I appreciate

"A few of my favorite things" going away party!

2009-07-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

Late Sunsets

2009-06-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

This was taken when I left the house at about 9pm.

Last Weekend in SF

2009-06-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

Thursday:
Vietnamese in Downtown Oakland (I accidentally cried...)
Surprise Going-away tart, trophy, card and gifts from Special Ed staff!
Mission Bay
Sabrina's new guy played a show at the Lab
Zuni Cafe (squab, fried squash blossoms, ricotta gnocchi)

Friday:
Pal's take away on 24th (lamb panchetta and multigrain veggie with bok choy & egg)
David Byrne at the Greek (replete with choreography, a sunset and extra action marching band)

Saturday: 80 degree weather made the Mission into a playground
hip hop class
Delfina (sweet onion & fatty bacon "guincale" pizza, pictured)
Dolores park, Dyke March
Revolution cafe, live blues singer
El Farolito burrito

Sunday:
Pride parade (saw Bethany strutting with Samba folks)
SF Moma Rooftop Garden & Robert Frank "The Americans" exhibit
Mission Bay
Vino at Coffee Bar w/ Heather
Mission Dance - Hip hop dance performance
Auntie Em's Spaghetti Shack (delicious snowpea, pesto and ricotta salata)

Then some trouble falling asleep, which is transition-appropriate, I think.

The girls and boys

2009-06-28T21:59:00.001-07:00

Bethany
Heather
Sabrina

Nadir
Daimian
Benny
Braden

In the last year this disparate of people, while not necessarily friends with each other, have been a huge support network for me. They are at the ready on a Friday night, made plans without a real plan, have processed work, new love, breakups, singledom, various events of 2009, and all sorts of transitions. We have eaten in some of the most delicious restaurants in San Francisco, or sat on the deck waxing. In Los Angeles, I can think of one friend that is single and has the flexibility and energy of these folks. Knowing that they were in town and in my life made me feel better about myself, anchored. I will miss them incredibly.

Hip Hop class at ODC

2009-06-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

Micaya told me today that I was doing a good job. I feel like a giddy teeny bopper (she actually notice me, omg).
I had my last hip hop class today at ODC and it was, as usual, sweaty and invigorating. She manages to break down hard moves (isolations!), and keep it light & fun. At the end of the class, we did a super sultry cool downand she thanked us for being her students. Great mix of San Francisco - touchy -feely and irreverant and risk-taking.

4 days left....

2009-06-26T18:30:00.001-07:00

eeeeeeek!
Appreciating every Victorian, every sunny moment, the chill in the air, the bicycles, the great lunches (Heather introduced me to Pal's take-away gourmet sandwiches out of a deli on 24th & Hampshire), the amazing dining (just went to Zuni cafe with Sabrina yesterday)....

Casa Sanchez

2009-06-26T18:25:00.000-07:00

Chips and Salsa -- the best!
Great rickety patio in the back, friendliest staff on 24th street (maybe exception is Elle's)

Soft & Warm, the Quiet Storm: KBLX

2009-06-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

I was driving home from the gym today and damn it was beautiful out. The wind that took over the day finally subsided and left the city sparkly. Sparkly is my favorite adjective for San Francisco in the dark. Probably because it's often wet out, and the hills create a horizon of light everywhere you look. It sparkles!

(I might need to reiterate that even after living here for four years, I still maintain that San Francisco is the most beautiful city -- I've seen -- in the world)

Back to the Quiet Storm. . . .so I've just gone on a late-night swim at Mission Bay pool, sat in the sauna for 10 minutes, and enjoyed quiet in the spa-like locker room, and I flip the radio to KBLX.
I hear a version of that James Taylor song "Don't let me be lonely tonight" by Boney James. Jussst right. KBLX just knows what I need to hear in every moment. How do they do it? Maybe I should start listening to more old school r&b and slow jams.
The mood of the radio station is 'soft and warm' as they assert, and the songs seem to match what I'm in the mood for almost every time I flip to it.

I just went to their website and noticed that you could listen online, which I plan to do, and then find out what albums I need to buy with this pretty nifty playlist: http://www.tunegenie.com/onair/kblx/

OOoooh, soft and warm, the quiet storm. Kinda like summer in San Francisco.

My staff

2009-06-18T22:32:00.000-07:00

Today was my last formal day of being a participant and leader of a special ed team (see above), and I didn't think it would effect me but it did. When this picture was taken, I was still pretty shaky when it came to running meetings, giving critical feedback and inspiring co-workers to come to decisions on their own. Today I am pretty confident in those arenas and I am proud of it. Not only that, but I appreciate them, as I know they appreciate me (they showered me with positive thoughts & some profound compliments last week at our last meeting).

