Stern Grove

I'm a firm believer that anyone can have fun anywhere they look for it.  However, the best part about the bay area is you never have to look very hard!

God bless free concerts!

Started in 1938, Stern Grove has been offering free concerts in the park in San Francisco.  My first experience there today was bittersweet, since it was the last concert of the season.  But what a first experience!  We got there an hour early and the place was already JAMMED PACK!  

Hey, I guess when it's free right?

The San Francisco Opera did a tribute to Leonard Bernstein and also some pieces from Gershwin.  There were men and women opera singers that performed brilliantly.  Truly, it was such a great experience.  Did I mention the free-ness?

The grove itself smelled of eucalyptus.  People were very polite to one another and offered each other alcohol and food.  Also, since California passed the no smoking in the park law it was STENCH free!.  There is nothing worse than someone puffing up right in front of you to kill the mood.

We all had a great time.  I look forward to the 2009 season when I return!

Sharing clam chowder with your father is the WORST IDEA EVER

Nestled within the crowded streets of Pismo a small beach restaurant has grown too big for its britches. Boasting the most scrumptious scallops, delectable creamy white clam chowder and out of this world rich fish and chips, Splash Café lives up to its own hype; this makes waiting in line outside – reminiscent of a certain Seinfeld episode – much more bearable. The Café is fairly cozy with knowledgeable and lightning quick staff. Splash’s delicious world-renowned food tastes much sweeter while walking barefoot in the alabaster sand along the California coastline and gently setting sun.

Sacramento State University

Yesterday I finalized all my study abroad plans and dropped off my changed loan application.  Even though I have been away for 2 short months I noticed that a lot has changed on campus.  There are more signs for new students starting in the fall, the trees were beginning their fall re-growth, new construction for new buildings, and a peaceful quiet before the start of the fall chaos.  

For a second, I grew a little sad and nostalgic.  I really had a fantastic year at Sacramento State.  I met great people I still keep in touch with, became involved with a club, and wrote some awesome research papers.

I am so excited to start at Swansea but I can't forget that Sac State is where I am completing my Masters.  It is still my home. 

I am curious to know how much the campus will change after a year once I return.

Be prepared?

Mother nature "appears" to be on my side.  After watching weather.com reports in Swansea - and promptly getting freaked out from 3 weeks worth of rain - Half Moon Bay is mimicking the weather almost exactly to Wales; it is cold, cloudy, and partially rainy.  After being in such nice California weather - and Seattle too ironically enough! - I am pleased to have crappy weather to get my blood acclimated!

Even though I really enjoy rain and crappy weather, I have to wonder how much this will affect my mood.  I am use to only a few bad months, hell, sometimes only a few bad weeks.  

Pray I won't go postal...