San Francisco

Let me tell you about how wonderful life felt for one entire week. One beautiful, stress-free, amazing week that I wish I could go back and relive over and over again.

I can't fit all this beauty into one post, so I will begin by letting you know about the first leg of my adventure:

It started out incredibly early on a day that I woke up sick as a dog, again. Coughing and hacking like I was going to die is no fun anyway, but at 5:30 on a Saturday morning? Fuggedaboudit. Anyway - I got to the airport, waiting in line forever, barely made my flight, and tried to nap on my way to San Francisco, knowing very well I would be incredibly busy for the rest of the day. I thought I knew, but I had no idea...

Now THAT is a cup of coffee!!

April picked me up from the airport (most people know her affectionately as "Mrs. Squires" from High school. April was my Newspaper advisor and my favorite teacher in the history of school). From there, we drove about exploring, stopped in for coffee, visited a museum, drove around the Prisidio, the Golden Gate bridge, and saw all sorts of beautiful things! After a late and delicious lunch, we left to meet my cousin Jessie.

As with most of these pictures, these things are WAY cooler in real life.

Look how close I got to this little brown pelican! He was so cute!!

I can't wait until I grow up and have a boat.

How cool is this Yoda fountain? This was in the Lucas Studios in the Prisidio.

Tiramisu to top off our lovely lunch together in Union Square

After my fun day, I was pretty tired and definitely ready for bed. What was I thinking? Jessie doesn't sleep. So - out we went! Jessie took me out and about to explore downtown San Francisco. Everyone was out celebrating St. Paddy's day, so there was fun to be had everywhere we went!

Cousins night out!!

Party time in downtown San Francisco

Sunday Jessie had a soccer game that I got to attend. After our late night, my long day, a delicious pizza dinner and some walking around I was so beat that Jessie took me home and tucked me in before he went out to celebrate St. Paddy's day (again).

EVERYTHING here is so cool!!

There was a baseball game this night - I wish I could show you how beautiful these lights were in real life. With the Golden Gate bridge lights, the stadium lights and the blimp hanging out I could hardly take it all in!!

 Monday was my birthday and, OH! What a day it was! We woke up early, Jessie took me to his favorite breakfast place on the opposite side of town. The place was pretty empty since we were there kinda late in the day (we dilly dallied so that we could explore on our way up there) so Jessie and the waitress sang Happy Birthday to me over my beautiful and delicious french toast. To top it all off, Boyz II Men was playing in the background. I swear the Universe pulled out all the stops! Yeah, I know. I'm one lucky gal.

Everything...even the graffiti on the bus was beautiful and bright.

Birthday french toast tastes the best

There is beauty all around!

The rest of the day we spent just walking around exploring. He loved showing me all that San Fran had to offer, and I loved taking pictures of all it's beauty.

Graffiti Mural  in downtown San Fran

The Painted ladies - aka the Full House house!

Jessie escorted me to the airport where I conquered BOTH of my biggest fears at once - flying AND water. Took it like a champ. To celebrate my toughness (and my birthday) I treated myself to the dinner of champions. Chocolate chip cookies, a coke, and a gin and tonic.

Take THAT fear or water *and* flying!!

I rewarded myself handsomely for being so brave