I realize it has been a long time since I've posted...sorry about that! It's been a crazy few months with school and work and very little free time. I don't get to play as much anymore! This time of year can bring out the kid in people, especially me, so I thought I'd share a bit of the kid I used to be...
My aunt Carol was recently cleaning out her storage area and found a bunch of papers she had forgotten about. She found this drawing I had done when I was about 7 or 8 (you can see why I do photography now) - she had to have surgery, so she was in the hospital for a little bit. My Mom had gone to San Diego to help her out while she was recovering and apparently I felt the need to draw the hospital room with me visiting her. You'll have to forgive the copy....the paper was crumpled quite a bit. I don't know if you can tell or not but the far left side of the drawing shows a nurse sitting at a computer. How did I know there was a nurse and a computer in the hospital??
This second copy is a letter that I wrote to my aunt Carol while I was at camp (I was about 9 or 10). I don't think my handwriting has a changed much over the years except it's a bit smaller now! My signature has definitely changed....you can barely make out the individual letters anymore. I must have just learned cursive writing in the school year before I went to camp. Obviously good handwriting wasn't enforced in my school!
This last item is a photo of me (animated as usual) hiking with my aunt Carol in the east county of San Diego. I have absolutely no idea what I was doing but I was very theatrical when I was younger and had no trouble with speaking my mind. I loved entertaining.....whether there was an audience or just myself. Doesn't quite fit with the introverted person I am today, does it?? Ha!!
Just a quickie post - I know it's been a long time since my last post. I've been a bit busy with school and work lately.....Physics is still kicking my ass!! Just when I think I am getting it, I find out the problem I was working on is wrong. DOH! But this post isn't about school....or about work.
Last month (meaning in August) I entered into a photography contest for Cabrillo National Monument. They were looking for a photo of the monument to put on their new annual pass. I honestly forgot about it, figuring that I wasn't going to hear from them and someone else would win. Well, someone else did win....the Grand Prize. Well, and the first four prizes really. BUT I won the fifth prize! Woohoo! My award is an annual membership to the monument, which is great actually. It's a very picturesque place and the tide pools are awesome. In fact, I am planning to go with my friend Christine this weekend! Here's the winning photo:
Albert Einstein, I am NOT! Baby Einstein? Maybe I could handle that level. I am in the process of sweeping the cobwebs out of my brain. Time to use the ole noggin' again.....time to actually think and problem solve. Or at least problem solve things other than how to ramp up someone's workout or how to get patients to exercise at home.
That's right people.....it's been 3 years since I graduated with my Master's in Exercise Physiology and apparently it is time to go bacck to schoo-oooolll!!
I was out of school for about 3 years before I started taking prerequisites for the Master's program at SDSU. And now.....I am taking prerequisites again! YAY! (groan)
So the Fall semester has started and I had my first class today.....Introduction to Physics. SCARY! I have NEVER taken physics in my LIFE! (Much to my BF's dismay) There has never been a need for me to take Physics. We don't need it for Exercise Physiology and I certainly didn't need it for Photography. (I might have needed it for Environmental Sciences but I must have changed my major before I got that far)
Thankfully the class isn't ALL 18-year old's fresh out of high school. There are about 3 other people in the class who are over the legal drinking age....possibly even old enough to rent a car. There is even a woman in the class who is OLDER THAN ME!! Yippee!! Although she is only taking the class for fun. (HUH?) Apparently she has completed all her prereq's to get into Nursing school but is on a waiting list, so she is keeping busy by taking more classes.....like Physics and Trigonometry. (What's wrong with underwater basket weaving?)
So there is a good chance that my professor is the same age as me.....she might even be younger, it's kind of hard to tell. But she seems nice and determined to make sure everyone understands the concepts. (BONUS!)
