First, an unexpected visit from my friend Jen who was visiting with her parents. It was a total surprise to have them in SD, and such a wonderful blessing! I got to hang out with them for a while, and it was so good to catch up with Jen about our lives and all that has happened since we last saw one another and encourage one another. I don't have a picture for this one, but it was a fantastic start to March!
The visit did give me the opportunity for the first time to drive myself across the Coronado Bridge, which I've been a bit apprehensive about. Its a little tall. :) And long. But it was just fine. Just pick the middle lane, and stare straight ahead!
Just a few days after this surprise visit, the second friend arrived (a planned visit!), my friend Jennifer! Yay! We have known each other since the early days of my starting graduate school, and Jennifer starting medical school at the same time. What a blessing it has been to be friends all these years, and to have her come and visit on her not-so-frequent time off.
Jennifer is a self proclaimed Food Tourist. I totally love this. So am I. I just never thought to call it something so neat. So she came with a number of food goals in mind. We thus traveled about seeking fish tacos, tapas and sangria, Italian food from Little Italy, seafood, Thai food, and of course dessert from Extraordinary Desserts. I like finding new restaurants, and we found a couple places which I think call for a revisit! Additionally, Jennifer likes projects. Which means I benefited from a cleaner, more organized apartment by her visit! How awesome is that! You know your friends are good friends when they will help you clean and re-organize. It also meant a trip to Ikea. :)
We didn't just eat though. We also visited the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma. We went climbing around on the rocks where my brother and Dad and myself did some investigating back during their visit in October, but Jennifer and I found if we climbed down far enough, we could get to these tide pools which were really cool! Some of the tide pools were like having a mini aquarium cut out of the rock. Little fish, and crabs, and sea plants (yes, that is the scientific term for them, haha) all in this water-filled crevice in a rock. We had quite a good adventure there. We also spent some time on Coronado Island and its beach, Imperial Beach. We found a cute little coffee shop there with a back porch that had a painted wall by which we enjoyed our coffee. It had such neat character. I really enjoy discovering little places like this! I'm glad I got to discover it with such a good friend!
And then, five days later, Becky and Karen arrived for a visit! Becky and Karen are also both friends with Tomomi, my friend here in San Diego that I stayed with when I first arrived. We all know each other from church in Iowa, so it was rather nice to all hang out together. Becky stayed with me, and Karen with Tomomi, and we got together to explore Old Town and the San Diego Zoo, and Little Italy. Of course Old Town means sampling the Mexican cuisine, and Little Italy the Italian. Always more eating! Here we are in Old Town.
It was so good to have my old roomie come and visit. I miss having her around so much! While there are things that are nice about living alone, there are also many great things about being able to live with a good friend, and I really miss those things. It was so good to be able to stay up late and have all the conversations like we used to! Just catching up on our lives. And talking theology. And Dr. Who. :)
Well, now I suppose I have some time to wait before I get more visitors. Thanks to everyone who has come. It has been so great to have you all! Being here has made me realize how absolutely blessed I was by friends in Iowa. First, that I had so many dear friends who I did all of life with. I think I had to try to be alone, I didn't have to try to put much effort into being around great people! And second, that our friendships were so dear that so many have made the effort to come here and see me. So blessed!
