Season's Greetings from Berkeley

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Wishing one and all a Happy Christmas—Joyeux Noel-- and health and happiness in the New Year !

As I write, Christmas carols are playing on KDFC, the Bay Area’s local classical radio station. I look out the window of my apartment and see the lights of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate and Bay bridges in the distance, and in the foreground, Christmas lights on the houses in my tree-lined street. It’s gotten a bit colder, and the skies have been grey for the last week. Nevertheless, I’m still able to go swimming in the outdoor pool on campus and to play tennis in the Rose Garden. That’s California for you!

It’s hard to believe that in just one week I’ll be back in Paris, where I now plan to stay until January 23 or so. For those of you living there, I hope to see you during my stay!

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Photos

Xmas party decorations
at the home of my friends, Angele and Michael, on Dec. 13th

Members of my Girl Scout Troop
Kathy, Christine, Gerry, HK, Angele and Kathy. Won't tell you how long ago we were Brownies and Girl Scouts. Angele's mother (in the wheelchair) was our troop leader

The Hillside Club
The Hillside Club is a very special Berkeley community center founded in the 19th century which is only a block away from my apartment. I love going to events there.

Talk at Hillside Club
Two former professors talk about the women's movement and the founding of the women's studies department at UC Berkeley in the 1960s and 1970s.

Singing French Xmas carols
This alumnae event took place in early December. It was just like old times when we were in grade school. (You can see me sticking out my head on the left).

Taken on Treasure Island
HK, Kristen and Sandra enjoying a beautiful Sunday visit to this naval base mid-way between San Francisco and Oakland.

"The Bronte Cycle"
staged reading by a local theater group: the Subterranean Shakespeare Players

new Walt Disney Museum
It's in a refurbished building in the Presidio and is devoted to the life and career of Walt. I attended a travel writers' meeting here and visited the museum.

Heartz pool on campus
taken in early December.

Comments

[martha]

Joyeux noel
Hi Hillary - Joyeaux Noel et bonne année from France! best wishes, Martha

[Edie Richter]

Bon Voyage
Thank-you for including me in your TravelBlog mailing. I loved seeing the pictures of some of your activities while in Berkeley. I will remain here to hold down the fort for you. Have a joyous and fun-filled stay in Paris. I will look forward to re-connecting with you sometime after January 23rd. Best Wishes for the happiest holidays EVER.......Edie

[Michal Commanday]

Holiday Cheer!
Are you coming back to Berkeley? If so, let's try again to meet up. Maybe at the East Bay Regional Park in Tilden, where I'm a docent? My class and work project just finished up, so I'll be home and have more time for the next few weeks. Best holiday wishes to you too. Cute pictures with a fresh, visitor's perspective. Cheers, Michal

[mary lynne]

merry christmas
hi Hilary, You certainly have a rich cultural life there in Berkeley! Have a wonderful holiday in France and maybe we can get together in Paris between Jan. 14 and 23. All the best, Mary Lynne

[Michele]

Happy Hols!
Bonjour Hilary - I'm thoroughly enjoying following "tes aventures"! I'm off to NY for the hols and won't be back til 23 Jan, so zut, I won't have a chance to see you this time. When are you returning and where are you off to next?! Merry Christmas et tres bonne annee! Michele

[Peter Jarrett]

Weather
Hi Hilary. Hope you get here alright. It snowed most of the day and has been near wero for about 5 days now. that plus strikes on the RERA A and B for the past week or so and the mood is not too good. Claire and I will be in Jerusalem during the UUFP service but maybe we will cross paths somewhere else in your month's visit. In any case have a great visit and a wonderful 2010.

[Gaby Barnes]

Happy Christmas
Hi Hilary Happy Christmas!!!!!! Life goes on much the same,though sadly a few friends are being sent home early ,still. Christmas dinners galore are not doing much to improve my waistline!!!! We are staying in Shanghai for Christmas and are hoping to find somewhere nice to go on Christmas Eve,as we will be feeling very sorry for ourselves on our first Xmas without the children. Our daughter is with us until tomorrow on her way to India. Will stay in touch !Enjoy Paris!! Love GABY

[rv holidays]

Holidays in California
California is a great place for dwelling. It is the place like a paradise. No one can imagine about the living standard.Beautiful beaches, unique attraction, incredible views and more enjoyable things in the California state. The sight of the beaches, dancing of the whales at California beaches is very eye catching sights. All in all California is about entire enjoyable.