cold.

So it's cold out. It's colder in Bakersfield. Not as cold in San Diego. Pretty cold in Mariposa. Poor Raiza is now in St. Louis where it's even colder. Oh, and I have a cold. That pretty much sums up my past week.

First off, I feel like I'm hacking out my lungs. My chest hurts so much from coughing the past few days. I coughed so much last night, I didn't get a good sleep. Medicine, start kicking in please! I totally blame Dave for getting me sick, though I guess I should be blaming the little ones he works with every day. I'm sure they're the ones who got him sick.

Last weekend (Saturday through Monday), the family went to Bakersfield to visit Kuya Russell, Ate Joyce, and their kids. Raiza was still visiting with us and came along. Dave even drove up from San Diego to visit as well. We celebrated an early Christmas - even though no presents were opened. This was just the only chance we'd have to get together.

It was a quick weekend but fun. It's always a good time when you're with Kuya Russell and Ate Joyce. Milo and Peter (their kids) are amazingly sweet and fun to be around too. I just felt badly that Peter is afraid of dogs as we brought both Buster and Anz. Thankfully, he warmed up to them enough by the end of our trip. We also took a quick trip down to San Diego so Raiza could visit some friends and then took a trip to Mariposa as well to see Ate Lyn, Kuya Roger, and their kiddos.

Tuesday, the parents took Raiza to explore Sacramento - including a visit to Thunder Valley. Is it just me or do Filipinos love to gamble? Every time I go to Thunder Valley or Cache Creek... pinoys everywhere! Whenever mom and her friends go out - casino! Hahah. I stayed home to start and finish up a presentation for class.

We went to the city on Wednesday and met up with Ate Ari. Pier 39, Lombard Street, Golden Gate Bridge. And then... Ghirardelli!! Granted we went to the outlet store in San Leandro where the prices were waaaaay cheaper. Seriously.

On Thursday, we sent Raiza to the coldest she's ever felt - St. Louis. She'll be living there for some time with her mom and sister, so I hope she acclimates soon! It was a shock coming from the Philippines to the bay in regards to temperature. I couldn't imagine how it would have felt going straight from the Philippines to St. Louis this time of year. Wow.

School is almost over for the semester. It's been going well. I'm really enjoying the courses and am excited for my CM preceptorship at Lucille Packard next semester. My official last day of school is my birthday! How great of a gift is that?! If only April were here NOW. We have to wait over a month though for our graduation - May 27th.

Can't wait until next weekend! Hopefully I'm feeling better by then. Last day of the semester is Friday. Saturday, Anz and I will be heading down to San Diego! Chargers v Ravens, Christmas concerts, ice skating, wine tasting, and Chanukah are just a few of the things on our schedule (I'll be coming back to the bay for Christmas).