"me and you"

I LOOOOOVE this song! It's been my favorite for a while now, and I've already played it today about 5 or 6 times (and not stopping there). The words describe my perfect vision of love and life...it sums up so much of what I desire and how I feel. I'm in love, and I can't help but picture a certain someone special...when singing "me and you." I dedicate this song to him.

"Yeah when the fog horn blows, I'll be comin' home."

*Well, the fog horn is blowing...I'm blowing it* :)

"All we need is LOVE."

"Free" by Zac Brown Band

(Violin playing)
So we live out of our old van
Travel all across this land
Me and you

We'll end up hand in hand
Somewhere down on the sand
Just Me and you

Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be

Drive until the city lights
Dissolve into a country sky
Just Me and you

Lay underneath the HARVEST moon
Do all the things that lovers do
Just me and you

Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
And Ever be

We were born before the wind
All so younger then the sun
And the funny bull has won
As we sail into the mystic

Heart not heal the sad cry
Smell the sea and you feel
the sky
So your soul and spirit fly
into the mystic

When a fog horn blows
I'll be commin home
Yea when a fog horn blows
I want to feel it
don't have to fear it

I want to rock your Gypsy soul
Just like way back in the
Days of old
And together we will
Flow into the mystic

No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money

ALL WE NEED IS LOVE

Were Free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Ever be

So we live in our old van
Travel all across this land
Me and you

meet my alias, wilderMISS

All week long, I had been looking forward to yesterday (Saturday) morning. The gloomy, wet weather was going to clear and the warm, shining sun would be out and about. What perfect conditions to get out into nature, soak up the sun and breathe in some fresh air. I got up pretty early, dressed in my best hiking attire, taped up my heels with mole skin, laced up my rugged boots, packed my hiking pack with water, a few necessities and food, grabbed my camera (of course), put on a smile and drove (by myself) to the Big Santa Anita Canyon Loop trail. The parking lot for this popular hiking spot fills up fast, and sure enough, it was packed when I arrived at 8:10am. I had to park about a 3/4 mile down the road from where the trail even started. I could have easily turned around and went home, but I was determined to do this so I wasn't going to let anything turn me away.

I'm all smiles at the beginning of the trail. I made sure to have stopped at the little store they have by the entrance for a map of the trail. At the beginning of my mini-adventure, I had to snap a pic of myself with my favorite sign I've come across. I think I've mentioned this sign in a previous post, but I can't stress enough how strongly I agree with the message. It's everything I believe in, and I know it because I live it. I've always been so compellingly drawn to the outdoors and always feel so amazing, humble, peaceful and clear when I surround myself in such a comforting environment.

I stopped for a minute to admire this small and simple bench. I'm such the hopeless romantic, I couldn't help but to imagine all the pairs of souls and hearts that shared this seat and enjoyed the beautiful view seen here. What a great thing to have, a partner to hike through life with. Not just the trails, but the challenges we face everyday :)

I still can't wipe that smile off my face. I was so glad I came.

More sights along the trail. I'd say it's about 90% shaded, which is nice on a warm day. There are many scattered cottages that were built in the early 1900s. Some still stand and others only have chimneys and parts of the foundations left to show for them.

Another hiker in the distance....I'll give you one guess as to what his ethnicity is. Yup, Asian. There were lots of people on the trail and MOST of them were Asian. Something great about hikers is that they all greet everyone they pass with "good morning" and usually a smile. That was nice, I liked doing that.

Last time I did this hike, I headed to Sturtevant Falls. This time, I chose a path I've yet to take. Something different (although I admit I was a bit nervous of the unknown). I took the "Lower Trail" that led to the top of the falls. I had a pretty cool view of it, looking down.

A few parts of the trail were a little rocky and unstable.

The trail followed the water most of the time. Here was another neat spot of a mini waterfall. I love the soothing sound of water. It's relaxing.

It's so pretty when the water is clear and still. I like looking at reflections in it.

A few times during the hike, there were metal arrow signs leading me in the right direction. That's very comforting to have when you're exploring :)

Being by myself, it was a little difficult to get a shot of my hiking gear. You get the idea.

