Thursday, September 29, 2011

Aaron's Birthday

Aaron and I have different schedules this week, but fortunately we had one night off together to celebrate his birthday.  I can't believe the husband is turning 33!  Our years spent together have flown by too fast.  Anyways, I wanted to take him somewhere nice for dinner, so after doing some research online I decided we should dine at Mr. Pollo.  Really Mr. Pollo is a dive in the Mission District that blends in with the multiple neighboring tacquerias, but according to the reviews online it is a foodies dream.  We arrived very early and got our name on the list since there are only about twelve seats in the restaurant, and while waiting we had a quick beer at a pub across the street.  Finally 7 o'clock came around and our fine dining experience began. 

The restaurant's interior is very simple with the kitchen in the main dining area, so it really is just one small room.  We both ordered the sampler plate, which provided us with four courses.  The restaurant doesn't serve wine, so I brought a bottle of Red Zinfandel from Nelson's Winery to enjoy with dinner.  

Here are some pictures:

The Birthday Boy!!

Very Excited 

A Chilled Cauliflower Soup (we wanted to lick the bowls clean)

Prawns with Heirloom Tomatoes 

A Fantastic Squid Dish

Final Course of Trout with Vegetables

All of the food was delicious, but my favorites were the soup and the trout.  We had no problem clearing our plates while conversing about current events and politics.  The meal lasted for about two hours, and amazingly it only cost forty dollars.  I think we will be visiting Mr. Pollo again soon.   

We took the bus home and enjoyed cake and ice cream.  The perfect ending to a perfect evening together.  Happy Birthday Aaron!

Monday, September 26, 2011

A Wonderful Weekend

This weekend was really just perfect.  It started on Friday afternoon when I picked my dear friend Julie up from the airport.  I have written about Julie on this blog and our previous weekend visits.  It is always so exciting to have her visit.  We got settled at the apartment and then decided to go on a walk through the park before enjoying happy hour at one of my favorite wine bars.  Zuri got to come along because this little bar is dog friendly, and so she enjoyed plenty of attention and attempting to catch flies.  For dinner we ate at one of our favorite Italian restaurants in the Sunset.  This little mom and pop place never disappoints and we dined on fresh bread, calamari, pizza, salad and pasta.  I think we even sneaked in some chocolate cake and coffee before calling it a night. 

Saturday we spent some time in Napa enjoying a couple of my favorite wineries, and then had a very quiet evening.  We sampled at Cuvaison and Black Stallion, which both make excellent wine and provide beautiful views of the vineyards.  It was so nice to sit outside, enjoy the sunshine and cool breeze, and catch up with Julie.  As always we laughed a lot...  We found a small cafe for lunch before making the drive back to the city.  It was such a relaxing and low key day, which is what we both needed.  Our evening in SF consisted of holding down the futon and chattering away.  At this point we were starting to develop sore throats from all the talking.  It was definitely going to be an early night to relax our voices, because we had all day Sunday to talk too...

We managed to just hang out at home Sunday morning in our pajamas drinking coffee.  Our throats were feeling better even though we both developed tongue blisters.  This made talking really difficult, but we remained strong and chattered on.  That's all you can do when you see your best friend only a handful of times a year.  Anyways, in the early afternoon we hit the beach with Zuri and walked for a while before grabbing lunch and heading to the airport.  As always it is sad to say goodbye, but I am very hopeful to make it down to LA in the near future for another fun girl weekend.

So really we didn't do much during Julie's visit, but that is the beauty of our time together.  We are both so happy to sit around and enjoy each others company.  I am so thankful we have managed to stay in touch all these years.  One of the best things about living in California is that once again we live in the same state (it has been since college), and it is easier to get together. 

Sunday night I was tired and hurting from the tongue blister and lingering sore throat, but it was a fantastic weekend spent with the best friend.  Well worth the pain and great memories for sure...

Friday, September 16, 2011

A Quiet Week

The past week has been rather relaxed.  Working nights takes a toll on my body, but I am managing okay.  I am always awake by noon and ready to start the day, which is really not compatible with a 7p-7a three day in a row schedule.  Oh well.  Next month it is back to day shift, which will be nice.

Yesterday was really pleasant.  After sleeping for a couple of hours I managed to get out of bed and drive over to Daly City to get my hair done.  Maintaining my blond status means more frequent salon visits, which is okay by me.  I go to a Chinese salon, so everyone speaks Mandarin the entire time.  I prefer this because I really dislike making small talk during a hair cut.  Michael said all of three words to me: Hello.  Beautiful.  $112.00.  It was a peaceful hour quietly vegetating and reading trash magazines.  When I got home Aaron was busy brewing up another five gallons of beer.  This batch will be called Zuri's Honey Amber Ale.  It smelled horrible, so I head out to the park with Zuri for a two hour walk.  The weather wasn't perfect, but it was just nice to be outside and enjoy the fresh air.   

