Sometimes you need a little family time

So today I went to visit my friend and roommate from undergrad, Kellie's, family in San Carlos, California.  I took the Caltrain and spent the day with Lynn, Max, Logan(8) and Savannah(6). While they are not my family, I have met them various times at different events, and they extended the invitation for me to come visit them. The day was filled with Candyland, Hanna Montana performances, bicycle tricks, story time, gardening, watching Savannah clean her newly pierced ears, seafood and wine from their wine cellar. Come eight o'clock I was worn out, but had had a fabulous day. It made me realize two things. One, spending a full day with kids can be pure fun, and the best birth control ever. Two, sometimes you need family time, even if it's not your blood related family.

Savannah, Me, Logan

The Meadow's have invited me back, and we are going to try to do a few outings during the summer! It's nice to have friendly faces, even when across the country. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if Kellie was here too! Thanks for sharing your family Kell!

Why Not?

Someone wise once told me that my summer motto should be: when will I ever be here again? why not? it's only money and you only live once. I have decided that I think the motto fits my summer quite appropriately --- what is the chance I ever spend a summer interning in California again? Why not take 2343378 pictures of sea lions and wine taste in the middle of the afternoon?  Money, well I don't want to measure my life in it, and you only live once so might as well make it count. Btw, the wise person was my roommate April.

These past two days have been an exploration of northern California. Yesterday I unpacked and got settled into my apartment, then proceeded to wander around campus. I think my favorite part is the palm trees that are everywhere, and the unique art. From pieces made by students, to fountains, or pieces in honor of people such as the Hugo Chavez arch. It gives the campus an eclectic, but welcoming feel. Wandering off campus I found a market, which is within walking distance to my apartment. Thus, I picked up some groceries (a plus, produce is cheaper out here) and headed to the library. While I have not explored all of campus, the library is my favorite building so far. The library is the University's library and the public library of San Jose city. It is massive, has a bunch of different exhibits on people such as Beethoven and others, and a children's section which is just cute. Realizing I had frozen things in my grocery bag, I went back to my apartment. Later, I went on a Target run (a HESA favorite) and Chili's for dinner with my boss. If you are a Chili's fan, I recommend trying their new Santa Fe Chicken wrap, delicious.

The President's House

Hugo Chavez Arch

Today, Kelly, Emily and I headed to San Francisco. We started down by the piers, where there is a beautiful view of the bay, lots of little tourists shops and sea lions, which I became mildly obsessed with. They are just so cute, and there was so many of them! Some other fun attractions at the pier was the farmer's marker, these delicious homemade donuts, and a bread company that makes it's bread into all different shapes and animals. We also found a winery, where we did some mid afternoon wine tasting. We then moved to Little Italy, because Kelly remembered that I loved Garlic and found a restaurant called the Stinky Rose, which uses at least 20 cloves of garlic in every dish. It was right up my alley. Lastly, we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, stopped for some pictures and took a detour to Sausalito (a wealthy bay area where stars such as Halle Berry live). The bridge was huge, and beautiful, but the view of the Bay was even prettier. We spent all day in San Francisco, and only saw a quarter of what the city has to offer so I am excited to go back a few times this summer!

Sea Lions on the San Francisco Bay

Alligator made from bread

Me, Emily and Kelly at wine tasting

The Garlic Restaurant

Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco Bay, it was really windy

A little part of the bay

I urge everyone to try the summer motto: when will I ever be here again? why not? it's only money and you only live once.

Welcome to San Jose!

So my first week of work has been a lot of fun. I arrived in San Jose late Wednesday morning, and after dropping off Krista and the rent a car my two bosses Alissa and Kelly picked me up from the airport. We went to the office where I met an array of people. Unlike South Carolina and West Chester, orientation at San Jose State is housed in the office with student organizations, leadership and greek life, which creates the Student Involvement office. Since San Jose State does not have a first year experience program, their orientation encompasses welcome week (which is three weeks), transition students, and serves as a make shift first year experience resource. Everyone I met in the office was very welcoming, and excited to have me with them for the summer which was comforting. Wednesday night I went to dinner with my other boss Emily, and then we watched the lady GaGa Glee episode. She also has an adorable golden retriever who she said I could borrow when ever I wanted!

