A Day In San Francisco

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The ‘Open Heart’ sculpture at Pier 39.

 

About a week ago, my friend Eva invited me to spend a day with her in San Francisco. Other than having a tremendous heart, she is a great friend. The history behind our friendship goes way back to when we worked together (she was once my manager). We’ve actually known each other a lot longer than that because her mother’s younger sister is married to my father’s younger brother. Although we live in the same town, we don’t always get to see or talk to each other every day or every week.

On Saturday, Eva picked me up around 10:30 a.m. and as we drove in to San Francisco, it dawned on me that she wasn’t using the map on her cell phone. I asked her about it and was told she wouldn’t have any problem finding her way around the city because she was familiar with the area.

 

The Transamerica Pyramid in downtown San Francisco

 

Eva proceeded to drive to an area of San Francisco where I probably last visited about 10 years ago. We pulled into a motel’s somewhat small, cramped parking garage just about a block north of Chinatown. Note to self: the next time I know I’m going to be walking non-stop along several, narrow and somewhat uneven blocks, please do some stretching before I start walking! 🚶‍♀️😏

 

Francis Ford Coppola’s restaurant in North Beach.

 

I forgot just how many tourists visit here during the weekend and summer! Various crowds of people flocked along the narrow streets of Chinatown, walking in and out of different businesses and soaking in the beautiful, sunny San Francisco skyline. A smell that often resonated with me during our time in Chinatown was of fish, which we smelled as we walked by some of the shops. 🐟 We walked in to some different shops and found items, like a Bruce Lee t-shirt for Eva’s brother, a doll for her granddaughter and personalized keychains for her two sons.

We must have walked for about two and a half hours around Chinatown. By now it was 1:15 p.m. and we were both in search of a bathroom and food! We walked around hoping we’d remember our way back to Eva’s car. At that point, I turned on my phone’s map, which was taking forever to load. Finally, as we got closer to North Beach, she pulled out her parking ticket and looked at the address. We walked in the opposite direction of where we were and within a matter of eight minutes, we were reunited with her car! 🚗

Next, Eva drove to our next destination, Pier 39. Thankfully we found parking in the garage located across the pier. Another note to self: if we can make it happen next time, go to San Francisco during the week–NOT during the weekend! Let’s just say there were LOTS of tourists there! I found it more bearable to walk around here than Chinatown because there was ample space–except for when someone stood right, smack in the middle of where we wanted to walk through. 🙄

 

Looking out towards the bay from Pier 39.

 

We had discussed eating lunch at the Hard Rock Café. As we got in line outside of the cafe’s entrance, we overheard the woman in front of us say it would take an hour to be seated and an additional 25 minutes to wait for your order’s arrival. 🙄 Yeah, we weren’t going to wait that long, so we walked around some more until we came across Luigi’s Pizzeria, which Eva had initially suggested. We were seated within five minutes; I then ordered a small, pesto pizza, while Eva ordered a small, mushroom pizza. 🍕 The pizza here was very tasty (it somewhat reminded me of La Vera’s Pizza in Santa Rosa, which I just discovered closed its doors last month). After we finished lunch, we walked towards The Candy Baron, which is a candy store filled with nostalgic candy, as well as candy you can normally find at your local Safeway or Rite Aid. I found one of my favorite chocolate bars there, the Curly Wurly. The deliciousness of milk chocolate and caramel together is what I love! 🍫

About 30 minutes later, we left Pier 39 and walked across the street to check out some of the other shops. I had been craving some ice cream since we first arrived, so the search was on! We walked in to The San Francisco Chocolate Store, which sells chocolates of different variations and Eva wondered if maybe they sold ice cream. Sure enough, as we were almost out the door, we noticed the ice cream, as well as custard. Eva ordered Rocky Road and Mexican Vanilla Custard, while I ordered the Mexican Vanilla and Chocolate Custard. OMG!! The custard was so delicious!! 😋 🍮🍨

 

Mexican Vanilla and Chocolate Custard for dessert.

 

 

My friend Eva.

 

After dessert, we decided it was finally time to wrap up our visit and head back home, where the weather was still hot. ☀️ We had a great day playing tourists in the city! I’m so grateful to Eva for her kind gesture and friendship. ❤️😃

 

The area in front of the tan wall once housed Tower Records. The street’s name reminded me of singer and teen idol Davy Jones of The Monkees.

 

 

The Golden Gate Bridge hiding behind the fog’s haze as we headed back north.

