a few lessons learned

I've been living in Oakland for over a year and working in San Francisco almost a year now and I've gathered some important bay lessons.

1. If you think you're being a weirdo, don't worry! Sure enough someone much weirder is walking in the room right now. In fact, look over there-- that guy is wearing an animal onsie costume and doing push-ups on the train! 
2. The musicians playing for quarters probably have a iPhone charging nearby in the BART station. Trickery!
3. Rent costs do not equate to clean sidewalks. In fact, the more expensive the room (which is really an old outhouse), the  more poop you'll find in your planter box. 

I'm sure there's much more to learn. Bring it on, Bay! 

catch up

It has been a while since I've written actual content for this blog. Partly that is because I wanted to take a departure from my last blog and make it less of a diary narrative and partly because I just haven't been able to wrap my head around what it is I want the persona of this blog to be. I've never blogged with an audience in mind before but with this project I felt an unnamed pressure. Then I realized the reason I loved blogging is because I did it for myself. So I'm back! Writing has been sorely missing in my life and I need to claim it back!

So in that spirit:

FIRST YEAR IN THE EASY BAY!

2013-2014 has been a generally insane year for me. I planned a giant ass, 300 person / 4 day wedding, put a ring on Mr. Ñ, and moved to Oakland three days later. A month later, I travelled with my family to London and with Ric to Berlin, came home and landed an awesome job in San Francisco. Since last October the adventure has just kept on... keptin..on....?

Anyway, here is a brief recap of our year here so far:

Once upon a time... we moved to Oakland.

Let me tell you a little something about our neighborhood. We're two blocks away from Lake Merritt, the riviera of Oakland and the hunting grounds of human-eating geese (ok, the second part is a lie).

We've also had tons of friends and family visit and have celebrated tons of holidays!

At Monan's Rill (aka hippie commune) with Katie.

That one time all the San Francisco kids came to the lake.

 See above.

Alec, Mel and us at the lake.

Joaquin came to visit.

 Pacifica sunset... so beautiful.

Easter with the Wolfpack in Pacifica.

Did I mention Pacifica is beautiful?

Did I also mention that Elyse lived across the lake from us this year?

 Elyse hosted Passover. Afikomen!

I flew Venika up to celebrate her 16th birthday! What a lady.

 Obligatory Jumping Picture!

We went to many Oakland Athletics games...

I started to explore the Bay Area a bit more...

 Big Sur with Claire and Val.

Russian River

Ric relaxing at the riv.

River Selfie.

Tomales Bay.

 We went to Long Beach a bunch... but not as much as we would like. I miss it like woah.

 

Epiphany at the Nunez house.

Bianca keeeses.

Bianca and Tio Ric.

Amy's shower! Ok, technically this is in Paso Robles, but still, it's south.

Newest addition to Schorrville: Julian Reyes!

And I work with some awesome folks.

Moving Day.

 Working in my boss' kid's teepee. What?

So all in all, it's been a great year in Oakland and we are ready for the next adventure. Stay tuned!

home update

After nine whirlwind months of living in Oakland, our apartment finally is starting to feel like a home. 

(Oh snap! This photo was featured on Coast to Coast!)

My favorite furniture piece in our apartment by far is our mid-century credenza that I scored in Long Beach a couple of years ago. I had been on the search for quite some time and doing a ton of CraigsListing...so when I saw this at Make Collectives for a great price, I snagged it!

I love that the credenza serves as a platform to showcase our antique globe, a wedding present from our friend Claire. On it, India still includes Bangladesh and Pakistan and Zambia doesn't even exist yet (its Rhodesia on the globe). Needless to say, it has become one of my prized possessions.

The electronic item we use the most in our house is our record player from Urban Outfitters. I got it for Ric in his 30th birthday and he has certainly put it to good use! (A pretty huge feat since that fellow is hard to shop for).

My new favorite item in this pic is the mother-of-tongue plant...I've gone a bit crazy, and we now have three in the house! I think it plays really well on this wall of the house with all of our lovely Etsy and personal art. 

What are some of the new (or old!) favorites in your house?

the new easy

Last weekend Erin and Mat came to shoot some photos for an upcoming Bold Italic article of mine. I tagged along and practiced on my own photography-- something that's been on my monthly goals for a couple of months! These are from a great bar, The New Easy. I don't know if it's the Indian in me, but every time I see copper I swoon... their bar top was no exception. Incidentally, it made a great background for some of our drink photos. If you're in Lake Merritt, stop by and grab a gimlet!

so far, so awesome

Moving to Oakland has been one of the easiest transitions in my life. I've moved enough (from a cold tiny student flat in Manchester to a village in Africa) to appreciate the ease with which my life in Oakalnd has taken root. There have been many wonderful experiences since we arrived in July. I'm so thankful to have moved to a place where I can be closer to wonderful friends. I had been missing the presence of people that know me on different levels while living in Long Beach. It's somewhat bittersweet, though; Long Beach is a wonderland that will always hold my heart.