Lizzie, Scout and I went to the Dickens Fair in San Francisco last week. We'll follow up with pictures from the day! It was my first time there, but it was apropo given that we're going to London in a few months! Personally, I like the Dickens Fair more than the Renaissance Fair. It's less... umm... dusty. It's all indoors with lovely store fronts. It's climate controlled and (you can't forget) the irresistible English accent.
After we left the Dickens Fair, we went to a John Lennon art exhibit in Walnut Creek. There's no real website associated with the exhibit, so the informational link is the only thing I've got.
Don't worry, I'll write and post more when I'm not totally swamped with work!
xoxo
Emma
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
The reservation that made me (almost) cry at work
It's now real.
Tangible.
Feasible.
Definite.
We. Are. Going. To. London!
Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!
I am a grinning fool. I am a happy sap.. and this just adds to the wonderful dream that is my life. I told my daughter, Scout, the other day that there is no age limit to dreaming. One can never be too old, too young, too educated to dream.
Scout asked me how long I had been dreaming this dream. I could only tell her... "a long time". It was only recently that I had the courage to say this dream out loud. Previously, I thought telling people would only open myself to ridicule and mockery. In my little mind I thought people would scoff and say "Seriously? By yourself? You have no money, you have no car, you got no woman... so there you are..".oh wait... those are the lyrics to Bust A Move... A while back, many of my dreams were deferred. No thanks to a bad relationship with a crappy fella and my contentedness to remain under his shoe. I never had a reason to say things I wanted out loud because I felt that it was selfish to want something this longingly only for me.
I've got a fantastic life now and I have no reason to hold myself back from making my own dreams come true. Really... who else is going to make that dream a reality?
I am beyond happy. I have a good friend to share this adventure with and the positive fortune of sharing the excitement AND adventure with others.
We'll definitely keep you posted! :DxoxoEmma
Tangible.
Feasible.
Definite.
We. Are. Going. To. London!
Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!
I am a grinning fool. I am a happy sap.. and this just adds to the wonderful dream that is my life. I told my daughter, Scout, the other day that there is no age limit to dreaming. One can never be too old, too young, too educated to dream.
Scout asked me how long I had been dreaming this dream. I could only tell her... "a long time". It was only recently that I had the courage to say this dream out loud. Previously, I thought telling people would only open myself to ridicule and mockery. In my little mind I thought people would scoff and say "Seriously? By yourself? You have no money, you have no car, you got no woman... so there you are..".oh wait... those are the lyrics to Bust A Move... A while back, many of my dreams were deferred. No thanks to a bad relationship with a crappy fella and my contentedness to remain under his shoe. I never had a reason to say things I wanted out loud because I felt that it was selfish to want something this longingly only for me.
I've got a fantastic life now and I have no reason to hold myself back from making my own dreams come true. Really... who else is going to make that dream a reality?
I am beyond happy. I have a good friend to share this adventure with and the positive fortune of sharing the excitement AND adventure with others.
We'll definitely keep you posted! :DxoxoEmma
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The airfare that nearly made me pee my pants
Today Emma and I moved one major step closer to London and Paris. I was working at the library reference desk this afternoon when I came across an absolutely INCREDIBLE airfare. $586 R/T on American Airlines from San Francisco to London, then from Paris back to San Francisco. Per person, all taxes included.
"OMG...OMG..." I thought to myself. "I've got to talk to Emma right NOW!" (Actually, I was thinking OMFG... OMFG, but we'll just keep that between us.)
Thankfully, when I eventually got my 15 minute break, the fare was still available, and after encouragement from Emma ("Do it now! Do it now!") I made the booking.
London and Paris, HERE WE COME!
~*Lizzie*~
"OMG...OMG..." I thought to myself. "I've got to talk to Emma right NOW!" (Actually, I was thinking OMFG... OMFG, but we'll just keep that between us.)
Thankfully, when I eventually got my 15 minute break, the fare was still available, and after encouragement from Emma ("Do it now! Do it now!") I made the booking.