 

 

The tunnel named after former, longtime Marin County resident, actor and comedian Robin Williams.

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A Day Out in Sebastopol

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My brother and I have always been really close. There was a time when I was younger (e.g. in my teens) that if I wanted to go somewhere, such as to a concert in another city, I wasn’t allowed to go unless my brother drove me. Now the roles are reversed and I’m his chauffeur (he is no longer able to drive). Last Friday, I drove us in to the town of Sebastopol, which is about a 30 minute drive east of Bodega Bay.


 

One of my brother’s friends, DeAnna Batdorff, is the owner of the dhyana Center. In fact, he has been friends with her for over 20 years, having helped her before she actually opened up her business in downtown Sebastopol. We’re both happy to see her business thriving because she has placed her heart and soul into the Center, which has created a space for those wanting to learn about Ayurveda and it also provides a self-care sanctuary for people who desire a ‘time-out’ day for themselves.

The dhyana Center is a Ayurvedic school, a self-care studio and community center. It offers the following services: Yoga classes; a treatment center where you can receive a deep tissue massage or a pulse consultation from one of the Center’s knowledgeable practitioners; and you can treat yourself to a non-alcoholic drink in the Apothecary Bar. There is also a retail store located in the Center, which carries an array of items, like nourishing teas, essential oils and salt scrubs.

 

The Apothecary Bar at the dhyana Center. They have a variety of cooling and hot drinks to choose from.

 

Within about five minutes after arriving at the Dhyana Center, my brother asked if I wanted a drink. I replied, “Yes.” He ordered a Margarita drink for himself, which looked a little too familiar. 🍸😆

 

The cooling, Margarita drink.

 

The Margarita consisted of cucumber, coriander, umeboshi, lemon juice and zest, honey harlequin, house-made celery tincture, sumac and salt rim. I took a sip of it and found it rather tasty and refreshing.

 

My brother, enjoying his drink.

 

As I quickly glossed over the drink menu, I chose the Mayan Elixir. This drink consisted of local, organic rose water, coconut milk, cocoa powder, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, pink salt and brown rice.  ☕

The hot drink I chose, the Mayan Elixir.

My brother looked at me with some skepticism because I had ordered a hot drink on a warm, sunny day. I stated I wasn’t going to change my mind. After taking a few sips of the Mayan Elixir, I’m glad I chose it because it certainly reminded me of drinking hot chocolate–a favorite of mine.

After being at the dhyana Center for about an hour, we planned to have lunch at a restaurant I had been wanting to try for quite some time. The restaurant is called Slice of Life. My brother told me it had been quite a few years since he last ate there, so he was looking forward to it.

 

Slice of Life is a vegetarian restaurant located in downtown Sebastopol.

 

Sweet Potato Fries, which our waitress brought to us by mistake.

 

There are so many menu choices! Deciding what to order proved to be difficult. Do I order a hamburger, taco or pizza? My brother also contemplated the same thing…until he finally chose the Sampler Plate, which consists of organic brown rice and steamed vegetables with their sauce of the day, organic beans, guacamole and salsa on a bed of crispy corn tortilla chips, with two choices from tempeh, tofu and seitan.

 

My brother chose Slice of Life’s Sampler Plate.

 

I enjoy tacos, so I opted for a healthier choice–sans a few things it normally comes with. 😉

 

I ordered the Street Tacos, which consists of a corn tortilla, guacamole, cilantro, onions, a drizzle of chipotle queso and your choice of raja peppers, beans & rice, roasted cauliflower or marinated tempeh–when available. I asked the waitress if they provide one or two tacos with the order; she stated just one. Because I forgot to ask what size tortillas they use, I ordered two, along with rice, pinto beans and cilantro. The tacos were good, but I wish I would have given the roasted cauliflower or marinated tempeh a try. Okay, maybe next time. 🌮

Nevertheless, we had a great time in Sebastopol and we will be returning soon! 😃

The dhyana Center is located at 186 North Main St., Ste. 250, Sebastopol, California. The Center is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 707-823-8818 or go to: https://www.dhyanacenter.com/

Slice of Life is located at 6970 McKinley Ave., Sebastopol, California. For more information about the restaurant or its hours, call 707-829-6627 or go to: https://www.thesliceoflife.com/

Song Sunday: The Carpenters

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I have loved The Carpenters music for as long as I can remember! Karen Carpenter had such an amazing, angelic voice and was considered to be one of the best female vocalists of all-time.