On our return home Aaron was finishing up making homemade dog treats, and Zuri just about bit his hand off sampling them.  She really is a lucky dog.  In the evening we head out to meet up with a friend for dinner in the park.  On Thursday evenings there is a wonderful variety of food trucks that show up on the edge of Golden Gate Park.  It is heavenly, and there are all kinds of interesting foods to try.  I chose Vietnamese and got some delicious garlic noodles.  On the side I treated myself to sweet potato tater tots with a spicy mango dipping sauce.  Aaron found a spicy curry chicken burrito that was excellent, but left him with intense heartburn that lasted well into the night.  Jenn had fried macaroni and cheese.  We managed to stop by Kezar's before heading home.  It was really nice to chat with Jenn and hear about what she has been up to lately.  I think we have a running date in the park on Monday.

Aaron works all weekend, but I only work tonight and then have a couple days off.  I think Saturday will be for relaxation and quiet time.  Sunday should be a good time with brunch in the morning and meeting up with friends in the afternoon.  

On a side note, I just finished reading Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy by Lisa See.  Great books about a wonderful Chinese family and their struggles from the 1930s and into the Mao years.  Today I started reading River Town by Peter Hessler.  This book is about Hessler's experiences as a Peace Corp volunteer in Fuling China during the 1990s.  I guess I am on a Chinese kick, but so is my Mom because she has recommended all of these, and we usually have very similar taste in books.  Happy reading...

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A Visit to the Redwoods

Aaron and I had a few days off together, so we decided to roadtrip our way up north to visit Redwood National Park.  It was a wonderful two day journey, and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time together in such beautiful territory.  We stayed in Arcata, California and wandered through the national and state park system in the area.  I really don't have a favorite when it comes to Sequoias or Redwoods.  They're both such splendid trees, and walking among them is truly a majestic experience.  The giant trees are one of my favorite things about this state for sure!

Arcata, California

Marbled Murrelet-Arcata, California

Beautiful Countryside

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park

Having Fun!

So Tall

Redwood National Park

Screwdriver Tree

 Screwdriver Tree

A Friendly Banana Slug (we spent a long time watching this slug)

 Klamath River-Klamath, California

 The Husband

Gigantic!!!

Me in Fern Canyon

A Mysterious Image-Redwood National Park

Expecting T-Rex at Any Moment

 
Ladies Enjoying the Redwoods

A Pretty Pic on the Drive Home

So, we had a fantastic time.  We're just having a quiet night here in the city this evening.  Aaron will be bottling his first batch of beer, and I will be assisting him with that.  I believe tonight's batch is a pale ale.  Then we have a porter brewing in the closet, and he plans to make a wheat beer on Friday.  I think that will total fifteen gallons of beer when all is said and done.  Hmmmm... not sure what to think of this new hobby. He is currently wearing my apron and happily baking bottles in the kitchen as I type.
I work the next three nights, and then we have plans with friends on Sunday afternoon.  Fun times as always! 

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Pictures Galore

Here are pictures from the past month starting with Tim and Liz's visit to our week at the beach with my family.  We have had some very nice times this summer.  Fine memories...

True Love

The Lovely Tim, Liz, Jess and Z

A Fine Group

A Peaceful Moment at the Beach with Z

A Perfect Evening in South Carolina

High Tide during Hurricane Irene

Back to Normal after Irene

The Fam

A Sweet Moment

Baby J Hunting for Shells

Happiness

A Wonderful Family

Nerding.  Oops, I meant to say Birding.

A Quality Moment Looking for Herons

Amazing

No Lies

A Very Happy Husband

Charleston!

A Lovely Old Graveyard in Charleston

Friday, September 2, 2011

Quick Update

I can't believe September is here.  Not really sure what happened to the summer, but I am quite excited that fall is just around the corner.  Apparently September and October are very pleasant months in San Francisco, so I am looking forward to some sunny fog-free days here in the city.  Aaron and I just got back from a lovely week at the beach with my family.  I need to post pictures soon.  We managed to survive Hurricane Irene and a case of the bed bugs.  Poor Aaron, those critters always seem to find him even while staying at a nice hotel.  Next week we are taking a short trip up towards Redwood National Park to visit the beautiful monstrous trees.  Zuri will get to travel along as well, which she will be happy about.  In late September I am planning a girl weekend with my BFF Julie Oh.  I think we will stay up in Napa for a night or two.  It will certainly be good fun to visit with her.  There is always so much to chat about! 
This week I have had to say farewell to my Duke girls living in the area.  They're fellow travelers and will be moving on to other assignments.  Fortunately they will both be relocating to NYC, so I am very hopeful to sneak out east sometime this fall for a visit.  It has been wonderful to have these two nearby for several months.  We have had some fine moments getting mani/pedis, eating good food and enjoying the city.  You girls will certainly be missed!