Volunteer - Sausalito Art Festival(9/1-3)

Sausalito Art Festival

The Sausalito Art Festival is one of the first juried fine art festivals in the nation.

Over one million visitors from throughout the world have attended the Sausalito Art Festival since its inaugural event in 1952. Sausalito has been the focal point for artists for close to 200 years. Weekend painters first arrived by sailboat from San Francisco in the early 1800's to capture scenes of tall ships and nature against the majestic backdrop of the bay(referred to Art Festival website)

I found this volunteering on the internship in the same way as I explained in the last posting. Sausalito is one of my favorite places in San Francisco so I applied right away. Another benefit is admission fee is free as a volunteer!

This festival was pretty big so they needed lots of volunteers with lots of volunteer positions. I was so surprised about the number of their positions compared to the Stern Grove festival.
But, the funny thing was most of positions related to alchol like wine, beer and cocktail were already occupied by early birds. Those positions were the most popular positions I guessed!





I also applied for the winery booth because I enjoyed wine at that time. They didn't allow us to drink but at the end of the day, I drank a glass of wine and also got a souvenir! Also, I learned a little bit about the kinds of wines.

My wine booth

MOSCATO!!

What is funnyyyy???

I'm explaining what kinds of wines we have!!

Concert:) so packed with people!!

Souvenir^^*

Here, U can enjoy yourself with various kinds of arts and crafts. Also, different kinds of food with picturesque view on the sunny days. Another thing I like at this festival was I met a lot of people there and talk a lot! I was a little bit afraid of selling the wines(Because my english was not perfect!) but the manager of that booth praised my english so I was happy hehe:) (but still struggling with them u.u)

I know internship life is kinda busy but sometimes this experience will give you the experience to real American life and meeting nice people! 

Go for it ! U should try it !

Volunteer - Stern Grove Festival

Volunteering story is coming back! 

Based on my personality, I don't like just staying at home and doing nothing special(only sometimes good) so I was looking for something interesting activities when I got in San Francisco first. I searched everyday with the keyword, "Things to do in San Francisco". I checked festivals, musicals, events or meet up!

And I found this "Stern Grove Festival" in Sunset area and I filled out the form as a volunteer. 

Stern Grove Festival Association is a non-profit organization committed to providing the people of the Bay Area with admission-free access to diverse performing arts.

As soon as I filled out them, I got an confirmation e-mail so that I can join the volunteering on designated date. I like music so much so I can volunteer and also enjoy the music they perform at the same time! Yay! I selected the date performing opera when I can enjoy the music in the forest. It sounded to me FANTASTIC!! 

Entrance

San Francisco OPERA

Volunteer Minji No!! 2012

What I did as a volunteer was to promote people to donate for this festival. If someone donate, they give a sticker as a sign of a contributor(how smart it is). Therefore, we should find someone without a sticker and encourage them to donate! That was my duty!

This festival had been held every weekend for almost 2 months. I have been twice, one for volunteering and one for a picnic from my internship company. The second time there with coworkers was the last day of the festival when OK GO band performed! I didn't know that band before but I heard pretty famous here.

my ex coworkers

OK GO! band

Can U see the hundreds of people there????

If you wanna make your internship life more vivid, why don't you check out this kinda volunteering activities?

Here is the address. ->  http://www.sterngrove.org

This festival holds every year so you can join maybe next year if you stay here in San Francisco until then.

Volunteer - Orphanage in Mexico, Tijuana

Hello everyone, Long time no write!

This time I wanna tell you guys about my stories as a volunteer. There are a lot of fun things you can enjoy in the USA but If you look all around in a different view, you can find lots of rewarding volunteering you can help people. 

This is one of my stories that I volunteered for the orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico when I was in San Diego. My friend knew someone who organize "Unity 4 Orphans" group helping the orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. As soon as I heard this volunteering from my friend, I told him to want to join this volunteering right away! I love kids and I could also teach English(But, I am also still learning), talk with them and share something with them. It was one of my memorable experience in the USA.

