Best Ways to Spend a Rainy Day

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Rainy season is upon us! As raindrops wash away the old and reinvigorate our environment, many prefer to stay indoors to avoid getting wet. Luckily, there are tons of ways to celebrate a rainy day without getting washed away outside. Read on for the best ways to make the most of the wet weather!

 

Cozy Self-Care Here at Home

 

There’s nothing quite like cozying up on the couch when it’s cloudy out. Brewing up a nice cup of tea, bundling up in a blanket, and listening to the raindrops is an experience that can’t be matched. If you’re a fan of kicking back on a rainy day, level it up with some self-care! You can draw a hot bath and drop in a couple of bath bombs, made yourself in your Orion apartment. Or, revitalize your body with a hearty stew perfect for warming up your bones. These revitalizing activities will energize your body and soul as the rain does the same for the earth!

 

Enjoying the Rainy Day from Orion

 

You can also make the most of your rainy day with the wonderful amenities here at Orion. Get front row seats to the rain (along with gorgeous views of the San Francisco skyline) at our apartment complex’s covered rooftop lounge! Rather warm up a bit? Orion’s fully-stocked coffee bar is waiting for you. Or, have a spa day in the rain and relax in the soothing waters of the spacious outdoor hot tub. Each of these amenities come included with your lease, so take advantage!

 

Oakland-Based Indoor Fun

 

While staying at home on a rainy day is ideal for some, others may itch to get out and explore. Thankfully, fun things to do in Oakland on a rainy day are everywhere! For a family-friendly option that’s as educational as it is entertaining, try The Chabot Space and Science Center. Perfect for those interested in astronomy, the center hosts changing interactive labs as well as eye-catching shows in its planetarium. Or for a little fun and games, visit the Pacific Pinball Museum. The museum hosts a playable collection of arcade staples, some dating back to as early as the 1940s!

 

No matter how you decide to spend your rainy day, be sure to make the most of the wet weather and don’t let it rain on your parade! What are some of your favorite rainy day activities? Let us know in the comments!

 

2020 Predictions for Your New Year’s Resolutions

2020 predictions, 2020 goals, new year's resolutions

After all the New Year’s parties end, what’s left is to get started on those resolutions. Are your personal 2020 predictions already coming to a slow? Not to worry! Maximizing your time this year can be as easy as adding a minor tweak to your regular routine.

 

Learn a New Language in 2020

 

From opening up paths to new job opportunities to making friends in different countries, learning a new language in 2020 can be a great way to enrich your life. But in our busy lives, it can be hard to find the time for lessons. Luckily, there is a wide variety of app-based education that even the most dedicated workaholic can implement into their routine. For those who prefer traditional classroom-style lessons, try Babbel. Quick 10-15 minute sessions that track your progress creates a recipe for success! More of a visual learner? No problem! Drops lets you learn with the help of mnemonic pictures, creating a different connection in your brain compared to simply seeing words on a screen. 

 

Learn to Play an Instrument in 2020

 

Perhaps you’re more of a musically inclined individual? You can learn to play an instrument in 2020 to express some of that creative flair! If you’re looking for ease, a ukelele might be the best place to start. With only four strings and easy-to-hold design, this delightful guitar is appealing to beginners. Click here for a great learning guide and you’ll soon find yourself strumming along. Maybe you’ve always wanted to play the piano, but don’t have space for one. Luckily, flowkey has the answer! You can learn to play your favorite tunes on your laptop from the comfort of your bedroom at Orion, and the program gives interactive live feedback as you learn.

 

So much opportunity and promise lies ahead this year! No matter what new experiences you take on, one thing is for sure: Your 2020 predictions are what you make of them. The willingness to try, the ability to laugh at yourself, and old-fashioned dedication are values that will lead you far. Good luck out there!

Attending Holiday Events in Oakland

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As 2019 comes to a close, it’s important to celebrate those who’ve shared your most important memories of this year. Whether that be friends, family, or your amazing self! There’s no better way to spread seasonal joy than at some holiday events in Oakland. Luckily, this bustling city is chock full of excursions for all tastes!

