I didn't intend on not blogging for almost 2 weeks but you know, things happen. And in my case a bunch of things have happened. So let's catch up a bit. Damir left on the 9th (booooooooo, lame) and is currently at a very snowy high altitude training camp somewhere in the mountains of France. Since he left I've been doing my best to keep busy and distracted by studying and preparing for my physics class to start next month, working our garden - we really put a lot of effort in this year so I want to make sure I keep things growing and thriving, riding horses with my mom, paddle boarding on sunny weekends, watching documentaries, swimming on a masters team every morning, and hanging with my family. I'll say this: my plan to be so busy that I don't have time to miss Damir isn't really working. I still miss him like crazy. 2.5 months left...
Here are a few more updates!
We spent Mother's day exploring Point Reyes a bit. I fell even more in love with the California countryside. We ate at the Pinecone Diner and drove around. We hung out by the water and went to a small winery. It was pretty great.
I've been trying to train my body the last few months to wake up at 5am so that by the time med school and residency come around, I won't feel too sleep deprived. That and I just feel better starting the day early. Luckily, I joined a master's swim team and practice runs from 5:45 to 7:00 am every day and I love being back on a team with a coach. It's an element that's been missing in my life ever since I quit crew. But anyways - these wild early morning views that I've been able to witness are completely worth the trouble of waking up before the sun!!
We celebrated my mom's birthday by going to The Slanted Door (my first time!) in the Ferry Building. I have three words for you: Lychee Cotton Candy. This is my new favorite restaurant, I think. I also took my mom up to Petaluma to watch some cutting horses do their thing, I got her a giant box of gardenias, and I made her Ina's coconut cake (make this right away.)
BUT the most exciting development in my life is the addition of 4 new little cheeping sweethearts. That's right! I told you I was going to get chickens and I did it. I'm currently raising 4 biddies (2 cuckoo marans, 1 black star and 1 light brahma) in my living room. They're hilarious and awesome and it's weird to see how fast they grow and develop. We're getting 2 more chicks this week - 1 Americauna and 1 Welsummer - and I'm a little nervous to add them to the flock. I probably won't leave the house all weekend to keep an eye on them. Raising chicks is definitely a responsibility and I wish Damir was here to a.) help and b.) laugh with me at their antics, but it's one of the coolest things I've done in a long time. They've got a great coop and we're building a very large protected run for them to run around and play in without any risk of getting scooped up by a hawk or attacked by a neighborhood fox. Their names are Edith Piaf, Francesca (the blonde one in the photos), Colette, and Kiki de Montparnasse. The 2 new ones are tentatively named Justine and Kate Middleton (yeah, I'm naming my chicken after my idol). I'll be posting a LOT more about this adventure, obviously, and I'm excited to be able to share it with you and keep a record of it here.
A few other things:
*Happy belated birthdays to my sister-in-law, Diana, my mother, and my mother-in-law, Fazila! Lots of wonderful women to celebrate this month and I love you all so much!
*I'm all about the gardening this month on Houzz. Check out my picks! http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/camillaleila
*Did you watch Discovery Channel's new show, North America? I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! Prairie dogs are my new favorite animal.
*A lot of my friends became mothers this past year or so and I just want to wish a belated Happy Mother's day to you all! I love seeing you grow and evolve and your babies are simply perfection. Write down all your advice for me - I'll come for it in a few years.
