tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70850850153164998202024-03-05T06:51:20.403-08:00Something BeautifulMy journey out West.Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-60524692202722106602010-11-16T20:48:00.000-08:002010-11-16T20:57:37.490-08:0030.A huge milestone just passed for me, the big 30! I spent the day with wonderful friends that I've made here (I've been so blessed) and had an excellent time. I still can't believe how fast time flies. It's made me realize that I better be doing what I want with my life because we don't ever know when it'll come to an end.<br /><br />I am still loving San Francisco! I took a different route to work today and it made me realize what a beautiful city I live in. Sometimes I get caught up in the hustle of the city and work and never stop to admire the natural beauty of this place. If you had asked me 5 years ago if I could imagine living here, I'd say no, but as of now, I can't imagine living anywhere else. My heart is here. I know if I ever left this city I would be deeply saddened. <br /><br /><blockquote>It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had.</blockquote> -Elizabeth Kubler-RossAnn Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-43555488442970219232010-06-25T23:09:00.000-07:002010-06-25T23:42:44.380-07:00Almost a YearI haven't written in a while and I thought it was time to do so. I just realized the other day while on my daily commute to work, I have now been in California longer than I was in Birmingham, that is, when I returned from Readak. I feel the time I was in Birmingham seemed like a long, long time, but it was only 8 months from the time I came home from travel teaching before I left again. I am about to celebrate my year anniversary of being in the great Golden state and I couldn't be happier.... <br /><br />I still can't believe it's almost been a year that I took off and came to figure out if the grass was greener. I was telling my dad about a month ago there are a few things I wish I had thought more about before doing this, but if I had thought more about it, chances are I would not have come. First of all, why did I choose one of the most expensive cities in the US? Ha... I really did just laugh out loud. I went from paying $525/month for my one bedroom apt in Birmingham to $950 here. And I live with one other girl. I seriously have to laugh about it sometimes to help cope. I had a good friend say recently the reason this place is so expensive is just because everyone dreams of living here. It made me feel better. Then of course, the time it takes to get home. It's no longer a one hour drive by car, it's an expensive plane trip that takes up to 7 hours.<br /><br />I must say, I have never felt as lucky and blessed as I do now to live in such an amazing and beautiful city. Every day I see something that makes me say "Wow, this city is truly beautiful." Whether it be running down Chrissy Field near the Bay & seeing the Golden Gate Bridge or Golden Gate Park, it's all beautiful. Even the Palace of Fine Arts, I never get tired of seeing this. It's in my backyard and undeniably beautiful. This city is so big that sometimes I see something I saw months ago & think, "Wow, I forgot how beautiful that spot was..." Or even walking in my neighborhood & seeing the Victorians that line the street, they are gorgeous. What a great city!<br /><br />So in case any of you were curious, I don't regret my move here. I love it here. The scary part of it is, I don't know that I want to leave. I may have found the place I'm supposed to be.<br /><br />Muir Woods looking at Stinson Beach<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSiTkx3sUfsDNpyFrVgxgkvw0hDlD1ffAnVrWiUPrzvKDzhOKJWV_rbXAis0ia3xlck5fA2M_rsq2YE4PkHVQhB9VAQ1DNAiNwfFD65qqkhSzkmf6AbjDzRiehz02kDKG0-IcYgSGwvAI/s1600/114.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSiTkx3sUfsDNpyFrVgxgkvw0hDlD1ffAnVrWiUPrzvKDzhOKJWV_rbXAis0ia3xlck5fA2M_rsq2YE4PkHVQhB9VAQ1DNAiNwfFD65qqkhSzkmf6AbjDzRiehz02kDKG0-IcYgSGwvAI/s320/114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486964632078242738" /></a><br /><br />This might be my favorite building in the city - they are apartments in the middle of North Beach (Little Italy) and the Financial District.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57kd3VbXvIl5DPOat3UwetQ5mtbiQkiyVDZgZlTAv7Sz0mK9CY8z7o4Vcxawh2Dumtlft5IbmehcX1WWoOdjPN4swQ8dc1zI4nrhyphenhyphenNIQL6cjEtSHKaU-AovMcbrOyhx7DIavdBxwBPOYy/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57kd3VbXvIl5DPOat3UwetQ5mtbiQkiyVDZgZlTAv7Sz0mK9CY8z7o4Vcxawh2Dumtlft5IbmehcX1WWoOdjPN4swQ8dc1zI4nrhyphenhyphenNIQL6cjEtSHKaU-AovMcbrOyhx7DIavdBxwBPOYy/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486966362685662210" /></a><br /><br />Some of the best friends a girl could ask for - Napa, CA. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6isQFcO1TVCHHyaPi6ia2tudwFUXADmvTSuKf0N-opEEtEYMlP07cA5CARvJABnT7cMwF9tmsh2uS2wR0jn12Rnl8HbTLfZ0AeHP-XCul49IygocOSL3X8Ntl4AlvzOOgLWOIsorbJL1x/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6isQFcO1TVCHHyaPi6ia2tudwFUXADmvTSuKf0N-opEEtEYMlP07cA5CARvJABnT7cMwF9tmsh2uS2wR0jn12Rnl8HbTLfZ0AeHP-XCul49IygocOSL3X8Ntl4AlvzOOgLWOIsorbJL1x/s320/039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486967003620666258" /></a><br /><br />Alamo Square.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9IdkN4HdEa_Y0uRWGnep5nvnCxA84mpGJh3zlqVYzGzCiVfZyF3CBCKk78cS8ByrJh2df9JCw98wdsUtZkK-tjuWq_JKq5l9hO0cI0B970XiBm9H7WrOVFVxCTKFbsvGeWm-30Rt7BL6/s1600/058.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9IdkN4HdEa_Y0uRWGnep5nvnCxA84mpGJh3zlqVYzGzCiVfZyF3CBCKk78cS8ByrJh2df9JCw98wdsUtZkK-tjuWq_JKq5l9hO0cI0B970XiBm9H7WrOVFVxCTKFbsvGeWm-30Rt7BL6/s320/058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486967718049260578" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-83573470592341201752009-12-31T10:46:00.000-08:002009-12-31T11:02:32.060-08:00Christmas UpdateI realized it'd been a while since I wrote.<br /><br />A few things have happened since I last wrote.<br /><br />I had a near heart attack two weeks ago with the rumors of Google buying out Yelp. They were in negotiations for buying us for $500 million. Turns out, it fizzled out. Our CEO feels we're worth more and gave us reason to believe the buyout won't happen now, but could in the future. I'm not sure what that means for my job. In the meantime, I'm still enjoying it. I was the first to hit quota for the month and feel pretty confident I'll do well there. <br /><br />Christmas I didn't come home, unfortnately, but stayed here. John arrived Dec 7 and we decided to hang out in Napa. He'd not been yet & wanted to see it. It was a nice time to relax and see the sights.<br /><br />I love this city. I realize that more and more each time I go out and see new things. I've been here over a month now and still haven't seen it all. I can't wait for you all to come visit and see the beautiful San Francisco that I have grown to love. :)<br /><br />Happy new year to you all!<br /><br />Here are a few pictures from recently.<br /><br /><br />Christmas in Napa Valley. Those yellow "wildflowers" is actually mustard planted to help grow wine.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3kUse5-qxo6ksTSpSCKt7d8VkIP6e-cHhAIm5Sp9oUxf2OhZ-yADFhLWWnfvMlKrn8c6h8mqxW3okTxEKFelco45Yh8qgpvbCP8T0nz9_JAuEGl-BispO43h1vy1ztHms_CgQgxAcgo-/s1600-h/065.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3kUse5-qxo6ksTSpSCKt7d8VkIP6e-cHhAIm5Sp9oUxf2OhZ-yADFhLWWnfvMlKrn8c6h8mqxW3okTxEKFelco45Yh8qgpvbCP8T0nz9_JAuEGl-BispO43h1vy1ztHms_CgQgxAcgo-/s320/065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421477191308940034" /></a><br /><br />We did a cave tour at Del Dotto Winery. It was so pretty.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnbtNwH0DEQC7_oCUB7uas4gZtIfPy2kPaeqIy2SFWkA0WDfposjaa6z50MMIKxD_RhslVt8Ad-AoE9Bz8N43yoAeGSMqqSkT4b9Vgufflc9AJatrB-qqYhUlj69kLH39aZOteS77AO9V/s1600-h/058.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnbtNwH0DEQC7_oCUB7uas4gZtIfPy2kPaeqIy2SFWkA0WDfposjaa6z50MMIKxD_RhslVt8Ad-AoE9Bz8N43yoAeGSMqqSkT4b9Vgufflc9AJatrB-qqYhUlj69kLH39aZOteS77AO9V/s320/058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421476765419376002" /></a><br /><br />No grapes. No leaves. Still beautiful & green. Napa.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdcjglbhEFo9yAkgGFZQz0RMTT3sDLWwRRmimYHkMAijjBV0t7TgJzBfhM_DkhXjwZIF-5W2ZMFSo7b_qcu5XT0UlieGPBv7XWCH_Px1wg-47dI47hDWjkRSXV0g4pV3czWOKl4l5rGO1/s1600-h/052.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdcjglbhEFo9yAkgGFZQz0RMTT3sDLWwRRmimYHkMAijjBV0t7TgJzBfhM_DkhXjwZIF-5W2ZMFSo7b_qcu5XT0UlieGPBv7XWCH_Px1wg-47dI47hDWjkRSXV0g4pV3czWOKl4l5rGO1/s320/052.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421476632606540402" /></a><br />Christmas in Napa.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WePkWf8i4yAdXIxsmEwLTAP1LEaG-mGcjZqA5y_6kfhyphenhyphenmapstd8vmW2_ANLpo9QkjlKMagzvR3fQE3RKTa48mxWSpteSUTzC9wjv7sFxaSSDUSYpspRgSIrrydZgtnSr7Jg7R8TDstWv/s1600-h/051.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WePkWf8i4yAdXIxsmEwLTAP1LEaG-mGcjZqA5y_6kfhyphenhyphenmapstd8vmW2_ANLpo9QkjlKMagzvR3fQE3RKTa48mxWSpteSUTzC9wjv7sFxaSSDUSYpspRgSIrrydZgtnSr7Jg7R8TDstWv/s320/051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421476501139406306" /></a><br />Just me.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjKNHolVv6Oy_tFkUEnoP80JnHrqCF-iBcCuZHMPE_M9o01DPQUhfnfVO69AmPuAwPW7_y8yfm4u77jXocok35EkWnrKx0ytLDAgBGFHD6ootMexEeBx_Q4E8CwCVAsBUJIya5T8817Fv/s1600-h/047.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjKNHolVv6Oy_tFkUEnoP80JnHrqCF-iBcCuZHMPE_M9o01DPQUhfnfVO69AmPuAwPW7_y8yfm4u77jXocok35EkWnrKx0ytLDAgBGFHD6ootMexEeBx_Q4E8CwCVAsBUJIya5T8817Fv/s320/047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421476341913810482" /></a><br /><br />This place takes my breath away - Baker Beach.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5TtJwWvTT-5T8zIkX47lpLpYDFu464eyMU3s2Ccg7xjprDzHVkHSPZ2u0Kp4vb8Da87vHgfeauxM5Q01hxm8O5YNdYB3UbEi29qqdp-_7RDuUePUDy3h4k9VmasKe9u7xgSAH4nZ0YAI/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5TtJwWvTT-5T8zIkX47lpLpYDFu464eyMU3s2Ccg7xjprDzHVkHSPZ2u0Kp4vb8Da87vHgfeauxM5Q01hxm8O5YNdYB3UbEi29qqdp-_7RDuUePUDy3h4k9VmasKe9u7xgSAH4nZ0YAI/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421475592759610370" /></a><br /><br />What's a trip to Baker Beach w/o a jump picture. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA6cqgq7NZW2aAgIhB2gc8HEaH2lZOe_WNx4N4WK9kSyQgHZfCgM9q343I-DG2wk75j5j8FEaBAWL8yaYu7qdpOPnww7qltoulJT7MOAhLQFbzuzVjotubNTHAlLSQWlBMdKTV_JOTfoT/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA6cqgq7NZW2aAgIhB2gc8HEaH2lZOe_WNx4N4WK9kSyQgHZfCgM9q343I-DG2wk75j5j8FEaBAWL8yaYu7qdpOPnww7qltoulJT7MOAhLQFbzuzVjotubNTHAlLSQWlBMdKTV_JOTfoT/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421475476328492610" /></a><br /><br />Baker Beach. John & I.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHtf6d87dyz2t5XIMSwINjboBIIa2n-EIn7M2sNvz7t-n2UoszGv1Ms1kXQdUZGkm9AQrhoLSqXYapSvthXVk46Tjbzy9PNHjlledFUSmq8t53s70vULV7PVtP2y38ORc_mC1J6gsk2-d/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHtf6d87dyz2t5XIMSwINjboBIIa2n-EIn7M2sNvz7t-n2UoszGv1Ms1kXQdUZGkm9AQrhoLSqXYapSvthXVk46Tjbzy9PNHjlledFUSmq8t53s70vULV7PVtP2y38ORc_mC1J6gsk2-d/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421475358459735826" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-67325321268771847122009-12-06T10:38:00.000-08:002009-12-06T10:46:39.977-08:00My PadHere are pictures of my apartment. It is a little bare, but it's a work in progress. :) <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB-tLPSTvMFkKPrH9uM6iRcYVfDOmA1WpQkzIRryXS-tSi4XjwAUA7L2Lw_cjar_Rkd1Nm8h-oav4p2BOpe_ooCIzjcQuHam0cJDe_d87BInPIzN5KDnB6OiPSYwTKx1uFE4x86OZZePJ/s1600-h/026.