Thursday Sparta tranining started; San Jose's mascot is the spartans. Sparta training is a new program that will pioneer in the fall. It includes three outdoor recreation trips for first year students to go on within the first two weeks of school - a camping trip to Big Basin, kayaking on the Pacific and a trip to Vegelution farm (an ecofriendly farm). There are six Sparta leaders who will be leaders on the trip for the about 50 first years who will attend each trip. It's a really exciting program for a few reasons. First, the Sparta leaders that have been selected are not people who have previously held leadership positions, because they wanted to get new students involved in leadership. Second, the lady from outdoor recreation, Kirky, is amazing and really excited. Third, it is a way to highlight sustainability and the environment which is something San Jose is aiming to do. Thursday night I went to downtown San Jose with Alissa and Kelly to "Ladies Night" which is when all the stores and restaurants have specials and giveaways - we got free 15 minute massages, lots of champagne and wine and appetizers and some fun gift bags.

Friday Sparta training continued, and I met with some more offices that I will have to communicate with during orientation, to make sure all offices involved with sessions are all on the same page. Then, our office closed and our Director Rich took us to see Sex in the City, 2 which while I enjoyed the first one better, it was still cute.

Some more good news; originally the other intern and I were going to have dorm rooms for the summer. However, housing called and said they have an old RLC apartment open, so the two of us are now going to have a two bedroom apartment for the summer! Also, orientation leaders have been stopping by all week to meet me and just say hi, which is very welcoming, they seem enthusiastic and ready for the summer!

Today I am going to go out and explore San Jose, and spend some time unpacking and settling in. Tomorrow I am headed to San Francisco with Kelly to be a tourist, and Monday I am going to try San Jose's public transportation system and go visit my roommate from undergrad, Kellie's family. They have two small children (4 and 6) so we are going to BBQ and tie-dye. Tuesday Denica (the other intern from Bowling Green arrives) and I am excited to meet her. Pictures of campus and what not will come soon, hope everyone has a fabulous memorial day weekend!

I think that maybe I'm dreamin', Monterey

Today we explored more of the coast - finding Pheifer Beach, Bixby Creek Bridge and the Monterey Coast. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Cove at Pheifer Beach

Me on Pheifer Beach

The sand was a mix of red and beige, it was really pretty.

The view from Bixby Bridge

Krista and Bixby Bridge

There is treasure hidden there, on the coast of California.

So, being in California for only six days, I can already tell you I am considering not returning to the east coast. Saturday and Sunday Krista and I spent in Los Angles. We took an Amtrak train from San Diego to LA, where we were fortunate enough to sit next to a middle school Harry Potter club field trip, need I say more. Once we were in LA we arrived at our hotel, the Knights Inn. How do I describe the Knights Inn, hm….well I won’t, but if you are ever in the area I recommend you don’t stay there. Wanting to escape our hotel room we decided to try LA’s public transportation and head down to Hollywood. In route we ran into LA’s bike race, which although it put a delay in our travels, was really cool to see. On our detour we go to see some of downton LA (business area) and the Disney Concert Hall. Arriving on Hollywood Blvd we immediately walked upon the Walk of Fame (all the stars). However, we were a little surprised that while the walkway was 18 blocks and impressive, it was not as glamourus as we imagined, just a normal sidewalk with stars. None the less we were classic tourists, snapping away pictures of The Olsen Twins, Sandra Bullock, Mariyln Monroe, etc.

On Saturday we headed back to Hollywood and headed out on a Starline Hop-on-hop-off bus tour! Riding on a double decker bus we rode down Sunset Blvd, Hollywood Ave and Rodeo Drive. Rodeo Drive has a California Ambassador whose job is to greet guests, parking meters that only takes credit cards, and a few stores that you need an appointment to even enter. I found Tiffany and Co., so please make a mental note to my future fiancé that an acceptable engagement ring could come from here. We then headed to Santa Monica, which was gorgeous. The wind was out of control, but nonetheless we walked the pier and along the beach, my highlight finding a stand that sold churros!

