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November 29, 2011

The Earth, The Sun and The Moon




 Something tells me that as our little Jamie gets older, she's becoming more and more loveable.  This past week she and I progressed in our interactions - she not only laughed and smiled at me (one of the few times, believe it or not) but she actually "talked" with me while we got her dressed for the Park Family photoshoot. (Even Momma Joyce was marveling at her response).

If this continues, I might be in trouble. I will want to get her the sun, the moon, the stars....whatever she wants. Seriously, after being a Christian, being an auntie is one of the best things in this life!

November 9, 2011

Things I really REALLY love: HUGS

I started this post back when I was reflecting on the things I love. 
But never finished it in time to include it.

Yet this post is just too good to pass up. 

You can convey a lot with a squeeze. At least, I think I do. Whether its the "Tackle hug", the "Dogpile", "The Side Hug", "The smother hug", "Arms Only" , "Sandwich hug" or the "HUG OF DEATH", I'm not picky. I can appreciate them all. :)
I think that Shel Silverstein was really on to something when he wrote Hug O'War. 

And when I look at these precious photos, I can recall the exact moments that lead up to the hug. Some are friends that I've had for a long time celebrating a super happy moment (or even a really bittersweet one), other are hugs for just complete appreciation for who the dear friend is, as a person and how they've affected my life. Even more remarkable are hugs that have come after hard times, fights and then reconciliation between sisters. And still even more of these photos convey what I can't accurately say in words - how much I care for them. Honestly, a lot of these hugs and the photos that captured them are some extremely memorable moments in my life. 




























Is that too much love for you?
It's just enough for me. :)

November 7, 2011

Photo a Day in November: Week 1

Taking a photo a day is an item on my 12x12 list (and I think one of the few items i've actually gotten started on...)

Here's a set from November 1 - November 6. 

{new glasses . november1}


{makeuptrial&error . november2}


{missing my SD buddies . november 3}

{breakfast . november 4}



{cold&rainy yet warm&cheery . november 5}

{fall classic champions . november 6}


{reflections: }
The exercise of remembering to take a photo each day initially was because I wanted to challenge myself creatively - I have certain angles that are just automatic for me now and sometimes, that's when they stop being exciting. However, a second challenge cropped up and its actually far more significant than than just keeping a creative edge. As I start to wind down my day (and lose that precious natural sunlight that I often depend on for photographs) I start thinking "What is significant enough for me to take a picture of and post about? The naturally following thought is "What did God bless me with today? What do I have to be thankful for?" Even though I may not always feel like it, there is always an answer to that question - there is always something to be thankful for in each day and it is always something that I don't deserve. 

I was reading Psalm 104 on Saturday and it talks a lot about how God provides for his creation, whether its through providing shelter or food….all good things come from his hands. And likewise, enjoying things without acknowledging God as the source of goodness and grace is actually meaningless.

So I'm thankful that i was able to see that in real life over the weekend. A lot of times things happen and if i don't like it my first reaction is to question the goodness of God - but that's very opposite of who he is. He is a good God, and everything he does is good, whether or not i like it. I was thankful to Him for giving me the mindset of seeing his goodness in everything and building more trust in his truthfulness and as a LOVING heavenly father.When talking to a friend, I was reminded that everything is from Him, through Him, and to Him. For his glory forever {romans 11:36}


I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
   I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
   for I rejoice in the LORD.
{Psalm 104:33-34}


November 5, 2011

Saturday Inspiration: In Your Arms by Kina Grannis

I  seriously HEART Kina Grannis. I think she's just gorgeous and so talented. I could listen to her sing all day long....her covers always give off a heart-on-a-string edge with her vocals (My favorites are her cover of Demi Lovato's Skyscraper and Fast Car with Boyce Avenue) but some of her original songs just slaaaaaaay me (Like Valentine and The Way You Are). She has this talent of taking everything a girl's heart feels and painting a picture of  the angst, the heart palpitations, the joy that you feel when the one you love is nearby.

In Your Arms is no exception. Simple lyrics but a beautiful melody.
Not only is this song adorable...but the video is amazing.


So if you were left thinking "WOW, how did they do that, get ready for even more amazing with watching the Behind the Scenes of the MV using jelly bean art!



Enjoy your weekend!

November 3, 2011

the best thing i ever ate



One of my besties was inspired to write about a common love of ours....

F-O-O-D. 

I do love food. But I also don't like it. I never realized until I was about 24 that I am a PICKY eater. Or rather, is particular a better word? It's not that I have expensive tastes (I shamefully have to admit that I am one to load up on caesar salad, corn and dinner rolls at buffets) I just....like what I like. And I do not like peas, carrots, bean sprouts or lima beans. I don't even like thinking about them. 

And this post is about what I do like. Well not just like, but I would even dare to say I love...
Well if you have ever eaten with me, you know I love ice cream, cheese sweet potato fries and sushi. 






HUNGRY YET?

Best breakfast i ever ate: Mission Beach Cafe's wild mushroom benedict. I loved it so much that I have dreams about it. 


best sandwich i ever ate: veggie melt from The Market Place Deli 

best burger i ever ate: easily The Burger Lounge

best refreshing thing i ever ate:  Oysters from Hog Island Oyster Company


best refreshing thing I ever drank: Ice Blended Mocha from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (my favorite drink of all time)


best cheap food i ever ate: Tacos from Tacos Del Gordo



best expensive thing i ever ate: All you can eat Korean BBQ at Palace BBQ Buffet 

best fried thing i ever ate: krispy kreme fried chicken sandwich at the San Diego County Fair.
Sweet + Salty = I die.  (Honorable Mention: Chicken & waffles from Roscoes)


best out of state thing i ever ate: bbq sausages and chicken in Ostrava, Czech Republic

best food truck dish: Lobster rolls from Sam's Chowdermobile

best thing i could eat for the rest of my life: California rolls from  I think its the only thing that I can't get tired of. Whenever i can't really decide what I feel like, I find myself at the sushi section at the japanese market. 


 {Supplies from Mitsuwa to make our own California Rolls}

best hole in the wall dish i ever ate: Being a socal girl at heart, I gotta go with Pollo Asado fries from Super Sergios

best dessert i ever ate: it's a tie between Willow Glen Frozen Custard and Blood Orange Ricotta Torte from Extraordinary Dessert. Now, if I could just have them together....
 {Did I mention that I LOVE ice cream?}

{The best gelato in Vienna, Austria}

{Smitten Vanilla Ice Cream with almond toffee topping in San Francisco}

 {Black Sesame Ice Cream from Bitter+Sweet in Cupertino}

And a special shoutout to my friend Eileen....who i automatically associate with food. Some of the best meals I ever had were with her. But I'm pretty sure it was because of the company. And because she didn't judge me for eating the krispy kreme chicken sandwich. 



like Caro requested...PLEASE send me your list, so that i can go out and be filled. :)