Unforgettable Holiday Events in Oakland

There’s plenty of wholesome seasonal happenings near Orion this year. For a family-friendly happening, why not celebrate at Shiloh’s Community Christmas Dinner? There you can tuck into a delicious (and free!) meal hosted by the local church, try your luck at some gift raffles, and enjoy live music. Perhaps you’re in the mood for something outdoors? The Garden of d’Lights at Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery is sure to tickle your fancy. Succulents, cacti, and other garden greenery will be “dressed” for the season by thousands of dazzling LED lights! This one-of-a-kind experience is guaranteed to wow children as well as adults, so don’t miss out!

Unique Ways to Ring in New Year’s Eve in Oakland

Just six days following Christmas comes NYE, and that means party! Lucky for you, there’s plenty of places to say “cheers!” to 2020 here in Oakland. Want to celebrate while dancing to this year’s music hits? Eve’s Waterfront Restaurant is the spot to be! You and your crew can also enjoy an open bar from 8-10 PM and a balloon drop countdown. Looking for more of a classic club scene? PRYME Oakland’s got just the thing. The energy is bound to be hot at this New Year’s/music video release party. Great prices on drinks aside, KMEL DJ Black Marc and Sir the DJ are sure to get the crowds moving on the 31st. Get tickets here!

Homey Holiday Events Instead!

If you can’t get enough of your cozy abode at Orion, there’s no reason not to celebrate from home! There’s plenty of ways to take part in the holidays without breaking the bank. From renting a NYE photobooth for picture-perfect 2020 memories, to a Christmas movie marathon with everyone’s favorites on the couch, the ideas are endless. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

 

2020 may be less than a month away, but that doesn’t mean 2019 is over just yet. No matter what you do this holiday season, be sure to celebrate safely with all your favorite people!

The Turkey Bowl: A Timeless Pasttime

Turkey Bowl

Gobble gobble! Thanksgiving is upon us, and that means it’s time to grab that ole pigskin and play some football! That’s right, here in America, one of the longest standing traditions surrounding the holiday is to hold a football match, or a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl. This regional convention celebrating team-centered togetherness, and a little bit of friendly competition, goes back almost as far as the very first year Thanksgiving was celebrated!

 

Thanksgiving Football Through the Years

Just six years after the first recognized holiday, Philadelphia, PA launched a Thanksgiving Day football match in 1869. Soon after this landmark decision, other prominent cities across the nation would follow in Philadelphia’s footsteps. The Thanksgiving Day game became officially recognized by the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1882, after holding a tiebreaker championship game on the holiday once more. As for the term “Turkey Bowl”? This fun phrase was popularized by high school football leagues, in reference, of course, to the deliciously prepared bird many Americans gather around the table to enjoy.

 

Don’t Miss the Big League Games

Interested in taking part in your own little piece of US history? Finding football games to watch on Thanksgiving in your neighborhood is a great way to celebrate while staying close to home. Here near Oakland, CA, you can catch the 6th Annual Dino Ghilotti Motta Memorial Turkey Bowl. On November 29th, the day after Thanksgiving, you can experience the thrill of competitive sport, while also helping support arts and athletics facilities in the North Bay, which is a perfect chance to spread the giving spirit across the community as well as with loved ones!

 

An At-Home Turkey Bowl

Not a fan of watching a game too far from the roost? Not to worry, gathering up friends and family for a football match all your own can be the start of a personal, new tradition on top of that Thanksgiving feast. Simply pack up the gang and set up a game at a public park near Orion; perhaps it can help work off those delicious carbs consumed ‘round that Thanksgiving table!

 

If you don’t know what day is Thanksgiving 2019, keep November 28th on your radar. Before tucking into that belt-busting holiday spread, get some fresh fall air and play some football. Happy Turkey Day!

Halloween Ideas You Can Do Around Your Oakland Apartments

Are you looking for something different to do this Halloween? Maybe you’ve been doing the same thing year after year and you find yourself tired of being stuck in that rut. Or maybe you just moved into your Oakland apartments and you’re trying to figure out where the action is. Either way, have no fear, there’s lots you can to do celebrate Halloween!

