Episode #3 - Jazmine Kamleshan

Austin: Hey everyone, welcome to Authenticity Loading. This is your host, Austin Canfield. We're a new podcast that's all about original stories from Northern California and beyond. I'm here in Richmond, California today with Jazmine Kamleshan, Jazmine, how are you doing today?

Jazmine: I'm doing good. How are you?

Austin: I'm doing well, thanks. Here in wonderful, sunny Richmond, California!

Jazmine: My gosh, I love the weather out here. I felt it. I felt a good breeze. As soon as I came through, I said, Okay, I'm in Richmond now.

Austin: I was kind of worried this morning it was kind of the fog was coming in, and I wasn't sure what kind of day it would be like, but it's, it's clearing up. It's great.

Jazmine: Yes, one thing about the bay the fog is going to come in, and then once it rolls out, the sun either shines or it's going to rain.

Austin: I've heard they actually have a nickname for the fog in the Bay Area, called Carl. Have you ever heard of that?

Jazmine: Carl?

Austin: Yeah

Jazmine: You know what? I did see that on Tiktok. Yeah, I did see that on Tiktok. I'm like, I never really heard of it myself, but I think it's so funny,

Austin: Right? They actually it happens so often. There's a name for it. Well, thanks so much for joining me here today. To start, what would you say is your favorite thing about Northern California?

Jazmine: My favorite thing to do here is go next to the water. So I feel like that's one advantage of being in the bay, is just you can always go near the water. And I traveled like couple places, and I feel like nothing is like the bay just because of the water, like it's right there. You can see the whole city from wherever you're at. You know what I mean, if you're up high or if you're down low, if you're by the water, you'll be able to see the city. And I just find myself by the water, and I feel like that's one of the traits about the bay that always sticks with me wherever I go. It's like, is there a lake here somewhere, you know? And I mean? Like, I just need a little taste of the water before I start missing it. So I feel like that's one thing that's always stick with me, is I love the bay because of the water.

Austin: Yeah, I love the beach area down in, like, Alameda, where you can go and you see the city over there, at San Francisco, and, like, the shops there and everything. It's just such a cool place.

Jazmine: It's so cute, yes. And I love how all the beach areas. Like, well, they do get shut down, like, if it's too late, but mostly everybody's just doing their thing. They're free. The families are there, you know. So it's like, when the beach get really crowded and the bay, I feel like it's one of the things that you look around, you're like, damn, we're, like, a community, a beach community, a little bit, pretty much, yeah. Like, what are you doing in the summer? We're going to the beach like, you know, and it's traffic, and all the parking lots are filled up, and people just find their way. And I've been to SoCal, where the beaches are, like, everywhere too. But people are not so hyped about it. They're just like, we're going to the beach. It's warm out here, you know. But over here, it's like, these beaches are like, the community too. It makes the community,

Austin: yeah. Do you have memories growing up and going to the beach?

Jazmine: I Yes, I do. So some of the beaches that I remember as as in the childhood was Santa Cruz. Yeah, I definitely remember going to Santa Cruz. And I went to San Francisco a couple times, but mostly hanging out like as teenager, I was going to like San Francisco and Alameda beach. But childhood, I remember taking that drive through the mountains, and it's making me car sick still till this day. And my grandpa even had a limo once, and he was he did limousine service. He took us to Santa Cruz in the freaking limo. He thought it was so cool for us. And we're in the back, like, sick. And then it was time to ride the roller coasters. And I'm like, I don't know if I can do this. I already had a roller coaster coming in. Like, oh my gosh. So I definitely remember that when I was a child too. It's just always trying to hit up Santa Cruz. So it's kind of fun, because people now they go to Santa Cruz, but it was nothing like how I was before. You know, like we would see the commercials we're hyped up about it can't wait till Santa Cruz comes. So I feel like that's one of the childhood beaches that I really remember.

Austin: How would you say that Santa Cruz is different now from when you were a kid?

Jazmine: I feel like it wasn't, not that it was a secret kind of thing, but I feel like it wasn't as crowded before. They're like, though now it's like, Great America. You know, it's just like, long lines, and it wasn't as crowded. It was a little crowded, but not now. It's like, you spend half the day just in line, and then you have no choice but to sit at the beach, and then it's nighttime, then you have to be in traffic and get out. Yeah, the last time I went to Santa Cruz, I got actually had to go to hotel because it was so much. It was like, two hours to get back home. And I'm like, it took me, like, 45 minutes to an hour to get here, like, and everybody's just leaving and taking that one way road back. So I did. I was like, you know, it's too late. I'm just gonna get a room. This is too dark for me, you know, I can't even see any potholes or anything. So I just got a room there, because I'm like, This is ridiculous. That's one thing about the bay is there's a lot of traffic. Yeah, for sure. I was thinking about that when I was, you know, thinking about you and, you know, our today. So I was very excited. About it, I'm like, That Bay has so much traffic. I don't even know if that's like, a good thing or a bad thing, but everything else is like, oh so amazing. You know, San Francisco, so beautiful, and oh my god, the traffic. It is so bad. Yeah, it's pretty bad.