I had never thought about crossing the border by walk to Mexico. Even I hadn't known I went there in Mexico. I heard Tijuana area is a dangerous area so my sponsor advisor suggested not to go there. But, I thought I would be okay because I was gonna go with many people from Rock church and as soon as we crossed the border, the school bus from the orphanage picked us up to get there. It sounded like I should take a risk but I really wanted to do:)

Cross the border to Mexico by walk

I had no idea before of crossing the border between the USA and Mexico by walk. It was the surprise to me and they didn't even check our passport. I heard they barely check someone's ID.

The border between the USA and Mexico! 

School Bus from the Orphanage

Go Go Go !!! in a bus

There are many adorable kids and children there. I cannot still forget the first scene at the orphanage when I just got there. As soon as we opened the door and went inside the building, kids and children ran to us to welcome us! I couldn't help but hug them as much as I can so I couldn't take a picture of that scene.

We R studying now!

Their tradition for kids! Inside that pink one, lots of candies there:)

Adorable kids r praying before a lunch, another memorable scene to me.

Like sisters!

I was so happy with my ability to play the piano could please them!  (Because I don't speak Spanish so I couldn't teach them  , English.

with my sis and baby. she came to volunteering with no makeup to keep the promise with me! 

Don't cry babe:)

If you have never done this kinda volunteering, I totally recommend doing! Actually, It doesn't matter whichever volunteering is. The most important thing is you spend time with them and feel something in your mind to share anything with them that could be one of your memorable stories in your life! To share with someone is the most important thing of our life. 

Despite just one day, It could be your unexchaneable moment to make your life different. 

On the way back to San Diego, we bought this churros which costs just a DOLLAR! Amazing price hehe:) Also so tasty! u should try it!

After my first visit to the orphanage in Mexico, I uploaded a few photos with kids on facebook. They are my friends in the same government program:) At first, I went there alone(I mean no korean friends) but at the second time, I brought them together to introduce this volunteering! I was so happy to go there altogether. It was so great time for me.

Our volunteering members when i went there at the second time.

If you are looking for any activities, I strongly recommend this, girls and boys!

Monterey & Carmel Trip - The best drive in SF

Monterey & Carmel 

Hi, everyone! Today, I wanna introduce an amazing driving course near San Francisco. I can call this trip the best drive in San Francisco. Fantastic, amazing, awesome, marvelous, cool, romantic, tremendous, Wow, I tried to list proper words to describe, but there' be no end to do it.

Then, Let's go to this amazing world in San Francisco!

If u r planning a Monterey trip, I would recommend to combine Monterey & Carmel, surely including 17 Mile Drive. It's possible to look around most of them but if u wanna take more ur time, it would be also a good way to stay 1 Day or more. On your trip, you'll enjoy amazing coastal views while driving along Highway1, passing by Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz to Monterey Bay. 

1. Monterey

Recommended Itinerary

Some of my friends told me they were disappointed about a trip to Monterey & Carmel which was less than they expected. However, I heard a lot about this destination from my Korean travel guidebook and also when I worked at the tour company in SF, Monterey & Carmel trip is one of the bestselling tour of them. Thus, I decided to go there just once in my life without much expectation.

When I arrived at the Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, that's WOW!!!! Amazing itself!!! Views, atmosphere, people, a lot of seafood(But, we didn't eat seafood u.u;;)..... Paradise here!!!

* Old Fisherman's Wharf

In SF city, there is a Fisherman's Wharf area and I went there almost 100 times because my working place was near Fisherman's Wharf area in the city. BUT, the atmosphere of the old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey is totally different than that of San Francisco city. Smaller but Looks more friendly, chilling cafes, Nice seafood and different styles of Clam Chowder(U can try lots of sample Clam chowder from many restaurant! Also, they have *Happy hours), Gift shops for a souvenir(For me, Always postcards!!yay) Whale watching tour, wonderful historic places, Music, wow, amazing as it is with amazing views. In addition, U can see see lions at the pier and take a picture with them.


