The Traveling Elephant

I found a little spot all my own.

2011-03-13T16:59:00.001-04:00

I found a place, the search is over! Yes indeed, I move into my little pad next weekend. Luckily for me I knew the landlady and she talked me into going to see it, a bit above my price range, but to be honest I was tired of looking and except for one or two minor things (such as having to put my bike in my closet and the bus cruising by my window) it is perfect. Definitely city living, only a fifteen minute walk to work, it's on the fourth floor of a pink building.The photo below is an amazing living room, my studio in a way looks like this but much smaller, with the classic San Francisco bay windows. Now the fun part, my new mission is to find some sweet deals by way of a sofa and little dining table for the kitchen.

We thank our stars we are alive and loved.

2011-02-15T02:32:00.002-05:00

A month and a half! And this space has sat so quietly, so patiently for me. I've been trying to hit the books, the real estate books, to no avail. I failed miserably at a test this weekend. Standardized tests are just not my thing (plus the content is SO boring), I've accepted this, now I must move on and ultimately come up with a solution on how to pass because I must pass.

The house hunt continues. I found a place (FINALLY) last weekend. The view was epic. I didn't get it. I found a studio last Thursday. It was cute, a bit far out, but it will do, so perfect for me, just my style. I haven't heard back. I have four to view in the next few days and my heart's just not in it....I am reserved, skeptical. I think it's my karma. But I must remain resilient. To make matters worse, I was paid today by the new company and it wasn't pretty, corporate and new salaried position translates to a lot of 401K, health insurance and taxes diminishing my small salary. I think I have to rethink my apartment budget.

Last night, well Linda (my housemate/aunt/benefactor) has told me to not tell many people, but last night I witnessed a shooting. I had a moment of, 'is this for real?' when I saw the gun and the fire/light coming from it when it was being shot, to 'holy shit, what the hell just happened' right after the shooting finished, followed by a few tears and mumblings of 'I'm alive' and thankful I was the first to get off the bus, thankful I walk swiftly. A mother dropped to the ground, people scattered and there was this eerie silence followed by police sirens within minutes. I've been to some crazy places in the world and some sketchy lonely streets, it's just so close to home, utter realization as to how violent our American culture really is....there were only teenagers mingling by the bus stop when shots were fired.

Finally, today is Valentine's day and let's just say, I'm a little lonely. I put on my best face and a heart skirt too. I sent out a few cards and tried to love myself, but it's no fun being solo at times, no fun at all, especially when my boss comes in to tell me her husband surprised her with an amazing handbag she mentioned when walking through Barney's and the new gal's husband at work brought her this ridiculously large bouquet of flowers along with six tulips for each of the ladies in my office, an act which won the hearts of our five hesitant, 'we don't like newbies' selves. It was nice, so very nice, but it left me feeling without.

So in hindsight as I write this long catch up, I've got goals, and I've got a lot to do, so I better get to it.

Sorry this is so random!

Image from are2 tumblr.

So long 2010

2010-12-29T14:22:00.002-05:00

I apologize for neglecting this little space that no one reads (ahem). My tumblr elephant takes up my time and limited attention. But I make no excuses except to say, I've been so busy with life; with December, with Sagittarius birthdays (my own included), work activities and trying to find a new home. This week I have only today to run errands, to be at home, to study for an exam I will take in February. It's been a tiresome, but fulfilling month. I am sure you can relate, I am sure you too have felt the days pass with weariness and satisfaction and a thread which measures the tick of time unravel out quickly behind you.

We've had a ritual of spending Christmas eve with the Campi's, a family my father knew from his days as a priest (he is home for the holidays). They are a warm and happy group, each Christmas there is another great grandchild (there are seven children mid 50s) and those I knew as babies are now taller than I. I was asked in passing 'how's life', 'how are you doing' by the Campi men, and without going into detail as I might do with their sisters, I say, 'life is great', 'I am brilliant', 'I am fantastic', and I am. I've realized this past year how much life is a changing process, we are constantly changing and it is something we must except and take positively. I am looking forward to 2011, to something new in the future, to new friends and opportunities, to a prosperous healthy year.

Photos above taken from my lovelies on Bridge street. Noey and I went over to visit our great friends Luigi and Calleen on New Year's eve morning. I am trying out a new hair color (it's a bit too dark). C and L have such decor for the seasons.

A Sunday

2010-11-14T20:31:00.007-05:00

Occasionally you have those days that make you feel in the present and you are happy with this present, happy in 'the now'.This Sunday was a 'happy to be alive' type day.

I woke late, disappointed at not feeling in top form though giddy in remembrance of the good times had the night before. A breakfast recap among two gal pals, some much needed nourishment and then I went home to change from rain boots I thought appropriate for a cold fall night. Refusing the cool darkness of my house I took my bike to explore, with a short skirt which I just had to wear because it was so HOT. I inexpertly rode my bike to the mission whistling the whole way as I passed motorcyclists out for a Sunday drive, a bunch of hipsters partaking in a pretty amazing looking game of dodge ball and numbers of people licking ice cream walking down the street.

Ice cream is perfect, I thought, and of course everyone else had the same idea. When I got to bi-rite ice creamery known for their salted caramel or burnt orange ice cream there was a long line I wasn't willing to stand in. I chose lavender honey down the street at their market, to take home and made my way back racing with a pretend friend (I know I am ridiculous, but it's true) and smiling. I sat on my porch, my grand porch watching the clouds pass with my ice cream.....later I took a much needed shower...I never noticed how lucky I am to have the shower I do, I am just tall enough to see over the window to watch the sunset over the hill in front of me, all the while getting clean, how many people can do this? Watch a sunset while in the shower? It must be the time of year that causes the sky to be painted with such colors.

I've got a movie night ahead of me with homemade pesto, a few chores to do. I'd say I am very thankful for this Sunday.

(photos of my porch)

Halloween!

2010-11-06T02:12:00.000-04:00

I forgot how much I love to dress up, always ready for a good party and costumes!

Dante's Inferno

2010-10-21T18:02:00.004-04:00

I was pretty uncultured while in London except for when my friend Rose booked us in to see this temporary exhibit under the Waterloo tube station entitled Dante's Inferno. Tired from a day of shopping I almost passed, but I am so glad I went along in the end. We got lost on the way, and being an American and all, I complained a bit to the proprietor upon entering, 'But that's part of the experience' she replied as we walked toward a full screen barking pit bull. Favorite pieces included this ever bubbling film mirrored in oil entitled 'The Heretics Gate', which looked like sun or water or hell (we were mesmerized), a huge double sized etching in a wall of Bernie Madoff (the epitome of evil) entitled 'Bernie Made Off' and glowing gold ships suspended in air, as if they were on their way to a ghost battle, to a far away land.

Better photos of the exhibit here.

A return to London town.

2010-10-20T01:05:00.008-04:00

It was good, real good! I shopped, walked, lunched (in general ate a lot), and drank many a pint....but most importantly I caught up with my very lovely friends that I missed so much. I have rubbish photos, but it's the memories that will sustain me.

Fish and chips and maybe a pair of glasses too?

Well well well, if it isn't the two Sarah's together again.

Ottolingi breakfast for one.

Two American's take London by bus, or by pint after pint (Shoreditch house here we come).

How did this garlic get in my bag? 'I am with Rose here, everyone I am with ROSE!'

Laura on her wheels, I had trouble!

Sufjan Stevens – I Walked

2010-09-28T14:18:00.002-04:00

Sufjan Stevens – I Walked

Getting into music like no ones business. I've been so many places, seen so many shows. It's been a good music summer...heading into fall.

We've got to keep on moving.

2010-09-27T20:58:00.002-04:00

Flower power in Noe Valley

We like those 9 dollar beers and that free advice at the baseball game.

It was a total Vampire takeover.

We got down, real down, in the heat.

Opening acts have stars in their eyes.

Yo Mama

2010-09-16T20:00:00.004-04:00

It's been a ridiculously long time since I've updated this little bloggy blog, I've only had time to blog on my other more fast paced, instant gratification blog (top right). I've been working ever so much (and not getting paid very well). The weekends have been full and I will post more later on all of the activities. I've also lost my camera charger so I've really been at a handicap without my picture box.

I just bought a ticket to London. I am so excited, as well as a bit nervous, lots of memories are bubbling up to the surface, some of them not so peachy and so I hope it will be altogether a great experience. As my friend says, send it love and light and so when I think too hard about it all and about going over there for the first time in what seems like a lifetime, I just think love and light, and get really excited.

I leave you with a few photos from Yo Mama, a yearly event in Yorkville where we brought up archery, food, champagne, musical instruments, videos, music and a friend...I think a good time was had by all.

I am cruising the city on my two wheels.

2010-08-26T17:56:00.003-04:00

Maybe this little blog should be the cycling elephant! I bought a bike and I feel so free! I wanted a bike like my friend Rose has (see above), but I got one that is better for the hills and city. It's funny though because I bought it frustrated at having to rely on friends for a ride and since I got it, I keep getting rides everywhere.

It took me 25 minutes to ride yesterday morning all the way down third street straight to work which is less time than it takes me on the muni. For some reason I keep singing to myself, ' I am smoking fools' and rapping, no idea where this came from and I wasn't going particularly fast. Maybe it was because I consider it a somewhat 'ghetto bike' which I got for 80 dollars. When I picked it up the guy I bought it from was surprised I was going to just ride off with it so I was skeptical about its capability, but it is nice and light and does the job, even my friend Nate thought it was a smart purchase. It will pay for itself in 15 rides to work and it's great exercise.

I keep waving at others who are riding, like now I am in the cool club and I've got that glowing feeling of everyone should be hoping on a bike and doing the same thing. All I need now is a basket and some stickers! I will post a photo soon, but until then a few pictures to get you in that riding mood.

Not every day can be a 10 out of 10 type day.

2010-08-23T00:32:00.006-04:00

Sometimes I have to stop myself from being too overjoyed. What, you say!? Too overjoyed!? From Friday fun with the lovelies...to... I know this is silly, but when I have days like yesterday when things just aren't good, I feel as if my world comes to a screeching halt. I really get more frustrated then I should when things aren't right and it makes me question life in general. It's nice to have a happy balance, one must know that there are days when it's just not your day (momma said...), where you feel rubbish and you just want to go in a dark quiet place or you want the day to end. Not everyday can be perfect, right? Here are a few photos below and above to fit the mood.....

