Beautiful Santa Cruz

Well I could title this San Francisco fun thing to do but it wouldn't really fit considering it is Santa Cruz not SF. So Tim and I decided to take off this weekend and enjoy our day off (well his really I don't have a job yet so everyday is a day off for me)

We drove to Santa Cruz to see the surf there it was a beautiful day and the drive was scenic as most drives here are tons of trees (which by the way I think I might be allergic to trees my allergies have never been worse not used to all this greenery lovin it but allergies not lovin it) we arrived at Santa Cruz beach ugh we were completely turned off by it well simply putting it the board walk was filled with wierdos the strangest vibe there.

So we took a drive to a nearby place called Capitola and there were alot of adorable little shops we enjoyed walking around grabbed a slice of pizza and lemonade and just enjoyed the day.

From there we decided to give Santa Cruz one last shot and went in search of a surf break called steamer lane well we found it and although the waves were small we found that this is a great break we explored the pine tree lined cliffs and found a beautiful little beach where kai was allowed to run around on it was a perfect spot something both of us were in desperate need of sunshine, seabreeze and waves. Definitely making my way back.

San Francisco Fun Thing To Do

Well I decided to explore a little more yesterday I ended up driving to Half Moon Bay and to be honest I was pleasantly surprised the beach there was beautiful there were these tall sea cliffs lining the beach and it seemed like the beach went on for miles. It made me feel a little more at home. The drive there was beautiful and there were all these farms and little farm stands along the way. I would like to return and have a bonfire on the beach there! There is also horses that you can ride on the beach there definately doing that sometime.

San Francisco Fun Thing To Do

So since I'm up here I have been trying to find things to do around here, and I found a couple of good movies in the park for free the first one is this weekend in Union Square Park. I'm actually really excited to see this one because it's an Alfred Hitchcock film called Rear Window staring Grace Kelly and James Stewart. I actually really like this movie so it should be a good one. Then on September 11 there will be another great one in Washington Square Park the movie they are showing is one of my favorites its called Amelie so excited should be a fun san francisco thing to do! More information on the links below

Aug 28

Sept 11

San Diego Fun Thing To Do!

So I have another recommendation for San Diego. This takes me back to when Tim and I first met. The first time we met was at this fun event! It's a great cause and you don't have to be an experienced surfer to participate you don't even have to know how to surf really just as long as you can paddle its super fun. all around people hop in the water and paddle around the pier its a great work out and alot of fun. There is more information on this blog and this is the schedule.

Schedule of events:
9am: Light breakfast is served
10am: Paddle around the Ocean Beach Pier
11am: Group photo, guest speakers and raffle
9am – Noon: Beach Cleanup

San Diego Fun Thing To Do

Art Walk On The Bay

Although I will be missing out on this I am posting it so all of you don't miss out another great Art Walk I actually haven't been to this one, I have been to the one in Little Italy a couple times and it is really great so I'm assuming this one will be just as good. Either way what is nicer than a stroll along the harbor in San Diego! Check it out!

How can I have S'more I haven't had anything yet!

I feel like i shouldn't already be homesick but the truth is I am not quite used to this new life but keepin my chin up anyways one of the things I miss already about San Diego Summertime is camping at San Elijo. It's a sunny afternoon and feels like the kind of afternoon where I would get in one more surf session before going in to dinner and smore's around the campfire. Aww summertime!!! well in honor of the things I wish I was doing I found this website that hosted a gourmet smores night there are some awesome combinations check them out. I added two recipes that I learned the past two summers from two families that joined our camp trips at San Elijo. Enjoy the finger lickin fun!

"First you take the Graham"
"Then you stick the chocolate on the Graham"
"Then you roast the Mallow"
"When the Mallow is flamin you stick it on the graham and cover it with the other end"
"Then you Stuff!!!!!"



