Tuesday, June 10, 2014

time to say goodbye

Playing: Somewhere Only We Know-Keane
Reading: The Honor Code by Kwame Anthony Appiah
It's hard to believe it's been three weeks, since I visited Berkeley. I really love it up there. It feels both more urban and more rural there in a way than where I live. A complete paradox, but the gardens are less tame and the trees grow higher yet there is absolutely nowhere to park your car, which is the case in most cities. Another perk about Berkeley is its cute stores and markets, which are mixed with Berkeley's more famous laid back, anti-authoritarian spirit. (For example, my brother lived a block away from an indoor Swedish ski resort style food court that was next to three medical marijuana stores in a row.)
The reason why I visited Berkeley was to attend my brother's graduation from UC Berkeley. Yeah, that's how smart my brother is-he survived all four years at the sixth best university in the world, according to Times Higher Education. It's weird to think that I won't be heading up in that general area for a long time, since my brother won't be there.
I have several friends that turned down UC Berkeley for UCLA and I really wonder why. I know that UCLA is in a nice neighborhood and that it's known for good looking people, but you can't beat Berkeley's atmosphere. Some of their dorms look like English boarding schools and the town itself is so great.
Talking about how great the city is, Berkeley honestly has the best food. Not only do they have your standard American food, they have revamped versions of almost every country's cuisine. Joshu-ya serves up some amazing Asian fusion dishes such as this pork belly soba, which is fatty, spicy, and refreshing all at the same time. Not to mention, there's also a creative noodle bar, the best Italian joint ever (at the best price ever), a Brazilian hut that focuses on amazing sandwiches, and a Pacific Cookie Company, which sells the craziest, most delicious cookies called Cherry Bombs. If nothing else, on your next San Francisco trip, you should stop by Berkeley for all the food.

19 comments:

  1. I visited Berkeley a few years ago, it is a nice campus for sure. But maybe UCLA has better program than Barkeley for whatever they are studying? Or maybe because their friends are going? Or maybe because the parties are better? haha I don't know. In Canada all the universities are pretty much the same caliber.

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    1. Maybe. I just really love the Berkeley area and it's a nice change of scenery, since I live really close to Los Angeles.

      What do you mean by it's the same caliber? I don't know much about the Canadian school system, so I'd be interested in knowing what it's like.

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  2. berkeley seems lovely! i love that building and am glad you had a nice time:-) x

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    1. Berkeley is wonderful! Thanks! I did have a good time up there.

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  3. awww love this post!!! especially since the hubs is doing his MPH w/ uc berkeley hehehe! congrats to your brother it's definitely an amazing achievement! and yes i love the berkeley area.. some of the best indian food in the world!!!

    www.lisalovescoco.blogspot.com

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    1. Maybe the Indian food is too good? My brother ate so much of it up there that he said he never wants to eat it again. We'll see about that in a few months.

      Good luck to your husband! UC Berkeley is a great school!

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  4. The dorm is adorable! I'd like to stay in there a few nights, sometimes I envy dorm life but if I had to choose, I'd still rather live at home hehehe Can't beat the comforts of home. School sounds intense there, congratulations to your brother!

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    1. I'm getting ready for dorm life myself. Cramming everything I need into one room seems stressful. :c

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  5. Congratulations to your brother! I love the unconventional grad pose next to the massive bear! They did not have a life size bear at my graduation so I am feeling cheated now.

    Emma x

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    1. Haha, the bear is the school's mascot, so don't feel too ripped off! UC Berkeley actually has a ton of bear statues scattered around its campus.

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  6. Oh wow, it looks really wonderful! I never knew... And congratulations to your brother!

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  7. Congrats to your brother! It looks like an amazing university. I had friends who went to UCLA but because they were from the LA area anyway so I guess they didn't want to travel far. The campus looks amazing and you're right, very british looking - even more British looking than most of the halls in the UK!

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    1. Haha, it is very British looking. I know that UCLA purposely went for the look of an older university, so maybe that's what UC Berkeley did too?

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  8. Thanks so much for your sweet words, they made my day!
    Love your insight into your life!

    Have a great weekend,
    -Kati

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  9. Congratulations to your brother Audrey c:
    He sure looks smart!
    And wow, this school place looks beautiful o:
    Those dorms reminds me of a scene out
    of Harry Potter haha :') Xx

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    1. Haha, he is definitely way smarter than I am. He's one of those people who slept through all his high school classes and still pulled off As. The dorms totally look Harry Potter worthy!

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