Austin: What part of the Bay Area Would you consider like your hometown? Hayward. Hayward, yeah, so for someone who's not like from the Bay Area, how would you describe Hayward?

Jazmine: I feel like Hayward is quiet and it's mixed, like there's lots of cultures. Every other store is, like, maybe a different culture, or different, you know, ethnicities, food restaurant or little mom and pop stores or grocery stores. There's a lot of that here in Hayward. So I feel like, Oh, well, here in Richmond too, I'm sorry, but it is in Hayward as well. So that's why I just thought it's everywhere, really. But the most important thing I love about Hayward is that my family, when they got here, they stayed there, and they never left. I mean, they got here, they moved around a little bit, but once they settled in Hayward, they stayed there. So we all almost went to the same elementary school, high school, middle school. Like, the teachers be like, are you, oh, my god, is this your mom? Like, I'm like, Yeah, is that your aunt? Like, yes, that's my aunt. And then I'll go back and be like, did you have this teacher? Like, yeah. And then my brother went and he's like, I found everybody in the yearbook. And I'm like, please don't send it to us. You know, it's like, we already went through this when I got there. And then, you know, it's like, they all tease each other about it, but it's like, now it's like, old joke, because there's like, everybody seen it. And he was like, the last one to go to all the schools. So he's like, they're like, No, don't worry. Jazz sent them already. You don't have to embarrass us again, you know. So it's, it's like, so funny, because a lot of people migrate to Hayward because they come from other cities, maybe lower rent and stuff. But the people that been there, I think they're the ones who establish, like, the vibe of it, and then people, like, latch on to that. You know what I mean? Like, they're kind of just like, oh, this is what we do in Hayward. I'm like, yeah, like, it's, it looks boring, but it's not, you know, we have downtown, we have restaurants, we have spots that we go to to get the view of the whole bay area. You know, there's places that we hike, there's places that we go eat, there's places that we don't go eat. Like, and then, like, Okay, so once you, like, give them the game about what we do, and then, and then you see the city at a different point of view. But when you first go to Hayward, it just looks dry and boring.

Austin: Then there's behind the scenes.

Jazmine: Behind the scenes, yes, my boyfriend, he hates it. He's like, Hayward just looks dry and brown. And I'm like, oh, there's stuff under that, you know, that's just the hills, that's Brown, not the inner cities. But, you know, some people have their own opinion about it, because other cities are more pop in than Hayward.

Austin: Sure, sure. Do you feel like living in Hayward, or just this area in general, has sort of shaped who you are as a person?

Jazmine: Yes, I feel like it makes our skin tough out here, because there's different levels, like, you know, the economy classes, low class, middle class, high class. And you can literally be living next to a high class person in a low income neighborhood. Or it's like you can be in a high class neighborhood, and then there's a little apartment next door that's like section eight, you know. So it's like, you never know who you're going to run into and what's going to go down and what's going to happen. And I feel like that's what gives us like, that's what gives a bathe its adrenaline. Because it's like, don't leave anything in your car. Don't bump into nobody at the club, you know. But make sure you go out, make sure you park somewhere, you know. Make sure you get a good parking and then you can walk to the game, you know, something like that. So it's like, there's ups and downs about it, because that's it brings us the balance like, kind of like, if you if you know, then you know, like, it brings you the balance of like, if you ain't had nothing happened, no excitement in many are like, let me just go walk around in San Francisco and go see like, everyone arguing with each other, you know, homeless people or whatever. It's like, it's not that exciting, but it's like, that's kind of like what you see and like, you know, you're creatures of your habit a little bit. So it's like, good creatures in a way, but you see the bad creatures. And you're like, I would never do that, but if I'm in that position, I might have to do that.

Austin: You know, yeah, it's always a reality check. I feel like just walking around and you're like, you know, just one decision or one happening in life could put you in a totally different place.

Jazmine: Yes, and it's very like, it's almost hard, you know, because some people today, like, like, today, I just found out that getting on your nerves doesn't mean getting mad. Yeah, I'm freaking 29 you know. And I, like, kind of broke it down, like, I always thought that, because don't get on anybody's nerves out here, you know. And then they were like, no, like, that just means you're upset for a little bit, like, that's all the way there. I'm like, Oh, I thought I might crash out. Know. Like, they're like, no, maybe you thought that way, because that's what people do out here. I'm like, Oh yeah, you know you're right. Like, over here, you don't want to get on anybody's nerves too much, you know, you don't want to be saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing, and then you expect that back too. So it's like, I think it's kind of funny how now people just wear their paws and just walk around and stuff. Because it's like, before you just walk around and, okay, I'm not gonna talk to anybody, you know, like, I don't hate anybody. Anybody looks at me. I'm just gonna do a little smile. Now, they're just like, That's it, you know? It's like, wow, that's really different. That's really kind of cold now, but it's still more like, don't mess with me. Like, I got my AirPods in. I'm not talking anybody. You don't talk to me. You don't mess with me. But we still have it like a nice thing, like, if you take it out and then you can start talking to them, I'm like, Okay, so we're still nice here a little bit, but it's it makes you tough, yeah, yeah.