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB-tLPSTvMFkKPrH9uM6iRcYVfDOmA1WpQkzIRryXS-tSi4XjwAUA7L2Lw_cjar_Rkd1Nm8h-oav4p2BOpe_ooCIzjcQuHam0cJDe_d87BInPIzN5KDnB6OiPSYwTKx1uFE4x86OZZePJ/s320/026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412194853564566482" /></a><br /><br />Chair (compliments of Ikea), Dresser (Ikea from garage sale) and Beatles canvas. Garage sales are a-plenty here, every weekend. It's wonderful!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DDkP6TSz4lTSgW0Vdug6Cajo4IxVmDJlNcr6r9SeGbTHgVpM4CgbNqGg28KXGCkOVlDbiAjLbhmzn8TpaUu_6F-Axz5aRNXddJCwpFa4S8Waye4Wx5OIFTuWiz4OuG7W6h62MH2IOPsJ/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DDkP6TSz4lTSgW0Vdug6Cajo4IxVmDJlNcr6r9SeGbTHgVpM4CgbNqGg28KXGCkOVlDbiAjLbhmzn8TpaUu_6F-Axz5aRNXddJCwpFa4S8Waye4Wx5OIFTuWiz4OuG7W6h62MH2IOPsJ/s320/028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412195010530124626" /></a><br /><br />Shelving in my wall.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYR4CiIj-Va2-rk51zKa_xJBjasfuZWoWWz-usLFhxAhwjA7Di83j9bmCyqgmKAUN2jTWhKA6RwLDVcodphZjK6BVKaxgKU45EvkuypcxMEHU6WiEZstaizoEvgXXiG7zEgfc-A5fnJ7W/s1600-h/029.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYR4CiIj-Va2-rk51zKa_xJBjasfuZWoWWz-usLFhxAhwjA7Di83j9bmCyqgmKAUN2jTWhKA6RwLDVcodphZjK6BVKaxgKU45EvkuypcxMEHU6WiEZstaizoEvgXXiG7zEgfc-A5fnJ7W/s320/029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412195262590543746" /></a><br /><br />Living room overlooking California Street.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgI8N65pP4ocOpJC4PUqBgozBG0nIye_1AU0PrzmQdUz21mZrBe6yw37oHavvXYLGtjEvHKczIyHJjywL0IjTLIFGJC4gJb45On9Kzf6OybOSMoDl-0bfO0dM6tpZ14QyPpN4w7yE0MIl/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgI8N65pP4ocOpJC4PUqBgozBG0nIye_1AU0PrzmQdUz21mZrBe6yw37oHavvXYLGtjEvHKczIyHJjywL0IjTLIFGJC4gJb45On9Kzf6OybOSMoDl-0bfO0dM6tpZ14QyPpN4w7yE0MIl/s320/032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412195630185058146" /></a><br /><br />Ok, ok... you caught me. Watching the SEC Championship.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L6WWuwZp-nvNS9qSakYdGdTjkbmuBLXoKlU_X2jQWIhWWBGjDJ1aejNpKNrvmw5zElA1QuArnVuGCXNhfsfKcgv302moGfrFq0-cAMNP7vBPe3C1Iq0FXKgabAodAK1pJstgnZ9gwAH5/s1600-h/031.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L6WWuwZp-nvNS9qSakYdGdTjkbmuBLXoKlU_X2jQWIhWWBGjDJ1aejNpKNrvmw5zElA1QuArnVuGCXNhfsfKcgv302moGfrFq0-cAMNP7vBPe3C1Iq0FXKgabAodAK1pJstgnZ9gwAH5/s320/031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412195504748583042" /></a><br /><br />Cute "little" kitchen<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGlBeLvZo7gU_ApIRI6kF9E-xZidtzJRy3WdEirxQSv_cW81iT6f51vCatYwIyFyKzuMAE38JNlUs928SFp21TdfzlOvJzcccmp77zytQgwvn5-FUsZvLACN9jIKQKjJfzFA0RlSS1zpq/s1600-h/030.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGlBeLvZo7gU_ApIRI6kF9E-xZidtzJRy3WdEirxQSv_cW81iT6f51vCatYwIyFyKzuMAE38JNlUs928SFp21TdfzlOvJzcccmp77zytQgwvn5-FUsZvLACN9jIKQKjJfzFA0RlSS1zpq/s320/030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412195377204664482" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-60167861232097606932009-12-06T09:10:00.000-08:002009-12-06T09:34:12.433-08:00My new 'Hood & MoreI realized I had not written in a while after someone said, "You should take pictures of your neighborhood so we can see what it looks like." Thanks, Oliver for that reminder.<br /><br />First of all, I LOVE Yelp! This job has been exhausting the first three weeks, but totally worth it. The learning curve has been tough to get over, but I believe I am over it now. I have already closed my first deal, which was exciting! When people close deals there's a bell hung on a wal and you ring it & everyone claps and goes crazy. It's a fun work enviornment. Again, this is an inside sales job. I am calling business owners all day long (up to 100 calls/day) and setting appointments to talk about Yelp advertising. If they know what Yelp is (and love it), it's easy. I work with such great people! I am so lucky. The job perks are unreal (Odwalla fridge stocked with all juices and smoothies you can imagine, then another fridge for drinks only - soft drinks and water, a tub of Red Vines candy, Kettle Cooked chips of all flavors-bags and bags, corn dogs, burritos, sandwiches galore, bagels and english muffins, chips and salsa, string cheese... and it's for everyone to eat anytime.) So, job is going great! If you're not already using Yelp - you need to. <br /><br />So, here are pictures of the neighborhood where I reside. It's known as Presidio Heights/Laurel Heights. I might add: I LOVE IT! I am now carless. I took my car to Aaron & Jenna's in San Jose on my first week because of many obstacles to get a parking permit here. I have to first register my car here and get a CA tag. Momma ain't made of that much money yet. :) So, I rely heavily on my two feet and the bus system. I haven't had time to run yet (although climbed the massive stairs on Lyon St yeseterday), but I feel I've still done well with staying in shape due to these hills I'm climbing every day and walking a lot more. I love it! SO, my 'hood has three grocery stores, one high end Italian grocery store, Wal-Green's, the only 24 hour Starbuck's in SF, four little cafes, one b'fast/brunch place, my bank, several cute boutiques and a little movie theatre and the gym... all 1-3 blocks of me! Amazing, huh? I can't wait to show it off to my pals coming to visit :) Also, my roommate, Molly, is fabulous. <br /><br />So, I am also four blocks from "Billiondollar Row," on Pacific Ave. It's un-belivable. These houses look over the ocean @ Golden Gate Bridge. Taylor & I walked up that direction (believe me, we walked UP the entire way), yesterday. I thought it'd be great excerise to run up and down the Lyon St stairs. They span 3 blocks and pass through the back yard of Nancy Peloski's house. Here are a few pictures from that.<br /><br />I love San Francisco. I never knew I'd love it this much!<br /><br />Parts of my little neighborhood - Vouge is the theater that plays one movie per week.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMSkEIMoUlIWd0HqSO7rRRAnlA59ZoslrYoV43p9DRj4yBXCLhj7WjjNwlBGPibq3D4yRLhuQU6fSrF3mlyxKnX6DhEsUg4BriWFTMFoklDzJofJMR42D7JsX82xH0zlpWR62Uvf-vihn/s1600-h/DSC02767.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMSkEIMoUlIWd0HqSO7rRRAnlA59ZoslrYoV43p9DRj4yBXCLhj7WjjNwlBGPibq3D4yRLhuQU6fSrF3mlyxKnX6DhEsUg4BriWFTMFoklDzJofJMR42D7JsX82xH0zlpWR62Uvf-vihn/s320/DSC02767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412176498285047458" /></a><br /><br />View from the top!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFgAqXR0JnDcRB30a4lf14DpNlokZX9xdOdApbYI048AsCj533Rol5JFUjXjpWHJ2NgW9BlIoER5NrCrO3U3aeGZwXf9ehzFFBwUOFj4LFZbRlDuBbCSydU3TZVxYbfM0-GxGgO4DJZ2L/s1600-h/DSC02764.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFgAqXR0JnDcRB30a4lf14DpNlokZX9xdOdApbYI048AsCj533Rol5JFUjXjpWHJ2NgW9BlIoER5NrCrO3U3aeGZwXf9ehzFFBwUOFj4LFZbRlDuBbCSydU3TZVxYbfM0-GxGgO4DJZ2L/s320/DSC02764.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412176336360126146" /></a><br /><br />Lyon Street Stairs <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju62wTQ99qItU1HJ2VzttTpTRtYk1xZOI5_jGdA51-UI_iF582xaElB_4WyBBfIYEy1EF_MQvIB27-ECKrMX24G04ZMbp0PZ1kDRtQ2X2WzsAv39sZwXLNjXvsPTjgOYoyLNap4EQYQdUG/s1600-h/DSC02763.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju62wTQ99qItU1HJ2VzttTpTRtYk1xZOI5_jGdA51-UI_iF582xaElB_4WyBBfIYEy1EF_MQvIB27-ECKrMX24G04ZMbp0PZ1kDRtQ2X2WzsAv39sZwXLNjXvsPTjgOYoyLNap4EQYQdUG/s320/DSC02763.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412176009349817602" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-76717307295907628732009-11-17T18:22:00.001-08:002009-11-17T18:49:09.076-08:00Momma's Lil YelperMonday was my first day at Yelp! What a day it was... since I'm living in San Jose right now, I woke up and was out of the house by 5:45AM to catch the 6:20AM train into San Fran. An hour later I was there. I then hopped on a bus and took it to the office building. I met Taylor at Peet's Coffee across the street, because I was soo early. We chatted and talked about what we thought it'd be like. We are two of 32 new Account Executives, (Sales). Most of everyone is from California or has some tie to it. Of course the question of the day was, "Are you a Bama fan?" Meh. Everyone seems pretty nice, cool and easy to get along with. It was a typical first day at work, pretty easy. <br /><br />The office and culture is so cool. I wish I could paint in your minds what it looks like or take pictures and post, BUT I don't think that's legal. :( We were briefed on so many things of what not to say to friends/family about Yelp and what we could say. They are so transparent with information that we will basically know everything that we would want to know - but we can't go telling people or else it'll end up in the press and having "Catherine Hartman" as the person who broke the new, interesting news info about Yelp. (They said that's happened) <br /><br />But I will say this, Jeremy (CEO) has his dog roaming around all over one of the floors, such a cute dogie. There are kitchens on each floor and STOCKED with cereals, b'fast foods, sandwich stuff for lunch, fruit, an Odwalla fridge, waters, sodas, snacks galore. My eyes have never seen such a glorious site! And, it's all for the taking. There's a ping bong table on one floor. They have off site team building exercises where you can do all sorts of fun. The benefits are great. <br /><br />The CEO, who is close to MY age, came in and spoke. This company was a start up in 2004. He worked at PayPal & then after a year at Harvard Graduate School he dropped out to form this company with his friend. They had some people give them money to start it and the rest is history. It has now expanded into Europe. I feel so lucky to be a part of this company. We are the last huge group of sales people they are ever going to hire. Talk about luck.... <br /><br />Yelp is SO huge out here. HUGE. It's used as a verb basically in normal vocab. "So after lunch today I'm going to go and yelp about this new place." Seriously. When I tell people where I work, I thought I would have to explain, but everyone says, "Yes! I use Yelp all the time!" <br /><br />I wish I had known more about it while in Birmingham. I could have planned so many trips better and easier. It's also great for those new in town (ie Me!!) who don't know of a dentist to go to or a mechanic and read reviews and find one close to me. <br /><br />This is a sales job though. It will be tough. It's a lot of information to learn. I am excited though. Most of the people there say it's a hard job, but they stay because of the culture and the people they work with. To me, that says a lot. <br /><br />So... so far, so good! I am just ready to move to San Fran so my commute is 20 min instead of a 1.5 hour commute.Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-28989881504868283022009-11-13T10:00:00.000-08:002009-11-13T10:36:38.214-08:00A Change of PaceTo sum things up that have happened in the last few weeks.... I celebrated my 29th birthday! It was lovely. I went to see David Gray in Nob Hill (SF) with a friend. I loved every minute of it! It was the second year in a row to be away from friends/family... so it was odd, but I'm getting used to it.<br /><br />And some other great news: I start my job at Yelp (finally) on Monday! AND I found a place in San Fran to live! I am going to be moving in with a great girl, Molly, from TN. The area is wonderful and the apt is great - it reminds me of my old apt in Bham. I am moving in Thanksgiving weekend and I can't wait! Finally - my own space again! <br /><br />I will post pictures of my new place as I get them. Since I came out with just my clothes, I hope it's an easy move. The place is already furnished and all I need is a bed ... Craigslist can help me with that. Craigslist has been my best friend while out here!