'To find a queen without a king, / They say she plays guitar and cries and sings ... la la la'

Going to California (Led Zeppelin)


Welcome to Yountville

The link above will tell you anything you'd like to know about Yountville, California (at the heart of Napa Valley and, of course, wine country). I have been looking forward to this vacation for several months now, primarily because I'll be traveling with my parents. This is the equivalent of luxury - an idea I was somewhat accustomed to growing up ... an idea that has been overshadowed in recent years by a greater desire to explore the unfamiliar and exotic, to learn about the world on my own ... on a budget.

We leave on Thursday morning, and will be spending our first four nights at the Vintage Inn in Napa Valley. My father is an internist at Kaiser Permanente, and his well-chosen neurology conference is making this stint in gorgeous wine country possible. Thanks, Dad :)

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we'll be in San Francisco visiting my cousin Dan, his wife Traci, and their new baby boy, Bryce. I love this city and, despite getting violently ill on my last visit, I cannot wait to return! Dan and Traci are two of my favorite people on earth, and I am so anxious to meet baby Bryce (the photos and videos that I've seen are ADORABLE, and I don't typically find babies cute).

So, I guess I'm going to California!

Happy 64th, Daddy

Schönbrunn Palace, Austria, October 2010

There are some things besides Italy that are good in my life at the moment ... my dad being one of the most important. He's showed me unconditional love; he's made incredible sacrifices to ensure I have the best of everything; he's offered words of wisdom, sprititual guidance and boundless encouragement throughout all stages and transitions of my growth; and he's acted as one of the most deserving and respected role models I've ever come across. In all honesty, I am a daddy's girl. But, it's hard not to be when you're the only child of a protective and loving father.

Happy Birthday Dad, I'm so sorry the ND Irish couldn't win it for you tonight!