Sometimes a song’s lyrics just speak to you. This is one of my favorite songs sung by the Grammy Award-winning siblings. 👫🎤🎹🥁🎵❤️

Peter Tork of The Monkees Dies

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Singer, musician and actor Peter Tork from The Monkees has died. He was 77.

Tork appeared in the 1966-1968 NBC-TV comedy series The Monkees, playing a clueless, yet likable version of himself. In real life, Tork was a smart, accomplished musician, singer and songwriter, who wrote and co-wrote songs, some of which were contributed to the series, including “For Pete’s Sake,” “No Time” and “Goin’ Down.” Tork played bass guitar and keyboard and since 1986, had performed in various concert reunions with fellow-Monkees band members David ‘Davy’ Jones, Micky Dolenz and Michael ‘Mike’ Nesmith. Tork was also known for his folk and blues music, having played in the band Shoe Suede Blues.

Besides starring in The Monkees, Tork also made appearances in other TV series’, including Wings, The King of Queens and played Topanga Lawrence’s father in Boy Meets World.

Tork was the oldest member of The Monkees, having just celebrated his birthday on February 13th. Davy Jones, the youngest band member (at age 66), died February 29, 2012 of a severe heart attack.

Peter Tork is survived by his wife Pamela, two siblings and his three children from previous marriages: daughters Hallie Tork, Erica Tork and son Ivan Iannoli.

Tork acting in The Monkees:

One of the songs Tork co-wrote, which appeared on The Monkees TV show:

Performing with his band Shoe Suede Blues:

Born On This Day: Molly Ringwald and John Hughes

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Actress and singer Molly Ringwald, who starred in the film Pretty In Pink celebrates her 51st birthday today.

Pretty In Pink writer and co-executive producer John Hughes, who also created such classic films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, was also born on this day. He would have celebrated his 69th birthday today.

Lastly, a PIP anniversary takes place on February 28, which marks 33 years since the film’s U.S. release.

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Rest In Peace, James Ingram

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R&B singer and songwriter James Ingram, a double Grammy winner and two-time Oscar nominee, who in the 1980’s and ’90s was best known for hits like “Just Once,” “I Don’t Have the Heart,” “Baby, Come to Me” with Patti Austin and “Somewhere Out There” with Linda Rostandt, has died. He was 66.

Here are just some of Ingram’s classic songs. May he and his soulful voice Rest In Peace. 🎤📻🎵 📺

 

Welcoming 2019

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In perspective, 2018 seemed somewhat tame compared to 2015, which is when I stepped in to help my parents and brother, who all became ill that same year. It’s been tough, not only for them, but for myself. I’ve had numerous challenges come my way and I am still learning. Fast forward to the present, they are fine at the moment, but only God knows what will happen in the future. I’m trying my best not to worry when it concerns them, but–as with most families–you sometimes can’t help it. 🤔 At this point, all I can do is just take it one day at a time and not dwell on what could happen.

For the last three-plus years or so, one of my best friends (“C”), who I’ve known since fifth grade, has been encouraging me to start writing again. I’ve hesitated to pick up my pen and paper to do just that because I’ve been going through my own personal challenges, as well as keeping busy with helping my family. For the most part, I felt unaccomplished for much of 2018. 😔 I also know that I’ve always placed a lot on pressure on myself into setting goals and completing them. However, I didn’t complete any of my goals for lack of motivation and because I became discouraged. It wasn’t until I read an article written by a friend, where she briefly discussed her upbringing, the genre of writing she got into and the television pioneer, whose own life inspired her to follow her dream of becoming an entertainment writer and reporter based in Los Angeles. She has inspired me to seek out new opportunities, as did my brother, who has encouraged me to carve my own niche and write about things around me. In 2019, I intend to seek out more adventures and write about them. I may not be taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe just yet, but I can find other things or places to discuss and share with readers.

In 2018, I took small steps into practicing self-care. As a caregiver, you tend to forget about yourself because you’re always taking care of others. Well, in 2019, I intend to do the opposite. I will still be there for my family, but I will also be putting myself first when it comes to working on tasks that are of importance to me.

On a sad note, 2018 ended with the deaths of two people, who were part of my extended family: my cousin’s husband–who I had known since I was an infant–and my other best friend’s (“I”) father, who was a good friend of my parents’ and who I had known since I was three-years-old. This will be a somber week, but both families are strong and they have the support of one another, including their friends.

Intending you have a joyous New Year, one filled with great health, happiness, love and prosperity. 📆 🤞🏼