I can hardly notice the seasons change in the city. Today was grey, cold, and drizzly. Eventhough it is already July, the temperature feels like it is only 10 degrees warmer than in December. My Saturday morning tennis match was cancelled again because the fog was so thick where I live, the courts in Glen Park canyon were wet as if it rained the night before.

Regardless of the climate, the first part of my summer has been busy so far. Pride, as always, was crazy and I'm glad it is over. We are having the downstairs renovated into a private office slash guest room with a full bathroom. It is exciting to see it take shape. I didn't enroll for the summer semester so I devote my time to reading, gardening, cooking, taking photos, and other things that put my creativity into use. Recently, I've been contemplating going back to school to get my MBA. It is becoming clear to me that a career in Information Technology is getting extinct at least here in Silicon Valley. Let's see if I am up to studying for the GMAT.

I have accrued over two weeks of vacation and for the first time, I don't have any idea how to spend them. I'd rather sleep in and spend time at home than take a fabulous trip.

I am trying hard to get excited about the All-Star Baseball being held here in the city. I guess I am not that much of a baseball fan afterall.

~ral

(A photo of the boutiful harvest of plums from our neighbor's tree where branches go over our fence.)

Turning New Leaf

Growing up in a country where the season is either dry or wet, I always find it amazing how nature transforms itself every three months in the Northern Hemisphere. The leaves would grow back in the middle of the year, and then magically turning to orange, yellow or brown in the Fall and eventually falling to the damp ground by Thanksgiving.

Spring officially started a couple of weeks ago. The winter gray suddenly changed into an explosion of colors. Clear blue skies, deep green parks, and San Franciscans switching from an entirely black outfit to bright colors.

Leaves from deciduous trees are starting to emerge. The cherry trees are usually the first ones to bloom this time of the year. The birds are starting to come back from their winter migration. It is like nature is slowly waking up from its long slumber. It is like a fresh start.

Pretty soon, summer will be here. So is the fog.

(These photos were taken from Montgomery St. in the Financial district in two different seasons.)

Summer Fog

- What are we doing for Independence Day?
- Huh?
- We always go somewhere that time of the year. Last year we went to the Capital. The year before that to Vancouver. Two years ago we were in Chicago.
- That's insteresting.
- What's interesting?
- You mean the 'Fourth of July'?
- Yeah.
- I never really heard it reffered to as 'Independence Day'.
- That's true. Force of habit, you know. I was not born here.
- Maybe we should stay in town this year and watch the fireworks under the San Francisco fog.
- You mean watch the 'colored clouds'?
- Yeah, the 'red, white and blue cloud'.


(This picture was 2 months in the making. Taken from clockwise: the Potrero Hill district, the Golden Gate Bridge, Market Street and Dolores Park.)