I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Well, the party is over. Naw, we actually just discussed last night that we're ready to be home now. We came, we saw, we ate...man did we eat. I feel like a glutton, eating food that my body didn't need. I can't wait to get to the grocery store and buy the foods that make me feel healthy: yogurt, fresh fruit, skim milk, a little turkey and all the stuff I need for my lunches for the work week. Ahhh, the work week. Don't tell anyone cuz they might think me a little touched...but I'm ready to get back to work. I know there are people waiting to learn about FUMC Dallas, waiting to schedule baptisms, projects to be completed...and just as when any one staff person has been on vacation, the rest of my co-workers will be so ready for me to come back and deal with my stuff.
Just as I mentioned in a previous post, too much vacation and entertainment makes Rachel selfish and spoiled. I'm starting to crave that need for meaning and to be a part of the amazing things that happen in life...not just the pretty things that happen in life. I think this might be a good indication that I did what I set out to do on vacation...REST.
So...just a little more packing, one more quick trip to Chinatown and then we wait for the shuttle dude :) Thanks for sharing our vacation with us. Next post source: Dallas, Texas (I always get a little warm in my heart when I step back on that Texas soil...even if it is Yankee Texas. ha!)

I DO NOT RUN!!!!

Yesterday I asked Alvaro what has been his favorite part of our vacation so far. I was expecting maybe one of the many wonderful meals we've enjoyed, or maybe the shopping. Perhaps he was in love with a particular landmark or building. As I waited for his answer I became more excited to hear what he had to say. He finally decided that his favorite part of the vacation so far were the words of an tiny older woman to her dear husband as they crossed an intersection..."I DO NOT RUN!!!" We both got the giggles to hear this demur looking little lady telling her husband how it was gonna go. I realized though that her stress was my stress. San Francisco has those crosswalk signals that have the little blue/white neon person making for the other side of the street. But the minute he blinks on...the countdown to impact begins. 20, 19, 18, 17, 16.....and so it goes. So this little lady, being pulled onward by her husband just wasn't having it and took her sweet time getting across the busy intersection. Good boundaries I say!! Good for you lady.
I guess the people we've encountered this week have been a big part of my experience as well. Yesterday, we drove from San Francisco along Hwy 1 south to Carmel. I especially loved Santa Cruz where we found Emily's Bakery. Emily has a very Austinish establishment where she serves all things coffee and chai as well as fresh sandwiches, salads and all natural ready to heat snacks and stuff.
Not a big post today. I'm feeling tired and to be honest kinda ready for my real life to start again. I'm missing my regular surroundings, my morning routine, my church and the familiar faces of friends and family. A little later today, we'll head back down to Fisherman's Wharf for the crab I didn't eat the other day and then tomorrow, before we go the airport, we'll take one last trip through Chinatown. Peace to everyone and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

SF Day 5 - Wine Country and Hwy 1

Each day I think we've seen the greatest thing and then the next day comes. We were up and at 'em pretty early so the Enterprise guy could pick us up. Then we were off to Cakebread Cellers. I'm more of a beer girl than I am a wine girl but boy...was this a great experience!! Our tour started in the vineyard and ended at the outdoor grill where we tasted 5 wines...my favorite was the 2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay. The best part for me was learning about the earth, the plantings made over the vine roots to change the mineral make up of the soil, the natural climate, bug detection and removal techniques (of course I would find that amazing), and other issues dealing with the vineyard...Once we got into the pressing, fermentation process and such, I thought that that could just be left to the scientists and their french oak barrels. :) From my point of view, it's what happens to the grape while being nurtured by the earth that determines later on how it will measure up as a wine. So much depends upon it. (I'm doing the 'palms up measure action') What goes into making us what we are? How are we nurtured...can we nurture ourselves? Can we change our acidity? Can we alter the course of how sugary sweet we are?
I like to go to our farm in late July and pick the wild mustang grapes that grow all over the place. The jelly from this grape is amazing but I just get what I get. I never noticed before if the jelly ever tastes different from year to year. I know that the Cakebread wine makers would laugh till they tinkled if they tasted the Mustang Grape wine my uncle makes. Anyway, my question is...are we a wild mustang grape who will just end up how we end up or do we strive to improve ourselves with an effort to adjust and become 'fine'. I certainly don't mean to say that I think we should pretend to be someone we're not. I'm just sayin' that I think it's good to constantly recognize the need to improve and become better, nicer and more genuine individuals.
After Cakebread, we found our way over to Hwy 1 where we took an amazing drive all the way back down to San Francisco. On the way we saw incredible beaches, cliffs, some harrowing hairpin turns and lots of great looking oyster bars. Now we're taking a little rest before heading out to dinner at Aqua...I think it's pretty foo foo so I guess I have to change clothes.

