I haven’t done a lot of stuff during the last few weeks I have been here in San Diego. Training is taking a top priority, of course. However, I have trekked outside the gates of MCRD a few times and I would like to share those experiences with all of you.

Last week, a very good friend of mine and her husband came out for a couple of days. I really didn’t know what to expect, though I knew for a fact we would have a blast. We went to a great restaurant called Dick’s Last Resort Saturday afternoon. Dick’s had been recommended to me by a good friend in Lejeune that is a San Diego native. He promised me I wouldn’t regret going and I sure didn’t. The food was great, and the atmosphere is unlike any other restaurant I have ever visited. All expectations of a normal restaurant are thrown right out the window as soon as you walk in. There is no host or hostess to seat you, so you just find a table and have a seat. Normally, your server comes up, greets you, and goes into their script offering drinks, aps, etc. Our server walked over and asked what we’d have for drinks and then the began. Instead of the server telling us great choice or generally sucking up, he started making fun of us! The insults and general rudeness didn’t stop there. It lasted the entire time we were there! And the best part? It was so refreshing to go eat somewhere and not feel like I need to wipe my rear end after all the proverbial kissing that takes place most places. I felt like the server was a buddy and not someone there to just serve us. It really was great. After we finished eating, we moved out to the patio area and chatted for hours. We were there so long our server finished his shift and came over to hang out for a bit. He really was a cool guy.

Sunday morning we got up nice and early and headed over to SeaWorld. I had never been to SeaWorld and was really excited to go. It was a great day. I had never been so close to dolphins or killer whales in my entire life. Out of all the animals we saw, I was most amazed by the dolphins and killer whales. They are majestic creatures and I will never see pictures or photos of them without thinking of them and my experience at SeaWorld.

This past Thursday night I was able to secure a couple of free tickets to the Padres game. The seats were in the 118 section along the left foul line. I was sitting 13 rows back from the foul line which allowed me to get some awesome pictures of the game. I have been to multiple pro baseball games, but hadn’t ever been that close to the action. I wasn’t watching my Braves play, but I couldn’t stop myself from getting into Padres fever. Professional baseball just pulls me into the game and the experience of being there no matter the teams I’m watching. The Padres had 4 home runs which only upped my excitement. Griffey also had a two run shot in the first inning for the Reds. In the end, the Padres won 8-2. I hope to go to at least one more game while I’m here.

I’ll post more stories of my adventures while I’m here. Stay tuned!