Weekend Review {08/26}

FRIDAY

The older I get, the more I notice how sensitive I am to other people's feelings.  Not sure if I'd called myself an Empath or a Highly Sensitive Person, but maybe kinda?  IDK.  There was a lot of frustration and irritation running rampant through the office on Friday and I picked up on it and I felt MYSELF being irritated for NO REASON.  Kind of annoying, honestly.  One coworker was so angry/frustrated that she announced she'd be cleaning up the game room and it meant that I could FINALLY move the table that has been sitting in the fire exit that makes it difficult for me to turn off the alarm in the morning, so I volunteered to help.  We turned on some jams and got shit done. 

When we were taking a cleaning break to accomplish some work things, I noticed that the dive shop had posted on FB that they had some openings for a chartered dive trip on Saturday and I asked Teh German if he was interested.  He was.  I ended up having to be the one to call and put us on the list, and the ONLY information I got was that we should be at the dive shop by 0700 on Saturday, and then the shop had a call, so I didn't get more info that that.  Kinda frustrating, but I knew it would be fine.

When I left work, I still felt the irritation of my coworkers.  I didn't end up leaving work until almost 5 because I was kinda avoiding going home because Teh German and I were having a "not fight" over things we were both not wanting to discuss, because he's an ostrich who sticks his head in the sand when shit happens instead of facing it, and sometimes I encourage that behavior by also not acknowledging issues right away... Just call us the ostrich family. 

Because it was so late when I left work, I didn't go to the gym.  I could have, but my irritation wasn't motivation to beat myself into submission on an elliptical, so I went home.  Found this strange urchin/snail situation when I got home.  I was actually alarmed because we couldn't figure out who was eating who in this situation.  Teh German said there was a dead snail in the tank and hopefully that's what it was and the urchin was eating it.  Nature being cruel, as it is wont to do.

In more stress, the anemone had moved in the middle of the night, but when we got home, it had put itself under a rock and Teh German was HIGHLY stressed about the fact that if it stayed there, it would die because it wouldn't get any light.  In the photo below you can see a bubble of a sort between the rock and the sand, that's the anemone foot.  Eventually, it poked it's tenticles out from that spot and put it's foot down under the rock.

After Teh German showered, we agreed to head to Sesame for dinner.  We went to the Citadel Mall location since we wanted to sit outside.  Because Sesame does happy hour from 4-7 Monday-Friday, we got there during happy hour time and I enjoyed TWO adult beverages, like the lush I am.  This is what happens when it's too late to order sweet tea.

After dinner, we stopped by a shoe store in the mall for new flippy floppies for Teh German and then to Target to pick up bread for dive sammiches and puzzles because why not.  I almost went by Dick's and picked up a pair of new school shoes for myself, but I was tired by that point and I had placed a Puma shoe order since their shoes were 50% off earlier, so I'm going to wait and see what I keep before dropping the dollas on the Brooks shoes.

Turkey burger, pimento cheese, mushrooms.
It was more delicious than it sounds.  I, too, was skeptical.

When we got home, Teh German fetched the dive gear out of the storage closet and I went through it to make sure everything was there.  Teh German loaded it up in the truck and I prepped food stuffs for the next day.  Then, we opted for an earlier bedtime since we had to get up at work-day time.

SATURDAY

Alarms went off at M-F time, which wasn't overly pleasant to be completely honest.  Teh German wanted to get up at regular time so he could enjoy his coffee and take care of his Teh German Time before we left the house.  We made it to the dive shop by 0710, which wasn't a problem since we knew that they'd have to load all the stuff and we had some buffer time.

By 0840, we were on the boat and headed out of the Charleston harbor.

Ravenel Selfie!

Bye CHS!

Because of some intense diesel fumes and moderately rough seas while in a small craft, I got sea sick.  I didn't puke, but I wished I could.  I tried sitting in different places on the boat to avoid the fumes, to no avail... andddd it took over 2 hours to get to the dive site, a sunken barge with some submarine things that have become a haven for fishies and coral.  It was actually super cool.