So we started off with a trigonometry refresher.....good thing since I took that class in......oh.... 1994 or so! Pythagorean Theorem.....hmmmm, yep! I remember that term! COS, SIN, TAN....vaguely recall seeing those in class. Using them to determine the theta (angle) or hypotenuse or the side of a triangle?? FAT chance I'd remember that!! Ok, so after she explains it and goes over examples, I am understanding it better, HOWEVER, I didn't even realize that I'd need something more than a basic calculator for this class. Apparently you need one of the mini computers kids (yes, I called them kids) have nowadays that have a 3 inch screen where you can type five lines of mathematical equations (my heart rate has definitely increased and I can feel my cortisol levels increasing as well). SHIT! I vividly remember avoiding classes where I needed one of those calculators!!
Thankfully, the professor has informed the class that a Scientific calculator....not necessarily a graphing calculator, will work just fine. That I can do...much less intimidating!
So I made it through the first day of lecture with minimal problems (and no panic attacks). We have a lab right after our lecture although today there was about 45 minutes between the two because our lecture ended early. (Another BONUS!) So I ate my lunch at the same table and just hung out.....and discovered that the guys sitting at my table were gaming geeks. FORTY-FIVE minutes they were talking about which game was better on which system and the code behind the games....BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...... I considered using my fork to stab the geek closest to me to make them realize how geeky they were all being BUT I might need his help in class at some point, so I refrained.
Lab was short and sweet. Syllabus handed out.....explained.....and practice problems given. DONE! See you next week! WOOHOO!
So yes, I am taking a Physics class which meets twice a week. I just found out today I was also able to add a class in Abnormal Psychology which is all ONLINE! (DOUBLE BONUS!) Yes, I will be busy but at least I will be able to get two prereq's out of the way!
BTW - the prereq's I am taking are getting me closer to entering into a Doctorate program for Physical Therapy....wish me luck!! Or recommend a good Physics tutor.....although my BF is very well educated in Physics, so maybe I'm okay there......MAYBE! I will definitely welcome any helpful hints or tips for class!!
As noted in my previous post, King of Masks, San Diego always has events going on and one of the other events that my friends and I decided to check out this past weekend was the Sand Castle Competition in Imperial Beach. I was the only one who had been the previous year and I remember the sculptures being AMAZING! Better than I could do anyway. So I thought it would make a fun outing for us. Plus it was finally warm enough to go and enjoy the beach!!
Lately the weather has been in the 60's at the beach which isn't so warm and certainly does NOT say "Come play at the beach and dip your toes into the 60 degree water!" (Is that too warm for hypothermia?)
The weather on Sunday was much warmer and the sun was out....GREAT!
So we cram ourselves into my 4Runner and head south. We get about 4 miles from our exit and hit the backup (crap). Turns out, this is a VERY popular event. Actually, the news said that around 300,000 people checked it out!! It seemed more like 500,000!! (double crap!)
Anyway, we ended up taking a detour and navigating our way around the traffic which probably didn't save us any time at all, but at least we were still moving instead of stopped on the freeway! (I prefer moving if at all possible!)
But of course we were still stuck in the traffic because we started to head towards the beach...with everyone else and their Mother! Sooo....being the practical people we are...and exercise conscious, we decided to park a little ways away and walk instead of fighting traffic to look for parking closer to the beach. DONE!
Well, the walk to the beach was pleasant enough...good company, good conversation, sun getting warmer.......and then our walk turned into 1.5 miles to get to the beach. We finally get there and it is CRAZY crowded with people!!
I feel like I'm at Disneyland in the summertime, with busloads of schoolchildren running around screaming (in other words - HELL)...you have to shuffle and elbow your way past people to get a look at the sand sculptures...ALL 40 of them! Whew!! So we decided to take the easier route. Instead of aiming for the front of the sculpture, we walked around the back of each one....much less crowded that way!! The only problem is that if you want to get a good picture of the sculpture, you have to get to the front.
