Means I need to be traveling more!! I have some trips coming up so I will make sure to update here. I also need to update my computer's OS so I can upload pictures. My MacBook is probably ancient in the eyes of some Apple fanboys... Time to backup my computer and pictures and get this baby updated!
San Francisco to Burbank
About a month ago, Sean and I were to fly down to Burbank and see my best friends Erin and Jessica. Well, San Francisco’s weather decided to rain and be windy for multiple days in a row, and of course our departure day was right in the middle of that. Our flight was first delayed until the afternoon which was acceptable... and then they decided to delay it for TWO days. Well, that wasn't going to work since it was only a weekend trip to begin with. I still wanted to make it down to Burbank since this was a rare chance to see them both, so we decided to rent a car and drive down there. Why not?! We took Highway 1 because the views are supposed to be gorgeous and spectacular, but all that rain I had mentioned decided to follow us the whole drive down so the view was very foggy. There was one break in the weather and we made a stop then to see the coast line.
Around 9 p.m. we finally made it to Burbank, just in time for a bbq and board games. Phew, that was a lot of driving.
One day and evening we went to Santa Monica and the weather there didn't cooperate too well either. It was super windy and cold. So much for the SoCal hot weather that they had the week prior and post to us visiting. Humph.
Part of Shore Hotel
The next day, Santa Monica was the finishing line for the LA Marathon so we decided to rent bicycles and ride down the boardwalk. I rode my first tandem bike with Sean. That took some getting used to, but once so, it was fun to ride. Aside from the sand storm it felt we were stuck in on the ride back, the day was good.
The trip went by so much quicker since we had to allot driving time, but still worth it. On the drive back we took Highway 1 again, but most of the drive it was dark since we left Burbank late afternoon. We did get to see the sunset though from the beach!
The 700+ miles were worth it though. Seeing my best friends and having them meet my boyfriend is priceless.
Cancun, Mexico
Sean and I went to Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico at the end of January for a vacation. We were gifted the room so how could we pass up this opportunity for a tropical vacation. We were there for a week and it was wonderful. Since we stayed at an all-inclusive resort, we didn't need to worry about much and were able to truly relax.
While we spent most of our time at the beach and walking around the resort, we did leave the resort area twice. One day we visited Chichen Itza (one of the new Seven Wonders of the World) and another day we went to Cancun proper.
Chichen Itza was an all day tour outing. It was a two hour drive to and from the resort. The Mayan ruins were amazing to see and to learn about all the numbers and their correlation with the how the ruins were built. The perimeter of the ruins are lined with local vendors trying to sell their woodworks, shirts, nick-knacks and everything between. Our guide said when TV stations or anyone who is filming come to the ruins, these vendors disperse to give Chichen Itza the "sacred" and serene appeal. Here's a good article about this and the battle between its ownership dispute. It is amazing to say I have visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but the perimeter lined vendors definitely distracts from its beauty and architecture.
Since we were located south of Cancun, we decided to visit the hotel zone for a few hours. Oy, were we pleased that we stayed outside of the hotel zone. Sean and I are more of the rugged, off the beaten path travelers, so being in this small area jam packed with hotels and people made us realize this even more. The beach was quite beautiful though.
All in all, it was a great vacation. We are planning our next vacation and this could include a road-trip, Europe countries and backpacking.
Public Transportation
I rely on San Fran's public transportation as my main mode of transportation. I find it very easy to navigate and gets me to most places I need to go. Only downside is when I want to leave the city to someplace that isn't on BART... or playing soccer out at Crocker Amazon soccer fields. I haven't had any negative experience on public trans. yet, just many interesting moments and great people watching.
San Fran from the plane
I flew home to Seattle for Thanksgiving and surprise, surprise was welcomed with rain and very cold weather. Since being in SF I have really become a wimp with the weather. It has practically been sunny majority of the days I have lived here since June and maybe rained three (okay, maybe 7) days. When I was flying back to San Fran, I took these 3 pictures with my iPhone and I love them. Just wanted to share! Edited with Instagram
Point Reyes Backpacking
October, 2011 I had been dying to go camping, let alone backpacking. Living in Bellingham, WA during college and a few years after really defined my love for the outdoors. Once I became settled in San Francisco, I was getting antsy to leave the city and go explore. The great thing about Northern California is that we're surrounded by mountains, hiking trails and nature that are not only in our backyards, but also a short drive away. It was time to escape the city.
Sean hadn't been backpacking before so this was a great opportunity for an introduction trip, as the hikes aren't too strenuous. Point Reyes National Seashore has 5 walk-in only campsites and we chose the Wildcat Camp site, following the Coast Trail from the Palomarin Trailhead. The hike followed the coast for a few miles, then cut into the forest, to emerge back along the water, leading us to the campsites on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Not too shabby of a hike for the rookie Sean. He wasn't even too fond of hiking when I met him, but now he can't get enough. Bonus points in my book!
