One would hope that I add something to the world- be it good, bad, or indifferent- Me
So we went to San Francisco last weekend. It was one of the best trips of my life. A little weekend getaway...not really vacation, not really travel, but amazing...
Here's a run down of events:
We were supposed to leave at 12noon. I didn't end up leaving Irvine until almost 11:40, so needless to say, I was late. We had a little time at Matt's place then we got on the road. There was a bit of traffic, but we were out of the way before rush-hour.
We drove until around 4pm, when we got to Pismo Beach. Matt's mom had recommended we try to see the butterflies, so we got off the freeway. No butterflies, but a beautiful sunset. We sat on the beach, and a wonderful woman came by taking pictures of the sunset, she snapped a few shots for us. Then back to the truck where we lit the Shabbat candles.
Back on the freeway it rained a bit, but we pulled off the road in Paso Robles for dinner. A tad bit of a hard time finding a place, but we managed to find the historic old town and had Italian. Not fabulous, but it was cute and a nice little town. We got back on the road and Matt drove while I napped.
My GPS was out of batteries, so we called the hostel to make it there. By 11pm we had checked in. We read a little, had some tea and settled in to bed.
The next morning we awoke slowly, had some time, and then walked over to the museum. There was a long line, but we both got 10am tickets and saw the Afghanistan exhibit. It was AMAZING! If you have the chance to see it, you really must. Matt bought me some earrings, and I made us take cute photos.
Then it was back to the hotel to drop off our purchases, Pho lunch in little Saigon, and hopping on the F Streetcar to the Warf. There was a protest, so we had to switch to a bus, but we made it to the ward by 2. We wandered, had some Boudin bread and tea, did some shopping, saw the seals, etc. We tried to make reservations for Zuni Cafe, but no luck.
Then the Alcatraz tour. It was AMAZING. I'd always wanted to go, and we got the sunset tour. It was really cloudy all day but we stepped on the boat and the sun came out... amazing.
The tour is really graphic, but if you go at night they do a bunch of specialty things while you're there. We got to hear the doors slamming, totally scary. We decide we should try to get to Zuni, even if they said it's an hour wait. So we hop on the F. It's FREE! totally great.
It's a cute little ride and we take pictures. Then we get off and get to the Zuni cafe. We walk in and the bar is overflowing with people waiting. However, there's a 2-person table in the cafe. We are seated immediately.
We spend the next 3 hours eating, drinking and chatting. A little people watching and wonderful food. We ordered the special chicken, and it rocks.
Then we walk back to the hostel. At this point we really know we're in the tenderloin because we're surrounded by hookers and sleazy men. But we make it home safe, and I fall asleep while Matt reads. I drift off on top of the covers and Matt helps me get settled in.
The next morning we take it leisurely. We walk to Chinatown where there is a fair going on for Tet, the year of the Ox. Lots of people, lots of things to look at, lots of fun.
We do a tea tasting, buy some flowers for the office, and I buy a gift for my wonderful boss who let me leave work on Friday. Then lunch at Nan King.
AMAZING! the first Chinese food I've ever liked.
We hike it back to the car and are on our way by 1:30pm. We drive straight through was a few pit stops for gas, bathroom and split pea soup. Then we get home by 8pm. We eat dinner, watch a movie, and the best part of all is that we're not sick of each other. We want to curl up in bed and stay together.
That was a awesome trip.
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Off to San Francisco...
One would hope that I add something to the world- be it good, bad, or indifferent- Me
So M@ and I are headed to San Fran tomorrow. Before I go though, here's a list of things I'm doing:
-----------~~~~~~~~~~~-------------~~~~~~~~~~~---------
Music Rights for Bacchae, specifically trying to find Iwamoto Yoshikazu and the Spiritual Chants of Native America.
Music Rights for Book of Tink, including Moby and two songs by Verve Forecast.
Set-up chairs and tables for the Academy of Lifelong Learning 12th Night presentation.