I know that my next job will be another challenge that I'll have to work hard to rise to. But I know that this year has given me a sense of competency around my leadership that will let me ease into the new role quicker, make better decisions, work more efficiently and foster deep relationships. I have grown so much this year. I could not have without the support of these people shown above, even the one staff member that caused me so much anguish and didn't make it to the end. We are some of the smartest, most dedicated and passionate people in Special Ed and we have become so only by one another. I am lucky and grateful to have them in my life, as they have shaped who I became this year.

Independent Bookstores

2009-06-17T23:52:00.000-07:00

Like Green Apple (pictured) on Clement, Adobe on 16th, Booksmith on Haight, Black Oak in Berkeley...list goes on. LA fails in comparison.

Jen

2009-06-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Her cackle. Her babies. Her sass. Her in my class at SFSU.

Kasa

2009-06-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Indian cafeteria Thali at a good price point? What's not to love? And they hosted my 30th Birthday dinner.

This comic in the Chronicle

2009-06-12T18:31:00.001-07:00

Jeremy's

2009-06-10T23:59:00.001-07:00

Recent finds have included...
a really good designer cashmere cardigan : $70
silk tube dress from Barneys: $40
Charlotte Ronson sweater : $30
Apple green Jcrew bikini, top & bottom: $9
My 2009 summer dress, small label : can't say because it wasn't that great of a deal...

Old but classic finds:
Bridesmaid dress for Tisha's wedding
puffy vest
a few pairs of shoes that I don't really wear that often

And lots of Jcrew and Anthropologie seconds.

Tap Water

2009-06-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

Tastes great in San Francisco! I sometimes crave it.

Timed Lights

2009-06-05T00:37:00.001-07:00

Fell, Oak, Gough, Pine, Laguna Honda, California, Lincoln -- they are like little highways that climb and drop, lined with trees and Queen Elizabeth or Edwardian Victorians. There is no better driving in this city than Lombard to Market on Gough with no red lights. (There's even a little air when you drop down after Ellis). Awesome.

A real spring

2009-06-01T19:14:00.000-07:00

And the feeling that week when spring has sprung.

Prom

2009-05-31T20:34:00.002-07:00

Click on the picture for a close-up. Amazing.

Best $2.50 ever spent

2009-05-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

Piece of Pizza from the Cheese Board.
Oh. My. God. Cornmeal. Organic Veggies. Flavored oils. No sauce. Artisan Cheese. Oh. My. God.

BLT at The Boulounge

2009-05-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Coffee Shop Culture

2009-05-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

And Cheryl visiting.
The Coffee Bar is an uber fancy version, pictured. My roommate used to call Atlas his "office," and Ali used to go to Elle's so often that they knew exactly her bagel order. Cole Valley Coffee and Ritual is where I wrote my Master's thesis, and Coffee Bar is where I was when I was "working from home" this year. Artisan roasted coffee, overpriced snacks, and people watching, there is a strong coffee shop culture here.

Carnaval

2009-05-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of good shots from Carnaval this weekend. It really made me appreciate SF, such that I started to feel sad and confused. As shown by the pics, there are a range of people who participate in this pan-Latin dance celebration. Though it was about 50 degrees out, kids and old ladies alike bore their midriffs and shook their asses. I was in my puffy vest and wool sweater bopping around to the live Samba. I saw my students, friends and my Samba teacher, and it all made me feel like I had a community here. Scratch that, have a community.

kezar chicken wings & pub

2009-05-25T22:50:00.000-07:00

I lived above here for nearly 2 years, ate chicken wings for the first time ever, and watched more sports than I ever had before. Notable for New Years, NCAA championship, World Cup, am football and curling crowds, refrigerator moving and grading papers, there is a place in my heart for Kezar.

Sue

2009-05-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

I was at a meeting with Sue last Wednesday and I looked over at her in her pressed pink Oxford, Hermes scarf and Crown Royal bag for her computer charger and actually had a pang. I am terrified at how much I'm going to miss this woman.
She constantly pushes me with her "stretch goals"and I am amazed that I can rise to meet her expectations. She feels confident in her ability to see potential, and has a high vote of confidence for me, which reminds me of how a good special educator operates. And a good special educator can, really, do so many things with their ability to quickly identify people's strengths & weaknesses and then build on the strengths and gently address the weaknesses.

Her master plan is for me to move to LA and then I'll be her deputy for that she refers to as "secret sauce." She is both brilliant and joyful -- there are moments when we are working through a problem that are both incredibly productive and hilarious-- and I strive to work that way even without her.