Austin: When somebody asks who you are, what kind of or what parts of your life, I guess, do you mention first here?

Jazmine: I'm just like, well, I'm from the Bay. And then, you know, then they kind of start asking me questions, like, what does that mean to you? I'm just like, well, it means that I've been I grew up a lot around a lot of different cultures. So I may know your culture. I may not know your culture. I may have heard of it. I know how to, you know, confirm to my environment, I can sit in professional settings. I can be in the streets. I can be, you know, and I feel like that's one of the things that make our, all of our personalities, diverse, and it's like another level unlocked once you start being able to sit in better places than where you came from, but you can still go back to where you came from and go home, and still, you know, you probably live in, like, East Oakland, but work in San Francisco, in the Salesforce tower, you know. So it's like, you still have to learn how to confirm to your environment. And it's, it's one of the things that's kind of like, I don't know, it shapes you,

Austin: yeah, yeah. If you could picture like, the best Saturday ever in the Bay Area. What would that look like for you?

Jazmine: You know, I've had a couple, so I can just think back to like, what that would add up with is a Saturday you start off with breakfast, for sure, because there's a bunch of good spots that are like, either viral or low key. Only couple know about them. And then once that happens, then you probably want to glam up a little, but not like super glam, but like, you know, just change from the breakfast to more, like a maybe a warmer outfit. And then definitely go out to one of the bigger cities. I would say, if you want to have a good Saturday, I would go to, like, I would see myself in San Francisco or Oakland, or even Alameda, maybe what you call farther out, like El Cerrito, or somewhere like that, you know, somewhere where they have, like a pier, type of area, or peer type of restaurant. Or definitely my, one of my favorite spots to go to is like the marina in saliandro, so anything that's by the water, you go there in the daytime, and you kind of like, get your buzz on there, or just mingle and have everybody meet up with you there. And then obviously you pretty much just stay outside until you somebody thinks of something to do which can consider, like, going to the movies or going to the local bar and one of those things. And then usually you're just outside again. So I feel like being literally outside is and with your family or friends. That's what makes like a good Saturday. Yeah. And then you go out a little bit. You can go, like, to one of those inner cities, and then once you go back home, you're still outside, you know? And then finally, get tired, like, all right, dude, I think we're outside for long enough now and then it's like 11:30 it's time to wrap it up.

Austin: When you're just kind of by yourself. Do you have any hobbies or passions that you enjoy and that you feel like have kind of shaped who you are? Yes.

Jazmine: And more recently, I tried to change some of those habits because I didn't like them. Sure, I didn't like always, like, my was always outside, you know, because that was fun to me. Like, what are you gonna do on Saturday? Well, I'm gonna go outside with my friends, or we're just gonna, you know, go to the park or go somewhere by the water or something like that. But I've started to change the habits of trying to get stuff that like is good for us. Maybe we see more things so like, I like to read and journal and manifest and take walks on my own, like, not with other people. So I can be at my own pace. I can go and walk over to, like a plant or something, and I've started to enjoy that more because I didn't realize how much I can enjoy of that. I just thought, like everyone has to be together to enjoy it. But I'm glad you asked that.

Austin: Yeah, I'm curious for like, journaling and manifesting. What what does that mean to you, and what role does that play? In your life,

