Fashion Friday: H&M…Again…Another Post to Reiterate the Obvious

Posted on November 30, 2012 // Leave a Comment

It is a winter wonderland around the Financial District and Union Square. Office buildings are decorated. Displays are festive. After work, I couldn’t help but walk into Zara, craving their elegant wool coats. It’s haute couture at middle class prices. If you are in need of a new coat, Zara has beautiful ones for $180-225. I had to force myself out of the store. I don’t need another coat! Besides, it never gets that cold in SF anyway.

What I do need are some basics (tees and leggings) so I headed straight to H&M. Everything is dirt cheap and well made, for the most part. I am a leggings whore and my favorite pair is from H&M.

Check out my goods: chinos, leggings, a long-sleeved top, 2 tees, and a tank top. There wasn’t a single item more than $15. My total came out to $82. $82!!!! Why shop anywhere else?

I am thoroughly convinced that if my wardrobe went up in flames, I could completely rebuild it with a $200 gift certificate to H&M.

You’re not going to find a special occasion dress at H&M. Zara’s a good place for that. And you’re not going to find office clothing at H&M either. I like Ann Taylor for work stuff. But seriously people, stay away from Nordstroms and Macys. H&M is the only place to shop.

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Welcome Baby Dean!

Posted on November 29, 2012 // 1 Comment

Did I grab your attention? November Fools!

No I am not prego. But there is a new baby Dean in the world.

I was so honored to hear all the blessings for my friend (the mom) and her newborn Thanksgiving baby (Dean) at her synagogue. All the grandparents and the aunt gave personal speeches welcoming him into this world. So moving. This baby will clearly have the support of a loving family and faith community. I got teary-eyed!

I came by myself to the congregation and everyone was really welcoming. Probably because I stood out!

I was thinking that Catholic churches aren’t overly welcoming, I certainly don’t go up to strangers at church and introduce myself. But then again, everyone kinda blends in at mass so you really have no idea whether they’re a visitor or a regular.

I took as many pictures as I could after I asked permission. I chose a picture that’s mostly anonymous–with almost all the faces indistinguishable. And Dean is the baby’s middle name. I am still wondering whether I will give my kid an online presence without their permission. While I grapple with that, I figured I’d only reveal the baby’s middle name—which is a great one!

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30+ Years of Friendship

Posted on November 28, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Last weekend, I got to spend some time with Conrado who was home for the holidays. Conrado has been my friend since the 2nd grade. We’re both 37 years old. That’s 30 years of friendship. Can you believe that? A show of virtual hands if you still talk to someone from elementary school on a regular basis.

I got into an argument with someone over my belief that it’s rare to find people who are still regularly in touch with friends from grammar school or high school. He disagreed. I told him he was the exception. Not sure how to go about finding the right answer, but feel free to comment based on your experience.

Conrado, a friend, and I went to the Badlands in the Castro. Considering I am straight, I’ve been spending way too much time in the gayborhood. Wow, and people were getting down and dirty. OMG. Conrado made the comment that in Seattle, maybe you’d see 2 people dancing at the most. At the Badlands, there must’ve been at least 20 people flailing around on a dance floor the size of a Twister mat. If it hadn’t been a school night, I would’ve stuck around. Good music to dance to.

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When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

Posted on November 27, 2012 // Leave a Comment

Not wanting to end on a negative note after the previous post, here’s an anonymous poem our priest read at mass last Sunday. Simple and beautiful.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

That poem goes to show how little things matter, and how actions say so much more than words.

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Money Monday: Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

Posted on November 26, 2012 // Leave a Comment

If you go to the Wikipedia site right now, you’ll see a note at the top of the site asking for donations. I probably hit Wikipedia at least once a day. Because I find it so useful, I donate. If you benefit from the site, you should too. One of the lines in the Prayer of St. Francis says, “For it is in giving that we receive.” Do your part and donate to your favorite non-profits during this season of giving.

Just like what Wikipedia is doing right now and national public radio does once a year, the Catholic Church is going through its Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. Every church is assessed some amount that needs to be collected, otherwise the money is taken from the church’s savings. As roaming Catholics, Dean and I don’t consistently go to one parish. We’re all over the place and every week, I’m referring to a comprehensive mass schedule that I’ve noted on my Blackberry.

Every church we’ve been to refers to these generic pamphlets which break down how the money is spent: 16% parish ministry and support, 21% clergy support, 14% archdiocesan direct ministry and so on. The only thing I’ve heard from the priests is, “If you feel like you’re a member of this community, please contribute.”