What I do like is Monterey had California's first theater, public building, public library, publicly funded school, printing press, and newspaper. The city and surrounding area have attracted artists since the late 19th century and many celebrated painters and writers have lived there. 

Discover the history and culture of the Monterey Bay on this monterey trip!

They're preparing for the Christmas:) 

Nice patio :)

They are selling Seafood in a cup! Cup eafood!

Salt Water Taffy shop

Street food

Monterey Bay

Painter, Caricature

Historic building in the Historic Park

First Theater

All historic buildings turned to be a museum currently.

Ice Skating Season

My cutie friend, Josep! Take Magazine photo shot!

Small painting on the wall in front of the Ice Skating link

plus provable photo^^*

** Cannery Row & Aquarium



Actually, we didn't have much time to stay here so we just passed by the Cannery Row and Aquarium. If I had more time, definitely I would go there. But It looks like a coooool place to look around and see sea lions!


Cannery Row itself is now a tourist attraction with many restaurants and hotels, many of which are located in former cannery buildings, and a few historic attractions. Some privately owned fishing companies still exist on Cannery Row, housed on piers located a short distance from the historic district frequented by tourists(Refer to Wikipedia)

In recent years, Cannery Row has become increasingly popular  among sport fisherman due to extensive public fishing facilities; popular spots for kayak-launching and scuba-diving spots.

Cannery Row

Aquarium

2. 17 Mile Drive

17 Mile Drive is widely recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world. The famous coastal landmark runs through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the dramatic Pacific coastline to the majestic Del Monte Forest.

There are a lot of amazing views on this road. Everywhere could be the best place for your memorable photo. It reminded me of driving my country's coastline in my hometown. I could make a wondrous journey with ur friend, family, boyfriend or girlfriend. Especially for a couple, It would be one of the best place to date.

Bird Rock

Bird Rock

Best provable photo at Bird Rock!!^^*

Telescope at Bird Rock

*Note : At the entrance to 17 Mile Drive, it costs $10. But, it's worth it!!!!!!! BUT, motorcycles are prohibited entry onto 17 Mile Drive. Plus, this Drive is way shorter than I thought!! Keep that in mind:)

* Recommended course : Enter the Pacific Grove entrance and find the Exit, Carmel exit, then u can enjoy most of scenic places.

Marvel at nature's treasures found along 17-Mile Drive including the Lone Cypress tree(The Lone Cypress has prevailed on its rocky perch for over 250 years) and scenic outlook points of the Pacific Ocean- one of California's best-known landmarks. Also, Pebble beach golf course, Bird Rock, Ghost tree.. U should stop by there!! but I couldn't stop by all because we couldn't find any parking space...u.u;;; But, we had really great time for sure^^;;

Lone Cypress Lookout

Ghost Trees

3. Carmel

Carmel Beach

Known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history, Carmel is a small city in Monterey county. We went to the Carmel beach to enjoy the sunset at the beach. It's always marvelous and romantic to watch the sunset by the beach. A lot of people was having a bonfire and enjoyed time with their companies. I was so envy them to have a bonfire on the beach. It reminded me of camping memories when I was a child! <3 Near the ocean, there are lots of picturesque houses looking like there would be in a novel. I love them!!!!!

Sunset at the Carmel beach

Bonfire

If you drive a little bit more, u can reach to the Ocean ave where u can walk around and drop by many pretty shops, restaurants, cafes etc in a town(They r really beautiful enough!!!!!!!). Pretty long, beautiful avenue that You will love! Here America, the Christmas is a Big Holiday for them so they r also preparing for the Christmas.

If u have time or even though u don't have time, u should go there to make one of perfect days of ur life!!! I do recommend to check them. There is a reason many travel guide books always introduce this places. Time to go for ur vacation!! Yay!!!!

Don't sleep all the day on the weekend instead of this perfect day!! Enjoy ur life!!