We did 2 dives in total.  On the first dive, I found several shells and an urchin shell!  I was super pumped about the urchin shell because they are super fragile.  I handed it to a dive master with my fins while I was getting back on the boat and then he crushed it when he came to get back on the boat and I didn't cry, but I really wanted to.  I tried to hide my disappointment, like why wouldn't you just hand the shit off before you try to climb the fucking ladder, but it didn't matter because the shell was crushed.  He did apologize and he obviously felt bad.

Between dives, I tried not to be sick from the rocking.  I almost got sick, and then it didn't happen and I was super disappointed.  When we went down for our 2nd dive, I searched everywhere for another urchin shell, but the one that had been crushed was obviously the only one that existed at that wreck.  The dive master admitted that he also looked for a replacement urchin.  He did find a different shell that he gave me, so, he gets a gold star for trying.

When we got out after our 2nd dive, we started breaking down our gear while dive masters were pulling up the anchors.  As soon as the boat was turned on and the diesel fumes resumed, it finally happened, I finally puked.  But it was like a puke and rally, because I felt infinitely better after I puked.  I felt bad because there were people eating as I'm squatting on the dive deck regurgitating stomach acid, but I had no where else to go.  They, fortunately, all understood.

That wonky horizon.. Ugh.
#BoatSelfieProblems

Once we finally started heading back to dry land, the seas were calmer than when we went out and the forward motion really helped disperse the fumes.  I was one of three females on the trip and we'd all been feeling, at least, some mild sea sickness on the way, and another diver mentioned how well we'd all recovered on the way back because we were all smiling and laughing and eating on the return trip.  I was relieved not to be sick on the way back.  The feeling kinda returned when we slowed down to get into the marina and the fumes got bad again, but I managed.

It's hard to see, but a film was fucked up on my glasses and it made seeing very difficult,
especially with the added salt water.

We made it back right in time.  We'd went through a few sprinkles on the way into the harbor, but when we turned around and noticed a huge rain cloud over the place we had just been, we were grateful for perfect timing.

Adventures with Husband are the best.
Even if my new name is Red Skull (because sunburn)

I did manage to get a pretty wicked sunburn on one side of my face because sea sickness removed any self-preservation thoughts I could have had regarding protecting my skin from the sun.  And, when we'd left, it was pretty cloudy so it wasn't even sunshiny.  #LessonLearned.

I've suffered worse burns and this is mostly just on the one side of my neck/ear, so it's nothing worse than I've dealt with before.  Any burn where your bra straps touches is infinitely worse, trust me.

While other helped loaded up the truck, one of the other female divers and I sat in the truck and enjoyed the AC, since when we returned to dry land, it was hot and humid AF.  Honestly, being so sick took everything out of me.  I also realized that we were going to miss doggy dinner time and Mom Guilt had me frantically texting Teh PT Wife and Roux's Humom.  Roux's Humom went over to release the beasts and feed them dinner for us, because she's, seriously, so fucking awesome (have I mentioned lately how lucky we are to have such good neighbors?). 

We finally left the marina after 6 and made it back to the dive shop by 6:30.  Teh German had to rinse out his rental gear and since it was already set up, I went ahead and rinsed my gear as well.  We finally made it home around 7:30. 

So here's a small world story for you.  While I was rinsing out my gear, a dive shop employee was looking for one of the rental regulators that happened to be in our dive bag.  I caused some confusion with my answers and she ended up seeing my Aqualung BCD and regulator in the dive bag and she said, "That's exactly what I would have sold you!"  I said, "Well, I got that in GTMO."  She was like, "Are you serious right now?!?"  Me, "Yes." 

And then it hit me, SHE SOLD ME MY GEAR.  I thought her face looked familiar, but I just associated her with the dive shop.. I had associated her with the WRONG dive shop.  She ran the dive shop in GTMO for YEARS.  I'm not sure what brought her to Charleston, but I made sure to send our selfie to my former GTMO dive partner.

Noticed this sexxxyy Teh Dad Tan on the way home.
Teh Dad is notorious for wearing shorts and getting his thighs burned.

Teh German and I hung up our gear to dry in the garage so Teh German could still get his truck in and then we headed over to Teh PT House for some minimal socializing since, originally, we had committed to being there for the afternoon for a gathering.. but then the dive opportunity came up.