Sorry folks, but my urgency to get that great shot (from a photographer's standpoint) wasn't with me that day. So you will have to make due with the crappy side and back shots I did take! I was crabby that day.....walking that far in flip flops did NOT help my back that I had tweaked earlier in the week and I swear it was 80 something down there that day!! It was really warm!! Plus, I don't do crowds as well anymore....just don't have the tolerance for idiots or rude people/children, so I chose to remove myself from any sticky situations that could have come up.(I prefer a clean record if possible)
The walk back did NOT help my disposition. I needed my tennis shoes, air conditioning, and a quiet space. Thank GOD Mariana knew of a wine bar near her place that had recently opened. YAY!! We stopped there for some much needed food and alcohol! Someone was celebrating their birthday that day, which was fine since they elected to have their party in the upstairs loft. EXCEPT that they were cheeky enough to bring the party downstairs to the main area to cut the damn cake. Which of course meant that EVERYONE had to be down there taking up seats and tables....RUDE! So we had to wait for them to clear their asses out of the downstairs area before we could grab a table. This waiting shit was working on my last nerve!! But everything turned out great...the food was INCREDIBLE! We had this great appetizer - sliced baguette lightly toasted, topped with melted blue cheese and served with jalapeno champagne honey. OH. MY. GOD!!! It was SENSATIONAL!
I know I am totally getting sidetracked with the wine bar, but how can you not?! Anyway, turns out I was PMSing which is why my patience was slim to none that day. Who knew?! TMI for most of you - get over it!
Here are some crappy photos......ENJOY!
Great sculpture....just not a very exciting subject. Pest control AD!
Was this a child's exhibit?? I'm not sure...
This was more like it! Size-wise anyway
You can't quite see the pool table, but it's a shark and an octopus playing pool. Very cool sculpture!
No clue on this - looks like something I could have done
VERY cool skeleton of a prehistoric marine mammal!
Sponge Bob - always appropriate apparently
The Las Vegas Strip! Very cool idea....but very tiny
Mermaid laying on the sand...you can kinda see her hair. No clue what the rest of it is supposed to be.
Merlin's something or other....can't remember exactly but check out the HORDES!
I couldn't tell you what this is.....I can make out the boat on the left but other than that, it's anyone's guess!
Chicks in Bikinis!! LOL I LOVED this one! Very cute!
San Diego always has many events going on throughout the year...too many to keep track of really! This past weekend my friends and I went to "Screen on the Green" which is located in Balboa Park. They set up a huge movie screen on the grass just outside the Botanical Gardens and show the movie once it's dark enough outside. Bonus: IT'S FREE!! (one of my favorite four letter words)
We started showing up around 5pm with an assortment of nosh items and libations to make up a wonderful picnic on the grass while we waited for the sun to go down. We had wine, beer, and margaritas.....and water but I think Mariana was the only one who used that to get some spot out of her shirt. LOL
It was definitely a cool experience ....one we are planning to repeat in a week when they play Moulin Rouge! (The original one, not the Nicole Kidman/Ewan MacGregor one)
So here are a couple photos I took with my crappy camera....enjoy!
Here's the mega screen....no clue who the woman is, she was just in my way.
Juan, Pita, Natasha, and Sam.....fellow picnickers!
Meet the parents. Any woman who has a protective Father has gone through this situation at some point, I am sure. Having your boyfriend meet your parents is always a sketchy time. You want them to like each other and you want it to go smoothly.
Well, I wouldn't say things went smoothly but it wasn't a complete disaster either.
My BF had been in Oakland for business and didn't get to my place until about 9:30pm. Earlier that day I had warned my parents he was coming over...and spending the night. Actually I warned my Mom he'd be spending the night and she, in turn, warned my Dad.
"What?! Why is this kid spending the night?!"
I love that he used the word kid.....my BF is 36 (30 years younger than my Dad, yes, but still....not exactly a teenager!)
So Dad decided (before he met my BF) that he didn't like him.(rolling my eyes)
Never mind the fact that my BF is very well educated (PhD in Biophysics and working full time now while going to school full time to get his MBA) and has a successful career (just got promoted in December) AND owns his own place!! Those are just minor details.
The main issues is that I am Daddy's little girl. He could be a doctor, a lawyer, an astronaut, etc. It makes no difference. Just the fact that he's a GUY and he's dating ME makes him suspicious. SOMETHING has to be wrong with him and my Dad will think that until he learns otherwise.