<br /><br />I will probably pick up a waitressing job on the weekends to make a little more money until I start making commission. So, I am excited to do that, as well. I will look more seriously for a weekend job in SF once I get there.<br /><br />Also, more interesting news... Johnny has decided to move to San Fran. He has already turned in his notice at work and rented out his loft. He will arrive Dec 11th. It'll be great to have a friend from home here.<br /><br />That's all I got for now! My life is about to go from zero to 10 in the matter of a few days. I will one day look back and think "Wow, I was not doing much for 3 months, I can't remember what that was like!" Although I have been borderline poor, I have enjoyed this experience. I have seen so many places and enjoyed it the best I probably could have. I have learned so much, too, especially how to live on MUCH less. I am thankful for this time I've had and also for this job I'm about to start.<br /><br />I can't wait for friends to come out and visit. I am looking forward to showing you around my new city ... the city I have grown to just love!Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-69706807331411957382009-10-28T20:46:00.000-07:002009-10-28T20:54:01.519-07:00"You take a nap-a, you don't move to Napa!"And a line from <em>Sex & the City </em>to start this post off ... <br />Taylor & I went to Napa yesterday. It was a lovely day spent lunching at Bounty Hunter Winery (BBQ!! Great BBQ too, made me miss the South), then we drove through the beautiful valley. It was a nearly perfect day, execept for the way back - we took the Bay Bridge - our first mistake. As I had just told Taylor about how the 1989 earthquake made the bridge collapse, we sat parked in traffic for 1 hour. Then we heard on the radio a cable had snapped and they shut the bridge down. (great) We had a huge detour, but made it back safely. I may never take this bridge again.<br /><br />Taylor is getting tired of taking these photos of me... <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3UO8CoCOc0WUXP_EL6zhrHcm5KzMKhBgVKspx_mdr-x58QjJOal5nK5dnu4cHFwnQcLe0lD2r32h7YB-rRx_GbbQ_nJgk4F3Ehwp6ttM-4OxyGoJYsFSrqh1x4jqoSs7jOD-I7ait1q5/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3UO8CoCOc0WUXP_EL6zhrHcm5KzMKhBgVKspx_mdr-x58QjJOal5nK5dnu4cHFwnQcLe0lD2r32h7YB-rRx_GbbQ_nJgk4F3Ehwp6ttM-4OxyGoJYsFSrqh1x4jqoSs7jOD-I7ait1q5/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397864896830757218" /></a><br />Mondavi Winery.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90d_CxhD4w9s4NPwRHElYFOzRBgXWoFS0v36Ij6PrffBHMAYzre_EZ3slHDKreritlWwLe9mvPWqa4QvZuFaAazawBGNlygR9_g_85U6emqrb65uEPVjxsZWrHPxzEIcCYahJMJCdsXKW/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90d_CxhD4w9s4NPwRHElYFOzRBgXWoFS0v36Ij6PrffBHMAYzre_EZ3slHDKreritlWwLe9mvPWqa4QvZuFaAazawBGNlygR9_g_85U6emqrb65uEPVjxsZWrHPxzEIcCYahJMJCdsXKW/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397864781637468898" /></a><br />My favorite of the day - V. Sattrui Winery.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw8RrKXx5o2kSxfyvGutVXUzngyuw0RX6zfYvJ_xc-sbT0Sqr6q25ly_YfW6-gTHYNAFMiRWYF6QbkMm3Tohrce9REAu3YtZK9n7sPNvYpZojo-PgmSPmmZcBxhSFv-NB9xzdrg3OzHsf/s1600-h/026.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw8RrKXx5o2kSxfyvGutVXUzngyuw0RX6zfYvJ_xc-sbT0Sqr6q25ly_YfW6-gTHYNAFMiRWYF6QbkMm3Tohrce9REAu3YtZK9n7sPNvYpZojo-PgmSPmmZcBxhSFv-NB9xzdrg3OzHsf/s320/026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397864615167150082" /></a><br />Biggest pumpkin eva! Beringer Winery.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4EiOwICkdURoU1mp0K_4Y62zm9V4kEKn1PWtVikYLkeWKZAt9QLLiH-jXnwIxYnPnlgvRCuo6ZYv3Ckw7u8q-E6-ezT1-hQJ9bl5uC8zkNFnoTswvf4OUxTZCLNZtlbjOaHsVGwb47M8/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4EiOwICkdURoU1mp0K_4Y62zm9V4kEKn1PWtVikYLkeWKZAt9QLLiH-jXnwIxYnPnlgvRCuo6ZYv3Ckw7u8q-E6-ezT1-hQJ9bl5uC8zkNFnoTswvf4OUxTZCLNZtlbjOaHsVGwb47M8/s320/028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397863988716303394" /></a><br />Mumm Winery.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljpKmI-A3Yu3HQq2eZzR-E6rAHhB3m2zJmJ3XUSzLD5-syR6zdAlFJQM908av20PTHtSRog5qI9keJJ6iKDdNdyGGKXOMDMnmL4kB37iIbr_cfGmMQbPParoLHiHS6__tv8gi9jn5z6_D/s1600-h/036.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljpKmI-A3Yu3HQq2eZzR-E6rAHhB3m2zJmJ3XUSzLD5-syR6zdAlFJQM908av20PTHtSRog5qI9keJJ6iKDdNdyGGKXOMDMnmL4kB37iIbr_cfGmMQbPParoLHiHS6__tv8gi9jn5z6_D/s320/036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397863855187259650" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-81062629996323010052009-10-28T20:42:00.000-07:002009-10-28T20:46:30.194-07:00If you are going to San Francisco, be sure to wear flowers in your hair...So, here are pictures from a day spent in San Fran - seeing Taylor's new pad and happy hour at Columbus Cafe with some "Yelpers!" I got to meet some people I will be working with and I must say - I can't wait to start working! <br /><br />Taylor & I at Alamo Park - where the Painted Ladies are.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRGyBRoLqznC39VdJIYBNpJovdRoGCDBdY2DZmWHQ0TppoRh7cVoAIbLFUPZbwZk9EjfhsTy2fGMfYCEWBgq9MX7QRSKM_dCd2j8cbolK-8w23WZWGn5dfeRuEYZ7NzM9Q80q-XGX5Ng2/s1600-h/046.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRGyBRoLqznC39VdJIYBNpJovdRoGCDBdY2DZmWHQ0TppoRh7cVoAIbLFUPZbwZk9EjfhsTy2fGMfYCEWBgq9MX7QRSKM_dCd2j8cbolK-8w23WZWGn5dfeRuEYZ7NzM9Q80q-XGX5Ng2/s320/046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397863109795285986" /></a><br />Holding my shirt down so no sights of my hot mid-drift. :) Postcard Row aka Painted Ladies.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-WjOEAhS5xOjtWmrVz7AEY048aC8US1p9qK1NRAYHOv0UJ9NvYZgsTPIMBqll31AFoxYfjF0JEpL_qde_beFi-ztbfTiAKvUL8YBbXAoSpjbCz9HaW32KYXKM6t-K3wbjzcFqP6V_4l5/s1600-h/045.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-WjOEAhS5xOjtWmrVz7AEY048aC8US1p9qK1NRAYHOv0UJ9NvYZgsTPIMBqll31AFoxYfjF0JEpL_qde_beFi-ztbfTiAKvUL8YBbXAoSpjbCz9HaW32KYXKM6t-K3wbjzcFqP6V_4l5/s320/045.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397862898476582898" /></a><br />North Beach, San Fran. Columbus Cafe with Taylor, Katie and some other randoms.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjNGz9hnB27ChsA90mHai8RtkuJhhDiJ5xf7LdvjmOfm-IZ1iCX34riGCTRj33UnqgbSeNCbVTJIqpporzUpg9pgDhmOvF1Pldny4mmGfsGTkUyJj67jhyphenhyphenWfLqkLDPb1O6LGYRSqspfY3/s1600-h/050.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjNGz9hnB27ChsA90mHai8RtkuJhhDiJ5xf7LdvjmOfm-IZ1iCX34riGCTRj33UnqgbSeNCbVTJIqpporzUpg9pgDhmOvF1Pldny4mmGfsGTkUyJj67jhyphenhyphenWfLqkLDPb1O6LGYRSqspfY3/s320/050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397862678860782722" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-87595391201409599082009-10-18T09:05:00.000-07:002009-10-18T18:57:51.342-07:00AlcatrazMy good friend, Tonya & her husband, Chad, were in San Fran for their first anniversary trip. They had already been to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and were in San Fran a few days before going to Napa. I had a great time visiting with them. We had lunch on Jefferson (near Firsherman's Wharf) and then we treked to Pier 33 to board the ferry to Alcatraz.<br /><br />My friend, Taylor, who was my rooommate during training for Readak just moved to San Fran the day before! She moved out a little like I did, no job and just randomly decided to sub-let a place in Lower Haight area for a few weeks. So, she came along with us. <br /><br />It was a great tour and very interesting. I learned so many things! Al Capone was a prisoner there. There was even an old prisoner in the museum autographing his book. He was transported out of Alcatraz before it closed and severed the rest of his time elsewhere. He went to Alcatraz for bank robbery. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSZ-QzItq95RM7BpgRWo9Wr9gUxJxAKX5qYPaMJN3flfjuNtlrTHMLY3gdnexnAGw-Kq6mLPYbWXfsq7bztstjBwGEzSqTw9edsEAkQE_IScWCUZlNynuf6hEXp5ep1gHpj_Nde1Qz__i/s1600-h/DSC02664.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSZ-QzItq95RM7BpgRWo9Wr9gUxJxAKX5qYPaMJN3flfjuNtlrTHMLY3gdnexnAGw-Kq6mLPYbWXfsq7bztstjBwGEzSqTw9edsEAkQE_IScWCUZlNynuf6hEXp5ep1gHpj_Nde1Qz__i/s320/DSC02664.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394124244986091570" /></a><br /><br />What's a visit to Alcatraz w/o a jumping picture? <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCImj97_c4Kk3t4BR_P9dQdRTFVp7kdTpbPpPngzKXTTK2cgjEi2LTgQDbmLjiqIqR2o8B-fwRjiPLvOdkhdedIE_l_KFhBrhWWKEIP1Vr51kKL_T5012wwaPbQxAPURQRZ-wKCAZjmIqW/s1600-h/DSC02667.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCImj97_c4Kk3t4BR_P9dQdRTFVp7kdTpbPpPngzKXTTK2cgjEi2LTgQDbmLjiqIqR2o8B-fwRjiPLvOdkhdedIE_l_KFhBrhWWKEIP1Vr51kKL_T5012wwaPbQxAPURQRZ-wKCAZjmIqW/s320/DSC02667.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394124076652217538" /></a><br /><br />Help!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S2_Fs0b9VT3x1mvxccMj5n3DWkAU0AsUxECVyGQe-ZYB006vUgHYcGUTlkLTJzqMDtesbmoHYZgCDVrJ-3BbYf8hN6A_LJMx9tbxCzaTrYCLbEtLfWwiy7-Zf_Al4DlTN2_fJZjgeHsw/s1600-h/DSC02674.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S2_Fs0b9VT3x1mvxccMj5n3DWkAU0AsUxECVyGQe-ZYB006vUgHYcGUTlkLTJzqMDtesbmoHYZgCDVrJ-3BbYf8hN6A_LJMx9tbxCzaTrYCLbEtLfWwiy7-Zf_Al4DlTN2_fJZjgeHsw/s320/DSC02674.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394123582590960098" /></a><br />Tonya & I inside Alcatraz.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2CbfbSpUCq_JiOZRrT4Bym8LRxU9zNFU6XWeCE3ewu0uR1Mz_9i-dVpVZSt2xU5OsEIp8V4gF4O7yttBMZOH6lQsN8c16t3Nyy8INwq6uUjQatnCmfOt1lf8UNLQgr11zImi4gLxrt54/s1600-h/DSC02679.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2CbfbSpUCq_JiOZRrT4Bym8LRxU9zNFU6XWeCE3ewu0uR1Mz_9i-dVpVZSt2xU5OsEIp8V4gF4O7yttBMZOH6lQsN8c16t3Nyy8INwq6uUjQatnCmfOt1lf8UNLQgr11zImi4gLxrt54/s320/DSC02679.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394123440331540578" /></a><br /><br />Taylor & I with San Fran behind.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm-l-q1SFF9frAYDBowM6vyaDXm02y2dVmdExg8qFWBVPaXHi9ONO291Mwf4LUDEdVdjVAsI5a_PWHGY5-f0vKvbWBWAVCX3iF6sleyQUaPclLFo6y38B_EqHLnX_ewEQiqsfSBqTFQvZ/s1600-h/DSC02689.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm-l-q1SFF9frAYDBowM6vyaDXm02y2dVmdExg8qFWBVPaXHi9ONO291Mwf4LUDEdVdjVAsI5a_PWHGY5-f0vKvbWBWAVCX3iF6sleyQUaPclLFo6y38B_EqHLnX_ewEQiqsfSBqTFQvZ/s320/DSC02689.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394123241704706690" /></a><br /><br />Former Alcatraz prisoner. Read his little bio if you can....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb9vh411ucskYwjkg4ibZeIQ17KgU4_igtw8yXO0IRqb3GzI5CGgGIGk9IAYV2Gszuz80w7FqXfYe7U-x8FMp1DXOBMx6_NtgiLgSnzakaoonntEIuP3nQ3iTj75q0khso4gCpaRj0K1f/s1600-h/DSC02691.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb9vh411ucskYwjkg4ibZeIQ17KgU4_igtw8yXO0IRqb3GzI5CGgGIGk9IAYV2Gszuz80w7FqXfYe7U-x8FMp1DXOBMx6_NtgiLgSnzakaoonntEIuP3nQ3iTj75q0khso4gCpaRj0K1f/s320/DSC02691.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393974465972273346" /></a><br /><br />The Rock.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj4BmdeiOzMbL7hCKtMoEy2gNhGPpypgZgt4Jp_FfGWJSjFkCHahP33kp4OfquA5D_vGdjzF7xKX4G-nVG7Hpwrargedv82Lx9Wu9yUhQQXI3igHL_FX6OEuc4llD5BMQ2AVeruvEhjlu/s1600-h/DSC02694.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj4BmdeiOzMbL7hCKtMoEy2gNhGPpypgZgt4Jp_FfGWJSjFkCHahP33kp4OfquA5D_vGdjzF7xKX4G-nVG7Hpwrargedv82Lx9Wu9yUhQQXI3igHL_FX6OEuc4llD5BMQ2AVeruvEhjlu/s320/DSC02694.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393974124380986242" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-77845312638220757322009-10-09T15:43:00.000-07:002009-10-09T15:58:23.604-07:00HUGE NEWS!I had two interviews yesterday with two great companies that I would be lucky to work for... Yelp and The North Face. Both positions I interviewed for were for sales positions. It was a long day of commuting into the city for my first interview, but it was neat seeing the offices of Yelp. It reminded me of what I've seen of Google - very laid back, lively, fun, and lots of people sitting on those yoga balls. I loved everyone I spoke with and left feeling nervous ... meaning, I knew if I didn't get it I'd be super upset. I then had an interview with The North Face. It would be a good job, too, a mgmt position, (even 50% off all merch and travelling opportunities to do hiking/backpacking/camping trips). <br /><br />So, as for the "HUGE NEWS" ... I just got a phone call offering me the job at YELP! I can't wait. I start Nov 16. This means I will have to find a place to live in the city or near it soon! San Fran is a neat city and I can't wait to be living in it.