We stayed for a short while, but we were both wiped, and probably weren't really good company.  Teh German didn't even enjoy smoking time and only had ONE beer.  I stayed in the AC and chatted with Teh NY Chef after everyone else went outside.  Eventually, we headed home and showered and it was bedtime.

SUNDAY

Sunday morning, I woke up at 0400 because my toe was itching because something bit it and then I had to pee, so I got up to pee.  Meri got up, trying to get her breakfast early, and I was like, "Definitely not," which roused Teh German who was super confused.  I ended up having to tell him to go back to sleep.  It took me almost an hour to get back to sleep.  I didn't actually hear the dogs rouse for breakfast, but I guess Teh German did so he got up with them and went downstairs and didn't come back up.  Oh well.

I slept a short while longer, then couldn't sleep anymore, so I scrolled for a little while, then finally got up.  I went ahead and got dressed and took the beasts on a walk and it was absolutely perfect outside.  A nice breeze, a "cool" 68°F, PERFECT for shorts and a t-shirt.

When I got back from the walk, we opened the windows, ate leftovers for breakfast, and I made the week's dinner menu.  Then, I started the laundry and I changed into pants so I could go to Lidl and pick up the groceries we needed for the week since it's always the temperature of the arctic in that place.  I also made a stop by Dollar Tree for some new baskets to organize the closets.  I love baskets for organizing!

After I got home from my errands, Teh German helped me put away the groceries and I set about my basket business.  I cleaned up the dog closet, which was the original motivation for buying baskets, then headed upstairs to reorganize our bathroom cabinets.

I finished up the laundry after finishing up the cabinets.  There are few greater feelings than an aired out house after organizing the shit out of some cabinets and accomplishing all the laundry/chores.  So much bliss.  When I finished, I headed downstairs for a snack, and Teh German and I continued our Marvel trek.

A blue tailed lizard on the succulents box.
It's good Meri didn't see it.
She's a lizard chaser.

My middle toe is the bit toe.  This photo doesn't do the red, itchiness justice.
I'm assuming it was a spider bite.

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching movies and snuggling with my Monkey-Doodle.

We had leftover for dinner and then watched another Marvel movie before turning off the TV.  Teh Dad called right before I went upstairs, so we chatted for a bit, and then it was finally pre-bed-chores time and bedtime.

______________________________________________

Sunday night felt like Saturday night, which was mildly disappointing, but dive adventures were worth it, despite the sea sickness, sunburn, and price.  It was my last weekend before school, so it was spent well, IMO.

This week includes:
-All day, off-site meeting on Tuesday, thoughts and prayers requested.
-School starts Wednesday, thoughts and prayers requested, lol.
-Saturday is my next tattoo appointment, more thoughts and prayers requested, lol again.

Also, please send out a cool weather dance for us.  It was so delightful on Sunday and I need more of that in my life.  I posted on FB about how I'd like a hurricane to come so the temps would cool (and a hurrication never hurts my soul) and some people got really upset over it.  Twin Mom suggested maybe a few tropical storms and I agreed with that.  I don't want people's shit to get ruined, I just want temps in the 70s again.

Happy end of August, Gentle Readers!

Weekend Review {04/08}

THURSDAY

Thursday was like a marathon.  Anxiety had me up at 0430 and I wasn't going back to sleep, despite my best efforts, so I got up, did the laundry, took my shower, and headed to school early to accomplish school and work things.  I had class, then class again, then I sat down to do "one quick thing" to my code which ended up being more like an infinite amount of quick things, so I stopped to go down and grab my lunch from the car, which I ate, while coding because when the coding bug bites, you accept it and you code.

I had actually planned to take a nap because I knew it was going to be a long day, but it didn't happen.  I worked on stuff through lunch and then it was afternoon class, then I headed to work to change into running clothes and wait for Teh Running Bestie to meet me (yay!) so we could run the i5k.  