I can now say although I felt so bad yesterday, today I woke and the sun was shining and it's hard to be blue when it's so nice out!

Photos found here: www.bizquel.tumblr.com, www.shesgonerainbow.tumblr.com, and www.bears.tumblr.com

Blog Envy: Sending Postcards

2010-08-17T02:30:00.004-04:00

I do travel, don't get me wrong, but now that I am working I have to live vicariously through others. I am just not getting around as much as I used to. It would be amazing to be able to sell my home (if I had a home) and travel the world like Alex and Mina from Canada. They left their jobs (what?) and decided to go on an adventure, blogging about it along the way, sharing with the world (and little old me) their experience. It's insightful and I like their photos (especially of Africa). Take a look here.

Filter free ladies laughter and sun! Oregon Trail Part deux.

2010-08-11T19:14:00.010-04:00

There must have been something in the water in Oregon because our little road trip was magical. I thought I was just along for the ride, I wasn't quite clear about the game plan, but Calleen (Noey's sister friend through a catering gig many moons ago) had it all planned to perfection. I didn't know who we would meet along the way, but by the end of the trip I, along with Noey, were giving our new found lovelies Pam and Cailin (and Jill!) each other advice, lots of hugs, and all saying how much we loved our time together. When we left, for me, it was as if a bubble burst and the air we had been floating on ceased to exist. I think we all needed the little trip. Pam and Calleen especially were or are going through unforseen life changes, new chapters, and Cailin is heading to UC Berkeley as a new student which is always such a great new adventure in ones life.

I say this often in my blog about how much fun I have, but I can not honestly remember the last time I laughed constantly for five days straight and did not bicker a bit (just a pillow fight or two) with a group of strong willed women (are there any other kind?). From this trip we will forever have endless inside jokes. Writing this brings a smile to my face and I am sure my laughter lines have deepened.

It was a girly weekend for sure, and I felt a bit bad for Gerald (Pam's husband) who was the only male for a few nights, having to deal with all of our women talk and that meant no filtering, lots of noise and excitement. Sean, Calleen's nephew (see above with his wife Jill and Calleen) graciously cooked for us and dealt with all of our energy too. One night, in the middle of a serious conversation, Calleen turned to me and said mid sentence, totally switching course, 'oh and your hair looks great like that by the way' Sean exclaimed ' Damn WOMEN!' He had some great stories, as did Jill, who was a nurse in the maternity ward. She took us to downtown Bend where we shopped, enjoyed the art and local color. There happened to be an old car show and I was in heaven (I want something old school to drive).

After this little tour in Oregon I realized that friends are such gifts and I am so blessed to have amazing friends to have through the trials and tribulations of life. I am sorry this post is so cheesy, but it's often times very hard to find balance in relationships in general and maintain positivity through the crazy times and I felt all goodness was achieved on this trip. It made me hope for the strong bond of a friendship which I saw with Pam and Calleen who've watched each others children grow, and also what a good relationship should be when looking at Jill and Sean and also Pam and Calleen's with their respective husbands. And finally I hope I have a daughter who is so well rounded, kind and funny as I thought Cailin (with her friends and us below) to be. Sometimes you can meet someone and know in an instant that you love them (P). And other times a trip like the one we had actually makes you value the life you lead, your friends (N&C), and makes you strive for something better, something great.

Vistas far and wide, chickens and a rat too. The Oregon Trail part Un.

2010-08-11T16:24:00.005-04:00

Since I am working hard and only had one chance to roadtrip and travel this August and because it was an amazing trip, I thought I would dedicate a few posts to my trip up north to Oregon so please bear with me.

Maybe it was so good because I was with my bestie and her best friend, and her best friend, maybe it was the heat and great sunshine, or the fact that I didn't have to work, or maybe it was because we were surrounded by never ending nature.....

The dry brown beauty of the land passed us along on both sides as we made our way up north. I am my mother's daughter, I tried to snap shots of cows I saw in the fields, tried to capture the overwhelming expansive forest blanketing the peaks and dales that floated towards us. Old country cars cruised the slow lane, we passed them up, Calleen knowing the open road up north like she knows her kitchen.

We stopped in Ashland, we stayed in Jacksonville, in the beautiful home of Pam and Gerald (best mates of Calleen) who had chickens, goats, a hammock, swing and a sweet Zoe dog who was chill. On our trip we went to Elk Lake, 30 minutes outside of Bend (photo above), had a nice river next to the home of Jill and Sean, where we enjoyed long walks. We took a trip to Crater lake (far above) and a ride down the Rogue river (below Cailin's friends on the river).

Those hills are rolling hills, ones that speak in the dark, that suck the fog, and withhold the summer.

2010-08-04T13:53:00.010-04:00

On the eve of a little road trip up North (high five for sun and lakes!), I thought an update was in order. Last week and this one so far has been a whirlwind of activity that only summer seems to bring, but wait what is this weather we have here in SF? I visit the East Bay and think, 'It's like Miami over here', so very different on each side. I guess I was all wrong about comparisons between Cali and England. I love the sun, but that fog has been good for keeping me cool when climbing the hills of Noe.

Noey (my beautiful bestie) and Oja (beautiful too!)

My friend started a pool group, I am rubbish at it especially with a few beers in me, but it's nice to see people midweek. I caught up with five friends this weekend, nice long quality chats that were much needed for the relationships I value so much. I went on long walks, had dinner with two different groups, I celebrated the birthday of my friend Alaina (see below and above) whose dinner parties go down in the history books for the best food, think blackberry pie, chocolate mousse, corn pone (from scratch!) and intense conversations, you leave unable to figure out if it is the food or constant laughter that makes your stomach hurt when you walk out the door.

I did a little dance, scratch that I did a LOT of dancing, walking down the street in Noe where I was housesitting, at a concert The English Beat (see photo below, I was thinking I needed some 80s big hair), and with a friend of mine at the house. I've been going out to dinner (probably at the downfall of my tummy and wallet), loving the variety this city has to offer. My boss is a resto guru and so I have a long list to get through, Prospect, Des Amis, Shmidts, Francis, The Salt House, and Quince (all in good time).

We kissed little baby hands and listened to music in the sunshine.

2010-07-26T13:14:00.005-04:00

Sweet Simone in my lap.

Momma loves Simone.

And momma loves Jack, the new addition to the Vieira-Ducey family. He came a little early, but he's got such personality.

Little Jack was so subdued with music blaring and dishes banging at the resto. I love his little baby hands and he looks a bit like his daddy who I knew when he was this little.

Say cheese and pass me a corona, Sunday in Dolores (again), but this time with Debra!

Big Fela's sweet in the heat.

SF symphony serenades.

The summer has been amazing so far. I've been housesitting so living rent free and exploring new neighborhoods, walking and talking with people on the streets. Babies bring forth joy and it's been a treat to have cuddle time with the new additions to an ever expanding family/friend base.

Viva Espana! Campeones del mundo!

2010-07-13T02:26:00.006-04:00

It was a great day yesterday, a day to remember, at least for me. It also made me realize how so different America is from the UK, how we have such different interests in our sports (something I generally don't care about). And how we have such different immigration. Maybe it is just me, missing all of my Spanish friends, loving that community....the world spinned on, nothing changed in the street here. I was called little red riding hood, or something else so unrelated to the actual excitement occurring across the ocean about a football championship, something I used to dislike so (too much running!), but now have fallen in love with (gracias B).

No one could comprehend the happiness I felt when Spain, a country so steeped in football history, won the highest title in the world on Sunday. Not only are they world champions, but just a few years back, they also won the Euro, my memories so close. The Spanish truly know how to celebrate and my heart flutters at the thought that I could not be where such celebrations occur (see below the link to the madness).

Photos below of the last day of the world cup, when Espana won for the first time in history, when a favorite team of mine actually won! 'Ola, ola ola ola, ola ola'....'I am still wearing red.

Poor Jill, a dutch fan.

The crowd at Civic Center

Nothing compares to the fiestas occurring in Spain, take a look here. Also click on this link here to see the commentators go wild (I am embarrassed to say I've watched this video more than once).

Three day weekend.

2010-07-02T15:55:00.002-04:00

I am off for some fun; nature walks, a little romp in the sea, a bonfire on the beach for the 4th, after a crazy week.

Pictures to get me in the mood!

Photo credits: www.laurelo.tumblr.com, www.acme.tumblr.com and www.mangopony87.tumblr.com

Simone Grace Frey

2010-06-30T16:07:00.004-04:00

Below is a photo of my good friend Micaela, looking very beautiful, hours after she gave birth to her seven pound delight, Simone Grace. I want to see her this instant! But I must wait like all of her aunties so she can have some bonding time with mom and dad.

The days cruise by & it's almost July.

2010-06-25T18:09:00.011-04:00

It's been awhile I know. I've been overwhelmed by work, but hopefully next week's load will lighten. Life has been busy with general summer activities, with Father's day (think wine, good food and lots of LOUD Bretts), my father's return to the bay, house sitting and lots of gatherings with friends.

Last week (or was it the week before?) I went to Santa Cruz with Phannie and Noelle, (the three amigos together again!), another day we had a BBQ and a Birthday with a puppy surprise for my friend Joanne.

Tonight I am off to a play about North Beach, the Tosca Project at ACT. Here are a few photos from the past two weeks:

Save me, I'm drowning in blue.

A distant light bring us closer.

I am alone on this stretch of time.

Everything looks great with the hipso, even a father's day bouquet.

Who doesn't love a little puppy!?

Jojo's new mother delight.

2010-06-17T02:45:00.001-04:00

One hour makes a difference I kid you not, one hour in your day. Those eight hours from seven hours I worked in London, it is the difference between working out, it is the difference of 30 more minutes in bed, of being able to sit and watch the news in the morning while eating your jam and bread. That difference of an hour is that I feel knackered and I know when the light of summer fades and darkness comes at five I know that hour will feel more immense. I'll want it more than I want it now. Something to work on people, let's get our hours down, our lives back.

photo from Cuba Gallery.

Bright days.