<br /><br />So, wow, what a journey, from leaving AL in August and finding a FT job after searching (all together) for 3-4 weeks and landing a job! I feel so lucky and blessed especially in these hard times. All those hours on Craigslist paid off :) I probably applied to over 20 companies in the past two weeks. <br /><br />Thanks to everyone for the well wishes :) I can't wait... I'm excited about what my future holds. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2uWUt1Z4zDOLgG8xwpmFw4HNH17e6fDRMaTbnTQIzTkbsfHFiL9gobInekOaFmZKn9y8B5th3sfdbeasIpJ7F6yAnilOrrj5LwM7SLoxfWwohyphenhyphend0xtokQTbkeFjUAJUefb_LJvu2Vliq/s1600-h/yelp_logo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2uWUt1Z4zDOLgG8xwpmFw4HNH17e6fDRMaTbnTQIzTkbsfHFiL9gobInekOaFmZKn9y8B5th3sfdbeasIpJ7F6yAnilOrrj5LwM7SLoxfWwohyphenhyphend0xtokQTbkeFjUAJUefb_LJvu2Vliq/s320/yelp_logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390738082097577010" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-25281709919880325692009-10-06T21:55:00.000-07:002009-10-06T22:08:19.416-07:00Update!I'm sure you all get tired of seeing pictures from my fun adventures and are curious as to "Is she even looking for a job out there?" Well, my friend, I am. I have a part time job at a golf course in San Jose, where I am constantly making contacts in the tech industry (Hello - I am in the heart of Silicon Valley!). In fact, today, at the golf course, I had two tables (both full of business men) ask me where I was from due to my "slight" Southern accent. Both parties asked me my story of how I ended up here and both asked for my contact info on helping me find a job. <br /><br />I have hit the job search full force in the past 2-3 weeks. I feel my hard work is paying off. I have applied with all the companies you can think of that are based here: Google (btw - they have 780,000 applications a year!), Yahoo, Ebay, PayPal, Oracle, Facebook, Specialized (bikes! based here in little Morgan Hill), GU (all BTC ppl would love if I got this, so would I, dream job, I'd get to go to Kona for Ironman!), REI, The North Face, and Yelp to name a few. Yelp is a site everyone & their mom uses here in CA. It's an online review site (Wes Poole - look at it). It's very neat. <br /><br />So, I do have two 2nd interviews this Thursday with two companies I have mentioned above. One is with Yelp and the other is North Face. Yelp is growing so rapidly that they are opening a new office in Scottsdale, AZ, so I have told them I would be willing to move there if need be. We'll see what happens. I'd be a lot closer to the Grand Canyon, but yet, a lot hotter since it's 80-85 year round. <br /><br />I feel very lucky right now. I do feel positive and hope to have my own living situation squared away soon. In fact, I will be leaving the RV park soon and moving in with a girl I've met. Kali, from DC. She did the exact same thing I did - left her job in DC and drove here to find work. She already has a job - she's a nurse, so jobs are a-plenty there. I look forward to living with her!<br /><br />So, keep your fingers crossed for me - working full time again would be an adjustment (laugh), but I'm ready to get back into it.Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-42545416488585723232009-10-06T21:34:00.001-07:002009-10-06T21:55:22.752-07:00Biking the GGBAli & I decided to go to San Fran on Monday to bike the beautiful, and not so gold, Golden Gate Bridge. (QUESTION: You may wonder why it's called the Golden Gate Bridge, but yet it's red? ANSWER: The "Golden Gate" is the area where the Bay dumps into the Pacific, right there in San Fran. The reason it's red? So when it gets ultra foggy, which it usually is always foggy in San Fran, you can still see the bridge.)<br /><br />We had a beautiful, non-foggy day in San Fran on Monday. Temperature was a cool high 60s. We rented bikes then took our journey to the bridge then over into Sausalito, CA. It may have been my favorite day yet in San Fran. It's something everyone should do, if not ride over the bridge, walk it. There were a lot of walkers, too. <br /><br />Interesting fact about the GGB: The GGB is the most popular site to commit suicide in the US. There were phones with signs (I should have taken a picture, I know) that said "Emergency phones and crisis counseling."<br /><br />Ok, not to end on a depressing note, so here are some of my fav pictures from the day.<br /><br />Bay Bridge from Ferry Building.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvvZ-AEgx4Wn9WokjbANQCmebHOLfhJzUym__YBfxAVJTVK0jjiRsQF4KQyBzyjSto7hCgqBh8oVIEFH-upSV4csoDYadYzKiERuohe_OeLpp3lfCHhkTSnO-DTBABX7-H2d_CC796aYk/s1600-h/DSC02606.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvvZ-AEgx4Wn9WokjbANQCmebHOLfhJzUym__YBfxAVJTVK0jjiRsQF4KQyBzyjSto7hCgqBh8oVIEFH-upSV4csoDYadYzKiERuohe_OeLpp3lfCHhkTSnO-DTBABX7-H2d_CC796aYk/s320/DSC02606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389716495937938914" /></a><br />As we start...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89LvBoTJlBetmAb7The5cIZQjbbVqc47Hs0HSHEPsPZ_M6J0knIrTTKlGIZINMhogu2M-22ZUd2s9oe0a3DCW8_EkcJGuq8Mm3paH6VMjyFnkuJty6FPNK00HhAkHR37VvQ57YwsudEC-/s1600-h/DSC02608.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89LvBoTJlBetmAb7The5cIZQjbbVqc47Hs0HSHEPsPZ_M6J0knIrTTKlGIZINMhogu2M-22ZUd2s9oe0a3DCW8_EkcJGuq8Mm3paH6VMjyFnkuJty6FPNK00HhAkHR37VvQ57YwsudEC-/s320/DSC02608.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389715947671221234" /></a><br />Just a beautiful sight.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuJuuBNd1L2REiwQsxfomf4IvYw9l2MK25p-XujxABwEaEy41NYyCRSHeaLIKS_-uv_RGxFrC9LfYG-C1svfC1w5ZeAfPMykYuGW-PrDNuKAAyH17TJxHIXaLduGepj37t4AntAkJdeoR/s1600-h/DSC02612.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuJuuBNd1L2REiwQsxfomf4IvYw9l2MK25p-XujxABwEaEy41NYyCRSHeaLIKS_-uv_RGxFrC9LfYG-C1svfC1w5ZeAfPMykYuGW-PrDNuKAAyH17TJxHIXaLduGepj37t4AntAkJdeoR/s320/DSC02612.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389715815614202562" /></a><br />"Hey, y'all!"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWsz65vYfIn_jHLamvQfVPLetup4tGNh82xi1k0FRAmXZYYzCA9BnF_7CHcsRkSlwmcrOvlWN4sNYFh4OpWCZwfqOUgqLF7Q2J9w-tr240oJzK4EdDMGtto1c0i51LhnZWOtEkDBNZa6F/s1600-h/DSC02614.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWsz65vYfIn_jHLamvQfVPLetup4tGNh82xi1k0FRAmXZYYzCA9BnF_7CHcsRkSlwmcrOvlWN4sNYFh4OpWCZwfqOUgqLF7Q2J9w-tr240oJzK4EdDMGtto1c0i51LhnZWOtEkDBNZa6F/s320/DSC02614.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389715698822441618" /></a><br />What's San Fran w/o a jumping picture?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLFQrRk8uR8k1dE-dtqFihP0D13Unx56x6rStfI2I95mc9RrBdWgGpyod4Nox2VCo1HA2_PM1dQaMEwdShDCOSerMxHIKEKPJYEC3hD0W0YToOxjQFtHTefQeszA4DAxxUyJywrmxYhzp/s1600-h/DSC02622.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLFQrRk8uR8k1dE-dtqFihP0D13Unx56x6rStfI2I95mc9RrBdWgGpyod4Nox2VCo1HA2_PM1dQaMEwdShDCOSerMxHIKEKPJYEC3hD0W0YToOxjQFtHTefQeszA4DAxxUyJywrmxYhzp/s320/DSC02622.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389715343656055874" /></a><br />I never get tired of looking at this beautiful thing. Unbelievably gorgeous.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROfyXeOxnJsIVZktAc_nsBqPtFBwKoJSx5TLxwl8iOmlUrs-jjEFbmRbWPAi1EIDZXerE7KLFFLkiODkgMRuxZWbY32_3azVNrwAX1IrbkCuBim9Srhp6zn92_-ORq-42tfxxufsx9K5-/s1600-h/DSC02623.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROfyXeOxnJsIVZktAc_nsBqPtFBwKoJSx5TLxwl8iOmlUrs-jjEFbmRbWPAi1EIDZXerE7KLFFLkiODkgMRuxZWbY32_3azVNrwAX1IrbkCuBim9Srhp6zn92_-ORq-42tfxxufsx9K5-/s320/DSC02623.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389715151527434802" /></a><br />Puffer & myself.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOHK5YEsnb9Q7vzCGCONvFCQITjU-7jviRw7LMBB1zmJrgA4utNTeFnRuSbMjGdyoYZFN0Tex4lzb2YFoOjN4hCcNLQJozQSkDb7geCw6MU8Mpa74UY7mjZwWvvOpgUzWqOdfKdc59IM9/s1600-h/DSC02631.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOHK5YEsnb9Q7vzCGCONvFCQITjU-7jviRw7LMBB1zmJrgA4utNTeFnRuSbMjGdyoYZFN0Tex4lzb2YFoOjN4hCcNLQJozQSkDb7geCw6MU8Mpa74UY7mjZwWvvOpgUzWqOdfKdc59IM9/s320/DSC02631.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389714865686161474" /></a><br />One of my favorites... <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0coQstnKncywhu4r1wX02oUpdmc1YJv-pz1IAjyIVvn1OZAPkxFdqqQa5XuCBVG2WXMtgUyLXQXIXa4Q4L3sEIWhNSdCOWCBVEdwljylYVUbeMxRPqaxe_iFPOm3YByJpWWSKEwfhTs_/s1600-h/DSC02634.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0coQstnKncywhu4r1wX02oUpdmc1YJv-pz1IAjyIVvn1OZAPkxFdqqQa5XuCBVG2WXMtgUyLXQXIXa4Q4L3sEIWhNSdCOWCBVEdwljylYVUbeMxRPqaxe_iFPOm3YByJpWWSKEwfhTs_/s320/DSC02634.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389714542058595586" /></a><br />Yours truly.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeMB62lKnAohu1ZlWtVoXQgXMuka_mLtRVVqHcWdTOX6cKVUNot1q9e9f1EzaPegbNuv8ZEzc98izuI0E0WVHApQ59EfDdI5uVSUBs33NB2cbX8QJRtr3Da357zYV8Z90-Zh84_Hbpadk/s1600-h/DSC02636.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeMB62lKnAohu1ZlWtVoXQgXMuka_mLtRVVqHcWdTOX6cKVUNot1q9e9f1EzaPegbNuv8ZEzc98izuI0E0WVHApQ59EfDdI5uVSUBs33NB2cbX8QJRtr3Da357zYV8Z90-Zh84_Hbpadk/s320/DSC02636.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389714381609043058" /></a><br />Making our way.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_htl7zlrTEXyNQTU1GUp9G_4-H2Byhd2oYjTi-v2ofwZQQTovTCFYnvA8dTIomSQFcg8t6t3mNpZ_EERhEvAFad8PtoXqoC-_TBKzJYg3srjEbcPjHofE8IgR3JKBJ1yDyOxsmdM96xK/s1600-h/DSC02637.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_htl7zlrTEXyNQTU1GUp9G_4-H2Byhd2oYjTi-v2ofwZQQTovTCFYnvA8dTIomSQFcg8t6t3mNpZ_EERhEvAFad8PtoXqoC-_TBKzJYg3srjEbcPjHofE8IgR3JKBJ1yDyOxsmdM96xK/s320/DSC02637.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389714225516039970" /></a><br />Ali in front - crossing bridge.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkQ4Gaa3b9b0RjTGNHeWPqlZ-z8awSRVOujY3bKQ5ezVDXPjV2720-LKg-SYzSLl8kj1s6St9PU-5SD7t1qyGrDs7ndD_-Vddjf7jdc7gLwg9ff9p5sqSCSci2aHbj7AsoC8r3xtKtyj9/s1600-h/DSC02638.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkQ4Gaa3b9b0RjTGNHeWPqlZ-z8awSRVOujY3bKQ5ezVDXPjV2720-LKg-SYzSLl8kj1s6St9PU-5SD7t1qyGrDs7ndD_-Vddjf7jdc7gLwg9ff9p5sqSCSci2aHbj7AsoC8r3xtKtyj9/s320/DSC02638.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389713910134933730" /></a><br />In Sausalito with San Fran to my back.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8Yo1HHI-u6HyZ9DrREtp8iu62xPqXHvQlb4RCuCUR8Zspsjc9J9ZwrzdfnkyohI_V75j_WgTJSPyOyExCTW50qsaG_OnPIz3eS6_RqeR54oHEEdOzdBAEnv8LRB4rrobmG1zWbr_gS4j/s1600-h/DSC02651.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8Yo1HHI-u6HyZ9DrREtp8iu62xPqXHvQlb4RCuCUR8Zspsjc9J9ZwrzdfnkyohI_V75j_WgTJSPyOyExCTW50qsaG_OnPIz3eS6_RqeR54oHEEdOzdBAEnv8LRB4rrobmG1zWbr_gS4j/s320/DSC02651.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389713646599586322" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-44941767349103196512009-10-06T21:22:00.000-07:002009-10-06T21:34:02.548-07:00Out in San JoseI have grown found of this town. The heart of Silicon Valley as they call it. I've met some great, fun people and the weather is just puuuurfect for me. What else could make this place great? Drinking "apple juice" from a big boot? Yep, that. Or going to a fine estblishment where the bartender is known for his "bedroom eyes," (see here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/teskes-germania-restaurant-and-beer-garden-san-jose) {Shamless plug for a company I hope to soon be working for - fingers crossed} Anywho, fun times were had. