A much awaited class

FINALLY!!!

A little over a month ago, I ordered my spot (and Dom's) in one of Samy's Camera's MANY photo classes. I've been counting down the days until...TODAY! We attended a "Basic Digital 1" class held at Samy's West Hollywood location. Sure, it was farther of a drive for us than their closer location in Pasadena, but it was nice getting out of our comfort zone. We drove by Pink's Hot Dogs and in case you wanted to know, there was a line that wrapped around the building on our way to class and also when we left about 3 hours later. I've been there once...don't get what the big hoopla is but hey, to each their own. Also, I thought it was pretty cool to drive by LA Ink (Kat von D's tat shop). Surprisingly, I didn't see any "looky-loo's." Also, driving down Melrose may not have been the BEST idea, because I now I REALLY want to go back and shop til I drop!

Anyways...the class...ok. The instructor was awesome. He's been a photographer for a ton of years and was so easy to listen to and understand. I've had my neat-o Nikkon D500 SLR camera for a little over a year now and this was my first official instruction. I so badly want to begin gaining more knowledge and experience in photography (always have) and this was my first step (aside from buying a lengthy book on MY PARTICULAR camera that I have hardly cracked open yet). The reason I dragged Dom along (he was happy to go) was so that I'm not the only one taking pics all the time...and can actually have some nice ones of ME, TOO!

We went over memory, batteries, miscellaneous camera gear and extras, how and why to format the memory card, how to get off of Automatic (used "Program"), how and when to adjust exposure compensation, how and when to use the flash, what ISO is and how to use it, and the many settings in adjusting the white balance and when/how to use those. WHEW! Mouthful. I'm already looking forward to the next class I take with Samy's. I'm also going to look into one of their basic classes for those interested in becoming a wedding photographer (ME! ME! ME!)

*Side note: Although photography is NOT currently my major, I hope to advance in it on the side of my school and work and slowly make a name for myself doing events, parties and maybe one day, weddings! That would be sweet :)

Baby, it's Bbbrrrr outside!

So Dom and I are watching Avatar for a second time and the phone rings...it's the neighbor. It's white outside??? We grabbed our boots, jackets, and an umbrella and ran outside to find a little snow! While we watch another movie rental right now ("It's Kind of a Funny Story") I'll be keeping cozy in my new looks-like-i-should-be-vacationing-in-a-winter-cabin leggings from Ruche (LOVE that online store!!! ). I will also be keeping my fingers crossed for a white and snowy morning up here in las montañas! Good night :)

...put me in Coach!

SOOOO STOKED!!!!!!!!!

Today at work, I was told that a pretty big group of my co-workers are putting together a kickball team through WAKA (World Adult Kickball Association). Do I want to join? Um, does a bear sh*t in the woods?? (although I've never witnessed it, I've been told it does). HECK YEAH I want to join! Last day to register yourself for the Winter season is tomorrow, don't worry, I did as soon as I got home :) It costs some $$ but it covers your official shirt, referees and reserving fields. Every Friday night (starting NEXT week) for 8 weeks, I'll be straight up ball kickin' and sharing some beverages with some of the coolest people I get the pleasure to work with. Although we have more than necessary, the minimum is 6 males and 6 females per team. At the end of all the fun, the top team from each league competes in Las Vegas sometime in October :) And well, since one of my administrators at work said today, "Hey, all I can say is that we will have failed as a team if we wake up Saturday morning and remember what the score was from last night"...I'm pretty sure we won't be heading to Vegas. We're gonna have a damn good time though, trying :) I've been wanting to join some sort of team sport for a while now. I played soccer for about 8 years growing up and I was on my high school's soccer team. Duh, this isn't soccer, but still...I CAN'T WAIT!!! Stand by for pictures to illustrate these shenanigans :)

By the sea, you and me

This Valentine's is one for the books! Dominic, my sweetheart, my Valentine, had been planning something SPECIAL and best of all, SECRET, for me for some time. I can tell that all week long leading up to yesterday (when we celebrated it) he had been growing more excited and almost kid-like, just thinking about his plans. It's been pretty cute to see :) Well, I've always wanted for someone to plan something for me and I just...show up. That's exactly what happened. I was to be ready by 3pm, and off we went.

We finally got to the 1 hwy and soon as the ocean was supposed to be visible, there was nothing but clouds and fog. You couldn't see a thing off over the side of the road and Dominic was SO BUMMED! His plans have been ruined, he said. He carried on anyways and pulled over the side of the road to park at "the spot."

