San Francisco Trip Reflections

I can't believe this is my last day in San Francisco! I had a very nice stay. The weather was pleasant and mainly sunny, the hostel was one of the best i've ever stayed in, and I met some really nice people.

I had good food the entire time. The highlights were the authentic little sushi restaurant I went to that had just four little tables and an Indonesian cafe. I had an amazing coconut stew at the Indonesian place. My favorite dining experience though was at a Mediterranean fusion place in the Castro. I met some real characters.

I did a lot of walking (which unfortunately meant a lot of hills). There was an outdoor festival in North Beach, the Italian neighborhood, that I came across while heading to Coit Tower for a spectacular view of the city, the Bay, and bridges. I also spent a morning shopping around Union Square. Overall, I think I burned more calories than I consumed.

I also met someone who was a Giants season ticket holder, and I got to go see an As/Giants games for free. The Giants won. The stadium has a spectacular view out over the bay and looks appropriately toward Oakland. I can't believe how close up to the water the stadium is built.

On Friday, I went to MOMA and saw an Ansel Adams/Georgia O'Keefe exhibit.. It was pricey but worth it.

I'd totally make another trip out here again.

San Francisco Trip 09

Just arrived at my hostel. It's quite good. Going out for sushi.

End of Winter Break

Not much to mention... I'm back in Saint Cloud after a nice stay in Rhinelander over winter break. Tomorrow the new semester starts.

The Gingerbread Murder Mystery

Who done it? I stumbled across a very gory scene a couple of days ago. (This picture may not be suitable for cookie lovers.)

Dad's gingerbread man throat has been slashed. Please contact the authorities immediately if you know who might be behind this brutal murder.

Lisa and Laurie, I responded to your comments on the last post. Take a look.

It was very nice to see everyone both at Thanksgiving and around Christmas this year. Here are some Thanksgiving photos I purloined from Dad's camera.




Finally, Oscar has proven that he does have a "good boy" buried somewhere inside of himself. He was so well-behaved when Mom and I gave him a bath a few days ago.

Rhinelander a.k.a. Siberia

Made it to Rhinelander! I will be up here through New Year's most likely. Cheyenne came with me and is trying her best to cope with a noisy household. Don, Hope, and the kids showed up today. Kenny, Beth, and I went out this afternoon for some sledding fun. Can't wait to get over to Colfax and see the rest of the gang.

I have two favors to ask of the readers of this blog: keep your old magazines and newspapers for me and collect postage stamps for me. The magazines and newspapers I am gathering for my ESL students and for my fellow TAs in St. Cloud. Both students and TAs often need to find articles to use in projects, so save what you have and I'll get them from you the next time I see you. The stamps are for me. I am starting to collect again. I know; I am a nerd.

Ouch! I have braces now...

Here I am with a group of coworkers from the Intensive English Center. The picture was taken this past Friday at the graduation for the international students we worked during this semester. It is great that so many of our students will be moving to regular university studies. The graduation ceremony was fun, and there was a nice potluck meal to accompany it.

Below is a picture from a march I intended a few weeks ago. The event was in support of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.


Finally, I had braces put on Monday. I'm pretty sore right now, but thankfully my teaching is done as are most of my classes and meetings for the semester, so I can lay on my futon doped up on Extra Strength Tylenol and Orajel. The beginning is supposed to be the worst they tell me. I sure hope they're right.

Pictures from the Intensive English Center

This fall I have been working at the SCSU Intensive English Center. Below is shown one of my classes and my Halloween costume. It was fun for my foreign students and for me that I dressed up.