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprCLnt6k8pXptKCthWnHMw3hJ0GypV4xMd87w3tEoUMweATfNo5l91NA1M-76lgY3qdecPi8shinrBuE7mobdEXw5fKvMKA_p22rrrwpcrcZ9YcU12yxZO3mgG_TnnhNENbQErOXgsWm7/s1600-h/DSC02592.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprCLnt6k8pXptKCthWnHMw3hJ0GypV4xMd87w3tEoUMweATfNo5l91NA1M-76lgY3qdecPi8shinrBuE7mobdEXw5fKvMKA_p22rrrwpcrcZ9YcU12yxZO3mgG_TnnhNENbQErOXgsWm7/s320/DSC02592.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389711491937699058" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3yrf_5HfVwuPPET4aZcgJK8irpa9Wd3iiqEuB87H4CMkHfwtkB5i2EepAH31ZHUCqqOfNSZRYzKJkSpNl6KoKqerqpP0PH_h0Vsb-xsn-F52qORO8GWGcIiyaCBlXbRRvcDw4tbkWIuX/s1600-h/DSC02602.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3yrf_5HfVwuPPET4aZcgJK8irpa9Wd3iiqEuB87H4CMkHfwtkB5i2EepAH31ZHUCqqOfNSZRYzKJkSpNl6KoKqerqpP0PH_h0Vsb-xsn-F52qORO8GWGcIiyaCBlXbRRvcDw4tbkWIuX/s320/DSC02602.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389710945063439954" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-10015468559687958892009-10-06T20:43:00.000-07:002009-10-06T21:22:35.600-07:00Oktoberfest in San Fran!It's that time of year ...time for pumpkins, leaves changing colors, the weather to cool off and Oktoberfest! My pal, Ali, is still in town and living with some pretty cool people: Aaron and Jenna. They invited me to join them in San Fran for this Oktoberfest celebration. Any event where men dance around in lederhosen and eat spatzle, count me in. Here are a few pictures from the night. <br /><br />Me & the band...<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRM7QEDrTtJ1wpKX3wDN0SvT1bdyVgR4iaGxWlEyynd4ND8qjAQ_ZJs4L2-1TeJ_LEIS1JtH2_kNIVNv2SUPRJ2IYTLnL0uUPLfdUC7wO_1D_-Yy8tw6FfCXi7mWkERhU_NQa03w4UQKa/s1600-h/227.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRM7QEDrTtJ1wpKX3wDN0SvT1bdyVgR4iaGxWlEyynd4ND8qjAQ_ZJs4L2-1TeJ_LEIS1JtH2_kNIVNv2SUPRJ2IYTLnL0uUPLfdUC7wO_1D_-Yy8tw6FfCXi7mWkERhU_NQa03w4UQKa/s320/227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389708365843967314" /></a><br /><br />"Hey, boys... can we have our picture with you? You sure are cute."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo8EKE22M2i4rFrCt9nIXKl8TZVB3TVD_KdmOY4wbJWuQRaqlofaSsRMkJ3VTbASRhQVUsgwejAvvKlyn3923MvWWQRfyfyA1Y1qPtn3AmeI1StR1Xvn93Dx7aPf6_io8UQcOyYTh0JlP/s1600-h/228.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNo8EKE22M2i4rFrCt9nIXKl8TZVB3TVD_KdmOY4wbJWuQRaqlofaSsRMkJ3VTbASRhQVUsgwejAvvKlyn3923MvWWQRfyfyA1Y1qPtn3AmeI1StR1Xvn93Dx7aPf6_io8UQcOyYTh0JlP/s320/228.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389708511962372514" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-85959425963705984822009-09-28T21:30:00.000-07:002009-09-28T21:33:46.079-07:00The Puffer!Ali Puffer and I worked together with Readak last year. She has this cute New Hampshire accent. She LOVES to try to talk like me. I don't know why :) She's in San Jose for the month teaching at Bellermine for Readak. I hope I get to see her a lot. We hung out at Santa Row one night and here's our only picture. We did treat ourselves after dinner to some Pinkberry. It's ok, it's frozen yogurt, so it's healthy! <br /><br />Us!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQn1K1atTQxen7BsPXc-vKgTvN3q4_GwBziLQxpq2Akgsm5mGgbPVpv5D3-kxYMCxP91eIqDvLtn9z4JVwanaziEBiUA07DVDjDozSIsz8Z8Qbce6gqtt0Q5iW7x8oRxRuH7KEe7N-ffj/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQn1K1atTQxen7BsPXc-vKgTvN3q4_GwBziLQxpq2Akgsm5mGgbPVpv5D3-kxYMCxP91eIqDvLtn9z4JVwanaziEBiUA07DVDjDozSIsz8Z8Qbce6gqtt0Q5iW7x8oRxRuH7KEe7N-ffj/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386742737365491586" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-91323275669092481202009-09-28T21:28:00.000-07:002009-09-28T21:41:55.637-07:00Santa Barbara Part DeuxJohnny came to Santa Barbara for a "work trip." However, I feel like he never worked. I kid, I kid, he'll get mad at me for saying that. He did work. I'd say collectively, 4 hours. So, we hung out in Santa Barbara and Solvang, CA and wine country. It was a nice couple of days. <br /><br />My favorite picture of the weekend! Vus or Ban? What is it?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7IJQWT1POh8V-PLDHJxgfYUdhCu5zql9TzD6kM9ugyx02gMCcKL5Qw1kiID_etWW08CZ6A1ecz_n4bhMoyxYCvZG7XA1woISRONgPtqi_-8AIk7itL9uCOUcsAu8KESjd9LOSXjE7Ump/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7IJQWT1POh8V-PLDHJxgfYUdhCu5zql9TzD6kM9ugyx02gMCcKL5Qw1kiID_etWW08CZ6A1ecz_n4bhMoyxYCvZG7XA1woISRONgPtqi_-8AIk7itL9uCOUcsAu8KESjd9LOSXjE7Ump/s320/016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386743255345900658" /></a><br /><br />On the way to Solvang, CA.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJeh0xz9G-OtIBuqqxW6eweNd-zRAYwhRablEqd_EQWbSaQrCgQOGlabRDj_BSuzFKmmIUhZVLgZajwFLoOoXNRRVVuGRbEIUFfiHqSywUcR5LzUspVWNN6uBcBHbY4U9baHiB2EItnZ_/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJeh0xz9G-OtIBuqqxW6eweNd-zRAYwhRablEqd_EQWbSaQrCgQOGlabRDj_BSuzFKmmIUhZVLgZajwFLoOoXNRRVVuGRbEIUFfiHqSywUcR5LzUspVWNN6uBcBHbY4U9baHiB2EItnZ_/s320/022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386743490018157618" /></a><br /><br />Solvang, CA - Cute little Danish town. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNmpbAR04pGXXtKYT4cg3bw6fZqr2wVHS6lE-cmRfijbnL_ksldOb5vvkpnYgKCtv833vkF3zH0WQxZJotTGcwr0dBiJjieT0sHkASd01vz52pEYO6p8w67Kn8wAnZ8H_LNjPvLhXuYMy/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNmpbAR04pGXXtKYT4cg3bw6fZqr2wVHS6lE-cmRfijbnL_ksldOb5vvkpnYgKCtv833vkF3zH0WQxZJotTGcwr0dBiJjieT0sHkASd01vz52pEYO6p8w67Kn8wAnZ8H_LNjPvLhXuYMy/s320/025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386743680000545026" /></a><br /><br />Foxen Winery. It's a shack! I loved it. Sidways, the movie, was filmed here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcL7t7TPj1ca7mGP4CvmW836zvPgRXcLdfpXXwVDYI_e37uCq69rSZCoAUfyhyphenhyphenxeg5YmdNqwFnVzN14oZgZ7Yvy2Us36pKHUkMACI56puvW7UTMcKTKFlf_6zMiiZElI0ZYMW7TR9WREf/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcL7t7TPj1ca7mGP4CvmW836zvPgRXcLdfpXXwVDYI_e37uCq69rSZCoAUfyhyphenhyphenxeg5YmdNqwFnVzN14oZgZ7Yvy2Us36pKHUkMACI56puvW7UTMcKTKFlf_6zMiiZElI0ZYMW7TR9WREf/s320/028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386744024383035426" /></a><br /><br />Being the nerd that I am, I knew Neverland Ranch was near Santa Barbara. So, we wikipedia'd the addres and it was only several miles from where we were one day. We went. Nothing to get excited about. You can't see jack from the road. Just this gate. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUgvIJEr5ApcVN7W70WJLCP9phXrEdls3uSSs11SjUd3fGeOGI0j1i72T5_lPm-c-3go0H0rkvFNzqPbQ0uWC-nuXANbtOwutuC-kd3R_thyphenhyphentRkdlIMgA8LZZ2pYEHfNaNjhVEvJBWaIC/s1600-h/035.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUgvIJEr5ApcVN7W70WJLCP9phXrEdls3uSSs11SjUd3fGeOGI0j1i72T5_lPm-c-3go0H0rkvFNzqPbQ0uWC-nuXANbtOwutuC-kd3R_thyphenhyphentRkdlIMgA8LZZ2pYEHfNaNjhVEvJBWaIC/s320/035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386744310388003746" /></a><br /><br />A sweet farewell from a fan to MJ...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynvTLvLU4K5JUImOPdNI_x0gnUMgtDYc3M5sDEBMJNBYpk2Zvc7R2jooG-Hx-32apXEbEZt6Kwk9xHhiQPat6zUl9uJseYqcAgsoAT7fFv1On6QwKhnwJ99VALLN2F7SbIde3_-qHm-gw/s1600-h/043.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynvTLvLU4K5JUImOPdNI_x0gnUMgtDYc3M5sDEBMJNBYpk2Zvc7R2jooG-Hx-32apXEbEZt6Kwk9xHhiQPat6zUl9uJseYqcAgsoAT7fFv1On6QwKhnwJ99VALLN2F7SbIde3_-qHm-gw/s320/043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386744902533933138" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-63625220910640222132009-09-28T21:20:00.000-07:002009-09-28T21:28:30.261-07:00Capitola, CA Camp TripMary & Fred (who live next door, or as some would say, 20 feet from me) had their son, daughter in law and friend come visit a couple of weeks ago. I know, I know, that goes to show how slow I am at updating this :(<br /><br />So, we had a glorious time. We all went to see The Killers (see below) and even went to Capitola to cook out with Amber, Jason & Sage. They were camping and we went to just eat. Turns out, it does rain in California, but only on Sundays and only that nasty misty rain. It rained our cook out, out, but Jason & Fred prevailed! We all crammed into the Shasta while they made our dinner. It was a fun night, memorable. <br /><br />Us on the beach in Capitola, CA.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5kVvnDoOyy907zVmOc8a55aZLD6AFy5AIhFNciIRgMBL6jYzmfqDqBhGIZWRdzdxg0b2CohFh4eEq2ddrmODcjACmvn3EHRz2AtU4qjjI7kiNwP42jp7lVFzAmWYAOJPtG8eK3_11Muf/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5kVvnDoOyy907zVmOc8a55aZLD6AFy5AIhFNciIRgMBL6jYzmfqDqBhGIZWRdzdxg0b2CohFh4eEq2ddrmODcjACmvn3EHRz2AtU4qjjI7kiNwP42jp7lVFzAmWYAOJPtG8eK3_11Muf/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386741266408008674" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-40829031815561718952009-09-13T00:58:00.001-07:002009-09-13T00:58:20.278-07:00I Never Really Gave Up on Breaking Out of this Two Star Town<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/vuN7Q_kFwW0' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/vuN7Q_kFwW0'/></object></p><p>Several friends and myself ventured to Moutain View (to Shoreline Ampitheatre tonight to see one of my favorite bands - The Killers. I would seriously say <em>Hot Fuss</em> is one of my favorite albums of all time. I have played that CD into the ground to where it doesn't play anymore. (so sad) They did play all of my favorites. So, $20 was the cost of my lawn ticket. $20 well spent.<br /><br />This is my favorite song... yes, they played it. Unfortunately, none of us took in cameras. I doubt my camera could have captured it all anyway. I will see this band again one day!</p></div>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-45620602076252686852009-09-06T19:50:00.000-07:002009-09-06T20:14:55.395-07:00San Diego and Back to Morgan HillOn Thursday I took a later ferry from Catalina to Long Beach. From LB I drove 3 hours to San Diego. I love San Diego! It is honestly one of my favorite cities in the US. I met up with my pal, Jack. I met him when I was living in DC last fall. He lives in Little Italy. It is a great part of town! When I arrived we walked down by the water for a while, caught up, chatted, then went to dinner at a nice Italian place. We then walked over to Extraordinary Desserts. It was exactly that! I was in shock when I walked up to it. Desserts were huge and ornate and beautiful. We split a Four Berry Cobbler. The next day we went to Balboa Park and walked around. We then sat up on his rooftop pool, which was super nice. Then, we went to Coronado Beach and hung out with some of his friends. It was a great day. We then went to eat dinner at a brewery near by. I left out early Saturday to make it all the way back up the coast. I had a ticket reserved for me at the Hearst Castle. Speaking of ... WOW. If you're ever near San Simeon (where it's located), tour it. If you're a history nerd like myelf, you'd enjoy it. So, I left in time to hit HWY 1 at sunset, which was amazing. I made it back to Coyote Valley around 10PM. <br /><br />Overall, it was a fantastic trip! I'd do it again! I now want to go from San Fran up to Portland. I hear that's even a better trip.<br /><br />San Diego!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sYI1uE9qVQg8CtflgCKyG4l3VDAvMUiJLh3zAGZAXhTJkL2R7V5mgbVjnTNplKg6VnOtNiylXo0kKWg55y4nW9FZrVHheGsbF8SNk2zSO5Cchtz2AHzgpQji1w9BNFPw7jMANrn-uoYj/s1600-h/187.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sYI1uE9qVQg8CtflgCKyG4l3VDAvMUiJLh3zAGZAXhTJkL2R7V5mgbVjnTNplKg6VnOtNiylXo0kKWg55y4nW9FZrVHheGsbF8SNk2zSO5Cchtz2AHzgpQji1w9BNFPw7jMANrn-uoYj/s320/187.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378557501725554434" /></a><br /><br />Heaven in the form of a Four Berry Cobbler from Extraordinary Desserts. