Thanks to Bart’s (Bay Area Rapid Transit) shutdown at midnight Thursday night, we decided to drive to Berkeley and avoid long taxi lines at Oakland airport. It was weird to see the mass transit system shut down. It’s what moves the Bay Area around.
My daughter’s view of the San Francisco Bay is marvelous, her dorm tucked away and nestled amongst the noble pines.
Tune in all this week for the food and sports scene as well as the general beauty of Berkeley.
Here we are at Berkeley, celebrating your 18th birthday! You were the youngest of three and always the youngest in school. Your kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Covington, assured us it wouldn’t be a problem because you were so bright. And here you are…
You comfort, cheer and support your friends and people are attracted to your nurturing, giving nature. You are wise and balanced. You are loyal and true. And here we are…
May this year grace you with educational pursuits that impassion you. May this year be one of growth and enjoyment as you spread your wings further, learn more about yourself and expand in awareness. May you be happy, fulfilled and realized. And here it is…
What makes following your spiritual path rich and rewarding, is the constant unfolding and peeling away of the onion layers to our core. There is a forward movement, inward and outward. We generate motion and then release it. We ebb and flow like the tide. We rhythmically breathe keeping time to the beat of our heart. Who or what put the breath of life inside us? Where is the source?
I am intrigued by the shedding of layers, the self-knowledge, the metamorphoses that takes place as we excavate and free our ego. I am mesmerized by the journey, the process and the glimpse, the taste we savor of our authentic selves. Literally, transforming inside our chrysalis, unveiling, unfurling our wings and becoming whom we were always meant to be.
A self not feared, but to be revered, cherished and to be grateful for. How fortunate we are! Adhering to spiritual principles in all our affairs, doing the best to our utmost ability and with every casting off of a mask or mantle we used in order to hide our truth – there is growth, rebirth and an incredible ride! What a concept.
Today we are off to Cal to visit with our daughter E for the first time since she moved up there to attend University. Berkeley has some of the most interesting fusion cuisines. I have witnessed everything from down south Louisiana ribs to Morrocan/Chinese to Indian/African to two pound burger joints to an out of this world tiny vegan bakery and more.
Fresh, organic and local products are cherished, honored and played with here. Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse, Gratitude Cafe (one of the first raw gourmet restaurants) and school garden/lunch programs originated here. I was promised a meal at one of my favorite places – Saturn Cafe and look forward to eating and reporting back. Saturn Cafe is an organic vegan and vegetarian corner diner, decorated in shiny chrome, fifties style, brightly hued, intergalactic decor. It’s a flashback!
Gerberas need little plastic neck braces around the top of their hollow stems when displaying for the flower head is too heavy for its column. 
They originated in Transvaal, South Africa and were discovered by the botanist Gronovius who named them after his friend, Traugott Gerber, a German naturalist.
Gerberas are from the Sunflower family and are the fifth most used cut flower in the world, after rose, carnation, chrysanthemum and tulip. They are extensively used botanically to study the formation of flowers. This genus (a hybrid gerbera) comes in an exploding cornucopia of colors and is presently gracing my home thanks to my romantic sidekick, my husband.
Tonight, another game. Against Calgary. Dawn Wright from Tustin will sing both the Canadian and the US National Anthems. She has become the official voice for the Ducks. Her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is energizing. We all love her!
Will Corey Perry (#10) score two more goals this evening like he shot on Sunday? Perry plays right wing and has been with the team since 2003. Ten years. He has matured into a thoughtful, focused player.
Will Hiller (#1) or Fasth (#30) be the goaltender? 
Hiller hails from Switzerland and has had spotty successes since 2007. Sitting behind him we noticed something we never paid attention to before – he is left handed, holding his stick to the left and catches on the right.
Here’s to another great night at the Honda Ponda!!
GOOOOOO DUCKS!
Here’s an example of what to serve tonight; veggie chili, beans and rice, baked or home fried tortillas (cut up into triangles first), avocado slices, chopped scallions/green onions and skip the shredded cheese (that was for my hubby). I didn’t show it in the picture, but you can have an array of salsas, chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce as well. For some reason, when you give someone a tray full of options, it is much more fun!
Last night we got to go to our first Duck game this season. Although officially they started earlier, for us, it was our debut night. 
It was also Throw Back Sunday and the official first team from 1993-4 was invited and honored.
Sodas, popcorn and cupcakes were 93 cents but only at certain vendor locations and the line was insufferable, so we didn’t splurge. Instead, I had a chopped veggie salad, no dressing, about a third of a bag of roasted peanuts, we love cracking open, and a raw bar. My better half had chili fries. So as usual, there is something for everyone.
Last night, we went to see UCLA vs. CAL or UC Berkeley (official name). It was my first college game, ever! I have been to the Rose Bowl before to see Pink Floyd (way back) and The Rolling Stones, but never for the spirit, rivalry, gaiety and sheer fun everyone was having at the football game, last night.