I had just received my new tent in the mail so I was amped to try it out. It worked prefectly and was nice and cozy. The day we arrived, we walked to the Alamere Falls along the beach where we saw two seals up close and took some goofy pictures by the Falls (re: my About page). For dinner we enjoyed cous cous with Chicken of the Sea. We also kept it classy with a few vodka sodas for rehydration.
It was so peaceful by the ocean and feeling so far from the city, but really only being an hour away. As much as I love the city, I need my weekends of escapes and reconnecting with nature.
Updates
i'm still alive! i forget about this blog and then i remember and then i don't feel like writing. but here i am now! these past few weeks i can tell i am not fully happy. i am trying to love this city, but i don't know if it's quite cutting it for me. i was able to go to tahoe and go camping over labor day and i loved it. i think i need more nature around me. i was spoiled by Bellingham. i have also been missing a certain someone. i would really like to meet some friends that escape the city on the weekends and explore the areas outside of the city. hmmm.... i am also in a friend lull. i haven't met anyone new for a while and i am trying to think of ways to meet more people.
in october i am going to try for Germany again. i'm going to give it one more try. hoping for the best!
today i found a few running races to sign up for, including a half-marathon in Calistoga. where's my running buddies?!
this is mumbled jumbled. i am going to a workout class soon and then have soccer tonight.
i am going to focus on making myself truly happy and lifting my spirits.
iPhone
>So I upgraded to the iPhone...
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| Stinson Beach |
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| Water sports galore - sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking |
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| 4th of July - Giants game |
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| Public transportation |
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| One of the many fields I play soccer. They all have amazing views |
Friends
>Why have I been slacking on calling friends? I think because I DON'T want to miss home and what I am comfortable with. I am trying to establish my self here. And, after talking to customers for 8 hours/ day, talking on the phone is something I usually don't want to do right away. This needs to change though. My friends will always be there for me and I need to reciprocate the feeling.
Almost a month update
Two weeks down and I'm still alive in SF! I made it safely and without any issues. Once I got off the BART I had to catch a taxi to Mardi's... I wasn't about to drag my 50+lb bag up the huge hill. I never took a taxi when living in Bellingham, so it's a new concept to me. It seemed they were all going the opposite direction I needed them to. I finally hailed one and up the hill I went.
I started work on that Wednesday and so far it's been going well. This store is a lot busier than my Bellingham one, which I am liking. The days go by fast and before I know it, I'm off!
I went to Sunriver, OR with all the family this past week. My mom and siblings, Aunts and Cousins and Nana and Bob were there. I have memories about Sunriver starting when I was a wee one, so being able to spend time with all the family in Sunriver is extra special to us all. I drove with Mardi there and then had to cut my time short and fly back on Thursdays because I had to work this past weekend.
As I am slowly adjusting to my new life, I have...
-Used MeetUp.Org to meet some friends
-Joined a few soccer teams (soccer is huge in SF and this will probably be one of the best ways to meet people. I am so happy I got back into playing in B-ham)
-Attended Pride Festival (not something to miss!)
-Slowly mastering the public transportation system
-Enjoyed sunshine every day
-Walked home from work after every shift
People ask me my thoughts about SF and of course I am liking it, but I haven't been here long enough to really have an opinion. Of course it's hard to leave my friends and everything I am comfortable with and move to a big city where I don't know anyone... but you know what, I survived living in DC (with many situational similarities) and I did just fine. I don't doubt myself and I just need to keep thinking positive. It's not going to all fall in place within the first month.
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| my first lunch - veggie burrito and sangria. Fillmore Street |
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| view from Buena Vista Terrace |
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| my silly family |
Goodbye Bellingham...
>... hello new city! (well Federal Way til Monday and then San Fran)
Today I left Bellingham for my final time. My last day in Bellingham consisted of walking downtown and getting coffee, seeing Jake and Winny and saying goodbye to Matt's place.
This isn't goodbye forever - I hope they (along with other friends) will visit me and we'll be in touch via phone, skype and snail mail.
Time to enjoy two more days in Washington, which it's supposed to be super nice, and re-pack my clothes.
Oregon Coast
>This past Memorial Day weekend Matt and I took a road trip to Cannon Beach and Portland as a last hurrah before my move. The weather held out for us while at Cannon Beach and then was overcast the rest of the trip. We didn't need sunshine to explore Portland though.
We stopped in Seaside for a beer and some taffy. Cannon Beach was at first consumed by finding a place to stay - beach camping isn't legal and could lead to a ticket. Mis-planning on my part. At 10pm we found a campground with a few open spots (thank goodness!) In Portland we walked all around and visited some breweries. We planned better for Portland - we had a place to stay. Rounded off the trip with a visit to the Federal Way to see family and then Stanwood for a BBQ. 705 miles later, we were home.
Timeline
>
- Friday, May 27th is my last day at my store
- Oregon beach camping through Monday
- Spend a few more days in Bellingham and then head home
- One-way ticket to SFO, leaving sometime between June 3rd and 5th. I have yet to decide exact day I am leaving
- June 8th - first day in new store!
I'm very excited for all this. It's still quite surreal, but once I buy my plane ticket I think it will set in more. The store I am transferring to seems to have a great manager and is quite busy. Don't think I'll be bored. The SM also has no problems giving hours, so hopefully I'll be in the 40hr/wk range. Moving to an expensive city=needing more money.