I thought the race started at 6, but it actually started at 6:30, so we had to stand around for a bit.  BUT there was a greyhound there, so we were pacified.  The race went fine.  We did a walk/jog, nothing overly strenuous.  I was surprised at how little I coughed, and glad.  Coast was giving out free beer, so that was cool if that's your thing.  After the race, I grabbed a free beer for Teh German, since there were canned beers there and technically, I had paid for it, even if I don't drink it, and then we left.  

I dropped Teh Running Bestie off at her car, called an order in at Willie Jewells, picked up the order, and went straight home.  Since it was a little after 8pm when I got home, I didn't even bother bringing in all my shit, just the food.  We immediately ate dinner, then I took care of my shit.  Laundry, taking off my bra, putting shit away, gathering shit for the next day, and finally sitting down to finish my code stuff and letting it run overnight, and finally going to bed.

For real, when I rolled over in the bed, I don't remember closing my eyes.. that's how quickly I fell asleep.. and that's never how it works for me.  I didn't wake up once all night and it was a fucking delight.  I'm not sure the last time that's happened.

FRIDAY

Because there was no class on Friday, it was a work only day.  I went into the office kinda early since I had a laser appointment at 0900.  After my laser appointment, I went to the Chiro.  Since it was pouring buckets outside when I was trying to leave the Chiro's office, I talked him into escorting me to my car with an umbrella since "we're in an unsafe neighborhood" (which isn't actually untrue, lol).  He was a good sport and made sure I was mostly dry all the way to the car.  Then I went back to work for several hours until it was finally time to go home.

Olive-Walive is a boss at using a pillow.

Teh Running Bestie, Teh PT Wife, and I headed to the Bridge Run Expo around 4:30ish.  We picked up our race packets, perused the tables, then it was dinner time.  We decided on Page's Okra Grill, which was a risk since there is always a wait.  Fortunately, for a party of 3, it was only a 15 minute wait, and Teh PT Wife was able to handle that.

Chicken livers, cornbread, sweet potatoes, hushpuppies, and some pinto bean corn "salsa".

I know our server was slammed with tables, but we didn't have silverware when our food was delivered and I had asked for a water and didn't receive it until I was halfway done with my meal... after I'd had to go up to the server station to ask for silverware.  Yeah, that wasn't my favorite thing.  We did see the dude after the race on Saturday, but didn't say anything to him.  I think Teh PT Wife and I were both surprised to see him out of the 30,000 people there.. and we lost Teh Running Bestie.. we happen upon our server from dinner the night before.  The world works in mysterious ways.

After dinner, we headed back home.  Teh PT Wife loves me and sent Teh German and Teh Chief Smartass home.  I was exhausted and wanted to go to bed and I knew if they came home after I was already in the bed, that would wake me up and I wouldn't have been able to go back to sleep and then I would be EXTRA stabby.

It didn't take long for it to be bedtime since we had an early start the next day.

SATURDAY

When the alarm went off at 0530, I was legitimately confused.  I quickly determined it wasn't a school day, but could NOT remember why the alarm was going off.  It took a solid 20 seconds to remember it was Bridge Run day.

We were on the road by 0615, headed to the Coliseum to catch a bus to the start line.  We did a car go the opposite way of bus traffic and I was in such a bitchy mood, I really wanted that person to get hit by a bus.  Based on our general disgruntlement throughout the weekend, I'd say that all 3 of us, myself, Teh PT Wife, and Teh Running Bestie were PMSing.  It was rough.

I tried to take a nap on the bus ride, but the radio was BLARING and then it was static once we got into Mount Pleasant, which was better to me than my ear drums busting since it kinda sounded like the brown noise I listen to while I sleep.  We got to the start area and then decided to jump into the furthest forward corral we could sneak into.  I was in D corral, but Teh Running Bestie and Teh PT Wife were further back and I didn't want to be waiting over an hour to start the race.  A nazi was bib checking every.single.person (as she should) that went into D and E corrals, but the oblivious dude at F corral wasn't really paying attention so we snuck in.  Then some twatty bitch made some comments when I decided to stop moving and stand in the space that was in front of them.  Yes, it was tight, but there's 30,000 people here bitch, STFU.  I'm not touching you, breathing on you, or otherwise harming you.  Get over it (which is ironically, also the motto for the Bridge Run, so HA!).