You would think I was 16 and still living at home!! HA!
So although my Dad shook my BF's hand when they were introduced, he didn't speak to him directly for the rest of the hour that we were all in the same room. Mom did a wonderful job of keeping the conversation going (along with me). Dad sat on the couch with his arms crossed over his chest and spoke about 10 words the entire time....all responses to comments made by my Mom or I. Luckily my BF didn't really notice my Dad's response (or lack thereof).
And that was it.....relatively uneventful and yet not really. I'm glad the initial meeting is over (and I am sure my BF is as well) but I am annoyed with my Dad for not participating in the conversation. For not being more polite. For not being open-minded for that first meeting. For being a dork!
Ahhhh well....my BF is great and I know that. Mom likes him, so that's good. Dad will just have to get over his protective attitude and realize that I am not a little girl anymore.
I should probably wait to tell Dad about my BF's biker buddies, huh? The skull and crossbones tattoo they all have looks really cool....maybe I'll have that inked across my back!
Ha, ha, ha!! Yeah, right....
I found a couple cartoons that I thought were appropriate for the scenario......ENJOY!
Ocean kayaking. This time we decided to do a girls kayaking adventure. Lauren and Mariana in a tandem (both have been kayaking previously), Cassie and Chloe in another tandem (Cassie has been kayaking but Chloe has not), and myself in a single (I'm a control freak). Mariana, Lauren, and I all got out without too much difficulty. Waves were a bit on the large side, so getting wet was inevitable, but we managed to get out past the waves without any disasters.
We turned our kayaks to search for Chloe and Cassie in their tandem....and watched as they flipped the kayak in the waves. Now the funny thing is that Lauren had assured them that they would not be getting wet. Mariana and I tried to warn them that she was wrong and they would definitely be getting wet, even if it was just getting splashed a bit. Mariana and I were sure that they should take off any jewelry, take off any nice clothing, and be prepared. Unfortunately they listened to Lauren and happily proceeded to the kayaks with watches on, cameras and phones in bags....prepared for a relaxing kayaking experience.
And then the ocean had the last word...
Mariana, Lauren and I watched as Chloe and Cassie tried again to paddle out. And again they got flipped. Mariana and Lauren bravely went back to the shore to help them out. Even offered to switch partners to help them out. But they were adamant that they would be able to make it on their own. For their trouble of going to help, Mariana and Lauren flipped coming back out! So much for not getting wet.
And so....after being flipped a third time, Cassie and Chloe gave up. Tired and frustrated, they headed back to the beach. Mariana, Lauren, and I continued with our kayaking since we couldn't do anything more for them and had already paid for our 2 hour rental.
Although the water was choppy and the winds were high, the rest of our kayaking was uneventful. We spent most of our time fighting the wind to get close to the caves....and never got that close. BUT we did get a great workout for our upper bodies!
As we paddled back towards shore, Lauren asked Mariana and I if we had any problems when we returned to shore last time we kayaked. Of course we hadn't had any trouble and assured her it was no big deal.
And then I was the last to fall. The only one who hadn't flipped my kayak....the waves got me as I was coming into shore....BAM!
So as we all congregated back on the beach, we totaled up our losses for the day. Mariana's camera and phone got wet when she was dumped into the ocean and were no longer working. Lauren's camera also got wet and wasn't working. Chloe, Lauren, Cassie, and I all lost our sunglasses!
Apparently Poseidon likes to have an assortment of sunglasses to choose from when he is going out to rule the seas. Ahhhh well...mine were scratched anyway. I'll have to remember to minimize next time I decide to go kayaking....
San Diego always has many events going on throughout the year...too many to keep track of really! This past weekend my friends and I went to "Screen on the Green" which is located in Balboa Park. They set up a huge movie screen on the grass just outside the Botanical Gardens and show the movie once it's dark enough outside. Bonus: IT'S FREE!! (one of my favorite four letter words)
