WE FOUND AN APARTMENT!, originally uploaded by clarity25.

We found it!!! Our dream apartment!!!

It almost doesn't feel real, I have to pinch myself.

Could we really be this lucky? After so much searching, disappointments and struggles.. we found the perfect place to live!

It's in the heart of the city, beautiful building that dates back to the early 1920's. with everything original just re-painted with a new kitchen. I can close my eyes and imagine the original tenants back in the roaring twenties..Cable cars travel up and down this road, it's close to everything and anything we could possibly want to walk to.

We saw it on Craigslist (by refreshing the website over and over) and we moved FAST. We immediately called and we were the FIRST people to view it.

It's cheap for the area (an EXTREMELY rare find) and all newly remodeled. It doesn't have a view of the golden gate bridge from the livingroom but you can easily go up to the roof and see it from there.. that and all of downtown San Francisco!

It has a fireplace, 2 bedrooms, spacious livingroom, eat-in kitchen, perfect bathroom. It's so BRIGHT. Huge baywindows IN EVERY ROOM. Original Vintage molding, fancy lights, hardwood floors. It's classy, but we can add a bohemian touch once we move in and decorate.

We ran around excitedly from room to room "Ahhing and Ooohing", the landlord watched with amusement. She said she has a good feeling about us and that the best tenants are the ones that love the place they're living. So she wants us to move in.

John was at work and unable to view it. So she gave us the keys to the flat so we could show him in the evening and the application form. She said to show it to him to tonight, fill out the application and it's OURS.

Otherwise she'll take back the keys tomorrow morning at 11 A.M. and rent it out to someone else. Which wont be much of a problem for her because she said that places like go very fast. They get rented within hours.

We're all so excited right now. Celine (John's wife) Eric and I are jumping up and down and waiting for John to return so we can show him this flat. How could he NOT love it? It's affordable, spacious and in the best location in town. he's going to flip!

It's like winning the lottery! I just wanted to share the good news.

My fingers are crossed that John feels the same way as we all do. .. If he does, we'll be moving into the most beautiful place I've ever lived in my life for a price that is almost UNIMAGINABLE for place of this size in this location.

And even though I'm in my twenties, This will be the most "adult" apartment I have ever lived in.. if that makes any sense? Does that makes sense?

I know it's just an apartment, but it's so hard to find a place like this in SF. We've been searching non-stop for days and days. I was close to giving up and crying. It felt like we were never going to get a break, nothing good would open up to us.

It just did.

But it's not official yet. So I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

I'll keep you posted!

I'm so happy right now. things are looking up...

Well it happened.

Exactly 15 minutes ago I experienced my first earthquake tremor here in San Francisco.

I'm not going to lie...my knee is still involuntarily trembling slightly under the computer desk while I type this and my heart is still pounding hard in my chest.

It truly freaked me out...

*****

I was sitting at my computer desk in the middle of downloading my pictures from my camera into my laptop to post on Flickr. The T.V. was playing the movie "Stay Alive" but I was only half watching. Eric was sketching on the Wacom tablet on the computer desk right next to me. (we have the desks pushed together) Celine was in the kitchen making pizza. John was out visiting a friend from work..

At that moment the desk started to shake. I glanced at my bottle of corona on the computer table and it was rattling.

I looked down to see if one of the cats was under the table and pushing against the sides with their paws. But our cat, Michael was across the room staring at me with wide eyes and Fiona came out from the hallway.

The shaking stopped for a moment, then it started again a little harder this time. It wasn't like I imagined an earthquake to be. It was more like a swaying, rattling feeling. like a sumo wrestler was jumping up and down on the hardwood floor and pushing against the walls.

Then it became stronger. the rattling grew louder. Eric looked over at me with an open mouth, half smiling, half scared. It was hard to read.

I whispered "Oh my god" and looked around the room.

Suddenly this feeling of pure terror washed over me. "What if it gets stronger and worse?? what if all the books start falling off the shelves?? What if the walls cave in?? Am I supposed to duck under the desk?? What the hell am I supposed to do now??!"

"Come with me" Eric stood up and gently (but quickly) moved me towards the door frame. Celine came out of the kitchen and gazed at us.