2010-06-10T01:51:00.006-04:00

These days are filled with sunny splendor. I let something go last weekend and now I've just got that summer feeling, sweet fruit, a beer at sunset or a pound the table laugh out loud in the breeze laugh. I've been reconnecting with old friends, and discovering new ones all under the soft glow of possibilities. Life is good and so I am trying to enjoy the moment, not think about the future because it is oh so unexpected. All I can think of is the next few days, well maybe the next few months to plan something spectacular.

Photo from beautyineverything.com.

A 'get in the car and go' type feeling.

2010-06-03T02:19:00.006-04:00

It's hard to write and blog with a full time job!

I've been thinking of what summer will bring.

I've been thinking of a road trip.

I am talking about a 40 states type of road trip, On The Road road trip, just go and go and go, a month long type of road trip.......though only if my bum can handle it! We'll see.

Pictures to get me in the mood.

From giantcavalcade, sainaid, thedaringlife, and Lookingforneko.

Chengdu Panda Reserve

2010-05-31T22:19:00.014-04:00

There are so few pandas in the world and China prides itself on not only having the largest number of pandas, but also they research the creatures, feed and aid in their re-creation.

The largest Panda reserve is located in Chengdu. Visiting the pandas was one place I definitely wanted to go while there and although I was disillusioned that it wasn't the type of park I thought it would be (where Panda's room free) it still was a very green and spacious place where we were able to see the famously apathetic creatures in action.

I was amused when after we viewed literature/movies on pandas and saw real live ones (the girl in me thinks they are just SO cute and cuddly) my father told me he thought pandas were dumb animals and because of their mating habits they themselves were creating their own extinction. I became defensive, but after reviewing the facts I had to agree. They are finicky lovers, not maternal (they tend to kill their babies) and have dental for meat, yet only eat bamboo. I still love them all the same!

Just a thought.

2010-05-31T00:36:00.000-04:00

Five star Shangri la de da.

2010-05-31T00:26:00.014-04:00

Hong Kong is great. Though I am not sure if I liked it because of the people I met, the layout/feel of the city which is an amazing twist of hills and skyscrapers, very metropolitan (see the view from our room above) or it was the hotel my father booked. HK hotel rooms are meant to be small, very very small, so because of this and because my father wanted to give me a Birthday treat for my 30th even though it was six months ago, he booked us into a five star hotel, rated #4 on tripadvisor. My father is not a rich man, but he loves to splurge and splurge we did. He decided (as I cringed, uncomfortable with spending money) that we would enjoy breakfast, happy hour on the 54th floor and a room upgrade upon check in. We stayed four nights and it was probably the best hotel experience I've ever had. Special treats included, free wifi, flowers in our room (that was my father's doing though), the most amazing jasmine tea, water and a magazine brought to you immediately when poolside, employees chiming in 'hello Miss Brett', bookmarks left in my book, an automated curtain opening to the city in the morning, ipod consuls, unlimited champagne and a sweet view of all of Hong Kong. The Shangri La also has the largest mural in China, rainfall showers, BBC in the loo-great to listen to when getting ready, and doormen who always check the cab when we got to the hotel lest we drop or leave some item in the backseat. The only shortfall of our stay was that it was hard to go out and explore the city when all I wanted to do was relax by the pool and enjoy all of the treats of the hotel. I think if we wouldn't have had such a nice hotel or I stayed in an accommodation I am accustomed to I would have been out exploring constantly. Regardless, it was such a special treat and if one can afford five star in Hong Kong, stay here!

My father during cocktail hour, enjoying the cityscape, veuve clicquot, and a serious chat.

Breakfast view.

A special birthday treat left by housekeeping.

Jasmine tea (so great I didn't want the champagne) and flowers upon arrival.

How do you say yum in mandarin?

2010-05-27T20:26:00.003-04:00

My father has mastered Chinese, well I take that back, he knows food words in Chinese. I am sure it has something to do with the fact that he enjoys good food, especially Sichuanese food. When I was waiting in line for my visa a Chinese woman asked where I was going. When I told her Chengdu, she asked, 'so you like spicy food then'. Known for it's spicy food and hot pot (a spicy/oily pot in a carved out table where one puts all sorts of raw foods ranging from duck, lotus, tofu and mushrooms and then once cooked you dip it in oily garlic) Sichuan is a good place for my father to be gastronomically speaking. I tried to be adventurous, but out of politeness I was forced to eat something like a foot (see photo second from bottom) crunchy and slimy. After eating said foot, my new 'try' was strictly vegetarian. They had many different types of mushrooms which I really enjoyed. The black pot to the right in the first photo had amazing mushrooms in a sweet smokey sauce.

My father had other people order for us. Chinese people never want you to go hungry, always try and show face by treating you to many dishes, so they over order, leaving you stuffed!

In Hong Kong we ate a lot of dim sum which is one of my favorite types of food. There was such a drastic change from this to the food of Chengdu, though I was familiar with the dim sum variety. When we ate dim sum it was a slow process, an experience and there were numerous fish dishes fresh from the sea.

I think chopsticks might contribute to a thinner Chinese population. I realized I eat slower with them and all of that oil sort of drips off the food when picked up with a chopstick. All we ate with marveled at my ease with chopsticks. I felt proud....and full.

PS On a fruit platter they always have tomatoes and people eat them with their watermelon.

A trip to the Middle Kingdom

2010-05-26T19:20:00.011-04:00

It's been awhile. I know I haven't posted anything recently, but I blame it on China's government and their censorship laws that won't let me surf the net, and won't let me blog or check FB. Regardless, I really try to leave the technological baggage at the door when traveling.

My trip was amazing, I am glad I decided to go. I am not sure if it was the fact that my dad was SO generous and covered me for most everything on the trip displaying true Chinese hospitality, or that I met a lot, and I mean a lot, of locals and people from around the world. Maybe it could have been the fact we stayed in a five star hotel in Hong Kong, or our trip to Mount Emei where up the mountain it was so dark and wet, but when it came time to see the Buddha the clouds parted and the statue glistened. It could have been the food, I gained some serious weight in only two weeks, or that my 14 hour flight was a breeze, or maybe it was the pandas, almost extinct we saw the normally sleepy/lazy creatures during their active play time.

The true test for me during this trip was surviving two full weeks with my father (sorry dad). I think we have a fairly great relationship via email or across oceans, but when living together we haven't always seen eye to eye. When I stopped whining, kept my mouth quiet and my father mellowed out a bit, I actually had a great time. And one of the best things about the trip is I realized why he was there and that he's made a life for himself and it is a life that is so very rich. I could definitely do China again and I have the visa for another year so maybe I will. More posts with photos to come.

Shadow love.

2010-05-07T00:01:00.006-04:00

This past week has been crazy! Great, intense, a bit disappointing, fast, and tiresome. I bought my ticket, but cancelled my plans for London (I know I shall go back soon).

For some reason on the eve of a memorial service I will attend and before I take off for China, I've been thinking about shadows (or trying to stay in the shadows). Shadows are at the same time mysterious and also seek revelations or uncover secrets. There is a feeling that one gets in the dark light of something, nostalgia for the past, but also there is a flutter of future.

Photos from: boomboomclick, Lida Pavlova, best album covers, weheartit

My friend Amelia.

2010-05-02T18:02:00.008-04:00

This is my friend Amelia. She just turned four. I had the pleasure of hanging out with her and her brother James the last few days. We did so much together and had a lot of fun.

Amelia showed me where she goes to school, she danced ballet......

gave me a flower on her way to soccer.......

and we had a nice lunch with her swimming friends.

Our conversations went something like this, Amelia: 'Sarah, are you a fan of mushrooms? Are you a fan of tomatoes? How about broccoli? Are you a fan of broccoli?' me: 'I wouldn't say I was a fan of broccoli. I like it, I will eat it, but I wouldn't call myself a fan. I am definitely a fan of mushrooms'. Then, Amelia: 'This isn't kids music' me: 'No it's not, but it is still good music, it's classical'. Amelia: 'But I want kid's music. Change it Sarah'. And my favorite is when I would open the door of the car or wake her from sleep, and she would say in a tiny sweet little girl voice my name, like I was magic, a long lost friend, or a great surprise.

Feelin' the Fillmore.

2010-05-02T12:31:00.004-04:00

Last Thursday I spent a sunny afternoon (after a long wait at the Chinese Embassy) on Fillmore St in San Francisco. I think it has to be one of my favorite streets in all the city. Less pretentious than others, but with a nice mix of high end stores like Ralph Lauren, Betsy Johnson and Marc Jacobs, and it has my favorite design and coffee shops like Zinc Details, Coffee Bean and Bittersweet. They also have Crossroads Trading Co where I always manage to pick up a purse or top for under 20 dollars. I stopped in, as I always do when I am on the street, to Papersource for gifts and stationary (see photo below). And of course there is always great sushi, pastry shops, and Harry's Bar and the Fillmore if you want to have a cocktail or see a gig.

Sweet illustrations at Zinc. I love all of their home products and they stock Marimekko.

I love what Marc Jacobs is doing with colors. I found a spring jacket I wish to own!

Happy Birthday Celie!

2010-05-01T01:15:00.007-04:00

My grandmother Celie was born 88 years ago.

We had a little lunch and cake for her with her friends in their retirement home.

She is still so smiley and fashionable at 88.

Honey, you are a shining star.

2010-04-27T11:15:00.008-04:00

Yesterday when I found the above photo of Susan Sarandon I started thinking of the baby boomer generation of actors and how they've sustained such great success over the years. They've had a few flops or misses, all actors do, but overall their repertoires are impressive! I did a little search and came up with these timeless photos of my favorite actresses of the baby boom, and probably my favorite actresses EVER. Not only do I think they are witty and very funny, I'd like to believe they are kind in real life and also great mothers. We all know what they look like now, still beautiful, still going strong, but check out these stunning photos below.

Photos taken from tumblr, flikwit, and listal.

Against the wall, the rock wall.

