it's a tree...

...it's a really big tree

a really big redwood tree it is

my july 4th was spent hiking in a
beautiful non-city world with good friends

happy canada day!

...to all you canucks and canuck lovers out there...

tracy the canadian decided to party with Anne,
who just finished her three years of residency

farmer's market

I hadn't been to the farmer's market for awhile, so I decided to make a visit one Saturday and partake of some of the home-grown goodness.
Though it still can't beat walking outside and picking fresh strawberries, peas, raspberries, and all that other good stuff that finds itself in my mom's garden.

the highlights...

flowers a plenty

people watching opportunities and fresh food everyone

and my favorite...... the clarinet player who knows you're taking his picture

no matter how far off you are...

this one is for my dad

oh yeah

I found out that I passed another exam. I'm officially over half way there.

gabriel myles

this little man was born to my roommate only a few days after i showed up in sf. quietest newborn one could imagine, or maybe my roomie just sound-proofed her room really well.

so this marks two years in sf . . . for both of us.

memorial day

the lovely (and colorful) hostess, Ann Ku, making yummy shish kabobs

flaming mushrooms (and lots of other great food!)

and me with a flower (tree) in my hair

tah! photography

I've added a new blog specifically to feature my growing photograph collection.
tah! photography
The best way to use it is to filter via labels.

At some point I will put together my own website. I know I have one but it is a bit tedious to update, so I am shooting for something a little more streamline.
I'll still have pictures on this blog with stories attached to them of course, but may send you there to view an entire collection of work.

a dove behind bars

for all that he represents...

...he should be free

picture of the day

sundress

I've always been a tad timid about wearing white, unless it's a t-shirt.
I remember spoiling one pair of pants with watermelon,
another with raspberry (or maybe that one is just my imagination).
When I saw this dress though,
I thought I should give white another chance.
Luckily, the next day I was able to make good use of it on one of the
warmest days San Francisco has brought me.

my new mac book pro

me at work...

but not necessarily working
and two co-workers...
also not working

mt shasta

some boys decided to climb a mountain,
some girls decided to go along and drive them home.

while the boys battled the elements,
the girls lounged at the beach, the hot tub, the sauna,
and in the car as they awaited their return.

the mountain
the boys who climbed it

the girls who didn't want them to fall off

me not climbing the mountain

but I thought the boys shouldn't be the only ones really cold, b bbbrrr!!!a beatiful flowering tree

we had hoped it would be the boys calling from the top of the mountainbut they made it there & back,
with 15 min to spare before we had been instructed to call the forest ranger.

visitor from San Diego

I enjoyed a wonderful Saturday afternoon with Amy & company.

former co-worker; co-photography lover; and friend

easter brunch

one of the lighter moments of a heavy week

more pics from seattle

April 8th, 2006

Who would have thought, a year ago today that in 24hrs the lives of my family would change so quickly.

lovely toes

the results of my very first professional pedicure

the best part was the calf & foot massage

i passed!

cheese

look who now gets to play with her very own
canon digital rebel xti

i was a little distracted at work on wednesday
when this little machine arrived at my desk

you want one don't ya

milka

a slice of seattle

March 21st

Happy Vernal Equinox Day!

photo by colin stewart @ owlfish.com

4 down, I hope

I took my fourth archi-exam this morning; materials and methods. It seemed to go well. I will get the results in a month or so. Time to schedule my next one, and see if I can get this ball rolling again.

ten year reunion

Meet Johannes.

German; husband to a beautiful woman; father of two adorable girls;
and all into researching smart materials for helicopter blades.

And a good friend.
Laughter is guaranteed.

We first met in 1995 in Pennsylvania.
The last time I saw him was 1997 in Orlando.

It finally worked out that we could meet up again and what do we do?
We go on a treasure hunt.
Hilarious.

Geocaching.
Hang out, see a new city,
get funny looks from people as you tip back newspaper stands
and walk into police stations,
write your names on little pieces of paper stuck in boxes
and stumble upon geocaching headquarters...

...and then go have fondue

Freedom

derived from the Germanic words:

Free: beloved/friend

Doom: a considered judgment, similar to today's deemed

freedom

best part of my day...

It wasn't laying out in the sun, although that was lovely

It wasn't eating a piece of dark chocolate mint, although my mind is still savoring the taste, I think i'll have another.

It was walking toward the Golden Gate Bridge, feeling the temperature drop and seeing the fog crest the trees and slowly but ever so completely envelope the city. It is one of those sights that cause me pause and smile in wonder. Those that had been out soaking in the sun were making their exits to warmer places. Perhaps a perfect Saturday.

I looked behind me as I walked home and the GGB and anything off coast was gone. amazing.

tao cafe

My latest late night dining experience.

Lamb medallions, duck legs
with banana tart & coconut ice cream for dessert

and wonderful conversation with my friend, Anne.

big boat

This baby was parked outside our office today:

Vehicle and people traffic was nuts.

Full story at: Queen Mary2

i tried something new today

raspberry italian soda with a touch of raspberry wine

delightful

series

new roomie

My new roomie arrived yesterday. She is fresh in from the east coast. And I think a little jet lagged.

common

A beautiful evening. Devoured a (small) pizza. Spent some time at my favorite around the corner bookstore. Bought a soup I have not tried before; I'll find out tomorrow if it is any good. Savored some over the top raspberry wine and chocolate cake; lush. And am about to lounge on my new sofa and take care of some reading. I also found a creative way to store toilet paper in my bathroom; it will provoke comment at the very least.

sunday afternoon dance

they rush toward the edge
determined to reach the land
it greets them with sharp corners,
unexpected boundaries and small inlets.

they jump in delight
random yet in rythm
designed to delight, suprise, and refresh

cymbals of the orchestra

2nd Chinatown pic of the night

chinatown pic of the night

my very first new sofa ....

chaise, loveseat, bed...I have just finished assembling this lovely piece of furniture.
A wonderful deal at my favorite around the corner store.
Versatility, comfort and style, both ends go up &
down depending on the configuration I want.
It is sitting in my bedroom until the living room looks lonely.

transition...again

Back to scouring craigslist, contemplating getting my own place, interviewing potential roomates, really wishing affordable studios were available in my neighborhood, and realizing that I still have one of the best deals and locations in North Beach. See nothing can beat a 12 min leisurely walk for a commute to work, a quick trip to one of the best grocery stores in town or immediate access to the bay and thus wide open spaces. I might have to invest in more furniture though especially if I plan to stick around for awhile; in theory my entire living room could walk out on me, hilarious.

song

Humanity
by "A Guy Named Gerald"

roof

when life becomes foggy

processing, chewing, mulling over, living, observing, experiencing, knowing, trusting, walking...

The idea of "going through the process" was first introduced to me during my life in New York. Or at least that is where it started to have to more concrete meaning for me. It seemed that everyone wanted to process the process they were in. (yes that word was used to saturation) The end goal? I either don't remember or in some cases it was never made known to me. Which led me to conclude that the process of getting "there" wherever that was, was the "there" itself.

Not a new thought, except that I still try to jump ahead to the finish line, as if there was one.

In NY I found myself entering a part of my "process" through a cloud of fog. I was told to remember that even though I couldn't see much around me, the ground wasn't going to disappear beneath my feet.

So I just keep walking. The fog still rolls in every now and then, and I have found that it is indeed a good thing.

today many years ago...

Birthday shout-outs to Shannon of "stuff" and Cliff of "Taiwan Tales"!

Born on the same day of the month and they are the only two people I know who talk about their love of Taco Bell. (it is TB right cliff?) I wonder if there are any other Dec 4, Taco-Bell-lover babies out there.