London and Paris, HERE WE COME!
~*Lizzie*~
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Vampire Weekend
No... not the band... THE it vampire... Edward Cullen (human: Robert Pattinson) in San Francisco . Reading the article... there were a lot of teenage girls, but there were also a lot of 20s and 30s there with NO kids who were there to *cough* interview a vampire.
I don't want to say that the early day in the city totally sucked (sorry about the pun). Lizzie and I entertained a good 6 hours in the city that was independent from the 2 hours we stood in line and the 4 hours it took us round trip.
We had breakfast at Mels after the cops told us that the event was cancelled. It was a nice way to fill our bellies after standing for a couple hours. We then made our way to the Ferry Building.I love the Ferry Building. It's a place that makes me feel inspired and wonderful. There's something special about the architecture both inside and out that really sing to me. When you add to that the fact that there's a Sur La Table, a cheese heaven (Cowgirl Creamery) AND a store dedicatied to only mushrooms... and I'm in heaven. It's the place where foodies go to get quality ingredients that are fresh and organic. For goodness sakes, there are 2 places that sell locally pressed olive oils. *I prefer Stonehouse... their dipping oil is to die for!* Lizzie and I partook in some potatoes and mac and cheese for an early lunch. The potatoes are roasted and put under the rotisserie chickens. It catches the drippings and the flavor of the chicken. It's starch ambrosia! I won't lament on missing out on the cheese though. I love cheese. I love cheese from Cowgirl... and my favorite cheese man was working. Lizzie can attest to the fact that I sighed and almost went back just to try new cheeses. There's a fantastic bread company called Acme that is next door to Cowgirl. It's some of the best bread I've ever had. Perfect compliment to the cheese. Enough for the food, let's talk about the view.... the East side of the Ferry Building has some great views of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. The weather is always lovely and a few of the restaurants offer tables outside. Lizzie and I enjoyed our potatoes at the outdoor tables. We encountered a few scary pigeons and a pain in the ass bird with no neck that was waiting for food. Eventually a scary pigeon got some macaroni that escaped Lizzie's fork.
After walking off all of our food for the morning by walking to and fro through the Ferry Building then up and down the parking garage, we made our way to Japantown in the Sunset District. I hadn't been there in over 15 or so years. As a frame of reference, the last time I was there, I didn't have a driver's license. It's hard to remember little things like where to park when I've had a lapse in visits. We ended up on the far end of the mall that was connected to the Hotel Kabuki. It's a good thing though... I found the best. store. EVER! Ichi Ban Kan. It's similar to Daiso (which my friend E suggested to me) in which the items are dirt cheap. My big purchase were those Japanese Detox Footpads. Only $1.35 for a pack of 2!! Lizzie scoffed...but my foot pads were disgusting the night after I wore them! Maybe they're working... maybe I's a sucker that spent $2.60 on 2 sets of pads... but they're neeto! I squealed over the amount of cute Japanese items in the mall. Even the smell of certain things bring me back to shoping in Asia (without the cheapo Asian prices). One Japanese thing I'm particularly attached to is Domo. I love Domo. Everything Domo related was really expensive though. I just drooled and squealed. Based on our short visit, I'm convinced that Japantown deserves another walk through. If not for the yummy looking restaurants, then definitely for the outdoor shopping that we missed on this trip!
My parents are cake people. They seek out the best cake in the Bay Area. One of the reasons we went to Japantown was for a nostalgic pang I had for a place that sold delicious almond cookies. That place no longer existed. There's another place in San Ramon where my parents have traveled for cake. It's so delicious that when I get married... my cake will be from that place: I shouldn't have told them I was going to the city. My mother called to see if I could bring back a cake for her. I did.. from Schuberts Bakery. It's been in the same place for years. It's such a great place. The cake that I purchased was the Double Chocolate Torte. Lizzie and I shared a teeny tiny Mousse Cake. It was nom nom nom!