2010-04-25T16:04:00.005-04:00

My friend Kina organized a wine event for us to attend, a perfect way to spend a sunny (and I mean SUNNY) Saturday afternoon. We arrived midday to Rock Wall winery, owned by the Rosenblum family, in a very random spot in Alameda, housed in a converted 40,000 square-foot airplane hangar, located on what was once a Naval Air Base with views of San Francisco and the Bay bridge. There were a number of different labels and grapes were from various places like Lodi and Contra Costa County (kind of random). It's just amazing how far reaching the wine industry has expanded, there are tasting rooms and wineries sprouting up all over the place. We found our favorite sparkling wine and a few cool cars to snap some photos...I wish I had my camera, but check out the cool pics from Kina and Jessica's iphone application.

I am trying to sew it back up!

2010-04-23T13:38:00.006-04:00

This pale pink photo represents a sentiment I've been sort of feeling as of late.

I love discovering a new illustrator on etsy, it brings a nice little smile to my face just before the weekend. Check out Shira Sela's Etsy page here for more of her illustrations.

The Selby

2010-04-23T00:55:00.006-04:00

Todd is cool. He takes fabulous pictures and he knows the right people.

Like Lucy and Duffy in London

And Elli and Gui (and their kitty) in Japan.

Dan and Shannon have a nice set up, enough cutlery for you and I.

Hunt's pad is full of color and that's the way he likes it. If I had a wall, I'd do the same.

Contact Todd now to take photos of your home or you. Check out his site: The Selby

I love you Earth.

2010-04-22T12:58:00.006-04:00

What are you doing today for Earth day?! Be kind to our earth!!!! Puh-lease!

Photos from Tumblr, 001 and Design is Mine

Get back to your roots.

2010-04-20T13:22:00.000-04:00

Sometimes overwhelming, but so strong and thick!

Photos from Flickr: SA78, Sarahpeters1, Iron rod art, and Murcurio

Keep it vintage, Keep it short.

2010-04-20T12:27:00.010-04:00

The sunshine is making me think dresses, and short dresses at that! I found these pretty little ones on Ruche, found by Design is Mine and they are so reasonably priced. I tend to prefer them on an actual model, but you get the idea.

Lady of Sherwood dress.

Art academy chiffon dress

Sunshine Saturdays and celebrations for Simone.

2010-04-19T13:22:00.010-04:00

Simone Grace is coming soon so a party was in order. 27 lovely ladies joined us Saturday to celebrate with my good friend Micaela, mother to be. She's the first of our group to have a baby bump. It was a joint effort by her mother, two other friends, and Anna and I to host the event. Anna and I took care of the booze, invites, games (!!!) and party favors, Micaela's picture on M&Ms, we all text her the next day to tell her we were eating her FACE. We also took care of the decorations. I think Anna and I had more fun on the way over, trying to fit all of the many balloons she went crazy with in the cab of her truck, trying to avoid the many cops we passed and trying to see out the window without allowing a balloon to slip away from our grasps.

Unfortunately I didn't get the greatest photos on the day (see below). There were such sweet touches (like photos of Micaela as a baby on name tags) and she received the most fabulous baby gifts. Now it is only a matter of time.....

Anna and her helium happiness.

Preparing for presents in the garden.

My fav photo of the day, Gerry (Micaela's mother) with her good friend Karen.

The Sylvester spot and Travis Somerville

2010-04-19T05:00:00.001-04:00

I've been house sitting for my people, my lovelies that collect antiques and art, martini glasses and cats, flowers and wine. An ever prevalent artist among their collection is one named Travis Somerville. I went to see some of his work at the Catherine Clark gallery near MOMA.

Travis is an American artist (who was born to civil rights activists). He is known for tackling Southern racial issues, his works incorporate collage, painting and sculptural elements, as well as site-specific installations.

My favorite piece of his is 'The great American let down' where he took vintage photos, old photos, painted half of them in blue representing water and placed them on top of a tin roof, representing those lost in New Orleans (see below though the photo does little justice).

I am not sure what the following two are titled, but they are in the house, ever prevalent Kennedy, great large pieces in the hall.

His most famous work (in my opinion) which toured with the Smithsonian is 'The only begotten son' below, it is such a huge and fiercely moving piece.

A few black and whites.

2010-04-19T01:11:00.004-04:00

Feeling a bit nostalgic, a bit sad for the past and what can not be....so I thought black and white photos were fitting.

Tomorrow is a new day.

I am sorry, but unfortunately I can't tell you where these are from (I've had them for awhile).

Just Muse, just brilliant.

2010-04-16T11:13:00.010-04:00

All I can say is that Muse put on a great show! They played covers, new stuff and old stuff and their visuals changed with every song. One of the best concerts that I've seen at the Oakland Arena! Check out these photos which attest to its greatness.

PS The first picture, those are plastic eyeballs sent out into the crowd, great big balloons filled with red confetti just waiting to be burst by the mosh pit, letting off a feast for the eyes.

China

2010-04-13T14:07:00.012-04:00

I am ready to catch another flight. I believe it's that time when I should go visit my father whose other life is in China. I haven't been there before so I am excited. I just have to see about the visa and buy my ticket for May. I also want to stop in London and visit my peeps there! Here are a few photos to get me in the mood:

I might need to bring a mask, below is a smoggy photo of Chengdu, look at all of that carbon omission!

Photos from: loveinflation, dutchuncle, downa, and youcleverfox

Things I like: floor to ceiling bookcases

2010-04-13T13:00:00.011-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about bookcases or bookshelves as on my list to do is to organize my literature collection. I love a floor to ceiling piece because I have a lot of books and they effortlessly bring color to a room. Check out the ones below:

And a more unconventional piece designed by Stanislav Katz from freshome:

Photos from Desiretoinspire, Freshome, andApartmenttherapy.

Maybe you can have your cake and a chocolate cookie too.

2010-04-11T19:17:00.013-04:00

This past week has been special, but sad.

I've house sat, gone for a few cruises in the mini and celebrated the life of my uncle who passed away. I met with a friend for sushi and a walk on the beach at sunset, went for oysters, and went for a tour of Deutch Bank. I did some temping for an all woman's commercial real estate agency, super intense, super fun. I went to the aquarium with a few friends and listened to music.

And this weekend I went down to Monterey/Carmel. I always forget how beautiful it is there. My mother and I stayed at my Godmother's place. It's great and so is her neighbors and her dog Pip (and neighbors' dog Bently). I missed her and her 'honey's', 'pet's' and 'darling's', she truly is the best godmother. Saturday we headed to a jazz performance by my cousin Marie, who was brilliant on the bass, she also plays the huge trombone (I think). Dinner of lobster/halibut and ice cream on the pier followed with three of my aunts, mother and two cousins, a nice little family treat!

I am dreaming of a place of my own today.

2010-04-06T18:11:00.007-04:00

Someday

When I have my own office......

When I have my own living room (and I am not even into pink)....

Someday when I have my own room.....

If I had a lot of space (look at that swing!!)....

If I had a big blue bath.......

If I had an outside space or even a studio......

Someday!

Images from apartmenttherapy.com, marthastewart.com, elledecor.com

Don't give up the ship!

2010-03-31T12:54:00.003-04:00

He was a beast of a man.

Our common good should come first.

Director of all things important.

Your wish is my command.


She sucked the light out of the sun.

Photos taken randomly from the last week or so.

My homemade invites.

2010-03-25T13:02:00.011-04:00

Micaela is having a baby, that's right! And so I thought I would hand-make her baby shower invites. All was good until I realized I sent out 40 or so of my creations to her close family and friends with her name spelled incorrectly! The only saving grace was that her mother didn't notice and I did ask Micaela to proof read what I wrote. C'est la vie! I got the purple paper from Paper Source and had my friend photoshop Micaela and her husband's photo. Her colors for her baby girl are purple and teal. I had different color purples and different color ribbon (as I ran out of various ribbon). I used the ribbon to tie together the velum with shower details and the purple card with their baby photos. Oh how I love stationary.

Down in the dumps....an update

2010-03-24T15:33:00.004-04:00

So I didn't pass the foreign service exam, didn't get the job, didn't win the lottery, didn't....just didn't. Needless to say I haven't been the happiest of bunnies so I contacted a career counselor at my father's behest. I have a meeting next week. I also organized a few friendly plans for the next few days to take my mind of things. I am off to Bar Basics tonight. And then I am meeting another friend at Mua Friday.

I found these photos which make me happy (very vintage and California-ish) by Jen Zahigian on Design is mine a favorite blog of mine, go check it out.

I've also been writing again, slowly, oh so slowly and I found some great music, Tindersticks, Zero 7, Tempertrap, just to name a few, which I am excited to burn and share. I've got to post my photos too, of my lovely little invite and my paint job on my mother's dresser (it didn't really work out, but oh well).

Straight up now tell me.....

2010-03-22T15:49:00.003-04:00

I make fun of my neighbor Debra because she likes a few shows that I would never go near, like American Idol, but last night she forced me (yes forced me) to watch Andrew Garcia do his acoustic rendition of Paula Abdul's, 'Straight up now tell me' on the show and it was great! I wonder why no other artist has ever re-made Paula's song?!

Buttons Galore

2010-03-17T16:56:00.005-04:00

I have a little secret, I am in love with BUTTONS. I don't have many, but when I find loose ones or a big box full of them at a flea market I secretly go berserk inside. I used to carry around a few in my pocket, if ever one should need an extra. I like different ones....ones with a stripe or crazy heart design, those really get me because I always wonder how can such lovely goodness, such a nice design, be so small!? How can one make such a tiny thing so pretty?!

I've been wanting to make a garland out of a few buttons I have, but after a search on some of my favorite design blogs I found some other ideas for button creations.

Design sponge just posted a DIY project on how to have your buttons (or scraps of paper) as display art.

Martha Stewart uses buttons to make stamps, beautiful photo, great idea, but I wouldn't want to ruin any of them with ink!

Finally, Craftzine suggests button rings and they are so easy to make!

The Uniform Project

2010-03-17T14:27:00.004-04:00

How original and inventive do you have to be to wear the same dress,only adding pieces you've been given or recycled, making it look cool and fashion forward each day for one year?! I say, VERY. Sheena Matheiken has succeeded so far in wearing the same dress or the same style dress (she has seven) every day to bring awareness to fashion sustainability. All of the donations to her website go to Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots non-profit founded in Mumbai in 1990 through the volunteered efforts of college students devoted to bringing education to children living in the slums. She only has till May, you go Sheena! It really makes one think about what is in ones closet! Take a look at all of her styles and the project here: the Uniform Project.

