Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
In Love with the Doc
My love for Doc Marten's goes way back to early high school. I remember several kids at school wore the traditional brown boots, and I thought they were the finest shoes ever. When my Mom suggested we travel to London for spring break junior year, I couldn't wait to empty my savings account and make a purchase. I bought a pair of tan chunky Mary Jane's and wore them proudly for many years. This pair along with the many others that I have accumulated through the years are stored away in my parent's attic, and I look forward to the day we settle down so I can pull them back out and enjoy wearing them again.
When we moved to San Francisco and I first wandered through the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, I was absolutely thrilled to see a Doc Marten Store. I drooled over the fine collection of colorful shoes in the front window, and a certain tall lavender boot really caught my eye. Since this encounter, I have passed by this store many times dreaming of how stylish I would look in such fine purple footwear.
So this afternoon we decided to wander down Haight Street in search of a pub that serves fine European-style beer. I spent the morning working out at the gym and then walking Zuri on the beach, so it was most certainly time to visit a local pub. Aaron came with me and I warned him that we might have to make a quick stop at the Doc Marten Store before visiting the bar. I just wanted to have a closer look at those adorable lavender boots and luckily he was in agreement with my plan.
As usual, the Doc Marten Store never disappoints and before I knew it, Aaron was asking the sales clerk for assistance. Yes, he just couldn't resist. Initially I hadn't planned on actually trying the shoes on, but when I heard Aaron asking for help with sizes I knew it was definitely time. The sales clerk kept urging me to go with the red pair, but my mind had been made up in January. I put the lavender beauties on and didn't take them off. I told the salesman that I didn't even need a box. He assured me that if I wore them out of the store, I could not return them. Aaron chose a handsome solid black boot, and we left the store sporting our new purchases feeling trendy and retro as we made our way to the pub. European-style brew was no longer affordable after our purchase, but luckily we stumbled upon happy hour, so we didn't have to settle for cheap beer. There really is nothing better than wearing new Doc Marten's and drinking Belgian beer while listening to a Willie Nelson cover band. It was a fine afternoon.
Today I couldn't help but reminisce of my first Doc Marten purchase. As I mentioned above, Mom and I decided to travel to London for spring break my junior year. We both worked hard pinching pennies to save up for our long awaited journey overseas. It was our first time traveling abroad and we had looked so forward to it, but we both had reservations that first night in the city. We felt so far from home and we were so fatigued from jet lag. Luckily we slept well and woke the next morning with a different attitude about learning the city. It took several rides, but Mom tackled the subway system and had us all over London. We spent the week walking our feet off, learning to 'mind the gap,' filling our bellies with delicious pastries, visiting beautiful cathedrals and museums, and attending musicals. We also managed to get a little shopping in, and I found the shoe store Shelley's, which had an amazing selection of Doc Marten's. I was sold. Working at the retirement center as a waitress provided me with just enough money to purchase those great Mary Jane's. We had so much fun on that trip that we decided to return the following year for another visit. The second time around I chose a really fun plaid boot that I loved wearing throughout the years as well.
So I guess this is why I get a little overly emotional about Doc Marten's. They take me down memory lane. They take me back to London with my Mom and remind me of our amazing travels there. Those were some of my favorite trips abroad, and Mom has always been supportive of my Doc Marten habit. I wore Doc's all through college and always loved their ability to enhance and funkify any plain outfit. It has been about ten years since I have purchased a pair, so it was most appropriate to add the beautiful lavender boots to my collection today. My wallet may be a bit lighter, but my feet are very happy.
When we moved to San Francisco and I first wandered through the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, I was absolutely thrilled to see a Doc Marten Store. I drooled over the fine collection of colorful shoes in the front window, and a certain tall lavender boot really caught my eye. Since this encounter, I have passed by this store many times dreaming of how stylish I would look in such fine purple footwear.
