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This beautiful home that was built in the late 1880’s is located in Coronado, Ca.  It belonged to one of my best friend’s family for about 40 years.  My good friend and I met in Preschool when I use to live on the island.  I grew up coming to this beautiful home most of my life and have always appreciated the character and the craftsmanship.  Unfortunately it has been recently sold after the passing of my friend’s father, however, I’m truly pleased it was purchased by a lovely caring family who only wants to love it and preserve it.  If only many other older homes on the island would have had similar happy endings.  Unfortunately, many older homes that were on the market were sold to developers who only were interested in the land and not the home itself.  Many homes have been torn down and replaced with new McMansions sometimes with two new homes on the same lot.  This is something that truly breaks my heart and continues today.  Even if a home is older, just like the house that use to be right next door to this one that was also built in the late 1880’s, if it doesn’t have any significance as to something important that may have happened there or belonged to a significant individual, among other things on the checklist, it cannot be protected.  The home that was next door to this one was unfortunately torn down because it didn’t have any significance to it other than just a historical property because of its age.  My goal one day is to be on the board of the HRC Historical Resource Commission in Coronado so that I can perhaps save a few homes.  We must protect and preserve old buildings for future generations.

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Balboa Park is one of my favorite places to visit here in San Diego, CA where I grew up and currently live.  The California Tower with its Spanish Mexican Architecture proudly stands 200 feet with its beautiful blue and gold tiled dome.  All of the California buildings throughout the park were completed in 1914 and opened in 1915 as part of the Panama-California Exposition.  I’ve always admired these beautiful buildings and would definitely say that Balboa Park is the best place in all of San Diego if you love and appreciate architecture as I do.

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The San Francisco Ferry Building was designed in 1892 and was completed in 1898.  At its opening, it was the largest project undertaken in the city up to that time.  It is a terminal for ferries that travel across the San Francisco Bay and is also a designated San Francisco landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.  This is also a favorite spot of mine for lunch to enjoy fresh oysters, clam chowder or fish stew with a glass of wine and your companion overlooking the Bay Bridge.  Afterwards you can walk through the marketplace and drool over all of the selection of cheeses, chocolates, homemade ice cream and fresh baked goods.  If you are a foodie who loves boutique food shops, restaurants and a weekly farmers market, then this is the place for you.

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This is a hand drawing I did of my in-laws home located in Turnhout, Belgium.  All I used was pencil, pen, my measuring instruments, a piece of paper all done on my drafting table.  Hand drawing is what I enjoy in which I take much time, effort and love to create.  Though the house has been recently sold, with help of this drawing it will be remembered and admired.

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The Rathaus or City Hall is Hamburg’s seat of government.  It is where the Parliament and the Senate assemble.  It its also my favorite building in Hamburg, Germany which construction began in 1886 until it opened in 1897.  This city has a very special place in my heart because it is where my Father is originally from and I grew up visiting on a regular basis.  It is also a place where I lived for one year, went to school to learn the language and was an Aupair for a family.  I look forward to going back this May and enjoy the sights, tastes and sounds of this fabulous city.

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