Welcome to the University of California – Berkeley. The most liberal, outspoken, and one of the most difficult-to-get-into universities in the United States. In the above photo of this beautiful campus, you can see the nearby San Francisco Bay with the fog just obscuring the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. But on a sunny, clear day I can see it clearly from the rooftop of my new home –
Gamma Phi Beta – Eta Chapter Sorority!
I have been the House Director at Gamma Phi for almost 2 months now and….I Love It! My private living quarters consist of two large rooms, one I use for living and the other is my bedroom/private office. I also have a full bathroom and a closet that holds a mini-fridge, microwave, toaster oven, and Keruig. Enough that I don’t have to run down to the big kitchen if I don’t want to.
The location, the diversity, and the huge selection of classes and events I can choose to participate in are amazing. And the public transportation is outstanding. I love my CLIPPER Card which takes me everywhere I could possibly want to go – via bus, BART or CalTrain.
I’ve joined the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the de Young and Legion of Honor Museums and already taken advantage of my membership at SFMoMA where I thoroughly enjoyed the Kusama polka-dot exhibition.
While there I couldn’t miss visiting the Pacia Abad exhibit, as well. She uses textiles, paint, and found objects to create amazingly colorful works of art.
And next week a new friend and I are going to the deYoung Museum to see Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style.
Then there are my girls (young women, ladies). All 46 live-ins and 15 live-outs. They are really something else. They make me laugh. They make me think. They make me scratch my head and want to pull my hair out. They are sweet, kind, rude, mean, silly, and brilliant (they have to be to get admitted to this school). What I find the hardest to comprehend is their inability to accept responsibility for their actions. I must keep reminding myself they are ‘young’ ladies and are still learning.
I’ve attended a Cal women’s basketball game with fellow House Directors and have been taking a weekly course through OLLI (Osher Life Long Learning Institute) on the inception, uses, and dangers of AI. And no, I don’t understand it at all!
Though many of you questioned my leaving the very nice, livable (and boring!) senior living community I had found in Santa Barbara, I cannot begin to tell you how glad I am that I made this move.
I feel younger. I feel as if my life once again has a daily purpose, though some of those days I question what it might be! I am so much happier. I’ve met more people and become more involved in my new community in 2 months than I did in a year in Santa Barbara. There is talk of my attending the annual House Director’s Convention in Salt Lake City this summer and possibly giving a keynote address for a large sewing conference.
I’m happy – and fairly healthy – and at this age what more can I ask for? How much longer I will continue in this position depends on my boss, my girls, and my knees (this is a 3-story house with no elevator!). But as long as I can keep climbing up those stairs…I will.
And then there is……Japan! I am so excited. Two weeks from today I fly to Japan to meet up with my neighbors from San Miguel de Allende and begin our 3-week exploration of the beautiful country of Japan. What with climate change, there is a good possibility we will be able to see early cherry blossoms blooming. I bought a new iPhone with an amazing camera so I promise to share my photos with you the next time I post.
Until then…..
My Home on the Roam 
Hope you got a senior clipper card! Saves a lot!!!
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That would be telling my age! Of course I have an Senior Clipper Card and yes, it saves me lots!!!
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It sounds like you are having a great time! Your story inspires me!!!
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Iām thrilled to hear how happy you are! What lucky girls (oops, young women) to have such a great role model in their midstš Go, ReAnn!š
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I think of you every day, my dear friend. Wish I was close enough to give you a hug, or share a bottle of good wine. Take care of yourself while you take care David.
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Wonderful letter, ReAnn! I, for one, did not question your decision; on to a new adventure!
I look forward to your Japan photos!!!
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Nora Weaver, Director Mentor Programs ā JĆ³venes Adelante, AC
Phones: +1 956 220-9401/US Mobile and WhatsApp * JĆ³venes Adelante scholarships have allowed 274 San Miguel youth to graduate from university and we currently have another 134 enrolled. 83% of our students attain their degree. http://www.jovenesadelante.org facebook: Jovenes Adelante AC
Science, truth, and education are for everyone, not just the privileged few. Albert Einstein
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What an absolutely wonderful āgigā ! Thank you so much for sharing it with us
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Hello there, I was closing down for the night when I saw your e-mail. What a good feeling when a friend loves this phase of life. The Bay Area provides so much, and you are taking all of it. What a blessing, really. As you visit Japan, please keep notes on what I should not miss, and everything else about it. We are going in November instead of September. A member of our party is having back surgery and should be healed by then. The cover stitch is threaded and I have used it several times. Hems only so far. I am taking it for maintenance when I take in my sewing machine and serger. We are leaving for a driving trip South, so they will be going in before we leave. It is all good here. Made it through February unscathed, which is a feat in itself. XOXOXO Rhonda Michalek
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Oh ReAnn – you have found your niche! Soooooo much better than a senior living community. You have so much diversity, intelectual stimulation, daily challenges, new learnings, opportunities for new friendships, and a cozy litt
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Reading your updateā¦.what a way to start my day! You never cease to amaze me. So much fun ātravelingā with you. Staying in touch with you is easy š.
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Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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How wonderful for you, and you will be marvelous. So glad the Gamma Phiās have a live in house director. I was house board president for 10 years for Kappa Kappa Gamma at the U of Iā- my college chapter. I know the challenges for you ahead. I have been wondering about you. Good luck!!
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Re, thanks for sending this message and the pictures. This is so you!
Loved the pictures of your domain and thought I spied a sock monkey, so I enlarged your bedroom picture and there was a pair!
I agree with the rest of your friends, out of the Senior Living Community and out into the world again! You are doing what you do best. Keep me in the loop and make sure you send some pictures when you go to Japan. Thanks, my good friend of long ago…..
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You caught Tumbleweed and Axel as they lounged on my bed. They were gifted to me by a good friend in San Miguel as a going away gift. Two little monkeys to keep me company on my new adventure. They are enjoying Berkeley much more than the senior living community as much as I am!
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Sweet!!!
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ReAnn, You are such a good writer. Lovely glimpse into your life. Thank you. And I canāt wait to hear about Japan trip! Enjoy
Arrived San Miguel last Wednesday and Saturday moved to Noraās place. She left yesterday for her Egypt trip.
All is well here. I enjoy being back to visit. Have friends to see and lots of walking to do. Pretty hot in the day time!
I could not get the comment button or the like button to work on the post. Just fyi. Am spending time exploring what might be next in my work world. Weāll see.
Travel well my friend. Barbara BARBARA PAGANO
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You do live an interesting life. Japan! Who are you going with?
Safe and happy travels. I used to have a Japanese boyfriend. He was an Aikido master.,
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I’m meeting up with Arturo and Phyllis from SMA and a friend of theirs from Pittsburgh.
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