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 In July I had the excitement of some of my family visiting me out here in California. I hadn't seen anyone other than my father in almost a year, and to make it sweeter it was my mom's first time to California and my nephew's first airplane ride! I was so enthused to have my mother, step-father, sister and nephew out here to show them a bit of how I've been living. Of course the week or two before is when my stupid car finally gave up on life, so I had to teach them all about the wonderful thing we call out here public transportation. I mean we have "public transport" in the midwest, but is it efficient? No. They were amazed by all the modes of getting around, so much so we all almost thought we were in Europe! No... I lie, my family isn't that dumb, but honestly Dayton, Ohio doesn't know what good bus schedules are, and the family of car sale people and GM employees scoff at buses. Again, I lie.

Anyway, the visit was filled with hugs, tears, laughs, giggles, tickles, gossip, and terrible faces. My mom was able to meet the group of boys I rabble rouse around town with... Not sure if that was a good thing or not, I really need to make some girlfriends.


The trip started out with time around fisherman's wharf and walking around the city. Day two started at Civic Center then to the painted ladies, a quick lunch, then time in the Castro, ending in the Mission at Dolores park and shopping. So hip, it's awesome. On Tuesday my step-father rented a car and went to golf, so we went to the Legion of Honor for lunch then got picked up and drove across the Golden Gate (first time driving across for me, yeah I'm real lame) and went hiking in John Muir Woods... which were magical! Then we drove back stopped for some photo-ops at Sutro Baths and Ocean beach and ended with dinner and drinks at Trader Vics! Then I went back to work for the rest of the week (as a salaried employee, whomp whomp!) and the family continued to have tons of adventures. On Thursday night we all met at Top of the Mark for farewell drinks.

It was a gloriously wonderful time, albeit stressful as hell. I loved having them here but trying to entertain three generations with car stress was about to make my head explode... of course for family I welcome that.

I'll continue the photos in the next post!

Love ya!
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life in instagram | pt 3

John Muir Redwoods hike with my sister and nephew.
Bonfire on Ocean Beach.
Tubing on the Russian River.
Bikes, sunset and the bay.
Washington Square Park.
Parklife.
Beachy times.
Morning Commute.
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life in instagram | pt 2

Photoshoot with my friend Kathryn.
Waiting for dinner reservations on the sailboat.
Tripp sailing.
Mike up the mast.
Dolores Park in the Mission.
Drawing at work.
A random outfit.
Legion of Honor.
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life in instagram | pt 1




So starting out of course you all know my proud pooch Tripp, he's still hanging around just a little rounder. 
At my job at minted many lunches were spent in the park. 
Sunset at the Berkeley Pier. 
Hiking in the Oakland Redwoods City Park. 
Old coworker Lizzy's bday in Golden Gate park. 
My boys sailing and looking manly. 
At the motorcycle races with the boys. 
And Marlee and Zoe waiting for food at homeroom, an awesome mac and cheese joint. 

Here's the first installment of what I've been up to in instagram format, you can follow my adventures, or lack there of, my name is sparrow_urchin.
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What I Did: MLK Day!

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On Monday I was really excited to have a holiday off! All the previous holidays I worked :( And what was also great was that all me and my friends were off work! AND everyone has had some really good news in the job front lately. So we all packed into my car and drove down to Monterey Bay for the day.

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It surprisingly was a quick drive, I'm sure our funny jokes and conversation helped, and it was BEAUTIFUL down there. It was a little chilly, but the sun warmed us right up. I can't believe I'm able to walk on the beach without shoes in JANUARY! Actually this entire long weekend was awesome, I went on a picnic on Saturday, we had a BBQ at Mike's on Sunday, and walked the beach and ran up dunes on Monday.

It was bliss.

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Of course the guys grabbed the giant kelp/seaweed stuff and started whipping it around. At a certain point Mike got whipped in the foot and Adam got himself in the ass. It was hilarious. We sat around and watched the waves crash against the beach talking about life and when we all moved here. It's great being friends with people that are experiencing California with me. We all are from different places and it's great to have that comradery.

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When the sun started to get low we started back towards the car and drove into Monterey. We parked in the Canning district and walked around in all the crappy tourist stores. It was really empty and great to walk around. We walked under some piers and buildings along the shore (of course we weren't supposed to... oooops). We watched some scuba divers awkwardly crawl out of the water, and of course watched cute otters splash around!

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After we were done with putzing around we found a nice restaurant on the shore and ate some awesome burgers and fish and clam chowder.... Man I really feel like we all are making amazing strides here in SF Bay.

We are such little adults. I love these guys. I love it here. And I love visiting the beach.

Huggles,
Lauren