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcxl1d32-HuBbDDRh4a-M6JhN_SFcaIYmq0O-dXenC4Rlsuqjb4ntdFQoJpYSdwKLgrZlMLAsx82PZbqv6GVt177aYkqY2DCGjrXJFx__4uTPWlo7nepO40ThETm8Y89FZ3FIBLEckSfm/s1600-h/188.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcxl1d32-HuBbDDRh4a-M6JhN_SFcaIYmq0O-dXenC4Rlsuqjb4ntdFQoJpYSdwKLgrZlMLAsx82PZbqv6GVt177aYkqY2DCGjrXJFx__4uTPWlo7nepO40ThETm8Y89FZ3FIBLEckSfm/s320/188.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378557306431750290" /></a><br /><br />Day at Coronado with Jack and friends.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdwMvNRVYBNIMXIjAEcRyWgnOsw7jLMWn5VvLwzbdNUm18IFalnaj0KCb3XwncbnJl_3wZi2OpJAhyphenhyphenXCv-7CYAz7CANzuYQRHbM-dU7bHOF_P2TbaVSKQ800Q6byOx9hxS1w_kez-incu/s1600-h/199.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdwMvNRVYBNIMXIjAEcRyWgnOsw7jLMWn5VvLwzbdNUm18IFalnaj0KCb3XwncbnJl_3wZi2OpJAhyphenhyphenXCv-7CYAz7CANzuYQRHbM-dU7bHOF_P2TbaVSKQ800Q6byOx9hxS1w_kez-incu/s320/199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378557066896130066" /></a><br /><br />Coming into Morro Bay, CA.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeYwS3DMlzraoPqfGv946ey-NoEDOmsHilUmm2PIml7ps0lDBQ9dJSq9Qkq-UxXLfvfM829bx9Jhre2MjRKRiMt4tyqXE0gy0k55jC_UqMZHo5K5D6YKV9mSA-mlrgD3jsl8QggTdpCN0/s1600-h/201.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeYwS3DMlzraoPqfGv946ey-NoEDOmsHilUmm2PIml7ps0lDBQ9dJSq9Qkq-UxXLfvfM829bx9Jhre2MjRKRiMt4tyqXE0gy0k55jC_UqMZHo5K5D6YKV9mSA-mlrgD3jsl8QggTdpCN0/s320/201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378556892540443186" /></a><br /><br />I saw this beach on my way down the coast and stopped on my way back up. Morro Bay. It was unbelievably beautiful.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe6xI4MD2MFeUpIENMXwfDrLrkivRhUn-ud4pUXnDdKyflaY40v6oom6TjdPvi3AP7yCHH7K65HxvT6UlJ_74EIM8kdNCtyvTYBCCkPmUv34vmrtRvkfCk9B54Lylj-NQyq_7wCoef-Yb/s1600-h/209.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe6xI4MD2MFeUpIENMXwfDrLrkivRhUn-ud4pUXnDdKyflaY40v6oom6TjdPvi3AP7yCHH7K65HxvT6UlJ_74EIM8kdNCtyvTYBCCkPmUv34vmrtRvkfCk9B54Lylj-NQyq_7wCoef-Yb/s320/209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378556443770677154" /></a><br /><br />Porch overlooking Pacific from Hearst Castle.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbKUhOngEtFLDNDNGr6LR68LKb5_-k9EV3qrr-HQ8E4h_H3LykiGwJcwIlWGzhoAj9J93nI5g1xjR3yGiVjjK6HuqLtToTWydtlysOXZDqQ2QYCromwZhiwPQ9Y595PMQyHdOhoq32CWh/s1600-h/221.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbKUhOngEtFLDNDNGr6LR68LKb5_-k9EV3qrr-HQ8E4h_H3LykiGwJcwIlWGzhoAj9J93nI5g1xjR3yGiVjjK6HuqLtToTWydtlysOXZDqQ2QYCromwZhiwPQ9Y595PMQyHdOhoq32CWh/s320/221.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378556142977601554" /></a><br /><br />Neptune Pool at Hearst's Castle.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf3zNRHYZFL2rfnHtUGjdSX9Jm9A30RwxExknHeEMBuqgyFLfE6kP_LNw3WEoHQaAG1csF5oStOKnqJV44yKz30kdoeObV8iUFvEU5FQ7sYll4LdVRFdWHsNEnDEsGcpj-xp73SPNA24e/s1600-h/230.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf3zNRHYZFL2rfnHtUGjdSX9Jm9A30RwxExknHeEMBuqgyFLfE6kP_LNw3WEoHQaAG1csF5oStOKnqJV44yKz30kdoeObV8iUFvEU5FQ7sYll4LdVRFdWHsNEnDEsGcpj-xp73SPNA24e/s320/230.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378555831140707170" /></a><br /><br />Hearst Castle. San Simeon, CA.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7mmTYHkImY6059TPCeW_C0cYthFN2B0RmpvjblO9J296KHtYZtOkLmDf409Xgm4HkemayZtcaZwSDNYjnmnKPTyfsChgncB1A0HxqLbdBfRWpfNeLKuB3ddm7u8EqOTuh-gp2RkQ0U9H/s1600-h/242.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7mmTYHkImY6059TPCeW_C0cYthFN2B0RmpvjblO9J296KHtYZtOkLmDf409Xgm4HkemayZtcaZwSDNYjnmnKPTyfsChgncB1A0HxqLbdBfRWpfNeLKuB3ddm7u8EqOTuh-gp2RkQ0U9H/s320/242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378555408045935218" /></a><br /><br />Tired. No make up. Burnt (wore 70 SPF the whole time even). End of trip - what a great one!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2lyxsvCYDsnFRO17bvONscTDlStURBAfXwxVSyjSxeShx7IVqgJVxdv4-q1Mg45Ud8QaypYjNmC2c0tj_t_puvsKhwvUJDGXRAa6GCpeOTkLFyWfCoyVwKQLCbDqHiVy99V482gqHlLa/s1600-h/274.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2lyxsvCYDsnFRO17bvONscTDlStURBAfXwxVSyjSxeShx7IVqgJVxdv4-q1Mg45Ud8QaypYjNmC2c0tj_t_puvsKhwvUJDGXRAa6GCpeOTkLFyWfCoyVwKQLCbDqHiVy99V482gqHlLa/s320/274.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378554989515894226" /></a><br /><br />Beautiful sunset in Big Sur on way home.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrsZbKTRPaDk-qBvI9ppTgI4eX7QagAr5x6cz9rz4qia_7zo1cZ9yqHY8HXhSpyCB1V2DJEtI1N9EUU7f9xb7dAwjbIMqumFDv_Bbrp1_kDN7SMLXtUMJJticzXZju5U5npEAEhNm5Cd2/s1600-h/271.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrsZbKTRPaDk-qBvI9ppTgI4eX7QagAr5x6cz9rz4qia_7zo1cZ9yqHY8HXhSpyCB1V2DJEtI1N9EUU7f9xb7dAwjbIMqumFDv_Bbrp1_kDN7SMLXtUMJJticzXZju5U5npEAEhNm5Cd2/s320/271.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378554700906043970" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-6162017274869213142009-09-06T09:03:00.000-07:002009-09-06T10:51:14.770-07:00AvalonWednesday I left Santa Barbara to make it to Long Beach to board my ferry for Catalina Island. I'd always heard of Catalina, but never known anyone who had been. I thought, "Why not add it to my list?" I'm so glad I did. :) It was fabulous! Amazing! Every adjective you can list. <br /><br />I made my way by traveling around LA. I hate LA. Have I said that before? No desire to really stop and spend time there. Traffic stinks. It pushed me back later and I was afraid I wouldn't make my ferry. I stopped in Santa Monica before I got to the boat. I admired the old Pier, the beautiful beaches and the clear water. There were surfers and paddle boards everywhere. It was the ultimate California beach town. <br /><br />After that brief stop, I booked it to Long Beach and parked my car and went off to the Catalina Express ferry. I saw a few dolphins on my way over to the island and surprisingly enough, a blue whale. I just saw it's tail. The kids on the boat were going crazy over it. It may be the closest I get to seeing one. <br /><br />When we arrived, an hour later, we docked into the cutest little island. Avalon is the main city in Catalina and is 1 sq mile. The main mode of transportation: foot. I had arranged for the hotel to pick me up (free service!) and they did so on a hot rod golf cart! Most people drive golf carts as cars are not really allowed on the island. I got settled in, put on my bathing suit and headed down to the main beach. This little town has so much history (so many old movies filmed here) and you can definitely get that vibe. It was a fun place to be. Once on the main beach I made quick friends with two older couples from Newport Beach. They basically adopted me for the day. :) They were a lot of fun (took most of my pictures) and one of the women just knew I was going to marry her son. (laugh) They vacation in Catalina every year and have done so for 25 yrs now. <br /><br />My return ferry the next day was to leave at 10AM. After my first hour on the beach, I realized that wasn't going to happen. So I left later and enjoyed a 2nd day on the beach. <br /><br />I have a feeling I will return to this island one day. I'd love for my friends to enjoy it with me. So much to do (snorkel, diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc). It's a very relaxing island. No chain hotels or restaurants, all family owned. It may be one of my new favorite places.<br /><br />Santa Monica.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvKdtk-NyCUG7qRDrFtKvT1_YSryiK16gYOW32hGLBUk5LlvbCJVCOJZ5kJynB2TnJW9wk57N-nSqAbiPq7X7BkIwGSmkBYdoqkHBBdvNvmLMq6IAmnEeZn-WqfS2039Y-gfQhwAlWePR/s1600-h/109.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvKdtk-NyCUG7qRDrFtKvT1_YSryiK16gYOW32hGLBUk5LlvbCJVCOJZ5kJynB2TnJW9wk57N-nSqAbiPq7X7BkIwGSmkBYdoqkHBBdvNvmLMq6IAmnEeZn-WqfS2039Y-gfQhwAlWePR/s320/109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378413243649690418" /></a><br /><br />Santa Monica Pier.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4qFlwcG0_dJcgrUxWNW8qOIf36Vbj6y9m3TdOKCA-_3x6lQC8VRKPeqwk19jTOXhjuq1SPz0927yYdVYYOVcJdQJLmkRo_6xzz9kax4O5GlVU4417O8wBmtfBLSjyBfIsqS0uvXJe_Ee/s1600-h/112.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4qFlwcG0_dJcgrUxWNW8qOIf36Vbj6y9m3TdOKCA-_3x6lQC8VRKPeqwk19jTOXhjuq1SPz0927yYdVYYOVcJdQJLmkRo_6xzz9kax4O5GlVU4417O8wBmtfBLSjyBfIsqS0uvXJe_Ee/s320/112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378411653800890082" /></a><br /><br />Harbor overlooking the Casino in Catalina.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw2pYQ4Q2xO4ROAznlUy5RBSj5SXGjaJks9sAItL2lEG-ndf33gzSODKFg6W1PZg3myGEarXeLiydX3YHzIrKcRoop5c0KCSE7qkwfJ1J1MAf6-IcR4RtCkEby7SIKenpRjbOCYOFayhL/s1600-h/128.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw2pYQ4Q2xO4ROAznlUy5RBSj5SXGjaJks9sAItL2lEG-ndf33gzSODKFg6W1PZg3myGEarXeLiydX3YHzIrKcRoop5c0KCSE7qkwfJ1J1MAf6-IcR4RtCkEby7SIKenpRjbOCYOFayhL/s320/128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378411401270711154" /></a><br /><br />Pretty island of Catalina.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffT2ioiaUPFBwQ68sMdO8eqcGAeA2FVzZrlPDZ3dpNm-7XFoQ6YqEPTp0Fz-enrVmjtcfVSe0n6636zLKLeNdTuSM5lom1-czq_MaPgj57ToplcvvtnEA6XzACmp5YgTTMHLpfzOjyMTv/s1600-h/130.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffT2ioiaUPFBwQ68sMdO8eqcGAeA2FVzZrlPDZ3dpNm-7XFoQ6YqEPTp0Fz-enrVmjtcfVSe0n6636zLKLeNdTuSM5lom1-czq_MaPgj57ToplcvvtnEA6XzACmp5YgTTMHLpfzOjyMTv/s320/130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378411192872240082" /></a><br /><br />Night in Avalon.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SKrT6idRaPrSN-uTmZxFfbep7NYmkYjBGOrLGym4zUAsoDbc01lUjfgZSTvlsSrVG331QHFmYUAWmgf-zxeFIimvz4z0yVbe_SFqdpt9u2VBlvc6WbZxbIm3H6fl6c5kL-DcPpyIHZfS/s1600-h/165.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SKrT6idRaPrSN-uTmZxFfbep7NYmkYjBGOrLGym4zUAsoDbc01lUjfgZSTvlsSrVG331QHFmYUAWmgf-zxeFIimvz4z0yVbe_SFqdpt9u2VBlvc6WbZxbIm3H6fl6c5kL-DcPpyIHZfS/s320/165.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378410911299398866" /></a><br /><br />My last day in Avalon. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpQ_hE_WXhNSjR0Xb_yqSjgNPOFervy4vJCb3_7TbSRmfhwXo7FLqHAemWyZhmLYpn9YSuOb3Asj8fXCIpfFg-vWvroDs7R96lyc-5gNC-_FRb6AS_gcR27eBSQ3OHlSXMS1G7nmbnG6I/s1600-h/185.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpQ_hE_WXhNSjR0Xb_yqSjgNPOFervy4vJCb3_7TbSRmfhwXo7FLqHAemWyZhmLYpn9YSuOb3Asj8fXCIpfFg-vWvroDs7R96lyc-5gNC-_FRb6AS_gcR27eBSQ3OHlSXMS1G7nmbnG6I/s320/185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378388485226504946" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-56781624805909527552009-09-06T08:47:00.000-07:002009-09-06T09:03:15.189-07:00We've been on the run, driving in the sun, looking out for number 1I thought a good quote from a famous song about CA would get you in the mood to read this. Now, can you guess what this song is? :) (looking out for number 1 means the HWY)<br /><br />The Pacific Coast Highway spans from the northern most tip of Washington state down to the Mexican border. I did the portion of Carmel down to San Diego. <br /><br />My first day I stopped along the highway many times to take some pictures. I stopped off at a private beach in Big Sur, (which was amazing). I then drove to Moonstone Beach in Cambria to have lunch. A friend here mentioned it to me and told me to stop there. It was a nice break and I had a great view of the ocean. I then trekked on to Santa Barbara. It's such a beautiful city! Spanish-style houses everywhere, golden sand beaches, sail boats, mountains, it was beautiful. Priceline worked well for me there, so I was happy with my hotel. It was right on the beach. I got out, walked around the town and up and down State Street, which is the main area. They had closed down two blocks and had a farmer's market going on. I ended up having dinner at Brophy's, which is in the Harbor. I sat next to some nice people from LA who were trying to escape the fire for the week. It was a nice stop for the night.