Flying Home For Christmas...

I hope everyone from Boro knows what I'm referencing in the title!

(ahem, Chris Rea.)

 

And so...my first semester is over already!
When people say time flies, it's really true - I really can't believe I've been living in San Francisco for four months already.

 

I've had SUCH a wonderful time - I've met some great friends, and been to loads of interesting places.

I've had a lot of firsts, but the most exciting thing?

I've still got so much to explore.

So until January...

 

'Tis The Season!

Although our apartment was festively decorated...

 

and we had already eaten our way through most of our advent calendars...

 

...I wasn't feeling particularly Christmassy until our present exchange!

Rudolph choosing the Christmas tunes.

 

Festive roommates!

 

 

 

 

The boys opening their present - we got them Socker Boppers, which are essentially armbands but for your fists, so they can hit each other without causing any damage. They're such children - of course they loved them!

 

 

I got some lovely things from my roommates - it seems like they know me so well after only a few months!

 

Now my final exams are over, it's only going to be a few days until I'm home - so excited!

Parklife.

Sunday is such a great day to explore San Francisco.

And who'd have thought December would be so nice - how is it possible that there are only 15 days until Christmas?!

We had planned to go to The California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park for their free day, but the queue to get in was ridiculous so we just ended up wandering in the park instead.

 

 

I love rose gardens! I'll have to come back in the Spring to see all of the blooms.

 

 

The fountains are also really pretty!

 

 

 

 

 

Making a wish:

 

 

 

After we wandered down 9th Ave to Irving Street in search of somewhere for lunch - instead, we stumbled upon this street fair, Inner Sunset Sundays!

This is one of the things I love most about San Francisco - randomness around every corner.

 

 

We stopped for lunch at a Vietnamese place, where I tried my first Pho, which is noodle soup, with broccoli and tofu. It was delicious, and really fresh!

 

 

 

After we'd had our fill of pho we stuck around to watch a local band, who were set up in the street outside.

It was so nice to have some time to chill - over the next few weeks (due to final exams) I can't imagine I'll have much time for lazing around in the sun!

 

The Wharf.

My friends and I decided it was about time we did some Christmas shopping - and where better to go for that than Fisherman's Wharf?! It's a tat haven, catering to all of the tourists.
 

I won't tell you what I bought - I don't want to give it away to my friends and family who might be reading!

 

The Christmas tree at Pier 39 is lovely! And the weather is still beautiful for December - I'm not complaining about 15C+ temperatures!

 

So much saltwater taffy! It's basically flavoured nougat made with saltwater, and it's sold everywhere at the Wharf.

 

 

After we'd finished at the Wharf we headed to Ghirardelli Square - Ghirardelli is a chocolate company based here in San Francisco, and this the Square is the part of the old factory.

 

 

 

They also had their own Christmas tree!

 

After a good wander (and some chocolate), my friends thought it was about time I tried an In-N-Out Burger - they couldn't believe I'd never had one before! Though they're everywhere on the freeways, the only central San Francisco location is at Fisherman's Wharf.

 

Alex said I shouldn't have to pay for my first In-N-Out experience - so she paid for everything, bless her!

 

I went for a grilled cheese, which is an everything-but-the-meat burger, fries and a shake - 'Murica!

 

In-N-Out also has a 'secret' menu, which includes special items. Vicki let me try her 'Animal-style' fries, which are fries with onions, cheese and Thousand Island dressing. Surprisingly, it works!

 

 

 

Since we'd tired ourselves out, took the F Line train home - it looked lovely decorated for Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great day in the city!

Excited To Be Home.

I can't believe it's just two weeks until I return to the U.K. for an extended break! I'm going to be at home for three whole weeks over the Christmas period before I return to San Francisco for my second semester in the New Year.

 

Here's what I'm most looking forward to about being at home over Christmas:

 

 

1. Being around my family for Christmas, just like always. I'm so lucky I get to spend Christmas with them! Also included in this are my pooches Archie and Millie (of course!).

