Weekend Wrap Up

This weekend was pretty eventful and chock-full of good times!

Friday, I spent the entire day cleaning out our storage at work (my boss and Executive Director are complete hoarders!!), so I was pretty tired after work. I took a little napped at Jared's while he packed for Maine, and then we headed to his parent's house to pick some stuff up before dinner. We went to a cute little Italian place in the Marina called Ristorante Parma, where I had to prohibit Jared from ordering the entire menu. After dinner, I dropped him off at the airport for his red-eye to Maine and then I headed home to cuddle with the dog and hit the hay.

Saturday, I woke up bright and early and took the dog for a walk and then went to CrossFit. We actually worked out on the beach, which was really fun. Afterwards, I went to Sports Basement and bought some new shoes to replace my really smelly, dirty, old running shoes. I ended up getting a pair of New Balance Minimus on the recommendation of Aliza. They are great and perfect for CrossFit because your feet are flatter on the ground and you can spread your toes, which helps when lifting weight.

Pretty cute and comfy!

After that I made some breakfast, took a nap, ran some errands and then got ready to go out. I met up with Aliza at her place and Kyle and her cousin were there. After a drink, we headed to Chinatown for her brother's birthday party. We ended up at Li Po Lounge, which is hands down the weirdest bar I've been to in the City. He rented out the basement and hired a DJ, so after a few drinks we hit the dance floor. SO FUN!

Proof of Chinatown

Part of our 2nd dinner

Around 12:30, we decided to stop and get some Chinese food (HORRIBLE IDEA!!)  then head to a house party of one of Kyle's co-workers. It was basically a college party and all the booze was gone except for random things you wouldn't want to drink anyways. I would have considered it a fail, except I had a hilarious conversation with a gay guy, who from as far as I could tell had only recently come out of the closet, but boy, was he out! After that I went home and passed out!

Sunday (or what I call no alarm Sunday) I woke up at 6:30, chugged some coconut water and went back to bed. When I finally really woke up at 10:30, I saw I had a text from Leah inviting me to Stern Grove with her, her family and Lauren to have a picnic watch the San Francisco Opera perform. I managed to pull myself together and hit the farmer's market before walking the dog. I picked up what I consider a great hangover cure: fresh juice from Lucy Juicy and a croissant.

beet, apple, lemon, giner = Liver Cure

After the dog walk, I stopped at the farmer's market again to get some contributions to our picnic at Stern Grove. I bought some strawberries, olives and cookies. After dropping the dog off at my Dad's, Lauren and I headed to Stern Grove. It was so amazing. It is basically an amphitheater in the middle of a bunch of beautiful trees. We had a beautiful spread, and while it wasn't sunny, the weather was nice enough for San Francisco in the summer.

Yum!

My family has always been really into opera (hence my name), so I recognized a lot of the pieces they played. Actually, when I was growing up we listened to opera every Sunday while making waffles for breakfast. The picnic and performance were perfect for my energy level that day.

 Later, I took a nap (notice a weekend theme here), walked the dog and went to dinner (Italian again) with my Dad.

All in all a great weekend, although I should have done more to pack for Maine. I'm leaving Tuesday night, eeeeek!! Oh well, I'll get it done sometime. Happy Monday and have a great week!

p.s. I think this picture of Serena "reading" her birthday card from Emy is possibly one of my favorite pictures of her!

Vacation: So Close, but So Far Away

This time next week I will be in Waldoborough, Maine with Jared, his family and a bunch of friends at Jared's family's AMAZING house. I can't freakin' wait!!

This picture is from last year after a rough hike, which started off being 7-8 miles and ended up being more like 10. So worth the views though!

Fungus Among Us

I saw this crazy fungus growing out of a tree in Golden Gate Park while walking the dog this morning. The bright pop of color really stood out agains the beautiful neutral grain of the wood. 

Checking Things Off My To-Do List

Man, I am sure getting things done this week! I LOVE when I have really productive weeks. Sunday wasn't so great due to my Saturday festivities, but still probably more productive than some. Here are a few things I've checked-off:

• Picked up a bunch of stuff from my Dad's house, including:
• A microwave that ended up being to big and really dirty (not a success)
• A trashcan (mine lost its ability to stay closed in the midst of a semi-breakdown I had a couple weeks ago...oops)
• Dog food (Serena was happy about this one)
• New/used dish drying rack that is SO MUCH COOLER than the shitty one I had. I was actually excited to dishes today. I'm sure that will wear off.
• Designed and created invitations for an event we are having in October at work. They are pretty cute and I love the chance to be a little crafty. I'll post a picture when they are done.
• Got over my trauma from the last time I had to overhaul our SalesForce at work and started working on the system at my new job. It helps that my current boss isn't an alcoholic-workaholic like the last one.
• Started to clean out my closet. Some clothes just need to go.
• Made myself a budget to really, REALLY try to stick to so I will stop spending so much money and start saving more. I have discovered I spend a ridiculous amount on food and I blame San Francisco.
• Set up a payment plan for my heart procedure bills. Ugh.
• Wrote an article for the Junior League periodical, the Fogcutter.

Whew! And it's only Tuesday!! How's your week going??

Weekend Wrap Up

Hello! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Mine started out with very few plans and ended up being extremely entertaining.