Teh PT Wife and I ended up going on ahead of Teh Running Bestie.  This wasn't ideal since we ended up almost not being able to find her at the finish line because fucking chaos.  When we went into Marion Square, where the post-race stuff was happening, there was ZERO cell phone coverage, so we had to move out into the streets to be able to text her and her location wasn't updating.  UGH.

Wut bridge?

We finally managed to get text messages through and met at the Krispy Kreme bus.  We had grabbed water and a banana for Teh Running Bestie, but she hadn't gotten our texts in time and already had to fight the masses to get water, which always makes us stabby.  Throughout the race, I had been telling Teh PT Wife that I was annoyed with the weaving between people we were having to do.  Then we got to the finish line and there was no water and we had to discover a new area of the map to find the water (you're welcome for that gamer reference).  Here's the thing.. when participants have to ask each other where to find food/water after a race, YOUR RACE IS BAD.

And so.. I have come to a conclusion.
2020 will be my final year running the bridge run.  I'm over the crowds, I'm over the hassle it is with Teh German to get my car downtown the night before the race, I'm over the fact that the day before it usually rains, making getting downtown even more tedious, I'm over shuttling to the start, I'm over the extra 2 miles added on to the length of the race to get to the start line and to get to the car.

Why 2020?  Because I can't do 4 years of a run.  I need an "even" number to finish on.  And because Teh PT Kid told his mom that he would like to run the Bridge.

So after finally getting to the car in the parking garage, we headed to Early Bird Diner for post-race brunch with Teh German and Teh Chief Smartass.  I had called them when we got to the downtown portion of the race so they could head there and kickstart the wait time for us.  #SorryNotSorry.

I was super pumped to see the Oatmeal Cream Pie ice cream on the dessert menu and super disappointed when it didn't live up to my remembered expectations.  There was no talking during eating time, so that meant we were all huuuungry.  After brunch, we picked up Willow from the Coliseum, then we headed home.

I set up taco soup in the crockpot for dinner then piddled around the house doing random shit and finally showering.  I had debated taking a nap, I felt good, so I wasn't sure if I needed one, but ultimately ended up napping.  It didn't hurt my feelings.  When I got up, I shredded the chicken for the soup, then it was dinner time.

After dinner, I worked on a Cricut projects and Teh PT Fam came over to visit.  Eventually, it was late so Teh PT Fam left and soon after, it was bedtime.

SUNDAY

I wanted a late start on Sunday morning, but couldn't manage to sleep in once the beasts had been released, so I just got up and started working on homework.  It rained in the AM, but we still actually went through with our plans to take the beasts on a walk at Riverfront Park (where the i5k was). 

I had managed to clip Pax's nails before we left, without help, which was nice.. and I got a few of Meri's before I quicked her and she started bleeding like a stuck pig all over the couch, which set off Teh German, which set off Meri.. and I'm trying to hold her bloody foot.  It was as lovely as you can imagine.  Even with her anxiety meds and being exhausted from the park walk, she was NOT having more of my shit.  Teh Running Bestie tried to dremel her remaining paw and neither of us had ever been so scared that Meri was going to bite one of us, so we gave up.

Also, I do not have Mom Guilt because all of Meri's nails are black, which makes it extra difficult NOT to quick the dogs.  "Quick"ing is when you cut too short and the nail bleeds.  It doesn't last long, and it's equivalent to ripping off a hangnail for humans, but Meri does NOT like her feet to be messed with, thus why it is such a momentous event when nails get cut.

Back to the park though, we sent the beasts with Teh Running Bestie, who was going back home, so Teh German and I could accomplish the week's grocery store run.  We stopped at Sam's, Lidl, and then Walmart, unfortunately.  I had been hoping it was only a 2 store week, but I was not so lucky.  But it's fine because we were able to get all the stuff on the list instead of pushing it off... again.

