I haven’t written a Currently post in a while – I don’t think I’ve written one in 2025 – but it’s a good format to check in and share a bit of what’s going on with me currently, and there are things to share, so let’s jump right in.
CELEBRATING | my California-versary. I arrived in California for the first time on September 9, 2001 – 24 years ago – and I have absolutely no clue how this is possible. This must be a time warp because I am not that old. Haha. I remember that the first night was awful, and I wanted to take the first flight back home the following day. As you already know, that is not what happened.
ENJOYING | access to our community pool, especially for a little swim and dip in the hot tub in the evenings when most people have left.
FEELING | shocked and sad to find out that another one of my colleagues is leaving our agency. I was pretty sure that – after the last few months – she was here to stick it out with me, but alas, it’s not the case. I was a little bit sad that she didn’t mention anything and I had to find out through a group mail from our supervisors but she apologized for it and said that she had planned to tell me in person and that she’s just been working from our field office the last few weeks to avoid the traffic mayhem that ensues when school starts on Campus, which I understand. Her last day will be September 30.
GUEST-POSTING | on Kyria’s blog for her Twenty Questions series, this time about “Strange Things Abroad”. I – and some other Cool Bloggers (Daria, Rachel, and Tobia) – answered the question of what we found strange when we first arrived in our new home away from home. I could relate to so many things! Check it out if you haven’t already.
READING | blogs. Yes, I am trying to make this my reading priority right now to somewhat stay on top of my Feedly.
EATING | baked salmon. We’ve been making a version of this simple salmon recipe regularly for a few weeks now, and I can’t get enough. We went through a phase where we didn’t eat much salmon, but right now, I want to eat it all the time. We pair it with asparagus and cauliflower rice, and it’s just such a simple and delicious meal.
DRINKING | hot tea in the evenings. I guess I am preparing myself for fall.
LOOKING FORWARD TO | spending some time with my friend Susi this weekend. I haven’t seen her since July, and I am excited to catch up with her. She’s been on an Alaska vacation since the last time I saw her, and I am so curious to hear all about it!
LAUGHING | out loud at Chris Munch’s “Bleshings” Tour. As I mentioned in my Five Things Friday post, I found out last-minute that he was coming to Sacramento for a show, so I got tickets. The show was at a small theater, and he did a Q&A session afterward, and I got a picture. It was so fun! And if you haven’t met his cringe-worthy, perpetually bachelored character, Stephen Stephens, yet, I highly recommend you check him out. (Chris is making Stephen’s signature face in the photo. He’s a perfectly normal and very nice guy otherwise!)
WEARING | this jumpsuit that I bought for my MIL’s Celebration of Life. It wears like PJs (so comfortable!), still looks classy, and has pockets. You can dress it up (I wore pumps) or down (would look cute with sandals). What’s not to love?
I realized, though, that black does not seem to be the go-to color for memorial services anymore. Or maybe that was because it wasn’t a burial, but a Celebration of Life, and people don’t feel like it’s a sad occasion to which one would wear black? I don’t know – for me, black is timeless and classy, and I like black clothes in general, so it was my obvious color choice. I did get some compliments on my outfit, too.
What are you eating and looking forward to right now?
coco
September 10, 2025 at 1:07 amHappy anniversary with LA.
sorry to hear about your colleague leaving… hope that’s the end of it.
I look forward to this Saturday, or Friday 2pm when my big presentation is done.
Daria
September 10, 2025 at 1:54 amHi San, thanks for the update. I enjoyed reading it.
It’s wonderful that you getting out to see a show, I love going to see live performances, alone and with Tony. I have explored the websites on three local theaters (by local I mean about 45 minutes away). I found the performances that I absolutely must -see , dance and drums, mainly. A New Jersey Nutcracker! But I have not bought the tickets yet because I’m gawking at the prices… I’ll get there soon :)
That jumpsuit is amazing! You rock it!
sarah
September 10, 2025 at 3:59 amJelly that your pools are still open and also am also trying to stay on top of my feedly. I have missed so much
Nicole MacPherson
September 10, 2025 at 4:47 amOMG you look gorgeous, San. So classy and elegant! I wear black all the time so it would feel strange for me to wear a different colour, particularly to a memorial service.
Your pool is so pretty! What a treat!
The years fly by so quickly, don’t they!
Birchie
September 10, 2025 at 4:50 amI love the jumpsuit! I don’t think I would have made the distinction between a funeral and celebration of life, but in any case, having a great look is a way to honor your MIL.
Elisabeth
September 10, 2025 at 7:31 amFirst, I love posts like this. Such a great way to get “caught up.”
Second, ugh about the work situation. I’m so sorry you keep losing more and more workers in your team.
Third AND MORE EXCITING. That jumpsuit. I had to scroll back up and admire it AGAIN. You look stunning.