Now if I were a priest, I’d get up there and tell my parishioners, “Here is how the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal directly benefits us…” Then I would go into specific, clear examples of why donating my money to this particular campaign is a worthy cause. Without the background, I don’t want to donate. For all I know, the money is being used for the sexual abuse litigation. Don’t really feel compelled to spend my hard-earned money on that!

I know churches are non-profits and non-profits have zero business savvy, but some of this stuff is pure common sense.

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Best Ever Day Trip from San Francisco

Posted on November 25, 2012 // 15 Comments

We spent Thanksgiving locally here in the Bay Area. The following day I volunteered at my high school’s homecoming event. By the time Sunday rolled around, I was itching to get out of town. I spent Saturday night researching places until 3am. Still hadn’t figured it out in the morning, then settled on Half Moon Bay since it was already Noon and figured the drive was only about 30 minutes.

I furiously scrawled down restaurants, beaches, state parks, a church, and other points of interest on the front and back of a yellow piece of construction paper.

We had a beautiful drive down the Pacific Coast Highway and stopped in the beachy town of El Granada for a late brunch at Cafe Classique. Too cute and the food was delish. I got a ginormous chocolate chip cookie that I can only describe as fluffy. I considered buying a couple for the road.

With happy tummies, we back-tracked literally a few seconds away to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach. After all these years growing up in the Bay Area, I’d never heard of this place. Tidal pools are best for marine life viewing during low tide (duh); so it’s best to check the tidal schedule which I found online. Seems like other people were just as smart as I was because there were definitely other groups of people there, including a Boy Scout troop.

This is probably the best educational, science-y, day trip experience I’ve had since Roatan. We saw: sea anemones, urchins, sponges, starfish, shrimp, tiny fish, hermit crabs, regular crabs, harbor seals, and a heron. I could’ve spent hours there. Forget Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is the place to be! The docents are rockstars–generous of their time and extremely knowledgable. Also check out the 2 pairs of marine life I found mating. I bet they were super annoyed that I picked them up to take their picture. Hey, you gotta capture the moment!

We ended our day walking around downtown Half Moon Bay, and watching the Niners game at a majestic bar serving very tasty bratwursts. I am falling in love with the Bay Area all over again!

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Thanksgiving Afternoon and Fresh Air

Posted on November 24, 2012 // Leave a Comment

On Thanksgiving, we went for a hike (more like a jaunt) in the Marin Headlands near the Point Bonita Lighthouse before the evening celebration with family.

San Francisco, you are so pretty!

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Fashion Friday: You’re So Vain

Posted on November 23, 2012 // Leave a Comment

People talk about vanity as if it’s a bad thing. It’s not. I think of it as a healthy respect for your appearance and yourself. I actually think it’s crucial.

Here’s what happens when you have no vanity.

 

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Thanksgiving 2012

Posted on November 22, 2012 // Leave a Comment

I am thankful for:

My health. Because even when I’m sick, I know it’s only temporary.

A husband who is the best animal imitator. He cracks me up every day with the most random things that come out of his mouth.

My family. For parents who stay up past midnight doing my laundry (and Dean’s!), do my Costco shopping, cook and tupperware us food, and wash my car.

A career in a field that’s exciting and relevant with products and services that every single person in the world needs and can benefit from.

Friends who I’ve shared magical memories with: from growing up in Alameda, cramming late night for exams, traveling all around the world, complaining about work, riding around in an art car exploring the playa, or drinking and eating way too much. Friends I see in-person and those I interact with virtually. I have always felt so supported by my friendships.

Our home in San Francisco. This is the best place I’ve ever lived.

I am thankful to God for all of the above, for keeping me and my family safe and healthy, and for always giving me what I needed when I needed it.

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Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon

Posted on November 21, 2012 // Leave a Comment

I was listening to an interview of Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com, who I consider not only smart, but creative and forward-thinking. You know how there are really smart people who are leaders, but can’t seem to see beyond the present day. Those leaders will languish, while the creative ones will really contribute to our future.

The whole interview was a smorgasbord of insight. Check it out here.

The snippet I really appreciated was about how he spent his summers with his grandfather. At the local library, someone had donated a collection of science fiction books and over the course of several years, he read all the books. Anyhow, these futuristic books really opened his mind up to possibilities the average person doesn’t even think about. Love that because I truly believe you have to read a lot to move ahead in life. Not surf the web or read blogs, but read books.

Also, meetings at Amazon start with all the participants reading several pages of a memo. Actual paragraphs and sentences to form a cohesive point. Not bullet points on a PowerPoint presentation. He feels that creating a story and narrative forces the person leading the meeting to fully flesh out the idea. And the meetings all begin with everyone sitting there and reading quietly.

Pretty fascinating stuff. Wish I could afford the stock!

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