The Final Holiday Hurah

Well, my three weeks of stay-cation are over. Actually, last week I worked quite a bit, but it still was vacation because I wasn't teaching or studying. Tomorrow begins the Winter 2011 quarter and I have a bit of stage fright. Maybe my students are nervous too. It is a bit silly that I feel this way since I know 90% of my students from previous classes. I just want to make sure I do a great job and am a good role model for them.

To celebrate my final day of stay-cation I'm heading out, in the freezing weather, to have an ice cream sundae at Fenton's. Earlier in the day I took a long hike in the Oakland hills and went to the Oakland Museum of California with Leah to again see the Pixar exhibit, which was so much better the second time around.

Now to get a sugar high so that I can crash and get, hopefully, eight hours of restful sleep.

Holiday Photo Expedition

Three years ago I started the tradition of taking a photo expedition to get a beautiful shot for my holiday card. Last year I took a ferry ride from Alameda to Oakland. The previous year it was the London Eye. This year I ventured up to the Oakland Hills for some breathtaking vistas and also Baker Beach for the beauty of the ocean. Living in such a beautiful area, so close to the ocean and mountains, I often take for granted the majesty of the Bay Area. Looking at some of these photos reminds me of how fortunate I am to be here.

Rediscovering Oakland

I find it hard to believe but come July 2 I'll have been living back here in California for a year. This whole time I've been quite San Francisco focused with my social life and work. There are areas of Oakland that I haven't seen, that is until yesterday. I tootled around Piedmont Avenue and Uptown. Reminds me of what I loved most about Oakland when I lived there.

This City Car Share is good and also a bit bad. Good because it gives me wheels, bad because at this point I could probably buy a car for what I'm putting into these rentals. Should I get a car? Ike the Bike is keeping me in superb shape. I don't even get winded doing some extraordinary hills. But, as I feel more settled I am missing the freedom to travel far and wide in the Oakland flatlands and hills.

My possessions arrive from Houston next week and I'm starting to make more significant "purchases" if yard sales count as major shopping venues. Two weeks ago I bought a ceramic painted sink for some future bathroom I hope to have. Today I purchased downhill skis, boots and poles. Clearly, I'm committed to being here.

Our Safe Word

I had the most spectacular afternoon and evening with my good friends Rachel and David in Oakland. Just like my sibs safely catching me when I arrived in DC, Rachel and David are here for me in the Bay Area.

David is attempting to entice me to move to their Oakland neighborhood - which use to be my neighborhood too in 2000. We walked to a bakery, had chai and then found an awesome free desk on the way back to their place to meet Rachel who was finishing her work-from-home day. Then we took a road trip up to the Oakland Hills to visit with Rachel's mule named Pippi Longstocking. Wonderful views and amazing animal.

From here I strong armed D&R to visit Alameda to see the beach and of course eat at my favorite sushi place. Luck had it that David just celebrated his birthday so we milked it at the sushi restaurant which goes all out on your birthday.

The real "aha" moment of the day was at the sushi restaurant when D&R asked me what I want to be doing in two years. Yes, the exact question I ask my coaching clients. My response "building social enterprise initiatives in Africa." Whoa... what inner voice said that? I realized, once again, that I'm all about leadership development and that I am motivated to keep my work moving internationally. So, I suggested to D&R that when I get off track, which is my patent panic zone action, they should remind me of my goal by saying my safe word which is "spaghetti" in honor of my mother. That's a whole 'nother story.