Bark in the Park

Well, a late posting is better than none at all. I seem to operate on this principle but it is not entirely my fault (slow computers, bad connection, schoolwork, etc.). Regardless, here is a photo and a video clip from Bark in the Park. And you would be right to notice that there is no sound with the video. I used my mom's camera and it does not record sound.





The volunteer crew of the Ticket Booth, Bark in the Park 2007, 1-5pm-ish: Brady, Jeffra, Nelson, Jayme, and Mom (taking the photo). There were a lot of tickets buyers this year.

Good stuff.

Where did it go?

On Sunday, I went with Karen to the mall. She tried on some clothes in desperate need of new clothing for work. I tried on a few tops (I hate to use the word "blouse") but basically I am too thrifty to actually buy anything. Because of this trip to the mall, a memory was inspired to return to the forefront of my mind. As I was falling asleep that night, I suddenly recollected buying a dressy top at a mall store with my cousin and her daughter at some point in the past (I rarely buy any clothes from the mall). Now, instead of falling asleep, I was trying to remember anything and everything about this top. I remembered it was maroon and black, probably had stripes of some sort, scrunched to the side or something like that, a material other than cotton, 3/4 length sleeves, and I just couldn't envision the neckline. I struggled to remember the last time I had seen it or worn it. I also couldn't seem to recall when I had even bought it. Finally, I got up and began looking through my clothes in the closet but to no avail. I finally decided I just needed it to put it aside and fall asleep, which somehow I managed to do.

The next day, I made a more thorough go through of my closet. And guess what? I found it! The top had become stuffed away in the corner in a plastic organizing unit (from my Cal Poly dorm days). Since the tag said "hand wash only," I probably intended to wash it separately from my regular wash. Anyway, I mostly had the correct memory of it. I have a suspicion that the last time I wore it was probably in the picture below, taken on June 15th, 2005. Only over two years ago. So basically, I feel like I have a new top! Yippee!


I hope you enjoyed my silly silly story. Now it is back to school (gotta write a critique of a case study and do a comparison of the Informal Education website and the required readings).

Hmmm, people say that I have red hair and I guess in this photo, it kind of looks like it. Wow! My hair was short. *sigh* I can't wait until I get to cut my hair again...

My Saturday Morning Hike

My new activity and way to spend some restful time with God is to go on a hike on Saturday mornings. For two weeks in a row, I have enjoyed exploring Calero County park. It is a rather dry park as you can see. My shoes get covered in dry dirt but I wear my camelback so I am supplied with plenty of water to keep me from dehydration.


Here is a picture of a part of the Los Cerritos trail, I believe. Horses also travel on these trails, so you have to keep your eyes on the ground if you care about the bottom of your shoes. I like this picture because of the flowers in the front. I don't recollect that these were blooming when I came the Saturday before.



























The golden hills filled with old oak trees. This particular part of California has such a distinct smell. Unfortunately, I don't really have the gift of written description so I can't really do it justice. I would say it is a baked wheat sort of smell. The oaks seem to add a more poignant smell, just a little bit of bitterness. Of course, there is a dry dirt smell mixed in as well. But I love it all.


















I started out with a visor on but then decided I just couldn't see as well with it on. I don't just go on the hike for the exercise of it (though those steep uphill parts of the hike certainly are a workout), I want to really enjoy my surroundings and the beauty of nature. I like to stop on the way and just breathe it all in. Lovely, lovely.

The Cave We Talked About

Here are some photos of the cave that Rachel and I mentioned in our video clip:

It was black black black in the cave. I tried using my cell phone light to see anything but to no avail, so I decided to take a photo because the flash would brighten it up. One photo above was normal distance, the one below is zoomed in as far as I could.



I turned around to get a shot of Rachel and she was comment on the interesting surface of the cave. There is a tiny bit of green in the background, that is the great outdoors, the small opening where we entered the cave.


Really, really really wish I had a flash light. I need a mini mag light to carry in the hiking backpack.