 

 

2. Catching up with my friends! Hopefully there'll be lots of lovely reunions involving pints at the pub, etc.

 

 

3. Being back in my local area, in all of the places which are so familiar to me. If the weather allows it, I'm going to be all over the North East! As well as...

 

 

4. Being back in my house - there's nothing like living in uni accommodation for four months to make you appreciate your own house and all of its comforts. It'll be especially lovely decorated for Christmas!

 

 

5. New Year's Eve in Manchester with my lovely Hull housemates. I love them, I love Manchester - enough said!

 

 

6. Being able to drive again (maybe, depending on my insurance) - or at least having people ferrying me about! After you've absolutely relied on public transport, I'm definitely going to appreciate the convenience of having a car.

 

 

7. Food - it's such a cliché to miss British food but it's true! I'm excited to have a curry from my local takeaway, for my dad to make home-made pizzas, and of course for Snowballs and buffets at Christmas-time!

 

 

8. Decent TV and radio stations. Weird as it is, BBC I've missed you! The Christmas specials are definitely going to be more amazing this year.

 

 

9. Going off that last one, and with extra Christmas spirit - Christmas songs! It really makes sad no one here has ever heard of Band Aid, Slade, WIZZARD or even Shakin' Stevens! What is this madness?!

 

 

10. Christmas treats - I'm most excited to go and see the film of Les Miserables, and to go shopping in the January sales at the Metrocentre.

 

 

11. Not having to worry about exams - I'm SO glad my exams will be out of the way before I get home so I can fully relax and enjoy myself!

 

 

12. Seeing if people think I've changed - I'm a bit worried about this one. Hopefully I haven't picked up too many Americanisms and am still a true Boro lass!

 

 

13. Making plans for 2013 - I've got so much to look forward to!

 

 

But if there's one thing I'm really not looking forward to, that's:

 

1. Actual below-freezing temperatures. In terms of the weather, California is where I belong!

First snow at home.
 

Castro In The Afternoon.

 Myself and Morgan decided to take a little walk in the Castro. I love Castro - it's the gay district in San Francisco, there are poochy dogs are rainbow flags everywhere, and it has a great community feel.
 

 F Line Muni goes right there!
 

The Castro Theater is pretty noticeable - it's a preserved Art Deco theater right in the heart of the Castro. In keeping with the retro theme, the theater plays a lot of old movies, double bills and musical singalongs!
 

 

 

As we walked down Castro Street, we had to make a quick stop at Hot Cookie, a Castro institution!

 

 

 

Morgan went for a Chocolate Fudge cookie...

 

 

...while I went a bit different and chose a Lemon Tart.

 

 

After we'd had our fair share of sweet treats and people-watching, we decided to walk it off by tackling some of San Francisco's hills. The Castro is right at the base of the Twin Peaks hills - and the views of the city are great from here!

 

 

Mel's Drive-in.

 

Tonight we were feeling nostalgic - it must be all the Christmas spirit in the air now it's December 1st.

And where better to go for a nostalgia fix? Mel's Drive-in, a retro 50s diner just off Union Square.

 

Inside it's really kitschy. There's a jukebox, a soda fountain - the works! It's like being in Grease.

 

 

 

Since we were at a diner, I felt it was only right to go for a burger (veggie, of course) with Jack cheese and onion rings.

I was a bit scared before it arrived as the menu told me the burger came with sprouts - what were Brussels sprouts in my mind actually turned out to be watercress, phew!

 

 

 

Of course I had to get a shake, and my roommates told me I had to try a vanilla malt - it's a thick milkshake with pieces of Malteser (Whoppers to the Americans!). I love when you get the extra milkshake on the side in the shaker!

 

 

 

Afterwards we walked to Union Square to have a look at the Macy's Christmas window (to be honest, I think they could do with a few more wreaths, one in each window isn't nearly enough)...

 

 

...and to see the Union Square Christmas tree!

 

 

 

Feeling Christmassy with my favourite people in SF!