"What's going on??" She asked nervously

At that moment... it just stopped.

Just like that. We all stood there frozen in place. uncertain whether it was going to come back or if that was it.

We opened the front door and saw that our next door neighbors had opened their front door too. They were around our ages, twenty-somethings. The girl was hugging her boyfriend and she smiled to us.

"Welcome to San Francisco", she said "And THAT was just a small one"

We all laughed nervously.

She went on to explain that she had been here for the 1989 earthquake which had been far more scary.

We chatted with our neighbors for a few minutes and shakily returned to what we were doing.

My first earthquake.

It was exciting in RETROSPECT.. but while it's occuring.. the only word I can use to describe it is..

UNSETTLING.

I still feel all shaken up over it and uneasy... waiting for aftershocks, fearing it's not over...

I guess after a while I'll get used to earthquakes

Did anyone else in the San Francisco area feel this one?

Day 37 of 365 days

I just found this online, it gives more information on the earthquake. It was a 5.6

cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_303231433.html

Day 37 - still searching..., originally uploaded by clarity25.

Yesterday we hit a bunch of dead ends in our hunt for the perfect apartment.

They were either too small or too crummy.. they were perfect inside but the part of town was too shady to walk around in comfortably..or too loud... or the view was facing a dirty brick wall... or it had dirty carpets... no garage.. etc.

One apartment even had a sign warning that the area contained substances that were known to cause cancer and heart defects. (see previous picture)

This information kind of turned us off to THAT place

Very disheartening..

but we still have more apartments to see over the next few days.

I haven't lost hope yet. It was only the first day right?

We have another apartment to see in 20 minutes.

So I have to get going now and post this later.

Day 37 of 365 days

Day 36 - hitting the road, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Finding a good apartment in San Francisco is more challenging than I ever imagined.

First I tried San Francisco Chronicle, Rent.com, sublet.com.. all those websites. They really have nothing to offer.

Craigslist is the place to go.

There are hundreds of listing and they increase in number everytime you refresh the webpage. But it feels like a RACE AGAINST TIME...

I found a great apartment and I excitedly wrote down the number and info on a piece of paper.

I walked away from the laptop to take a shower. When I returned and called the number, I was told: "I'm sorry, Miss, THAT APARTMENT WAS RENTED OUT 5 MINUTES AGO..." I hung up and sighed.

I realized I was going to have to be on the top of my game. Refresh Craigslist every half an hour and keep my eyes peeled.

TODAY it's Time to hit the road and go apartment hunting..

We have four to see today.

We'll be running all over San Francisco

They all sound promising. I'm hoping we get lucky!

We have until November 1st to find the dream apartment, otherwise the lease will have to be extended by an extra month.

Day 36 of 365 days

Day 35 - Friday night at Vertigo, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Eric and I went to Vertigo early to catch the happy hour drink specials.

It was nearly empty!

There are three rooms in the pub. A room with a bar table, a dance room with gilttering Disco balls all over the ceiling and a smoking room with round tables. (Yes, it's true ...a smoking room in San Francisco.. I thought it was only an urban legend)

But the lack of action didn't stop us from ordering a few drinks and chatting together while the music drifted around us and the disco balls swayed overhead.

It was nice just to spend time with Eric alone, just the two of us enjoying eachother's company and re-connecting..

Day 35 of 365 days

We've been here in California now for 34 days..

It's begining to feel like home, but I have this anxiety in my stomach.

We're not entirely settled yet. Everything still feels so new and kind of crazy. I feel like we're on the brink of something. Like something has to give...

Sometimes I miss my old life. Our old home in New York... a steady income, reliable jobs and a place to call our OWN. Living here is so unpredictable.

Our money is running out

We're on the brink of success


or disaster.


So many changes in the past month and a half. My old life is beginning to fade away

I need the confidence inside to take that next big step and I'm scared.

And there's nothing to run back to. We've burnt all the bridges behind us. we can only move forward. We left everything we had and followed our hearts to get here...

But what if we DON'T make it?

Day 34 of 365 days

Day 33 - laundry day, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Laundry day..

Going to a laundromat to do my laundry is a new experience for me.

