Reasons to live in London

I met up with a sorority sister whom I haven't seen since college last week, whose name is Dawn. But I always feel so funny calling her that, because she's always been "Peanut" to me.  No really, she went by Peanut in college.  I feel its a time to call her by her grown up name, but I also feel like a farce using it! But anyways, I met her up at my fav brunch place, Butler and Chef. Are you tired of me talking about that place yet?!  I bring everyone here who is out of town.  Its just too good to pass up!

Anyways, I was telling her how much I miss living in London and HOW AMAZING IT IS.  Then I came across this article, and it was too convenient not to share!

(source)

Here is a short list of those that I totally agreed with!

4. When you understand the tube map you'll realise how painfully simple it is

7. No matter what you want to do with your career, you can do it in London

14. There are 4500 pubs & bars

20. It's one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world

22. Your commute will take you past some of the most famous landmarks in the world

32. Once you know you way around there is no greater feeling than a tourist asking you for directions and you actually knowing the answer

54. Getting angry at tourists who are getting in your way is weirdly liberating

75. People back home will think you're really tough for living in London

97. In the summer it's always hotter in London than anywhere else in the country

AAAAHHHHHH TAKE ME BACK PLEASE!!!!!!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

AAAHHH I finally got a Christmas tree!  I've wanted to get my own for the past few years, but never made it happen.  I couldn't afford it the first year on my own and then my apartment was too small/crowded the past 3 years but FINALLY this year was the one!!!  On Thanksgiving, I saw what looked like it could be a Christmas Tree lot on the Embarcadero.  I forced the BF to come with me to hunt down the perfect Christmas tree.

SO MANY CHOICES!!!!  All so adorable. 

Ahhh the perils of being city dwellers....walking home your Christmas Tree.

It looks a little sad. It was right near the bathroom. It looks tiny, but its about 5 foot tall.  I had no decorations with me here in SF, so I had to walk to Target to pick up some decorations.  Luckily, they were having a buy 2 get one free sale on all Christmas things!  And spend $50 and get a $10 gift card.  I quickly learned I have no freaking clue on how many things to purchase. I bought 3 boxes of lights and 3 big containers of ornaments (15 pieces each).  I knew I had too much, but I just wasn't sure!

Got home and decorated our tree, I used all 3 boxes of lights and only ended up using one container of gold ornaments. Ooops, totally too many!!

BUT our tree looks adorable now! We moved it over to be in front of our window.  It's the little things in life, but it makes me so happy!!

It's beginning to look like Christmas...

Did you get a Christmas Tree this year? How do you decorate it?

Betsy's in Town!

Ahhh I just love it when friends are in town!  Betsy is now my 5th out of town visitor!  Granted, most of these were in town because of business, but I'll take what I can get :)

• Haileigh, a friend from my London programme
• Amanda, a sorority sister who was at AU when I advised there
• Hannah (and Megan) visited in July
• Molly came too 
• And you can't forget my (real) sister Brandy

Betsy is a sorority sister whom I met when I lived in D.C. She has since moved to NYC and I've moved to San Francisco.  Betsy got a new job as a campus recruiter and was in town for a college fair.

Betsy is an amazing friend, its always like no time has passed and we picked up right where we left off! Granted it was a few weekends back but I wish it was this past weekend!

OF COURSE we headed to 21st Amendment for a few watermelon beers. Thankfully they were still in season!  I haven't been back in a few weeks, I don't know if they are still on tap or not.  But I did take back my duchess status at the bar!  Thank you Yelp!

Check out that SWEET SWEET mullet this lady is rocking!

We got lunch at the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen. It was good, I just don't know if it was good enough to go back.

Oh and the BF was in town for the weekend too! We hung out most of the weekend with his friends who were in town so I didn't feel bad for having Betsy in on the action. She truthfully saved me from the xx hormones!  Yes, that is my jcrew vest to be funny.

San Diego Times Two

Ah I can't believe I haven't written about my second trip to San Diego.  I went the first time back in August while the BF was he was stopped over there during his deployment.  Well, he had to stop again, so I went ahead and scheduled another trip down south! We stayed at the Andaz hotel in downtown San Diego and it was a great hotel in an even better location! They had a great rooftop pool and bar that had great views of the area.

It was so sunny and warm! Well, until the Saturday and then it rained and it turned cold, but the weather changed and it was warm again!

It was fleet week that week too!

The BFs ship was open to the public and I took the opportunity to come aboard. 

The had a fun little sign of the route the ship (boat?) took on the last deployment. I can't believe how far north they went...the arctic circle!

The helm (Is that what its called?)

Each of the flags means something but I have no idea what they mean. 

The have a helicopter landing pad too

The woman the boat was named after

And this....this my friends is the bf's room. I guess they decorate it for morale purposes. Behind that door 6 smelly men live in 1 room and share 1 teeny tiny bathroom .

Look how dirty the boat is!

We took a day trip to  Ocean Beach 

The weather was amazing but slightly chilly.  We went to a few bars and did a little shopping while we were there on Saturday.

We had a Sunday Funday and hit up a few bars.  We started at Barley Mash, then hit up the Blind Burro and then Wet Willies!  A whirlwind but a great time!

 

On Monday I had a little jaunt downtown by myself and saw a few of the sites.

The Gaslamp quater

Their tram/train system

Lion spotting!  Hard Rock Cafe had a brass lion outside.

All in all a wonderful time. I do miss those days when I traveled to other countries during my vacations, but seeing places in the U.S. that I haven't seen before is pretty cool too.

Smitten Ice Cream

While I was in Hayes Valley, I found the COOLEST ice cream shop! In one of the reused shipping containers, was Smitten.  It's made to order so each one is unique! Their menu changes daily and they use FRESH ingredients!  The day I visited there was vanilla, TCHO chocolate, fresh mint chip, creme franche and root beer floats!

I chose the fresh mint and had a TCHO chocolate topping. 

So many yummy choices!

I was waiting patiently for my ice cream. Each one is made by liquid nitrogen!

AAAAHHHH it was SO good! I could taste the fresh mint in every bite! I would maybe next time not get the chocolate topping, but it was magical!