Jazmine: I'm sorry. I feel like, like, I almost choked up, you know, because I'm like, I really don't know how to explain it, because I just recently learned about it. I read the book, The Secret, and I didn't really know, like, how it was gonna, I was gonna take it in, and I knew it was meant for me to read it at the time, as I put it on my Amazon list for Christmas, my dad got it to got it to me, and then I remember I read it in fifth grade, and I didn't have any idea what it was, and I was like, What is this like? And I just girl, Janet Campos, I remember her. She was like, you can borrow my book and read it. It's really cool, and it looks so cool. Look like a treasure book. And I didn't understand anything when I read it for the second time and I got it for the second time. I knew all of that. I was blindly still living myself as a version of reading after reading that, you know, it did awaken me a little bit when I was younger. I didn't even know until I read it the second time. And I was like, Okay, I'm gonna start practicing. So when I started practicing, and I started, like, taking it with me and to, like, wherever work or whatever, random people would be, like, you know, that book? And I'm like, yeah, they're like, you like it? I'm like, Yeah, do you know what that what's up with that? I'm like, Yes. And they're like, it works. I'm like, Okay. And then I thought people would just be like, Oh, that's a good book. No, they're asking me those one or two questions before they tell me that's a good book, because they want to make sure that, you know, like, if I tell you that's a good book, are you reading it the good way or the bad way? And I noticed every person, like, at least five people, I swear, asked me maybe one of those three questions that I said and were like, oh, okay, that's a good book. I'm like, that's a sign that means it really works if they're asking me that way, and they're not just complimenting me regular. And I started, I read it, and then I started to do some of it, and I can see, like, random stuff was happening, or things would align, then I would fall off, then I would read it again. And then one day, I just sat down. I'm like, Okay, I'm gonna really be about it. I'm gonna really do this. I'm a focus. There's like, freaking millionaires out here. I can do it, you know, I need help. I pull myself out of depression through journaling, and I asked myself questions, and I was supposed to ask myself, what did I learn today? Every day? So far, random questions been popping up on my newsfeed, like random stuff and like podcasts, stuff that I listen to, like, ask yourself today, ask yourself today. Or like people post stuff, and I'm just like, I haven't had to ask myself, What have I learned today? Because I have other questions replacing that. Since November, I not have to make my own question. Things have been popping up to me on my phone, like people speaking about manifesting, speaking about journaling, and they'll be like, I asked myself this, you should ask yourself that too, like, and they're just like, lecturing. And then there's a question somewhere there. I'm just like, Okay, I'm gonna write that down, you know? And that has really opened me up to, like, really believe in it more now I see like, Angel numbers all the time. I'm just like, what's going on? Like, you know, I start foreshadowing events. It's so weird, and it makes me like, tight in my stomach, like, I'm almost choked up at first. Now I'm tightening up my stomach because it's so true, and it feels so like, energetic and weird, and it's making me like, want to change firm like myself, and it's make me, like, mouth watery, like, so juicy, you know, like, once you start really getting into it, it's so juicy. It's so good for you. Like, it's in it's so like, if you miss the chance to understand it, you're not gonna get it. You have to have open mind, open imagination, like you got to play, you know, it's like, if you don't, if you're not really in that mode to, like, really mess around like that, and sit there and be like, Okay, let me journal. And, you know, it does seem like BS to some people, and I don't mind that, but I tell that to people. I'm just like, you need to think positive, you need to do this, you need to do that. And I'm just like, they don't get it, you know? And some people don't get it, and some people do. And my whole algorithm is like, people who talk good things, good things, and say good things, and I'm like, okay, so they get it. That's why I don't see normal stuff on my feed. And if I want to, I'll type it up, like, if I want to see whatever's in hype right now. But if not, I'm just like, hey, I built this algorithm on my phone and in my timeline right now, too. So, and then I started learning about quantum jumping. I'm like, Okay, this is real. Like, yeah, I think this is real. I'm gonna do it. My stepmom, she thinks she freaking jumped timelines from a car accident. I'm just like, I become. On her sometimes. And I'm like, I'm so freaking pissed right now. Like, what does this mean? And she's just like, Hmm, it means you have another path. You're gonna do something good. I'm like, Okay, thanks. Thanks, you know, I'll call you back. I'll call back.

Austin: Like, it's funny that you bring that up, like, reading it when you were younger and not really getting it and and I feel like I can relate to that, because my dad, he didn't give me the book, but he showed me the movie when I was about the same age, and I was like, I don't get it. They spent an hour talking about, like, this mysterious secret, and they didn't even say what it was. And I feel like thinking back, maybe it's because when you're younger, you kind of have this attitude about life where it's like, well, if you want something, go get it. What's the big deal? And then, you know, as we get older, maybe our expectations change a little bit, or, you know, we get put in our place, or things like that. And so we kind of have this habit of, like, telling ourselves, like, oh, maybe I want something, but, you know, this is in my way, or I can't afford this, or I can't do that. And I think it's good to take that messaging and revisit it and, and like, even with this podcast, like it, I don't want to say it's like manifesting or anything, necessarily, but just like putting your mind to something and, and having an idea of, like, what it would look like like, like doing the interior design, you know, and like, I want this, the set to look this way, and, and before, you know, like, We're here talking and how it happens

Jazmine: that's so beautiful, like, I love that I that's so inspiring that you would, that you would just, you know, ask me, and now we're talking about it, like, I just love it. It's beautiful. And you Oh, you've given out a good energy since I met you, you know. So it's like, oh yeah, we're gonna click off the bathroom. So I didn't know that you read this, like you had the secret experience, you know? And I also was thinking, What the hell is the secret? Like, this big treasure book? What is it? What is it so juicy? And I thought about it at the time, I'm like, maybe the secret's myself. Close the book. Gave it back. Yeah, it's been myself, though it's always you. It's never a secret code, like it can be written there. All those quotes are good. All those people that they talk about are good on all those websites. I checked them all. They're verified. They're still up and running. So it's like they provide the information for you, because those people have the secret, but the secret is because they made them, like transform themselves, or whatever you want to call it, you know. So it's, I've been it's hard to journal every night, though. I just wanted to say that out loud. It's just really, get really busy, yeah. So I just feel like it's not always something, that it's, it is one of that's why I said is, it is the hobby. But I'm just gonna admit it right now, I try to journal every day, but it's like, 1130 I open it up, and I'm like, I'm sleepy. I close my eyes and write the date and time, and I'm like, oh my god, I fell asleep. You know, journaling like, so I have to find a better time to do it, but I like to do it at night so I can reflect on the day. But it's kind of hard all the time.

