Suffice it to say, I love this broad and fortunately we were both able to meet for this recent Christmas and my birthday. Thus, we also decided to buy/or make stockings and fill them for one another with a mix of bought and DIY goodies. I love getting crafty so this was a real treat for me. I went out and bought a bunch of fun craft supplies including a new wood burner which I'm currently obsessed with (so much so that my roomie bought me a wood carving kit for Christmas). People who know me well have told me they imagine me with goggles, roaming around my apartment with a blow torch-- if only it were that badass. Instead, here are some of the things I made and what wood burning looks like:
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| I bought the box and created the designs |
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| My friend loves to sew so I made this spool look like it had thread then made a ring with it. |
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| Homemade Apple Pie Bourbon (made an extra batch for myself) thanks to: http://boozedandinfused.com/ |
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| Burned the designs into these wooden spoons |
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| It's hard to write with a wood burner but there was no turning back. One of my favorite quotes: If one is looking for love, one must look with love. |
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| Also made her a sugar scrub and another ring with a blue stone. |
I was so excited to pick her up the next morning. When I did it felt as if no time had passed and yet it was completely surreal given the fact that we shared a place we both call home.
We drove into the city (San Francisco) and hung around Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. A lot of people dislike these areas because they're "touristy" but I love the kitschy-ness and swarm of families from all over the world. It's warm, friendly, and energetic. The wooden planks, sail boats, sea lions, and clam chowder always make me feel like a kid again-- reminiscent of the times I've spent here with my father and mother.
Sharing these memories with another was quite special. It was sort of how a lover might feel when they finally share who they really are with another being. I told her stories, shared my background, and picked herbs for us to smell. Something my father used to do for me. My parents met her when we were both still in Michigan. They adore her as if she were family. As my mother said, "We're all a little looney tooney, and she gets us. She's a little looney herself. We're all a bunch of looney toons."
My friend also told me more about her life and growing up. Sometimes I think we both wish we had met when we were kids but regardless we're happy we met now. In a way, being with her is the same as being with family and because we can be silly together, it's like going back in time-- as if we are kids again. In the birthday card she gave me she wrote, "I really do consider you a third sister."
One of the best surprises was when I took her to a spot my cousin's boyfriend introduced me to: an old-fashioned arcade. We got our fortunes told and her fortune actually broke one machine. I see you breaking things in your future.
But her favorite thing was probably the Sea Lion docks at Pier 39 where hundreds of Sea Lions come to graze in the sun. They're adorable and so much fun to watch. We made little Sea Lion laughs and took pictures and videos of our Sea Lion impersonations.
Once the afternoon hit we headed to Daly City where we had planned to go horse back riding. Now, I had never been on a horse so this was going to be very exciting for me. We saddled up and headed out. I have to say, riding a horse always seemed so easy, in reality, it's a very intense feeling. You're up so high and at the mercy of a wild animal. It was thrilling to say the least.
Our ride was supposed to go along a beach and for a while all we did was zig-zag through a meadow with the sight of the ocean far off in the distance and down the long, rolling hills.
Then what do you know? To my astonishment, we headed down those hills. It was pretty intense for a first time ride. Up and down, with horses trying to gallop up. I talked to my horse-- hoping to appear calm and tranquil. Coffee (perfect because I love coffee), was her name and after a while I began to feel completely comfortable and safe. We made it to the ocean and it was just so unbelievable. The horses even walked through the water (although mine didn't so much and I just kept envisioning my horse saying something like, "shit's cold! You try walking through it!").
Once the ride was over, we began to head back up the steep hills. Before, I was in the back of the herd, now I was in front with a horse riding behind me named Hershey because she was "so sweet." Well every now and then Coffee's head would turn quickly and in human probably say something like, "back up bitch!" But Hershey didn't like Coffee so much (or any horse for that matter) and kept biting Coffee in the butt. By the second bite, Coffee began to buck-up and nehhhh... At least that's what I think you call it. I of course just started yelling, "Ohmygod! Ohmygod! Holy shit!" (real classy I know). Luckily I was able to calm Coffee and myself down and someone else finally came up to ride between Coffee and Hershey but at that point I just wanted to be off the horse.
And that was my first time riding a horse. Despite the minor hiccup, it was one of the coolest things I've ever done and I can officially write it off my life list. My friend also treated me to the ride as my birthday gift. Thanks buddy!!!
