strawberries and strawberry fever

I am having a strawberry relapse. I forgot how pretty they are seeing as we are in the depths of winter in Edmonton. Today I went to see avatar in IMAX 3D and it was a feast for the eyes. I accompanied this with a sakura bubble tea (strawberry and melon). I left feeling the need for more strawberries and found strawberry milk tea as a powder I can make at home hot or cold and an attempt at strawberry daifuku. I have never eaten fresh strawberry daifuku but it looks like I will have to attempt to make my own. Mochi, chocolate, strawberries it sounds like heaven. I have made mochi before but it was a little lumpy I just watched a youtube on making daifuku and I think I may give it a go. Here is the link if you would like to try too
http://www.tvlesson.com/video/25885_how-to-make-strawberry-daifuku.html

San Francisco - a city that has everything I need

If I had a green card you bet I'd be on the next plane to San Francisco. I just returned there from vacation and it has everything I love. Minutes from rocky beaches, the weather isn't too hot, a mix of the old and new, both a Japan town and china town minutes from each other, a great transit system, flowers in January. I wonder if the folks living San Fran realize just how lucky they are. Yes it was a little expensive and there are many disturbed individuals roaming around whispering or shouting profanities but I could live with that.

Staying around O'Farrel at the Hilton, you get a true picture of the poor and rich living in close proximity to one another. I have to admit I was uncomfortable when I ventured out after dark by myself but I only had one incident that was unnerving. I think if you keep your wits about you everything is fine. The cable cars were great fun and I love that they have reused old trams from around the world on the F line. In fact I was impressed with their transit and recycling programs. Fisherman's wharf is definitely a lot of fun as well as Pier 39.

Japan town is wonderful especially the large mall there. China town is definitely worth a visit as well as Yerba Buena gardens and the Museum of Modern art. I also spent a day in Monterey and Santa Cruz and drove along Highway 1 which well deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. I used Fodor's guide to plan my day trips which has great maps and advise. I also purchased a city passport or muni passport that got me in free to several attractions and had unlimited use of the muni transit system for 7 days.