Escape

took a short break today to watch the clip of Toast's autumn/winter collection. breathtakingly beautiful.

One Cubic Foot

pic via national geographic's Blog Wild

National Geographic photographer David Liittschwager does a series of video's in various eco- systems traking the various organisms that reside in a space of one cubic foot. Check it out here.

Trip to NY

Just dreaming of taking a vacation.



I spent some time looking through places to stay on Homeaway. The site advertises private owners apartments with the cost ranging from $100-200 a night or $900-1000 a week.. often more affordable than the local hotels. When my husband and I visited Buenos Aires in Argentina we rented this way. Thanks to the exchange rate we were able to book a flat in Buenos Aires for a week with the total cost being $350...absolutely fabulous. So now Im thinking Brooklyn New York.

1 Year Later.

Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have 
to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any 
fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they 
find that they are one tree and not two.
From Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres



Our anniversary weekend in Tahoe was great. Thank you to all who supported us in this crazy year. Husband and I are so happy that life has finally somewhat slowed down and we can just be. Weve grown so much over this year and I cant believe all that has happened. Its been amazing.

Nevada Stories: The American Flats

The American Flats are located in the Comstock up near Virginia City, Nevada. At one time, when California was rich in gold & silver, the town was growing so fast that the residents petitioned the State Legislature to have the Capitol moved there. But when the gold and silver dried up, the town blew away and there's nothing left of it. The ruins that are there are what is left of the 20th-century gold & silver refining mills. Now it's a place where people venture for curiosity sake. To tell ghosts stories, and admire or take part in the grafitti art that has come to cover the ruins. While on our weekend excursion to Tahoe we went with friends to visit the flats and stopped at the local Saloons for some bloody mary's and whisky.

Short Film

Im suppose to be packing but instead I spent the afternoon watching the Red Balloon. Its a child's movie that any adult can appreciate. There are few words but the story is told beautifully. Highly recommend as a Netflix Rent.

Bernal Heights

New discovery last week was Bernal Heights park. It's only a 2min drive from our house and I spent a day running to it last week (20 minute run with a lot of walking due to the "hill" factor). The view from the top is gorgeous and husband and I spent an afternoon overlooking the city, relaxing with a book. Click on the video to see the view.

South Africa

Azusa Pacific University In Focus: South Africa Semester from Azusa Pacific on Vimeo.
My Alma Mater has recently started a semester in South Africa. I remember hearing about the plans for the program years ago and thinking what an amazing opportunity for those individuals who choose to go. I watched this video today about the program and felt so much joy knowing that APU's heart for Christ is continuously leading them beyond themselves and pushing their students to learn by experience. Go Cougars!

Hi Ho Silver

{image via mypolaroidblog}

Every other week I have four days off from the crazy non-profit world. And every other week Cole and I struggle to come up with plans to make the most of it. On Sunday, we took my mother in law up on an invitation to ride horses in the Santa Monica Mountains. Now my experiences with horses are very limited and from what I remember from camp at seven years of age; horses and me don't mix. But being a good sport I agreed to see if my taste buds had grown any in the past decade. Lesson learned. Come Monday I woke up feeling I needed a blown up donut to help alleviate the pain my bruised backside was in every time I attempted to sit. Now understand, I love the Santa Monica Mountains and as long as Tonto didn't pick up any speed or try to gallop, which subsequently sends me into an out of control up and down movement, life is just peachy. But of course I lack any skill in controlling the behaviors of large animals and my wishes were cast to the wayside leaving me hanging on for dear life and praying that someone would stop the ride so I could get off. So here I am: Tuesday, still suffering from my lack of cushioning in the rear and Tonto's gallop's.