New beginnings

"Celebrate endings, for they precede new beginnings."

-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

October was a month full of goodbyes...to dear friends who are like my family, an organization that helped me grow up and into the person I am today, a job I had wanted for a long time and worked hard to get, hundreds of volunteers I cared so much about, a wonderful city I called home for 14 years...it was hard saying goodbye, but it was full of celebrations and heartwarming well wishes. Leaving so much behind was bittersweet, but now, I'm on a grand new adventure! Yes, adjusting feels strange and lonely at times, but that will fade away as I make new friends, find a rewarding job, and fill my time with fun activities and hobbies. So far, this next chapter has been amazing in so many ways. Here are a few things I've been up to...

Morning walks along the coast. It looks different every single day, sometimes it's calm, serene, and mystical. Some days it's bright and cheery and other times it can look so wild and rugged. I'm always in awe at the many ways this coast can reveal its beauty. And the wildlife, so much to see! Seabirds, otters, dolphins, whales, harbor seals, a large male elephant seal. I'm thankful I get to live here and witness these things every day.

Hiking, exploring and enjoying nature. This is one of the things we were looking forward to the most, having the outdoors so close and accessible! It's incredibly beautiful and there's so much to explore. We've only been hiking, so I can't wait to camp and backpack soon too.

Taking some time to breathe, slow down, relax and reflect. To sit and read with a cup of coffee. Try new recipes and cook hot delicious meals. To volunteer, get involved with the community, and learn new skills. To be crafty and create gifts. To take in this wonderful new life!

Quote-o-the-day

Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time to change
-Drops of Jupiter, Train

Catching Up

Well since I'm still here, let's recap on what I've been up to. Here are few of the highlights and adventures since the beginning of summer...

Visited Sean in Wrightwood over Memorial weekend while he was hiking the PCT. It was lovely exploring the cute little town, checking out all the yard sales, and spending the weekend with him...


Went to Chris & Holly's wedding on the Central Coast in June, a fun time and it was great to have a little A-Pride crew reunion, especially with my old roomie Ann...


Went on a desert camping trip to see the Perseids meteor shower. Unfortunately, the moon was so full and bright that we weren't able to see much of the shower. At least it was still fun enjoying the outdoors with friends!...


Sean & I took a road trip up the coast in September. We camped in Morro Bay and Big Sur, then visited Monterey. It was my first time camping in Big Sur and I loved it there! Can't wait to visit again and explore more of its beauty...


Went camping one last time before winter set in, near Wrightwood. Hiked a bit of the PCT...


Started a Beer Club, where we taste a variety of beers and learn more about the wonderful beverage...


Ran the 5k Turkey Trot again, yay!

A Blogging Existential Crisis

It's been over half a year since I've posted anything substantial on this blog. Partly because I have been busy (isn't that always the excuse?...) and partly because I haven't been motivated or inspired to post anything. I'm going on my 8th year of this blogging journey, and truthfully, I've considered putting this part of my life to rest. An Explanation was my first ever blog post, explaining that it's creation was a manifestation of my boredom. It started as the ramblings from a twenty-something recent college graduate, trying to figure herself out in the "real" world. No matter how small or subtle the change, it was a different time then. A time before the social networking explosion, a time when the blogging world was not the same kind of beast that it is now. So yes, the thought of closing down this blog has crossed my mind multiple times. What's the point of continuing, after all? I'm not that same wandering girl anymore. I've grown up, and maybe I've even outgrown this project? Plus, who really reads it anyway?

...Well, I really haven't been able to give it up just yet. Because in the end, it doesn't matter how much things have changed or if other eyes see these posts. In the end, I have always kept this blog for myself, not anyone else. It has been an outlet, a practice in stringing words together and creating a story. It is a form of expression, a chronicle and extension of my life.

...So here I am. Still.

Quote-o-the-day

"Life is a process of becoming. A combination of states we have to go through."
-Anais Nin

Opening up

A spring breeze
and a breath of fresh air
The unfolding and blooming of
a flower
Warmth and sunshine
Perfection

Heart-shaped rock...

Picture text I received yesterday. <3

Quote-o-the-day

"Give all to love.
Obey your heart."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quote-o-the-day

"And that's where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are."
-The Alchemist, Paolo Coelho

To Dos, Spring/Summer 2011 Edition

I'm on a mission to live a better life and be a better me. One of the things I have been trying to do lately (and it's probably one of the hardest) is to take a step back from my work life. No, I'm not slacking on my work, I'm just not letting myself get overwhelmed and engulfed by it. I'm cutting back on staying long hours, stressing out on my days off, and constantly checking my email. I'm basically just trying to take and enjoy my personal time, to focus on myself and take care of myself. So, I have a list of to dos for the next couple of months...

-Go to the dentist (get those teeth cleaned!)
-Go to the optometrist (need new contacts)
-Get a haircut (my hair is getting way too long, it's currently at my waist)
-Buy new running shoes (my feet will thank me)
-Run a 5k race in July (considered a 10k but I think I'm chickening out, will do a 10k at the Turkey Trot in November)
-Join the Wednesday night running club (I've been wanting to do this for a while)
-Buy new sunglasses (as everyone around me knows, mine were completely scratched up and I've been needing new ones for a while, I now need a new pair more than ever because I've just lost the other pair. It's a sign.)
-Go on a Meetup outing (I need to get out there and do something new, meet new people.)
-Ride my bike more (especially since gas prices are so high and we have new bike lanes in town)
-Get another tattoo (this has been on my list for years, I think it might be time)
-Cook more often (I enjoy cooking, but have not been taking the time to do it that often. Maybe I'll even finally put my Vietnamese cookbook to use?)

There are also some things that cannot easily be tracked or checked off, things that will be an ongoing process and that I want to be a part of my everyday life and who I am...
Love and give more, practice patience, forgive better, open up, make connections, be positive, live fully...