It was the last place we went before we left back for our respective homes. We left the city at 2:00 PM. Can you beleive it? A full day and we left at 2! Oy!
Friend us! Talk to us!
xoxo
Emma
I don't want to say that the early day in the city totally sucked (sorry about the pun). Lizzie and I entertained a good 6 hours in the city that was independent from the 2 hours we stood in line and the 4 hours it took us round trip.
We had breakfast at Mels after the cops told us that the event was cancelled. It was a nice way to fill our bellies after standing for a couple hours. We then made our way to the Ferry Building.I love the Ferry Building. It's a place that makes me feel inspired and wonderful. There's something special about the architecture both inside and out that really sing to me. When you add to that the fact that there's a Sur La Table, a cheese heaven (Cowgirl Creamery) AND a store dedicatied to only mushrooms... and I'm in heaven. It's the place where foodies go to get quality ingredients that are fresh and organic. For goodness sakes, there are 2 places that sell locally pressed olive oils. *I prefer Stonehouse... their dipping oil is to die for!* Lizzie and I partook in some potatoes and mac and cheese for an early lunch. The potatoes are roasted and put under the rotisserie chickens. It catches the drippings and the flavor of the chicken. It's starch ambrosia! I won't lament on missing out on the cheese though. I love cheese. I love cheese from Cowgirl... and my favorite cheese man was working. Lizzie can attest to the fact that I sighed and almost went back just to try new cheeses. There's a fantastic bread company called Acme that is next door to Cowgirl. It's some of the best bread I've ever had. Perfect compliment to the cheese. Enough for the food, let's talk about the view.... the East side of the Ferry Building has some great views of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. The weather is always lovely and a few of the restaurants offer tables outside. Lizzie and I enjoyed our potatoes at the outdoor tables. We encountered a few scary pigeons and a pain in the ass bird with no neck that was waiting for food. Eventually a scary pigeon got some macaroni that escaped Lizzie's fork.
After walking off all of our food for the morning by walking to and fro through the Ferry Building then up and down the parking garage, we made our way to Japantown in the Sunset District. I hadn't been there in over 15 or so years. As a frame of reference, the last time I was there, I didn't have a driver's license. It's hard to remember little things like where to park when I've had a lapse in visits. We ended up on the far end of the mall that was connected to the Hotel Kabuki. It's a good thing though... I found the best. store. EVER! Ichi Ban Kan. It's similar to Daiso (which my friend E suggested to me) in which the items are dirt cheap. My big purchase were those Japanese Detox Footpads. Only $1.35 for a pack of 2!! Lizzie scoffed...but my foot pads were disgusting the night after I wore them! Maybe they're working... maybe I's a sucker that spent $2.60 on 2 sets of pads... but they're neeto! I squealed over the amount of cute Japanese items in the mall. Even the smell of certain things bring me back to shoping in Asia (without the cheapo Asian prices). One Japanese thing I'm particularly attached to is Domo. I love Domo. Everything Domo related was really expensive though. I just drooled and squealed. Based on our short visit, I'm convinced that Japantown deserves another walk through. If not for the yummy looking restaurants, then definitely for the outdoor shopping that we missed on this trip!
My parents are cake people. They seek out the best cake in the Bay Area. One of the reasons we went to Japantown was for a nostalgic pang I had for a place that sold delicious almond cookies. That place no longer existed. There's another place in San Ramon where my parents have traveled for cake. It's so delicious that when I get married... my cake will be from that place: I shouldn't have told them I was going to the city. My mother called to see if I could bring back a cake for her. I did.. from Schuberts Bakery. It's been in the same place for years. It's such a great place. The cake that I purchased was the Double Chocolate Torte. Lizzie and I shared a teeny tiny Mousse Cake. It was nom nom nom!
It was the last place we went before we left back for our respective homes. We left the city at 2:00 PM. Can you beleive it? A full day and we left at 2! Oy!