Observations, Warnings and please heed:
1. It’s a hike and a mess to park. If you park inside the Bowl, it’s still a hike and it takes like three hours in line to get in. If you park outside the Bowl, let’s say in a parking structure in downtown Pasadena, on the corner of Union and Pasadena you can pick up a shuttle. Millions of UCLA students go this route. We walked. About two miles. I noted on my phone the turns and streets we needed to retrace our steps from since I was out of bread crumbs and pebbles. Another two miles on the way back, later, since I had posted it on my phone, I remembered how to return without the notes, of course. On the walk we saw The Gamble House, The Pasadena Museum of History and beautiful old estates grown over with ivy and mature trees. Worth the walk. Bring sneakers.
2. The largess and amount of time and effort that goes into the UCLA pre-game partying is indescribable. We walked through what I thought was a tailgating party from afar and upon closer inspection realized it was a full scale, organized merchandise and food fest. It was about three times bigger than the Verizon Wireless fair grounds and completely lathered in baby blue and gold. I had a Bruins Sweatshirt at home, but I thought we would support our CAL freshman and alumnus children. I couldn’t cut through the festivities fast enough. I was on enemy grounds. Note to self, when in Bruinland, wear your UCLA gear.
3. We walked around the entire stadium, looking for food, stopping at restrooms and general sightseeing. There is no alcohol served because most of the attendees are minors. It never occurred to me since I saw a lot of heavy drinking outside the coliseum where the Romans were partaking but it was clear you could sneak it in as witnessed precisely in front of where we sat. Two overly excited, happy guys were sipping and sharing a water bottle containing amber liquid that perfumed the air with bourbon or whiskey fumes. There are more women’s bathrooms than men’s and the lines were on the Men’s. Imagine that? Loved it. So, no alcohol, great bathroom scene and anything from fresh gyros to barbecued meats to tacos to popcorn and pretzels. I ate a raw vegan bar I brought with me and my better half bought and finished off a warm cinnamon bun for dinner.
4. Entertainment is great! Two bands perform! Twice! Before the game and at half time. I was in my marching band in High School and can attest to the amount of practice needed for even an amateurish performance. Last night, both bands blew me away! You are constantly counting as you are playing your instrument and moving your body and creating an overall group look. Both bands spelled out their college letters in script form!!! The mom next to me had her son in the Cal band. He is a tuba player and a physics major in his Junior year at UC Berkeley. She said “they practice everyday and make up the dance steps and design the moves and pick the music.” The Golden Bears played a Britney Spears medley which we thought was odd but when a few of the musicians (the lady’s son next to me was one of them) dropped their instruments and shed their uniforms and proceeded to dance up a cute little spoofy number, I was delighted! The Bruins had a better choice of music – bits and pieces of reliable Stones tunes we could sing along with. UCLA also had a full band and was louder. Next week, my informant who sat next to me assured me, the Cal band will have a whole new performance at Berkeley when they play against Oregon. Maybe I will see her there!
UC Berkeley marching band doing a little dance while UCLA band waits behind them at half time show.
So, to recap. Parking is difficult, expect to walk. Wear your Ucla button or something, don’t bother to root for your team, we are expertly dispersed so we cannot hang together. The atmosphere is pleasant without beer spilling and it’s comfortable because there’s always a restroom at hand. Be prepared to be amused, even if not absorbed in the game, by hardworking, brilliant execution of footwork and lively marching bands.
Friday night is always Family night dinner out, for years ad infinitum. At first, it was a great way to get all our crazy schedules into at least one dinner around the table. Come hell or high water, we have eaten out every Friday, as a family, whoever is home. Anyone is welcome, as long as you ask.
I have navigated through vegan and raw vegan before and have had to sometimes bring my own dinner but it’s just the two of us now and there’s less turmoil about where to go. We mutually agree on a location faster and it is quieter. Oddly, our conversation is still prominently devoted to what our children are up to, reminiscing and looking forward to events with them.
Here’s advice to the vegan: Choose wisely and just subtract all animal products.
For example – Any salad, minus animal protein, cheese and cream dressings. Any vegetable dish, minus cheese. Avoid butter and just ask for oil to be used instead.
At Taco Rosa at Tustin Market Place last night, I chose the Portobello Mushroom Burritos in Whole Wheat Tortillas. 
Black Beans, guacamole and carrots, onions and portobellos.
My only other two choices came down to salads and I was chilly and needed something warm. I asked the waiter to please omit the cheese and sour cream. “No dairy, señorita?” I guess he hears this often. I ravaged the chips with two salsas and ate from underneath our guacamole since it was covered in Cotija cheese.
Since I save practically all my calories for dinner on Fridays, I am always starving.
Instead of dessert, we went to Costco and I stocked up on fresh and frozen organic produce. Now I have a week’s worth of prepared as well as ingredients for different vegan meals; minestrone soup, seaweed salad, carrot, green and mango juices, frozen peaches and strawberries, hummus, greens, artichoke hearts and sea salt multigrain chips (my impulse buy). I just wish I had another vegan to share this all with.