Botanical Gardens

Last weekend I went to the Orchid Show at the Botanical Gardens with my dear friend, Madeline. It happened to be a beautiful day, and the Orchid Show was unlike any other I'd ever seen. Well, I'd never actually BEEN to a flower show, and I happened to know that Madeline LOVES Orchids. When I saw an ad for it, I knew she'd ABSOLUTELY love to see it! Now, anyone who knows me could attest to my adoration for flowers. Their scent, beauty, the delicateness of each one simply brings a smile to my face. After seeing the Orchids, I think I may have found a close second (the first being the Calla Lilly)favorite flower. Orchids have so much detail, and there are so many different kinds! I truly was in awe of every one that I saw! Madeline was, as well, and just watching her expression and hearing her excitement brought me SO much joy. It was quite an enjoyable day!

Grad School Stress

I remember working hard in Grad School the first time around, but maybe it's the extended absence since obtaining my first Master's Degree that has me so overwhelmed. I'm not sure WHAT the problem is. What I do know is that this degree is going to kill me AND make me gain weight. I partially laugh at the latter, but not really. ha! While my Hunter friends are pretty much as stressed out as I am, I feel the most overwhelmed. I am glad to have spoken with them over the course of the week, still, I'm exhausted. We each have to write a paper on Securing Educational Services for our Exceptional Child. My hypothetical 5 year-old child has been classified as having a Traumatic Brain Injury, and my paper is about WHY I'm not happy with the school he is to attend in September, and WHERE I'd like him to be, and HOW, I plan on getting him there. Did you parents out there know how many rights you really have for your child's education? It's SO overwhelming, but at the same time, very interesting.

Tonight, I have eaten EVERYTHING in my apt...well, just an abundance of food, along with a liter of Diet Pepsi...somehow a liter of diet anything just doesn't seem right. Ha! Caffeine~very necessary. I thought of coffee, but am not up for brewing any. As I returned from the last food binge, somehow I sat incorrectly on my chair and FELL, slow motion right onto my left butt cheek. Oh my goodness.....the PAIN. No joke. Tomorrow it's going to hurt something awful...guess I'll be standing most of the day...for now, I sit leaning on the right cheek, and am going back to work mode...at 12:33 a.m....

Dad's Birthday Dinner

Last night, we celebrated my Dad's 57th birthday. I think Marisel was in shock @ the realization of his age, but she doesn't know ANY of our ages, so her shock is no surprise to me. lol.
Marisel, Jusytyn, Natalie, Grandma, Dad and I went to Charlie Brown's for dinner. Although it wasn't my #1 choice of dinner venues, Dad wanted to go there, so we did. The night was filled with many laughs and zero drama! My kind of night! I have to say that my father has always been a FATHER. If you have an idea of what a parent should be, my dad is THAT person. He's always been involved in as much of our lives as he could while we were growing up. Even now he tries to be aware of, and advise us on, the events of our lives. I don't have one childhood memory without him, and although he didn't live with us, there wasn't a day he didn't come to see us. I think we're definitely blessed to have my dad as our father. He's taught us a lot. I hope that if I'm blessed w/ children, their father will be as good to them as my dad has been to us.

Some San Francisco Pics

Good-Bye Cali, Hello NY

My last day in San Francisco was nothing short of wonderful, as my previous days had been. Abby had her tennis lesson, and I went for my final run on the hills. Abby's friend, David, whom went to dinner with us last night, met up w/ us this morning, and joined me for the run. We went up the steepest hills I've ever run. Needless to say, I was not thrilled, as I'm constantly defeated by hills. However, after finishing the last one, I turned around to see a beautiful view of the city I'd come to enjoy.

Afterward, Abby and I went to a DELICIOUS breakfast @ Ella's. I'm pretty sure it's called Ella's. When I'd told Abby how much I LOVE biscuits, she decided we'd have breakfast there on my last day. Well, the biscuit was HUGE and amazing, as was breakfast. Gooooood food! Great call, Abby!

The rest of the day just kinda flew by. I finished packing, she drove me to the airport, and that was it...good-bye Cali, hello NY. There's always an element of sadness when leaving a place where new memories were made. I definitely felt that when I was boarding the plane. I went over the week in my mind for a short while, and then went about my reading. 5 hours later, I looked to the window on my right, and there were the lights of the East Coast cities. For a moment, I smiled my 'glad to be home' smile, but still felt the pang of having left San Francisco. Of course, once I hit the cold of NY, I was ready to fly 5 hours back to warmth. That didn't quite happen, though. Lisa was waiting for me, and it was just like I'd never even left...we went from the airport straight to the diner for 'dinner' and a complete catch up session.