Most of my previous flats had washers and Dryers already installed. Our building has ONE machine downstairs but it is occupied most of the time.

I'll bring a book or my laptop. Often times the people there also doing their laundry will strike up conversations with me.. I'll end up laughing and the time will go by faster.

This might sound crazy, but people in San Francisco seem happier here. Happier than New York, Germany and Florida.. it's just a vibe I get. I can't put my finger on it.

Another thing I noticed is that they're all creative people. Actress's, Singers, models, and artists. Everyone here I've met has a unique story.




Day 33 of 365 days

Day 32 - Sushi, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Whenever I go grocery shopping, I stop in the sushi section and pick up a carton of Avocado rolls. It's only $3 dollars and it's made fresh in front of you.

The walk up the steep hill to our apartment is brutal. Half way there I am always dizzy and breathless.

I've discovered a way to make it less painful

I'll sit down on the red steps of this beautiful Victorian home half way up the hill with a great view of the bay.

I take the sushi out of my bag. Balance the carton on my lap, pull out my chopsticks and eat it while I watch pedestrians stroll back and forth, take in the sunshine and the environment. It's the most peaceful moment of my day..I see little pugs prancing down the road pulling on their leashes, couples holding hands, bohemians, punks, "yuppies", old hippies from the Summer of Love, "Hipsters". "techies", artists.. passerby's smile at me and I smile back

When I'm finished I put the chopsticks back in the carton, toss it in the trash can on the corner and continue my journey home lugging all my heavy grocery bags up that massive hill with a smile.

It's my secret guilty pleasure.

Now I love Grocery shopping.

Day 32 of 365 days

Day 31 - California, originally uploaded by clarity25.

"And if there is any spot in the world beautifully distracting enough to cure the aching of an everyday heart, San Francisco is surely it."

"San Francisco itself is art, above all literary art. Every block is a short story, every hill a novel. Every home a poem, every dweller within immortal. That is the whole truth."

I snapped this picture while walking through the streets of San Francisco. I was standing on California street at 4:30 P.M. (Right next to Cal Foods, Hyde out pub, and the California Street Cafe)

If you ever get lost, you just have look down at the sidewalks. the street names are all carved into the sidewalks at every corner.

I have these moments where I stop and for that moment time seems to stop.

I think "I live in California now...CALIFORNIA!"

It's still so new to me and exciting. I wonder when this feeling will fade.

I hope it never does.

Day 31 of 365 days

Day 30 - Happy Birthday Eric!, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Today is a special day. It's Eric's birthday.

We went to the California Street Cafe for breakfast. We had fresh croissants, delicious coffee and wraps.

In the afternoon, we went Happy Hour pub crawling. We had 1 dollar Corona's at "the Cellar". We had imported beer with Oysters at &O'Reilly's Holy Grail.

This was my first time really trying Oysters. I looked down at the shells lined up with the slimy booger resembling substance twisted inside. I took a deep breath and cast Eric a doubtful look.

"C'mon try it", He urged.

"Aren't they alive?", I asked

"It depends on your definition of the word. Listen, just follow my lead. Squeeze some lemon over it and plop a dollop of cocktail sauce on it with the little spoon" he instructed.

I did it nervously.

"Now hold the shell up to your lips and whatever you do. DONT LOOK DOWN. That's the key. Just look into my eyes and slurp it out of the shell" Eric continued.

I followed his instructions and gazed into his eyes while I slurped the oyster into my mouth. For a moment I just held it there in my mouth. I was THIS close to spitting it out and running out of the pub screaming in horror.

But I chewed a bit and swallowed. Then I took a big gulp of beer, my eyes wide.

"I DID IT!!" It wasn't as bad as a I anticipated. It had a nice consistency and tasted more like salt water than anything else. Not so scary...

Eric smiled "Okay, next one...."

Afterwards we had a little party at the house with the roommates We had a small cake with candles (see picture above) we sang happy birthday and Eric opened his presents.

Then we headed to the Hemlock Tavern for some more drinks and a few rounds of pool. (Yes, I'm getting better at it...)

Then we went to Encore. It's a karoake bar.

