Arrival in San Francisco

It's 6am on Thursday morning here and I finally have a few minutes to update on my fantastic adventure.

It began at 4am Wednesday Morning (EST) (after not going to bed until midnight because someone kinda forgot to rework her portfolio in December like she was supposed to...). I left my house to bring my car to Long Term parking. I parked in about two feet of snow, but hey I saved myself the 8 more dollars it would have been to park it in the parking structure. Man, I'm cheap.

The plane has 36 seats on it. I am not lying about this. It was one of those Connectors, just down to Kennedy airport. I slept. Our plane arrived literally in the gate of the other plane I was to take. I board this plane. I am in the last possible row, next to a really cute guy. He's from Canada(what's with me and Canadians), although I'm not sure if I would really consider Niagara Falls Canada. I come to find out he has a bachelors and masters in Poli Sci and Econ. I'm a fan. We talked for the beginning of the trip and he was really nice. On a five hour plane they gave us no meal, which was wicked cheap, so he snuck two more of the "snack" packages they give us. Also, I am very excited because they have those personal screens, where you can choose whatever you want to watch. Yeah, except now, you must pay for everything except for live Television. RIDIC!!! I was not too happy about this. My Canadian friend bought a game though, and after he got bored with it, let me play for a while, so that was nice as well. I think he might be on the same plane I am on in return as well. Something to look forward to.

After grabbing some lunch, I board my final plane from L.A. to San Jose. It has 30 seats on it. I sleep. I finally arrive, and then the fun begins. I am supposed to find a shuttle bus to take me to the Santa Clara Train Station, buy a ticket, take it to the 22nd Street stop, call the rental car place, wait for them to pick me up and drive me to my rental car. This hassle was the difference between spending $300 for a car, and spending $135. Well worth it, in my point of view. It all went smoothly. The train took over an hour though, which after more then 7 hours on planes started to get a little old. Oh, and I sat in the senior citizens section. I'm a jerk.

So I finally get to the rental car place. It's called Rent-a-Wreck. They aren't kidding. I get a Kia Sephia, 2001, with a monumental dent in the trunk, scratches all over, the brake light thing in the back smashed, and one of the fenders dent as well. I don't know cars, so you'll have to bear with me and my terminology. While I am cheap, there was actually thought behind this rental car. Since I am traveling to Inner City Oakland for the next three days, I thought it better to drive in something "worn in", then like a brand new Chrysler Seabring. So I pay my money and begin my carride to the hostel.

I really need to learn how to pay attention to detail. Instead of hearing the exact directions that the rental car gave me, I saw the smile and ease that he told me it, and assumed "oh this will be easy". Yeah, it would have been if I would have LISTENED to his DAMN directions. Luckily I'm pretty good with maps, and he gave me one of those too. After about an hour (est. trip time should have been 15 minutes maybe), I finally find my hostel. Yes, I said hostel. I know most of you think that hostels are stupid, or unsafe, or unclean, and it could have been possible, it wasn't in this case. $100 for 5 nights is not a bad deal. Plus, since I'm alone, I have plenty of people to talk to who are also alone. I made friends with someone from Peru and England yesterday. It's also nice because they have a little cafe inside the hostel, because its not an on the street hostel, its literally on the wharf, and places to eat are a decent walk away, and I got ravioli alfredo with salad for $5. Not bad, I say. So after speaking to Patrick, the teacher I'm supposed to be observing tomorrow I head to sleep(around 9pm).

It's always interesting to me to see all the different people that work and sleep at the hostel. I always wonder their stories, and usually bluntly ask them about that. It's just my style. I find it so interesting to see what people do who aren't from upstate NY, who aren't in a rush to grow up or a rush to get married or in a rush to settle down. One girl I spoke to spend the last year living in Canada and is now slowly traveling her way back home. I wish I could do something like that. I mean I guess I am a little, but not to the extent that most other countries youth do. Oh well.

I awake around 5:30am, even though my alarm was set for 6. I go to take a shower. I must have forgotten the whole communal aspect to Hosteling, and brought no sandels with me. Now, I am constantly worried I will have sometype of disease. Not cool. After observing I am asking someone where I can buy some sandels to shower in. I'm sure I'll need some for Thailand/Vietnam as well.

So now, I'm wasting time until breakfast is served. I'd really like to walk along the wharf or explore the city a little, but first of all I'm busy and second of all its supposed to be raining.

I'm a little nervous about checking out this school. I had a dream that I already went and the school was completely to my liking. I hope that its the same in real life.

I also, got an interview at another program I applied to for teaching in California Charter Schools, but they want me to interview in LA this weekend or San Fran next month. Neither of which I can do, obv. So I'm gonna call them, and see if I can work out interviewing here, since I will be here until Monday, and I do have access to a car. We'll see though.

7am. Time for bfast. Peace out, yo.