The ingredients include various types of graham crackers (chocolate, honey, cinnamon, ginger) various additions such as toasted coconut, cinnamon, nut meg, andes mints, berries, bananas, various types of chocolate hazelnut bars, peanut butter cups, white chocolate etc. and of course the Mallow. The combinations are endless.

The two other fun recipes are in the links below enjoy!

brown bear link

banana boat link

Life in the City!

Well I packed my bags for yet another move this was move #11 but instead of moving to another location in San Diego I moved all the way up to San Francisco. It was hard saying good bye to the things I am so used to and the life I loved in San Diego. Tears were shed and I found myself saying good bye to everything even my Point Loma target as I went in to pick up some last minute items. I took one last look around my empty room and hurried to get in the car for my road trip up, and as I shut the front door to my beloved sandcastle I realized that would be the last time I would shut and lock that front door.

I found it much easier this time packing up my stuff but I was more reluctant to leave than I have ever felt in any of my other moves. I hung out one last time with close friends at Shakespeare's pub and as I looked around the table at all the important people in my life I began to wonder what would my life look like a month from now would I find another close group of friends. As I sat there I told my friend Melissa about how nervous I was about making friends due to the fact that I am a bit of an introvert. She just smiled at me and said Melina look around you look at this table just think a couple years ago you didn't know any of us and you have a really great group of people who love you right here in front of you, you're going to be just fine. Well I'm keeping her words as encouragement in the next few months as I try to explore this new city and make new friends.

It's weird though as I look out the window sitting in my new room I wonder what are my friends doing right now probably taking a nap before our sunday night bible study. I also wonder what kind of sunset it will be on sunset cliffs tonight. It hasn't really hit me yet how far away I am from these things but I am thankful to have a piece of home (Tim) with me sharing this new life up in this big city.

So dear readers I will catch you up soon on my amazing summer and on what is new with me and my life in the city, as well as fun things to do in San Francisco. Don't be disappointed San Diego readers I will include San Diego things to do from time to time as I remember things I miss or things I wish I was doing, but since I am living up here I've got to report reasons for you all to visit me don't I?

more on the Cardiff Surf Sculpture

Really liked this art historians take on my dad's sculpture

Cardiff Surf Sculpture

Over the past few weeks my dad has revisited a time in his life that was a bit challenging he was the artist that sculpted the surf sculpture in Cardiff. Just recently a man made a giant paper mache shark to surround the sculpture which brought up loads of media attention and my dad has been recieving calls left and right seeking his comments on this. So I am writing this post to tell the True story of the Cardiff Surf Sculpture, 3 years ago July 22 my Dad was comissioned to do a sculpture of a surfer for Cardiff/Encinitas.

The Comfort Zone

Do you ever find that you have been sitting in a comfort zone for so long that when it is time to leave you become completely reluctant to even think of venturing out of your comfort zone. Well that's how I have been feeling lately. I have been living in San Diego for 6 years and I have loved every day of living there I feel like I have become so familiar with the beaches places to eat different areas of the city and of course the friends I have made here. Even got used to the job that gave me the security of a regular paycheck. This past summer how ever I feel like God has opened the door for me to accomplish a huge dream of mine and yet I feel soo stressed about leaving the things that are comfortable to me. In one of my past posts I had claimed to be a city girl now that I have been living in San Diego, and now I am moving up to San Francisco an even bigger city, and all of a sudden I feel so small like a needle in a haystack will I feel so lost in such a big city. I am nervous about finding a place to live in the right areas of town and transportation and I even some times stress about being late to class because of the fact that I will probably get a lost my first few weeks up in the city. I know all of this is crazy but this is all part of my new city new school new life even jitters. I have been working on having the attitude of gratitude. I mean really how blessed am I that I get to leave the routine I once had and stretch myself to experience something new and to challenge myself to have the courage to grab onto the opportunity God presented to me and get my master's degree! Ugh so many emotions come from a big move and I am feeling them all toppling onto me as I make my plans to move.