<br /><br />Big Sur area. It was beautiful.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVja-FA54ZYkn7SmV0H-stCGlnH7fJVU7pzoceY8yIFoQDHvBxM8lAi2qbTLH7kN_4a4hPiLU8_QWSHe41bVWPLDFK4KM5AEjzcFxDr54VKhEAeW665DA1O6EZ8ZLsbJt4sl_b4AVwyhM6/s1600-h/039.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVja-FA54ZYkn7SmV0H-stCGlnH7fJVU7pzoceY8yIFoQDHvBxM8lAi2qbTLH7kN_4a4hPiLU8_QWSHe41bVWPLDFK4KM5AEjzcFxDr54VKhEAeW665DA1O6EZ8ZLsbJt4sl_b4AVwyhM6/s320/039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378384982474049970" /></a><br /><br />Beautiful. The fog rolls in at night and stays until mid-morning. Seems to be that way in most of CA.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTnfAPqoGR_ZjO6td4y9b61aXizRYnLWSLass4Ff3YIAEDYoHDYxViJgB7jakK35hNK73NMqPj5G2ZPvBpQD90g951ky4imFIUxJV9LNhtIcY6ypSsmJW9BYTpqGsCUhkMi_2xpwm768M/s1600-h/047.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTnfAPqoGR_ZjO6td4y9b61aXizRYnLWSLass4Ff3YIAEDYoHDYxViJgB7jakK35hNK73NMqPj5G2ZPvBpQD90g951ky4imFIUxJV9LNhtIcY6ypSsmJW9BYTpqGsCUhkMi_2xpwm768M/s320/047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378384733580917698" /></a><br /><br />There were breath-taking views along every turn on this highway.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODGF1Cy1CSfXtLaop3jYJAfXzNnVavVfBpZLBafbVzWGMNV_FmrIJZvlOl8QEOBRRgCytWRApJ5zhaDXpFtgEwUfYNG3TPMXtSPagbjOhZYWZ68-HoVldxM91fiQCmLEFkLL50b8a7_4n/s1600-h/056.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODGF1Cy1CSfXtLaop3jYJAfXzNnVavVfBpZLBafbVzWGMNV_FmrIJZvlOl8QEOBRRgCytWRApJ5zhaDXpFtgEwUfYNG3TPMXtSPagbjOhZYWZ68-HoVldxM91fiQCmLEFkLL50b8a7_4n/s320/056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378384539649053970" /></a><br /><br />Somwhere along HWY 1.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4kTYZD9_fWJH-ESlW1MuoXYkEL0RjA93_W73ioXhzICf8P-SPhwIa1SFTzeXO60HBu4tR8eB_L7wPkbw28z1cadb_tqH5jlY4CTAO4MGolxwlGsdDBc195Wu7HtMbbl_taD0mLWcNInH/s1600-h/057.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4kTYZD9_fWJH-ESlW1MuoXYkEL0RjA93_W73ioXhzICf8P-SPhwIa1SFTzeXO60HBu4tR8eB_L7wPkbw28z1cadb_tqH5jlY4CTAO4MGolxwlGsdDBc195Wu7HtMbbl_taD0mLWcNInH/s320/057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378384409747863938" /></a><br /><br />Santa Barbara Courthouse. It was just lovely!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLB05Rmbon-7Sg1qf-SBMu1zCF7_TzUY43X82PhE-abCndIzfLeRjJ489BvpdUqLeI6eYLlAI6Dpn9xrkmCnekquuTCEEpZHrJf2DihbHb5RuE4z_6OT4O5SxmgJQNNsrs5QKR1wFvJMt/s1600-h/069.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLB05Rmbon-7Sg1qf-SBMu1zCF7_TzUY43X82PhE-abCndIzfLeRjJ489BvpdUqLeI6eYLlAI6Dpn9xrkmCnekquuTCEEpZHrJf2DihbHb5RuE4z_6OT4O5SxmgJQNNsrs5QKR1wFvJMt/s320/069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378384139948204066" /></a><br /><br />Santa Barbara Mission. The oldest of the Missions in all of CA. The El Camino Real (it's a highway, an old one) connects all of them together. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaXlvf7O5ACSvcxWGII4Zv9yW4OjTFmpg7CZPk1nnVLZ1Pbyy4W3GNHQgIkvAX1DIwsA-yHRTsd4C5neFzJDIvqR-cc0hiJgOgDy4WIlNOtCfyuyxoks8VmhMxnWGzhjV2wB5NO06MEsQ/s1600-h/081.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaXlvf7O5ACSvcxWGII4Zv9yW4OjTFmpg7CZPk1nnVLZ1Pbyy4W3GNHQgIkvAX1DIwsA-yHRTsd4C5neFzJDIvqR-cc0hiJgOgDy4WIlNOtCfyuyxoks8VmhMxnWGzhjV2wB5NO06MEsQ/s320/081.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378383838956240418" /></a><br /><br />Santa Barbara<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOk8yMnqhJQFN7ZoPTyIv9Fzw69F0mloZWmmCyk59aT67WZ-fmJUMEWfGGrqtriUJXdUgoEb20SPw-XpwEk5vUoEtXAhVgKrtoC56m8wnJncr2EZA9pn5U1dP0TUI8rPZj88Sb5g3a-AA/s1600-h/099.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOk8yMnqhJQFN7ZoPTyIv9Fzw69F0mloZWmmCyk59aT67WZ-fmJUMEWfGGrqtriUJXdUgoEb20SPw-XpwEk5vUoEtXAhVgKrtoC56m8wnJncr2EZA9pn5U1dP0TUI8rPZj88Sb5g3a-AA/s320/099.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378383641829491250" /></a><br /><br />Santa Barbara Harbor as the moon came out. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjmdsZb5yrmKH6GQi9SHlFvGHUQ0iy8O7_Ss5vHg7HWxdI4hjBYCvy97nv-mimM_vhBMiydmE5L0TkMzadZnF7d5gJSB_cGf8ToaBqWP4Yjo8jE-EaQQkcEVOL3mb_ig3CrsPMFI2-McV/s1600-h/103.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjmdsZb5yrmKH6GQi9SHlFvGHUQ0iy8O7_Ss5vHg7HWxdI4hjBYCvy97nv-mimM_vhBMiydmE5L0TkMzadZnF7d5gJSB_cGf8ToaBqWP4Yjo8jE-EaQQkcEVOL3mb_ig3CrsPMFI2-McV/s320/103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378383403670030114" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-6489360513026226652009-08-27T21:12:00.000-07:002009-08-27T21:58:46.752-07:00Spontanious Trip to San FranI have a dog walking duty during most days now. I am covering for a girl who does it full time here in the RV park, but she's in Carmel this weekend. (I guess all those times I watched Audrey has paid off) So, after I walked Chole, I thought, "Hum... I am going to San Fran today." So, I got in my car and went to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and took a 40 min ride into Fisherman's Wharf. This was my second trip to San Fransisco. I went in 2005 when I went to visit Amber & Jason in Sacramento. I knew exactly what I wanted to do today, so you know what, I did it. My first stop, Ghirardelli Square. Hahahaha... yes, for a brownie chocolate sundae with carmel syrup and whip cream. This place is heaven for anyone who loves sweets ( Hello! *pointing at myself*). I then just decided to spend the rest of the day people watching and hanging out. I had planned on going to Golden Gate Park and walking across the Bridge, but due to time constraints... maybe next time. I had a lovely time watching those crazy people (without wet suites) swim in that San Fran Bay. I mean, "Why?" I walked around the beach area and then down a long pier to take the whole city in. I could see Coit Tower (Telegraph Hill), most of the downtown buildings, Ghirardelli and the Golden Gate Bridge all from where I stood. It was a beautiful day, too, a record high for San Fransisco - near 80. It's usually a cool 60s. I even stopped by a street vendor and bought some pretty red earrings from a Chiense woman. She made them herself! They are my new favs! I rode a few streetcars to get to and fro, then ate an early dinner of a clam chowder bread bowl. I enjoyed the day! It's a great feeling when you live in a place where you can just hop in your car and be somewhere totally different in an hour or less. My next day trip planned: A return to Wine Country: Napa and Sonoma. That may have to be after my HWY 1 trip, which is turning out to be my most anticipated trip yet due to some friends who have been on the same route and told me some great things to see. <br />Here are my pictures from the day (helpful hint, if you want to see the pictures bigger, just click on them):<br /><br />My frist stop! Doesn't the sky look beautiful! It was the most perfect summer day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUO6lL615WsAyCxF2WaDULAlGs6xhNhMJCe1WPW6lPd03CqSaHle5OsFUxGF-6n8d8exDe5bniB23k19dZ06n6RIrgl4F5I0VbIga1HP0LjfWI7GIQ0jIm8k1KvHQA4mmj6Ka2YbF5VDb/s1600-h/285.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUO6lL615WsAyCxF2WaDULAlGs6xhNhMJCe1WPW6lPd03CqSaHle5OsFUxGF-6n8d8exDe5bniB23k19dZ06n6RIrgl4F5I0VbIga1HP0LjfWI7GIQ0jIm8k1KvHQA4mmj6Ka2YbF5VDb/s320/285.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374865775015669314" /></a><br /><br />Oh yes! There's a brownie in there somewhere. Unfortunately, I only ate 1/3 of this $9 sundae.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWg2gxfxYSZslBhhcNDp0Dh-1dBal1B0TIuxHHuYdcnO70Ga2KYhRyO5kepyBt1vHrBNVkvfO0lDIb6-axHGGe_A537EMcXzF7qpZ2AaSSB9eqfHWyGxYr-OQ90z19IYS5jxuut-zI_5f/s1600-h/286.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWg2gxfxYSZslBhhcNDp0Dh-1dBal1B0TIuxHHuYdcnO70Ga2KYhRyO5kepyBt1vHrBNVkvfO0lDIb6-axHGGe_A537EMcXzF7qpZ2AaSSB9eqfHWyGxYr-OQ90z19IYS5jxuut-zI_5f/s320/286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374866722373329490" /></a><br /><br />I must work on my posture! Good grief! Alcatraz behind me. (a German man took this, I knew someone would ask)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_s1bFGmwFuO3H9Y-NiBrWiim6aF19NaVLjwU1ZlUD8ECbIHgYHDgvhXnaw9xa9k_Rp2VIV65Z-Sh1ziNk93Zu9P4nnqfLHCLuPn7o6haAInunKQd1XyLNwoujOUexfYfCEvboXtATWif/s1600-h/280.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_s1bFGmwFuO3H9Y-NiBrWiim6aF19NaVLjwU1ZlUD8ECbIHgYHDgvhXnaw9xa9k_Rp2VIV65Z-Sh1ziNk93Zu9P4nnqfLHCLuPn7o6haAInunKQd1XyLNwoujOUexfYfCEvboXtATWif/s320/280.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374867192729021410" /></a><br /><br />Fisherman's Wharf. There were little stands everywhere through here with fresh crab sandwiches, shrip sandwhiches and chowders. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXanMD-B_8YDPxh97xpWpv2_gLFXq7aL2HHR26m1aWoDA3gzx9Wn_znHXF9ibfuGFvCb-46ZeTCV3bzM-b5IHRjE20_moBL8Si4HoY1wSWLpOF2iSs7fXmcoljcajROxZJQFrt41L3SHl/s1600-h/281.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXanMD-B_8YDPxh97xpWpv2_gLFXq7aL2HHR26m1aWoDA3gzx9Wn_znHXF9ibfuGFvCb-46ZeTCV3bzM-b5IHRjE20_moBL8Si4HoY1wSWLpOF2iSs7fXmcoljcajROxZJQFrt41L3SHl/s320/281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374867690491735362" /></a><br /><br />Other end of Fisherman's Wharf. See all those people standing in line? They want their clam chowder now! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWTS05g9I5wSMfPnFtg7jN9uRon9ISJxxJBkyCcQ_UWi_ycwqQCy-T-itc4ARFPrI-oHbS1JBvrbDNed3UgyeIt5fnhVf7bNY8IuF5iugGibUwg_lN93-noAQcuwN_3nP8fXxIXp7-0DI/s1600-h/282.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWTS05g9I5wSMfPnFtg7jN9uRon9ISJxxJBkyCcQ_UWi_ycwqQCy-T-itc4ARFPrI-oHbS1JBvrbDNed3UgyeIt5fnhVf7bNY8IuF5iugGibUwg_lN93-noAQcuwN_3nP8fXxIXp7-0DI/s320/282.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374868043745334098" /></a><br /><br />Cute little boats.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGaN9E2NtciP1L5bUNp26PZlWoQaUJBdyiAmosVokoiy1pINQokyIMjChfN5FFoPo0gINRaAnCx8-tYR-ad0kybxr5B5r610h6_fLfFi-XbGzvI9SFSjXD4Iy3PGu8VwhSST0H6JO337J/s1600-h/283.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGaN9E2NtciP1L5bUNp26PZlWoQaUJBdyiAmosVokoiy1pINQokyIMjChfN5FFoPo0gINRaAnCx8-tYR-ad0kybxr5B5r610h6_fLfFi-XbGzvI9SFSjXD4Iy3PGu8VwhSST0H6JO337J/s320/283.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374868406086089842" /></a><br /><br />The ultimate tourist shot in San Fran!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kXeAGGzBdJlRSsVulV2HxXbDvqBcPQKOXInVBbEyarRRLEiA6i2yOc3HIpiQO0NnX54jZctovFdgPnMLXKIDhVZdg69-NW65CMXkcAqhvArEsCm6xF9LjWF9J1tpL0LuZneYGBginI5f/s1600-h/284.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kXeAGGzBdJlRSsVulV2HxXbDvqBcPQKOXInVBbEyarRRLEiA6i2yOc3HIpiQO0NnX54jZctovFdgPnMLXKIDhVZdg69-NW65CMXkcAqhvArEsCm6xF9LjWF9J1tpL0LuZneYGBginI5f/s320/284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374868689187916722" /></a><br /><br />Just me with GGB behind. It's a beautiful thing to see. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPP9ZGrJxx0ot_vgZ9SoLtVB0rjF2ITlZloHrpBC2_lYD_fsMrW_bFbxhyphenhyphenK8S8u385NWHrHu1i3MF7M2vgmdKE0mA9PA8R5iyw9RLjZVeTCxzL2rZjKEMbNWcNKwRXu1w6HyOs4K6edqO/s1600-h/298.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPP9ZGrJxx0ot_vgZ9SoLtVB0rjF2ITlZloHrpBC2_lYD_fsMrW_bFbxhyphenhyphenK8S8u385NWHrHu1i3MF7M2vgmdKE0mA9PA8R5iyw9RLjZVeTCxzL2rZjKEMbNWcNKwRXu1w6HyOs4K6edqO/s320/298.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374869000948134082" /></a><br /><br />These crazy swimmers in sub 60 degree water WITHOUT wetsuites. Makes some of you feel like idiots, huh? Seems like it was a swim club out there ... there was about 31 of them out there, I know because I counted. (I didn't waste my time counting!