Pack for the trip
Try to make dinner for my parents
Find out why Arrowhead water has stopped delivering water to my office
Find out why an HVPO for lighting didn't go through so we can get our lighting package on Monday.
-----------~~~~~~~~~~---------------~~~~~~~~~-----------
But let's get back to the point... San Francisco. I am SO excited about this trip. I've been trying to to arrange a trip for M@ and I since we went to San Diego. What a weird trip that was. I wanted to write disaster, but that's not really true. The trip was fun, the places we went were great. The argueing, not so much. It was at the end of our relationship, and San Diego just solidified what we already knew.
With San Francisco we've got lots of plans. We've got, what I think, is a great hotel room. We've got plans for a museum, an alcatraz tour, and dinner in Chinatown.
I'm psyched. And I'm psyched that it's all going towork out wonderfully. And, more important, if it doesn't then I'm not really worried about it. I know we'll enjoy a good time.
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So M@ and I are headed to San Fran tomorrow. Before I go though, here's a list of things I'm doing:
-----------~~~~~~~~~~~-------------~~~~~~~~~~~---------
Music Rights for Bacchae, specifically trying to find Iwamoto Yoshikazu and the Spiritual Chants of Native America.
Music Rights for Book of Tink, including Moby and two songs by Verve Forecast.
Set-up chairs and tables for the Academy of Lifelong Learning 12th Night presentation.
Pack for the trip
Try to make dinner for my parents
Find out why Arrowhead water has stopped delivering water to my office
Find out why an HVPO for lighting didn't go through so we can get our lighting package on Monday.
-----------~~~~~~~~~~---------------~~~~~~~~~-----------
But let's get back to the point... San Francisco. I am SO excited about this trip. I've been trying to to arrange a trip for M@ and I since we went to San Diego. What a weird trip that was. I wanted to write disaster, but that's not really true. The trip was fun, the places we went were great. The argueing, not so much. It was at the end of our relationship, and San Diego just solidified what we already knew.
With San Francisco we've got lots of plans. We've got, what I think, is a great hotel room. We've got plans for a museum, an alcatraz tour, and dinner in Chinatown.
I'm psyched. And I'm psyched that it's all going towork out wonderfully. And, more important, if it doesn't then I'm not really worried about it. I know we'll enjoy a good time.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Does anyone have a knife with which to cut the tension?
One would hope that I add something to the world- be it good, bad, or indifferent- Me
I've tried really hard, but apparently the plastic throw-away knives just aren't enough...
Things here are starting to get just the slightest bit desperate. I didn't realize how much a bad economy would effect a public institution, but let me tell you, it sucks! Just yesterday the Acting Dean sent out a notice letting everyone know that they would be halting construction on the new building. The pride and joy of CTSA, and now it will just be a constant heartache every time I need to go to the Claire Trevor Stage. I really wish/hope/dream/pray that there will be an overload of donors rushing around to support this new building. It's just sad to know that because our building is supposed to be funded with state money, we can't fund it at all...
Additionally the reality around here is starting to be realized that we are going to be making some more hard adjustments before we are able to be through this... that staff are the 'bottom' rung of the neccessities. Perhaps just a step higher than contract employees. All my dreams of moving back out of my parents house are certainly on hold. Though, as M@ put it yesterday, I could just end up in the situation that with no job I would be 'forced' to move in with him. Think of the disaster **wink**.
On another note I think that all of my loyal readers should be thrilled right now. That's right people, two posts in ONE WEEK! Shock!
I'm going to try to get back into a regular weekly feature. I've been making lots of new recipies, so maybe I'll feature one of those... I've been working out A LOT and trying to lose a bit of weight, so maybe I'll do a progress update. My sister is also getting married so a weekly 'why weddings stink' article might not be to much of a stretch.
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions on how much you DON'T want to hear about my sisters wedding? Speak now, Internet, or hold your tongue.
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I've tried really hard, but apparently the plastic throw-away knives just aren't enough...
