Things Kids Say

I work with kids everyday all day long.  They are life's little comedians. I've only been at my new jobs for two weeks but have already heard some crazy stuff.  These are the highlights from this week:

During a classroom observation:

Boy: " I went to Chuck-E-Cheese yesterday and won 274 tickets! I love Chuck-E-Cheese!" (looks at girl) Did you go to Chuck-E-Cheese?"
Girl: " Um nooo, I don't like that place.  You know that rat? I don't trust him."


haha I can't argue with that.

After eating a bag of mustard/onion flavored pretzels:

Ani: "Melissa?" (forehead pressed against mine-big blue eyes staring at me )
Me: "yeah?"
Ani: "Your breath smells like tacos."
Me: " Thanks." 

called out by a 4 year old! Me so embarrassed.

Will post more next week.

(pictures above are from earlier this week with my little Ani. Burger and Derby were so intrigued by this little person and couldn't stop kissing her.  In return she drew their portrait which is now hanging above my desk at home. So Precious.)


  

Pardon the interruption

Just when I thought that my bad blogging habits couldn't get any worse... they do .  I was caught in the midst of the most painful job search known to man and spent countless hours trolling craigslist and begging for interviews.   It felt so depressing and disheartening to apply to a gazillion jobs and check my email 12394870987 times a day to find NOTHING.  Geez man, I spent almost my whole life getting an education and this is what happens?  Fast forward a month and a half of crying, praying, and thoughts crossing my mind of moving back into my dad's house (my last resort) and finally I'm sooo over it.  I completely stop searching and begin to accept my fate as a homeless bag lady with lots of shoes and two dogs in my shopping cart.  The next day I get three interviews. Then the week after I get not one, not two, but four job offers! How is this possible?!??!?  Happy tears of relief rolled down my cheeks as I heard the happy news.  I feel so grateful and blessed to have this experience is behind me (for now), and let me tell you- I've never felt so happy to work close to 12 hour days and come home dead tired.  To those of you going though the job search process because of our crappy economy, I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts and luck your way.  You can do it!  

Oh btw, the pictures above are from the San Francisco Gocar tour we took last weekend.  Lots of happy things to celebrate  =)   I highly recommend it (even for locals).  They also run tours in Miami, San Diego, and even Madrid.  You will like, promise! 

Happy Campers

I can personally attest that I am not the most outdoorsy person in the world.  As a kid, I went camping pretty often but camping in Texas is far from fun when you factor in the heat, humidity, and man eating insects.  After camping or "glamping" as my friends who have voluntarily put themselves in Man vs Wild situations call it, I have a new found appreciation for nature. Yay for:  fresh air, hiking, campfire, smores, and playing in the sparking blue Tahoe waters, but what I really LOVED most was being able to unplug from the rest of the world even for just a few days. No email, no phone, no facebook.  Sooo refreshing and exactly what I needed.  I think another camping trip is in my future.

Too short

These are the sweet faces that I am greeted by everyday.  Recently while at the dogpark, a lady whose son was enamored by Burger and Derby asked how old they were.  I told her they were approaching 6 and 7 and she blurted out, "oh wow, they're old!".  My heart stopped for a second and suddenly I was picturing myself in the heartbreaking scenes of Marley and Me.  I HATE when I am reminded that the time I have with them is short, too short if you ask me.  When I think of everything and everyone in my life, nothing has brought me as much happiness and showed me more love than these two.  I can hear people saying, "oh shutup you crazy dog lady, you're being so dramatic!".  Sorry man, can't help it.  I'm a mess just thinking about a world without them.  Heelllllp!

le weekend

Took a break from the usual weekend hoopla and kept everything low key.  It's nice to step away and just appreciate the little things.

From our SF urban hike-

discovering the best almond croissant @ La Boulange

much needed haircut for him @ Mystic Haircutting

early dinner @ Shanghai Dumpling King

Fourth and Family

I spent the holiday weekend with my mom's side of the family in Southern California.   Family time has been a rarity over the years.  With everyone's crazy work schedules and living situations, it's tough to get us all in one place.  This time we managed to get 9 out of 12 cousins, 2 aunts, 2 uncles, and 8 dogs together.  That is a lot of estrogen and canine.

There's really something special about being with your family.  You can let your guard down and just be you.  Seriously, like the day when you wake up and realize you only have two cents to your name, they're all you've got... and really all you need.

Photos above taken in Los Angeles, CA
Bottega Louie
The Bradbury Building (as seen in 500 Days of Summer)
The Getty 

Bay Area Guide Doggie Edition- Fort Funston

 If you're wondering what dog heaven looks like, I'm pretty sure it's something like Fort Funston.  This gorgeous piece of coast is reserved for the enjoyment of the Bay Area's lucky four-legged friends.  I brought Derby and Burger here this past weekend and have never seen them have so much fun.  They spent hours taking turns cautiously testing the waters and chasing fellow furry beach goers. Seeing them so happy made my heart swell.  If you live here, YOU MUST take your dogs and expect lots of thank you wet kisses after.

Fort Funston

Skyline Blvd.

San Francisco, CA 94101

(415)561-4323