Austin: Are there places around the Bay Area where you could just sort of like, picture yourself, like getting lost in journaling and just enjoying like being outside.

Jazmine: Oh, my God. I love that. Yes, yes. I like to do that. Any, any nature park or place like that, like Lake Chabot, anywhere that has a bench, because I don't like doing it like this, right, right? Then I'm not really focused. I just want to hurry up and, you know, I like to do another bench. So I'm thinking places that have bench, or I don't want to do it in the car either I can, you know, but I'm like, No, I just, I don't want to do it, like sitting down, relaxing, put my stuff on a bench. So I would think, like Lake Chabot, or sometimes there's those random parks that have like a bench, you know, like a playground. I'm like, Oh, I can get lost right here. Yeah, yeah. So I've done that actually. And one popular place to, like, do that type of stuff where you just want to either read a book, or you can even turn up, you know, just bring your own carpet. Dolores Park, San Francisco, people do all type of stuff. They're, like, good, bad, ugly, righteous, manifesting. There's gypsies with drummers, everything. Like, it's so crazy

Austin: is that the one where, I don't know, I've seen pictures from like, the 60s and 70s of, I think it's that park where there's, like, a big field, and, I mean, obviously, like the big city and everything. But, yeah, anywhere, I guess.

Jazmine: Yes, but that can also be Golden Gate Park, yeah. But I think you're right. It is just a one hill. Golden Gate Park is, like, a good field. So it can be both, because they were both really, like, that's what everybody was trying to keep it up. Of what's going on was in the 60s and seven, they're trying to keep that up, but it's like, we can't do all that. You know, they really were free will then, you know, maybe they were even spending a night at those parts. But now it's like, we just go there for a couple hours. And people who, you know, I've seen people just journaling there and just listen to their music sitting down. I'm like, people are really getting lost here. Like, usually I get lost for like, 30 minutes. I'm like. Oh, I gotta go back to life, you know? I gotta get out of here, you know. But people spend their whole day there, and I'm just like, Wow, that's pretty cool. And a lot of No, I don't know, I don't want to say a lot, but I've seen a lot of those gemstones, type of people and, like, I don't really know what to call them, but I've seen a lot of stores that are, like, selling that, and people really, like, believe in that, and it's really popular out here. So I'm like, okay, that's kind of cool, but that's not really my thing, because I don't want to idolize some an object, you know. But I'm just like, wow. Like, if that's what that means, like, that's, that's totally but that's, this brings you balance, this brings you wealth. Like, oh my God, that's cool. You know, people be having their rocks in their diamonds and gems or whatever, at work, on their desk. They're like, No, that one's my wealth rock. That one's this. And I'm just like, wow. Like, where'd you get that? They're like, freaking gem convention in San Jose. Yeah. I'm like, what like? So I guess it's a lot of people that do that. Even in Oakland, there's a store, it's like a gypsy store. It's black owned, and she she's just about all of that. You can walk in there, and it smells so good, it smells like incense, and there's a lot of oils and gems and stones. So I'm like, oh my god, this is so, like, freeing and beautiful that we can use people use nature like that to, like, make gems and stones and rocks, and put the abundance of whatever they believe in those things. And next thing you know, people are buying it because they want to feel that way. So I think it's pretty cool. And I've noticed that about the bay, like, there's a lot of those type of people.

Austin: Yeah, for sure. Like, free spirit.

Jazmine: Yeah, free spirit. And believe, like, they have gems and all these things, and they wear all the rings with all the colors, and they're like, this means that, this means that this, oh, my God, you're so cool, you know? Yeah.

Austin: So are there places around the Bay Area where you go and you're like, this kind of reminds me of, like, when I was younger, like a past age of your life,

Jazmine: yesterday, I swear, I was went to my grandma's house, and I was looking out the window, and she's like, What are you doing? I was like, this just reminds me of my childhood, just being where I grew up, looking at, you know, the either the fire station or just the hills, how they've changed over time, like that. All sends me back a little bit, and I feel like, you know how this thing is popping up, hashtag 2016 like, whatever. Oh yeah, that is so freaking funny, because I was during my manifesting and stuff, I was like, I want to feel how I felt 10 years ago. You know? I want to feel live and, you know, up and well and fun, you know, I don't want to be stressed adulthood. I want to feel like a teenager again. And the whole 2016 everything has been reminding me of my childhood lately, like the filters of posts. So when I was looking out the window yesterday, I was looking at it a different way, because lately I've been seeing that like I was just on my phone. I looked out the window and I was like, wow, like the childhood, it's still here, but I'm the one who's old, you know, it's like, everything is still here, the school is there, everything's still there. So you can revisit it and get that feeling real quick. But everything reminds me of my childhood, because it's like, I'm still here, so everything's just here, but either they looked it looks different, or something that was there is not there anymore. And makes me feel like, sad a little, yeah, because I'm like, Oh, if I lived somewhere else, and I would go back and be like, oh, yeah, I used to live here. This used to be there. But I'm, like, driving by, I'm like, damn, meet me at the Popeye's. That used to be a doctor's office, you know, like, something like that, you know. So everything reminds me of my childhood.

