Valentine short trips

Yes, it's been a while. I don't think there is much readers out there awaits for posts in this blog, but for me, I hoped that posts reminds me of the touching moments in life as this blog is named after.

Over the last President/Valentine's three day holiday, me and Young had a wonderful time together. A day trip in the Sunnyvale farmer's market, the city library, followed by promotion burger treat from Jack and a cup of Peets coffee with buy-one-get-one-free deal. Enjoying all sorts of free deal still makes us happy despite that we weren't exactly poor, instead, we believe it is a legacy from our extended student life experience. It grew innate joy in us upon seeing the word "gratis", which means "Free" in both Spanish and Dutch. Sort of like a survival instinct we picked up from years of travel as well.

Since moving to Sunnyvale and visited the library, we both felt that in the age of information explosion, reading books is a much important habit we have come to forget. Quite often, we rely on internet articles and Facebook posts in guiding what we read these days. I notice how unsettling I have become jumping from web pages to web pages, browsing; and still at the end of the day, I could not remember much what I have read. The feeling of lost or say lack of goal to direct me is costing me and made it difficult for me to digest the stories I read. Picking up a book and reading in the kitchen table or a place without wires somehow calms me down a bit. It allowed me to focus better. In time, it can be like a meditation as the stories expand.

On the second day of the long holiday, sort of like a new year resolution we had --to explore the places near-by bit by bit through non-demanding day tours, we drove to a small town-- Pacifica, near San Francisco. Pacifica is a very small sea-side town. A glance at the sea, with no more than five blocks to visit, but extended hiking routs to choose from, was exactly the place Young liked to visit. Though I must say he rarely complains when I shown interest and wondered into the small vintage shops that he really have little interest in, anyone would know he's eager to get out of the shop and would prefer to be out in the nature.

That day, as it was our first stop and one vintage shop opened rather early on a Sunday Valentines' Day morning, Young was in there with me, rather patient. Seeing me with great interest on sets of ear-rings, he encouraged me to try. He smiled sweetly or lifted his brows as a way to suggest that he is not a hundred percent sure he is comfortable with me in a rather bold or fancy style jewels; and I would get that. In the end, he bought the ear-ring we both liked very much, as Valentines' gift. He told me afterwards that he wasn't sure if that is quite the right price to pay for it, as he has never thought of noticing the price of these things. I smiled and did not reply, but took off the ear-ring I had been wearing and put on the the new one, showing it to him with great pleasure as it shines me.

After wondering off the beach, we decided that its near noon and time to head to the BBQ food truck we had in mind to have lunch at. A ten minute walk by the car-road wasn't exactly pleasant, but we made it and by 11:45am when we arrive, there is already ten or more people lining up while the truck is not even open. We all waited patiently, and before twelve o'clock when the first group ordered, the line had already tripled. It wasn't another 30 minutes until we got our order. Luckily, I have Young and a book, thus cannot be bored. Time went by quickly and soon after we got our rib and steak, it's time to look for a place to enjoy them. None near-by, we headed to the trail-head on the sea-side hoping to find a green/car free place to eat. By surprise, we found a bench by the trail near the water conservative park, with decorated flowers garden in front of us. We enjoyed the rib, the steak, the coleslaw and the beans, but not the links (which is too salty for us). It was also very smart of us to chill a can of coke to bring with us on the trip as it cost $1.75 if we were to buy it at the food truck ;)

The three-meat combo was too much for the two of us. We downgraded out ambition from a nine-mile to a four-mile hike by the seaside. The change in latitude made it uneasy still, especially with a meat loaded stomach.

We enjoyed the coastal view very much (also realizing the traffic has gone mad) and we continued for about two miles before taking a break at a high-plateau. We sat down to rest a bit and read. From time to time, we would share the stories. It was a lovely time with the warm ocean breeze.

Heading back to the village wasn't easy as Young seemed to have hurt his foot. We took it slow and had the chance to enjoy the view even better. It was still early when we got back and we decided to drove back to Sunnyvale and do a bit of grocery shopping. With still some vegi in the inventory, I did not have to shop like a housewife, but instead, I could relax a bit and shop in grace.

In the evening, Young picked up a drawing book which I borrowed from the library and started to imitate. It turns out he's got the talent I had never realized. He drew me a beautiful heart and I was truly touched.

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On the last day of the long weekend holiday, Young had to work a bit and so we stayed in with some readings. For lunch, we fried half of the daikon cake we made the day before and it was AMAZING! At first we were planning to save a few for our flatmate, but in the end we couldn't resist the great taste and finish the whole plate all to ourselves :P It has sort of become a tradition that I make the daikon cake as a new year dish. I have made it a few times now, with one occasion hosting a lunch with the cake in un-forming shape. Young still complement the taste greatly so I am willing to make more of it still.

After lunch, I grew a bit grumpy and hoped to go out, somewhere, I often felt. Somewhere. I hate to stay at home all day, especially when the weather is so nice. After nap, we decided to visit the Rose garden in San Jose, and also the San Jose State University. The rose garden was fine, but not exquisite. There were not a single bloom in February though it had been warm. On the other side, there is a big piece of grass land, but not very well kept in the corners. I was rather disappointed and constantly wondering: "why it couldn't be more splendid?".

I thought of the Wilhelmina park in Utrecht. In a day with such wonderful weather, the Wilhelmina park would be ever so crowded and one would have a difficult time finding a green spot to sit. The park design is nothing English nor sophisticated, with bike routs cutting though and around, but plenty of open space for pedestrians.

There is no designed flower bed decorated, but a water way (pond) that run through the park made everything greener and tranquil. I know deeply, I miss Utrecht deeply once again. The harsh weather condition in the low land made the Dutch much able to enjoy the changing season and appreciate the sunshine, while the Californian took for granted.

Before entering the San Jose State University (SJSU), we dropped by the Grocery outlet expecting to get some bargain, and we did. Less than half price cream cheese and chocolates delighted us. Into the campus, we saw many young faces busy in their own about. As sunset approaches, the campus looks nicer, with a warmer touch of the dawn. We headed back to our car and find a toll car is escorting and we rush by ours  and drove off! We were both really nervous as we know we shouldn't leave our car there after our shopping /or for more than an hour (which we did not). The final excitement from this unexpected incident ended our day trip.

In all, the weekend could have been like all other weekends, but we have filled it with great memories. In the past nights, we told each other how much we have enjoyed the day together and the appreciation continues with us holding hands as we went into dreams.