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v666z_JZb7o_kwUr1ICI6CJoe5rSDorm6h_STFSl_C0tVC3KgnrXCKDwfrgR3l99dkLhkrUIKmJqIpriixYdAu-3EZb3mqAR8YHbuVKP88-ffrFUP3sWu4U6ZuXupJF-wC6ShBEyckDI/s1600-h/325.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v666z_JZb7o_kwUr1ICI6CJoe5rSDorm6h_STFSl_C0tVC3KgnrXCKDwfrgR3l99dkLhkrUIKmJqIpriixYdAu-3EZb3mqAR8YHbuVKP88-ffrFUP3sWu4U6ZuXupJF-wC6ShBEyckDI/s320/325.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374869530237657442" /></a><br /><br />Cutest little boy ever! Just a-running around with no pants on. He was just so happy, too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgecqedx8ABMrthrvMPDf-7kByQNH8Wd3GtMXQ4apRssndNSYUw4w2-DH8rjqgZEQL0sCAL0h9wbGApaeKk1RFRcqv-0cETBJ0eRyOR5YA2KMLYgjKW5CfC6ppB4v0sSAnKPZWi_zL5hyphenhyphenX/s1600-h/331.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgecqedx8ABMrthrvMPDf-7kByQNH8Wd3GtMXQ4apRssndNSYUw4w2-DH8rjqgZEQL0sCAL0h9wbGApaeKk1RFRcqv-0cETBJ0eRyOR5YA2KMLYgjKW5CfC6ppB4v0sSAnKPZWi_zL5hyphenhyphenX/s320/331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374870201721266834" /></a><br /><br />I really liked this scene. The Golden Gate Bridge in the background, swimmer's arms just a-swimming, kids running around, sailboats. It was a perfect summer day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqmavDtj8zcx2WKnq6brdLhYIDZaCZbNFZD5VCg_GH6RIHg8nxumgwXAw-_rq0cq3UqN04qUxtFUfPugdYjrCuwTCkzofGFjsOL5grwoQALqUJ7tfUKgmKJvARKsW2Itd45OOY6blgSXv/s1600-h/334.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqmavDtj8zcx2WKnq6brdLhYIDZaCZbNFZD5VCg_GH6RIHg8nxumgwXAw-_rq0cq3UqN04qUxtFUfPugdYjrCuwTCkzofGFjsOL5grwoQALqUJ7tfUKgmKJvARKsW2Itd45OOY6blgSXv/s320/334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374870626710856098" /></a><br /><br />Just a taste of what San Fran streets are like. STRAIGHT UP. Three years ago, Amber & I walked up them. Today, I skipped it, although after that sundae I should have ran up them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_TefhnSISVWMy92rkY-xcG025N8XY3ewzKvm9vg9X0m0_tPeijU1ns475iO-76atiDu2UY0aMDL30jTsBgOBOIyY502dgbBi5hrI0fIy-R170a56CANVZizQwi2EtrZs-EuZ1EGQbozy/s1600-h/338.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_TefhnSISVWMy92rkY-xcG025N8XY3ewzKvm9vg9X0m0_tPeijU1ns475iO-76atiDu2UY0aMDL30jTsBgOBOIyY502dgbBi5hrI0fIy-R170a56CANVZizQwi2EtrZs-EuZ1EGQbozy/s320/338.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374871324716038082" /></a><br /><br />This cost me $6.95. Clam Chowder Bread Bowl. Well worth it. I stood in line for this with all those other fools. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK5L0HN3shUML37yuKIZliQodBlWbgk02lKDmPcNjKSZWkbbcpNXu8BavMI-J7SWC7EInRITSHJBsAwVJ1yKVRBb9ZN7MyOD2Z49MOU5TucLLAerZApQDQ_5ALzuVr-u_S0NoUp7xvtpN/s1600-h/339.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK5L0HN3shUML37yuKIZliQodBlWbgk02lKDmPcNjKSZWkbbcpNXu8BavMI-J7SWC7EInRITSHJBsAwVJ1yKVRBb9ZN7MyOD2Z49MOU5TucLLAerZApQDQ_5ALzuVr-u_S0NoUp7xvtpN/s320/339.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374871587769395074" /></a><br /><br />Final shot of the day. I was about to go under into the BART and saw this before my eyes... a streetcar coming down the hill into the city. I thought it looked neat.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXL420Ui07znMSYXLNSB9Jn3aQ2jIx-b4uOkACFYAm1vUYwtewxKjLOPjqkmtZ_a7BDIu6jBzvMye1LwiaFjzRAko8YRcQMjBoH6a2BbdTGDFY_x76pAnm39HpQomglzgstg5merpDxry/s1600-h/344.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXL420Ui07znMSYXLNSB9Jn3aQ2jIx-b4uOkACFYAm1vUYwtewxKjLOPjqkmtZ_a7BDIu6jBzvMye1LwiaFjzRAko8YRcQMjBoH6a2BbdTGDFY_x76pAnm39HpQomglzgstg5merpDxry/s320/344.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374871913497813794" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-70622534215396369212009-08-25T23:14:00.000-07:002009-08-25T23:19:50.929-07:00PCHI have decided to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway next week. I will leave Morgan Hill to drive down HWY 1 down to San Deigo to vist my pal, Jack. I am planning on leaving in enough time to see all the things the coast has to offer! I plan to stay the first night in Santa Barbara. I want to see all the pretty little beach towns on the way down. On my way home, I have already made my reservation to go visit the Hearst Castle. The nerd I am has always wanted to see it. It'll be amazing! If you don't know what it is, wikipedia it. :)<br /><br />If you know of any fun things I should see or do while I'm on HWY 1, please suggest away! I am leaving Sept 2nd and returning Sept 5th. <br /><br />Here's a picture of what I am looking forward to seeing: (Big Sur)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nTlfOwCSrwIX6AjdccyBQI0dAPFArN6wPJRp2JJPPALcsHDD8d1y1E0OQdchlm9tDNPqyCjsmQr7rA155cfcOqcFO7PC1Wf7Urj1f2be27SqJCy4TNHhfZGKD0UMosf2gn9IlUUKHFLH/s1600-h/PCH.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nTlfOwCSrwIX6AjdccyBQI0dAPFArN6wPJRp2JJPPALcsHDD8d1y1E0OQdchlm9tDNPqyCjsmQr7rA155cfcOqcFO7PC1Wf7Urj1f2be27SqJCy4TNHhfZGKD0UMosf2gn9IlUUKHFLH/s320/PCH.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374153123838252194" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7085085015316499820.post-66279577942893405252009-08-23T23:33:00.000-07:002009-08-23T23:53:32.890-07:00Dan-O-Rama WeekendOur old friend, Dan, came to town on Wednesday. We had a nice weekend with him! Actually, this was the exact time I was to fly out anyway to come visit, but of course, decided to come out earlier. <br /><br />We started the weekend by camping in the Santa Cruz Mountains from Thurs-Sat. It was the first time Amber & Jason took out their new little camper. We had a lovely time. We then spent the rest of the weekend relaxing, cooking out, playing with Baby Sage, then today we spontaniously drove to Carmel-by-the-Sea, (that's the whole name, or as you may know it as "Carmel."). It was beautiful! It's one of those coastal cities on HWY 1. Some fun facts about it: Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor, still has a house there. Jennifer Anniston is from this town. My favorite photographer, Ansel Adams, used to live there. Pebble Beach golf course is there. My favorite fact: The Cottage of Sweets on Ocean Ave is the cutest little thing I've ever seen! So, if you plan a trip down HYW 1 - stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea!<br /><br />Here are pictures from the weekend!<br /><br /><br />Our first camping trip of the summer!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz74KtIueBEEsIHvw5rfha6Fu2aEThvTslYDN5VQr_gt-bfo_Z_DnqCpbYltcXwhnyHH9-U_8EGwvqcYyvss97jcYrUGGrmOQq9NXioUcP7nagSVOqUV3dCZ6TwwMRzGtRPBX08IaYQMm5/s1600-h/098.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz74KtIueBEEsIHvw5rfha6Fu2aEThvTslYDN5VQr_gt-bfo_Z_DnqCpbYltcXwhnyHH9-U_8EGwvqcYyvss97jcYrUGGrmOQq9NXioUcP7nagSVOqUV3dCZ6TwwMRzGtRPBX08IaYQMm5/s320/098.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373416406803662594" /></a><br /><br />Night 2 of camping.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHx7Ocfn7bhfmk1vTxHzvASAVIHbbsUcofIibeWU34jVIzOmbOBJdrscWb8eJ0yJ2Zdi5k4dBSHb1Brkwhd6NsfPbqRKsOniu2YTqOnLqlJ7oUrfeJj5W_4XZbpEQhJvHc7_7M_kPj5sk/s1600-h/112.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHx7Ocfn7bhfmk1vTxHzvASAVIHbbsUcofIibeWU34jVIzOmbOBJdrscWb8eJ0yJ2Zdi5k4dBSHb1Brkwhd6NsfPbqRKsOniu2YTqOnLqlJ7oUrfeJj5W_4XZbpEQhJvHc7_7M_kPj5sk/s320/112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373416678944545522" /></a><br /><br />The end of a great camping weekend! Us in front of the '68 Shasta!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKQmwVJ4HzbMc4VIy5FRtEGHiN1QVzaaTShBDT98MnkMg07DKccSoG14xPYBLU_Gc2Hpwqq9Vu-3v2zJoxnY0KZuR-ZemQOVy-DSoi4GoxGAMMsriE6CT3I1FK2HUsBBPhKnMFWG_frRz/s1600-h/117.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKQmwVJ4HzbMc4VIy5FRtEGHiN1QVzaaTShBDT98MnkMg07DKccSoG14xPYBLU_Gc2Hpwqq9Vu-3v2zJoxnY0KZuR-ZemQOVy-DSoi4GoxGAMMsriE6CT3I1FK2HUsBBPhKnMFWG_frRz/s320/117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373416939599641954" /></a><br /><br />Ocean Ave - Carmel-By-The-Sea. The Sweet Cottage. It was the most precious thing ever. Imagine Willy Wonka inside! It was!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFF5zGLpjfg3TikF0i7O_rHA1zXHJNSpWPWEjkKN55rwH9nDUvuikq0X13ZOhwg2UkSDWiIvetwFb5UTOEI3WBNrt0SPKFq08Vtd7CW17LMS4sPUlMGEmRn-KC9So5Kk8kbAyki8zUMmK/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFF5zGLpjfg3TikF0i7O_rHA1zXHJNSpWPWEjkKN55rwH9nDUvuikq0X13ZOhwg2UkSDWiIvetwFb5UTOEI3WBNrt0SPKFq08Vtd7CW17LMS4sPUlMGEmRn-KC9So5Kk8kbAyki8zUMmK/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373417440578139634" /></a><br /><br />My biggest weakness.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3Xjh9j6c9eMbW0LvRj5ZldMwZmr-XN06f6GLxO9Ro70upBJjSBz13L9t6UdXeIseznao_OV645cR6n_MIrBThk1yjGxqr7_cUIQNBiwbnPstPdWZvDzZRIXYNOanMiYAVozkM7sNmsn3/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3Xjh9j6c9eMbW0LvRj5ZldMwZmr-XN06f6GLxO9Ro70upBJjSBz13L9t6UdXeIseznao_OV645cR6n_MIrBThk1yjGxqr7_cUIQNBiwbnPstPdWZvDzZRIXYNOanMiYAVozkM7sNmsn3/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373418026748242834" /></a><br /><br />Cute Baby Sage in his bear hat. We had to bundle up in Carmel. It was 57 degrees!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uyEHEqK87SzgwjF5xJfjVSZ-F90tWJutTV4DjtSflSaWHcNPxs46rlbVt4WALgPpiqopmh6SGlGjRgGffXXSLvK97eUcwygRRUNU1_peLglb_pDCmczVFIV4n-EiwLSEojSzWU0mbGT0/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uyEHEqK87SzgwjF5xJfjVSZ-F90tWJutTV4DjtSflSaWHcNPxs46rlbVt4WALgPpiqopmh6SGlGjRgGffXXSLvK97eUcwygRRUNU1_peLglb_pDCmczVFIV4n-EiwLSEojSzWU0mbGT0/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373417721007751602" /></a><br /><br />They instigated me to do this, again, for the umpteenth time. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwepuAdlvZl0daG_xV-Mx6nPinPmJEXntgEpgw3c5YvVmpjoLMRHhUN2Ua-41ca7ZtJjDHJ1_XX9S5xYqCOEKBgJHHeweV6-ySYs2Y4G4Uope9QJfapOVlKV2t9l8qx5flPcnjEdnaQ2Q8/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwepuAdlvZl0daG_xV-Mx6nPinPmJEXntgEpgw3c5YvVmpjoLMRHhUN2Ua-41ca7ZtJjDHJ1_XX9S5xYqCOEKBgJHHeweV6-ySYs2Y4G4Uope9QJfapOVlKV2t9l8qx5flPcnjEdnaQ2Q8/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373418192169648002" /></a><br /><br />Us on the beach.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sovdYeb3kZuud52O6hMT9wkxT3ZvEVNMSOzA39X4YYbQ2qfEy7lk02a8orvrFwAiY2-lzWrHb6YqYGer86O-vwSKlZi8qbG1ofoUjDowCFHzzc8Ydu5Q_0kRaDBBb2k2iHmRxB4lVhhr/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sovdYeb3kZuud52O6hMT9wkxT3ZvEVNMSOzA39X4YYbQ2qfEy7lk02a8orvrFwAiY2-lzWrHb6YqYGer86O-vwSKlZi8qbG1ofoUjDowCFHzzc8Ydu5Q_0kRaDBBb2k2iHmRxB4lVhhr/s320/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373418408360193042" /></a><br /><br />Ever heard of Pebble Beach? Here she is. (the greens)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzsllaChZJk20_Zezfxo5Ea8MgyJYT3cX1GAsyFJHaM6DRuN76BRxUkawRRsNyC3KjFnPk0VUwwg9GWiE2CHrA3TiqQRL7wqdsolClKA5xwiXp-vdT3fI1n541ARHhH-OaRym9I-gfQH8/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzsllaChZJk20_Zezfxo5Ea8MgyJYT3cX1GAsyFJHaM6DRuN76BRxUkawRRsNyC3KjFnPk0VUwwg9GWiE2CHrA3TiqQRL7wqdsolClKA5xwiXp-vdT3fI1n541ARHhH-OaRym9I-gfQH8/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373418591003056882" /></a><br /><br />Another thing Carmel is famous for, "storybook houses," or "fairy tale houses." These houses were everywhere. I wish I had better pictures. They had crazy, crooked roofs and funny windows. So neat!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJabIWbdE9NLJrrX_ueF8DIzDMKy5nQf_KMxlvnHIjBbbxQLc_e1POLPHH8T8DAopPADGHsjqBDbRh5mNZMKxl2t2CKtB6ujx9gCP776sVt4FTAn6fix1OaVRL2sy-zhLTf7YUaXazJtRK/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJabIWbdE9NLJrrX_ueF8DIzDMKy5nQf_KMxlvnHIjBbbxQLc_e1POLPHH8T8DAopPADGHsjqBDbRh5mNZMKxl2t2CKtB6ujx9gCP776sVt4FTAn6fix1OaVRL2sy-zhLTf7YUaXazJtRK/s320/020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373419142931181858" /></a>Ann Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976471587800819561noreply@blogger.com0