Krista and I on Rodeo Drive

Tiffany & Co.

The most interesting thing we saw at Santa Monica was a display by the Los Angeles Veterans for Peace. The memorial had crosses laid out all over the beach, symbolizing the troops that had been lost in our current war. What most surprised me, was the passion of the organization. The display was massive, and they set it up every morning, and take it down every evening, everyday. Whether you agree with their cause or not, to be that passionate about a cause is impressive.

Santa Monica Pier

Display by the LA Veterans for Peace on Santa Monica Beach

This morning (Monday) I took three subways, and two shuttles later in order to pick up our rent a car. While that might seem like a lot of transportation, I didn’t mind because I met lots of friends along the way. See, I have this gene I inherited from my mother, people insist on talking to me. This morning I met a man who had just left court for being caught with weed, two veterans, a lady who helped me get on the blue route, a lady who has spent the past year traveling the country by train, a man who grew up in Elizabeth, NJ, and a student studying environmental studies. Some might find all these strangers insisting on conversation bothersome, but I think it’s a fun chance to meet people from all different walks of life. I finally picked up the car and we now have a powder blue Kia Accent as our new ride for the next two days. After a short detour in Compton (I am directionally challenged), I picked up Krista and We headed towards Rt 1 for our mini road trip up the coast.

Our Car!

Eight hours later we arrived in Monterey – but the car ride did not seem that long, because scenery was absolutely breathtaking, seriously gorgeous. The ride goes up the coast, from Santa Monica all the way to Monterey peninsula. The most spectacular part being the Big Sur; a ninety mile stretch of road that was actually built in the 1930’s by California convicts. If you look out the window to your right you will see beautiful mountains, to your left the Pacific Ocean. I am usually not that impressed by mountains, so maybe it’s the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other, but I have honestly never seen something so beautiful. Every time we thought we had seen the best view possible, we rounded another corner of the mountain and took our statements back because it was even better. We took some pictures, but they do not do it justice. Krista and I both agree that our eight-hour car ride up the coast has been our favorite part of the vacation, who would have thought. If anyone gets the chance to come to California, it would be my number one recommendation of things to do. Checking into our hotel late this evening, we celebrated with champagne and snacks, to be in A) a hotel that we love, and B) a town that we are excited to explore tomorrow! One more day of travel, and then up to San Jose to start my internship!

Yay for the California Coast

Sunset at Big Sur

Glad to be in Monterey and at our new hotel celebration!

Nothing Going to Stop Us Now, California Here We Come

Planes: they cease to amaze me. The fact that I could be sitting in my living room in Jersey at four in the afternoon, and then checked in my hotel in San Diego, California hours later all the way across the country is amazing. Plus, these couple ton machines can fly, like stay in the air, well that I just will never understand. However, luckily someone understands how they work, and on Wednesday Krista and I boarded a plane and headed across the county for the summer! Oh, props to Krista whose Charlotte flight got delayed - so she arrived in Newark at 5:50 for our 6:00 flight, ran through the terminal and made the flight!

Arriving in San Diego Wednesday night, and still on Eastern time, we passed out in our hotel, The Harbor Inn View and Suites. Thankfully though the time difference had us up and going quite early. After a  continental breakfast, Krista and I headed out to try San Diego’s public transportation system. Funny, the bus we needed, the number seven – oh its route changed. Though, thanks to a various friendly San Diego natives, two hours later we had arrived at the San Diego Zoo. 

The zoo was beautiful, and I particularly enjoyed the panda, elephant and zebra exhibits. Something nice about the San Diego Zoo, the viewing of the animals makes it much easier to get up close and personal and take pictures! 

