Oakland Love

I had a few great views on my nightly walk around the lake last night.

I'm by myself this weekend (no Yosemite yet), so stay tuned for some pictures around town!

Xoxo

Goofballs

Xoxo

Ohio afternoon

An upside down rainbow in Peninsula 

Shucking corn in the sunshine 

Snoozing

Uncle Patrick is awesome!

Evening walk with the girls

We really did grow up in the country!

Xoxo

One of those days...

when you need some TLC: catnip, combing, and a comfy box.

Xoxo

Oh Oakland...

I love you...

and your goose-hating T-Rex!!

Xoxo

A great Thursday

Begins with a beautiful walk around my lake...

And ends with blackberry-stained fingers and a glass of wine...

Xoxo

Yosemite weekend

I had a much easier weekend in Yosemite than usual because of some unfortunate back pain (hopefully more on that in the next few days!), but it was still wonderful to be out. There was so much water!

I found waterfalls that I have never seen before because it was so dry from the drought!

Everything is so green!!!

President Obama picked a great weekend for a visit!

Xoxo

Happy Father's Day!

Much love to all of the dads in my life!!

Xoxo 

LA weekend!

We drove down Friday night after work to spend the weekend with Kait, Mike, Ralph, Nathalie, Ali, and Matt. After Kait set up the air mattress, Ralph promptly took his side and slept all night! 

2 am stretch break

Good morning!

You're up too early: I'm going back to sleep 

Saturday was chilly and drizzly, which turned out to be perfect baby-cuddling weather!

This is Charlotte, a friend's sweet baby

Saturday night we met up with my good friend Josh and his girlfriend for dinner, which was really fun.

This morning was breakfast with everyone, more pastries (yum!!), and more Nathalie time!

Nathalie got really warm under the heating lamp!

After breakfast Josh and I worked out while Brit explored Santa Monica (what a guy: giving me three unpressured hours to workout with one of my best friends!)

Josh is such a goofball!

 A piece of pride birthday cake and a long drive home rounded out a really great weekend!

Xoxo

Dragon Boat Festival

And we are making zongzi at work!

Xoxo

Just because....

someone told me that your birthday can start early, having dinner with an old friend.

I went out with a friend from my old apartment complex last whom I haven't spent time with in at least a year. After sushi, we went to Treasure Island, which is such a treat at night! The city looks incredible!

The Bay Bridge shining brightly 

San Francisco at night

"Hey! Happy birthday!"

Xoxo

The Goodness Continues!

We decided that a very busy weekend deserved a day of rest, and so we had a quiet morning and then drove up to Stinson Beach to nap. Ocean lullabies are the best

We could watch the fog roll in right behind us!

Xoxo

First a bridge, then a mountain

I rode out with two friends this morning to conquer Mount Diablo, which is the highest peak in the East Bay. It is 24 miles round trip with almost exactly half up the steep mountain. I was sweating and panting by the end, but it was great!

Xoxo

What a night!

Last night Tamas and I went for an "easy" bike ride to celebrate the end of the week. We started at 5:30, rode 54 miles, and finished after BART had stopped running for the night! We had pizza and I took an Uber home to fall into bed!

We stopped at Whole Foods for dinner and ended up picnicking at China Camp State Park!

Salt marsh

Tamas snapping the sunset!

Woah.

On our way back to the bridge, we crossed the path over the Bay at high tide: water everywhere! My shoes got soaked, but it was well worth it!

My bridge! There was so much fog rolling in.

Riding under the Golden Gate Bridge was a new experience!

Disclaimer: I was accidentally head butted while transferring a client at work and got a fat lip (as you can see in my fog selfie!)

Xoxo

Thankful

My work day started with the formerly-cranky social worker pinching my ears (sign of affection??) and then I was super busy seeing clients. After a bit I will walk to the farmers market and then have lunch with two of the most engaging, smartest women I know. Tonight I'm going to ride my bike across the Golden Gate Bridge with a good friend. (Photos to follow, I promise!!). I will end my night sleeping safely in a place that I love.

Why am I saying all of this? Because it hit me how blessed I am and how far I have been brought in three years. I cannot believe my life and want to thank the small, important group of people who read this for helping me, supporting me, cheering me on, and kicking me in the butt along the way. I love you.

Xoxo