Nestled in the middle of Stow Lake, a man-made lake within Golden Gate Park, is Strawberry Hill. Apparently this island is a bit of a hidden gem, according to Samara, who was kind enough to serve as our tour guide for weekend. After crossing one of the two stone bridges that span the lake, we followed a dirt trail that snaked its way around the island, past a Chinese peach pagoda, and to the top of this waterfall that leads into the lake.
And the view from the top of Strawberry Hill was a spectacular one of western San Francisco.

I finally made it to San Francisco. I think it's been about a year since I started to speculate about how I'd eventually fly out, see the city, and visit a friend who's there for school. But I finally made it, and I can say with confidence that it's as great as everyone I've spoken to made it out to be. 

We went just about everywhere we could think of: Golden Gate Park, Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill, Baker Beach, Haight-Ashbury, Pacific Heights, Lombard Street, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and our hostel was even right in the center of Union Square. Four days was not nearly enough time, and someone needs to take me back. Like, right now.

I may have committed a bit of a Christmas-time faux pas in buying this dress for myself. In my defense, I made a point to buy or make gifts for everyone else before I decided to treat myself. Well, I guess that's almost entirely true, as long as I continue to ignore the still unfinished photo album laying on my desk with its various disassembled components scattered about in a messy pile. Oh, and I still have to wrap all of my gifts. And design and make everyone's cards. Did I mention it's Christmas Eve? I hope no one will mind and/or notice if my gift presentation is a bit lacking this year. Perhaps my sparkly tights will distract them.