Browse Category: work

My 34th Birthday

I’m officially 34 years and 1 week old today so I thought I’d post some photos from my 34th birthday.  After spending my Birthday Eve Weekend in LA celebrating with Brother and the rest of the family, I had a few quieter celebrations back in SF.  It was surely a good way to round out the week.

ice cream cake

On Monday, the actual day of my birthday, I flew back up on a 6 am flight and got to work by 9-ish.  My manager was kind enough to let me go in a little later than usual, which was nice.  I’m part of a birthday celebration pool so the co-worker that pulled my name out of hat this year brought me a birthday treat at lunchtime.  It was an ice cream cake from Fenton’s and I also treated myself to what we call “Birthday Cheetos”.  So, I got a photo of me with my cake and the orange dust on my thumb.  Awesome.

MoMo's

My buddies at work also heard that Jes would be working late that evening so they treated me to a Happy Hour at MoMo’s just down the street from my house.  They had $4 martinis and $3 appetizers that really hit the spot.  This is the photo we sent to Ranee from my iPhone.

Fleur de Lys

On Tuesday, Jes took me to Fleur de Lys for dinner.  The staff was friendly and attentive and the food was amazing.  To top off the night, Chef Hubert Keller came out and I got to meet him!  He’s as nice as he appears on TV and kept asking me if I liked the food.

birthday dessert

They also brought out a special dessert made of a butter cookie flower on top of a chocolate mousse.  Yum.

So, it was another memorable birthday and I’m feeling pretty lucky right now.  Here’s to another fun-filled year of life!!  Cheers!

OK…we’re back now.

We arrived in SF on Saturday night around 9 pm.  It’s back to reality for now.  The weather is cooler here but the rain is trippin’ me out!  Why does it seem like it’s raining everywhere in the world right now?  Anyway, Mommy is still here and we took her out for some Dim Sum and Thai food on Sunday.   But that was after we had McDonald’s breakfast as our first meal back in SF.  I truly missed having an American breakfast of eggs, meat, and potatoes.  The cappuccinos were good there but I also missed regular coffee.  Ah…there’s nothing like brewing my usual cup of coffee and enjoying it with a Big Breakfast.

I tossed and turned on Saturday night and woke up every hour until 4 am when I simply gave up.  It’s now Monday morning and I managed to get 6 hours of sleep but I got up again at 4 am.  I even stayed up all day without a nap and this still happens?!  I’m sitting here in the dark with my laptop on as Mommy’s sleeping in the livingroom and Jes is still…wait…I hear a stirrin’…nevermind…he’s awake now too.  I’m tempted to go to work super early but I probably won’t.

Photos are slowly getting processed and I should have updates on each city this week.

See You Soon

Ranee's Exit

My dear friend and co-worker Ranee is moving to NYC next week and I had a week of denial.  Yes, she won’t be back on Monday and she’ll be clear across the country but I was determined not to cry.

Team Tiger

dinosaur

To keep things light, the girls and I just got really silly at work and took lots of photos.  On Friday afternoon, we all wore dinosaur stickers and danced around the office once we were all done for the day.

The Girls

On Friday afternoon, we had a goodbye party for her on the front patio of Park Avenue.  We had a good turnout, which made for a nice group photo.

Group Photo

We gave her a few gifts to take to NYC with her including a t-shirt that said “I hella heart Oakland” and a wad of cash labeled as “Cab Fare”. We’re hoping she’ll wear it to a Yankees game one day.  Haha.

t-shirt

The gift that she was most touched by was a photo book that I put together online for her.  It had a glossy hard cover like a yearbook and I spent all week having everyone in the office sign it.  It was tempting to write “K.I.T.” and “Have a cool summer.”

Gordo

Afterward, a few of us went to Gordo Tacqueria and I gave her a NYC Zagat guide in return for the SF Zagat that she gave me for my last birthday.  I also sent her away with a NYC Moleskine so that her monkey-butt would have a map of New York without making her look like a dorky tourist.  My burrito really hit the spot after a drawn out Happy Hour and crazy day of work.

Ranee…I’ll see you soon in New York.  In the meantime, have a cool summer.

Here are photos from this past week.

“Quiet Nights” two years later

dianakrall

Just got back from seeing Diana Krall in concert at the Davies Symphony Hall.  It’s part of her “Quiet Nights” World Tour and it had been close to 2 years exactly since we last saw her at Hollywood Bowl.  This was a more intimate setting and the crowd wasn’t nearly as rowdy but I think it was because of the venue.  Anyhoo, she was as charming as usual and her piano-playing skillz still amaze me.  She also talked about her life as a mom and said that her twin boys are 2 1/2 years old now.  When we last saw her, she just had the babies and was just getting back to work.  My how time flies.

As we were walking to the Muni station on our way home I was reflecting on how we’ve been here in SF for two years now.  In fact, my work anniversary is tomorrow!  It’s crazy how long we’ve been here and yet I still feel like a n00b.  I guess the LA in me will never die.

All in all I’m happy to be where I am and I’m enjoying life in the best way I can.  I actually like the colder weather, LOVE going out to eat up here, and work has been quite the learning experience for me even two years later.  In just the past week I’ve made knee extension splints, a middle finger splint, and hospital pants held together with Velcro!  Yep, I was putting my sewing skills to use once again.

It’s been a fun two years and going to this concert was a great way to celebrate.  I wonder how many more years we have left here…

Mai Tai Friday

Conga Lounge

On Friday afternoon we went back to Conga Lounge for another round of Happy Hour.  An old friend, Dr. Mai, was in town for the week so it was the perfect excuse to go out.  We took advantage of their $5 Mai Tais and discounted appetizers for a fun evening of goofiness and laughter.  Ah…that was just what I needed after a rough week.

Buon giorno…buon giorno…

italy_rail_map

Italy Rail Map

It’s been a crazy few months at work and I’ve accrued enough PTO for a 10-day vacation. So, as soon as I got the days approved I started planning and have decided to go to Italy in early September!!! Yay!! I’ve never been to Europe before so I’ve had to do a lot of research. With some tracking over that past few weeks, I decided to book our flights tonight. We will be flying from SF to Rome, travel up the coast through different cities by train (Can we say EUROTRIP?!) and fly home through Milan. Woowoo!! Once we figure out our itinerary, I will be sure to share. I’m hoping to visit Rome, Florence, Pisa, Turin, and Milan in 10 days. Can I do it?! Can I do it?! If any of you out there have any suggestions, I’m totally open.

Oh and Rest in Peace, MJ.