Friday night, I went to my Dad's girlfriend's house for dinner with some of her friends, most of whom were very entertaining gay men. My Dad made pizza and Patricia made a really good salad. I headed home after that because I was super tired and wanted to get up to workout on Saturday.

Saturday, I took the dog to Chrissy Field before I worked out and then did a really hard workout at CrossFit. Kicked my ass!! That was my 5th time going last week and I was really feeling it. After that, I headed to my Dad's for breakfast and to drop off the dog, so he could watch her the rest of the day. Around noon, I met up with Jared and our friend, Jeremy, to grab a bite and try to find one more ticket to Outside Lands. Trying to find this ticket was not unlike a drug deal. Luckily, we found one and then headed over to our friend Alex's for a pre-party and to catch a party bus to the part of Golden Gate Park where the concert was taking place. That is really the best way to start a concert in my opinion.

Jared and I on the bus

We saw a few bands including the Black Keys and then decided we should probably eat something. After having a really good sandwich and some tater tots, we hit the wine tent (not really a great idea at this point, but still fun) and then headed over to the stage where Girl Talk was playing. Hands down best concert ever! So much fun dancing with Jared, Jeremy and my new friend, Shannon!

Girl Talk

 That was the last show of the night, so we headed out of the park to realize that we lost the party bus and we were really far from an easy way home. So....I called my Dad, and he was nice enough to pick us up. You're never to old to call your parents when your drunk and stranded!

Sunday consisted of recovering, cleaning and some grocery shopping. We also sold our tickets to people who wanted to go to the concert on Sunday, which again was very similar to dealing drugs I would guess. I made really good spaghetti and meatballs and we watched Mystic River. Needless to say, I could still use one more day of weekend!

ROOOAAARRR!!!!

That is how I feel today for a few reasons.

1. I hate when people talk down to me, especially when we are going to give them LOTS of $$$. What happened to quality customer service?

2. I especially hate #1 when they do it because they think/know I'm young. Age is just a number unless you want to make something of it.

3. My contacts are driving me crazy.

4. Someone ate half of my lunch....as in half of the container of soup I brought in. Really, people!!??

Luckily, it's getting close to the end of the day, so all this madness will stop soon.....unless it follows me home.

Weekend Wrap Up

Hey hey!! Hope you all had a great weekend. I FINALLY spent a weekend at home and it was kind of nice. Jared was out of town (again), so I got to do whatever I wanted (not that he doesn't let me do what I want). Friday, I ended up staying at work late to help out and take pictures of our End of the Year party, which was jungle themed. I got to hand out animal hats and it was SO cute. One of my favorite little boys specifically requested a cow hat, which was hilarious because it was such a different choice from everyone else. 

Saturday, I took the dog to the beach before I went to CrossFit. She, of course, loved it. Workout was pretty tough, but I felt great after. I went to one of my favorite cafes for brunch (that was MUCH needed after my workout) and had the best breakfast burrito ever. 

Yum!!

After some laundry and relaxing, I got ready to go out, and put a little extra effort into it, since I have been feeling a little blah lately. Once I was beautified, I met up with Ryan at Churchill for a drink (or three) and my old boss/mentor, Julie, was there as well. It was so great to catch up and have a fun night out. Ryan and I had dinner at a Asian fusion place in the Castro called Nirvana, and then I headed home.

Jenny Jerome from Brooklyn at Churchill

Sunday consisted of sleeping in, running some errands and black bean soup is cooking on the stove as I write. Ready for another busy week! How was your weekend?

Sunday Morning Cuddling 

I Hope....

.... that some day, someone feels like this for me. Sometimes that seems like it will never happen.

Things I'm Seriously Considering

Warning: This post is EXTREMELY random.

Below are a few things I've been seriously considering lately:

1. Where I want to be in the next 5 years.

For the most part, I have NO clue, but I like to think of the many different possibilities. Oh the luxury of being young (except when I feel really old).

2. I will celebrate the day when I stop receiving medical bills.

For those of you who know me, I have gone to the hospital for two serious issues for the last two years. In 2010, I slipped in the shower and broke my collar bone (go buy a bathmat NOW, if you don't have one). Yes, I realize I'm the perfect candidate for life alert. Then, this year I had this silly little heart condition that lead to surgery. The cost for health care, even with insurance, is out of control and if I didn't have the help of my loving Father, I would be in some serious debt.

3. Sometimes I'm really jealous of some of my friends' lives.

I totally love the majority of my life, especially now that I live in SF, but sometimes I feel like I'm not making the most out of things. Half of me wishes I was more settled down and the other half thinks I should go out and go a little more crazy (although, usually when I try to listen to that half, the hangover the next day reminds me why I ignore it a lot). I guess it is just a question of balance and a fear of one day regretting what I should have done.

4. I am playing with the thought of getting a portrait of Serena made.

I really do love my dog that much. I realize this does make me a little crazy.

5. A list of the things I wish I could buy right now (but can't because I'm trying to budget):

- New shoes for working out. The old ones are getting pretty smelly.

- New jeans. Due to some leg friction, my pants have some holes in places that are just not appropriate.

- This camera bag. Do I hear a birthday present calling?

- Some new shoes. All the walking I do really takes a toll on shoes, a problem I didn't have in Houston.

These are the fairly constant thoughts that have been running through my head lately and I'm grateful that these are some of my biggest "concerns". Talk about white girl problems!