Afterwards, we left for our hostel at Fort Mason and set up our home for the next two days. My friend also made my stocking as well as a tree for us to hang wherever we went.
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| The stocking on the left is the one she made for me. The gifts were from my mother because she wanted us to have something to actually open on Christmas morning. Thanks Mom! |
On our way back, e treated ourselves to some famous Ghirardelli ice cream sundaes. On Christmas, we woke, ate a free breakfast, and then opened gifts and stockings. Not only did she make me the sweetest stocking, but also gave me some the funniest and dearest gifts.
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| Somewhat of an inside joke but also because I was acting fatalistic about my upcoming birthday. |
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| A pickle!!! In honor of the German tradition but I took it as a salute to the amazing pickle (that, and because I have one tattooed on me-- but that's another story). |
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| An arrow and an H for... Helena! Just the day before I had been raving about her necklace (just like mine) and low and behold, one was waiting for me in my stocking. |
Despite not being with family I don't think either of us felt estranged and our morning could not have been more perfect. That afternoon we ate Indian food in the Haight Ashbury district and went searching for the homes of famous folks like Janis Joplin and Hunter S. Thompson. That evening we made our way to Chinatown where we had lots of fun gallivanting among the touristy gift shops, having sword fights, and trying on goofy hats and masks. Our Christmas dinner consisted of Dim Sum (which she had never had) and Boba tea. It was cheap, perfect, and neither one of us could have pictured a better Christmas.
As we headed back, we had walked along the North Beach district where some strip clubs were. We had jokingly suggested going there the night before as she had never been to a strip club. On our way back to the car that Christmas night, I asked her if she really wanted to go and told her I would go with her as I had been to plenty in my day (sorry Mom). As we were about to leave she enthusiastically declared she wanted to go.
And to The Condor Club we went...
The club was surprisingly busy and most of the dancers were in Santa outfits and welcomed us with a "Merry Christmas" and a smile as they headed down the poles (no pun intended whatsoever). It was only a topless bar and most of the dancers didn't celebrate Christmas so it wasn't as sad as it may sound. It was actually a lot of fun and the people there seemed pretty decent. The dancers even exclaimed they loved having women around and made it more fun. So in a way, we were doing a civic service.
We ended up making friends with random people on the street, got a lesson on how to tip a stripper and get "titties in yo face," and even partook in the two-for-one lap dance deal. We had to go big as it was her first time. The strippers loved us and we had an amazing time.
It was officially the most epic Christmas ever!
The next day we headed to Napa for what would be the most epic Birthday Eve ever! I won't share the details of this but let's just say a lot of wine was drunk and we ended up in bed together.
Get out of the gutter you fool! Our room only had one bed! But it was wild and fun and we ended up spending my actual birthday hungover, napping, and eating Mexican food in bed at our hotel back in the city.
Our last day was equally amazing. I took her back to the Haight-Ashbury, the Mission district, and Union Square. We bought some cute 50s style scarves and such (ironically we bought a lot of the same thing--another thing we learned about each other).
I had to drop her off early the next day. Goodbyes at airports are never as dramatic as you think they'll be what with the rush to catch a flight, not get a ticket or be in anybody's way. I quickly handed her her luggage and we gave each other a quick hug. Then we were off.
It took less than a minute as I was driving from the very spot I left her from for me to start crying and blubbering like a baby. It was like saying goodbye to a sister and having to let go of a little piece of home.
I know nobody died and I will see her again (that and our Golden Girls pack) but being with her made me do a lot of evaluation of where I want to be. Since moving to L.A. I've learned that home really is where the heart is. People often ask me what my favorite city/state is and I tell them: Michigan, Seattle, College Station, Paris, Maryland, Punta Gorda, Louisiana, California, Colorado, China, and England. Some of these places I've never even been to before, but I love them because people I love live there. Maybe that's why I don't know where to live or haven't found a place I can call home yet--because I am home whenever I'm with people I love.
Regardless, people have their own lives, create their own families, and I have to make a life for myself. I wish I could pocket everyone up and take them with me but I can't. As my mother always says, "You come into this world alone, and you leave this world alone."
Now I just have to find a home within myself--whatever that means...
Until then, thanks for reading and happy holidays.
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