Things here are starting to get just the slightest bit desperate. I didn't realize how much a bad economy would effect a public institution, but let me tell you, it sucks! Just yesterday the Acting Dean sent out a notice letting everyone know that they would be halting construction on the new building. The pride and joy of CTSA, and now it will just be a constant heartache every time I need to go to the Claire Trevor Stage. I really wish/hope/dream/pray that there will be an overload of donors rushing around to support this new building. It's just sad to know that because our building is supposed to be funded with state money, we can't fund it at all...
Additionally the reality around here is starting to be realized that we are going to be making some more hard adjustments before we are able to be through this... that staff are the 'bottom' rung of the neccessities. Perhaps just a step higher than contract employees. All my dreams of moving back out of my parents house are certainly on hold. Though, as M@ put it yesterday, I could just end up in the situation that with no job I would be 'forced' to move in with him. Think of the disaster **wink**.
On another note I think that all of my loyal readers should be thrilled right now. That's right people, two posts in ONE WEEK! Shock!
I'm going to try to get back into a regular weekly feature. I've been making lots of new recipies, so maybe I'll feature one of those... I've been working out A LOT and trying to lose a bit of weight, so maybe I'll do a progress update. My sister is also getting married so a weekly 'why weddings stink' article might not be to much of a stretch.
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions on how much you DON'T want to hear about my sisters wedding? Speak now, Internet, or hold your tongue.
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Monday, January 12, 2009
What a weekend
One would hope that I add something to the world- be it good, bad, or indifferent- Me
I want to start off this post by saying how wonderful the weekend was. To describe the happiness at reading a book outside on the beach, that I didn't take a nose-dive on my roller skates, and that my parents loved the Hockey game was saw. That the Ducks and the Steelers won, and that the game played at Nikki's house was delightful. Even with all this good, I can't help but want to recall the bad.
Sometime on Thursday evening, the world sort of feel apart. I discussed things with Matthew, and no matter what the responses were, I was annoyed by them. Annoyed to the degree that I spent over 30 minutes searching the house for chocolate, having to settle on Chocolate pudding (of the sugar-free fat-free variety which does very little to actually solve a chocolate crisis). I proceeded to argue loudly and determinedly with my father and generally went to bed angry. Following that I got up angry. I went about my day fairly angry. Though I'm sure my colleagues couldn't really tell nonetheless I know that I was angry. I dejected the fairly straightforward healthy eating I had been doing so great at. I rejected any attempts my own psyche made to correct the attitudinal problem.
Then Matthew called again. He, of course, had no idea I spent the bulk of the day angry and pissed off. He had no idea that I felt that it was mostly his fault. We proceeded to attempt to resolve the problems we were discussing the night before, to little or no avail. Remembering my lunch conversations that day I even tried out a tip from Ron... but to no avail. My anger continued to boil and fester and grow. I tried to remain calm, to talk rationally. Every attempt was rebuffed with anger from the other side, or from an accusation that I was 'yelling.' Still, I got in the car to attempt to go to a friends house. To enjoy the Friday evening we had planned, and to resolve our issues. It turned from two very minor unimportant, and really solved problems, to a discussion about our personal communication. Without going to much into the abrasive car ride, by the time I hit the 22 I had absolutely exploded.
When I say exploded, I mean that in a very specific way. I yelled, to the point that today, three days later, my throat is still hoarse. I cried, to the point that I almost caused several high-speed collisions. At the end of it all, I don't think we resolved anything.
How much of this crap is really important? How weird is it that once I got there the hug made it all better and the evening and the rest of the weekend was brilliant, but that I still care about what happened on Friday night? What issues are important enough to know that you can not get through them? To know that attempts at a really long-term thing will be able to overcome?
well, on a more timely note, I'm supposed to go to lunch with Marshal. Here goes nothing....
