Food Porn: Avoca Cafe in Belfast

Butternut Squash Ravioli

Burgers and Fries

Grilled chicken and couscous

Sea Bass

Cappuccino

Acai juice

Monday Revisited

Today was Labor Day holiday. I met up with Gina again and we took a drive a few miles south outside of San Francisco. This is what we did:

• We went to the Filoli Gardens and discovered it was closed. :(
• We drove down to Palo Alto for a bite to eat at the Coup Cafe. I had the assorted tartine and Gina had the Greek salad...

• We strolled the downtown area...

• We went to Stanford University to see the Rodin Sculpture Garden, the world's largest collection of Rodin's bronzes outside of Paris...

• We browsed the shops at Stanford Shopping Center and I bought cheap sunglasses.
• We headed back and stopped for yogurt in Menlo Park.s
• We went to Ulta at Tanforan Mall in San Bruno.
• We ended the day at the Elephant Bar where we had tall fruity drinks and appetizer
  and watched the planes fly into SFO...

Sunday.

• Dropped off HopAlong at the Airport
• Explored the newly gentrified Cortland Avenue with my friend Gina
• Had a picnic at Holly Park
• Climbed to the top of Bernal Hill
• Went to Union Square and saw Tango Dancers...

• Window shopping at Macy's
• Italian Pastries at North Beach...

• Received a text from HopAlong that he is on the last leg of his flight

Here We Go Again...

I hate this place. Craig's 6 week visit has come to an end and this is where say goodbye. No matter how many times we've replayed this scene, I can never get used to it. I tell myself it's no big deal but in reality I'm tearing up inside. Such as the story of long distance relationships.

The next time we see each other will be in 8 months. He has just started his computer course and will not be able to see me in 8 months. 8 months is the longest we've spent apart. It sucks.

On the bright side, I will be spending a lot of time in the city. I am shacking up at my aunt's house this semester. This will be really convenient for me as I don't have to commute back and forth everyday to school. This saves me a lot of time, money, and sanity. It also beats being stuck in the middle of boring surburbia where you need a car to get everywhere.

It's nice to know that I can just step outside the street and always have something to do and somewhere to go within walking distance! I miss living in the city.

Sigh of Relief

Introducing Sissy

This is our neighbor's dog. She is a "pitador" a pitbull/labrador mix. She is very shy. She looks like she can take your head off but she is docile and gentle. She is at our house temporarily until our neighbor recovers from his stab wounds. He was a victim of unfortunate circumstances. I don't know how long we'll have her but she is being pampered and spoiled to the max! I'm pretty sure Maggie sent her to us because we were feeling sad and lonely and a fellow dog needed help!

Maggie Goes To The Rainbow Bridge

I am very sad to say that at 2:30pm California time Maggie went to sleep. She has been in declining health for the past 2 years but was comfortable. More recently though her health got worse and she was diagnosed with a terminal heart condition. Her breathing became very rapid for the past few months and we tried to keep her as comfortable as possible. She was out this morning for a vets visit but when she got home she was vomiting and had diarrhea. Her parents decided that they didn't want her to suffer any more.

Maggie was a fantastic dog and family member. Flippin' Yank and her parents brought Maggie home from the pound 16 and a half years ago when she was just 6 months old. Her previous owners didn't want her. Their loss. I've only known Maggie for 2 years and in that time she has never really taken to me but i know she is only protecting her family and i respected her for that. Over time she did get kind of used to me being around when i visited and barked at me less and less. As she made her way out to the car today for her final journey she actually stopped as she passed me and let me pet her for a moment. I was very sad to see her go. She will be missed by a loving family but never forgotten.

We love you Maggie. Rest in Peace.

Your friend,
HopAlong

Maggie before she went to the vet (August 4, 2010)...