talking in code.

Today was the day that students all over the state of California protested the budget cuts that are affecting us all. I would have participated, except that I had class, which uh, I kind of failed to wake up for. Yeah. I mean, it was bound to happen eventually, right? In any case, I slept through both the protest and class, oh well. I still was up in time to go to lunch with my friend Morgan, though! And boy, was I glad I didn't miss that.



This sign was hung over Sather Gate.





Pretty flowers in Memorial Glade.

***

So, we went to Gregoire for lunch and Masse's Pastries for dessert. Are you ready for this?



Morgan got the grilled chicken patty with sautéed chanterelles & gorgonzola dolce in pantofolina.



We got an order of crispy potato puffs to share.



And I got the 3 cheese potato soup.



Morgan was content.



Dessert was dynamite! Ha. But really...it was amazing. It was some sort of pastry with a passionfruit filling...I don't actually know what was in it, but I know that it was delicious and I loved it.





IT WAS SO GOOD GUYS.



I also got some cookies to go...a green tea macaroon, a chocolate macaroon, a lemon shortbread cookie and a cappuccino chip cookie.


Mmmmm.



***

So we were full and with time, so what did we do? Walk all the way up to the Berkeley Rose Garden, getting lost/finding adventure on the way. I live on Southside, so I never take the time to explore North Berkeley, but I'm so glad that I've been venturing out there a bit more. The houses are gorgeous, and as cheesy as it sounds, walking around them made me feel as though I was in a fairytale land. It also reminded me of back home, because Marie and I would often drive through the Burbank/Glendale hills and look at the houses up there.







Lots of pretty things on the way.



We arrive!



The view at the top was breathtaking.



I cannot WAIT to go when the roses are in full bloom, the place is gorgeous without them so I can't imagine how it'll be when it's filled to the brim with flowers. It's also really peaceful there.







I thought this memorial plaque was beautiful.



I love overcast Berkeley days!



I ran into my nemisis...he ran away. I win...AGAIN.



As if I didn't feel short already?



Super overcast, gorgeous.



There were police all over campus because of the protest, just making sure that everything stayed under control.



I got home and treated myself to an AMAZING macaroon.

***

I got back and cleaned my room, and now I'm about to start working on my Atomic Age midterm. Tomorrow is Friday and I actually have plans other than studying this weekend, so I need to try and be productive today! Today was a really good day (despite missing class, oops) and again I am reminded to stop and look at how amazing everything around me is. Taking some time to explore, eat, and be with a good friend is a nice break from studying all the time, and it was exactly what I needed this week.