Just Beachy

2010-03-10T12:14:00.009-05:00

See below for a little video of Noelle and I's jaunt to Half Moon bay, 30 minutes from home, on the California coast. Thinking the weather was iffy, we didn't put on the sunscreen, we ended up a bit crispy, funny how that happens. It was a beautiful day.

Ignore my hair!

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Daycation one and two!

2010-03-05T13:49:00.009-05:00

My cousin Julie and her husband had the week off so she forced us (my cousin Katie and I) to spend a wonderful time with her in Livermore at the vineyards there (maybe my new favorite wine country) and yesterday we took a drive down the coast to Big Sur. It was great weather, it has been raining here so when we saw the weather report called for sun we thought we should go for it. We tried to go on a couple of hikes, but as it is technically still winter, the creek was too high and trees were left blocking the trails (I wondered also if it was because of failed funds and lack of resources for our national parks). It was beautiful all the same.
It's nice to rediscover California.

Enjoying the fruits of Concannon winery.

In Big Sur, by the rising river.

Sisters on top of the world.

Trying to find balance in the forest.

Scream it out to sea!

A People's History

2010-02-27T14:36:00.003-05:00

I've been reading the People's History of the United States. It is quite the eye-opener.
An exert that resonates with me, from Robert Bowman, in an article from the National Catholic Reporter regarding the roots of terrorism:
'We are not hated because we practice democracy, value freedom or uphold human rights. We are hated because our government denies these things to people in Third World countries whose resources are coveted by our multinational corporations. That hatred we have sown has come back to haunt us is the form of terrorism....Instead of sending our sons and daughters around the world to kill Arabs so we can have the oil under their sand, we should send them to rebuild their infrastructure, supply clean water, and feed starving children.....
In short, we should do good instead of evil. Who should try to stop us? Who would hate us? Who would want to bomb us then?'

And I ask why can we not?!

More on this to come......

I ask, 'Isn't there a great job out there for me?!'

2010-02-26T12:59:00.005-05:00

Recruiters, recruiters and more recruiters. I could be a recruiter! There's something out there....I am sure it will come soon.

Until then, I've been searching for elephants and thinking about a visit to London or China.

All images from Tumblr.

The hunt is on.

2010-02-09T15:45:00.011-05:00

So it's early February and I thought for sure I would be working by now. I know I should be diligently reading What Color is your Parachute at my father's recommendations and cashing in on my connections to find that perfect role, but I am not. Instead I am looking at what's out there (there is more than last week) and applying to many various places via the net. There are some roles I would be perfect for. I know just sending out your resume is not what one is really supposed to do. I know I should be calling places, getting my foot in the door, following up, but part of me is discouraged. Part of me is in flux and so I apply, surf here and there, blog, and try to walk everyday with Noey. I had a scary dream last night of Haiti, I was trying to stop people from hurting themselves.
I am trying to live a good life. Noey and I went on a nature walk on Sunday after a fantastic party in Portrero Hill (maybe my future neighborhood) where we took silly photos. We found a mushroom family (see picture below) on our walk and it's so nice to be in the California nature (see above).

I hope that one place of the 10 positions I've applied to this morning will ring me and I will go on an interview and they shall see that I am worth it, that they should hire me, because I am (I keep telling myself)! And as backup I have the foreign service exam coming up.

I also have great friends. Samantha is jetting off to New York fashion week and gladly offered up her city pad and so I will go there to enjoy SF in its center (with a pool and hot tub).

An email from a fellow Peace Corps volunteer in Haiti

2010-02-03T11:29:00.004-05:00

Hello tout moun (everyone),

It has been an interesting experience sitting here in Port-Au-Prince being part of a coalition of 25 non-profit organizations coming together to coordinate the dispensation of food, water, and medical supplies. It hasn't been easy because of the extreme difficulty of passing through the myriad loops that the large NGO's require before anything will be given out. There is a 100 question form that they are passing out to communities to fill out bring back in order to receive aid. This alone can take them a week or so. The questions they ask are very difficult to answer and explaining location in Port-Au-Prince, is nearly impossible. Often Haitians use directions like, next to the large tree around the corner from so and so market. The UN wants GPS coordinates because many streets are not marked here and navigating the city has proven to be difficult.

After the one riot that took place in the worst part of the city, they are only sending out non-food items at first to see if the communities can function without a disaster taking place. I understand their concern for safety, but it seems to be quite a long process to go through before any nutritional needs are met. It has been nearly three weeks now and communities all over the place are living on minimal amounts of food if any. The Haitian government has been completely bypassed in all of this. The president has thrown his hands up in the air because he is not being included or informed about anything that is happening involving this process of bringing aid relief to the people.
Boats full of goods are being redirected to pass through the Dominican Republic (DR) which is a very lengthy process as well. We actually have a boat waiting in the DR which hasn't received any clearance by the port of Jacmel to debark.

When did it occur that our society got so disorganized? Where paperwork and numbers are given priority over bringing actual aid to the people. Smaller organizations have given up all over the place trying to deal with the larger NGO's and the UN because there still has been any sign of the goods being distributed. They have warehouses full of boxes and can't organize their dispensation to the country. The small organizations have given up and are buying local food to distribute and/or taking trips to the DR and driving truck loads of good back to the communities they are working in.

I understand that indeed this is quite a difficult project, but how could it be so disorganized? I hope that there will be a reflective inquiry into what made this all such a mess, so in the future aid relief will arrive and actually be given out to the people in timely manner and avoid the watching the population diminish everyday while groups run around like a chicken with its head cut off staring at piles of papers and computer screens, forgetting that behind the numbers are real people in dire need.

This has been a huge disaster, not only with the earthquake, but with the response. I only can hope that we get it together before more and more Haitians perish because the loads of aid aren't quite ready because they haven't been given the go by those in charge. If this doesn't reflect the depth of our Orwellian times, and not wake us up from this great mess we have gotten ourselves into, I am not sure what will.

The Haitian people are unfortunately used to living with very limited resources including food and water and have a high tolerance for suffering. If this was to happen in the US there would have been no tolerance for such suffering. With great hope and determination we will overcome this all and Haiti will revive itself.

Thank you,
Ryan McCrory

Puerto Vallerta, Mexico

2010-02-02T11:00:00.000-05:00

It seems like a distant memory now....

Ahh PV, the plane ride was a breeze, Yes to Air Mexicana! The food was great, guacamole, various burritos, fresh tortilla chips I couldn't get enough of and flan. The weather was perfection, not too hot, not too cold, 80/90 degrees. And our hotel, I haven't actually stayed at a hotel on the beach, par a trip to Big Sur, where you sleep and rise to the sound of crashing waves. It's the most beautiful experience, this is what I will take with me...that and the kind Mexican people and my friend Debra, and Andale, across from our hotel, AN EXPERIENCE, and the whale I saw, those large mammals, like my elephants, but in water, gracefully gliding in the expansive sea, showing off their big tail.

Enough of the fluff and photos

2010-02-02T10:59:00.007-05:00

So I haven't properly had a rant in awhile. I love all of my pictures on this blog and the other one (see right hand corner), they all make me happy, but yesterday I got to thinking about my country, this America that I now find myself in and something just needs to be said.

Two things, well rather three things happened yesterday to spark this thought process. One, I went to visit a recruiter so I could get something, anything, by way of a job. Jobs are few and far between, I can now say it isn't just hype or my mother telling me, 'there aren't any jobs out there'and me rolling my eyes. I know first hand, it's true! I digress, this recruiter asked about my experience working at a medical practice, 'Is the UK medical system really as bad as the conservatives say'?
'No', I stated simply. And then I had a glimpse of a rare opportunity to let this gentleman who was actually interested into a different way of life, an un American way, so before his phone rang I managed to get out, 'I paid taxes that I didn't realise that I was paying, for a health care system I used regularly. I could see a doctor in a day, pay for a prescription for 10 dollars and saw a specialist on numerous occasions. Here, here I am nervous about getting sick or in a car wreck. It's amazing someone can lose their house if they have the great misfortune of getting sick. Everyone or anyone can see a doctor there and although there might be some hoops, as there definitely are here, I've seen a great many doctors care about their patients and actually provide good care'. And this is all true and he very much hesitated before answering the phone, wanting more on the topic.

The second thing that happened was that I spoke with my best friend who was distraught because the elementary school she worked for was probably closing. It's a great public school, a small school with a river running past, she not only has a small class size, but she is able to provide alternative programs/projects like yoga and various environmental projects for her kids. Hers is not the only school and I shudder to thing that this new development was now a direct result of the state affairs we've gotten ourselves into in California and on the whole in the US with our concentration on military spending. Can this be, that we still have a war in Iraq, almost eight years on and how can we all sit back and watch as more troops are being deployed to Afghanistan? How can we afford to spend anything else towards deployment on this costly war, and in the meantime neglect our school spending and as a result our children/future generations?

Finally I read in article about gay marriage in Arkansas or some midwest state. Congrats to them! Very progressive of them! But I still hate to point out that gay people in the few states that allow it have no legal rights under federal law. It makes me think of friends I met in London that are simply there because they are two females, married, one Italian, one American, and they are very much compromising their livelihood and way of living because the United States will not recognise their union, will not allow them to remain together. How is that Italy and Spain, such conservative, such machismo states, allow same sex marriage? How is that in England you can put two females or two males on a child's birth certificate thus making a child justly and righteously from both parents? And yet we in the United States think it all so barbaric for two people who love each other to actually tie the knot even though they might both be the same sex.

I have left for four long years and in that time America or the U.S. has very much turned backwards and uber conservative, I have to question, is it just me or them (Americans)? Am I more liberal? I can't understand why anyone isn't shouting, why Obama hasn't changed things, why we cannot be progressive and open and fresh and the leaders of the world in all things right; free health care, great education (China is surpassing us now), and equal rights for all. Let us not be left in the dust because of our conservatism and our world domination goals and our desperation for oil (END RANT).

The house that Dan built and nature photos.

2010-02-01T11:16:00.006-05:00

A few pictures with my new camera around the house up in Mendocino. The one below is at the winery down the way, the animals ran to me as soon as I took a seat, (and I don't even care for kitties).

