Pacific Orchid Expo.

On Friday, Mike and I were able to go to the Pacific Orchid Expo.  Together.  On a Friday afternoon.  He has actually been working so much that they gave him a day off, but we'll just celebrate the day off.  Anyway. I had seen signs all over the city and I really wanted to check it out.  I even took along my big camera, which I have missed.  I was amazed by the variety of orchids, especially the one with microscopic blossoms.  I may or may not have gotten a bit sentimental for Fiji (where we saw wild orchids growing on the oceanfront).  I bought one to take home (yellow with purple spots) and walked along the pier before heading home.  We ended the night with perfect frozen yogurt...pineapple coconut tart.  I couldn't have asked for a better date!

Oh hey, 2005.

Tonight I was going through some junk that has been lurking in a small box in our apartment.  When I graduated from high school I had a giant box full of notes and letters from friends that were "top secret."  Luckily in college I was able to throw that box away without taking a second look at its contents.  I have, however, accumulated a second box of letters--with notes from family and friends that does nothing but sit.  I figure that if I don't look at them, I have no need for them.  So tonight I took a last look, kept a few goodies (mostly from my grandparents and parents), and shredded away.  I love shredding paper, there is something invigorating and cleansing about it.

I found a letter that I wrote to a friend in 2005, but never sent.  That letter held some advice that I need right now...I was such a smart 18 year old.  Too bad I haven't kept it up!

"I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away.  And if I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns."
- Spencer W. Kimball


Thank you, 18 year old self. 
Now to part two, I introduced these thoughts as things I had come up with myself.  I'm sure someone cooler taught them to me, but I still want to remember them.

-Be quick to compliment.  Don't just compliment people you know.  I have tried to do this more because I know it makes my day when someone random, or someone I know, gives me a compliment or says something kind.
-SMILE at everyone.  ESPECIALLY people you don't know.  If nothing else, it can be really funny.
-Tell the people you love that you love them.
- Tell people you appreciate them, and that you are thankful for them.  Tell them why you are thankful for them.  They usually don't know.
- Tell people they are beautiful.
- Develop your talents and share them.
- Give 110%-200% in everything you do.  No matter what.
- Ask people if you can help, and do it.  Especially when you don't have time.
- Obey every rule, even the stupid ones, all the time, with a smile.
- Be extra nice to people who get on your nerves.  Find a way to like them.  Look for things you appreciate and admire about them.

Memory lane is so fun, right?  Cheers to 2005!

Happy Valentines + A Lovely Weekend.

I had a wonderful, savory pasta dish planned for Mike this Valentines day (that boy loves his pasta), but he ended up working so late that I didn't get to make it.  Oh yeah, and then he got to come home at the last minute and I was still in my workout clothes staring at him like a deer in headlights.  So I made him some French Toast (possibly his favorite food) and called it good.  I had gluten-free bread in the house so I got some too!  It was extra yummy with fresh strawberries I had picked up at Whole Foods that day (as well as the Greek yogurt concoction for me + Nutella for him).  I was happy to see him at all that night, so I think it was a great Valentines celebration for us!

We had a lovely weekend together.  And by weekend I mean Saturday, since it's 10:30 on Sunday night and Mike has been at the office for over 12 hours today.  Saturday morning I ran through Pacific Heights, up to the Marina, and across the Golden Gate Bridge and back.  The run isn't as long as it sounds, but it is beautiful and challenging.  I felt completely invigorated and fell in love with this gorgeous city all over again.  I've fallen in love with it too many times to count.

Saturday night we headed over to Fresca, a Peruvian restaurant, to celebrate Valentines Day.  We were going to go there for our Anniversary, but we forgot to make reservations and I had a crazy, late night at work so we opted for a quick restaurant we knew we liked.  I have been wanting to go to this restaurant ever since we moved here, so I was excited to finally make the trip!  It did not disappoint.  I got tuna with purple potato puree (they are naturally purple), and it was absolutely delicious.  We also got a salad with guava vinaigrette--so tasty!  Mike got steak with a plantain and chorizo (sausage) mash...it came with a fried egg on top.  Really!  I tried a bite of his steak, and it was also fantastic.  I love trying and loving new restaurants (so much better than trying and being disappointed by a new restaurant, don't you think)?

For dessert Mike got a chocolate lava cake with dulce de leche ice cream.  I have to admit that I'm not usually jealous of cake...but it was so gooey and rich-looking, that I may or may not have just stared at him and salivated the whole time he ate it!  He looks like he's enjoying it, right?  

PS - If one of our children gets his eyelashes, I will be satisfied.

Hope you had a great Valentines Day!

Feeling crafty (& domestic).

I'm not sure what has come over me these past few weeks--maybe it's the idea that Spring is coming, or maybe it's just all the Valentine's decorations I've seen--but I've been feeling very crafty and very ready for Valentine's day.  Aside from doing the 14 days of Valentines, I've also made and put up a few Valentines decorations.  I've been wanting to make these garlands for a while, and then I saw a few friends do it and I knew that it would be worth the trouble!  I'm so glad I did.  Our apartment feels very festive and fun.

Clouds.

Something interesting I have noticed about San Francisco is that the clouds seem to be moving at top speed all the time.  I don't know why I notice it so much, but the clouds are changing shapes and dancing around in the sky all the time.  We've had some very lovely days around here lately (and some rainy ones), and there have also been some really great things going on in the sky.