Next time I come back, I'm going to head to the Spruce Group Campground, but this time I decided to head back to the parking lot at Chantry Flat. That's me heading left :)

The artist in me saw this rock formation, or this cliff side and thought..."I wonder if Picasso's CUBISM period was inspired by rocks!?" If you know anything about his art, the Cubism work he created looks so much like this! He would break up a portrait of someone into block/cube like shapes. I was so curious to know if he got these ideas after going on a hike :)

And OOOHHHHH the LEAVES!!! I just love the fall season. The trails were covered with autumn leaves and it made the scenery that much more pleasant for me. This means Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are near. The holidays have a tendency to bring people together :)

The trail leaves the shade for awhile, heading back. The absence of trees allows for some nice landscape views of the mountains. Once I got closer to the end, I came across a line of burros heading up another trail with supplies packed on them. That was pretty cool to see.

Finally...there's "Lucy"...way way way down the road from the trail. A hiked a total of about 6 miles and i took 3 hours to do it. I felt so amazing and accomplished on my way back. I can't wait to head out on a new trail. I went to REI afterward with a friend and bought a new book of hikes so I can get out there :)

I also bought a new pair of much thicker hiking socks, to hopefully prevent more of THESE dang blisters. I get them almost every time I hike. Hopefully they do the trick.

THANK YOU, Misty...for reminding me how much I love the wilderness... AND taking pictures. You're a pretty rad chick ;) Haaa. Love ya.

Ask...and you shall receive...

I'm pretty excited today.
I got my first paycheck with a new adjustment.

I GOT A RAISE!!!!

I've been wanting one for so long now, and I finally got the guts to ask for one. I'm learning that there just comes a time where you have to decide what you want and deserve...take a risk and GO FOR IT!If you do your part to be a good person, good things will happen.
(Well, at least that's how the world SHOULD work)
Um..it also helps when you guide your students to produce amazing art such as THIS!


When I found out I got it, my mom congratulated me by pouring me and her a glass of wine :)
This definitely helps ease some financial pressure. I feel like my goals are becoming more attainable. Things are starting to look up....
yesssssss :)

the wedding tree :)

A few months ago, my friend Reno asked me to draw a tree that would serve as the guestbook for her wedding (which was last weekend). I was nervous and honored at the same time that she liked my artwork and trusted me enough to create a life lasting memory. I tend to work best under a little pressure, so I waited until a few days before the wedding to knock it out. I spent a few hours on it and I was pretty pleased with the outcome :)

Here are a few shots of it at the wedding..starting to fill up nicely. All the guests used their fingerprints to create "leaves" and signed their names beside it. These pics were taken by a friend.

I have to be honest...I'm really bummed that one of the guests took it upon themselves to DOODLE their own little branch, the one coming out of the trunk. I spent time on this and take pride in my work. In my opinion, this totally ruins it! Who does that? This isn't some cartoon looking tree, and the dumb squiggle branch cheapens it I think. Reno plans to frame it and hang it in her home. I hate that when looking at it, your eye is immediately drawn to the added "branch."

Anyways, I'm so glad that I got to be apart of Reno's special day, even if I played this small role. It means so much to me and I'm glad to have done it. Congratulations to Reno, for ending her lifelong search for her soul mate, her best friend. May they fill the rest of each other's lives with LOVE and laughter :)

First photo gig!

A few weekends ago, I had my first opportunity to be a paid photographer. My brother's co-worker was looking for someone to take pics at his 26th birthday party in Downtown LA, and my brother recommended me. I admit, I was nervous at first because the pictures I've taken have always been for personal use...but I think I did pretty well :) These are just a few pictures (out of over 300) that I liked, and there's Brandon, the birthday man. Cheers.

It was nice to have an excuse to dress up a little. We looked good together.

The bar/lounge is part of a hotel, so there was a very nice lobby for waiting...and for me to come sit and take some very needed mini-breaks from the heat and from standing for a little over 4 hours in heels.

At first, it was a little awkward walking up to strangers to take their picture. I don't think anyone knew who I was at first, but they caught on. I also didn't know who Brandon's friends were so it was hard keeping track of who was with his party and who wasn't. I got the pictures to him a few days later and he paid me :) I'm very interested in doing this again, and getting more into doing something that I really enjoy!