Mexico pics to follow!

Off to Mexico

2010-01-22T12:40:00.005-05:00

I'm off to Mexico on Monday for a reprive. I thought I was leaving rubbish weather when I left London, but it's been raining for the last four days here so I am excited about the possibility of sunshine and beach time.

Here are some photographs by and of Tina Modotti to get me in the mood for my Mexico trip. I actually haven't been down there yet which is crazy because it's oh so close.

Image found here

I thought....

2010-01-20T18:30:00.003-05:00

I had a job, but now I don't (sniff, sniff).

Photo from Design Sponge.

Things I love: coloured glass

2010-01-19T14:42:00.004-05:00

Love this!

Found on Naturally Nina

Ayiti

2010-01-13T18:02:00.017-05:00

Please give:
The Haiti Project or Partners in Health

You first independent free black nation, how you suffer not only economically and historically, but now from the earth's movement. How I know you, your colour, your smell, your people and earth. Si Bondye vle, so the saying goes, but this cannot be God's will.

Please give to the cause:
The Rural Haiti Project or Partners in Health

Photo above from Jan Sochor and harrowing photos post quake my friend Laura found: Haiti after the quake

Outside the Presidential Palace with nowhere to go.

2010-01-11T23:11:00.005-05:00

Rizzaaa

Living it up in SF

2010-01-11T14:59:00.007-05:00

I stayed here, Le Meridien SF, the last few days because my fabulously generous cousin Jessica flew into town on business and I was allowed to crash in her place. Our hotel room near the Embarcadero (see below) was a great escape from my new digs at my parents and was a nice base for all of our shopping excursions. My aunt and uncle flew in too.

The stay got better with a Birthday bash for my friend Kina on Friday, it was nice to catch up with old friends. And also when my cousin's business associates decided to take a trip down the California coast to a colleagues land near Pigeon Point light house. Although I couldn't capture it properly in the photo below of my cousin and her colleague, the views were amazing. The owners were in the planning process of redoing the property, formerly owned by Joan Baez, and were surrounded by protected lands. They had practically a lavender farm and although on a hill, the crash of the waves were ever so loud upon your ears.

Later we scooted back for a great city meal at Bob's and drinks at the Globe.

The following day, my aunt and parents wanted to show my cousin a bit of the wine country so we went to Healdsburg. I very nice town in the heart of the Sonoma wine country. They have a number of tasting rooms, a somewhat faster less 'get in your car and tour' alternative to wineries.
We stopped at the Gallo tasting rooms and had oysters and great fish at Willi's restaurant.

Self Explanatory

2010-01-07T23:09:00.003-05:00

Just found this site: We are the Weirdos, another one for the list of fabulous photographic discoveries caught on a page in cyberspace. Yes!

2010-01-05T23:53:00.003-05:00

The weather in London:

Snow Snow showers Cloudy with sunny spells Sunny intervals and snow showers
Snow Snow showers Cloudy with sunny spells Sunny intervals and snow showers

And this is what I got:

Image found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8402464@N07/745123944/

Sorry all, I'll get over it soon. I promise I will.

To the country....Mendocino country

2010-01-03T14:46:00.005-05:00

A spot on the map, surrounded by sweet nothing, I google Yorkville which leads us to my parent's friend's house, their country home, industrial and modern surrounded by woods. It is far north, about three hours. It is beautiful country, we pass vineyards and I think when we turn onto the dirt road, it is closer than it actually is.
Noelle, my best friend joins me, her Rosie dog in tow, after arriving, after about just ten short minutes she turns to me and says, 'Let's stay another night, let's stay two nights'.
We are greeted with champagne, a fire, beautiful artwork, and for me old friends, loves I've always known. Linda makes us a sandwich and then a martini and I tell them of my exodus from London. Noelle tells them of her purchase, a condo. We are very different here and I.
We wake the next morning to the sun filtering through the trees and the open windows, such open windows even in the bathroom, the shower. Music fills the high walls, the tall tin roof, forever and ever. We do yoga, eat great food and explore. We rest and relax and read. Dan tells us of his craftmanship, we project movies onto open spaces.

We greet my parents and do it all over again and then leave the magical place happy.

The house in the woods.

Daniel after Christmas, inside the house. Sorry for the blur and that head coming from the wall is plastic.

My parents and I on a jaunt in the woods.

Reflections of a California kind

2009-12-28T15:00:00.006-05:00

I'm here in the town where I grew up, outside of San Francisco, dare I say it, a place worse than suburbia where yesterday I passed the headquarters of the Republican party (yikes) and where once stood one of our large supermarkets, now sits a dull parking lot without any cars.
I pass signs such as the one above advertising food. This is America, I remind myself. The photo below is of a 'greasy spoon' down the street from my house.
I am sipping on a mountain dew Slurpee, waiting to pick up a friend at the airport and escape to San Francisco.
I'm thinking about the movie I saw that my cousin brought over yesterday, of his 2 year old birthday party. It was weird seeing myself on screen as a child, my voice from long ago, foreign to me, funny even to see that I dominated him and the other kids (I was six years older), my nannying or motherly instinct prevalent at the time. I blew out his candles and wanted a piece of both cakes. My mother looked beautiful, stunning and and so skinny. My father didn't stop talking, his glasses proper 80s style. I never saw a home video of myself or my parents. We cannot go back.
I cannot go back.
I am restless.
This place is much different than I've known. I just have to get used to it I suppose, it will be OK, in time.

I wish for the new year to come. I think there is a consciences that 2009 wasn't the best year, a busy year yes, but a year of trials. I look forward to the tick of the clock when it passes into 2010 and I am anxious to see what unfolds in the year that is next upon us.

Photos found on flickr

Later London

2009-12-21T07:18:00.006-05:00

Suddenly I flee!
I am just so sad, so sad to go.

It's snowing here in London. My bags are packed with my life of the last four years. I am trying not to cry too much. I'll try to wait till I fly off, if my plane isn't cancelled, and keep my tears in the sky.

Image found here.

Birthday Bowl

2009-12-18T05:49:00.006-05:00

I love bowling!

The worst bowling shoes ever!

Laura's bowling moves, she does a little swish, a little hop and then throws that ball....STRAIGHT INTO THE NEXT LANE!

Emma, Steph and I with my Birthday Christmas balloon (they had poppers too)!

Lindsey, she loves those gutter balls!

Christmas party Shinanigans

2009-12-10T05:57:00.004-05:00

As I think I've mentioned before in this blog, Brits really know how to have fun at a work 'do'(aka party). At our Christmas or end of the year party, held around the corner from our offices at 1920, everyone was on top form. My coworkers gossipped and all danced a lot and a few people did the walk of shame in the morning.

A photo of one of my bosses and I. He left before he got too tipsy and one of us had a go at him, poor guy. It happens (only in London).

Below, me and Asher from IT. You would think IT would be quiet, nerdy almost. Not so, by the end of the night there was a huge mesh of IT people sprawled on the dance floor.

Nothing changes

2009-12-02T10:18:00.004-05:00

Oh Obama, you disappoint me. Give back your Nobel Peace prize. There is no peace in sending more troops to Afghanistan.

Next it will be Iran, when will it stop?!

I'm better....

2009-11-26T06:28:00.006-05:00

I've got to buy my ticket back home.

Something positive found on Wasting

Christmas party dress

2009-11-25T05:51:00.006-05:00

I'm helping our social committee with the Christmas party which is on the 3rd (a little too early for my taste). The theme: black and white ball. I need a little black dress for the event, one that is not too dressy nor too cold. I found the following two dresses, the first from Urban Outfitters and the other from Asos (my favourite online shop),there are dresses a plenty there. I'm off to search some more!

Sometimes you just feel like this.....

2009-11-23T05:16:00.001-05:00

I felt like I wanted to hide last Friday and although my weekend was a good one, today is gray and I've got the Monday blues.

Ich liebe Berlin

2009-11-19T05:57:00.017-05:00

With my visa renewal deadline fast approaching and the fear of almost a year without a passport I urgently booked a flight a few weeks ago to Berlin, a city I always wanted to go to. I asked along my coworker and friend Rose who gladly accepted. Last Friday we went off (much to the envy of my boss) to the Berlin wall, or what was left of it. I am German you know, but until this past weekend I've always been a bit timid to admit it.

We started our trip off right with a party flight Friday night which distracted poor Rose who has a great fear of flying. There was a group of 25 men on a 'stag do' who talked with us and we sat next to a nice musician, Lucio, who helped us catch a train and directed us to our hostel in it's perfect location, in Pfefferberg, in Mitte, right in the centre of the city. Lucio also recommended a place to have a drink and so after a bite we made our way to Scotch and Sofa, a local with retro 70s furniture, a DJ and good strong drinks.

Saturday morning we woke up and tried to find a certain vegan restaurant recommended by our co-worker Magnus. On our way there we happened upon a street fair which we explored. When we finally got to the resto, it was closed and because we were so hungry decided on Suicide Sue next door whose menu we couldn’t read, but whose waitress told us (in English) was all about bread. We got to choose from a variety of spreads to put on our long hearty slice (see photo).

The rest of the day was spent touring the Spree by boat (see photo below), exploring Berlin's wide boulavards, walking all the way to the Jewish museum to find it was closed and then went to a gallery around the corner, The Berlinische with modern art concentrating on the East and West divide and the development of the city of Berlin.

Later we ate proper German food, potatoes, sour cream, meat (well Rose ate the meat).We carried on drinking till late in the night chatting with locals at bars around Mitte, like Weinerei, a wine bar on Veteranenstrasse where one pays a euro for a glass and then leaves money in a jar on the way out depending on how much one drinks (though they do try and regulate). We liked the feel of the place and the big floral lampshades. Two other bars we went to projected movies on the wall which I find adds to the whole socialising, drinking experience.

Sunday we weren’t exactly energetic, but we survived with a huge breakfast buffet; crepes, salmon, cheese, yogurt and all. After stuffing our faces we went to a vintage/junk market near part of the wall still standing. We each bought a hat and then went and watched artists graffiti the wall.

