the month of march

{Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA}

The month of March was a whirlwind.  Manhattan, UN, Boston, back home, and then a road trip up to San Francisco, Oakland, Napa, Sonoma, and all the way back down the coast through Big Sur, San Simeon (Hearst Castle), Pismo Beach, and Santa Barbara.  Big Sur was glorious and I can't wait to go back and do a retreat at New Calmaldoli Hermitage.

It was my first road trip with J. and we had a blast.  We went to a wedding in Sonoma for a dear childhood friend and danced under the stars and got merry on winery wine.  We reconnected with old friends from high school and made a new one from Seattle that get this, owns a chocolate cafe!!!  We spent our nights in the Oakland Hills and enjoyed the soft gray morning light and beauty of the trees and deer nearby.

{Napa Valley; Pfeiffer Beach}

Then we met up with some of our favorite people.  We had breakfast with Steph at La Farine, a French bakery in Oakland.  I had the savory morning bun and it was delish.  Later in the afternoon, we met up with Steph again in Berkeley at a delightful French sandwich shop called Gregoire.   They had beautiful and fresh sandwiches such as duck breast with pickled daikon and a lentil, smoked scallop and avocado wrap with chickpea salad.

The next day, we met up with our dear friend Won Jae who married us the year before.  Won Jae suggested getting brunch at La Boulange Bakery, and I had a steaming bowl of soy au lait to go with my croque monsieur and french onion soup.  We spent 4 hours catching up and talking.  Absolutely lovely.

Life really doesn't get much better than good food, dear friends, and great conversation.  J. and I left wanting to move to the Bay.

The month of March has proved to be one of adventure, friendship, reflection, clarity, and renewal.  I'm challenged to be more of who I am, to embrace my light and darkness, and to keep pushing ahead and hope in the goodness of life.