So this afternoon we decided to wander down Haight Street in search of a pub that serves fine European-style beer. I spent the morning working out at the gym and then walking Zuri on the beach, so it was most certainly time to visit a local pub. Aaron came with me and I warned him that we might have to make a quick stop at the Doc Marten Store before visiting the bar. I just wanted to have a closer look at those adorable lavender boots and luckily he was in agreement with my plan.
As usual, the Doc Marten Store never disappoints and before I knew it, Aaron was asking the sales clerk for assistance. Yes, he just couldn't resist. Initially I hadn't planned on actually trying the shoes on, but when I heard Aaron asking for help with sizes I knew it was definitely time. The sales clerk kept urging me to go with the red pair, but my mind had been made up in January. I put the lavender beauties on and didn't take them off. I told the salesman that I didn't even need a box. He assured me that if I wore them out of the store, I could not return them. Aaron chose a handsome solid black boot, and we left the store sporting our new purchases feeling trendy and retro as we made our way to the pub. European-style brew was no longer affordable after our purchase, but luckily we stumbled upon happy hour, so we didn't have to settle for cheap beer. There really is nothing better than wearing new Doc Marten's and drinking Belgian beer while listening to a Willie Nelson cover band. It was a fine afternoon.
Today I couldn't help but reminisce of my first Doc Marten purchase. As I mentioned above, Mom and I decided to travel to London for spring break my junior year. We both worked hard pinching pennies to save up for our long awaited journey overseas. It was our first time traveling abroad and we had looked so forward to it, but we both had reservations that first night in the city. We felt so far from home and we were so fatigued from jet lag. Luckily we slept well and woke the next morning with a different attitude about learning the city. It took several rides, but Mom tackled the subway system and had us all over London. We spent the week walking our feet off, learning to 'mind the gap,' filling our bellies with delicious pastries, visiting beautiful cathedrals and museums, and attending musicals. We also managed to get a little shopping in, and I found the shoe store Shelley's, which had an amazing selection of Doc Marten's. I was sold. Working at the retirement center as a waitress provided me with just enough money to purchase those great Mary Jane's. We had so much fun on that trip that we decided to return the following year for another visit. The second time around I chose a really fun plaid boot that I loved wearing throughout the years as well.
So I guess this is why I get a little overly emotional about Doc Marten's. They take me down memory lane. They take me back to London with my Mom and remind me of our amazing travels there. Those were some of my favorite trips abroad, and Mom has always been supportive of my Doc Marten habit. I wore Doc's all through college and always loved their ability to enhance and funkify any plain outfit. It has been about ten years since I have purchased a pair, so it was most appropriate to add the beautiful lavender boots to my collection today. My wallet may be a bit lighter, but my feet are very happy.
A bit blurry, but still beautiful!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A Reminder
Yesterday when I went into work I found a gift addressed to me sitting in the windowsill of the break room.
I was speechless and the note just about brought me to tears. I had told this particular family how much I enjoy trying to teach myself Spanish, and the grandfather went right out and bought me this set of books and CDs. I can't wait to get started on the discs and then practice my Spanish with them at work. This was just such a nice gesture, and it helps me to remember how much I love taking care of patients and families during their hospitalizations.
With this gift there was a note that said:
To: The Friendliest RN I ever met
I wish you the best in your Spanish studies. The Latin language (Spanish) is quite romantic and expressive. Remember lose your fear, and just talk...
Thank you for taking all the time to care for our family.
With Love-A
I was speechless and the note just about brought me to tears. I had told this particular family how much I enjoy trying to teach myself Spanish, and the grandfather went right out and bought me this set of books and CDs. I can't wait to get started on the discs and then practice my Spanish with them at work. This was just such a nice gesture, and it helps me to remember how much I love taking care of patients and families during their hospitalizations.