Here are some ideas on some ways to have fun this Halloween:
1. Go to a local Halloween event that you’ll find on this site. You might find more than one party/event going on if you do your research. Make sure you get your tickets early, as they may sell out!
2. Check out your Facebook community page to see if anyone is hosting a haunted house, especially if you have kids.
3. Go to your local party supply store and stock up on some Halloween decorations and candy to throw a fun get-together in your Oakland apartments. If you’re set on doing this, be sure to play a free Halloween soundtrack you can find on YouTube, have everyone wear costumes, and serve candy. Consider looking up some Halloween-related games online.

So whether you decide to check out Eventbrite to see what events are going on near your Oakland apartments or decide to throw a little shindig of your own, be sure to get planning at least a week before Halloween this year!

If you don’t celebrate the holiday, consider watching intriguing documentaries from your Oakland apartments to at least revel in the spirit of the spooky and mysterious.

For more tips on how to make the most out of this holiday and celebrate Halloween the right way, click here; there’s so much more than trick-or-treating! What will you do to make the most out of October 31?

Try These Scents to Enhance Your Oakland Apartments

The fun thing about adding decorations to your apartments is that it helps you feel as though they are a little more personalized. That is, after all, the way we humans “nest”- we take a space and through props and decorations, make it our own. Have you had the time to do this yet in your Oakland apartments?

As it pertains to decorating, when most people think about it, they tend to forget the aspect of smell. The only sense they focus on is the visual, which is huge, but doesn’t take all up of personalizing a home.
There are quite a few ways you can go when it comes to fragrance for your apartments.

These flowers require their own maintenance rituals, which you can find on the internet. They are a wonderful way to bring some much-needed life and soul into your apartment. And depending on which scent you decide on, it can set the entire ambiance for what you’re trying to go for.

For instance, if you want a scent that’s fragrance will leave you feeling refreshed and less anxious, then lavender is a good way to go. Lavender is notorious for having a great impact on one’s mental health and nerves. If you’re looking for something a bit more stimulating, having the smell of a citrus flower can be more beneficial. In fact, if you work from your Oakland apartments, it can be something that helps you get your work done. Finally, if you’re looking for a smell that overpowers all and leaves you with a sense of purity, gardenia might be the best way to go.

When decorating apartments, most people get so fixated on what it looks like that they forget the other senses that truly help create a home. Which fragrant flower will you choose to bring the best out of your Oakland apartments? You’d be surprised in what change of mood and attitude it can bring for you as well.

Go Green in Your Oakland Apartments

Have you yet considered “going green” in your Oakland apartments? What does this mean, exactly? This means being aware of your carbon footprint and trying to leave a light one—meaning using the MINIMAL amount of water, electricity, etc. to ensure that you are helping preserve nature’s resources. Once you make it a habit, you’ll enjoy the added perk of saving on your utility bills at your apartments in Oakland.

Here are some other ways to go green in your Oakland apartments:

1. Stop buying plastic/Styrofoam cups and utensils to use as dishes and use real dishes instead. After all, the smaller the pile of trash you create is, the smaller footprint you leave on earth and the less amount you contribute to piles of garbage that may eventually get dumped in the ocean.

2. Try growing your own seasoning or fruits and vegetables. Even in your apartments, you’re allowed to bring in little pots that you can have in a section and monitor with the right amount of light and water in order to grow healthy things for yourself. This will emit good CO2 in your department, save you money on groceries and bags/trash/gas associated with groceries, and could encourage fellow visitors in your apartments to do the same.

3. Always remember to be conscientious of how you use and abuse your utilities. Use natural light whenever possible and make sure that lights and fans are turned off if you aren’t in a room. Although it could be tempting to put the AC on at an extreme setting to keep the house cool, try opening windows and using other alternatives to block the sun out of where you live to keep your house cool.

Do you have any tips on going green in your Oakland apartments for everyone else? If so, please share below.

