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!
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xoxo
Emma
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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
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