SLO happy

Such a busy, busy two weeks that we have had here. Before the chaos began, I was able to explore downtown SLO without all the crowds and vendors that gather on Thursday nights. Beside all the clothing stores that taunt me with their “3 tanks for $10” signs, I happened upon so pleasant art shops, music stores selling vinyl, and even a creekside park (shown below). Many of the restaurants along the creek have outdoor dining and with the weather the way it is here, I’m sure they get good use of it year round.

Then the weekend hit and it was off to San Fransisco. This trip was less about sightseeing and more about picking up the bride and groom (M & G) for their wedding which was to take place the following Friday here in Los Osos. We might not have seen much of San Fransisco but we made some stops on the way back so that G (who is from Kenya) would be able to see some sights as well. Below are a few pictures from a quick detour we just had to take when I heard we were near Santa Clara. When I was looking at schools for my Undergrad, Santa Clara was at the top of the list because of their stellar soccer team and the players they put out into professional leagues. Somewhere deep down inside me there’s a voice telling me it’s not too late and that I should try for Grad School! The first picture is taken outside their beautiful chapel (the kind that is booked out for years for weddings every weekend).

 

Then came the wedding preparations. As you can see from the picture below, the site for M&G’s wedding was a little hard on the feet but it was easy on the eyes. Spooner’s Cove is located in Montana de Oro below the Bluffs that I like to run. It is not always the warmest or clearest part of the coast but they had a beautiful day for the wedding! (more photos to come later on)

Work last week took me to many of the different locations for in service meetings but somewhere along the way we managed to stop for a quick bite to eat. This place, called Fig, has been on my mind ever since. I had the most delicious Moroccan Chickpea and Lentil soup and all I want to do is find my way back there.

Another nice place to eat is Ventana Grill, which is owned by the company I am interning for. The views from the dining room are absolutely incredible and the food is fresh (the kind of fresh that means green and bright and not bogged down with additives). This is another place I would recommend stopping to eat if you ever find yourself along the central coast.

Muy muy delicioso.

Late last week, the rest of the wedding guests arrived and the party began! The wedding rehearsal consisted mostly of climbing rocks…but hey! look at that view! It wasn’t easy getting up to the top but it was worth it in the end (i’m just glad I can still climb – it takes me back!)

Here’s a cute shot of the unique, but very appropriate cake for M&G. Being as M met G in Kenya while she was working, a cake like this couldn’t have suited them any better. The cake toppers were done by M herself!

Scattered around the yard, we had little signs like these that once again brought the two cultures together and fit the couple so well.

Once the chaos subsided, it was back to exploring. My aunt, cousin and I wandered back to SLO and she showed us an apparently famous wall….a wall of GUM. It was absolutely repulsing and yet intriguing at the same time so of course we wandered through the whole thing…with gum surrounding us. Some local businesses have gone so far as to stick their cards on the wall in hopes of getting business? … it’s safe to say, they won’t be getting mine. yuck!

This week has been all about surf camp, not for me but for my cousin. However it led to my greatest discovery yet – Avila Beach! Avila is a south facing beach so it’s usually the warmest and the least windy. Not only that but there is a trail close by to run called the Bob Jones Trail. It is 3 miles one way and 6 if you turn back (which I have no choice but to do). The goal is to make it a whole 6 miles eventually but for now I’ll stick with my walk back. Walking is how I discovered the spots by the water like the one below.

When you finish up your run, there are shops along the beach that offer cool refreshment and rejuvenation. My two favorites are the Avila Grocery and Deli and Joe Momma’s. I usually grab a bite to eat at the grocery store then head to Joe Momma’s for a smoothie or coffee. Views from the coffee shop are amazing as usual with a seating area upstairs that looks out over the beach.

The shot below was taken from the stairs that lead up to the beach (also a nice place to sit and enjoy the view). *French Kiss was the name of the smoothie and it is a lot like a pina colada.

Here is a look at one side of the beach from the pier.

The last thing I wanted to show you for now is a place I happened upon while driving to work. I was a little ahead of schedule and there is a park that I always pass on the way that looks like a great place to sit or walk. After making a few guesses, I found the right exit and found myself looking out at yet another wonderful view.

I am truly blessed to have an opportunity to see all these places and to experience them without the rushing around that is my normal life. I’ve had time to really think about what I want out of life and how I want to give back and I think that this place is really on to something! If you have the chance to visit, I highly recommend San Luis Obispo. It’s hard not to be in awe of your surroundings and really take time to appreciate it and take it all in. Here’s to making the most of my last month here! Who knows…maybe I’ll have a new furry friend soon to share it with 🙂 (hiii mom! – love youuuuu)

*click the smiley to see the husky!

the SLO life continues

Today marks the end of my first week in San Luis Obispo! It was nice to have the time to settle in and catch up on my sleep, but I am excited and ready to delve into my internship. Here are a few more pictures from my week of exploration.

Pismo Beach is one of the closest and well-known beaches of the area and it is only about a five minute drive from my internship site (but around 25 from where I am staying). After meeting with my supervisor, I was able to wander on down to the beach and walk around all while drinking a nice cup of Joe (found at The Coffee Cove). The wonderful young ladies there welcomed me into town and gave me some information on amazing places to visit during my stay (thank you!).

