July 21, 2008 by Tiffany.

Aside from traveling in Europe and Japan, I have not been on a train, specifically, an Amtrak train, in well over ten years.  Actually, I think it’s been about twelve years.  Last week, wanting to visit several people in a short span of time, I decided to take the train rather than drive.  Not only did it prove more cost effective with the current price of gas, but I was also saved loads of frustration driving nearly 900 miles, (that’s distance the trip would have been on the roads).  I was also fortunate since I realized after the fact that one of my tires has a fat screw jammed flush into the tread.  I’m sure that would have gone over well if I were to drive it all that distance in the blistering heat of the central valley.

I first arrived in Fresno for a couple of days to visit my family.  Among other things, I was able to visit the site of my brother Nick’s new house, which as you can see, is coming up roses.  It seems it will be completed sometime in October.

A couple of days later I headed, again, on the train, to San Francisco for a couple of nights to visit my friend Amanda.  It was nice not only to visit with her, but also to visit the city, which I haven’t spent any real time in for some years.  She has a killer place in the Marina district, complete with jaw-dropping views of the bay.  I’m can’t say for sure, but my instincts tell me that her rent is equal to, or possibly more than my entire month’s paycheck.  We ate in a delicious Indian food restaurant on Chestnut Street, (sorry, I don’t recall the name), and an Italian place on the same street called A16.  I highly recommend this restaurant.  Although it was packed with  young, business professional types, (and I probably stood out sorely in my jeans and sneakers), the gnocchi and pizza were to die for.

After a couple of days in San Francisco, I re-boarded the train and headed to Stockton, California,  or more specifically, Linden, where my grandparents live.  It just so happened to be Moppy’s 76th birthday, and we were able to pick out new fabrics for my quilt,  which Mop will start working on.  For those who don’t know, Moppy makes exquisite quilts, and this one should be stunning.  We chose fabrics with mostly mauve and sage green tones, and some Asian-inspired floral prints.  I can’t wait for it to be finished.  After a night in Linden I spent one more night in Fresno with my parents, and then yesterday, boarded the train for the last time to head up toward Glendale.  In case you’re wondering, I highly recommend train travel.  Unfortunately it’s kind of a pain from SoCal to the central valley, since traveling over the Grape Vine requires a two-hour bus ride, (and let’s face it, the train is way cooler), but one can easily travel up the coastal route or down to San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner or the Coast Starlight, both of which I hear are beautiful.  I once heard that Amtrak has never once made a profit, but the train seemed pretty packed to me.  I suppose the way things are going on the road and in the air, more and more people will become accustomed to, and perhaps rely on, different forms of public transportation to meet their travel needs.

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July 13, 2008 by Tiffany.

Since Jason was working hideous hours this weekend at the E3 conference at the convention center, I made my way to the Lotus Festival in Echo Park.   The festival has always been designed to coincide with the blooming of the lotus flowers in the park, but unfortunately, not so this year.  Not a bloom in sight, but still some excellent food, merchandise, entertainment and weather.

I ate some delicious pad thai noodles, (the festival celebrates Asian culture, and as such, only Asian food is available), and green tea boba.  I watched some hula dancers and bought a money tree which hopefully, as the name suggests, will bring good fortune.  If that comes in the form of money, all the better. Here’s a video for your viewing pleasure.  It’s nice that in spite of the negative things that often happen in the community, some positive things happen as well.

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July 8, 2008 by Tiffany.

The last week has been hectic, yet fun.  For the fourth of July Jason and I headed up to Bass Lake for the day to visit my parents, grandma and other miscellaneous family friends, and the next day took a trip up to Sonora to visit Jason’s folks.  Sadly, I don’t have pictures from any of these adventures.  All good times, but a LOT of driving.  Thank goodness for Jason’s Mini!  Speaking of driving, we all know that Jason enjoys himself a nice ride, but he sure had the treat of a lifetime on Monday in this sweet automobile:

As you can tell, he sure enjoyed the heck out of himself.  Personally, I think he looks damn good behind the wheel.

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July 1, 2008 by Tiffany.

Vacation has been sweet indeed.  The first thing I did with my eight weeks of leisure was to spend a half day with my cousin, or I suppose second cousin, Dino, for his third birthday / first trip to Disneyland.  I really never go to Disneyland with children, much less kids who have never been before.  It was a trip, and very fun.  He especially loved Toon Town with its fake houses and cars.  We spent a good chunk of the time there just so he could explore everything.

We also went on Peter Pan, which he dug entirely.  Of course, my aunt, uncle and cousin have more of the stories since they were there two full days with him, as opposed to my measly three or four hours.  Still, good times.  For anyone who’s interested, I’ve posted a video online as well.  It was great to see my family, and a nice way to kick off my first official day of summer.

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