Friend us! Talk to us!
xoxo
Emma
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
No on H8
I'm not one to vote and tell. If someone asks, then I'll share... but I don't go announcing how cool I am because I voted (though I do wear my sticker so others remember to vote). Today, a high school kid noticed my sticker and asked me if I voted for Obama. I said "Yes". When asked what I voted on Prop 8, I said "No".
My boss' friend was visiting her and overheard my conversation with the student. She audibly gasped then said "I don't mean to pass judgement or anything.. but you voted no?" My boss then said, "Well, it's too late for you to NOT pass judgement based on how you just gasped. "
I'm 99.9999% positive my boss voted yes on 8. It's her choice. It's a choice that doesn't change my opinion of her. I'm just happy she got out there and voted.
*on my soapbox*
Many years ago, my parents moved to America to give their children a better life. They wanted their children to have the freedom to make choices. My parents always told me how important voting was. It was a right that people fight about in other countries. They also said I should be proud of voting.
When I turned 18 in *cough*alongtimeago *cough* It was a presidential election year. I voted and was so excited! 2 years ago, when there was a smaller election, I had to take Scout with me to the polling place. When asked what I was doing, I told her I was voting and how wonderful it was. She's excited to vote too. I think when she turns 18, it will be a presidential year too and Scout can vote in her first election. :)
*off the soapbox*
Thing is, regardless of how I vote, this is my voice... and my choice. It's not always going to win, and it's not always going to lose, but it's something I take pride in. The lady, while nice, can suck it. I obvously know how she voted and she I, but the difference between us is that I am proud of my vote and I respect hers no matter what it is.
xoxo
Emma
My boss' friend was visiting her and overheard my conversation with the student. She audibly gasped then said "I don't mean to pass judgement or anything.. but you voted no?" My boss then said, "Well, it's too late for you to NOT pass judgement based on how you just gasped. "
I'm 99.9999% positive my boss voted yes on 8. It's her choice. It's a choice that doesn't change my opinion of her. I'm just happy she got out there and voted.
*on my soapbox*
Many years ago, my parents moved to America to give their children a better life. They wanted their children to have the freedom to make choices. My parents always told me how important voting was. It was a right that people fight about in other countries. They also said I should be proud of voting.
When I turned 18 in *cough*alongtimeago *cough* It was a presidential election year. I voted and was so excited! 2 years ago, when there was a smaller election, I had to take Scout with me to the polling place. When asked what I was doing, I told her I was voting and how wonderful it was. She's excited to vote too. I think when she turns 18, it will be a presidential year too and Scout can vote in her first election. :)
*off the soapbox*
Thing is, regardless of how I vote, this is my voice... and my choice. It's not always going to win, and it's not always going to lose, but it's something I take pride in. The lady, while nice, can suck it. I obvously know how she voted and she I, but the difference between us is that I am proud of my vote and I respect hers no matter what it is.
xoxo
Emma
Europe Planning in full swing
Truth be told, Lizzie is a planner. She is an excellent planner. In fact, she's SO good that London is planned out and I'm in charge of France. This also includes me boning up on my Francaise. This isn't so bad as I have a knack for languages and I can pick it up again quickly. I have a few months... so I can listen in the car and immerse. If I had some fat duckets, I would totally get Rosetta Stone. For now, I have the library wares that I can get for no duckets. :)
We have a colleague that has traveled to London recently and is willing to give us some advice and pointers. We recently found out that he is a true Anglophile (who knew?!?) and went only a few weeks ago. Luckily, he is willing to talk to us about getting around London. I am blessed with the gift of direction, so I'll be studying the tube maps (I love maps!). I'm not saying that Lizzie isn't... but since she's done so much good work with the itinerary, the least I can do is to make sure that I can get us around to those places she's worked so hard to research!
Lizzie has also found some choice flights that take us into Heathrow and out of Charles de Gaulle for only $610 per person round trip! I love that price. It's on American Airlines. If anyone has any opinions on a TransAtlantic flight through them, definitely share what you know with us!