We attempted to walk to the modern museum, the Hamburgerbahnhof that everyone said we must go to, but with darkness approaching and closing time evident we decided on the Jewish museum because it stayed open late. This time it wasn’t closed and we spent a good two hours on the main exhibit which was just so full of information. The museum’s physical structure is a modern architect’s delight and Rose repeated a few times how much she loved the building. We were a bit tired from our activities the day before so after dinner, after the museum, we decided to call it a night.

Monday morning, our last day, we woke and realised that the modern museum, Hamburger Bahnhof was closed on Mondays! The closure of places (or tables full in the case of restaurants) occurred a few times during the trip, but there was always something else near by. We just resolved to return again to Berlin to see more another time and and so headed to the West to the Kathe Kollwitz museum, a small gallery devoted to the works by Berlin’s most famous female artist of the 20th century. Her black and white etchings echoed social revolts and experiences of the time, war time struggle and motherly love. I’m glad Rose suggested it.

Later we walked to the largest deparment store, KaDeWe and explored its sixth floor food market which was massive, larger than Harrods'.

Although rents are meant to be cheap in Berlin and their economy is suffering, we found the shopping and drinks/food on par or if not more expensive than London, but I guess we also weren’t too particular about finding the cheapest option. Larger than London, but with half of London's population, the city has a great feel and the people are generally friendly.

Also see below, 'a quick update' for more Berlin information.

Guy Fawkes day

2009-11-09T16:07:00.006-05:00

Unfortunately I missed all of the celebrations of Halloween back home, but luckily I had Guy Fawkes day (the British equivalent to Fourth of July) to celebrate last Saturday. It's all about the fireworks, and they shot off with some great music!
'Great balls of fire'

And the spa day was great...Nuria and I at tea after being highly relaxed.

2009-11-04T05:40:00.013-05:00

Last week was action packed (and v stressful).

We had our pub quiz at work which I helped organise. My team, We thought it was a roller disco, came in 2nd by half a point. Below is a photo of my team, with the winning trophy that we pretended we won. We were robbed of the title by the CEO's team. In the movie picture round we confused a photo of Tom Cruise with Top Gun when it was Born on the 4th of July. And I chose incorrectly Howard's End vs the Remains of the day, same difference I think!

Thursday I met up with Stephanie at the Tate Modern. The fabulous thing about her banking job are the perks including regular nights at galleries or museums with free food and booze. We got there at the perfect time, stuffed our faces before it got crowded and power networked or in Steph's case, tried to 'pull' guys (just kidding Steph). The exhibit is worth a visit, Pop Life with Jeff Koons, Keith Haring (my favourite), Andy Warhol, a whole host of 80s memorabilia and a lot of porn, the decade was decadent and raunchy.

Two days later I made my way to the other Tate, the Tate Britain. Leaves fell around me and the rain blew, it was a perfect day for the museum. I got there early enough so it wasn't too crowded and I could be at peace with all of the British artists and their less modern art.
The winds have turned and I am looking for a new flat or a new way of life.
I leave you with a funny photo of Stephen and Steve at the quiz, 'Please let us win,
please, oh the suspense!'

2009-11-04T05:33:00.001-05:00

This is one cool kid! CUTE!!!!!!!!!

Found here on the Carousel website.

Oh the horror!!!!

2009-10-24T03:51:00.002-04:00

Last night I found a mouse dropping IN MY BED! I must move, I must move now!
So disgusting...I want to cry.

Passion for print

2009-10-23T07:30:00.012-04:00

Image from 100 layer cake

Did I tell you how much I just love stationary? And did I tell you how much I love receiving and sending post?! It's not ideal at the moment as there is a postal strike here in London, but if I had my way I would get married or have babies quite regularly just to send out these lovelies.
An invite on oncewed:

And how great is this card from Enormous champion:

My love of blogs doesn't only consist of designsponge and fashion blogs, but I heart all of the many print blogs out there like Beast Pieces and Oh so beautiful paper

I'll leave you with another wedding stationary from Dolci Odille below:

A quick update

2009-10-22T10:07:00.009-04:00

Wow have I been busy!
Our house guest has moved to Fulham so the house is back to normal (sort of). We have other house guests now, ones that just won't go away! Mice! It's terrible!

My friend Stephanie called me Friday to say she scored tickets to an Arsenal football (soccer) game. The stadium is down the street from my house and I had never been to a match so of course I gladly excepted. We had great seats although she told me yesterday that the colleague who passed on the tickets was sadly sacked!

We, as in Belen and I, booked tickets to go to Berlin in November. I can't wait, she's been before and really loved it. We are staying in this hostel whose name I cannot pronounce in the much sought after Mitte district. I hope to go to the Jewish Museum Berlin and I heard of this great wine bar, Weinerei. Finally my boss whose obsessed with the Berlin wall and Berlin in general recommended Rodeo Berlin to dine.

And this weekend I cannot wait for a spa date with the gals. We are going to probably the poshest spa in London, The Sanctuary. Can you believe they have a sleep room with low frequency sound wave beds?! Although I'm very excited nothing can compare to my favorite spa in San Fran, Kabuki springs. We will then be 'ladies who take tea' at Brumas (photo below). All in all I forsee a perfect Sunday.

Fashionista heaven by way of a blog

2009-10-22T06:04:00.013-04:00

I found this photo on one of the many fashion blogs I've been scouring lately, like this one: Jak&Jil. It's a fashion revelers delight, like the Sartorialist, but not. This photo so reminds me of a herd of giraffe, or sheep (yet beautiful black sheep). Rush, rush, rush to the shows.

There is also Sea of Shoes, this gal is living the life of dreams with her shoes in Texas. It looks like she gets her style from her mother.

And of course there is always the fabulous fab: Fabsugar.com , brought to you by my friend Samantha (second from the right).

One blog leads me to another and to another and so on. There are some that are so utterly imaginative, some where the writing is fab, but the pictures are not and some whose content and photos overwhelm. Is this heaven (there is something for absolutely everyone) or hell (how many photographers/writers are out there)?!With all these new blogs popping up, and this stream of constant new information, I can't help thinking, how can one keep up?

Animal treats

2009-10-13T08:29:00.006-04:00

I just found these works of art on Etsy.com .

I've bought the elephant print above by Grand Ole Bestiary for my bathroom as I love elephants and black and white photos.

Others like this one above by Berkleyillustration's I imagine in a young child's bedroom wall as an old family portrait looking down on ones faux ancestry. While being grand I find them quite comical. It makes me think a business man is really a bird or a polar bear in a suit! We are all animals (roar)!

A few visits to the bar

2009-10-12T09:52:00.015-04:00

Last week was a bar/pub filled week due to a visit from Belen's friend Vanessa.
Wednesday and Thursday we were out and about going to The Green (two for one cocktails are always a good thing) and Keston Lodge which is filled with character though the beers are a bit pricey.

Saturday we hit up the bars around Spitifields/Brick lane. Commercial Tavern is one of my all time favourites. They were playing loud show tunes, Doris Day style and the lingering sunlight of summer cast its warm rays through their huge windows upstairs (photo above).
The Ten Bells was second on our list, a place where Jack the Ripper used to have a few and where there was an unusual large amount of people lingering about. The pub happens to be next to Christ church where a wedding was taking place with Tony Blair in attendance (think posh dress and beautiful head gear from the ladies). We got a nice view of him and the other guests and then carried on to The Light Bar

I've got a few more up my sleeve like: Tart Bar They make delicious cocktails which are two for one on Tuesdays/Wednesdays.
And, a newly discovered small little place with character that my friend Emma took me to called Bar 23 . The DJ mixed some great music, it reminded me of home. It's website doesn't do it justice.

Read worthy: The Winter Vault

2009-09-25T05:23:00.005-04:00

Anne Michaels is one of my favourite writers, her newer novel, The Winter Vault is beautifully written though sorrowful. Not as lovely as Fugitive Pieces, her first novel, but still a must read.

Bits from the book:
'The market at Wadi Halfa was a place where every human whim had found a shelf. It was a catalogue of desires, a market of the broken and the lost, haunted by the hopes of both buyer and seller.'

'But no one said what was surely simple and obvious: you need flowers for a grave. Flowers were the very first thing we needed. Before bread. And long before words.'

'He had not said what he wanted: send me a signal across the river, by lantern light or bird call, come under cover of darkness, I will know you by your smell, come with the rain.....'

London living: oh the little things

2009-09-24T11:38:00.006-04:00

The good:

Hearing someone on the street say 'you bloody checky bastard'
Arriving to the bus stop just as the bus you want pulls up and opens it's door to you
The normalcy in going for a quick pint after work
The diversity of people, each area has it's own diversity, it's own pocket.

My coworker/friend Stephen said, 'London grew organically, it's not on a grid, and I like that'.

The bad:

Hearing your neighbours above you singing kareoke late into the night
Waiting for the bus while three buses pass you going the opposite direction
London is kind of dirty and its customer service is appalling.

Haitian remembrance: Première partie

2009-09-17T05:14:00.007-04:00

Last night I had a flashback to Haiti, the rebellious country of sunlight and poverty stays with me still. I don't think it wants me to forget it and I don't want to because it was so significant to me before, during, and after the whole six month Peace Corps experience.

Transportation in Haiti was at times frightful and at times liberating. One could catch a ride by flagging someone down on the road, jumping in any car. Other times I would be with a group of people standing straight up in an open flat bed truck, holding on for dear life, rocking with all our human bodies thinking when one slips, we all will fall into the hole stricken roads.

Once I was on a windy mountain road journey (the tree barren lands of Haiti are more mountainous than the Swiss Alps) sitting next to the bus driver who was drinking a Colt beer at 11 in the morning. It's early, I told him and he cackled back.

I've recently connected with fellow volunteers. Ben, a great guy, posted a photo (see above) of our volunteer group during our training. The photo was taken on an old school bus we took up the hill to visit a monastery. On our way up, the bus turned into a driveway and then reversed back. Instead of reversing and stopping, the bus continued down the hill backwards. The driver's brakes failing, we rolled down a hill, collected speed and then collided into a tree in front of a small haitian house (thankfully the tree was there or we would have killed someone). There were a few cuts and pinned legs amoung the group. We piled out and walked the rest of the way up. The bus driver still charged us. This was Haiti.

