I Feel Like an Ex-Pat

San Francisco is a strange place.  Or maybe it's just city life.

I am an outsider here, but I'm trying to move in.  I think it could be quite exciting, but I still have to find how to do kid-life downtown.

Here's a brief run-down of things that have mattered to me here:

Nick's Schedule:  So far it is pretty much what we thought.  He works a solid day, but gets to come home for a quick lunch as the walk is only a block or two.  He's then back for a quick dinner and leaves again for studying and homework.  If he's home by eleven, it's a good night.  Last Saturday was the same as a weekday , but we have a three-day weekend coming up.  Nick is working very hard and I am so proud of him.

Children's Museum:  I live right by one (yay!) but it's very techie and for older children (boo!).

Driving:  Unlike many in a big city and unlike most of Nick's co-workers, we brought a car (yay!) but drivers here push laws and limits.  Not my kind of driving.  I get honked at (boo!).

Grocery Shopping:  I learned the hard way that Curie does not do well in crowded city grocery stores.  I am going to have to devise a way to go in the middle of the night so that I can leave her here (boo!), but Costco is very close to me and feels like a home away from home.  Many of you know that I love Costco.  It's nice to find my old friend is alive and well in San Fran.  And they sell yummy gelato at this Costco.  To me, this is news worthy.  Two big buckets to bring home for just four dollars, or $1.50 at the deli for three scoops in paper cups for the kids (double yay!).

Our Apartment:  640 square feet (boo?).  It turns out to be quite roomy.  There is only one bedroom.  I suppose my expectations were pretty low, but I am quite happy here.  We have a long wall of windows, floor to ceiling, that overlooks a pretty little courtyard with a pool.  Nick and I sleep in the living room, but our bed fits nicely in a corner that seems designed for it.  The kids look so cute side by side on crib mattresses on the queen bed frame and box springs in the room.  Curie's travel crib fits nicely in the walk-in closet.  Even when we loaded the closet with all our clothes and toys she is not over-crowded.  The complex is well secured and safe.  The provided furnishings are nice, but I wish I could give back the coffee maker and corkscrew.

The Laundry Room:  I know you don't want to read about the laundry room, but it's a big deal to me!  I am a mother of three who does laundry for five.  This is no small task.  I knew there would be no laundry machines in our apartment, but that there were coin laundry machines in the complex.  Imagine me packing up my three five-and-under children, all the laundry, and a Costco-size bucket of Tide and carting us all down to the laundromat in the basement of the building next to ours (boo.  huge boo.).  I was hoping that I would not have to stay and babysit the laundry as it washed.  Imagine my surprise as we walked to our door for the first time and I saw the words, "laundry room" on the door next to ours.  Elation.  Have you ever been elated over laundry?  It's just one set of machines for our floor and it seems to be all mine.

Parks:  There's not much near us (boo!), but there are many around the city.  And Golden Gate Park is much like Central Park.  We have been to one small piece of it, but I am hopeful of all that is has to offer.  I am concerned about finding parking, but live and learn.  Bethelle is anxious to ride the carousel there, which is free with a $1.50 adult ticket.  I had better make good on that promise soon.

The Ward (church congregation):  It is a young ward.  There are many newlywed professionals, making up most of the ward with their babies.  There are few children over the age of four and none over eleven.  Then there are the long-term San Franciscans who are either single or empty-nesters.  I think it will make for a fun, new dymanic for us.