Austin: Yeah, yeah. I've always, not necessarily jealous, but I've always definitely have, like, respect for people who, like, they've lived in the same place their whole life, and, like, multi generation, like, their parents have lived there, their grandparents have lived there, because we always moved around a lot, and my dad's family always moved around a lot. So, like, we've lived in, I don't know, five different places, and my dad lived in probably, like, 20 different places growing up, because they were a military family, and it's just such a different life when people are like, Oh yeah, my family's all from here, from like, 100 years ago, and I still live here. And everywhere I go, I remember like, this and that from my childhood. And like, I don't really have that, but like, that's cool that other people do and the and when you bring up, like, the 2016 trend, I think that's that's really cool too, because I remember last year people were saying on social media, like, just remember, the vibe of the summer of 2016 and how like, carefree and creative everybody was, and it felt like we were just on the cusp of, like, everything's going to be so great. And then I don't know, just for one reason or another, you know, whether it's socially or, you know, just individually, people, like, moved on, or, like, I kind of just, I moved out here and and I just took, like, an office job, and I wasn't really doing as much as the creative stuff anymore. And I feel like a lot of other people, like older Gen Z and younger millennials kind of feel that same way too. And now that it's coming back, it's like, now it's actually 10 years ago, and we're all just sort of like. Let's bring it back. Yeah, let's do the creative stuff again. Let's let's just have fun.

Jazmine: Let's just have fun. Yes, and it's so hard, because I really wanted to feel like that before, like I seen it going viral, so I was like, I want to feel that way, but it's just so long ago. It's only like memories that people are bringing up, you know. And it's like, I want the full vibe in effect, you know, how do we scratch that off the list?

Austin: Yeah, this summer is definitely going to be...

Jazmine: It's going to be lit, right?

Austin: Yeah. Are there any people in your life that you feel like have influenced the things you like to do or the places that you like to go?

Jazmine: Yes. So I would say my aunt, she, um, she always found a way to get us out the house. My grandparents were kind of lenient, kind of strict, too, and they would work a lot. So she would just be like, Oh, we're going to library. We're going here, we're going there. And sometimes we would actually go to those places, and sometimes we wouldn't, but we would do, we would just walk. We would just walk, and we would find, like, oh my god, the library has an event, or downtown has an event, or, you know, there's like a freaking car show happening at the Safeway, you know. So it's like, so much stuff that's walking distance. We wouldn't even know unless we went and walked and seen because we didn't have, like, Internet back then or anything. I was just really young, just she was watching me, and she was like, come with me, you know. And I'm like, where? Go get a burrito. Go get a smoothie. We can go get Starbucks. Like, that's and it would be so packed in there. I'm like, Oh, this is what everybody's doing, you know. So, so heavily influenced by her. I don't even think she remembers how much fun we were having. I think she looked at it more as like, well, of course, because she was like, a teenager, you know. So I think she looked at it more as like, I need to get out. I need to go get something to eat. I'm just like, having the time of my life. So I still continue to go and venture out like that sometimes, and I'll anywhere I go, anywhere I'm at I'll just look at my map real quick and be like, Oh my God, there's like, a freaking taco spot right here, you know? I'm just like, Okay, I'll walk there, you know? So it's, it's kind of fun to have everything there, but it's, it's like, if some stuff you still don't even know about that's in your city, and there's so much happening, and there's so many places you can go that are just like, walking distance from whoever's house you're at your grandma's house, your aunt's house, your friend's house, like, Oh, I didn't even know about this, yeah, so I think that's always something that I've kept going with her still now I try to invite her. I'm just like, dude, if you're busy, then it's okay. But you implemented this in me when I was little, to trick and find something to do. Yeah? So I find so much stuff to do, and it's, it's pretty fun, and it's, my schedule was, like, almost JAM PACKED because I work so much, and I'm like, I need to go to this one event. Like, you know? So it's like, it's so easy to find something to do, but it doesn't look like it, yeah.

Austin: I remember one time when I was, I was just getting ready to get off the BART at the next stop, and I was like, You know what? I kind of want tacos. I wonder if there's a place like, place, like, around the stop. I don't remember seeing anything, but maybe I'll look around, maybe there'll be something. And it's literally, as soon as I get off the train and walk out the escalator, there's like, a taco stand right outside of the BART station that just set up, like, since the time that I was there. And I was like, Oh, perfect. And it was just a little mom and pop place, and they had, like, all these different things. And I was like, they were like, they weren't the best talkers I'd ever had in my life, but, but they hit the spot, right?

