A Night on the Town

A few years ago, I came to Pasadena for a conference, having no idea that I might end up living here one day. I was totally charmed by the snowflakes they project on the buildings in Old Town. There’s no way we’ll ever get snow here, so this is the next best thing. Since I’m from a place that also gets snow so infrequently that it is an awesomely big deal, I will definitely take what I can get. The crazy thing is that it was 88 degrees on Saturday. A girl can dream (of snow!)

We went to Old Town to go out for my birthday dinner, even though my birthday was a few months ago. I was sick my birthday weekend, and then we were in Istanbul, and then we were really jet-lagged, and then I totally forgot about my birthday dinner. But Eric didn’t! So we went to Vertical Wine Bistro, which we really like. The steps up to the restaurant feel very Paris arcade.

We ate a little on the early side, so we had this whole huge dining room to ourselves, and they seated us right next to the fireplace. Lovely!

I think this is why they call it Vertical. I love the ladder.

After dinner we strolled around town, and I took more snowflake pictures. Snowflakes! Maybe I appreciate them so much because I have always failed at cutting them out from paper.

And, true story: it wasn’t until I was in college that I actually believed snowflakes really look like that. This girl in a warm Southern climate thought everyone must be exaggerating.  Every single snowflake with its own unique splendor? No way. The first time I saw an individual snowflake, I stared at it until it melted. I couldn’t believe it was so tiny and perfect and so delicately ornate. It was a beautiful discovery. And I do miss that snow.

But this guy is making me feel better about it. Happy holidays!