We're planning on staying at the Hamlet UK. They are the most adoreable apartments complete with a kitchen AND a washer and dryer. Thank God I can do laundry! My luggage won't smell as foul when I get back to the states! Also... I'm clumsy and drop food on my person regularly. This will be fantastic for me! *note: bring Tide pen*
Things have been shaping up for us, but we're always looking for fun and exciting places to visit. Befriend us and comment often!
xoxo
Emma
We have a colleague that has traveled to London recently and is willing to give us some advice and pointers. We recently found out that he is a true Anglophile (who knew?!?) and went only a few weeks ago. Luckily, he is willing to talk to us about getting around London. I am blessed with the gift of direction, so I'll be studying the tube maps (I love maps!). I'm not saying that Lizzie isn't... but since she's done so much good work with the itinerary, the least I can do is to make sure that I can get us around to those places she's worked so hard to research!
Lizzie has also found some choice flights that take us into Heathrow and out of Charles de Gaulle for only $610 per person round trip! I love that price. It's on American Airlines. If anyone has any opinions on a TransAtlantic flight through them, definitely share what you know with us!
We're planning on staying at the Hamlet UK. They are the most adoreable apartments complete with a kitchen AND a washer and dryer. Thank God I can do laundry! My luggage won't smell as foul when I get back to the states! Also... I'm clumsy and drop food on my person regularly. This will be fantastic for me! *note: bring Tide pen*
Things have been shaping up for us, but we're always looking for fun and exciting places to visit. Befriend us and comment often!
xoxo
Emma
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Ticket to Ride (I mean fly)
My passport arrived yesterday!!
It took a little over a week from the day I applied at my local post office.
Every day I would go to travel.state.gov to check on the status of my application. Every day it said that my application had not been received. Even though they cashed my check.
Despite the fact that the passport is sitting on my desk, according to the U.S. Department of State website they have not yet processed my application.
*sigh w/ eye roll*
~*Lizzie*~
It took a little over a week from the day I applied at my local post office.
Every day I would go to travel.state.gov to check on the status of my application. Every day it said that my application had not been received. Even though they cashed my check.
Despite the fact that the passport is sitting on my desk, according to the U.S. Department of State website they have not yet processed my application.
*sigh w/ eye roll*
~*Lizzie*~
Ultimate Halloween road trip
Sadly, I have yet again been cheated of Halloween ag-fun at the corn maze. Added to the fact that I did not make it to any theme park haunts this year, and it is looking like a slightly lame Halloween 2008 (i.e. sitting solo on my couch watching Michael Myers with a rainbow of snack-sized candy wrappers at my feet).
Here are my "someday" plans for awesome Halloween road trip:
* Sleepy Hollow, NY. I'm not sure if there is anything to do there, but I'd just like to say that I have been.
* Salem, Mass. Who wouldn't want to visit a town with road signs indicating that motorists yield right-of-way to people on broomsticks?!
* One night at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. For $200 a night you too can stay in the same room where Mrs. Borden received her 40 whacks.
* Eastern State Penitentiary- Badass haunted house located in a 19th century prison spread out over 11 acres.
* Gettysburg, PA- A great way to satisfy both my macabre side and inner history nerd.
~*Lizzie*~
Here are my "someday" plans for awesome Halloween road trip:
* Sleepy Hollow, NY. I'm not sure if there is anything to do there, but I'd just like to say that I have been.
* Salem, Mass. Who wouldn't want to visit a town with road signs indicating that motorists yield right-of-way to people on broomsticks?!
* One night at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. For $200 a night you too can stay in the same room where Mrs. Borden received her 40 whacks.
* Eastern State Penitentiary- Badass haunted house located in a 19th century prison spread out over 11 acres.
* Gettysburg, PA- A great way to satisfy both my macabre side and inner history nerd.
~*Lizzie*~
Monday, October 27, 2008
Hello Friend
I don't quite know who you are... but there is someone who's actually reading the blog!! Whomever you are... please follow us and comment!! :D
xoxox
Emma
xoxox
Emma
Sunday, October 26, 2008
It's the Great Pumpkin Maze, Emma Jane!