Jazmine: Okay, sometimes you're just so hungry, right? I'm just like, oh, is this gonna hit the spot? Well, I'll just get it anyway. You can't go wrong with the taco. Never, yeah, never. Maybe a burrito, but a taco, simple, yeah.

Austin: I don't remember what the show was I was watching last night, but it was some it was some like, food tour show, and they had this, like, taco pizza, where it was, like, your, you know, regular pizza crust on the bottom. But then they had, I don't know, probably, like, a dozen soft tacos placed in a circle, and then there was, like, guacamole and salsa in the middle. And I looked everywhere to see, like, if anybody in this area come up with that. So if you're listening, and you have a restaurant, taco pizza, put the soft tacos on top. I swear it'll be a hit. Do it.

Jazmine: Oh my gosh. I can just imagine that. Yeah, oh my gosh. There's this, I think there's a brunch place that does that. Okay, I'm gonna try to find that. I'm gonna try to find that spot, because I have, I have to take my brother there because he wants to eat it. He wants to eat that. I forgot what? I forgot about that? I forgot about that.

Austin: Yeah, I didn't even know about it until, like, I saw it on that random show, and I'm like, that's such a good idea. I've never heard of that.

Jazmine: I've been trying out so many new food spots lately. I don't even I told my boyfriend. I said, any old food spots? Our list is so long. Just forget about it. Any spots that you think they're gonna close down soon, let me know, because we'll go there. But otherwise, forget about your old spots. There's so many new spots, so many different cultures of foods now, like, I don't even know. We don't even have enough money to eat out every day, so I'm just like the. Once a week that I do it, we're gonna go somewhere new. If he really wants something, he can go get something.

Austin: It's amazing how different of an experience that is. Like, I grew up in kind of a small town, and like, we had already eaten at all the restaurants, and anytime a new restaurant would open, there would be like, a line out the door, and everybody would be talking about how they couldn't wait for like, a month before it opened. And now out here, it's just the opposite, like there's so many restaurants, and it's almost overwhelming, like you you could never try them all, because by the time you tried all of them, they're, you know, sad to say, but a lot of them are probably closed and and that was all these other ones to try.

Jazmine: Yes, but my, my but was, not a lot of people are willing to give up the old spots to keep trying the new spots. And I feel like that's one thing that good for people who want to try the new spots, because it's not that popping yet. You know, let somebody post it up a little bit, and then it gets a little busy. But you have to be willing to try all the flavors that are there. You know, whether it's spicy, sweet or whatever. Culture, there's so much good food around, it's like, it's hard, it's hard to hit up everyone.

Austin: Yeah, and so many people, I feel like they just put themselves in their comfort zone of, like, going to chains, like, they just go to Applebee's all the time, or out back, and it's like, like, not, not to throw shade on them, like they do have some good stuff sometimes. But like, I just feel like the mom and pops are where it's at, you get so much more variety.

Jazmine: Yes, I just seen a mom and pop. I don't even know what it's called, but it's like a count, like a counter little diner in San Francisco, and they said, like, there's, like, only three people working. And I just love that. There's, there's so many of those type of, it is Mom and Pop, but those type of situations where there's literally Mom and Pop and maybe a cook working there, and that's it. And then you see there's, like, a young girl, and be like, is this your parents? Like, yeah, that's my dad, mom and dad, and I'm just helping them. Whim, the waiter, you know, I'll help you sit, take a seat. I'll give you some coffee. I just feel like that's so loving, you know, like, that's when, you know, the food literally has love in it, yeah, totally, it's so, it's so it's so funny. Like, how that is, because I didn't notice that in other places I've been like, it feels like it is, but no, it's this doesn't feel the same, you know. Yeah. Just feel like they're trying to get you in and out,

Austin: Basically, yeah. How would you describe the vibe in general, I guess, of the Bay Area, to someone who's never even been to California before,

