01.27.07

Lindsey’s Big Day

Posted in California Life at 8:20 pm by winz

I have accomplished many things since I have moved to California but yesterday I reached a new milestone. I drove to San Francisco by myself! I’ve been to the city a billion times, but Matt has always done the driving; this was my first time sans Matthew. Oh my, it was nerve racking but I am proud to say that I made it. Driving in Houston is nothing like driving in the Bay Area. To give you an idea take Houston, cram all the people, freeways, and cars into the Humble/Atascocita area and you have the concentrated efforts of trying to drive out here. Way too many people, cars, bike riders etc, for the amount of space.

In order to get from our house (or anywhere in Oakland) to San Francisco you travel across the Bay Bridge. The Bay Bridge is an awesome, long, suspension bridge that crosses the bay between the two cities. The bridge is traveled by millions of people everyday and has a toll ($4 to be exact). I was registered to attend a workshop in the heart of the city that started at 8:30 which meant that I needed to travel across the bridge and into the city during rush hour! Could I have not planned my first driving trip into the city at a better time?? I set out on my journey with 2 hours to get to the school, I know it’s a bit neurotic but the bridge is known for taking a good amount to time to cross during rush hour. I began my drive armed with coffee, directions, and a container of change for the toll (yes change – 4 dollars worth of dimes and nickels, I know the guy at the toll booth loved me) it wasn’t long before I was greeted by the masses who also were waiting to cross the bridge – it was unreal, so many cars waiting to pay a toll and cross. I waited in line for 40 minutes – no really 40 minutes – and having a Fast Trak (EZ tag) doesn’t make a difference; you still wait in line with the rest. I finally made it to the toll booth, greeted the “toll man” with my change (and he did love it). After getting through the toll booths it was pretty much smooth sailing over the bridge. Somehow all the traffic that was so congested at the toll booth dissipated while crossing the bridge. I enjoyed watching the sun rise over the city and Alcatraz. Driving in San Fran is crazy, not only because of the cars and one way roads but add to that bike riders, walkers, trolley cars, and busses and you get one huge mess! I did manage to navigate the city successfully and arrive at my workshop early. Whew! Hooray for such an accomplishment.

My workshop was a wonderfully inspiring opportunity. Humble did a great job of providing opportunities for professional development — which I never was truly thankful for until now — but Piedmont doesn’t provide any such opportunities. My office mate Rochelle and I managed to talk the Special Ed department into sending us to a Mel Levine workshop (www.allkindsofminds.org). I had never heard of the famous Mel Levine until I moved here but he is amazing (he’s even been on Oprah). It would be like getting to see Debbie Miller in person for all you Humble folks. Dr. Levine is a pediatrician from Harvard Medical School specializing in researching children with learning disabilities. Not only is he brilliant and hilarious, he was motivating and inspiring. The workshop made me want to quit my job and go get a teaching gig. I’m on the look out if you know anyone hiring! I am thankful that I had the opportunity to get to listen to such an awesome speaker. Everyone needs a little motivation every now and then.

After the workshop I enjoyed spending the evening in the city with some of my girlfriends from work. It was nice to hang out with girls. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that opportunity. Overall it was a great day full of new experiences. I’m not going to make any plans to be in the city early in the morning any time soon but now I know that I can navigate my way there and back. I don’t think I’m firing Matt either, I do enjoy having a chauffer every chance I get.

Permalink