I will always remember the rides, squeezed between smelly arms, holding tight. I remember the people I randomly met, being a white face, being different. I will remember the tap taps (public transportation) and the chickens I shared a ride with and the banging on the side of large vehicles signaling a desire to get off. I wanted to get off, I wanted to leave the island most of the time I was there, but when the time came, when we were forced out because the government fell, when we were told we had to go, I didn't want the ride.

The Globe theatre

2009-09-15T08:20:00.007-04:00

Who: Belen and I plus my co-workers Magnus and Anna
What: An American experience at the Globe theatre. B was a bit disappointed it wasn't Shakespeare, as was I.
When: Last Friday from 7 till 10:30 (the play was long)
Why: Because Magnus got the best seats in the house and none of us had ever been.

Check out their website here

'We have it in our power to begin the world over again’
Thomas Paine's Common Sense, 1776, referenced in Barack Obama's inauguration speech, 2009.

A New World brings to life a world turned upside down by notions of freedom and liberty. American independence and French revolution, battlefields and bedrooms, prisons and printing presses are all brought to the Globe stage in this compelling story of a remarkable man.

This world premiere celebrates the life and loves of Thomas Paine with songs, music and a huge carnival spirit. The much-acclaimed writer Trevor Griffiths is best known for his landmark play Comedians and Oscar-nominated screenplay Reds.

Swaptastic!

2009-09-09T10:43:00.013-04:00

I kept calling it the wife swap even though no wives were involved, well actually maybe a few. What I meant to say was clothes swap or swishing (not a fan of this name) and I am loving this fairly new trend among my peeps in London.

Last night was the second time I went to a clothing swap at a friends house and it was BIG. My co-worker Rose and her flatmates Laurion and Anna hosted the event at their home in Clapton. The thing about Rose is that she’s got a lot of friends! Except for a friend I brought, she had a gang of twelve lovely ladies bounding into the house bearing wine and clothes that they no longer fit or wanted anymore.

The night started with a few drinks outside in the garden. Yesterday we had a freak spell of warm weather and it was lovely outside. There was a lot of laughter and excitement and everyone was super friendly. My mate and I reflected post swap how very strong/independent and intelligent each female individual seemed.

After drinks in the garden we moved to the clothing, and were there quite a lot of frocks! It was a hot mess of arms, shirts, shoes, perfume, scarfs, wine, and smiles. ‘Whose is this’ someone asked, ‘who cares,' another retorted, it’s yours now!' 'I've never been to a party like this!', Rose's friend Steph exclaimed. After awhile we all felt we were unable to really see all of the great pieces in the many piles so Rose held up items to ohhs and aahhhs and ‘I’ll take that’s’. Items we didn’t want found a place in a huge bag bound for the charity shop. We finished the night outside. Many a friend put on their new clothes, my friend Emma wore her three new flowing skirts all in one go.

I, as my mother always says, 'made out like a bandit', with two bracelets, a jacket, a few tops and even a little bottle of perfume. A clothes swap party is a great way to meet new people and get new clothes for free. I'm definitely looking forward to another.

Sunset on a Croatian Island (Hvar)

2009-08-29T09:24:00.001-04:00

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

2009-08-27T15:22:00.009-04:00

From Wikipedia:
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the biggest and the most important city in the Herzegovina region. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country. Mostar was named after "the bridge keepers" (natively: mostari) who kept the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over Neretva river.During the Ottoman era, the Old Bridge was built and became one of the symbols of Mostar. The bridge was destroyed by Croatian Defence Council units during the Bosnian-Herzegovian War, on November 9, 1993 at 10:15 am. Slobodan Praljak, the commander of the Croat forces, is on trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for ordering the destruction of the bridge, among other charges.

Visit!! Despite the fact that it's inexpensive and the bridge is worth the trip alone (locals jump of the bridge regularly), it's recent past of war and renewal is a feast for the eyes and you couldn't find a more friendlier group of people in the world. It was hot there, our hostel owner told us before we left to explore the city, 'Remember ladies, shade is your friend'.

Oh, one memorably story: We were at the mosque and Belen (the Spaniard) and Emma (whose British) decided to pay the fee to climb to the top to see the views of the town. Steph (the other American) and I decided to stay behind. The man who took the fees called over to us, 'Come here, Come here!' 'Where are you from?,' he asked 'America' we both said hesitantly, expecting the worst. 'Ok, ok,' the man said, 'you go in free, I love your President Obama and Joe Biden. We love Americans'.Nice, I've got to thank Obama for the free entry.

Croatia/Mostar trip with the ladies

2009-08-26T05:47:00.014-04:00

Three of my best mates and I flew off to Split, Croatia in the wee hours of the morning last Wednesday for fun in the sun. We arrived there to 31C (around 90 degrees) to a beautiful albeit a bit smelly city (almost as smelly as Venice) with many shiny smooth stairs to climb which I fell down on a regular basis. I still have a few cuts and bruises. After finding our guesthouse, the German/Croat proprietor told us in broken English, 'my life, my life', and Emma used what little German she knew to figure out she wanted us to wait there. Her husband (her life) came later and took us to another apartment on the other side of town where we cooled off in the AC, changed into our swimsuits to start the trip off with a dip in the sea. Later that evening we walked around the old town, strolling through little alleyways, checking out the shops and statues, finding a nice place to eat.

The next morning we took a bus to Mostar in Bosnia (a separate blog entry to follow) and then the following day another bus to Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is even more step oriented with many stray cats and an old town surrounded by a great wall. I can't imagine being wheelchair bound living in the city. We had a lovely little modern house with a nice outside space where we had breakfast and a dinner and although it was touristy, there were just a lot of people, we met a few locals and people were friendly. The second day in Dub we took a small boat to another island close by where we spent the day exploring the tides and dipping into the blue sea. In this island they had a lake called the Dead Sea where they had a rope swing which we swung off of, well my friends swung while I slept. We finished the day off with a tour of the stone walls viewing the city from above and with cocktails at sunset.

Two days after arriving to Dub we set off for some island play. Unfortunately we just couldn't get up to make the ferry so we missed the fast one to Mijet or Korkula (islands we wanted to go to) and instead had to ride on a boat for six hours, oh the pain, (just kidding!) to Hvar. The boat ride was refreshing and it was nice to people watch and see the boats passing us by. Hvar is a cool island, but a bit Ibiza-esque which really isn't my scene. We did a lot of swimming there and my friend Steph coincidentally had mates staying on the island too. We met her friends for dinner and it was such great fun. They were out there just to party and relax and to stay put on the one island (I would have gone stir crazy), but they were really funny and it was non stop chatter from all of us. In the morning B and I decided to go back to Split where our journey started. Belen and I had a nice view of all of Split where we stayed, the balcony opening up to the water and the old town. It was a home stay or hostel, a typical accommodation there. There were bands playing at a free festival in the city when we arrived. Stephanie and Emma continued the party on Hvar and didn't sleep a wink, taking the first fast ferry in the morning to get to the airport bus we all had to catch. We all made it on the plane.

We heard Croats were unfriendly and that it was expensive and the food wasn't very good. We found lots of kind people who helped us along the way. Except for a few waiters with attitude which you find anywhere, everyone was really cool. Each night we feasted on fresh fish, or oysters, fried calamari and salads, and on occasion ice cream. We drank the local lager, Karlovacko, which hit the spot when hot and in terms of funds, and their wine was better than anything I've enjoyed here in England.

I'd recommend Croatia for a visit, do it now before it gets in the European Union and their Kuna currency becomes worthless....also I'd recommend maybe April or September to beat the super hot heat and all the people, it can be a bit touristy.

A quick update before I take flight

2009-08-18T10:53:00.008-04:00

I am leaving tomorrow. I just need the sun. All of those photos on the social networking sites with all of my mates at the beach were getting me down so I just had to do the same.

It's definitely summertime in my office. Many people are off, everyone in the office as I pass them, their screen image reflects back at me with unrelated work sites; shopping for a washer, booking a flight, checking facebook. My colleague and I have been having a blog blitz and sharing our most favourite sites with each other. I've discovered some great ones which I will share with you soon. I've also just finished a good book, The Girl Who Played with Fire, one in a series of three by Stieg Larsson. I now must anxiously await the last book's translation from Swedish.

The weather's been good here though....not great, but I haven't used my umbrella so that's always a good sign.

I went with the gals to the park this weekend. I baked a cake, I watched Revolutionary Road. I cleaned my house Saturday morning which got all messy after a friend came over Saturday night and then another friend on Sunday. The Sunday night friend discovered a mouse in our kitchen (yes the saga continues, mice plague my life here, like Bill plagues Hillary's, like pesky housemates).
Also on Saturday, when the post strikes subsided and I actually received mail, I opened a letter from Transport for London. It seems I have bad luck when it comes to cars. The one time that I rent a car in London, I get two tickets...they've got camera's everywhere! One of the tickets wasn't my fault and was a misunderstanding with a congestion charge payment, the second ticket was ten minutes away from the rental car place (!!!) after I'd driven north for five hours and then back again. Since I don't have a UK license I might have to go to court (NOOOO) and pay a hefty fine (don't worry grandpa I won't go to jail). It's such a pain and so costly.

I'll stop going off on one and instead just be off, ta.

Parkside Farm picking paradise

2009-08-03T08:31:00.005-04:00

I've been quite the nature girl lately what with camping and hiking. Then this weekend my friends and I went to a farm to pick our own fruit and vegetables. With my roots steeped in farming I couldn't help but snap photos of the tractors and the strawberries growing abundantly. It was only a short twenty minute train ride away, but Parkside Farm felt far out. Upon our arrival we were given little baskets to put our berries in and started on our way.
There were a few weird people there who didn't respect the land or rules and who just ate the fruit instead of putting it in their baskets. We tried to ignore them.

We'd had a huge breakfast so just sampled a bit and picked a lot to take home. At one point Belen had to stop me because I was so excited and so into it that I was picking just to pick. I was sad the cucumbers weren't in season, but we got some nice looking greenbeans that reminded me of my grandmother. Lindsey said the green beans reminded her of hers too! It was a great bargain and a nice afternoon out.

I so wanted to jump on these bad boys....

Lindsey and I showing off our green beans.

Belen and her mutant raspberry (they were SO delicious)