Jazmine: the vibe here is fast. I feel like it's fast. And even if you're home, it moves fast. So you have to be able to be open to do stuff, because your day will go pretty quick, and there's so much to see and eat and discover. But if you've never been here before, I would definitely, you know, make time for the whole day. Don't let the day go to waste, because it starts literally at the sunrise. You got to be able to catch the sunrise and a sunset. That's one of our things we do out here, is catch those and in between that you better be having some good breakfast, lunch and dinner, and definitely catch another view in the midday. Go see some art. Yeah, so those are so many, like, different things you can do in a day, but if you want to have a good time, and you're not from California, you should do just how I said it, you know, I'm an itinerary person. I just made you an itinerary. You know what I mean? Like breakfast, lunch, dinner, with sunrise, sunset, and then you can even go get some dessert at cream. You know what I mean? Like, there's, there's so much to do and so much to see. You have to spend the whole day, and you have to go out too, you know? But not if you're not, if you have kids, or you're not 21 that's the way, that's the way it's done, because you'll still have fun and you can still drink at the restaurant. You want to go out, you can, but I would feel like that's the best way to get the whole breath of the bay in. And the concerts out here are really lit. Yeah, I would feel like you can definitely catch a show. I even seen a symphony at a at the Mormon temple in Oakland. Like, oh, really, it was a Harry Potter symphony. That's cool. I was, like, almost crying. It was so freaking good, you know? I was like, damn, this is free. Like, I don't a little money, but this is technically free, you know, wow, this is so beautiful. And I walked out. It was like, 930 and the whole city was glamorous, glamorous, glamming, glamorous. It was, like, breathtaking, right now, just to think back to that, like, it looks so good, like, I haven't been to Oakland that late, yeah, in a while. So I'm like, I forgot how it kind of looks up from the up top, because Oakland's kind of flatter than San Francisco, you know? Yeah. So I was like, wow, this is gorgeous.

Austin: Are there cities or neighborhoods around the Bay Area where you go and you feel like, wow, this area was just made, like, for me, or someone like me,

Jazmine: um, I would say for myself, I love all of the areas. And for people that I'm with, they have those, those areas that I'm just like, wow, like I see now why you feel this way? Because you have this liquor store that you go to, you have the pizza spot that you go to, and they. You might have the store that you walk through when you get your outfit for the day in there, you know. So I would feel like, that's it's in some people, some people have brunch in the same spot every day. So I'm like, I mean, not every day, but every week. I'm like, okay, so this is a spot for those some people. And this is people do, but I'm like, everywhere. So I'm like, I need to go San Jose today, in San Francisco tomorrow, and Oakland tomorrow, and Oakland tomorrow, and I'm going to Richmond on Sunday, you know? So it's like, oh my god. There's so many things I like. I feel like there's not one pinpoint for Yeah,

Austin: That's fair. Do you have any personality traits that, I guess, kind of help you determine the kinds of places you like to go or that you gravitate toward?

Jazmine: It's Oh my gosh. It's messed up. Because I want to say yes, but I try to do everything Yeah, and because I want to see it all, so I try to do everything. And I'll, you know, adapt myself to wherever I'm going. And I like to, you know, go to museums, and I like to go to car shows, and I like to go to a through z like, you know, I just said I went to the Harry Potter center. Like, it's so weird. I like to do everything. And there's so much, you know, that you need to do here. So it's never like one place for me, and it kind of sucks. But I would say my own city is definitely one of the comforts, yeah, that that makes me because I'm like, you guys don't know what to do. I know what to do. Come on over.

Austin: Yeah. And finally, can you think of a place where, recently you went somewhere, did something, where you just felt like that was kind of a perfect extension of yourself?

Jazmine: Yes, I would say I've said this a lot already, but I would say I went to the marina at the at the San Leandro Marina, and it just feels so calming. My grandpa used to take us out to eat at the restaurant right there. And every time I go there, I think of him, and I just think of like how my life was at that time, when I was that age, when I first figured out what the Marina was and how I just evolved. And still can see the same thing here. It's the airport. Is the view the Oakland airport, so there's planes going in and out, and that's I feel like. That's why everything replaced for me in a youthful way when I get there, because I think of when I was younger, and I'm just looking at the planes, you know. And I've been going there since forever, when I was little, all the way up to teenager. When I first got my car, I was like, You guys want to go to the marina, you know? So I feel like the Marina is extension of me, because I fakely grew up there, even once my brother was born and my mom was taking a run there, and the stroller freaking flipped. And I was, like, eight years old, I didn't know what to do, and I tried to lift him up. And it was so crazy. But I tell him that story, like, Dude, I dropped you, you know, at the marina. When we go there, I'm like, dropped you right there, and the stroller, he's like, oh, you know, he starts tracking back, trying to backtrack. I had to come to a story, tries to backtrack. And it's just a lot of memories that we have. And I'm like, Yeah. And also, we ate at that restaurant. Also, when I was 17, I seen, you know, people do donuts here. Yeah, I had a birthday party, maybe like, 10 times at the restaurant out of Yeah, since I was like 18, I think I've been there every year. Like, I'm trying to think, and I'm like, Oh, yeah. So since I was 18, I've been going there for my birthdays, and maybe even when I was little too but so far, I've been going there for like every birthday as well. Yeah, that's cool. I have, like, a special place, yeah? And it's just, and they set up, you know, they set up the tables, if you call them ahead of time, you know. But it's definitely so weird. How's it's an extension of me? Yeah? I didn't think I was going to even think of that, because I was thinking, like, what can be an extension of me? But that's the first thing that came to my mind,

Austin: Yeah, that's a good one. Jazmine, thank you so much for joining me today.

Jazmine: My gosh, thank you so much for having me. It feels so good to express myself.

Austin: I'm glad, yeah. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like subscribe and enjoy Northern California.