The Russian River

2009-05-21T23:47:00.000-07:00

Even before I moved here, I visited SF and made my way up to the Russian River Valley a few times. Camping w/ Don, visiting our friend Jessica, traveling to see my aunt in Santa Rosa. When I moved here and realized that summer in the city can be cold, I also realized that canoeing or floating on the Russian River is a much needed respite. Plus the food in Healdsburg and wine tasting makes it a day trip that feels like a vacation.

Chinese New Year in Downtown San Francisco

2009-05-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Peek-a-Pooh

2009-05-19T00:08:00.000-07:00

It is very difficult to walk by one without checking to see if I have quarters.

The summer before I moved to SF, I went to Japan with my family and one afternoon in Nara my family and I spent a long time (felt like at least 3o mins) getting toys out of the vending machines. The low-risk suspense combined with an undeniably cute outcome (killer whale pooh, come ON) is a perfect diversion when you're strolling through a neighborhood.

My favorite peek-a-pooh machines in the bay:
West Portal, in front of the toy store
Clement Street, in the chinese kitchen supply store
Webster St., in Downtown Oakland
24th Street, off Harrison

Gavin

2009-05-18T00:08:00.001-07:00

This (second photo) is not a great picture of our handsome Mayor. He recorded this speech for 600 kids with learning disabilities about how he grew up with dyslexia and had to spend summers in reading labs. How could you not love that in a small way?

After a little googling, I found this photo of our handsome mayor speaking at a school for kids w/ learning disabilities (first photo).

Universal Cafe

2009-05-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

2 blocks from my house down 19th street, the is my favorite brunch spot...with strong runners up: Mission Beach Cafe, and Zazie's in Cole Valley and Ella's in Laurel Heights. The interior is light & airy, minimal without being cold and they always have 2-foot flower arrangement. The servers are scarily friendly and on a sunny day there is nothing better than eating outside.

Above: fried eggs, butter beans, spinach and house-made sausage (menu changes each week)

Cal Academy of Sciences

2009-05-14T22:06:00.000-07:00

One day I'm going to take my niece, Petra here so that she can wonder at the penguins and the hypercolor fish. And we'll take lots of adorable pictures while Ed marvels at the building material or green roof.

Then we'll get hot dogs at the What's Up Dog cart - yum!

Working in Downtown Oakland

2009-05-12T22:21:00.000-07:00

Today I saw two teenagers crossing the 14th street and one was holding a snake - I swear to god. Just casually, as if he was holding a soda. Earlier that afternoon a man was screaming at his girlfriend about an old man they had just walked by. And I said hello to about 4 strangers, just because that is what people do in Downtown Oakland. They say hello and good morning.

Other good things about downtown Oakland:
- The Julia Morgan building that holds one of our schools (pictured)
- The Vietnamese food
- I can take BART
- 2 of my good friends also work there and we've met for lunch
- It's noticeably warmer than SF
- It feels like a secret

Bolinas

2009-05-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

I came here for the first time yesterday and scolded myself for not making it here sooner. It's a quiet beach town (no signs along the road to get there), that lacks the traffic and noise of Stinson. The drive is beautiful -- replete with bald hills, blankets of wildflowers, redwoods, a lagoon, and the ridiculously cute towns of Point Reyes Station (a Cowgirl Creamery splurge was due), Olema, Ross and San Anselmo.
For a long time I didn't get Marin County. But I think that I get it now. I also came home with 4 different kinds of local artisan cheese that taken my salads to a whole new level. Yum!

Zeitgeist & Book Club

2009-05-10T09:21:00.001-07:00

I met these girls 12 year ago in the first few weeks as a Freshman at Vassar. We were all from California and had a very memorable picnic on the Vassar Farm, but then drifted into different social circles. After years of choosing completely different paths, we found each other again and started reading books we had never gotten to (Woolf, Faulkner, McCarthy, Didion).

These girls are whip smart and yet there is something casual about the pacing & organization of the 'club.' Because it's the three of us, we often went from discussing literature to discussing oneself. Thus, each member is irreplaceable.

Zeitgeist, well, it's Zeitgeist -- I have faith that when I visit it will remain unchanged, ironically. Smell of roasting potatoes, pot and spilled beer. Port-o-potties. Bearded biker guys bullying the hipsters. Standing room only on a sunny Friday at Happy hour. Tamale lady. Yes, yes, I seemed to get into squabbles with exes here. . . . Nonetheless, in moderation, I can appreciate it.

Flora Grubb Gardens

2009-05-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

I think that the pictures stand for themselves...could spend hours hanging out at this nursery. They also sell ritual coffee and hip patio furniture.

Burger at Slow Club

2009-05-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

Slow Club is two blocks from my house. And the hamburger is my favorite in the city; the patty is marinated in balsamic vinegar, topped with blue cheese, grilled onions, juicy & dripping. It is small and I can easily finish it without feeling overstuffed. They have a good turkey hash for brunch and a delicious fancy cocktail menu.