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I want to start off this post by saying how wonderful the weekend was. To describe the happiness at reading a book outside on the beach, that I didn't take a nose-dive on my roller skates, and that my parents loved the Hockey game was saw. That the Ducks and the Steelers won, and that the game played at Nikki's house was delightful. Even with all this good, I can't help but want to recall the bad.
Sometime on Thursday evening, the world sort of feel apart. I discussed things with Matthew, and no matter what the responses were, I was annoyed by them. Annoyed to the degree that I spent over 30 minutes searching the house for chocolate, having to settle on Chocolate pudding (of the sugar-free fat-free variety which does very little to actually solve a chocolate crisis). I proceeded to argue loudly and determinedly with my father and generally went to bed angry. Following that I got up angry. I went about my day fairly angry. Though I'm sure my colleagues couldn't really tell nonetheless I know that I was angry. I dejected the fairly straightforward healthy eating I had been doing so great at. I rejected any attempts my own psyche made to correct the attitudinal problem.
Then Matthew called again. He, of course, had no idea I spent the bulk of the day angry and pissed off. He had no idea that I felt that it was mostly his fault. We proceeded to attempt to resolve the problems we were discussing the night before, to little or no avail. Remembering my lunch conversations that day I even tried out a tip from Ron... but to no avail. My anger continued to boil and fester and grow. I tried to remain calm, to talk rationally. Every attempt was rebuffed with anger from the other side, or from an accusation that I was 'yelling.' Still, I got in the car to attempt to go to a friends house. To enjoy the Friday evening we had planned, and to resolve our issues. It turned from two very minor unimportant, and really solved problems, to a discussion about our personal communication. Without going to much into the abrasive car ride, by the time I hit the 22 I had absolutely exploded.
When I say exploded, I mean that in a very specific way. I yelled, to the point that today, three days later, my throat is still hoarse. I cried, to the point that I almost caused several high-speed collisions. At the end of it all, I don't think we resolved anything.
How much of this crap is really important? How weird is it that once I got there the hug made it all better and the evening and the rest of the weekend was brilliant, but that I still care about what happened on Friday night? What issues are important enough to know that you can not get through them? To know that attempts at a really long-term thing will be able to overcome?
well, on a more timely note, I'm supposed to go to lunch with Marshal. Here goes nothing....
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Thursday, January 8, 2009
A career path
One would hope that I add something to the world- be it good, bad, or indifferent- Me
I've been starting to think a little more 'long-term' about my career path. This conversation has gone through oh so many twists and turns through the years. When I was younger I was quite positive that I would work for a few years, then spend the rest of my life tending my home and my children. Through high school I even went so far as to avoid work until I graduated. I adopted the mantra 'I'm going to work for the rest of my life, why start now'.
Then I was quite positive that I wouldn't even really do that. I was positive of this even as I spent $40 thousand dollars a year on a college education... hmm... Then, I started working. I loved it, I love everything about it. Yes, as with everyone else, there are days when I would rather be in bed or on vacation. I get that twinge of interesting regret that says that I should just live on a boat and travel the world, but the reality is that I love coming into an office. I love the people, the problem solving, and knowing that I have goals set.
Well, now that I know I love it, the question is where to go. I applied and was accepted to a fantastic master's program at USC; post-secondary education and student affairs. Then life changed and I don't really think that's an option anymore. I'm still thinking that I want to be in a college though. I'm wondering what my next move is if I want to be a teacher, if I want to be a housefellow (dorm staff member) or if I want to become President of a University. Do I need to be a teacher? Can I transition from APM to PM to Teacher?
What about being in administration? How do you become the Assistant Dean, or Head of anything? Can I walk into a Career counselor and say I want to be a chancellor, just like someone can say they want to be a doctor or a lawyer?
On another career path note, can you get a promotion without an increase in salary? Is it still called a promotion? The Oxford English Dictionary doesn't make any mention of mandatory monetary compensation; but my Dad seems to think that it MUST come with $.