Leaving the zoo we went to walk around Balboa Park which is the largest industrial park in the country. It’s filled with museums, gardens, fountains, amazing architecture and sculptures. I would show you pictures, but both of our cameras died by the time we got to Balboa park, though sometimes I think that is better cause we really took in all the sights, versus trying to snap away left and right.  Later that night we had dinner in the Gaslamp Quarter, which is a quarter of bars, restaurants, shops and beautiful gaslamps that line the streets.

Day two of San Diego we decided to head to the beach. Being masters of San Diego’s public transportation at this point we boarded the trolley and then the bus and headed to Pacific Beach. Soaking up the sun all day was relaxing, and I am already working on that sun kissed California tan. Also, I found my future summer home - a beach house on the Pacific Beach pier.

The water was way to cold to go swimming, and had the most seaweed I have ever seen! Later we found out that it is because seaweed plants grow close to the shore in the Pacific ocean, and when the weather is bad the currents rip them up and wash them all to shore, making it covered in seaweed!

Later we enjoyed dinner in Little Italy, and then headed back to the Gaslamp district for some blue moons at a bar called the Tipsy Crow, which had a live singer who was actually really good! Oh, and our friends from across the bar sent up roses.

Some things that Krista and I have noticed about San Diego. They have a very high homeless population. However, we have awarded them the nicest homeless people we have ever met – they do not bother or pan handle people, and if they do interrupt you they apologize for doing so. 

There are 711’s on every corner, literally you can’t walk more then two blocks without running into one. The city is very diverse, having an especially high Asian, Indian and Hispanic population. Everything in the city is painted or has a mural on it, from the sides of buildings to the electric boxes.  The cross walks and lifeguard stands talk to you, tell you when to cross, when to stop, when to hurry. There are not many families that we saw, but a lot of single businessmen traveling (and cosmo said that San Diego has the third wealthiest men in the county). There are an abundance of joggers and dogs.  Everyone tells you "God Loves You" from the friendly homeless people, to the people with Bibles and handouts on the street. Lastly, they have a highly used public transportation system, particularly the trolley. 

This morning we boarded a train and are headed up the coast to Los Angeles California. While I have only been here for two days, I can already see why people fall in love with California. 

There's So Much to Be Thankful For

Thankful. If being home has made me realize anything, it is that I am thankful for what I have. This past Saturday I had a bbq with friends from home and a few from West Chester. I am lucky that I went away to college, now went away again to South Carolina, and yet when I come home I can still call the people there my friends. Sure, they have changed, and I have changed. Though push comes to shove, they are still my friends. We enjoyed good food (thanks daddy), good games (beer pong and flip cup), and good company (each other).

Then we celebrated my Daddy's 56th birthday and my sister's 20th birthday, and if being thankful for my friends wasn't enough, I am also thankful for my family. So take a look around, and take note of what you are thankful for.

Who Says You Can't Go Home

So I am new at this blog thing, actually I am new at anything that is remotely technology related. However, I suggested to my roommates that we keep blogs for the summer as we are spread all over the country, so thanks to my roommate April (my personal technology assistant) here is my first blog.

I left Cola on Saturday, and I have to say it was bitter sweet. While I was excited to be going home, it was weird to leave behind people that I only met nine months ago, but now consider some of my good friends. I headed to West Chester for a much needed visit and had a good night with good friends. Laure was a gracious host, I returned back to Kildaire's and Barnaby's, had fun on the dance floor, and enjoyed seeing old faces.

Since being home in Jersey I have done nothing overly productive. Hanging out with family, relaxing, seeing friends. Yesterday my siblings and I drove down to Bloomsburg where my brother will go in the fall - while it's not West Chester, it was a beautiful campus and I think he will be happy there. It's nice to have some down time after this past semester, and before heading to California in oh less then a week!

Bon Jovi says "who says you can't go home" and while I agree with their statement, the longer I live away from "home", the more I wonder if home is really where you grow up, or if it's where the people you care about the most are? or if it's where your current life is? Maybe it's ok to be a mixture of both?