Women Connection

Thursday, November 17, 2022

When I first found out about my sabbatical, I'd share with others that I'd see about the news. What started out as a study sabbatical turned into a project sabbatical turned into a travel sabbatical. This was truly a wonderful decision to connect, create, and care for on my travels. 

I've always enjoyed going to Disneyland and loved the magic that happens there. Asked Corinne and her friends Joanne, Kim, and Kim's mom to join on the magical journey to SoCal. 

I decided to wear my mask on the plane because there are quite a lot of people getting the respiratory virus. Alaska Airlines somehow assigned me to the row right behind first class with tons of leg space. I thought that this seat was a bit wasted on all of five feet me. But I'll take it! 

Corinne picked us up from John Wayne Airport, which I love because it's chill and calm, and our first stop was Blue Bowl for acai bowl for lunch. I've never been here and was thinking "Mmm, sweetness for lunch. Okay, go with it."  I picked the smallest size which was 10 oz and started to select from many choices of base (acai, blue coconut, pitaya, matcha, raspberry),  granola (hemp, chocolate chia seeds, maple quinoa, pumpkin flax), and fruit, nut butter, and toppings . The server kept asking me what I wanted and I asked for a lot of things because I haven't tried them before. I didn't think they could pile on so much but they did! What a deliciously refreshing lunch! 

It was really awesome to sit under the not-too-warm sun and chat about undergrad college life for each of us. We talked about commuting, living at the dorms, food, friends, etc. Each person had a different experience. My parents were thrilled when I was admitted to Cal. Bart and driving as a commuter student were my modes of commute. The idea of living in Berkeley was never even entertained. Get a good education. Save money. (UC Berkeley's tuition was $700/semester. $1,400 for the year. This was 1985-1989) All good. Feel blessed to have received the financial support I did in school from mom and dad. And now Victor and I do the same for our kids. But I would say their tuition is waaaay more now than 30 years ago. Something needs to change so that everyone can have access to the higher education experience.  

Kiana, my niece, joined us for a chat and a walk on campus. It's so nice to see her thriving and having a good time in college as an anteater! Zot, Zot, Zot!