Friday, March 4, 2011
The past two days off define delightful! I have had so much fun with friends and the husband. Yesterday I made my way across the bay on the BART to meet a friend in Berkeley. It was my first time taking the BART, which is the commuter train, and I actually didn't have any trouble making my way to and from. Shocking. I met up with my friend Lindsey, who I worked with at Duke and we have recently gotten re-aquainted since we're both travel nurses here in the bay area. She is a lovely person, and we have such interesting discussions when we get together! It is always so good to see her. We met at the train station and then found a funky vegetarian cafe for lunch. After a satisfying meat-free meal we made our way towards campus to the Berkeley Art Museum. The museum is free the first Thursday of every month, which is good we didn't pay because we didn't stay for long. The art was a bit too modern for my liking. There was also a small exhibit of Asian art, but after spending five weeks roaming around Asia last year, I have seen my fair share of Buddhas on display. Oh well, it was still fun, and I can check it off my list of things to do. Afterwards we leisurely meandered around campus taking occasional pictures and talking. We then found a quaint little coffee shop near the train station to rehydrate and eat before heading back home. It was most certainly a fun little day trip, and Berkeley is an interesting town. I wouldn't mind going back one of these days to wander a little more.
On a side note, there are two girls in the area that I worked with at Duke. Lindsey (mentioned above) and Jen. They're both currently down the road at Stanford, but it is very easy to meet up on our days off. We have now hung out together several times, and it is always such a good experience. It is amazing how fulfilling it is to be surrounded by two people who knew me before I embarked on this crazy nomadic lifestyle. I think they feel similarly. Most importantly, when we get together we transition from normal dialect to deep southern accents (even though Lindsey is from a more northern state, she talks like a true southern girl!). People around us must think we're absolutely crazy, but hearing that slow sweet drawl is like music to my southern girl ears!
Last evening Aaron and I made our way to Haight-Ashbury for fried chicken and beer. After our healthy meal we met up with our friend Jennifer, who is a traveler Aaron met during his previous contract. She is good fun and we enjoyed catching up over drinks. She has been spending lots of time at the climbing gym lately, and she managed to talk us into trying it out, so that is what we did today. This morning I got up early and made my way to the beach with Zuri for a five mile run. I got home, cleaned up and Jennifer picked us up just before noon to head over to 'Mission Cliffs.' Any title with the word 'cliff' makes me nervous as I hate heights. And just as I had thought, I felt ill when we entered the gym and were instantly surrounded by towering climbing walls. I managed to rent the gear and take the class and even climb a wall or two. I am so tired tonight that I can't really write about it in detail, so I will post some pictures. My arms are incredibly sore, but it was a really neat experience and I think we will try to go again next week. Also, some pics of Berkeley!
On a side note, there are two girls in the area that I worked with at Duke. Lindsey (mentioned above) and Jen. They're both currently down the road at Stanford, but it is very easy to meet up on our days off. We have now hung out together several times, and it is always such a good experience. It is amazing how fulfilling it is to be surrounded by two people who knew me before I embarked on this crazy nomadic lifestyle. I think they feel similarly. Most importantly, when we get together we transition from normal dialect to deep southern accents (even though Lindsey is from a more northern state, she talks like a true southern girl!). People around us must think we're absolutely crazy, but hearing that slow sweet drawl is like music to my southern girl ears!
Last evening Aaron and I made our way to Haight-Ashbury for fried chicken and beer. After our healthy meal we met up with our friend Jennifer, who is a traveler Aaron met during his previous contract. She is good fun and we enjoyed catching up over drinks. She has been spending lots of time at the climbing gym lately, and she managed to talk us into trying it out, so that is what we did today. This morning I got up early and made my way to the beach with Zuri for a five mile run. I got home, cleaned up and Jennifer picked us up just before noon to head over to 'Mission Cliffs.' Any title with the word 'cliff' makes me nervous as I hate heights. And just as I had thought, I felt ill when we entered the gym and were instantly surrounded by towering climbing walls. I managed to rent the gear and take the class and even climb a wall or two. I am so tired tonight that I can't really write about it in detail, so I will post some pictures. My arms are incredibly sore, but it was a really neat experience and I think we will try to go again next week. Also, some pics of Berkeley!
Berkeley
Climbing Gym
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