As I sit in my own bed, comfy and content, I'm grateful for what I have, and where I have had the opportunities to visit. As I look around and take in my things, my pictures, etc., I know I'm glad to be home~~but I am also beginning to feel that home CAN be anywhere that you're happy.

Action Packed Days in California

I'm not quite sure where to begin. It's been a wonderful few days here, which is the opposite of how I felt when I first began this trip, only because of the rain. I suppose once we get acclimated w/ a place, we begin to feel more comfortable, and things just feel like home. That's how I finally feel...the day before I'm leaving.

Wednesday, Abby and I hit the gym and had the most relaxing night afterwards...dinner was definitely a joke w/ our popcorn and beverages, haha, but it made us happy! I've truly enjoyed getting to know her, and the chats we've had. I love making new friends and learning about them. Meeting Kimberly, who knows how many years ago (how many, Kim?), was a blessing in so many ways. She's wonderful,and we've maintained our friendship through the years. The friends I've made from my friendship w/ her have been amazing, as well.

I spent Thursday out of San Francisco and in the small town of Los Gatos (the cats, as Abby said this morning! lol), where another friend is from and currently lives. It definitely was a small town, but it was also lovely and relaxing. It reminded me of the Bronxville, Scarsdale areas...that kind of atmosphere, but w/ many more little stores, shops, places to dine, etc. I even went into a cute little bakery (big surprise, I know!) called Icing on the Cake. Their cupcakes reminded me of CRUMBS in the city, but they had cookies, loaf cakes, bday cards, gift, etc! I LOVED it! I was good and only bought a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie! I ate half before my trail run and the rest after! I enjoy a good cookie after a hard run! And the trail run I did was just that...HARD. Trail running is NEVER easy~~to me, anyway. It was peaceful and beautiful, and it made me wish there were more areas like this at home, which I'm sure there are, but not anywhere nearby.

Afterwards, I was shown the town, we went to a winery WAY up in the mountains, took a walk along the beach (where my sneakers and socks got soaked because I refused to take them off...it wasn't warm enough! lol), and went home for a nap before going to my first hockey game! This was DEFINITELY EXCITING! We saw the San Jose Sharks play the L.A.....team. ha. Everything moves so dang quickly that I missed EVERY shot they scored! haha. However, the excitement afterwards was awesome, the energy of the players and fans was contagious, and I am SO glad to have attended the game! Good times!!!

So, here I am BACK in San Francisco. After Abby picked me up from the train, I took her to work and went for another fantastic run. This time, though, I overcame my fear of the bridge and ran it! It was truly exhilarating! After that, I ATTEMPTED to go to Fisherman's Wharf, however, the parking didn't work out AND I got lost driving. Imagine that! lol. So, I came home, made lunch, and have been relaxing ever since... Tonight~Mexican dinner (and drinks!!) w/ Abby and her friend. That'll be a perfect end to my time here.

San Francisco Really Is Beautiful!

Although I haven't done the 'touristy' things, I've done things that I enjoy when on vacation. Such things include walking around, exploring the unknown (to me), appreciating architecture, and RUNNING. Today was the FIRST day of absolute sunshine we've had since I'm here....and I took complete advantage of getting a great run outside! I went down to the marina area, closest to the Golden Gate Bridge. I believe part of the area I was in was called Chrissy Field...it was once war grounds, so that was neat to read about as I ran through it. Everything about that area is lovely! The waterfront houses are breathtaking, the view over the water, w/ Alcatrez in the middle of it, the Golden Gate Bridge in front of me, the Fort Mason Center behind me~~ I mean, all in all, it was a beautiful view!!! I ran towards the bridge, through some fantastic trails, the fresh smell of the trees was amazing and calming, and I wasn't too scared, haha. I did run TO the bridge, which was cool, however, I could NOT bring myself to run OVER the bridge! Just couldn't do it! I'm SUCH a chicken, lolol. Still, the experience of just getting there was awesome! The views~amazing. I'm kicking myself for not running w/ my camera, but I didn't think to. The run was really mind clearing, which for anyone who knows me, understands what I'm saying. The peaceful view, the outdoor air, everything was amazing~~for a second, I didn't miss Central Park.

My afternoon was just as much fun, but in a different way. After coming home to clean up and such, I ventured on the T train to downtown San Francisco where I met Abby for a Vietnamese lunch that was delish! After that, we shopped a little, she went back to work, and I window shopped on Union Square and Market Street. The atmosphere definitely reminded me of home because of all the familiar stores, but it clearly was San Francisco, and I was glad to have gone there. I mean, me~~shopping~~even if it just window shopping~~very happy! When I spoke w/ my friend earlier, he noted how much happier I am today than when we met up yesterday. It's true~the change of weather, along w/ feeling a bit more secure w/ my surroundings, made all the difference in my trip =) I'm sure I'll be sad to leave on Saturday.