I lay here on the floor of my bedroom spread out like I am making a snow angel with tears rolling down my red checks. I feel like I am at a crossroad where I need to choose which direction to go.
I guess I should start this story with my love affair with San Francisco. I was nine years old and I came to visit my Aunt and Uncle who live in Oakland. My Aunt had to go to work in San Francisco and had to take me with her. We drove over the Bay Bridge and as I looked out the car window I could see these big building with hope staring back at me. My heart started beating a beat I have never felt before. It was like San Francisco was pulling my heart out of my chest, but not to hurt me. My body became warm and my eyes filled with tears because for the first time I felt like I was home.
Fast forward to when I was 18 years old standing in a airport hugging my best friend Lauren. Whispering in her ear that I love her. I wanted to stand in that moment forever. My flight was boarding. I had to go. I had to let go. With one bag, I moved my life to San Francisco.
You, my dear city, have shown me life, love, happiness, sadness and struggle. You have taken me by the hand and walked me to the cliff only to let go. You have pulled, pushed, punched, and then wrapped your warmness around me. And still I stand by your side with my heart full of love for you. Then the day came where every corner, every ally, every bar, every park, every hill, every street, every pot hole, every day and every night I started to hate you. My love started to fade and I felt empty inside. You took all that I had, all that I could give and left me standing at the crossroad.
Right when I make a decision to leave you and move-- you show me your beauty again. You whisper sweet nothings into my ear and tell me I am where I belong. I am home.
San Francisco has always been my first love. I used to hate leaving her, but the feeling I got when I returned was worth every minute I was gone.
To you my city, I love you to your gritty core.
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May 25, 2012
May 24, 2012
Summer 2012 Mixtape(s)
I love the thought of windows down and volume up this summer. I don't have a car, but I am sure that I will be taking little road trips here and there.
These mixtapes are meant to be listened to all summer long. whether you are driving in your car with the windows down or walking around your city with your headphone on. You will want to come back to these tracks time and again to remind you of the good days of summer.
I have two mixtapes for you.
If you need a little more beats for your summer--I also have a chill hip hop mixtape for you.
May 23, 2012
My 31st Birthday (Morning)
Please excuse the puffy face and crazy hair. These photo were taken around 9:00am after a long night of having a GREAT time.
Eleven of my closest friends and I went yurt camping in the woods. When we arrived we were in disbelief that this place was real. It has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It was so peaceful.
I woke early on my birthday and went around the camp and started cleaning up from the night before. Then I went into the kitchen yurt were I put on music and started washing dishes. My Jarod joined me about fifteen minutes later and made me one of his "Hermann" drinks (I would love to share this drink with you, but it is not mine to share.)
Slowly the rest of my friends joined us in the kitchen yurt to cook my birthday breakfast. After we ate we sat around chatting. Later, Erin came in and handed me a note and the note said...
I ran into the sleeping yurt. As I walk in I said "I hope its a chicken bag," but instead it was another note with a hint on it. There were a lot of little notes that took me to different places around camp until I was at the Elf Chapel. BTW-- one of the hints was to beet on a drum!!! I love my friends!
Once we all ran down the hill to the Elf Chapel-- I had everyone go up first and then I followed.
*This chapel is so cute and would be great for my knitting group or a book club meeting.
I walked up to all of my friends smiling at me and pink and white streamers hanging off of trees. I looked to my right and guess what I saw sitting on a tree stump?
A CHICKEN BAG!!!!! I have wanted this bag for about two years now. Every time I see it, I tell Erin and Laurel that I want it, but I would never buy it for myself.
Side story: what is so funny about me wanting and carrying a chicken bag is... I HATE CHICKEN. I mean, I REALLY, REALLY HATE CHICKEN!!
Inside the chicken bag were little notes from all my friends. Not just notes, but wishes. Each friend wrote me a wish. I started to read them myself, but I started crying and Jarod had to take over for me. Thank you Jarod!
This is my family and I love them with all my heart.
Thank you for making this the BEST birthday EVER!
The one and only time I will be taller than Erin.
May 21, 2012
Oh Snap! Summer Photo Challenge
“ Nothing happens when you sit at home. I always make it a point to carry a camera with me at all times…I just shoot at what interests me at that moment. – Elliott Erwitt
Summer is almost here and as you know I am super excited. I really loved the spring photo challenge (recap post coming soon) and I wanted to have one for summertime.
This would be a great challenge to take part in because it goes hand and hand with documenting your summer.
The Challenge:
Take a photo everyday for the whole summer
The rules are simple:
1. Camera only! NO cell phone photos! The point of this challenge is to use your camera more.
2. Must take 1 photo everyday for the whole summer.
Starts May 28, 2012 Ends September 23, 2012
3. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone.
Every where you look there is a photograph waiting to be taken. You simply need to learn to see it.
10 Things to take photos of:
1. The clouds
2. People flying Kite's
3. Beach days
4. Friends jumping off a cliff into the water
5. Parked bikes
6. Baseball game
7. Backyard bonfires
8. Your favorite place to eat
9. Water balloon fight
10. Twirling around in a dress
3 photo Adventure:
1. Photo Walk--Elise has a wonderful photo series call photo walk.
2. Your City-- Spend a day walking around your city and taking photos of everything you see. Walk on a new street or stop a new cafe. This is a great way to use your camera and get to know your city.
3. Early morning-- get up early and get on your bike to ride somewhere to photograph the sun raising.
Fun photo projects to try this summer:
How to turn your photo into pop art
How to create coloring book using your own photos
How to make a journal with photo as pages
Make your own photo journal or note book
Also check out my other Summer blog posts
The 415: Boogaloos
(Boogaloos 22nd Street, San Francisco, California)
Here is a new series to the blog called The 415. I want to start documenting my favorite places here in San Francisco before I leave.
First up-- Boogaloos. I have been going here for breakfast for years. One of my ex-boyfriends brought me here and we would come every Saturday. When we broke up I was sad because I was going to have to stop coming to Boogaloos. We are now best friends and I can eat here again :)
Tip: There is always a big wait. It's best to come by 9:00am (if you can.)
