Catalina: Part 1

This past weekend, I hopped on a very slow boat and visited Catalina Island for the first time to visit my wonderful and close friend Prestyn.  She is the Program Director for a camp there, The Catalina Experience.  It was so lovely to relax, get away from work, and have nothing in particular to do.  We went on a 10 mile hike (up to the airport, where we munched on bison burgers and tacos), snorkeled, paddle boarded, and laid out in the sun and enjoyed each other's company.  We caught up about life and work, talked about fish species from the Pacific Coast and dreamed of future travel adventures.  I'm so lucky to have a friend that accepts me for exactly who I am, and who I can share my nerdy side with. Who else would not bat an eye when I shouted "fox fox fox fox!" (we spotted three on our hike, and I couldn't have been more excited)

a lovely place to lie out

frolicking in the sand

Prestyn + the pier at White's Landing

I started out pretty pasty (photo by Prestyn McCord)

quails that are endemic to the island, which I grew quite fond of

Apples to Apples

prayer flags in Prestyn's hooch (worst word ever)

I saw three bison while visiting

the beginning of our hike

bison spotting

simply had to take a touristy photo with it (photo by Prestyn McCord)

funnily enough, this sign pointed to exactly where I saw a bison

we played a game called Follow the Telephone Poles

low clouds and lovely ridges

another bison

a bison rolling around in his wallow

Prestyn +her camp in the background

photo by Prestyn McCord

funnel spiders never cease to fascinate me

"I'm lichen it!" - Prestyn (the cutest)

bison prints/wallow

we both spent half the hike marveling at the views

Zuma Beach

My beautiful friend Farrah drove up to visit me yesterday - after she patiently tagged along with me on my errands for over an hour (which was incredibly nice), we had a late lunch (so please excuse my food baby in these photos, I'm bloated as heck) and decided to drive up to Malibu.  As was to be expected, the traffic was mildly horrendous; but it was definitely worth it.  Honestly, I loved the drive - the cliffs and green hills covered in a dense marine layer reminded me of my favorite spot in San Diego and growing up less than a mile from the shore in Huntington Beach.  We decided on Zuma, and I adored everything about it - I will most certainly be back soon.

Farrah braving the freezing waters

I was super in love with the marine layer

so many shades of blue

things I need to work on: my tan + my food belly (photo by Farrah Chini)

my bestie is gorgeous

the ocean was sparkling and shimmering

pretty much every picture Farrah took of me was with me caught in mid-laugh

the drive home

a beach umbrella to mark our spot

I adore watching people flying kites

Farrah's got some jumping skills

I love how short the beach is, water line is so close (photo by Farrah Chini)

the sun beginning to set

bumper to bumper on the 1 isn't bad with a view of the shore

Finishing Last

Some days, the guilt seeps in
Shame for a sadness I feel that I have not earned
I hold on to inferred rejections, faltering in my mission of independence
I allow my failings to burden me -
Instead of leaving each transgression as a lesson,
I repeat the undesirable behavior

I attempt to stave off the cycle
With blame to others
With an addiction to the flattery from sources outside of myself
Yet, a cycle is just that: an inevitable return
A pattern of highs and lows

When I hit the crest, I delude myself
I believe too many good things
Have an abundance of faith in my confidence
I have no need that is not met internally
My desire for your approval wanes until it is sated by self-satisfaction

After an inordinate amount of time in which you lack my affections
A welcomed disruption, you enter once more
And soon enough, I have lost myself again
Stumbling over the eschewals
And eventually falling from the radio silence
I am forced back to the start

Eagle Rock, Pt. 2

Part 2 of our hike and part 2 of an amazing weekend - I spent the day laughing so much that I had a constant stomach ache from giggle fits.  My friends are ridiculous and awesome and I wish I could record everything they say.  From blasting JT in the car in the way home, to creating a rap for Barney Rubble (The Flintstones), the entire day was so great.  We were lucky to have decent weather, a good breeze...and to not get lost!  I definitely hope to make it out to Topanga State Park again soon.  Also: how friggin' gorgeous is Sarah?!

we made it to the top!

gorgeous views from here

Joe pointing out all the graffiti, wish I had gotten more

"I'm a rock, who are you?" - I love this!

look at that cute smile!

so gorgeous!

thank the LAWD someone brought sunscreen

instagramming

forced hugs! (photo by Joseph Meyer)

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Eagle Rock, Pt. 1

I have no self-restraint when it comes to take pictures.  On my hike yesterday, I took 545, which I managed to whittle down to 93 (hence the two separate posts).  It was just so beautiful!  Topanga State Park is a bit removed (which is why I like it), but if you don't get sick on the miles of twists and turns it takes to get there, it's so worth it!  Sarah, Joe, Angel, and I decided to hike up to Eagle Rock from Trippet Ranch, and once we got there, we did the loop trail.  Surprisingly, I managed to come out of it without a sunburn or great soreness (which both Sarah and I were disappointed about, but I guess it means we're actually somewhat in shape).  The trail is largely without shade so although it wasn't blazing outside, we were still soaked in sweat (I actually went shirtless for the first half, as the breeze felt so dang good).  Also: definitely beware of poison oak and fire ants if you decide to do this hike (fortunately a kind stranger warned us before we started our trek).

I told everyone to lean a different way...so they did

giant beetle

selfie

ignore how terrible I look, but Sarah is cute! (photo by Joseph Meyer)

Joe likes to be weird

whoa, cool flowers bro

Angel in an Angels cap

token pointing photo

sexy back sweat

Eagle Rock!

horse crap all over the trail

The Salt Air

Lately, my life has been full of spontaneous and wonderful plans.  I choose "yes" because yes is more fun than no.  I texted my beautiful friend Franci to see if she'd like to get coffee or lunch and go to the beach with me.  We were both tired of the nearest beaches - Venice and Santa Monica.  They are often so dirty or so full of tourists.  I really enjoy the South Bay because it's full of laid-back people, decent bars, and it's always cleaner than Venice.  Both Franci and I are photographers (although she's about 100x more professional than me, as she actually studied photography as her major in college), so it's nice to hang out with someone who understands that I want to stop and take a photo every ten seconds.  We shared a nice lunch after taking a walk on the pier and in the lovely areas around Manhattan Blvd.  It was just so lovely to be outside, getting some color and enjoying Southern California.