Waving goodbye, Welcoming hello

Valentine's Day: I slept in late and enjoyed a rainy morning inside. It was wonderful. I love the sound of rain falling. It's methodical. It's calming. I love it while sipping hot tea. By late afternoon, Micah and I took over the living room with pilates. We stretched and worked our "core." Then, we rushed to get ready for dinner. The wonderful attorneys I work for gave me a gift certificate way back in October to Medjool (up-scale mediterranean tapas). I made reservations about a month ago and we ventured into the cold, wet night's air.

Dinner:
Carafe of Sangria
Crispy Sweet Potatoes, Goat Cheese, Harissa Powder, and Honey
Coffee Marinated Beef Tenderloin with Potato Cake
Seared Sea Scallops and Mushrooms in a Crab Sauce
Fried Calamari, Red Onions, and Lemons with Aioli
Hummus and Pita
Dessert:
Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries
Ginger Cake with Almond Ice Cream and a Orange Carmel Sauce
Cup of Coffee
Glass of Port
2 Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Dinner was fabulous. The ambiance was hip, but romantic (and I'm not even a mushy Valentine's day person). I even got to take home a red rose (there was one placed on every table). It was fun and relaxing, however without the gift certificate it would have been nigh possible.

Sun-Day: Once again, slept in late, listening to the rain pitter, patter on the window. Micah and I ditched church. We went to the gym. Lately, I've been trying "Intervals." Anyone have a ganter as to what that is? You guessed it, alternating between sprinting and brisk walking...and boy, is it a killer. In the afternoon, I just chilled and chatted around my apartment kitchen table with Daniel and Amanda. For our last hurrah, Micah, me, Daniel, Amanda, and Elisabeth all went out for pizza and drinks. I had never been to Pizza Orgasmica on Clement, but it is hip and fun. It is complete with fireplaces, funky pictures, and a bright, eye-numbingly pink bathroom. We braved the rain back to the apartment, and here's a good story. Elisabeth, Micah and I took the bus. About a quarter into the ride, on comes two marina chicks and their marina boy. I'm usually nauseated just at the site of such marina people (aka yuppies), but this particular night was even worse. One of the girls got on with her "ghetto blaster." Oh, you don't know what a ghetto blaster is? Let me tell you..it's a gold, flashy purse that also doubles as a stereo! Sounds fun, doesn't it? Well, I'm usually quite the city person when it comes to the bus, i.e. you do your thing and I'll do mine. But my limit abruptly ends at 30+ year olds getting on the bus with stereo purses blasting "ghetto music" (otherwise known as rap). I, one, find this social economic sterotype offensive. And two, find it utterly mind-blowing that there exists a white, 30-yr old female that finds it socially acceptable to play her "ghetto blaster" on a public bus! My blood slowly started bubbling and by 3 stops later it was at a full boil. My blood boiled over when the song "Ass and Titties" came on. I stood up in front of the trio and stated it was completely inappropriate and forcefully requested that it be turned off. The bus driver reiterated my pleas and the girl shut off her "ghetto blaster." However, the sneers and giggling did not stop. I was floored. I hear by state, "Bloggers, if you own a ghetto blaster or know someone that does, stop reading my blog because I hate you."

We eventually made it home to celebrate Daniel's birthday with apple pie and ice cream. Minus the bus incident, the roomies' last night was one for the memory tank.



[i'm going to miss this group hanging out around this kitchen table]

President's Day: I once again lazily woke up. I made some tea and toast and watched animal planet for half an hour. I then grudingly said farewell to Daniel and Amanda. They departed for a long road trip to Daniel's parent's house in Mississippi, where they will stay for about 3 weeks until they eventually begin the Appalachian Trail. Good luck guys!

After fighting back tears (I don't like good-byes of any kind, I'm a bit of a pansy in that way), I cleaned up some stuff in my room and then went downtown to meet up with Micah for lunch. My poor fiance (second time I'm using that word in a blog post, still freaking out about it) had to work even though almost everyone else in his office took off. He decided he could take a little bit longer of a lunch break (who's going to notice), so we jumped on BART and went to the Mission for Mr. Pickles. If you haven't experience a Mr. Pickles' sandwich, I promise to take you. I don't have it often enough, but it is scrumptuous! After lunch, I went to the Paper Source, another of my favorite places. I bought some paper (shocker) and some stamps for decorating escort cards and a different wedding favor I'm working on. I bought some hangers at Walgreens and then on my walk back to my apartment I found this (see pic below):

How great is a grey and green polka dot umbrella..ella...ella? I'm prepared if it rains on June 20, 2009!

At around 6pm, Bean showed up. She's my new roommate. She's itty-bitty, artsy, and plays the drums (let's hope at resonable hours). She moved in some stuff, and then moved in some more stuff, and then she moved in some more. Basically the apartment looks like a bomb blew up, scattering the floor with paper boxes.

In conclusion: Daniel and Amanda, you will be greatly missed from 1056. Bean, I'm glad you moved in and I'm excited for fun roommate times ahead!