The "Sample" Dorm Room

Mumties face is very telling in this shot don't you think? Why would some idiot hang such a huge shoe tree over the door? How many shoes are necessary? Its going to take some fixin' to make my little patch of home look suitable for a year... I'm open to clever ideas. They already said No Painting the room. Maybe I'll redo it in padded walls. Something I'll need when I get claustrophobic and more insane.

Here are a couple more photos of the dorm room where I'll be hiding out during the school year. The school supplies the dresser, the wooden matchbox size desk and the miniature dwarf bed. I've got to squeeze in my baby refrigerator, microwave, heater, and toothpicks.

I'm not sure if all the bathrooms are this daring bold orange. I can only hope not. Good thing I'm not taller or I'd get calluses on my knees from sitting on the pody. At least I won't spend a lot of time mopping the floor.

Progress!

I found a storage site today for my remaining belongings. That is a BIG relief since I can't move without it ahead of time. You think it would be a breeze like I did but it is difficult to find someone who will "reserve" a space until the end of next month. One place would reserve until October 17th, one place I needed to check with them 7 days before moving in, ad nauseum. Finally we found one that would save a space until I moved in with no money down! My aunt (aka Mom) will be able to sign it up before I come up so I don't have to make another trip. Nice people.

I also went to scope out the Dorm Room for the Academy. Teeny Tiny but adequate. It is in a converted hotel (pics to come when I get home), which is conveniently located directly across the street from the school and has 24/7 security desk with a guard. Very reassuring since I'm in Downtown and not exactly a single woman wandering kind of neighborhood. Thank Gawd I have knife skills! opps...

I'll be heading back home Wednesday morning early so I can beat some of the traffic when I get to LA. Next project is to find a truck and some movers to pack it and someone on the destination point to unpack it.

The weather here is wonderful and cool. Just how I like it. I hope by the time I get back to Redondo Beach its going to be cooler than when I left. I hate working in the heat. Unless its over a big Gas stove!

Gonna run now. Family time. :))

Base Camp - San Francisco

I drove from my Redondo Beach, CA home yesterday to "base camp" Millbrae, CA. My temp home until I get into the Culinary Academy's Dorm Room. It was a perfect driving day and I made it in 6 hours straight stopping only once for gas. I was greeted by my mom/aunt/godmother, my cousin, the superbly talented watercolor artist Guy, and my uncle John who always hides away a perfect bottle of red for these special visits.

"Mom" made lamb shanks in the slow cooker with plenty of osso bucco type sauce, a gremolata topping and nice lumpy semi mashed potatoes with parsley (garden grown) butter, salt and pepper which contained the sauce very well. It was falling off the bone GOOD. John served a Cabernet Savignon by Raymond Burr vineyards. It was a perfect pairing.

The weather is way cooler here than my place so it was nice to settle down from the long drive with a hearty meal since all I ate on the drive was an Ensure, a nectarine, an aisian pear, and a 1/4 of a club sandwich from the day before. I was real hungry when I got to the gas station so I bought M and M's with peanuts and a small bag of Ruffles with Sour Creme and Onion flavoring. Ugg. Burp.

Tomorrow I will head to the Academy via the BART to check out the dorm room demo and look for storage space for all my belongings somewhere near my mom's place in Millbrae.

I'll stay for a week then head back home for the final packing and moving. I should be here in Millbrae by the end of October and ready to hit school November 12th!

Getting closer! I'm getting more excited! Can't wait to play on the BIG GAS STOVES!! (read: big ass stoves) I've put up with freakin' electric for the past 24 years and I'm done with that!

Wow.... I'm amazed at myself. cool