[Super Duper Fantastic] ISFP/INFP. 4w5. World Explorer. Super Hero. Rose-colored Glasses.

Earlier last week, I attended an event at Azalea, a local boutique in San Francisco. Mission Minis was one of the sponsors, and I was so happy to finally get to try their mini cupcakes! I’d heard of them, but just never got the chance to visit their shop.

They were moist and delicious! Batch 19 was also a sponsor, and I definitely recommend the Peanut Butter Kiss [pictured above before I devoured it] as a pairing for their beer. At $1 a piece, I wouldn’t mind stopping by for a small treat!

In fact, I’m heading out to a birthday brunch this afternoon. Guess what I’m bringing? Two dozen mini cupcakes! The birthday girl loves cupcakes, and I found a great Plum District deal on it. I couldn’t pass it up, knowing how tasty those Mission Minis are.

I am absolutely in love with this.

Jenny Beorkum also has designs for other cities!

On Tuesday morning, I said my goodbyes, hopped onto a bus and flew out of Toronto. Keane [new blog link, btw] was kind enough to pick me up and drop me off at home, where I putted around for several hours. Putted around = unpacking, figuring out what to wear for the hot, humid, and potentially wet cities of Milwaukee and Chicago, getting RV’s clothes ready for our date night, etc. When it was time for dinner, I picked him up and we headed over to Jardiniere.

Course 1 – Smoked Alaskan Salmon

Course 2 – Pork Belly

Course 3 – Sable Fish

I forgot to take a photo of the fourth course – Quail. By the time I realized this, I had already ruined the presentation of the course. :(

Course 5 – Duck

Course 6 – Cheese Plate

Course 7 – Dessert

It was a lovely 7-course meal, and then after a quick stop at home to pack [yes, last minute again!], I headed for the airport again.

I’ve been in Milwaukee for just two days, but I already want to come back. Aside from the countless breweries in the area, sustainable urban farming is growing here, specifically aquaponics, which RV is convinced we can simulate in our own backyard. By the time I found out about this, they were not having any tours before my departure. *sad face* Hopefully I will get a chance to return to the area!

I’m moving onward to Chicago shortly for the Healthy Living Summit. I’m excited and nervous about meeting the rest of the attendees.

Believe it or not, last night was the first time I’ve stepped foot inside of 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco.

Considering that it’s been around for about a decade and has been the venue of PLENTY of happy hours [tech-related and not], it might be a surprise to most who know me.

Then again, my first time at La Trappe [Tasty and extensive Belgian menu!] was just a few weeks ago with Pint Sized Musings.

Unfortunately, they were out of their root beer [which I would have loved to review for Root Beer Mania!], and their famous Hell or High Watermelon Wheat was only available in the can. I ordered it anyway. They provided the glass and a watermelon slice.

Crisp. Refreshing.

The watermelon flavor is subtle, at least until you burp.

“Better out than in, I always say.” – Shrek

The best part of living in a city so saturated with fantastic food and drink options is that there is almost always a “new to you” place to try if you decide not to revisit a favorite or a “safe” spot.

Last night’s new spot: Social Kitchen & Brewery.

Left: When the rest of the table’s food arrived before mine, they brought over a complimentary cup of their cauliflower curried soup. It was quite tasty.

Right: The sister ordered mussels, which were slightly overdone, but came in a yummy sauce, which she later sopped up with an order of fries.

I ordered the Short Ribs Pot Pie. Here are photos of when it arrived at the table and just a few moments later. Since I’m the piggy that I am, I cleaned up my plate.