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I've been starting to think a little more 'long-term' about my career path. This conversation has gone through oh so many twists and turns through the years. When I was younger I was quite positive that I would work for a few years, then spend the rest of my life tending my home and my children. Through high school I even went so far as to avoid work until I graduated. I adopted the mantra 'I'm going to work for the rest of my life, why start now'.
Then I was quite positive that I wouldn't even really do that. I was positive of this even as I spent $40 thousand dollars a year on a college education... hmm... Then, I started working. I loved it, I love everything about it. Yes, as with everyone else, there are days when I would rather be in bed or on vacation. I get that twinge of interesting regret that says that I should just live on a boat and travel the world, but the reality is that I love coming into an office. I love the people, the problem solving, and knowing that I have goals set.
Well, now that I know I love it, the question is where to go. I applied and was accepted to a fantastic master's program at USC; post-secondary education and student affairs. Then life changed and I don't really think that's an option anymore. I'm still thinking that I want to be in a college though. I'm wondering what my next move is if I want to be a teacher, if I want to be a housefellow (dorm staff member) or if I want to become President of a University. Do I need to be a teacher? Can I transition from APM to PM to Teacher?
What about being in administration? How do you become the Assistant Dean, or Head of anything? Can I walk into a Career counselor and say I want to be a chancellor, just like someone can say they want to be a doctor or a lawyer?
On another career path note, can you get a promotion without an increase in salary? Is it still called a promotion? The Oxford English Dictionary doesn't make any mention of mandatory monetary compensation; but my Dad seems to think that it MUST come with $.
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Monday, January 5, 2009
3 months sure went fast
One would hope that I add something to the world- be it good, bad, or indifferent- Me
Who would believe that just three short months ago I was just starting with UCI. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by, and how much I've learned. I know you learn a lot whenever you start somewhere new, I just can't describe how happy I am to be learning here.
On other notes, I'm trying to plan dates throughout the rest of the school year. Working occasional weekends has meant that I've needed to be extra diligent in trying to plan weekend getaways. I'm happy to report that m@ and I are taking our first little road-trip this month. I'm sure I annoy the hell out of him, but I'm just so excited. Road-trips are one of those things that I think are really fun, and traveling is something I think that M@ and I should really do more of together. It's something we both love, so why not love it together.
Let's see...what else. I've been scrapbooking a lot and reading a lot. I got myself a few great books, and I also got a few for the holidays. I'm looking forward to trying some of the wines in my 100 greatest wines book, and recipes from Miriam's kitchen. I've also invested in a library card so I can keep reading interesting things.
I'm trying really hard to integrate important spiritual readings into part of my Saturdays. I haven't found a temple yet, so I'm going to try to observe the Shabbat with a reading habit. I figure I start with Torah portions and end up with biographies and historical fiction. Anything that teaches me something new, right?
Do you believe in New Year's Resolutions? I can't decide. Part of me totally wants to make some, and then keep them and prove how cool I am. The other part of me realizes that I don't need a New Year to make changes, and that somehow doing them over the new years makes them somewhat more likely for failure. Hmm....
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Who would believe that just three short months ago I was just starting with UCI. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by, and how much I've learned. I know you learn a lot whenever you start somewhere new, I just can't describe how happy I am to be learning here.
On other notes, I'm trying to plan dates throughout the rest of the school year. Working occasional weekends has meant that I've needed to be extra diligent in trying to plan weekend getaways. I'm happy to report that m@ and I are taking our first little road-trip this month. I'm sure I annoy the hell out of him, but I'm just so excited. Road-trips are one of those things that I think are really fun, and traveling is something I think that M@ and I should really do more of together. It's something we both love, so why not love it together.
Let's see...what else. I've been scrapbooking a lot and reading a lot. I got myself a few great books, and I also got a few for the holidays. I'm looking forward to trying some of the wines in my 100 greatest wines book, and recipes from Miriam's kitchen. I've also invested in a library card so I can keep reading interesting things.