Now if I could just sell my car and the last few items I don't need, I would be less worried. Send good selling vibes.
Updates!
>
- I didn't get accepted to Germany. Don't know if it was a case of too many applicants or didn't have enough qualifications. It was a generic declined e-mail, so I'm not quite sure.
- But... not going to Germany is allowing me to move to San Francisco! I just got word today that I have found a Starbucks to transfer to and I am shooting for moving in the beginning of June.
- Memorial Day weekend will probably be my last in Bellingham. What?! That's not very far away.
- So much to do now... time to make a list!
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| my new view come June |
Still waiting...
>Haven't heard back yet, but today we officially moved out of our house and I will be bringing all my stuff down to Federal Way tomorrow. Then I really will be living out of a suitcase. This still all baffles me and at times makes me question my decisions, but I'm taking it with a grain of salt and going to enjoy it. Now only if I could know what my next destination will be. (Maybe if I write about it enough, it'll happen)
So exhausted from moving. One more moving trip and then I will be completely done. A massage sounds so nice right about now.
Waiting
>When will I hear back about my interview? Will they call me or e-mail me to let me know?
Once I hear... then what? So many things running through my head about this. Will I be devastated if I don't get it? Yes, but I have other opportunities in mind that I would be ok with... but they just aren't the same. Back to positive thinking - why WOULDN'T they take me? :)
Packing
>Packing is one of my least favorite things. Even though Aly is all moved out now, I don't even know where to begin. I don't have motivation to pack, but then I do because I don't like the clutter and mess. Hmph. I also have the task of really going through my stuff and deciding what is important and what is not. Moving away for 13+ months and keeping silly items just doesn't make sense. Wonder what I will come home to and say to myself, "Why did I keep this?" Also, I need to make my "homeless" time easy and not have lots and lots of excess boxes to move.
I have sold most of my furniture - just have my dresser left to sell. Tip about Craigslist-- price high! Doesn't hurt to try. You can always re-post at a lower price.
3 years later...
>I'm back! I will either be in Germany or San Francisco sometime in April. Right now life is in a large uncertainty area and everything is quite surreal. I'm selling my furniture, trying to reduce my belongings and not having a home after the 14th... who am I? I've never not had a place to go once a lease ends, but this time around I am just going for it. I will become a pro couch surfer.
Here's to a week of packing, working and trying not to stress too much. Thinking positive thoughts until I hear "ja" or "nein" to Germany.
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| Next flight destination is...?? |
Hawaii
I finally was able to visit my Aunt and Cousins in Oahu. My family had been before, but I was never able to join because of school or work. I went for a week in April and it was beautiful. My aunt lives in the town Kailua, which is on the opposite side of the island from Honolulu. They are on the windward side, so the mornings were usually drizzly and grey and then the sun would break through and shine throughout the day. This trip was originally going to be a “rent a VW Vanagan and tour the Big Island” trip, but the friends who would have been joining had scheduling issues and couldn’t join. So I figured, why not visit my aunt?!
Instead of a Vanagan, we rented a car and spent the week exploring the island. Places we visited included Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, Turtle Bay Resort, Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. We also hiked Diamond Head, saw amazing views from the Lanikai Pillboxes, and drove from Kailua to Kaena Point and along the North Shore.
The second day we were in Hawaii we decided to explore Honolulu and see Waikiki beach. Before going into the city, we hiked Diamond Head. This was an easy hike with great views. Having never visited Oahu, it was impressive to see all the buildings and hotels that make up Honolulu with the turquoise water and beach sharing a shoreline. It also offered panoramic views of parts of the Island and coast. Beautiful!
Another day we decided to drive part of the Island and see the infamous North Shore. Our first destination was Kaena Point, which is the westernmost tip of land of Oahu. We didn’t end up hiking to the end, but we drove out as far as the road would go. The beaches there were rockier, but just as beautiful. We also saw many people kite boarding because the water is pretty shallow and conducive for successful boarding.
After seeing the kite boarders, we continued along to the North Shore. Construction was happening so there was a lot of traffic, which put a slight damper on the drive. There was no driving up and down the coast to find theperfect part of beach. We didn’t see any surfers, which the North Shore is famous for, but we were able to enjoy yet another beautiful beach. Once we soaked in the sun, we continued along the coast and headed home. Phew, what a day!
Renting a car was definitely the way to go. We were able to explore the whole island on one tank of gas, score!
I enjoyed the Northeast side of the Island a lot more, as it’s more remote and not as touristy. The scenery is beautiful, the water is turquoise and clear for as far as you can see and the beaches are not crowded (visit the Lanikai Pillboxes to see all these).
view from Lanikai Pillboxes
Here's to you DC
This is my last blog post in DC... my plane leaves in a few hours and it has yet to hit me that I am leaving, and not coming back. I had a great last night and topped of my time here. I'll continue to blog, since I still have Sunriver and San Francisco adventures to come. I'll write more later.
Do I really have to leave?