Like you, I feel best in black in a situation like a funeral/celebration of life. Maybe it’s old-fashioned, but it does feel both respectful and it means I don’t feel self-conscious about what I’ve chosen. Also, you’ve reminded me that I bought a flowey black skirt earlier this summer and haven’t worn it out yet. I MUST change that!
I adore salmon and just had it twice this week.
Those pool views. San! I’m dying over here. That looks so lovely and I would definitely go in the evening when everyone has cleared out and it’s nice and quiet.
Kim
September 10, 2025 at 7:46 amWe still have people leaving our organization too and it hurts every single time. All that to say, I feel your pain (I don’t think many outside of our situation get it, understandably). And I’m glad you connected before she left.
The black jumpsuit looks really nice! I went to a wake this summer where they specifically asked we wear bright colors!
Melissa
September 10, 2025 at 11:18 pmOh, I love that pool shot. What a lovely way to spend your evenings. I’ll bet it feels good to unwind from all the stress. I’m so sorry to hear about your colleague, I imagine the constant change is really destabilizing, I hope this is the last one for a while. Despite all the crap you have been dealing with, you are looking stunning. That jumpsuit is perfect. I have a black summer dress I wear everywhere, but always to funerals, altohugh I had a winter funeral this year and went with the only winter dress I own, which luckily was a dark bottle green. I probably wouldn’t have distinguished between a funeral and a Celebration of Life either.
NGS
September 11, 2025 at 7:11 amThe jumpsuit! You look perfect in it!
Count me in on the people who are jealous of your pool. Also, that it’s still warm enough to be in a pool!
Stephany
September 11, 2025 at 7:13 amI’m sorry to hear about another colleague leaving. That has to be so brutal. So much upheaval within the government these days. :(
You look stunning in that black jumpsuit! I feel like nobody wears black to funerals anymore. The way it’s phrased to me is that we want to celebrate “so-and-so” and they wouldn’t want us looking all somber in black. IDK!
Heike
September 11, 2025 at 11:57 amAlaska! Cool—we traveled there this summer too (flight + rental car), and it was such a great trip.
Rachel
September 11, 2025 at 1:08 pmI am so happy to see posts from you again San! I have really missed your lovely “currently” and “5 on a friday” posts and it was so exciting to get both this week.
Happy California-versary! I think it’s so amazing to end up living so long in a different country. I loved your answers on Kyria’s post too.
And that jumpsuit is gorgeous!
Ernie
September 11, 2025 at 9:30 pmI almost always eat the same old same old. But it works for me. I made turkey meat tacos this evening and they are so tasty. I’ve started keeping the meat in the freezer and I can get it at Costco and it thaws easily in the sink. I always have the ingredients on hand and everyone loves taco night. I feel like with the seasoning, no one notices they are made of ground turkey.
I’m looking forward to parent weekend at Reg’s college, but also – he’s a freshman and I don’t think he has many things planned. Hoping it’ll be fun and that there’s no nonsense back at home. Lots of moving parts this weekend while we are away.
Look at you in that jumpsuit. So classy looking. Sorry that another coworker is leaving. Wow, your move to America was so long ago. I love that your apartment complex has a pool. It looks so inviting.
Lisa's Yarns
September 12, 2025 at 8:52 amI love your pant suit!! It’s nice that you can dress it up or down! I bet you’ll get a lot of use out of it. You can’t go wrong with black!
I was traveling a good portion of this week so ate a lot of conference food and such. I am happy to be back home for the next couple of weeks so I can get back to eating food I’ve made. I get so burned out on eating out. I’m looking forward to my 10 mile race tomorrow!
Michelle G.
September 12, 2025 at 1:41 pmHappy California-versary! You were so brave to move to another country! You look gorgeous in the pant suit!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
September 14, 2025 at 2:02 amThat outfit is so classy and you can go to a funeral but also to a concert or dinner. Amazingly versatile. I am almost envious since I wanted a jumpsuit for ages.
I am having salmon too lately. I usually just add salt, pepper and olive oil but yours looks much fancier. But do a little more to it. But salmon is so so expensive here. Like 4€ a smaller piece than yours and it’s not even organic. Sigh.
I would love a soak in a hot tub. How amazing that you have access to it. Will you be able to use it year round?
Anne
September 23, 2025 at 3:16 pmSan, you look amazing in that jumpsuit. Not for me, but for you? Perfect. Like nearly everyone else writing comments, I am envious of your hot tub. Time to set up a cool bloggers gathering in northern CA? :)
Five Things Friday Vol. 118 - theinbetweenismine
September 29, 2025 at 12:33 pm[…] another Farewell Happy Hour tonight (to be honest, I’ve attended too many this year). As I mentioned, one of my colleagues from my research group is leaving our agency, and a student trainee is […]