Old Fisherman's Wharf

Is there anything better than candy and sea lion watching? It was awesome to walk and observe all the beauty of this area!!

 

Joe got invited to be a guest lecturer at a college in Monterey. It's basically Ivy League but in California. Ask me the name of the place and I cannot tell you. They were going to pay for lodging and gas, so we tagged along!! And boy was it needed. I took 2 days off of school and we had a great time together. We drove all night, didn't hit one bit of traffic and found ourselves in a cold hotel room. (Last time we were in Santa Cruz, Christina was a baby and we couldn't afford a nice room so we got one with NO HEATER!!!) However, this heater worked and by midnight we were all sweating. It was hard to find the right balance. Also, sleeping all in the same room took a toll.

But!! It was worth it. There was very light traffic in Monterey and we yelped to find the best places to eat. It was basically an eating trip and the food didn't disappoint. Our first breakfast spot offered lumpias that were out of this world. We found my favorite donuts of ALL TIME.... Rock and Roll donut bar. Holy Moly. We ate there at least 3 times. The donuts were $6 a piece.... but were worth every penny!!!

While Jody prepped for class the kids and I took a very pleasant walk.

 

Elijah is thriving in middle school. His academics are really coming along. He had a project about ancient Egypt and was so clever. In his diorama, he had scribes writing on the wall and his report was their writing! 

He is also quite the builder. He has been helping with Ella's school STEM challenges. The acorn shoot was a success and she won the most ingenuous award for using recycled materials. 

Girls on the Run, take 2

Would I love to coach for this program, yes. But do I have the time. No. Hence, I will be a running buddy and win 1st pace with my former student... again. She really is so talented. She is a great athlete and I can't wait to see what she does in life. It was really fun to run and we were at least in the top 50 finishers. She ran 10 minute 40 second miles for a 5K. Impressive for a 4th grader!!!

 

Aguita's Prostitution

Sometimes I feel old and have to remind myself that I am not. I forced Jody, it wasn't hard, to go out to GSR to people watch and we finally BRAVED AGUITAS!!!! Not to mention a local dive called the Oak Room. Oak Room = marijuana and killing.

Where to even start!! We went to Wal-Mart and I borrowed Nina's thigh high boots. I love them, dearly. I told Joe that one does not simply go to Wal-Mart on the weekend in sweats.... one dresses up because you never know who you will see. We got whatever crap we really didn't need and headed out. The GSR had a stoned woman dancing like there was no tomorrow and it was just fun to watch. It was all decked out for the holidays and beautiful in a fake neon way tainted with cigarette smoke type of beautiful.

We then decided to do Aguita's. We drove by and were scared. We tried again and actually got out. It was worth it. The security bouncer felt up Jody and he quote said, "It's a sausage fest in here." Supposedly only men were there but I swear I saw 2 females out of 150 men. Anyways, after the violation we checked out the Oak Room. Now mind you.... all these places are within 2 blocks of where I work. Was I hoping to see a parent there? Yes. But yes as in no, not at all.

The oak room was a pot haven for 15 year olds so we left. No one needs that type of Saturday Night drama.

Overall, so fun. Jody makes me laugh. I will keep him I guess.

 

Veteran's Day Drive

Maria is doing such a great job driving. She takes turns a bit too fast and has no problem with the gas pedal, but other than that she is confident and is mindful of what she is doing. We had our longest drive yet and the quote of the year from Papa, "I feel like I am on Mr. Toad's Adventure."

For the day, we went to the Sparks Marina memorial... Papa wanted to. Ella played at the park and then we all enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Full Belly Deli. A song came on that I liked and my dad was so thoughtful, he went to the speaker to find out for me. My dad is always like that. I mention something and he just goes and helps. I'm so grateful for him and his example of what it means to truly love in my life. It's the little things and he is all about them. I love my dad.

 

Teef the Chief's Championship Game

If they would have played him more they would have won. I'm sure of it.

Still!!! It was so cool to watch the future NFL player play.