Vacation in San Francisco - Day 4

Well, I did it! I walked through the stories, history, myths and ghosts of Alcatraz. I felt like a kid in a candy store just sucking up every bit of information I could get my hands on. The ride over to the island was fun in itself. We rode on the top level of a triple deck boat and got a great view of the whole island as we circled before docking. The place where prisoners set foot on the island is exactly where it always was and the breathtaking trek up to the cell house is just as it always was. I'm not one for concerning myself too much with thoughts of ghosts and spirits but man...when I went into an isolation cell for just a little minute...I got chills as I thought of the men and how this place must have broken spirits. Now I'm not saying they didn't deserve their punishment. I heard many stories of murder, rape, theft, tax evasion and many other things that make me angry and hostile. But I also heard stories of men who started their lives as brilliant young students who did good deeds simply because their mama said "Do good deeds". But just as so many young people do, they fell victim to the streets and the pressures to 'succeed' and be 'respected'. As I grow older the idea that everyone has complete control over their success and ability to steer clear of trouble seems to be a little more diluted. Anyway, where was I??? Oh yes...Rachel behind bars. I can now check Alcatraz off the list of things I want to do before I can't travel due to age and meanness. ha! After the freezing trip back to San Francisco, we walked back to Little Italy and at The Stinking Rose. Delish! and revolting! Tomorrow is the trip through Napa and Sonoma. We have reservations at one winery and the others we'll just hit as we see 'em.

San Francisco - Day 3

Okay...so now I'm getting the hang of being on vacation. slept till 7:00, was at the Starbucks by 8:30 and on a trolley going to the Aquarium on the Bay by 9:00. I was a little disappointed in the aquarium. I was totally expecting to see and learn everything about sea otters (which are one of the most adorable creatures God could have some up with). However, it wasn't a total bust since I got to touch a ray and a leopard shark...After that we took a nice long time at Fisherman's Wharf where we saw some great seafood (which we'll eat later), the sourdough factory and then it was off to the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory. Now we are resting a bit before our 6:00 p.m. ferry trip and tour of Alcatraz. That is what I have been looking forward to the most. The trip should take about two hours after which I'm sure we are going to be STARVING...Conveniently we have another walk planned to Little Italy where we will eat at The Stinking Rose...in the 'garlic room' of course. We've walked to Little Italy both nights and I completely expect Tony Soprano to pass me on the street. In my mind he would remove the cigar from his lips, give me the Latin head tip/chin point and the grin and then just keep on walking his cool walk right on down the street...probably to get a canoli (Oooo! I know a great place for those). Being on vacation is an unusual feeling. I'm tempted many times to think that it would be wonderful to have nothing to do but discover, eat new things, wait around in an airport (wait, not that part). But then what would be my actual place among society? Would I actually lose my sense of being a part of God's world? Would I become so self absorbed in what will entertain me next that I could no longer be a servant? To be honest, that sounds kinda good. I know it wouldn't work though and I'd start to take the state of 'being on vacation' for granted. Okay, that's all for now. I'll write again in the morning some time...whenever I decide to get up.

Day 2 in San Francisco

The thing I have marveled about most since we've arrived in SF is the amazing climate. The air is cool and the breeze is refreshing...but we're not cold and sitting in the sun for hours is extremely comfortable. We talked to a man who was selling his photography on the street and he said the warmest time is during September. For breakfast we went to the have the World Famous Mini Pancakes at Sears Fine Food. go to www.searsfinefood.com for some great history. Then it was off to shopping and seeing. Why am I still so amazed that no matter where I go in the world, 'getting' and 'acquiring' is the most popular tourist attraction. Prada, Macy's, Juicy, Old Navy, Coach...you can get anything you want. The mega stores look just like the ones in Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago...everywhere! People making purchases is what I have seen most (except for the actual 'Starbucks on every corner'...no, really, on EVERY corner). We had lunch at Taylor's Automatic Refreshment...great place for burgers and all things sandwich. I also had the onion rings and Alvaro had the garlic herb fries...oh yes and I very much enjoyed a Hard Cider brewed right here in California. Tomorrow night is the trip to Alcatraz...just seeing it yesterday from Pier 39 was amazing...I can't wait to get there tomorrow and see what I wrote a multitude of book reports about in elementary school and Jr. High.
I'm realizing during this trip that my blog entries aren't so very inspiring but I guess you just have to care what I'm up to all week in order to keep reading. My biggest issue is trying not to think about work and worrying about all the stuff I have to do when I get back. So many new and interesting things are coming up at FUMC Dallas but I just can't be thinking about that right now :)...only vacation thoughts!! More tomorrow.

Are you going to San Francisco - a la Scott McKenzie

Okay, so I wasn't even born yet...but oh how I should have been. I should have lived in San Francisco in 1967 and been able to travel to Monterrey to see Janis and Jimi. But I wasn't. What an awesome place. We've only been here one day and already I'm overwhelmed with amazing people, food, CULTURE, history...We got off the plane today and went straight to China Town to a restaurant that was started in 1920. I had bean sprout Chow Mein. On the walls of the place were these amazing pictures from the '60 of what looks like some neighborhood girls who were coming into society. Then we were off to the ferry pier where I found some great coffee and Alvaro drooled over the meats, cheeses and gelato. How can so many wonderful smells and foods be in one place? Only a poetic collision of cultures can create this experience. We walked down to Pier 39 and watched the Sea Lions for about 30 minutes. They are hysterical...there were maybe 100 Sea Lions barking, swimming, sunning and what seemed like play fighting over who gets to be on the floating platforms. Then we rode the streetcar back to the hotel, changed and went to Little Italy where we had some great dinner. Tomorrow, we're not setting the alarm but will just wake up when we wake up. also, maybe a little more sunblock tomorrow...feeling a little cooked! nighty night.