Summer Events Near Your Oakland Apartments

summertime fun in Oakland

Time certainly moves quickly, and it’s amazing how suddenly we find ourselves past the middle of the year. Now that July is here, that means summer is in full swing and we have to take advantage of it! Have you made any plans yet on how to make the most of it? The great thing about living in Oakland is that there are plenty of activities and events you can entertain yourself with going on around you. A good thing too is that the majority of these attractions don’t involve you driving too far or spending too much money. If you’re looking for summer events near your Oakland apartments, consider doing one (or more) of the following things:

1. Get a little walking done at your local farmer’s market. This is a great way to refocus on your health, get to know people in your community, and pick up some fresh foods to enjoy at home. For more information on your local farmer’s market, click here.

2. Do some research on Eventbrite to see if any music festivals or concerts are going on around where you’re at. Music is a great escape from life and definitely has the power to heal- so go to as many shows as you can! Make the most out of this summer by dancing it away. Concerts are also a great place to make new friends or find potential dates.

Do any other ideas come to mind when it comes to summer events that are going down around your apartments in Oakland? If so, be sure to share them in the comments below. Summer is going to come and go much more quickly than you can anticipate, so be sure to make this one count! Will you enjoy events like farmer’s markets or do concerts and music festivals feel more up your alley?

Summer Cooking in Your Oakland Apartments

Are you interested in doing something productive and fun this summer near your Oakland apartments? Something that comes to mind is going to your local farmer’s market, whether it be alone or with friends and family, to stock up on some much-needed, fresh groceries. The great thing about the turn of the seasons is that there are so many new fruits and vegetables available for you to enjoy.

Here’s a list of some vegetables in season this summer: radishes, cucumber, beets, bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, garlic, corn, and rhubarb.

And here’s a list of fruits in season this summer: apricots, plums, cherries, blackberries, nectarines, strawberries, peaches, tomatoes, passion fruit, melon, lemons, and limes.

Try this delicious recipe for a healthy grilled garden pizza:

Ingredients
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1 loaf (1 pound) frozen pizza dough, thawed
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan or Asiago cheese
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh spinach
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions
Sprinkle tomatoes with salt; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough in half. Roll or press each to 1/4-in. thickness; place each on a greased sheet of foil (about 10 in. square). Brush tops with 1 tablespoon oil.
Carefully invert crusts onto a grill rack, removing foil. Brush tops with remaining oil. Grill, covered, over medium heat until bottom is golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Remove from grill; reduce grill temperature to low.
Top grilled sides of crusts with Parmesan or Asiago cheese, tomatoes, corn, onion, and mozzarella cheese. Grill, covered, on low heat until cheese is melted, 4-6 minutes. Sprinkle with spinach and basil.
Health Tip: Fresh mozzarella has about the same calories and fat as part-skim; they are both lighter than a lot of other cheeses like cheddar, Muenster and provolone.

So this summer, make sure to go to your local farmer’s market so you can stock up on the freshest, healthiest produce there is. In addition, consider checking out this site if you need ideas for inspiration when it comes to coming up with recipes for your delicious produce. So now that’s TWO summer activities you can enjoy near your apartments in Oakland you can visit a local farmer’s market and you can attempt a new healthy recipe from home. What will you do to make the most out of this summer?

Fun Things to Do Near Your Apartments in Oakland

Do you find yourself seeking something different to do in Oakland near your apartments? Luckily, there’s a lot to do this spring, and it may surprise you what things you can do to stay entertained in town. If you’ve been accustomed to the same routine, here are some ideas of things you can do in and around Oakland to make the most out of Spring 2019:

1. Check out a local bookstore and explore a completely different section than you normally would
2. Try a gym you haven’t tried by getting a visitor’s pass and seeing if it’s ideal for you
3. Treat your significant other to one of Oakland’s nice restaurants
4. Look up your city on Groupon to see what discounts you can get on fun deals in Oakland
5. Visit your local arcade to connect with your inner child
6. Work out by going on a hike or nice stroll outside
7. Do some community service
8. Join MeetUp to see what other singles in your area are doing to keep themselves entertained.

Perhaps you’ve been doing the same thing over and over in town and you’re getting a bit of cabin fever. This spring, mix things up for optimal entertainment. Make sure to invite some friends will you’re at it!