Here is a panoramic shot of the beach (I only discovered this wonderful feature when my phone almost slipped through my fingers to the sand below – fortunately enough for me i caught it and noticed the panoramic button!) — Tadaaa

The enlarged picture really does this one justice so I encourage you to click on it.

After walking along the beach, I was excited to head back to the town of Morro Bay for my afternoon run. This run took me by Morro Rock and then right into the little town, past cute little shops and restaurants that line the Marina.

Wednesday evening I joined the choir practice at Nativity of Our Lady where my uncle is the Deacon and Music Minister. I look forward to singing beside him throughout the duration of my stay. This also gives me a chance to tune up the old pipes since the semester did not give me much time to sing. Speaking of singing, a dear friend Erik Christensen has released his new EP! If you are interested please check it out and buy it. Don’t be bashful, you’ll love it and I know he would love the support.

To conclude this little update I’d like to tell you about my newest discovery, the San Luis Obispo Farmer’s Market held on Thursday nights. Bumpa and I went and walked around to survey all the foods and shops before taking our pick for the night. We both settled on some teryaki chicken (or steak in his case), with fresh vegetables and rice. I wish I knew the name of this vendor because it was without a doubt, one of the best versions of teryaki chicken I’ve had. Everything was very clean and fresh which I can appreciate. In addition to food, they have music or acts on each intersection as well as a climbing wall and moonbounce for the kids. I especially enjoyed all the stores that line the streets and will have my work cut out for me trying to keep my shopping to a minimum. I know now that this portion of Downtown SLO is a college town and that suits me pretty well. The proximity to Cal Poly is nice for all the students to find shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.

Here I took a picture of a group of young drummers called the Bucket Busters performing on a corner at the market. They are associated with a program called Music Motive which offers private lessons in all sorts of instruments and gives the kids opportunities (such as this) to perform in front of live audiences. Even from the little bit I heard, I could see the talent these kids have and the talent of the instructors that teach them.

This market occurs every Thursday downtown but I have also found that Wednesdays at Pismo and Saturdays in another portion of SLO there are more markets held. Looks like I will have lots more to explore while I am here!

More to come next week! If you are interested in where I am interning, feel free to check out Compass Health Inc. In addition to learning about the company and shadowing my supervisor, I will be working on the facebook page and website. I am more closely involved with the Wellness and Prevention program which a portion of Compass Health. As I learn more, I will be sure to share it with you.

Ttfn, Ta Ta for now.

welcome to the SLO life

I write, erase, rewrite, erase, and have finally come to a conclusion that a picture journal is the way to go. At times I may want to hear myself talk, but for now it just sounds redundant to me, considering I’ve already heard everything I have to say. Here are the happenings of my life, starting with a quick recap of the past couple of weeks which led up to my move across the country. Please enjoy.

To allow for the privacy of my family and friends, I will refrain from posting any pictures unless otherwise notified by those individuals.

This my friends, is an entirely allergy free cheese steak. Behold it’s magnificence! Yes, this is the very first cheese steak I have ever had and I’m inclined to believe it is better than one full of allergies. Made from top of the line meats and products, it can only be found at One Dish Cuisine (I have been to the Ellicott City location but I believe there are a few other places to find their food).

I spent my 21st birthday with family and a close friend at the Ellicott Mills Brewing Company. They serve the best old bay wings I have ever tasted (I had them 3 days in a row so that might tell you something). I was back there the next day for my roommate’s 21st and now we are pros 🙂

Beautiful roses were waiting in my room when I arrived at my Aunt and Uncles in Los Osos, CA.

While walking with Bumpa, I was given a beautiful tour of the surrounding parks. This here is at Morro Bay and you can see Morro Rock off in the distance. (click the link to read more about Morro Rock)

Morro Rock looks like a climbers paradise but upon further observation it can be concluded that there is a pretty good reason they do not allow climbing any longer. Once used for mining, the rock is now a bird sanctuary and listed as a historical landmark. This is one rock I will not have the privilege of climbing during my stay.

Next, Bumpa took me to Montana de Oro (the Mountain of Gold). The path around the park is about 4.2 miles round trip (if you back track instead of taking the road back) and it runs along the edge of the coastal Bluffs that overlook the ocean. This Bluff Trail (as it is actually called) has breathtaking views of ocean, coves, hills, and foothills and is a perfect place for walking, running, biking, picnicking, and even school field trips. The link I provided has some other great pictures as I am only posting of few of mine here.

Named for it’s golden hills, Montana de Oro, like the other parks in California, actually blooms during the winter and is often brown during the summer. This picture, taken in the summer, gives you an idea of why the mountain got it’s name but just try to imagine it in the winter.

Another breathtaking view of the cliffs and the ocean. I would take a run along here every day if I could!

The weekend was spent gallivanting around the countryside in search of good wine! We visited Jada Vineyard and Winery, Opolo, Proulx, and finished at Parrish Family Vineyard.

(since I didn’t get to posting this beforehand, it is now the 5th day of my trip so these pictures are now from today).

Bumpa and I went back to Montana de Oro to exercise this morning and I couldn’t resist stopping to take more pictures. This run took me a little further along the coastline than the first trip so I discovered some pretty neat coves.

That’s a pretty good recap of what’s been happening and as I explore and learn more about the beautiful central coast, I will be back to share it with you.

Miss you all at home!