Noted on a Friday

Well, I did it. The Spring semester is over. Woot! I had really great students this time around, and the end is always bittersweet, but I am looking forward to a little time off before the summer session starts. It wasn't a terribly busy work week, so I'm not sure where all my time went... Actually, that's a lie. I've been busy working my way through three seasons of Call the Midwife (so sad it's over!);  we drank and jacuzzi'd and brunched with friends for Memorial Day weekend; Guiri and I have spent hours in the sunshine; and we've been hitting up some new restaurants (Circa, meh; Brooklyn Girl, delightful; Queenstown Public House, love!). Other than that, looking forward to ringing in June (OMG) with a visit from my brother and nephew tonight and having the next 10 days off. I hope you have a great weekend. xo

A few random fun moments from this week...

Sunday morning football at the park.

Park followed by a new ritual: heavenly croissants and good, caffeinated coffee at Cafe Madeleine.

Channeling our Mexico trip with this sweet papaya.

Guiri waits for dad every evening.

The best dinner: a cheese platter made from whatever you have in the house.

Noted on a Friday

This was a let's-just-get-through-it kinda week. The end of the semester is always my busiest time (grading and meetings and more grading) and Flavio has been slammed, so I couldn't be happier about the three-day weekend ahead. My plans are having no plans at all and I can't wait to disconnect, relax, and see what fun pops up in the next few days. Happy (looong) weekend. xo

A few little things that made my week...

Celebrating my half-birthday last Sunday with half a leftover, defrosted cake - delicious.

Cake accompanied by this classic. "I got worms."

An after-work walk past our neighborhood's heavenly wall o'jasmine. Smells like summer.

I'm excited about the burgeoning blackberries in a neighbor's yard.

Dog-friendly dining at Carnitas' Snack Shack. Guiri recommends the pork belly.

Noted on a Friday

I had a disappointment this week, and I'm learning that's okay. As someone who likes to control how things play out, I find myself constantly (and irritatingly) challenged with lessons in flexibility and living in the present. Fact: Things will not always go as planned/hoped, but worrying what "could be" takes away the ability to see what should be, a.k.a. what actually IS. Life lessons in progress over here. Anyway, happy weekend. xo

Some little things that made my week...

Playing around on Instagram as you can see (not sure I'll stick with it). But loving all the Jacaranda this time of year.

Thursday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. I celebrated accordingly.

 Festive bloodys at Mother's Day brunch.

And this reminder.

Windblown

The Santa Ana winds have blown in and there's an electricity in the air. I am at my desk with a stack of work to do, but wish I was home listening to the wind blow outside, feeding Guiri ice cubes. While I am over this triple-digit heat and the surrounding brush fires, the Santa Anas are sort of beautiful in their own way.. they make your hair stand on end, and dry up everything in their path. Anyway, it wouldn't be Southern California without them. Declaration: Flav is off tomorrow and I decided I am taking Thursday afternoon off!!! Dog beach or bust.

Update at 2:00 PM - I have been holed up in an office all day and just learned So Cal is on fire. Shit. The above post feels insensitive. Stay safe, San Diego.

 {citrus infused water}

Noted on a Friday

I'm so happy it's Friday! For some reason it felt like Thursday every day this week, which made Monday through Wednesday particularly grueling. What are you up to this weekend? We're going on a date tonight, I'm meeting up with some girlfriends for a drink, and we'll be treating my mother-in-law to Mother's Day brunch, but other than that, just chilling out. I'm realizing the perfect weekend for me means having a few concrete plans nailed down, alongside time reserved for doing absolutely nothing (i.e., camping out in front of the TV, baking, etc.). Ahh, balance. I have a good feeling about this weekend and hope you have a great one. xo

Some fun from this past week...

A trip to Donut Bar to try their famed strawberry split. Verdict: my strawberry shortcake is better. ;)

Celebrating my mom's birthday and early Mother's Day with her favorite coconut and key lime cake.

A Padres game with my padres - great seats and even better company.

Coming home to this smiling face always makes me happy.

Lucky to live in this gorgeous city.

Call the Midwife

When my parents were here last weekend, we piled onto the couches, ate coconut cake, and watched their favorite show, BBC's 'Call the Midwife.' Now, Flavio and I are really into it -- we've been watching it on Netflix each night since they left. I don't know anyone else that's watching it, and I had barely heard of it, but now I'm obsessed.

Call the Midwife follows the adventures of a group of middle-class midwives who tend to poor East Enders, and six episodes in, I've laughed and cried at each one. As this LA Times reviewer wrote, "You will laugh, you will cry and if it seems a bit treacly, it is. But as another very famous British caregiver once observed, a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down."I love its heartwarming sentimentality and I find the midwifery so fascinating.

There was a TV dry spell after House of Cards ended, but we'll be catching up to the last season of Mad Men soon, and friends of ours are hooked on a French TV show called The Returned, so we might check that out, too. What shows are you watching these days?

Look Up

Have you seen this video? It's powerful - and in a much more eloquent way, describes what I was trying to say yesterday.

I've been thinking about establishing some rules for my iPhone and technology in general -- I just don't want to be a slave to my gadgets and the interwebs. Maybe no phone on Sundays, or social media in the evenings after 6? I think it's really important to be present. On that note, I am off to the dog park, and I'm leaving my phone behind. :)

iPhoned

Breaking news! I entered the 21st century this weekend when I bought an iPhone. For years, rather smugly, I had the cheapest phone possible. But then last week, I tried to clean my ancient phone with with water, and then it wouldn't turn on. So, I guess it was time. Here's me with my old phone:

I'm not even sure why I've been so resistant of smart phones. I guess I get annoyed when my students or other people can't hold a conversation because of their addiction, or need constant reassurance from their phones, instead of trying to have real human connections. (I told you I was smug.) But, I must admit, Flavio and I FaceTimed yesterday and it was thrilling! And there are lots of fun apps, and I ordered this pretty case, and I've already taken tons of photos of Guiri with it, so I'm okay with moving to the dark side. Just don't let me turn into this guy...

{New Yorker cartoon}

Noted on a Friday

Happy May! This week was just... weird. My brother was hit nearly head-on by a drunk driver and miraculously, he is fine (thank god!). This 90-degree heat was making me feel ill and I projectile vomited all over my car while driving on the freeway (awful!). Lastly, my non-smart (dumb?) phone finally bit the dust. After years of resistance, an iPhone is in my future. In better news, my parents are coming to visit today (yay!) and a Padres game, new restaurants, and cooler temperatures are on all the itinerary. Have a great weekend. xo

Some fun moments from the last couple weeks...

Summerlike afternoons with this beauty.

Mimosas at Easter brunch.

Mystery date: Thai cooking class at Hipcooks. So much fun!

Baking funfetti cupcakes on a Sunday afternoon.

Mid-week sushi date when it was too hot to turn on the oven.

Drinks on draught at Toronado.