Outdoor Pool at Mission Bay

2009-05-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

I learned how to swim this year in the downstairs pool, but learned how to love swimming in this rooftop pool. Even when it got down to 40 degrees at night, this pool was warm & inviting. The view is incredible from the 4th floor rooftop and on a sunny day, you can get out from a swim and lounge in one of the chairs and look at the view. Only on a few occasions have I had to swim in a circle (3 in a lane). I am gonna miss this amazing pool and view!

This piece

2009-05-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

This graffiti piece on an empty lot at 18th & Potrero won't be here for long but now that it's somewhat fresh, it glows. The tree growing out of the lot is pretty clever. When see it and I think about TGIF, which reminds me of Alamo Square and the opening credits of Full House.

El Matate's Baby Burrito

2009-05-06T23:08:00.001-07:00

The baby burrito is not on the menu, but they know what I want, they even write "baby burrito :)" on the foil for me.
The regular burritos are tightly wrapped and narrow, so the baby is banana-sized. Each bite has every ingredient in it, finishing it doesn't make you feel totally gross, and you can actually make it down to the foot (the best part!). I will truly miss this perfect food.

Twin Peaks

2009-05-06T22:13:00.001-07:00

Most days I don't even notice it, but others I can't stop looking at it poking outta that fog...

The smallness

2009-04-24T23:39:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to Samba class and 2 of my students were there for the free class at ODC. After the first few minutes of awkwardness, there we were, arms flapping, chests pumping like birds to live drumming (also by students at one of my schools).

I decided that I really like this. Seeing students out of school, and not just when I'm stumbling out of a bar and they are loitering on Mission Street. I mean, sharing something in the community with them. Sharing communities with them.

*This is a picture of the Samba teacher, Rafaella. We wear sweatpants.

The Ceramics Studio

2009-04-23T22:48:00.000-07:00

My cake stand broke -- my instructor, Joyce, was heartbroken. I probably worked the entire 6 weeks on that project. It wasn't all for naught. I did learn how to throw with 5 lbs + of clay, and throw a flat plate.
I left this party feeling my first tinge of sadness. While I barely know most of these folks, there is something comforting about our casual, non-personal relationship. We talk about clay, they point out features in my work that I hadn't seen before, mock John, give each other pep talks about trying something difficult, talk about form and technique, and when I see them it's nice to know that they are there, working quietly, even if we don't talk to one another.

When the fog rolls in...

2009-04-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

but it's still sunny wherever I am.

Impromptu Dinners

2009-04-21T09:56:00.001-07:00

Came home last Thursday and Noah and friends were scurrying around, making dinner for Stephanie's birthday. Every now and then I like the house full of noise and smells, even if it means I have a mountain of dishes to wash afterwards.

Berkeley landscaping in the Spring

2009-04-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

Warmer, wilder, wisteria-filled. Strolling through Berkeley in April is a true pleasure. In this particular neighborhood off College Ave, it seems that almost every house has a thoughtfully messy front yard of blooming shrubs.

(Another pleasure is wandering into Jeremy's, but I'll get to that eventually...)

My bay window

2009-04-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

I recently declared, "I am so over Victorians."
But I cannot deny the pleasure of drinking a cup of hot decaf coffee in my chair ($10 at the Alemany Flea market), flipping through my magazines and enjoying 180 degrees of sunlight.

My window looks out onto a fig tree, lemon tree, clothesline and some other houses. It is particularly satisfying to watch the wind whip outside while I'm snug in the bay window, dozing off. A Saturday afternoon alone in this bay window is one of my favorite things right now.

Dodo park

2009-04-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Though it's 58 degrees out, when the sun is out not even a chill in the air can stop the droves or the impromptu dance parties (above).

The babies

2009-04-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

While I don't teach this year, in my floating from school to school, I occasionally interact with a cadre of kids that I have worked with for over 2 years. The kids aren't easy. They can be rascals. And many of them have endured school and personal experiences that have given them a resilience and maturity that I am still figuring out for myself. They humble me, and they have taught me a lot of lessons about what kind of person I want to become.

I love them, and want to see them become self-assured, directed adults who do things that make them feel proud of themselves. Maybe they know this, but I am proud of them already.

Bi-Rite ice cream

2009-04-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

Even when it's 60 degrees out.

Counting up

2009-04-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

With only a couple months and a couple weeks left, I begin my daily list of things I appreciate about San Francisco & the Bay Area, in hopes of creating a scapbook of who I was when I was at my best in this city. Something between a travelogue and a montage from a Rom-Com, this blog's intended readership is myself, a few years from now, remembering this city as if it were sunny all the time.