I mentioned to the girl behind the bar that it was Eric's birthday.

She ended up pulling ME onto THE STAGE to sing "happy birthday" in front of THE ENTIRE CROWDED PUB

It was my first time singing Karoake on stage and I'm not much of a singer.

The first moment she handed me the microphone.. I was paralyzed with fear and terror. I kept thinking "this isn't happening". I felt like Cameron Diaz in "My bestfriend's wedding" and my voice is just as bad. But I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Seeing the tears in Eric's eyes while I sang to him on stage made it all worth it in the end.

He hugged me tightly and said "That was the best birthday gift you could have given me. I'll remember that for the rest of my life"

Happy birthday, My love! Here's to many more future birthdays we'll celebrate together and thank you for making me the happiest woman alive.

I love you.

Day 30 of 365 days.

Day 29 - Looking for a new apartment, originally uploaded by clarity25.

With 4 people and 2 cats living in an apartment with only ONE bathroom, it can get pretty crowded. There's very little room to breathe. Privacy is a thing of the past, we're sitting on eachother's laps and sharing everything.

But I guess if there's anywhere in the world to experience living like you're in a Hippie commune, it's San Francisco...

I've been checking the classifieds and Craigslist for affordable apartments in the area.

There AREN'T any...

The average ONE bedroom apartment in San Francisco is $1,400 to $2,600 dollars a month. (and that's the lower end Some apartments run as high as $6,000 a month.) Which is just as bad as Manhattan

Our friend, John's lease for his current apartment ends DECEMBER 1st. He suggested that we stay until then and all move out together into a new bigger apartment. We would all continue living TOGETHER for another year.

If we put all of our money together, we can get a more spacious two bedroom, two bathroom apartment and with all of us chipping in it would be MUCH more affordable than splitting up.

So now we're apartment hunting..

The big question is... WHERE IN SAN FRANCISCO SHOULD WE MOVE?

We can continue living here in the Nob hill/Russian Hill area...(Cable cars and lots of great cafe's, pubs and the San francisco you see in the postcards) but our new apartment wont be much bigger than the current one we have now.

John suggested the Haight/ Ashbury district (The hippie area) or Presidio (closer to the Golden Gate bridge and his job

There's always the Mission District, Pacific Heights, Castro or Bayview.

It's hard to figure out where to even START... We need to move out on Dec 1st, but we want to have a lease signed by the end of this month.

Does anyone that has lived or is currently living in San Francisco have any suggestions or recommendations?

Day 29 of 365 days

Day 28 - Drawing, originally uploaded by clarity25.

I've been working a lot on new Character design sketches and fully rendered drawings for my portfolio with the Wacom computer sketch board.

I'm not used to drawing directly on the computer with an electronic pen. I usually draw on a separate piece of paper and put it on the scanner. So it's a bit of a challenge for me but I'm getting the hang of it.

That corny shirt I'm wearing was purchased during our cross country road trip from New York to San Francisco I bought it at a filling station in Iowa. We bought random shot glasses, mugs, postcards and keychains as mementos from every state we drove through during our 7 day trip.

Okay, that's my picture for the day. I really have to get back to work. I haven't had much time to go online lately, but this weekend I'll be able to catch up on everything.

Day 27 - Library card!, originally uploaded by clarity25.

I have a library card!

I walked down to the library this afternoon. I couldn't believe how big the San Francisco Public Library is! It's in a big white building next to the Courthouse, cityhall and Asian Art Museum. It had four levels filled with endless rows of books.

For a book lover, like myself, this was NIRVANA.

I walked around in amazement.

I checked out my first book and strolled out with a smile.

I ran up the steep hills home to our apartment and proudly showed off my new card to Eric and my roommates.

yeah...It doesn't take much to make me happy.

Next step...

Going to the DMV and getting a San Francisco State Drivers license. I'm slowly becoming an official California resident.

Day 26 - Sunday Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Today we walked across the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was late afternoon when we started. The walk both ways is about 3 miles in distance. It was windy and a fog was rolling over the top of the bridge.

When you hold the railing, you can feel it tremble beneath your hand. The wind whipped through my hair and I peered down at the water swirling below.

