Beachtastic

Over the last few weekends, Felix and I have taken day trips to some of the beaches closest to the city. On Saturday, we biked to Ocean Beach and Baker Beach and stopped at a great cafe on the way home. Being back in California, I really feel like I'm home. 'Home' is such a loose term for us, as our families are spread out all over the world, but there's something about taking walks through the park and biking to the beach that brings me back to really specific times in my childhood. The strong smell of eucalyptus takes me back to visiting my Grandpa in Irvine. Walking around the lake and sitting on his back porch. And visits to the beach bring me back to riding in the burley behind my dad's bike. Spending long days at the beach near our house in Santa Barbara. It's amazing how vivid some of my memories are and how easily triggered they are by living in California again. Here are just a few pictures from the beautiful weekend (I sure hope I'm not the only one who has memories of burleys. Those things are fantastic).

Over the Weekend

Happy Tuesday evening! I'm slowly but surely adjusting to this whole having a full-time job thing. And it really helps that I'm enjoying what I'm doing and feeling super challenged. It feels really good to leave the office at the end of the day feeling accomplished and absolutely wiped out. I'm sitting in bed at the moment doing everything in my power to keep my eyes open and finish this blog post. 

Over the weekend, we took a few long walks, went to a goodbye party, had dinner with friends in North Beach, went to the farmer's market, addressed 'wedding' invitations, did laundry, made cookies, played lots of Balut, and slept in. Yesterday was my first Monday at work and it was long and full, but I ended the day with a girl's night of guilty pleasures: the Bachelor and wine.

If I didn't love this city enough already, this last weekend with all it's simplicity and normalcy won me over all over again. Cheers San Francisco. You make me feel so at home. 

Goodnight friends!

On Board with the Holidays

Despite it being the middle of December, until today, I hadn't really been on board with the fact that the holidays are coming. But between the Christmas music playing in every cafe and store I walk into and the beautifully lit windows on every corner, there is no denying that it is the holiday season in San Francisco. 

I am excited, yes. But it's difficult to feel like I deserve to enjoy the holidays given my current situation. I know that sounds a little harsh, but usually I am so ready and worn out by the time Christmas rolls around, that I feel rewarded by the festive drinks, seasonal music, and days off from work. This year is different because, although I have been working hard to find a job, I don't feel like I've earned a 'break.' 

On another note, there has been a little 'movement' around here. I had an interview/assessment yesterday, I've been cranking on the applications, and I have a few meetings set up this week with random connections. I've felt a lot more relaxed lately - I've decided to stop stressing and just trust that something will fall into place. The more pressure I put on myself, the less happy I am. And there's just no point in being unhappy.

To stay in the spirit, I'm drinking hot tea and hanging Christmas decorations tonight. Cheers to the holiday season, and here are a few pictures from around here, if you'd like to see.

Muir Woods

We had a pretty busy weekend, which while fun, always makes the days go by so much faster.

Saturday, we played in a 4 v 4 indoor volleyball tournament. We were paired up with a really nice couple from Stanford, and ended up playing pretty well (although we didn't win). Afterwards, we went with some new friends from the tournament to get some drinks at a bar in Potrero Hill. We sat on the back patio for hours, talking and drinking, and were home and sound asleep by 10 pm. 

Sunday morning, we rented a car and spent the first half of the day in Muir woods. We took an awesome hike and learned about Coastal Redwoods which are in the same family as Giant Sequoias. We ended the day at Muir beach. I had the full intention of swimming, but by the time we got there, the sun wasn't as strong as I would have liked. So we ate our picnic on the beach and stayed bundled up in sweatshirts and blankets on the sand. We enviously watched all of the dogs running around and playing fetch in the water (We really want a dog!). I took a short nap. We ate some more. And then we left early enough to avoid traffic coming back into the city. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Cheers to a great Monday.

 

Neighborhood Envy

On Saturday, we met some friends in Sausalito for the afternoon. It was a stunning California day, and even more beautiful while enjoying drinks on the water. The sun was out but it was still pretty chilly. We sat outside under some legit heaters and ate amazing pizza at Bar Bocce. 

On Sunday, we met some new friends at Dolores Park in the Mission, and for the first time, we experienced some serious neighborhood envy. The park was packed and full of energy. We barbecued and met some really nice people. And the entrepreneurs were in full force - trying to sell everything from edibles and jello shots to miniature guitars and hula hoops. Dolores Park is such a colorful slice of San Francisco. The coolest thing about this city is that every neighborhood is so different from the next and they all have their own character. And since the city is only 7x7 miles, every neighborhood is so accessible. So while we may be a little jealous, we were happy to come home, with serious plans of visiting Dolores Park again soon.

Drake's Bay Oyster Farm

On Saturday, we spent the day at Drake's Bay with a big group of Zoosk friends. Even though I'm not a huge oyster fan (although I like them much more now), it was such a fun day full of sun, food, and drinks. We're already planning to take our family back over Thanksgiving.

We set up camp at a picnic table with a perfect view of the water. As a group, we went through 10 dozen oysters, along with burgers, sausages, beer, and wine. It was a beautiful Saturday - and we left Drake's Bay a little bit sun burnt, full, and happy.

And to top off a good day, our favorite friends from Napa (and their cute dog) came down to the city for dinner. I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Giant's Halloween

How exciting that within the first few months of living in a new city, the home team wins the World Series?! Pretty dang exciting. The city has been going crazy since Sunday. Today there was a huge parade down Market Street with the players and tons of other people associated with the team. The sidewalks were especially loony with all the Giants fans and spirited halloweeners running around.

The weather is just gloomy enough to feel perfectly Halloweeny. I have been busy with making seasonal cookies, a phone interview, a few more applications (ughhh), and laundry.

Plans for tonight are still unknown, but we have a few fun options/costume ideas. Although I wouldn't be opposed to watching scary movies and eating candy all night. While I love living in the city, part of me misses the neighborhood feeling of seeing little ones trick-or-treating all over the place.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FRIENDS! 

*photo taken from the Zoosk roof

Lately

I had a whole different blogpost planned for today, but you know how Mondays go. I lost track of the day -  I had 2 interviews, as well as follow-up on several applications, and what seemed like endless errands.

So I'm cheating and going with another 'Lately' post. I hope everyone had a happy Monday. I promise to be more on my game tomorrow. Goodnight!

Lately

Our neighborhood is fabulous. Since we've lived here, I think we've used public transportation only 3 or 4 times. It's insane how walkable this city is; I spend hours walking around every day, with no real destination. That's how I've found some of my favorite spots. Here are just a few shots I've taken lately (and a few old ones too) of Nob Hill and other parts on my trusty iPhone.