DAY 3: UNPACKING. Didn't actually open up any boxes today. Went shopping instead to buy some other home essentials. Was actually good...didn't leave the store with unnecessary kalat like I usually do. Tis especially hard at Target tho, ya'll know how it is. [patting myself on the back] =)

Sam's Club vs. Costco
From what I've heard, there's only 2 Costco's in our area and the closest one is about 30 minutes out. Ugh. Found a Costco-like place called Sam's Club, which the lady at the counter said "it's better than Costco." Ooops! 'Scuse me lady! It was a nicely stocked warehouse and although I hate to admit it, they've got some cool selections for clothes! Hey! No tax on clothes in MN! Is that the coolest or what?! For those shopaholics out there, it's a sale everyday! LOL! So 'course we're still in that comparing mode of prices in MN vs. CA...I got all excited when we got to the film and development center...for single prints, it costs only $2.97 and for double prints, only $3.96! Last time I checked in da City, single prints were something like $7! Sigh of relief we found a place...don't know if we're willing to drive 30 minutes...according to the local Minnesotan, anything 15-20 minutes is faarrrrrrrrr!

SEPT 11
Can't believe it's really been two years...this day will forever be etched in our minds. There were so many specials during the week to commemorate 9/11- some still painful to watch, and yet still I was glued to the TV.

On a brighter note, hubby and I went to the wedding rehearsal of friend Ed(die Haskell!). The ongoing joke with Ed and Aileen is that we're their "poor friends." The wedding is to take place at St. Mary's Cathedral in S.F. It's such a beautiful church! (check out the link)(btw: ain't that many people who could actually AFFORD to get married there!) It's actually the church where most of the private high schools in da City graduate. It was where I graduated! Ed is actually one of Ran's former co-workers and best buds. Twas one of the reasons why Ran came out to the Bay...to be a groomsman in the wedding party. The rehearsal was conducted by a wedding coordinator/drill seargeant kind of lady. Didn't really pay much attention 'cuz I was hanging out with my weekend homegirl, Kiki- the wife of another of Ran's former co-workers. Ya'll know how it is when you first meet someone...gotta be all proper, watching your manners and language...til someone "breaks" and then the ghetto-ness emerges! LOL! By the end of the day, we were acting like long-lost girlfriends! Fun chick, that Kiki. Afterwards, the wedding party had dinner at a lil' Thai restaurant in Japantown, Jitlada's. Small hole in the wall on Sutter. Sorry guys, don't have the link, cross street, or menu. Hahaha. Look it up tho, the satay was yum!

After dinner, the groomsmen took Ed for his last "bachelor party." Ran wasn't in the mood, so we had some time to kill to ourselves. If ya'll remember this week, the weather was just totally awesome! Clear blue, cloudless skies! Ran decided to drive us to Twin Peaks. For a weekday, it was unusually crowded with couples holding hands, tourists taking kodak moments (us included!), guys drinkin' up, and people smokin' out. With all that happening, it was a truly perfect night with hubby...even tho we DID get a second hand high from them punks gettin' lit! Got into that sentimental mode considering that we were going to be on a plane to Minnesota in the next few days. Ya'll could clearly see the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, and just the sights of da City were simply breathtaking. Made me truly appreciate the beauty of San Francisco and made me realize how much I'm going to miss it. Twas a beautiful night spent with my honey and a perfect way to end my stay.