Summer Fun!

 

I know that summer is already over, but here are some highlights of the past couple of months. I went down to SoCal to visit my dear old friend from high school that is currently pregnant and awaiting the arrival of her first baby. It was lovely to see old friends and reminisce about high school/college years.  Z and I stopped by San Diego and revisited some of our old regular spots and of course--enjoyed one too many burritos. The Mexican food in San Diego is definitely superior to that found in San Francisco. I have searched for taquerias that are similar to the flavors of salsas and meats in San Diego, but my search has been fruitless. If any of you know of delicious places here in the Bay Area, let me know! 

At the beginning of August, my Grandpa celebrated his 88th birthday! All of my aunts and uncles (there are so many of them--total of 8 kids!), came to California and I was lucky to spend time with everyone. We went to Santa Barbara and Solvang (a cute tourist Danish village located on the central coast that my family used to live near and visit quite frequently when I was growing up).

August also was a month of change for me. I chopped off a couple of inches of my hair and joined the long bob club and got fitted for glasses so that I can drive at night. Overall, it was a busy summer and I'm ready for fall to begin even though right  now it decided to become summer in the Bay Area with our warm temperatures. I am sitting here writing this post wearing a dress (with no tights), a light cardigan, and sandals. What the heck! That almost never happens. Gotta get back to letting my pasty legs see some form of sun while it lasts. Toodles!

Four & Sons Dog Culture

Australian-based site Four&Sons is publishing a semi-annual mag devoted to dogs and culture — two subjects it's been commenting on since 2011. The first issue's out, and it's 143 pages of stoic tales (and wagging tails). The list of contributors runs from photographer Mark Ruwedel, who supplied a beautiful photo series of decaying dog houses in the wild west, to Dave Eggers, who penned a short story about an imaginary mutt. A collection of pup portraits taken during bath time is also stand-out, mainly because it's exactly as cute as it sounds. 

Pug Life

My favorite thing to do after a long day of work/classes is to walk my little pig dog, Finnegan. He is already so accustomed to me photographing him that he knows to sit still and look at me when I have my phone out. Every first Sunday of the month, Alta Plaza park in San Francisco has a "Pug Sunday". All the little pig pugs in the city make the journey over to Pacific Heights to romp around pugnaciously. While there, a woman took out her camera and Finnegan stopped what he was doing to pose for her. She laughed since Mr. Pig was such a good sport and model for her.  I know it's probably weird to other people, but I really look forward to Pug Sundays and having these snorting pigs running around. Being a crazy pug lady, it is my dream one day to have a pug farm. I'm sorry if this seems a bit borderline hoarder-ish, but I am sure Z will stop me before I ever reach that point... (Hopefully)

Here's to many more pictures of my spoiled pig pug, Finnegan.

Hollywood Hiking

I'm so excited to visit my family in Southern California next week. Summer in the Bay area usually consists of windy days and foggy nights, which I look forward taking a break from. I remember last year for the 4th of July, Z and I were bundled up to watch the fireworks atop the beautiful albeit windy Bernal Hill. I finally developed these pictures from a previous hike that my sister, cousin, and I completed. It's getting harder and harder to find places that will develop my film for a good price. The place I went to also did not do such a great job scanning my photos, so everything is a bit off. I really need to get into developing my own film or finally invest in a nice digital camera. Sigh!

Even though most of my family lives in Southern California, we had never done the Hollywood hike up the winding trail to see the sign itself. To be honest, the thought never appealed to me since it is what all the tourists do when they come to this little city covered in smog. Looking back on the photos, it reminds me that my pasty white legs could use some sunshine and doing touristy things are fun every once in a while.