He told me everything he had planned, and we THOUGHT the evening was a bust....so we climbed down to the beach and threw the frisbee for the dog. At least SHE would have some fun.

We checked out some sea anemones and mussels...

...and what do you know it, the fog began to clear...at least down low along the water. So, we carried on with his PLANS! He had packed a cooler with pork chops and zucchini to grill in the back of his truck. He bought a few side dishes from Vons' deli, a Corona for each of us and 2 individual fruit tarts for dessert. How cute and sweet is that?!

He even packed our fancy camping table, 2 chairs, a few blankets to snuggle in, some tea-lite candles AND bought me a lovely bouquet of flowers :) It was so romantic to be alone, sitting up above the ocean with an incredible view...and a delicious meal that was planned and prepared just for me.

Dominic planned for us to arrive here just in time to eat and enjoy the sunset. Because of the cloud cover he thought that the part he was looking forward to the most wouldn't happen....but slowly....it did. I think it was even more gorgeous with the clouds than on a clear night :)

Thanks baby, for making me feel special and loved. Did you notice I could hardly stop smiling? You've given me my best Valentine's yet :)

A New Year, a new marriage

On New Year's day, Dom and I spent it at his good friend Jon's sister's (mouthful) wedding and reception. We didn't do anything for New Year's Eve so that we could get up early enough the next day to be there by noon. Jon's son (Jenny's nephew) was part of the wedding party. Chase's little gentleman suit was STINKIN' ADORABLE!!!

Chase and "Uncle Tractor" have the cutest little bond :)

My man and I. Yeah, he went through a little wardrobe change...which I should have done, too. The reception was in Acton and it was 35 degrees and outdoors!!! I was beyond freezing. I even wrapped my feet in napkins and stuffed em' in my boots! The reception had a bit of a southern cowboy theme :)

There's the bride and groom. James Bond (yeah, that's his real name!) and his Jenny :) They had a popcorn cart that gave away cotton candy, too.

I didn't go on ANY rides, I was too cold :( But how cool is this guy's property. He's got it all.

The food was great, cupcakes at the end were delish....overall a good time and a wedding that will for sure be remembered.

Ranchin' Halloween

Ya, ya....I know this is crazy late (about 3 months late), but here it is. This year for Halloween, Jon, Noelle, Dom & I (along with some help from others) planned a Halloween party at "The Ranch." We decorated, bought and made food, brought in hay bails for seating and of course, got all dressed up :)

Jon, Noelle and Chase were in Cowboy/girl themed costumes. Adorable.

Roxi sported TWO costumes...here she's a rodeo buckin' bronco.

I know it's a tad hard to tell...I didn't get a really good full shot of my costume (I'm wearing wings, here), but Dom's a scarecrow and I'm a crow! We made our costumes ourselves :)

LOVE this picture :)

Jon was DEFINITELY in rare form that night. He let loose :)

I made those tombstones...and more. I found the clever names and phrases online.

take more Vitamin ME

For the past 10 days...that's TEN DAYS...I've been moonlighting as a nurse to my BF. It first started as flu-like symptoms. He was pretty miserable with a 102 fever the first night, then 103.3 the next! That night I took him to Urgent Care where the Doc told us it was most likely the flu and that it would run its course over the next couple of days and to take TheraFlu and Tylenol. $80 for advice that we were already doing. Well, the fever decreased, but was still present...and just when Dom thought he was doing a little better, it hit hard. Days went by with violent, and I mean VIOLENT coughing and hacking up nastiness. He couldn't sleep because of this, getting maybe a solid 2-3 hours of sleep each night, maybe 1 hour of sleep during the day. He's MISERABLE!

Finally, 2 days ago we saw a practitioner friend of his where it was determined...Dominic has Pneumonia :( Antibiotics were prescribed, along with cough medicine with a KICK to make him sleep. He's very slowly starting to feel a little better and get a tad bit more sleep. It's hard trying to take care of someone when you don't really know what to do, so I'll continue fixing him food (when he can eat), making drug store/grocery store runs for more meds, juices and/or food, rubbing his neck (which is so kinked and stiff and in pain) and providing xoxo's...sshh, they're magic.

GET BETTER SOON, LOVE!!!
(I'm escaping for a bit today for some shoe shopping...yessss)

"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.