Housewarming or happy birthday to Bob...

Bob decided he needed a little excitement in his life, so he sent out an Evite for a "Happy Birthday to me" bbq/potluck at our new apartment.





He challenged everyone to bring something exciting. Consequently, this wasn't like any other potluck I remember. There was lots of salad and fresh fruit, of course, plus fresh made bruschetta, handmade dolmas...







fresh, raw oysters courtesy of David and Kami...





and rhubarb cheesecake to finish it all off!



Then, it got so windy we ended up hanging out in the fitness room rather than at the picnic tables...







But I think everyone had fun anyway.

A little tour of our new place

We're technically in Sausalito - no, not in a houseboat - but we do have a good view and easy access to the Marin Headlands! Sausalito is know for their floating houses, referred to as houseboats but really they're houses on concrete barges so not boats at all in my book.





The majority of Sausalito is built either on top of the hill, like our apartment, or crawling up the side of the hill. Makes for some creative streets and structures.



Our apartment isn't as unique as some we looked at, but we like it. We looked at one that was so crooked there was a 1" gap between the window glass & frame - that was "unique" in a not so good way. And we looked at one that had a turret and sounds of the ocean - which was unique in a really good way. In the end, this one turned out to be the best fit for the time being.



Interestingly, about the time we got all settled in, Suzanne's working arrangement in AK ended, so we decided that while Bob continues the job search, maybe it's the appropriate time for Suzanne do some studying ... unfortunately those Architectural Registration Exams don't take themselves.

Some of our friends

We haven't managed to get a group picture of our friends here in SF, but we do have a few nice photos nevertheless.



Ben, Kristen and Parker at the SF Zoo



Betty, JoAnne and Adrienne post afternoon tea



The monthly "Supper Club" out for Eritrea cuisine (you eat with your hands).



Our Filipino friends - Trinidad, Buena, Emiliana, Betty, Cecilia, Alfred & Earl - after Union Sunday

Year in Review

It's been quite a year, hence the long silence - maybe we'll just do a quick rundown of the highlights... They go back to Feb 23, 2009 "Back to the Park!" Yes they are backwards if you start from here! We got caught up when we got settled.

Finally - a place of our own!

The trial stay with JoAnne ended in mutual agreement - we just weren't suited as roommates. So after a short stay with a friend in Fairfax, CA - an interesting and very walkable town - we decided it was time for us to take the leap and get our own place!







We're now reunited with our belongings that have been residing in storage for 17 months and it's a little like Christmas in March... except we're transitioning from a 2 bedroom apartment down to a 1 bedroom so there's some downsizing to do.



Of course, it rained the day we moved, but luckily the sun came out the next day so we were able to dry things out on our porch.

Short trip down Hwy. 1

With spring comes the many, many flowers - especially the carpets of ice plant - along with the urge to go exploring for more.



This particular exploration took us south of SF, down Hwy. 1, past the Pigeon Point Light Station, many ocean views, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and ended in Capitola. I enjoyed Capitola much more than the more commercialized Santa Cruz, but each to his own.

Valentine's Day ski trip to Tahoe

No, I don't have any pictures of skiing - I stayed safely in the lodge... But from the yawns and wiped out expressions, you'll notice everyone else DID go skiing. Even still, a few of our really ambitious friends cooked up a Valentine's Day Fondue dinner for us that was delicious!