Tonight is the night that Lizzie and I visit the pumpkin maze. We're driving a pretty hefty distance to get there at dusk... so I'm hoping it's worth it! In reading the site, I see there's a haunted house. Now, this could go 2 ways with me... it's either a pansy, child's walk through or it's a scary-ass, enveloping scream fest. I'll be able to tell once I get there. If I hear adults and teens (that have hit puberty and don't sound like eunuchs) screaming, then I won't go in there. If I hear and see herds of children running and screaming... I may be tempted to go in. My fear of scary things is not unnoticed by my circle of friends. I know that Lizzie will go in because she's fearless and can watch movies with things that go stab in the head. Unfortunately, like a school dance where one doesn't have a date... she's gonna go stag.
Every year this farm does a corn maze. EVERY year! Every year, Lizzie has missed it... this year... today she will see what the excitement is about! I've been only one time and had a great time suffering in the maze. Nobody told me that it was going to be sweltering hot in the valley in October! I hope it's not like that today! I'm hoping for the best when we're running around the maze!
I was reminded by a friend of how being in the maze could be reminiscent of Signs.... but really? Aliens? in the corn maze? *sigh* I doubt it. Besides, they were afraid of water. So, to be safe, I'll carry water. You know... to hydrate myself.... and to hurl at aliens. But, just so you know... um.. I doubt the validity of aliens in the corn maze. They like houses with Mel Gibson that are surrounded by corn fields. I won't be anywhere near one of those. My deduction... no aliens in the cornfield. so HA!
Every year this farm does a corn maze. EVERY year! Every year, Lizzie has missed it... this year... today she will see what the excitement is about! I've been only one time and had a great time suffering in the maze. Nobody told me that it was going to be sweltering hot in the valley in October! I hope it's not like that today! I'm hoping for the best when we're running around the maze!
I was reminded by a friend of how being in the maze could be reminiscent of Signs.... but really? Aliens? in the corn maze? *sigh* I doubt it. Besides, they were afraid of water. So, to be safe, I'll carry water. You know... to hydrate myself.... and to hurl at aliens. But, just so you know... um.. I doubt the validity of aliens in the corn maze. They like houses with Mel Gibson that are surrounded by corn fields. I won't be anywhere near one of those. My deduction... no aliens in the cornfield. so HA!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Great APE debate
On November 1st and 2nd, Lizzie and I will be attending the Alternative Press Expo (APE) in San Francisco with some of our library colleagues. This is my first foray into any kind of comic convention, so I look forward to what it brings. I will not dress up. You will not catch me as doing Cos-Play being that I marginally dress up for Halloween! A week from today I'll be readying myself for a trip to the big city.
If you have any tips on good eats there around the APE venue, let us know!
If you have any tips on good eats there around the APE venue, let us know!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Get Thee a Passport
My partner in travel, Elizabeth (Lizzie) has finally applied for a passport! Wooo!! It's such a rush to know that we're thismuch closer to traveling abroad. I have had my passport since last year's trip to Bali. I was, though, caught in that "too many passports, so little time and resources" government fiasco so I spent more than half of my day at the passport processing office in San Francisco.
I'm reminded of how happy I look in my passport picture. Irma Bombeck..... the title of your best selling book in the late 80s is wrong. When I look like my passport picture, I'm ready to leave home!
I'm reminded of how happy I look in my passport picture. Irma Bombeck..... the title of your best selling book in the late 80s is wrong. When I look like my passport picture, I'm ready to leave home!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Intro
I'm Emma. I'm half of the dynamic duo that will be blogging about our travel plans to.. everywhere. I don't know what you all want to know about me... but don't expect any pictures soon. lol
Here's some basics:
I'm female.
I live in Northern California.
I work in a library.
I wear glasses.
Here's some basics:
I'm female.
I live in Northern California.
I work in a library.
I wear glasses.
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