I'm trying really hard to integrate important spiritual readings into part of my Saturdays. I haven't found a temple yet, so I'm going to try to observe the Shabbat with a reading habit. I figure I start with Torah portions and end up with biographies and historical fiction. Anything that teaches me something new, right?
Do you believe in New Year's Resolutions? I can't decide. Part of me totally wants to make some, and then keep them and prove how cool I am. The other part of me realizes that I don't need a New Year to make changes, and that somehow doing them over the new years makes them somewhat more likely for failure. Hmm....
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Friday, January 2, 2009
And introducing 2009...
One would hope that I add something to the world- be it good, bad, or indifferent- Me
I think it started a tad bit auspiciously, with a foggy night as a bookend to the new year transition. I can't help but wonder if the cover of fog allowed a slightly sinister year to begin... or am I attributing far to much to a few foggy nights just a few miles from the ocean?
Either way the holidays have been good to me. I was lucky enough to be able to take some time off of work, and to spend most of the time either celebrating with family or with Matthew in Manhattan Beach. Both activities made me very happy. I was thrilled with celebrating Christmas with his family for the first time. It seems so odd that it's been years of being together, and yet our first Christmas and Chanukah celebrations. I was shocked by the present load related to Christmas, honestly, it was all a bit much.
I have been reading Eat, Pray, Love and I can't tell you how excited this book has me. I was considering offering it to another friend I know wanted to read it when I was finished, but I think that I should hang on it, keep it around for a little pick me up when I need it most.
Sometimes it's hard for me to have the spiritual conversations I want to. Sometimes I have a yearning for a deeper understanding of G-d, and for someone to discuss these revelations with. However, I haven't found anyone. Those in my life I used to connect with have been recently unable to process these thoughts, and I'm still looking for a spiritual teacher. Those who have read the book will know that she has a Guru. No, that's not what I'm looking for. Really I want a Rabbi or a Rebbitzin who I can connect with, who I can truly engage with to discuss the truths of my life, and how I connect with G-d.
I brought Molly up to visit with Matthew and I in Manhattan Beach. I'm pleased to say that she is doing wonderfully. It was so nice to have her there all week, and I didn't even really mind it when she meowed at the door. (Matt decided he didn't want her in the bedroom).
Okay, I guess that's it for now...
I wish everyone a happy, healthy and rewarding 2009.
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I think it started a tad bit auspiciously, with a foggy night as a bookend to the new year transition. I can't help but wonder if the cover of fog allowed a slightly sinister year to begin... or am I attributing far to much to a few foggy nights just a few miles from the ocean?
Either way the holidays have been good to me. I was lucky enough to be able to take some time off of work, and to spend most of the time either celebrating with family or with Matthew in Manhattan Beach. Both activities made me very happy. I was thrilled with celebrating Christmas with his family for the first time. It seems so odd that it's been years of being together, and yet our first Christmas and Chanukah celebrations. I was shocked by the present load related to Christmas, honestly, it was all a bit much.
I have been reading Eat, Pray, Love and I can't tell you how excited this book has me. I was considering offering it to another friend I know wanted to read it when I was finished, but I think that I should hang on it, keep it around for a little pick me up when I need it most.
Sometimes it's hard for me to have the spiritual conversations I want to. Sometimes I have a yearning for a deeper understanding of G-d, and for someone to discuss these revelations with. However, I haven't found anyone. Those in my life I used to connect with have been recently unable to process these thoughts, and I'm still looking for a spiritual teacher. Those who have read the book will know that she has a Guru. No, that's not what I'm looking for. Really I want a Rabbi or a Rebbitzin who I can connect with, who I can truly engage with to discuss the truths of my life, and how I connect with G-d.
I brought Molly up to visit with Matthew and I in Manhattan Beach. I'm pleased to say that she is doing wonderfully. It was so nice to have her there all week, and I didn't even really mind it when she meowed at the door. (Matt decided he didn't want her in the bedroom).
Okay, I guess that's it for now...
I wish everyone a happy, healthy and rewarding 2009.
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