So last weekend I got to spend two whirlwind days with one of my very best friends, Ashley, in San Francisco!
(Background: Ashley and I were in the same major (advertising) at BYU and moved out to NYC at the same time to do internships. We went through a lot together, were roommates for over a year and a half and have become dearest of friends. But she knew she wouldn't be in New York forever, being a native Texan and used to the luxuries of space, cars, large grocery stores and other things that are novelties here in the city. I miss her, so why not go visit???)
After leaving straight from work and a few hours on the plane on Friday night, Ash came to pick me up from the airport. We drove all through the city and saw some great neighborhoods (I can't remember all the names right now). We just chatted and got caught up on each other's lives - the theme of the whole weekend. We are girls, and we're good at talking. A talent, you might say.
Saturday morning we slept in (thank you Sudafed for putting me on West coast time! or I would have awakened at 7am.) and then went to the famous
Farmers Market at the Ferry Building. On our way to the market, we hit some major traffic. Why, you ask? Well, let's just say we were IN the St. Patrick's Day Parade! Well...we drove through it anyway. But it was all about the experience and everyone needs to celebrate the Irish in some way or another.
When we got to the farmers market, we ate a yummy lunch - it was a little late for breakfast - meandered through all the booths/vendors, took in all the fabulous and fresh produce, people watched (we were obsessed with this cute girl and her basket), and bought some lemons, bread and asparagus for part of our dinner on Sunday.
We then walked alond the water and saw the Bay Bridge. Then we drove all around SF. We saw Pacific Heights, the Golden Gate Park and the Bridge, Sunset, Union Square, the Marina, Chinatown, the Castro, Japantown, and I'm sure much more. I loved all the cute neighborhoods and the victorian architecture. Ash was a perfect tour guide!
And since it was a girls' weekend, we of course had to get a mani/pedi. And since we didn't even think about bringing flip-flops, the cute lady wrapped our freshly-painted toes in plastic so our shoes and socks wouldn't mess them up.
We then went to
Kara's Cupcakes. A-mazing! If you've heard of Magnolia's here in NYC, they don't even compare to Kara's (plus, I've never been a fan of the cupcakes at Magnolia's. Their banana pudding is a completely different story!!!).
After a trip to Costco and the grocery store (we were looking for halibut, but had NO luck...I guess it's not in season), we finally made it back to Ash's place (cute house in Sunset, just a few blocks from the park and the beach) for a little R&R. Once we recovered, we were off again. This time for dinner at Jackson Fillmore, a cute little Italian place that gave us free bruschetta! It was soo tasty! We shared a pasta with spicy tomato sauce and a chicken dish. When we left the restaurant, I was so shocked because everything was so quiet! I guess I'm used to the sounds of city life now, or something.
On Sunday, we just lounged around the house in the morning before church, which is always a welcome treat for me. After church, we went over to our friends' Sarah and Patrick's (such a cute apartment!) to make and have dinner with them. The four of us all were in the advertising program together at BYU. We just talked and ate and talked for a few hours...It's so good to have friends all over and to be able to catch up with them. We made a delicious blackberry crumble, which we adapted from this
recipe. I highly recommend it!
Not too long after, we made our way back to the airport. Even though I always say I'm never going to take another red eye, I always do. It wasn't as horrible as some I've had, since I did get a few hours' sleep. But it was worth it to see Ashley and the place she now calls home. Thanks Ash for a fabulous two days on the west coast!
