What a lovely week of doing whatever I felt like, which meant after spending the first two days working, I spent the rest of the week not doing a whole lot of anything in particular! No commuting, no schedules, no agendas, no deadlines. Just eating, drinking, sleeping, relaxing. Petting and walking my dogs. Hanging out with the family. Eating some more. Catching up on some t.v. and movies, and dreaming vividly every night. Sorry to report I only have a few photos to share (you see it was too exhausting to lift my hand up and press the button on my camera so I just didn’t. haha.) I was happy to hear I missed the NYC snowstorm. It was in the 80’s in San Diego, absolutely divine. I would walk outside, and the best way I can describe the temperature; this is what a perfect bath feels like mid-bath. Not too hot, not yet cold, just perfectly comfy. Niiiiiiiice. Look! Flowers blooming on the trees there! We made a few trips to El Indio, for some delicious chicken tacos. Yum. Ate at In-n-Out, had to have the full gut-busting combo with vanilla shake. Burgers and Mexican food taste so damned good in California. Had seafood too. And Ice Cream. And…. Ok. I sound like an old person now. All I talk about is the weather and food. Haha. I should start talking about medical procedures too. Well back to work now! Happy Weekend!

I’m heading to California Tuesday a.m. for a work shopping trip and will stay until next Tuesday to celebrate my Mom’s birthday, and soak up some much-needed California sunrays. I am also hoping to avoid the impending snowstorm threatening to hit NYC any day now! I’m leaving my huge down coat here, the one that looks like a sleeping bag. Not even kidding. And I am packing my ipod, sunglasses, sandals, sketch book, and of course, my camera. So, see you guys later!

It was 39 degrees today. There were snowflakes in the air. I like the cold. But there is something so sweet about the California sunshine. But I did feel a bit festive in the chilly weather, walking among the Christmas lights with a chai tea, all bundled up in a wool coat with furry hood, gloves and boots with warm stripe-y socks. Maybe I’ll make a rebel Christmas card and put a scene like this on it.

My Mom has lived in San Diego for the past 10 years. So while I have never lived there, I’ve been visiting it for a while, and spent 12 years living a few hours away either in Palm Springs or Santa Barbara. San Diego has eternal spring-like weather right next to the ocean, with nice cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and another cool-down at night. Tropical foliage grows naturally all-year round, it’s nothing to walk past bunches of wild bird of paradise or phylodendren or lily and of course, those infamous palm trees. It’s a paradise, and one of the biggest cities in Southern California.

And it’s true, as Mom said, every chance we got I wanted to eat outside in the sunshine and nice temperatures. You just cannot get good Mexican food on the East Coast, so I made sure to eat some while in SD. The cheeseburgers are better too, or maybe it’s just eating them outside at a patio table that makes them better. Hey, come to think of it, even the ice cream and beer taste better! I think it’s the laid back way, that makes me relax (almost to the point of complacency I admit) but anyhow, it was nice to take a break from the noisy, smelly, sometimes freaky subways and massive midtown crowds.

We went to San Bernadino to the St. Bernadine hospital to visit Bob’s Dad who was recooperating from his triple bypass surgery. Even the Jesus statues look better in California! Seriously, it must be the sun that gives everything a little halo around it. It was funny to see high school surfer kids with long bangs say “have a nice night dude” when they bagged the groceries. Such a contrast to my European grocery here in Queens.

And check out my newly stretched out legs! I’m really this tall, if you didn’t know. Not really, but nice illusion. You can do so much with good natural lighting.

While in San Diego, among other things, I got to terrorize my dogs by dressing them up in various accessories, like this doll top hat. They loved it! Okay, they didn’t love it, but they suffered through it because I’m their Mom that’s why! I only took a few photos while in California which I will post later. I had a very relaxing trip!

Dear Friends & Family: Wishing you a happy day of thanks, food, friends, family and relaxation! I’m sending my wishes from San Diego, surrounded by my cuddly dogs, chirping birds, loved ones, food, and SUN! xoxo Sarah

lulu

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

lulu_panting

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

This dog melts my heart!

mom n sarah in 1992

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Peoples. I will admit that I wore braces, used scrunchies and made little mountains of hair with them on top of my head back in 1992, when i was 15 years old. I will even admit that I was a cheerleader, for one year only, but yes, won the most spirited award from the squad (certainly I wasn’t in the running for the most coordinated award!) And I will also admit that the shorts my Mom is wearing in this picture (in which she is also sporting a perm) used to be mine! That means that I wore them, they are so 80’s and what were we doing wearing them in the 90’s!! Anyhow, I found this photo at my Mom’s house which I recently visited, and I just feel like I need everyone to laugh at it with me, because it’s so silly!

lulu_mia

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.