Particularly bizarre sign...


xoxo

Oh yea....

A real bed is a thing of beauty.  And a bed/lounger/sofa is even better!  And building it myself is the best.  As Mom said today, "You learn something from everything, if you're lucky".  Obscure directions and small parts don't intimidate me one bit!

"No, seriously.  Pet me and forget about the bed"

From this and pieces....

 To this (lounger/sofa)

And this!  My new bed!

xoxo

Berkeley Marina

Have ocean, will smile....

City and water

Golden Gate

San Francisco in the distance

xoxo

California!

Sorry: didn't have internet and have been so busy lately.  I finally have a minute to do a photo update!

I made it into Oakland 2 weeks ago and am working at a nursing home here.  Thus far I really like the Bay Area and might just stay for a bit.

My farewell Arizona sky

 Our new digs.  We both stretched a lot when we got here after our 12 hour car ride!

 This building is super-secure and has a gym, pool, outdoor grills, theater, and display kitchen for entertaining.  Fun!

Last weekend I explored Golden Gate park and then went up the coast a bit.  Gorgeous!

Bay Area "microclimates" are amazing: you can see the front and the sunshine line!

 I thought about brightening this pictures, but it wouldn't be a fair representation.

The Golden Gate Bridge is spectacular!

 Across the bridge....

 Last Sunday I went to the San Rafael Farmer's Market (supposedly the best) and then went hiking.  Not as scenic as Sunday, but still pretty neat.  The ocean was just beyond the hills in the distance and the bay was behind me.  I just love being near water!

Brent came through SF on his way to San Diego: what a great surprise!!!

You can barely see it, but the Golden Gate is in the right corner of this photo, which I took on the opposite side of the bridge.  I also went to the San Francisco Botanical Gardens yesterday, which was so pleasant!

Today was Mass at San Rafael Mission and then the Farmer's Market, and now a bit of relaxing and getting ready for the week.  Love, love, love you!

xoxo

Finally!

I have Internet!  I'll post more this weekend, but....

This was Sunday, essentially my first day here.  A bike ride to a food truck festival, hanging out in REAL grass with the water and hills in the background?  I could get used to this!
xoxo

Ok, let's go!

Now it is really official!  I got confirmation that I will be renting an apartment at The Uptown (if you click, you can see the website and photos), which my patient assures me is in a good part of town.  Both the apartment and work are only a few blocks from public transportation and I'll be right outside of Berkeley, San Francisco, and everything new to see!  So blessed!

xoxo

Wild Kingdom, Part 2

Don't worry, it was dead.  Still, it seriously scared me!

xoxo

Holy Javelina!

I have been hoping to see one of these seemingly mythical creatures since my first day here when my boss' dog was attacked by one.  "They look like hairy pigs, but they're actually rodents".  A real ROUS!!!! I've kept my eyes open, looking in the dawn and twilight when they are most likely to be around, to no avail.  Until this morning on my walk....when I saw TWO!  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture because one started running at me and I had to throw gravel at it to scare it off, but these should give you an idea....





I'll be leaving Arizona a *very* happy girl!

xoxo

It's Official!

I have a job!  This placement has been pretty stressful: a week out without a job or a place to live.  But, thankfully, God is good and I have a placement in Oakland, CA beginning next Monday!  There is a bit of a mad rush to find an apartment, etc, but Emmy is helping (thanks!!) and it will all work out.  This is great, because it gives me a little breathing room to find a permanent placement and good apartment.  Horray!




If anyone has suggestions of "must see" things in San Francisco or the surrounding area, please let me know!

Yay!

xoxo