The vibration underneath my feet made me think of an impending earthquake. Reading the comments from people that had experienced earthquakes in San francisco, around California and other areas made me feel slightly queasy. ( flickr.com/photos/clarity25/1554683275/ - Scroll down past the picture to read the earthquake experiences of others)

...and of course I thought of how the 1989 earthquake made a part of the Bay Bridge collapse...

There was a teenage girl in the middle of the bridge curled up in a ball on the ground with her face buried against the railing. Her mother was trying to calm her down. Her mother explained to me that she was afraid of heights.

I really felt for her.. and I wondered why on earth her mother took her up to the Golden Gate bridge in the first place

But the walk was exciting and invigorating.... the fresh air, the beautiful view of the bay area, hearing the fog horns from the ships below... I recommend it to anyone living in the San Francisco area or coming to visit. It's just something you have to experience once.

Be sure to bring a jacket though. It can get so cold when the fog moves in and it will come over you so suddenly. I lost feeling in my fingers.

Here's some VIDEO footage. If you look closely you'll see Eric squinting and peering up at the top of the bridge in the beginning. click on the link to view it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVJJm_-atjo

Day 26 of 365 days

Day 25 - trout, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Eric brought home fresh Trout for dinner.

I've eaten a lot of fish in my life but believe it or not.. I've NEVER eaten trout.

I also never ate a fish with it's head still attached to the body. Usually just filet in a sandwich or sushi. When Eric showed me this trout, I literally jumped back.

"What are you going to do with that?" I asked

"Cook it", Eric said. "It's okay, it's dead."

I moved closer and poked it cautiously with my finger. It was slimey.

I know it seems strange that a sushi lover would respond this way to a raw fish. But it's different when it's wrapped in rice and it isn't STARING at you.

"the tongue has little teeth on it." Eric said.

I touched the tongue and winced. ick. Since it was evening and I still hadn't taken a shot for 365 days, I snapped a picture.

Eric grilled the trout and we ate them for dinner.

It was...crunchy. I had to keep spitting out little bones into my napkin. Although trout tastes good and Eric did a great job seasoning it. I don't think I'll be having it again.

I'll just stick with sushi from now on...

Day 25 of 365 days

Day 24 - Friday night at "The Cellar", originally uploaded by clarity25.

We found a cool club on Sutter street called "The Cellar"

Underground, Atmospheric, moody, great music and $1 corona's during Happy Hour.

Celine, Eric and I played a few rounds of pool. I'm not the greatest pool player and after 3 beers.. I was even worse. this picture was taken during that time.

If it looks like I'm holding the cue wrong...

...it's because I was..

But it was such a fun night. A lot of laughter and it was fun running up the hills home. It's wonderful to be in the center of the city and not having to drive anywhere anymore.

Sorry this photo is blurry, but it's the only picture taken on this day.

I had been feeling stressed all week. I was finally able to just entirely unwind and let go.

I found a website called "Unthirsty.com".. You just type in the name of your city and will tell you where to find all the happy hours in your area. it's worth checking out

Day 23 - Layers, originally uploaded by clarity25.

One Important thing I learned about living in San Francisco

Always dress in Layers.

In the morning it can be cold, then really hot in the afternoon, then cool in the evening.

During as simple stroll through the city, I'll pull off my hoodie, put it back on, then pull it off again. The weather keeps shifting. Fog rolls in, Fog rolls out, rain falls, the sun emerges..

Right now it's raining, I'm sure it'll clear up by this afternoon. The weather never stays the same way for long around here.

Sorry for being M.I.A. lately, I took a picture every day but didn't have the opportunity to upload all of them until now. You can click back to view the past five days.

I've been working hard on preparing my portfolio for future interviews and I haven't had much free time. I was just offered a freelance job. It's small,(not much money) but it's a start. It's a good side job while I continue learning the computer programs I need to know for the position I really want.

I'm nervous about entering the job market again.

Day 23 of 365 days

Day 22 - Earthquakes???, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Before moving to San Francisco, I knew that experiencing an earthquake was going to be inevitable. Everyone talks about when "the big one" is going to hit.

