It’s back…Truly Julie segments!!
I first launched the Truly Julie franchise in New York at WPIX-CW 11, gosh, about 8 years ago! The morning show TV segments started off randomly. It would air once every few weeks. But with higher viewership/ratings, it eventually aired twice a week for about 3 years. From food, fashion, culture, travel, entertainment, human interest, etc., the goal of each Truly Julie segment was to showcase anything fun under the sun (with a strong touch of my wackiness). For example, I flew all the way to the tiny South Korean Island of Jeju to go deep sea diving with Haenyeos…I entered competitions for double-dutch jump roping and break dancing…I trained for the NYC marathon with the world’s fastest blind marathoner…I cooked with the finest chefs and ate the most exotic foods such as a giant scorpion and a live squid (with moving tentacles!) and the list goes on. When I switched jobs and moved over to WNYW, Fox 5 New York, I put Truly Julie on hiatus. But I tell you what, the viewers from those original “Changsta Gangsta” days have stayed with me! And if this is you: THANK YOU. It’s been about 5 years since I last aired a Truly Julie story in NYC and till this day, when I walk down the streets of the Big Apple, a few people will still yell, “Hey, it’s Truly Julie!”. I rarely hear folks call me Julie Chang…it’s almost always, “Truly Julie”. The success of Truly Julie and loyalty from so many viewers inspired the name of this blog! So with that..I felt it was only natural for me to bring Truly Julie back…but this time in LA!! If the goal is to feature things that are fun in the sun…um…where else is more fitting than Southern California??! I’m fortunate that the folks at Fox 11 LA share my vision. Slowly but surely we are getting Truly Julie back up and running. You can catch it/me every Sunday, around 10:30PM, somedays on Good Day LA & always online. Your’s Truly, Julie
Your’s Truly…Truly Julie!
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this weekend??! It’s probably the prematurely aging ritual called tanning that I actively took part in at pre-Coachella pool parties this past weekend. Coachella is sort of like Disneyland for adults. Every corner is fun, fun, fun…but all of it is a bit forced and too well manicured for it to be a Woodstock-like festival. 
around left and right and after my 3-day trip to this Mexican gem, I get it! Between the easy flight (it’s just 2.5 hours from LA)…all the options to unwind and unplug…great culinary scene…and the perfect weather…Cabo is where it’s at. And all it takes is a few days if not hours for you to KNOW IT! I did the whole whistle-blowing-in-your-face-while-you-down-a-tequila-shot (s!) in Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. Um…I’m over that phase of my life. This go around, I enjoyed a long weekend in Mexico like a grown up. Don’t worry, I was still giggling like a school girl while galloping on a gorgeous horse up and
down a private beach…and while seeing dozens and dozens of mama and baby whales. However, I recharged on this trip as opposed to wrecking myself. I stayed at the 
I’ll be CRAVING!!! The little fish taco shack 
I’m so glad that I’m an obsessed photographer. When you feel the same level of excitement to take a picture of something as historic as the Petra monuments yet something as obscure as a lime-mint Jordan beverage…you really end up paying attention to so many more details. In my constant quest to find the perfect
composition to snap…I discover the beauty in so many overlooked places, objects, and people. The ultimate reward of this is that I come home with loads of great stories. That’s what photos are to me…memorable tales that are most 
often remarkable. And that exactly how I would describe Petra, Jordan. REMARKABLE. It dates back to 400 BC; and with it’s massive size and
dramatic sandstone entrance ways…it’s as jaw-dropping as seeing Times Square for the first time. Only here…you don’t need voltage for the wow factor. You’ve got thousands of years of history & thousands of candles. 
I recently visited Moscow for 48 hours. I know…so hardcore and crazy. But so is Russia! Luckily, I was able to cover a lot of ground in that short time (including a trip to the countryside to experience a swanky lake beach club) thanks to my friend Alexei who’s a Muscovite. During the day, I marveled at the buildings in Red Square. My predictable favorite is the Saint Basil’s Cathedral (pictured above). Such a beautiful church…with a chilling history. Story goes…the architects had their eyes gouged out 
after finishing the church in the mid 1500′s. Ivan the Terrible wanted to make sure that they never re-create it. I was also beguiled by Cathedral of Christ the Savior (pictured right). This cathedral was demolished during the Soviet years and rebuilt during the 90′s. During the night, I gawked at the flashy Moscow club scene like a 
teenager who snuck into a college party. I didn’t hit up any of the up-and-coming “hipster” bars (many of them in the cool Chocolate Factory District) as Alexei said with a cringe, “those people wear Tshirts and shorts at night.” We jumped around to a few clubs and spent the most time at the very posh rooftop lounge called Soho Rooms. Few trends I noticed: live cover bands are popular, if you’re a woman…you can wear anything from a red carpet worthy gown to the hoochiest skirt (saw both and everything in between at Soho Rooms)…Botox and lip-fillers are alive and well in Moscow…and the wealthier and more 
“oligarch” you are, the prettier the girls are at your table. Oh…and one vital tip: don’t order a martini in Moscow. Their definition of a martini is a pre-mixed, syrupy
channeled Lance Armstrong and unleashed my own Tour de Brooklyn. I peddled through several neighborhoods from 10AM–6PM and I kid you not…I had just as an amazing, eye-opening time in Brooklyn than any exotic overseas trip I’ve taken throughout my many years of travel. No passport needed…just a little leg grease. My tour started in Fort Greene where I dipped into 
in the same fashion…the Dekalb Market stores range from new to vintage…and for food… classics to fusion. Also worth a stop in Fort Greene is 
jewelry made of vinyl records…but what had me the most excited?! Recycle bins and….drum roll…a freakin’ compost bin! Thank you Brooklyn Flea….thank you. After eating my face off and composting the tiny scraps of food with the same level of excitement that you only see in a Justin Bieber fan…I spun my way to 
giddy. I’ve never had pedals dance across my face…and shower down on me like that. Honestly…I was waiting for a unicorn to appear…it was that magical. This is an easy must-do on your bucket list…and while you’re at it…make sure you attempt to make a cherry blossom snow angel. I promise that you’ll feel the same level of bliss that you only felt as a kid when you had no worry in the world. Onto Red Hook! Take Ikea out of the equation and this place is Brooklyn with true grit. The historic warehouses look like movie sets…and stroll onto any pier and you’ll feel like the main star 
of a New York centric film…breeze whipping your hair around while Lady Liberty smiles at cha. And make sure you stop by the 
competition. That’s right…I said it. Manhattan and Paris should feel the heat…because Brooklyn is where it’s at! I wrapped up my 10+mile Tour de Brooklyn the only way a Brooklynite-wannabe should…nope…not with a Gatorade…but with a beer in Dumbo:) Ahhhhhhh. I know this post is overwhelming…but lucky for you…I’ve got the visual breakdown in the picture gallery below.
