Two Years...Time Flies

I left the beautiful and green Palo Alto two years ago today. Some days it seems just like yesterday and other days I feel like life has changed so much that I hardly would recognize that carefree life. I think life slows down and speeds up all at once these days, if both are possible. 

This part year we were busy at Berry Oil, so busy I forgot about most things other than software and software. I even missed March Madness (I know, a sin).  I'm happy to say that this year we are not implementing a new accounting software system. We have some exciting things coming, that might keep me as busy as last year but at least it won't be only software.  Here is to dominating the world this coming year...I mean, working hard. 

I also took the long needed and happy leap to a family ward. I now serve in the Young Women organization. I know, some of you out there are thinking: Jess Berry teaching the youth-that's totally awesome and I wish I were a youth again, while others are thinking: Jess Berry teaching the youth-that's totally frightening and I'm so thankful I am not a youth in her ward. I suspect my young women fall on either side of that spectrum, depending on the day with me. My goal is to prepare these young ladies for life, in the unconventional form that life seems to take for some of us, and to make sure that they know I am crazy and awesome all rolled into one. Being the only single leader in our young women group and being a bit of a feminist (compared to most Idaho women) I am bringing a little shock factor to our group and hopefully I'm setting a good example?   

My body continues to refine my soul daily...hopefully for the better. Let's just say that this year I'm a little more excited for the resurrection than the year before. My hope is that my summer and fall will be better than the winter and spring physically and if not that I'll have the patience to endure. 

I miss Palo Alto, my California family, and I hope to visit a little more frequently. I do, however, realize how lucky I am to have spent my formative "adult youth" years there and appreciate my new life here as I age quickly. :) 

Visiting My Other Home

I went to Palo Alto for a week and had so much fun relaxing, visiting with friends, shopping, and seeing Gustavo (obviously) that I only took two photos. It was a much needed vacation! While I didn't get to see everyone this trip it was wonderful catching up with those I did see. Oh and meeting all the new cute babies! Turns out I still love Palo Alto in the fall...much more than Idaho in the fall. Thanks to the Hammers for hosting me...and the many others that fed me and spent time entertaining me. 

Worth the gut ache later that day! 

The 17 Mile Slice of Heaven

Today kt and I headed south to take in the 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach, soak in the Mecca that it is, see the deep blue ocean, visit Carmel, and have one last kt/jb day. It was so amazing! More amazing than I anticipated. It was beautiful. I decided today that the Greek Isles have some serious competition for my retirement location...mostly because there are so many courses to golf in this area!  There are few places I feel are little slices of heaven, besides LDS temples of course. Yankee Stadium. Golf courses (particularly Pebble Beach). Tetonia, Idaho. Today was a little slice of heaven. Thank you kt!  

A Berry on "Huckleberry Hill"

 Love this tree

I could hardly contain my excitement at Pebble Beach. I'm looking forward to the day when I golf this course (hint hint Dadio). 

We ended the day at the beach in Carmel. It was rather fitting that I hit the beach one last time before heading to Idaho. 

A Clear Day In The City With The Idahoans

Monday morning the parents and G-parents flew in from Hawaii for a three day visit on their way back home to Idaho.  It was a whirlwind visit, which included me spending A LOT of $$$ (and I'm realizing with each amazing night's sleep in my new bed it was well worth the investment), going to SF on the clearest day I've seen in 5 years, hoping that Poncho wouldn't get us beat up by his Idaho farmer comments while in the city, decorating, losing Dadio's iPad (and 4 days later realizing that there are some very nice and honest people in SF when someone brought his iPad to the Apple store after they watched it fall off Dadio's rental car), carpet cleaning (thanks Dadio), and some nail painting (thanks Mama Berry). It was wonderful having them visit and introducing the G-parents to my Bay Area home.  

After 4.5 Years...

I finally took a Stanford tour on Monday morning.  I know, this is something you do when you are a tourist or a perspective freshmen...I suppose I decided it was time to take the tour   when I learned they had cute tour guides. ;)  

  

In all seriousness or at least as serious as I am on my blog, LE gave an excellent tour.  I learned new things about Stanford, now know exactly where Ike's is on campus, spent a lovely hour walking around campus, watched an elderly Asian man approve noddingly that LE will graduate in four years from Stanford, and found myself wishing I had gone to Stanford yet again (if only for the personal chefs in houses).  :)  

 See a beautiful day!  The places where the sun shines 360 days of the year.