Reviews for the place have been pretty harsh, but I had a good time, so there will likely be a revisit [if not more]. Next time, just beers and appetizers, which are both decently priced and sized. They have tempura-battered sweet potato fries, which I would definitely allow RV to try making at home in our deep fryer. He’s been looking for excuses to use the thing, and since I don’t eat many fried foods, I’ve given him every excuse not to use it! Oh, sweet potato fries – my weakness…

PS: Thanks to those who noticed the Google Connect box on the right and are following. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

I had dinner last night with DH and MC at a Cambodian restaurant in the area that I’d been meaning to check out. Food was excellent! It was no surprise that we polished everything off, even after ordering two appetizers and three entrees [all of which were decently sized].

It seems that no matter how much effort we put into our email communications to meet up, we only get together once a year. Conflicts in schedule, injuries, etc. The last time we got together was at DH’s wedding last summer.

This time, we have moved onto phases of our lives with different news to share. DH and his wife live in a house in the next city over and are expecting a baby girl later this year. MC is planning a move to DC to start a part-time MBA program. I’m in my new house, jaw surgery completed. Yet no matter how much seems to change in our lives, we haven’t really changed all that much in terms of who we are. I mean, we are definitely different from when we were in elementary school, but it feels like since we’ve reconnected in our mid-20s, we’re more or less the same people. We see each other rarely, but our meet-ups are the same comfortable conversations. We’re just old friends who catch up, and it’s not all that awkward. The time in between just gives us more to talk about.

Aside from the two of them, I don’t really maintain friendships with people from those particular years in my life. You know, before the age of 13… I reached out to a few on Facebook today, which I think might be odd, considering I hadn’t sought them out before. Wonder if they will accept the request…

Oh great, now I’m one of those weirdos who adds people on Facebook they knew a long time ago and weren’t quite friends with. Yeah, I’m having Facebook Friend Search + Request regret…

Let’s look at photos of food instead:

Update: They all accepted my request, even the ones who picked on me at some point. Perhaps twenty years later, we can become friends?

I love wandering into a random [somewhat, as I'd searched online for reviews first] place and finding something that just triggers happy feelings. Ian and RV were meeting up for their monthly [every-so-often, but should be more often than that] drinks. I tagged along after suggesting the place and fell in like. It’s not love yet because I haven’t seen it at other hours, but for a Sunday afternoon, it was nice.

My friend, Kara, recently started a blog called “I Love It, SF.” In it, she explores the great things about San Francisco and documents with brilliant photos and of course, writing. I’d really like to get back into that as well, capturing the moments that truly make life fantastic [superduperly so]. I recently replaced my point-and-shoot camera with the assistance of some friends on which one to pick out. This Canon SD780 IS is on its way to me now, so I’ll have photos to go along with stories!

Yes, it’s RED!

Since it was the last day for stuffing my face, I joined a bunch of friends for a large hot pot meal. Unfortunately, something didn’t settle well in my stomach, and I haven’t been able to keep it in… I think I’ll have to empty out entirely before I can get some rest before the big day. Major discomfort. Major grossness.

All the while, I tried to enjoy the Cirque du Soleil show in town – Ovo – with RV, Kirsten/Stephen, RV’s mom and her friend. It was a fantastic show and definitely worth every discounted penny that we spent on it. Amazing skills and fun costumes! Battling food poisoning while watching the show – not so fun. I survived and didn’t make too much of a scene. Thank goodness for intermissions and fancy portable toilets. *phew*

But yes, that means I’ve crossed off another from the list!

082 – See a Cirque du Soleil show.

I have been on the prowl lately.

There’s a house that’s caught my eye. It’s in a neighborhood not too far from the one I live in now, which for many people who want to live in San Francisco is a little out there. But I’m okay with that. If I want to afford a single family house in San Francisco, there will be sacrifices made on location, size, newness, etc. I’m currently working on getting pre-approved for a loan, and based on certain circumstances, bidding on the house will actually take place in court on some date still to be determined.

I will likely not get the winning bid, considering that it’s definitely of move-in condition and is starting out under $500K. For SF, that’s amazing for not being in a particularly bad neighborhood. I am hopeful, however, that I will find something eventually. I’m not in a rush, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to look around.