Weekend fun!

At the baseball game- I need to get more sleep!

This past weekend was great!  SMS and I joined a few of our friends at the Padres game.  Aaron is also going to Japan and he too has his San Diego check-off list.  We had great seats, especially for only $13!  We could see the Ultimate Skybox from our seats and we also went to Hodad's.  The burger was fine and the toppings delicious but I'm fairly certain that's my one-and-only time there.  Even though it wasn't the original OB location, I am fine with that!

On Saturday, SMS and I met Chaplain Feagle, a really nice, warm former Navy chaplain who lives in Pt Loma.  Afterwards, we went to Reglan Public House which was a delicious craft brew and hamburger place.  SMS didn't have a burger the night before so we split a burger, sweet potato fries and grilled corn.  Yum!

Then we did a bunch of errands to get ready for SMS' party on my rooftop.  We made oven-fried carnitas and pollo asado.  Both dishes were great and the party was a huge success.  SMS' friends are so nice and engaging.  There was lots to talk about and even though it was a party of work friends, it didn't seem like there was too much shop talk!  Everyone loved the view and the whole venue was just really awesome.  We stayed until about 11, which was great since the roof/lounge technically closes at 10.  But we were allowed to stay, probably because it was all very mellow and no music was playing.

Oooo, just a note on the carnitas- even though it's a pain to de-pith, the orange salsa is totally worth making!

View from the West side of the building
with the airport in the distance

On Sunday, I felt great although sleepy- I had taken a gamble and actually been on call Saturday because I wanted the middle weekend in June off rather than split it with Chris.  I met up with Tawnne for some shopping and lunch at Fashion Valley.  We had lunch at True Food Kitchen, which was a delicious healthy option.  We split a scramble and the Farmer's Market salad, which had the freshest peas and fava beans.  It was so good.  Then, we proceeded to spend too much money before finally calling it a day.  Afterwards, SMS and I walked through Balboa Park and through the rose garden, where I've been wanting to go for weeks!

Healthy breakfast/lunch

We had dinner at Azuki sushi where I figured out that the simple sushi and sashimi were best.  I got a fancy roll but the sauces distracted from the absolutely amazing quality of the fish.  So next time, simple is better.  We'll definitely be back- it's delicious and SMS loved the place.

Winding down in San Diego...

I’m leaving San Diego in about 3 months.  It’s sad/exciting to write that.  It’s amazing that a five year period of my life is so neatly packaged and now it’s (almost) over.  Aug 13, 2008- brand new resident, Aug 9, 2013- board-eligible Navy otolaryngologist.  Woo-hoo!  I definitely feel ready but there are a few things I’d like to do in San Diego before I go:

*Bonfire on the beach  (5/25)

*Del Mar Fair (didn't happen this year but I went two years ago so it's been done)

*Del Mar Races (opening day baby!)

*Eat at Hodads (5/17 at the ballpark)

*Stand-up Paddle Boarding (5/30 Fiddler's Cove)

*Brunch and Bike on the 101 with SMS (our first date!)

*Dinner at the Marine Room

*Dinner at Oceanaire, or at least Baked Alaska!

*Lunch at Kitchen 4041 (6/5)

*Dim Sum in Kearny Mesa

*Ray at Night (not going to happen!  Second Saturday of the month and 7/13 is M&M's party and 8/10 is Marissa's wedding)

*Hillcrest Farmer’s Market

*Little Italy Farmer’s Market (6/8!, 6/22, 6/29)

*Shakespeare Festival show (7/23 R&G Are Dead)

*Show at La Jolla Playhouse

*Picnic at the Gliderport

*Hang out at Altitude
[ADDED 7/1]
*Thanksgiving sandwich at Big Front Door (It was good, not great)
*Meal at the Carnitas Shack
*Free Tuesday Museums in Balboa Park (Science Museum)

Here's a great article I found on the different neighborhoods of San Diego.  There are a few more restaurants in the article that I'd like to hit up. 

Climbing with SMS

Apart from SMS, another big thing that has entered my life in the past 5 months is rock climbing.  SMS has been rock climbing since 2002 and is really, really good.  I marvel at some of the rock he climbs.  In general, he makes it look so effortless and the routes he climbs are not easy.  Some of the things he climbs don't even seem like fun to me, they're so tough!

He really loves it and has shared the sport to me.  I climbed a little bit indoors in college, but SMS and I have gone both to the gym and outside.  It's been awesome to have such a fun activity to share as a couple and it's really nice to do something outdoors on the weekend.  It is such a nice change-up from being inside during the workweek.

The pictures above are from Mt. Woodson (left) and El Cajon Mtn (right).  I'm belaying Kate from the most comfortable tree perch up a 10b crack, which I climbed too!  Bottom left is SMS on a 12a face(!). The picture on the right is me descending after our multi-pitch climb on El Cajon by the "Diamond of San Diego."

Above are more El Cajon pics.   The hike in is about 75 minutes.  The handholds overall are really great as long as one doesn't go off route (read: me).  Mark looks like he is having a little more fun than me in the action shots but the selfie shows we are both having an awesome time!