When we got home, I put away groceries and then Teh German and I started working on German dinner: Hähnchenschnitzel (chicken schnitzel), käsespatzle (like mac and cheese), und Rotkuhl (red cabbage).  We started on dinner no later than 6 and we didn't eat until almost 8:30.  UGH.  But it was sooooo worth it.  This was the best time that we've done German dinner, Teh German and I agreed.

Front to back:
Rotkuhl, jaeger/mushroom gravy, Käsespatzle, Schnitzel

There was also "jaeger" gravy, but it didn't really come out right..
but the flavor was fine.. so I used it as a dipping sauce, lol.

After cleaning up dinner, it was bedtime.

______________________________________________

Sadly, Teh Running Bestie left on Monday morning.  That's always the worst, when she leaves me.  Even though we know we'll see each other again in June, I'm unbearably jealous that Teh German will get to see her in May when he goes to MD for the GEGR picnic, so before me.  I know, I know, I'll be in Germany doing awesome things.. but principle people!

Overall, a very good weekend.  I didn't get much done in the way of homework, which makes for a stressful week... Which can be determined from this post going live on a Wednesday afternoon...

Monday, I had a filling put on my broken tooth.  I have irrational dentist anxiety, but I managed.  The dentist said if the filling doesn't do the trick (eliminating the pain) or doesn't stay attached (since the break was at such a severe angle), a root canal is next. 

This is literally what my brain did when the dentist said that:

So this fucking filling better stay on.  That said, the lack of pain has been startling.  I didn't realize just how much it hurt.  Also, I no longer have to clean the tooth out with my finger when I'm done eating since it would trap food.  I'm sure that is Teh German's favorite thing about my filling, no more watching me pick food out of my teeth after we eat.  That said, it is very much a habit now, after several years of doing it...

Monday night, I thought it was Tuesday night and I was extremely disappointed that the week was already dragging and it was only Monday.

Finally, Teh Running Bestie and the Disney Hercules Facebook account peer pressured me into starting to play Disney Emoji Blitz.  I haven't decided if I will continue to play it long term because I have a very hard time not playing it at the wrong times and being grouchy while I am playing it if someone messes with me and causes me to score low.  Yes, I know, #MeganProblems.

2 MORE WEEKS OF CLASS.
I can literally drag myself through this.
I run half marathons.
I can survive 2 weeks of end-of-semester-itis.
For real though, wish me luck.  The struggle is real.

Honeymoon Part 4 of 5

Friday, June 01... continued

We landed in San Fransisco around 1pm.  It took me longer to get through customs than Teh German.  We headed to the baggage carousel to claim our luggage and waited and waited and waited..... and we realized we were missing a suitcase.  THE suitcase, in fact.  The piece of luggage with all our clothes in it and 3 bottles of wine.  

I was practically slapping myself on the back for the forethought to pack changes of clothes in the carry on.  The biggest problem with lost luggage was that we weren't going to be in one place for a long enough period of time for them to actually deliver the luggage, should it arrive.  We were told that the suitcase would be on the same flight, the following day, so it would arrive around the same time on Saturday.  We got a ticket number and left.   

We had a rental car through Super Cheap Rental Cars and they actually picked us up at the airport.  After signing the paperwork, we headed to Sacramento.  Teh Sister had already booked our hotel room, so we headed there and checked in.  YAY for friends and family discounts! Our sweet suite that was definitely at least $300 a night had been discounted to $100.  Yes, Plskthx.   

 

Teh German and I brought our stuff in and relaxed for a short time (aka we went business because flying is the absolute worst on both of our bodies and we get a little....  inconsistent).  During this time, Teh Dad called me freaking out about his car rental and delayed flights and a dead cell phone battery.   

What had happened was that he and Teh Stepmom, who I felt more sorry for than Teh Dad, missed their flight out of Atlanta by 5 minutes after getting stuck in Charlotte due to weather.  They were able to get a later flight to San Francisco, but the rental car reservation was in San Jose, where they were originally supposed to fly into.  I was tasked with calling Priceline to sort it out.   

