“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate”

If I could only use one word to describe Monterey, it would be "beautiful." (If I could use two, I would also use the word, "windy.") There's no denying that California's central coast has a lot to offer outdoors. I've come to think that maybe I don't find Monterey to be a boring place because of the place itself (because honestly, I've been able to find thing to do to occupy myself with and really enjoy myself doing them!), but because of the lack of people I interact with here. 

Thankfully, I've got a great roommate to spend time with though, and another traveling therapist (who also came from Loma Linda!) in nearby San Jose that I was finally able to hook up with this weekend to start enjoying some adventures with!

Natalia (roommate) and I saw 42 on Friday night. It. Was. Awesome. It was not only a great movie, but it really reminded me of how much I love baseball, and of how badly I want to go to a game at Camden Yards! It was also the only movie I've been to where it was absolutely quiet before, during, and after the entire movie - I feel that had a lot to do with the fact that Natalia and I were the youngest movie-goers in the theatre. All the young people appeared to be in the ridiculous line for Star Trek. 

Old barn marking the start of the hike

Saturday, I woke up early to head down to Big Sur for a seven-mile hike. Trail reviews describe the hike as "steep, but doable for anyone with in at least moderate health." California seems to have a different idea that Maryland of what a "moderate" fitness level entails, but it was a great workout, and worth the screaming quads I now have today, for the sweeping views at the top. I chose to hike up the steeper side of the mountain so that I would finish the loop in the shaded sequoia grove at the end of the hike.. turned out to be a good choice, because I can't imagine trying to scramble down that steep hill in the heat! Though there were signs of snake and big animals, I didn't see any. I did see a bunny and a lot of bugs and lizards though! 

Westward view from the top

Next stop... sequoia grove down in the canyon

Headed out of the canyon back toward the bay!

Saturday night, I drove up to San Jose to spend the evening with Megan, another friend from Loma Linda who happens to have come north like me after finishing up there. We went into downtown San Jose and walked around to a few different bars before heading back toward Castro Street, a little strip of stores/bars/restaurants just a mile or two from her apartment. The Sharks won, so hockey fans were out in full force and in good spirits. We were part of a rare minority in regular clothes, not sporting turquoise and black hockey jerseys. 

Weird picture, but big tree! 

I spent another SUPER lazy Sunday relaxing, prepping for another week in the car (aka my office). The highlights of Sunday do include 1) Skype-ing into the May family birthday celebration, and 2) Leeloo (the kitty) bringing us home a furry gift from her outdoor playtime. With much time, a shoebox, a small audience of children offering to "go get my dad to help you," and a small struggle from all involved, we managed to get the little gopher away from the apartment and into the safety of a far-away bush, where he will hopefully stay out of Leeloo's paws! 

“I've got nothing to do today but smile.”

Another month, another bunch of photos and fun memories to add to the collection! Work has gotten a little better over the past month. I'm doing more of my own scheduling and (kinda) figuring out the way around Salinas a little bit more.. Most days it feels like I'm living out of my car, but I guess that's just what home health does to you; I've got myself a mobile office. Even though it's boring and/or stressful some days, there are some really great cooks in Salinas - last week I enjoyed some fresh produce and homemade tamales, platanos, and a burrito from some generous patients! 

Besides work, I've spent most of my time at the climbing gym, going to trivia on Cannery Row every Wednesday night, and hanging out with Kevin when we get the chance! 

Amy (another PT traveler friend I met in Loma Linda) and I went to Point Lobos for a gorgeous walk followed by a delicious meal on Cannery Row. 

The hike itself was easy (flat), but a must-see for anyone in Monterey because there are tons of beautiful views, the irreplaceable smell of the ocean, and lots of animals to see! 

Red moss on this tree...
lots of amazing plants and
flowers along the trail!

Don't let my t-shirt fool you... it was WINDY and CHILLY! 

A few of Carmel from the other side of the park

Sea lions! A lot of moms with their babies
and a few still pregnant!

We rounded out an awesome weekend with a trip to San Francisco for the Giants game on Sunday. 

It was so great to finally get my first baseball game of the season, even if it was the wrong black-and-orange team :-) 

The O's have inconveniently traveled to California every time I am UNable to get to a game - sad! I have one more shot in August (when the O's travel here to play the Giants), so here's hoping I'll finally get a chance to get to an O's game this season! 

The following weekend I headed back down to LA for food, fun, new friends, and a trip to Disneyland. We had a great time, and I bought an annual pass so I can have lots more magical days this year! Sadly, though, Space Mountain (the only ride better in DisneyLAND v. WORLD) was closed.. so sad!

Sea otter mama and baby!

And fiiiiiiiinally, Kevin got to come visit ME up in Monterey for the past two weekends! The best part was that he worked in San Jose all week, so got to see each other a lot and see some new cities too! We took the advice of MANY and went out for sushi at "the best place in town" (which really was pretty delicious), saw Iron Man 3 (liked it), visited the Monterey Aquarium (fun, but I wasn't as impressed as I expected to be!), and ate some more amazing meals, including one at Hi-Lo Barbeque in San Fran where Kevin's friend works, which was GREAT!! 

View on the way to Six Flags... at the top of the hill in
San Francisco about to descend the mountain of city streets!

After dinner one evening, while walking down the pier, we heard lots of noise coming from under the boards... We looked under and sure enough, there were twenty or so sea lions just barking away! A little further down the pier we saw these little guys swimming around and munching on some crabs! 

First few of the Golden Gate Bridge!
Foggy on both trips over it!

This weekend we decided to go to Six Flags, so we spent Friday night in San Francisco. We stayed at Hotel Tomo, a boutique hotel in Japantown, which was a pretty interesting place! While we were there, we got a chance to hang out with Kate and Eric, two of the best people I know!! It felt good to hang out with some other Marylanders and reminisce a little about Baltimore and PT school and catch up :-) Thanks for meeting us out and introducing us to yet another great California restaurant, guys!

We spent Saturday at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, which is basically a combo of roller coasters and zoo/animal park. It was a gorgeous day: sunny and warm (the park is inland of the bay so it isn't cold like San Fran, yay!). And, to finish out the day, I tried In-and-Out for the first time... I can't say I'm as crazy about it as everyone else in California, but it was good for fast food :-)

Here's wishing for a happy Sunday/Mother's Day for all!