fairies before Christmas right? I am just not normal I suppose. Oh right, we were talking about San Bernardino, the city I was born and raised in. San Bernardino or the nicknames for it, San Berdoo, Berdoo, Dino, The Dino, or San B, is a place where everyone wants to leave but somehow will end up living there their whole lives. You will grow up knowing everyone and hating them at the same time, but yet there is some charm to it. Some well-known facts are it’s the birthing place of McDonald’s and Gene Hackman. Who would have thunk it. I don’t think there is any real good sites to see but its more about the memories you make there. The things I miss the most are the things I did with my friends and family in this city and the surrounding cities in the county.

Some PROS:

(be advised there is no ranking, I am just listing as I go)

1. Oak Glen. It is an apple orchard located in the San Bernardino Mountains. The activities that Oak Glen has are a zoo exhibit, a petting zoo, a fishing pond, a little kids museum, nature hiking trails, homemade apple pie, warm apple cider, multiple little stores which sell various gifts and foods. This was THE spot as a kid. My family and I would go here all year round. It was nice any time of the year, in any season.In the spring and summer oak glen was beautiful, with perfect weather, never too hot or too cold. You get to hike, look at the nature, go to the zoo see the animals native there, go to the petting zoo to feed and touch the animals, fish and/or feed the fish, eat yummy apple-y foods (pie, cider, candy, anything!). In the autumn and winter you can see the seasons really change into their bests forms. In autumn you can see the leaves falling and turning to colors of orange, reds, and browns. In the winter there is snow so you can make snowmen, have a snowball fight and when your done you can get some warm cider to warm your hands and face. I remember that if you call ahead you can even have a field trip to see how they make fresh apple cider in the factory.

2. Baker’s Drive-Thru. This is a fast food restaurant chain only located in the Inland Empire. It is said to be “America’s First Twin Kitchen.” I miss this restaurant because it is the main staple of fast food in San Bernardino. I am not a fast food person but what I wouldn’t give for a veggie wrap, fries on the side, a milkshake, and loads of hot sauce to top of my veggie wrap. Every San Bernardinoan will, has, and loves this restaurant and everyone also has their regular that they order every time they go there. There is also a menu full of budget meals which are cheaper but still are filling and delicious. It’s very good price wise and the food never stops on the quality. Plus the milkshakes really hit the spot. In high school everyone would go here for lunch, because it was right up the street to my high school.

3. Prospect Park. This is a large park located in Redlands, CA. It’s a beautiful park with lots of hiking trails. It’s almost like the arboretum of Redlands. So many beautiful flowers and scenery. You can have a picnic there, or for me in High School, ditch classes and hang out there. Either way it’s a great escape and a good mini vacation for anyone. In the park there is the Avice Meeker Sewall Theater which is an outdoor amphitheater. You can come for Shakespeare plays or any other plays  that they are running at the time. I know that most of the time the plays are also free, so come and have a picnic, then see a free play. Also there is a beautiful Victorian mansion called Kimberly Crest, you can take tours of the mansion, also there is a huge koi pond in the front full of koi. It is said that this park is also haunted so stay all day and at night you might even make it a paranormal trip. Who knows what kind of ghosties you can find.

4. Juan Pollo. This is a mexican food chain that sells rotisserie chicken. Kind of like El Pollo Loco but a million times better! Mainly in the Inland Empire and Orange County. Their salsa is delicious, the chicken is juicy and not dry, and their rice, beans, and potato salad is so good.

5. Kay’s Cafe. Located in Highland, CA. It is only open on the weekend and for a few hours a day. This makes me super sad because they have the best breakfasts in Highland. After church every Sunday my father would take me and my brothers for their delicious breakfasts. I love the biscuits and gravy. They also don’t seem to have a website sorry guys, you’re gonna have to google it yourselves.

6. Big Bear. Living right under the mountain means my family and I would go there a lot for the winter. For all the wonderful snow of course. You can go sledding, skiing, snowboarding, build snowmen, whatever you want with snow.

7. Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Farm. It’s a pumpkin patch/christmas tree farm that has lots to do with the family. There are farm tours, corn mazes, you can pick your own pumpkin/tree during the holidays, pet the barnyard animals, hayrides, bouncing houses, pony rides and lots of other activities. My fondest memories of the place is pushing a wheelbarrow around with a shovel and picking my own pumpkin. Also the place always smells of kettle korn, they are always making it when I am there and its a good snack to carry around on the go.

8. My Grandparents’ House. Yeah I think it’s that awesome that I must write about it. A place filled with family and kids running amok in the house. Where the homemade Vietnamese food is delicious and made with love. Where everyone has to scream across the room or dining table to talk to each other. Where there is more rice than you know what to do with. Where Vietnamese news programs and Spongebob Squarepants are playing consecutively. Where you know you are loved and there is a spare baby running around you can snuggle with. This is the controlled chaos that is called my Grandparents’ house. And I wouldn’t take it any other way <3

There are more but I just can’t write anymore haha. Sorry Guys, but if you’re ever in the Inland Empire then visit these places, except my grandparents’ house, because that’s called stalking. Oh and about that cookie it’s literally impossible for me to give you a cookie through the internet. So go get yourself a cookie and imagine it was me who gave it to you. Also imagine me giving you a pat on the back, then saying “That’s a good reader” in a baby voice. Now hit yourself for imagining something so ridiculous. Man I swear you are all so gullible. Love you still…. ^u^

- <3 Jacqueline

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