I always check the "earthquake" week section of "the San Francisco Chronicle" with a mixture of fascination and trepidation. It's something that's so foreign to me and yet a commonplace occurance for most California natives.

Last week there were 143 documented Earthquakes in the bay area. This week 120.

I asked John if he ever felt an earthquake during his time in California (approx. 11 months)

"Of course", he responded

"What was it like?" I asked

"the first time was extremely unsettling in a way I can't put my finger on...unlike anything I ever felt before and it disturbed me down to my inner core. but you get used to it..in a way. Most of the earthquakes I experienced was during my time in Berkley and Oakland." he continued "But it's just a part of living here. something that comes with the territory. But don't worry...Most of them are so small, you don't even feel it."

I bit my lip and gazed down at the newspaper.

Earthquakes...

Has anyone else felt one before? What was it like?

Day 22 of 365 days

Day 21 - The Streets of San Francisco, originally uploaded by clarity25.

I love walking up and down the streets of San francisco. there are some hills that overlook the entire city. It's always a breathtaking sight for me.

I'm completely in love with this city. Everytime I step out of my front door, I'm filled with a happiness I can't quite describe adequately in words.

I just can't help but smile.

"If you're alive, you can't be bored in San francisco. If you're not alive... San Francisco will bring you life"
-William Saroyan

day 21 of 365 days

Day 20 - Marriage, originally uploaded by clarity25.

5 years ago, these little figurines were given to us as a gift and placed on top of our wedding cake.

Everytime we move to a new location, we carefully unwrap it from newspaper and place it somewhere in our flat.

It's just a tradition.

We went through a hard time less than a year ago when my father expressed his extreme disapproval with my decision over marrying Eric. During that time, the figurines fell off the dresser and broke apart on the hardwood floor.

See picture here --- flickr.com/photos/clarity25/414899059/in/set-721575943284...

I wish I had my father's blessing, but my love and marriage to Eric runs deeper than he realizes. We've been through so much. Nothing is going to come inbetween us. He completes me.

Someday my father will understand this. I just have to be patient.

I superglued them back together.

And here they are in San Francisco in one piece. I put the figurines carefully onto our windowsill.

During our many moves, we've lost a lot of sentimental items and sold most of our belongings, we've been reduced to suitcase, 2 boxes and a bag of clothing

but this is one thing we always manage to hold on to.

Day 20 of 365 days

Day 19 - Reading, originally uploaded by clarity25.

My bestfriend recommended "Memoirs of a Geisha".

I found a copy at the thrift shop on the corner of Polk and California street. Only 25 cents.

Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.

It's an intensely captivating book. I really recommend it.. if you haven't already read it.

Day 19 of 365 days

Day 18 - Me and Eric on the roof, originally uploaded by clarity25.

It's Fleet week in San Francisco.

Eric, Celine and I sat down on the rooftop with all the other people living in this apartment building and watched the show.

You can see Eric sporting some TOPGUN shades for the occasion. I love the look, I smile everytime I see this picture. he should wear those shades more often:)

Technically this IS a self-portrait. That's my foot in the lower right hand corner.

I actually took some VIDEO FOOTAGE with my camera of the planes performing

Here is a clip of a smaller plane doing tricks in the air over the bay area.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLo4zfTBEOs

Here's footage of the larger jets arriving and flying in over our heads I also panned over the area so you can see our view from the roof of the golden gate bridge.

youtube.com/watch?v=5D46iilOIFg

The experience was exciting. I've never seen a flight show before. The blue angels flew right over our building at one point. The sound was so loud, we all covered our ears and looked up in surprise. It gave me a big rush and a slight tinge of fear as it zoomed over head.

People were on all the rooftops all around us...cheering, drinking and pointing up at the sky.

Day 18 of 365 days

Day 17 - Back in San Francisco, originally uploaded by clarity25.

I'm back in San Francisco!

My cats survived the flight.. I survived the flight... although it was a BAD experience. Flying alone with 2 cats is more awful then I expected. (see Day 16 for details -- I flew with AMERICAN AIRLINES. I had problems coming and problems returning. Just a heads up to anyone planning a plane trip in the future.)

My cats, Michael and Fiona are doing fine now though. All is well.