I pulled out that maiden name card to get shit done.  While all this was happening, Teh German and I had decided on a dinner place around the block and we headed there.  I was that asshole who sat on my phone for half of our dinner since I was on hold with Priceline for a mabillionty years.  It was actually a 50 minute call, but it was rude and I hated it, but it was a necessity, so I did it.  Priceline eventually got everything sorted out, I made a new car reservation for Teh Dad.  He hadn't told me when he was due to fly in, so I had to guess which flight he was on to make the car reservation.  Good thing I'm smart! After I finally got off the phone, I also got to enjoy dinner.   

We learned that our server was actually about to move to Bali to live the scuba traveler life.  Teh German was excited about all the different divers that we were meeting in random places.  We eventually headed back to the hotel and got ready for bed and crashed.  I made sure to send Teh Dad the text that said, "Do not call me unless it's an emergency because this day has been about 48 hours long and we had less than 4 hours of sleep the entire time." I, thankfully, did not receive a call.

___________________________________________________

Saturday, June 02

I woke up at 0630 ready to face the day. #TimeChangeWoes  I texted Teh Dad to see if he had made it and he responded a little bit later.  I also texted Teh Sister to see if she was awake yet.  Teh Dad, Teh Sister, and I ended up going down to breakfast around 7 and eating. 

Teh Sister had arrived around 10:30/11pm, Teh Dad had gotten in around 0400.  But we were all hungry.  Eventually, spouses trickled down except for Teh Stepmom, but we encouraged Teh Dad to deliver her breakfast to the room. 
 
After breakfast, Teh Sister, Sis Friend, and I walked to Starbucks down the street and then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the graduation ceremony.  The ceremony was a few blocks away, so it didn't take long to get there.  Teh Mom met us at the conference center.  We finally found a seat in the upper reaches of the seating area.  I was impressed at how quick the ceremony was, considering the number of graduates.  They didn't deter cheering, but made sure that everyone could hear the names being read.  We were out of there by 1235. 

"Resting his eyes"...
since 1986...

SIBLINGS!
Well, one of us is missing.  Dammit, BIL.

We checked out of the hotel, since we had already loaded the car before the ceremony.  After everyone was checked out, we headed to the brunch place.  We had to wait a bit for a table, but it was ok.  We eventually got our table but the place wasn't air conditioned and we were DYING.  Also, flies.  Ugh.  We were all glad when the meal was over and we had paid and left.

Teh German and I headed to San Fransisco, via the Golden Gate Bridge, since we hadn't left the city that way when we arrived.  We made a pitstop at a Walmart to pick up some extra underwear since that was the only thing we were going to run out of before I was able to do laundry again.  I had mailed dress clothes and shoes for the graduation ceremony to Teh Sister before we left, so that covered Saturday.  We'd packed an extra set of clothes for just in case, which covered Sunday.  We were flying out on a red eye Sunday night that would arrive Monday morning, so we might be smelly, but we wouldn't be naked!

Once we got into the city, we stopped at one of the northern view points for the Golden Gate Bridge, parked illegally, and expeditiously hiked up the hill to get some pics and take a look around, and then hiked back to the car with a quickness.  Fortunately, we were able to see the Golden Gate Bridge most of the time that we were in San Fransisco, so it wasn't that big of a deal that we only did a 5 minute "oo that's pretty" peek.  After, we headed into the city to our Air BnB. 

Our Air BnB was equipped with a resident cat, Bee, who decided I was his bestie.  And I was ok with that, until he bit me when he was playing with me.  I have hard limits about biting (animals)...  and licking (humans)... 

We decided to do some touristy things and walk around the piers.  I wanted to show him Pier 39 with the shopping and the sea lions.  We also walked to Ghirardelli Square and walked through the shop, but didn't buy anything.  We wanted to get dinner.  I was originally going for a German place, but then we opted for pizza nearby since the German place was pretty far away.  The pizza was mediocre and the prices were outrageous.  #SFProblems After dinner, we headed back to the Air BnB, met our host, then crashed.

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Sunday, June 03

We had brunch plans with Teh Sister, Sis Friend, Teh Dad and Teh Stepmom in the AM, so we headed there after moving the rental car to the street near the Air BnB since the host tipped us off that street parking was free on Sundays!  We weren't allowed to be seated until everyone was there, ugh, so we waited outside the restaurant for everyone to arrive.   