Up close view of Memorial Church.  

My Visitors In The Bay

Last week was full of visitors! My two uncles were in town (Jeff not pictured) and my good friend Tiff. It was great seeing all three of them. I was itching for some home and it definitely came in the form of these three. T.Hammer was in town for a wedding. Jeff was in town for a PA conference and Jed (yes the YOUNG guy is my uncle) was in town for a Podiatry Med school basketball tournament played up in the city (obviously he's not working hard enough in med school). ;)

Jed Fred's team took "POD" State....oh I mean first place in the tournament. We had to get a picture of him with the trophy...mostly so Ava could see. ;)
Jed Fred and I. As Em (Jed's wife) put it: You look great - Jed looks like a monster next to you!

Jed Fred trying to mall me with his sweaty self...not funny! I still love ya though!

The proud team! Now mostly for your Erickson siblings and anyone else that knows Jed's history and the Erickson temper (that they all have). ;) He was pretty well behaved. He only let his temper flare a few minimal times with the referees, so proud. No punching cement walls, no broken hands, noses, only a very very sore Jed Fred. It's a good thing too, I just didn't have the cash on hand to bail this one out of jail had it gotten out of hand. Jed told me not mention this but I never promised. By the championship game Jed was sooooo tired and worn out he had to take himself out of the game. All that age is finally catching up to you old man! ;)

T. Hammer and I on the Golden Gate Bridge! As you can see from our faces...and my choice of outfit (outfit as in clothing section not the vehicle I drove for the Idahoans that are confused by the lingo) for the day...a very BRIGHT day in the city.

T.Hammer in front of the bridge. Thanks for coming Tiff! I always have a great time with you. Love you and our friendship!

T. Hammer Comes To The Bay!

Two weekends ago T. Hammer came to visit as she was moving to Washington from SoCal. It was a quick trip but we got the essentials in: FOOD, chatting, and Ghirardelli's Square for hot cookie bottom fudge sundaes. T. Hammer and I grew up together in The Valley, Tiff has always been such an amazing and consistent friend. As we've watched others we've grown up with take certain paths we always discuss how grateful we are we took the paths we did! I am very thankful for her example and wisdom. I am so excited for her to come back in March and for Seattle this summer!!! Yah Yah!

Two Goofs!

Trying to hold a pose in Would You Rather. LOL...didn't last long.

Matt sipping water like a little kitty in Would You Rather...awww precious!

Tourist Adventures!

Hot Chocolates and a warm cookie bottom sundae: the only way to do Ghirardelli right.

Boudin's sourdough (mouth is watering)!!!

Completely freaking out driving down Lombard street. Gari and I both had a lot of "firsts" this trip. :) Luckily we made it down safely.

View from the sunroof!

Gari had never been to In-N-Out. It really was a shame but we rectified that pretty quickly. A double double anyone?

Drive Thru....

I would just like to point out how ridiculously dressed up Gari was to go to In-N-Out.....
come on Gari it is a classy joint but not the Ritz. ;)

Half Moon Bay in the rain.

Gari at Marianne's Ice Cream....delicious!!!! Nothing organic or healthy about this treat!

Our dinner at South Legend. For almost three years South Legend has been my FAVORITE FAVORITE restaurant in the bay and yet I've never blogged about it. What an huge error on my part. The first time I went there as an intern with our friend, Huailei, taking us (thanks for introducing me to my favorite place). At that point in time I thought it was amazing but very spicy, but as I continued to return my tolerance for the spicy flavor increased! Now I insist on taking everyone that visits me to South Legend. I have my two favorite dishes that are always a must: fish in a fiery sauce and a spinach leaf vegetable in garlic (yummy...just getting hungry typing). Out of everyone I taken there the only non-lovers were my Dad (poor guy...he is too hooked on steak and potatoes to enjoy) and Meredith (who prefer "fake" American Chinese food). It is funny because the waiters know me by name and recognize when I don't frequent their establishment often. I do heart South Legend! Anyone wanting the experience let me know and I'll introduce you to greatness on a plate!

This picture is for HC....at The Tech they have a room dedicated just for QC (Quality Control)...I think I found my home. ;)