It's so great to be back in California. Eric and I ran to eachother in the airport. He swung me around in circles. I'm home! It's like a warming filter was cast over everything. The weather is beautiful, my mood improved.

Just being here in San Francisco makes me happy in a way I can't describe...Sometimes I feel like I'm going to wake up one morning to discover that this is all really a dream. I'm waiting for something tragic to happen. Nothing in my life has EVER been this good for this long...

In the morning we went to Washington Square to do some sketching..and had half-price cocktails at "Sushi Rock" on Polk street

This picture was taken in Presidio park.

We went their in the afternoon. We walked along the water, climbed on the rocks.. strolled to the spot where they filmed "Vertigo"

It's good to be back.

Tomorrow we'll be going up to the roof to watch the Blue Angels perform a flight show with fighter jets over San Francisco.

Anyone living in this area can probably also hear them flying overhead while I type this. They're in the middle of a practice run. The sound is insanely loud...It's been like this since I returned from New York.

I'll try to get some good pics

Day 17 of 365 days

Day 15 - Saying Goodbye, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Our Old apartment is now entirely empty. I walked through the flat listening the sound of my footsteps and closed all the windows.

Every room held a memory of our life in New York. Memories of the day we first moved in.. ( SEE HERE... )

Memories of what the livingroom looked like after the first week..( SEE HERE ) -- So Different from how it looks today in this shot...

How happy we were when we had everything moved in... ( SEE HERE )

It's strange when one chapter of your life officially ends and another one begins.

I handed over our keys to the landlord. He gave us back our full deposit.

and that was it...

Yesterday I brought Michael to the vet and has a clean bill of health.

Today I managed to get Fiona into the carrying case by wrapping her up in a towel and putting her inside before she broke free. (it was the ONLY way!). She screamed bloody murder the entire drive to the vet. She also has a clean bill of health and all her required shots.

They have all the documents they need for air travel. I am officially ready to take our two cats back to San Francisco with me.

The three of us are flying to California tomorrow morning.

Day 15 of 365 days

Day 14 - Michael goes to the Vet, originally uploaded by clarity25.

Today I had to take our two cats. (Michael --see above picture-- and Fiona) to the Vet for their required health certificate and updated vaccination shots for their airline travel to California.

Michael didn't give me much of a problem. He went into his carrying case and allowed me to close the latch.

But Fiona flipped out.

I tried to lift Fiona up and place her into the case. She started screaming. Her claws came out and she struggled to escape from my grasp. My arms were becoming a scratching post. I managed to get her inside, but she pushed open the door as I tried to close it and lept out.

She hid under the bed growling, shaking, trembling and refused to come out for the doctor's appointment.

Since we were already running late. I just took Michael.

His health is top notch. (although the doctor said he could "lose a few pounds") He took all his shots like a champ.

Tomorrow I will try again to bring our other cat, Fiona to the vet...

....She still wont come out from under the bed.

How do I get her into that carrying case??

Day 14 of 365 day

Day 13 - Hanging out with my sisters, originally uploaded by clarity25.

It's nice to be back home with my family for a week.

I left for San Francisco earlier this month without really being able to say a proper goodbye to my friends and family.

I'm glad I came back to New York

I took this picture with my 13 year old sister. I was helping her study for her Biology Test (that's my finger pointing to the textbook).. but we ended up spending more time gossiping about her school life.

I also saw "Across the Universe" with my 21 year old sister, Laura It was the best movie I've seen in a long time. I want to see it again. Anyone else see it?

Day 13 of 365 days

Day 12 - Time to Clean, originally uploaded by clarity25.

I'm back in New York and I have 4 days to clean out our OLD APARTMENT entirely.

We moved to San Francisco before our lease officially ended and we didn't have time to clear out the entire flat.

Now I need to move out all remaining furniture to the curb, dust the ledges, clean the windows, mop the floors and do some serious vacuuming before the landlord comes to get the keys.

It's important that we get our full deposit back.

I snapped this picture while I was wiping the dirt off the bathroom mirror. I was sweaty and my hands were covered in grime.

fun stuff.

I have to get back to work.

Day 12 of 365 days