There was a couple with a puppy at the other table outside and I got to pet the puppy as we chatted with the Puprents.  Eventually Teh Dad and Teh Stepmom arrived, and they had time to change into warmer clothes while we waited on Teh Sister to arrive.  We were seated and had a delicious breakfast.  

I had noticed that a cable car turn around point was down the street from our brunch location, so after brunch we opted to ride the cable car to Market Street and then back to Fisherman's Wharf.  Teh German and I had tickets for Alcatraz at 1230 and in true Megan form...  a disaster was brewing.  

We had to wait an hour to get back on the return cable car (we got to see someone get arrested for harassing the customers and employees of the cable car) and then it stopped further away than I had planned on, so Teh German and I had to speed walk/run to the Alcatraz pier.  I didn't read the part about being 30 minutes early to catch your ferry, so we missed the ferry by 3 minutes.  Since I hadn't printed the tickets (because it was one less thing for me to keep up with since we were making a lot of stops), I had to stop by will call, where they printed out our tickets.  We got in line, and when the tickets were scanned, I learned that I had purchased tickets for April 15th, NOT June 3rd.  This is my life, Gentle Readers.   

Fortunately, the ticket people took pity on me and gave us standby tickets, meaning if there was space they would let us on the ferry to go to the island.  They realized that we hadn't used the tickets on April 15th and it was an operator error, so it wasn't like we were trying to cheat the system.  We were  extra fortunate though, because there was no one else in the standby line.  Bless my soul.  

We eventually made it onto the 1pm ferry.  It was a hike up to the prison and we were both SOOOOO over all the walking.  Both of us had sore legs and calves.  At the prison, you are equipped with an audio tour, which you could actually just read off the printed out signs...  Boo.  I like live tour guides since they are able to tell you interesting tidbits that a recording definitely isn't going to give you.  

After our tour, we walked around the island and I took some flower pics (of course).  As we were meandering back, Teh German noticed the ferry was doing a last call so we ran down to the landing to make the ferry.  We had escaped Alcatraz!  

Teh Sister had stayed in San Fransisco with Sis Friend, Teh Dad, and Teh Stepmom to tour, and when we got back, she headed towards the airport to meet us at cell phone parking.  She had volunteered to drop off our rental car to save us some time.  She headed to the rental car place and Sis Friend dropped us off at international arrivals.   

I had called the Air New Zealand contact who had told me that our luggage still hadn't come in...  because it had went all the way to Chile (our initial Sydney flight had a final destination of Santiago, which makes sense).  Rather than bother trying to receive it while were in MD, I told them to forward it to CHS and deliver it to our house.  After Chile, it had been to Miami, and it was inbound to San Fransisco, but we needed to check into to our flight and couldn't wait on the bag to maybe arrive.  We took the $200 voucher and cashed it and headed to our terminal.   

There was some confusion over where the Jet Blue terminal was and we got to take a confusing train ride where we eventually made it to our terminal.  Once there, I needed to balance the luggage weights again, so we did that and munched on sourdough bread that we had purchased the night prior since I realized we couldn't carry it through security.  

Once we got checked in (luggage weight wasn't an issue what with missing a bag), we headed through security, which took way longer than I felt it needed to.  Once we got through security, we headed to a place where we could find food.  Teh German had a beer, I had wings and a gin and ginger ale, and we mostly just sat in silence and played on social media.   

Once I was done eating and Teh German had confirmed he wasn't getting food, I paid and we headed to our gate.  Once there, they announced that our flight to Boston had no audio for any of the video players so passengers should probably grab a magazine or book from the stores.  Fantastic, as this didn't apply to me, as I planned on sleeping.  While we waited, I did some preflight stretching and eventually it was time to board.   

Unfortunately, the person sharing our row was smelly and there wasn't much sleep to be had with my jacked up sleep schedule.  I mostly just played games on my phone and read and tried to channel some inner zen. 

Honeymoon Adventures

Part 1: SC to MD, MD to Cairns
Part 2: Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef
Part 3: Sydney Touristing
Part 4: California (San Francisco and Sacramento)
Part 5: MD to SC