Angelino AF (Asian Flavor)

I always try my best not to be lazy on the weekends. Even when I plan to stay up late and sleep in, my body just doesn’t cooperate with that rhythm anymore. These days, I naturally wake up around 6:30 or 7:00 a.m., no matter what. So if I stay up too late, the next day feels completely off—because I’m still waking up early regardless.

That being said, I do everything I can to hijack my Sundays in the best way possible.

6:30 a.m. – My roommate’s dog starts barking like clockwork, begging to go outside. Coincidentally (or not), it’s also around the time my bladder decides I have no choice but to get up. So, I’m up. To ease into the morning, I usually put on some worship music or chill morning tracks to help me focus and center myself. Then I sit down with the LA Times—been a subscriber for almost three years now.

7:30 a.m. – Time for my green smoothie ritual. Just so you know, I’ve been doing this for 10 months now—and honestly, I feel amazing. I use frozen mango instead of ice (pro tip), coconut water as the base, then toss in celery, kale, banana, a dash of turmeric powder, oats, collagen and protein powder, plus a touch of honey for balance. Once that’s blended, I throw on my workout gear and head straight to the gym.

8:45 a.m. – I have to say, my gym is one of the best in Los Angeles. I go to ICONIX in Inglewood. I’ve been a member at LA Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and even Equinox (definitely the priciest), but ICONIX strikes a great balance—it feels premium without the pretentious price tag. Today, I joined a spinning class, which was perfect for giving my knees a break since I’m usually pounding the pavement (and treadmill) training for a marathon.

10:30 a.m. – After sweating it out at the gym, it’s brunch time. One of the best things about living in South LA is how close the beaches are—literally just a stone’s throw away. There’s a whole stretch of coastal gems nearby: Redondo Beach, Hermosa, Manhattan, Venice, Santa Monica… I love them all, but I keep coming back to Venice Beach. There’s something undeniably charming about it. Plus, my favorite burrito spot—Breakaway Cafe—is right here, with laid-back outdoor seating that’s perfect for soaking in the vibe.

1:00 p.m. – One of my favorite ways to pass time is by hanging out in a bookstore. And for me, one of the best spots is the Barnes & Noble in Marina del Rey. It’s surprisingly spacious and rarely crowded, which makes it feel like a little escape.

To be honest, I don’t buy books as often as I used to—mostly because the font sizes feel too small for me now (I’m getting old). So these days, I love browsing, snapping photos of interesting titles, and then looking them up later on my Kindle. That said, I still make it a point to support bookstores now and then, especially by picking up hardcovers—the font size is bigger, and there’s just something satisfying about holding a real book.

3:00 p.m. – Sometimes I’ll catch a movie before heading home, or stop by a museum if I’m in the mood. But today, I decided to head back early and catch up on some reading. I’ve always loved books, especially ones about U.S. history and politics.

As a Filipino living in the U.S., learning about the country’s past helps me understand its present—and reading about American politics keeps me informed, especially during this time when the nation feels more divided than ever.

Right now, I’m diving into Black AF History by Michael Harriot and 107 Days, a new release by Kamala Harris. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not a Democrat, Republican, or even a self-proclaimed liberal. I try to listen to all sides and form my own perspective.

6:00 p.m. I make dinner and ginger shots. I’ve been juicing for quite some time now. I make ginger shots, and beets juice. They say the health benefits of these is amazing. I have a doctor appointment in a week so we’ll see if this is true or not.

8:00 p.m. I wind down by listening to music and right now I’m listening more to Mariah Carey’s newest album in 7 years – Here for it all. I actually went to 2 Barnes and Nobles stores today to get a copy (cos I still love buying CDs and actually go to a store though I have apple music that I can listen to the album instantly) they’re not available. I might just buy it online instead.

10:00 p.m. – By this time, I’m winding down and getting ready for bed—because tomorrow, I return to the trenches (aka my toxic workplace). I do my absolute best to squeeze every ounce of joy out of the weekend, because starting Monday, I’m back to dodging passive-aggressive emails, fake smiles, and whatever dark magic keeps my coworkers so relentlessly evil. Pray for me. lol

So, that’s it. This is how I hijack my Sunday to have the best day. What about you? Tell me how you spend your Sundays or Saturdays.