Our BART Experience...

When I was younger, my mom and I would travel back and forth to West Seattle via Sound Transit. It was a rather long process, but I am so glad that I experienced using our local public transportation. To be honest, using public transportation can be quite intimidating if you've never used it before. In college, I experienced the public transportation in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington DC. Each time, I was so very grateful to have a personal tour guide.

After we visited the beach, Heather & Kris drove us back to their hotel in Downtown SF so that we could all enjoy a bite to eat together. Earlier that day, Aaron and I had decided that we would give our try at using the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) after saying our goodbyes to Kris & Heather. The terminal was right by the hotel, and the drop off was only a couple blocks from our Extended Stay.

Getting on the BART and beginning our journey back to Pleasanton was a piece of cake. Having to sit -rightnextto- the loud obnoxious drunk girl for 30 minutes, while she repeatedly said, "I want to ride the buulll! I want to ride the buulll!" while she told the story of how her grandma had rode the mechanical bull at a local bar, and how that needed to be their next stop so that she could out last her, was mildly irritating. Finally arriving at our destination, only to walk down the stairs and realize we still had to walk more than a couple of blocks to our studio hotel room, through the dark and chilly business district of Pleasanton, was discouraging. But laughing all the way there about all we had observed while people watching, was priceless!

A Little Piece of Home...

Aaron and I both grew up in Washington. We both stayed close to home for college, and we bought our first house 15 minutes from our parents. Needless to say, neither of us had the experience of building new friendships away from home. Aaron would have probably done great on his own, because guys are so much more easy going, and most of them can somehow manage to remember 75% of the useless sports trivia that they hear in their lifetime (although they never remember what you told them 5 minutes ago :)), which gives them an instant bond. I however, am absolutely terrible at making new friends. I over think every little detail from the moment I introduce myself. I fill in spots where I either don't know what to say, or can't hear what the person said and therefore have no intelligible response, with giggling. And, I have never in my life been the one to make the first move when it comes to continuing the friendship after that first introduction. I have no idea why I'm like this, but thank goodness I could put all my craziness on hold when Kris and Heather called and told us they were coming down for a visit. I was overjoyed! No awkward, "So what do you do?" conversations. We were just good friends, catching up and having some laughs.

One of the stores that Aaron delivered to while we were in NorCal was in Half Moon Bay. Heather, Kris, and I had never been there, so we decided to drive down the windy roads to the NorCal coast and enjoy this beautiful piece of real estate. The best part about driving over there was that we made it just in time for the sunset! I don't think we could have done any better as tour guides :)

Heather & Kris,
We are so glad that you two made it down! Thank you so much for bringing us a little piece of home down to California!
♥ The Walkers

New Place = New Routines

When I was younger, I had the privilege of riding with my dad to school everyday. He has been early for anything and everything, for as long as I can remember. So, the morning routine consisted of stopping at the local donut shop every morning before being dropped off at school (I was still 30 minutes early... Thanks Dad :)). After a little while, the donut shop owner knew who I was and what I was going to order.

In NorCal, my morning routine consisted of rolling out of bed at 3:30am, I would get ready while Aaron made our pot of coffee (Don't worry, we didn't use the Extended Stay's mini-pot, we brought our own from home. Addicts? Maybe :)). I would make one pop tart, grab a banana, and be off for the day. Unlike my dad, I am not early for anything and everything, I am right on time. So, no swinging by the local coffee shop, or grabbing a donut daily.

My recognizable routine came in the afternoons, when I could be more leisurely. I didn't think it was much of a routine, but when you're living in a studio hotel room, it's the small things in life that seem a little more urgent to get out and go do. To be honest, I was a little bit embarrassed when the girl at Office Depot recognized me! From donut shop, to office supplies... Wow, I really must be getting old.