all the small things.

I've been working on an Israel post, so hopefully that'll be up soon, but to tide y'all over here are pictures of my day hanging out (aka eating) with some of my CalTV friends!



This is Katie, she runs the Marketing department of CalTV and she's awesomeeee.



Johnny is the head of my department, Cinematography! I'm biased, but we really are the best department there.



Chin used to run Marketing, now she's just chillin'. Too cool for school, obviously.



First stop of the afternoon was Gregoire, for some crispy potato puffs.









America's Next Top Model!



Next stop, Cheeseboard. HELL YEAH.





Today's pizza had zucchini, onions, mozzarella and feta cheese, and arugula-hazelnut pesto. IT WAS SO GOOD.









These are pretty much my favorite things in the world, in case anyone was wondering. Good thing they're on the other side of town, otherwise I would be fat/broke. GAH SO GOOD!



And then, we went to Masse's for dessert! This was my stash of goods, including a mixed berry macaroon, a Bailey's Irish Cream macaroon, a cappuccino thin and a financier cookie.







After THAT, we went to Love at First Bite, a cupcake shop on Northside. Johnny was in awe!





My box! One red velvet and one mini chocolate.



Katie's.



Johnny devours his mini red velvet...haha.



Filmers! We match, haha.







Group shot!



CalTV + cupcakes = awesome!



Bonus picture from Emma's birthday party last night! Hooray for CalTV friends :)



After our lunchtime adventures, I went over to my friend Nadine's for her lovely Cupcakes & Champagne birthday party. It was a lot of fun, and I dressed up and everything! Now I'm home, eating Terra chips, watching Buffy and writing a midterm. Actually, I had about five chips and then put them back because honestly, I can't eat anymore, haha. I'm flying home on Thursday and I can't wait. As much as I love Berkeley I'm excited to go home and see my family and friends and just relax for a week. But first, a midterm awaits!

bookends.

Today wasn't a very good day, but in keeping with the spirit of attempting to see the good in everything, I have once again realized that I have some of the best friends in the entire world. They not only support me in whatever I chose to do, but truly want the best for me and are there for me regardless of circumstances and distance.



Special shout-out to Marie for being there to answer late night phone calls when I don't know who else to talk to. I'm really lucky to have such amazing people in my life.

9 days until I'm back in Los Angeles.

***



Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you

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.