Musings

Well, folks… After a year (or so) of planning, I am finally moving to Denver.  In just a few short days I will be on the road to the Mile High City.  Next Monday I start my new job as a toddler teacher at an Early Head Start Center.  So far everything has gone very smoothly in this process which only helps increase my excitement.  The only problem I am having is motivation to pack.  If anyone has any particularly inspiring motivational adivce, I would love to hear it!  

  We are back from vacation and it was a great time!  We camped about 15 miles East of Yosemite Park in a nice little valley.  The weekend was filled with lots of relaxing, some sightseeing, hiking, fishing, and lots of laughs.

Where we camped, there was a large meadow in front of our campsite.  The first night we were there, I dreamt that there was a processional of African safari animals going across the field.  One of the pictures is of Chuck’s parents dog, Lacy, in her big acting debut as a lioness (that was the best we could do).

One of the days, we went to Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain, which is one of Chuck’s favorite places to camp.  We hiked to Devel’s Post Pile and Rainbow Falls.  Devel’s Post Pile was created by hot lava.  I know it doesn’t sound too impressive, but you just have to see the pics to understand the phenomenon.  From there we hiked to Rainbow Falls, which is just beautiful.  It was a long hike, and I was very tired and crabby by the end, but it was so worth it.  We went down to the bottom and swam in the falls.  Now, all of the rivers are created by melted snow, so I’m sure you can imagine how cold it is!  Yes, I did swim in freezing water and it was SO much fun!

 The next day, we went to Obsidian Dome, which is also created by lava.  Obsidian a black shiny rock that is very beautiful in it’s pure form.  It is found in many places in the US, but there happens to be a mountain made of it near where we were.  After that we went in search of some hot springs that Chuck used to visit while camping.  The springs were beautiful, however I do not have any pics because we were planning on swimming in them and did not bring the camara.  As we hiked down to the springs we saw a sign stating that they were closed to swimmers.  Aparently, there has been some high volcanic activity around the springs making it dangerous for swimmers.  Disapointed, we went in search of some other springs we had heard about.  This is where a very interesting story begins.  For a photo journey of our experience (and other pictures), visit the flickr.com link.

It was a great time, but I am glad to be home.  Hope you are all doing well and Happy Fourth!!

This week is Chuck’s second vacation for the year and we are going to spend it camping in the Sierra’s with his parents.  Having gotten a small taste of the beauty of this place, I have been very excited about going back for a longer trip.  It should be a good time, and I will try to  have pics to post when I return on Wednesday (I got chidded last time for not posting pics).   

I just saw the most refreshing show on TV.  It’s called “Shaq’s Big Challenge”.  Yes, that is Shaq, as in Shaquille O’Neal (Zuni for “very tall one”… ok, not really).  Anyway, have you all seen it?  Well, you definately should if you have not.  He takes six overweight middleschool kids and gives them personal training, oversight of a physician specializing in childhood obesity, and nutrition advise for six months in an effort to not only help these kids loose weight, but save their lives.  Now, I have to admit, I was skeptical at first.  I was afraid this would be a show where the celebrity gets to appear to be the big hero while exploiting the trials of these kids, and for the extreme cynics, I’m sure you can make a case for that.  But in my opinion, this show is done very well and if anything is an encouragement for all of us to pursue a healthier lifestyle.  At one point during the show, the kids were put through a physical fitness test.  Most of them failed the test and their embarrassment was obvious.  But, instead of allowing them to wallow in that, Shaq built them all up, encouraged each member of the “team” to rally around each other in support and gave kids who had no self confidence a reason to hold their heads up high. 

 I have to admit, I was surprised to see this soft side of Mr. O’Neal, but aparently there is much more to this man than slam dunks.  Did you know that he has six kids of his own?  Did you know that he donates generously to Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Make a Wish Foundation and many other organizations?  Did you know that he is passionate about children and making the world a better place for them?  With all of the publicity lately about celebrities who seem to abuse the position they hold in society, I wanted to take a few minutes to recognize one celebrity who is worthy of the spotlight he holds.   

For more about “Shaq’s Big Challenge” visit the website: www.shaqsfamilychallenge.com/

 **Note: The following is not any kind of political statement about current events (I mean really, it’s me we’re talking about here), it is simply the musings of someone who watches a lot of action movies as a result of being surrounded by a lot of boys…men… whatever (When they get out their remote controlled airplanes and start playing it’s hard to tell the difference). 

What ever happened to good old fashioned war strategies?  We are so advanced these days with our super-high-tech-this and our state-of-the-art-that.  What ever happened to the days when men lined up with their weapons and attacked each other like civilized human beings (Reference the movies Troy and The Patriot)?  I realize this is supposed to be a primitave type of warfare, but it just seems much more cut and dried to me.  How about this example:  In 591 BC, the Lydians and the Medes began a war over some property and gold.  They fought for five years when one day, the sky grew dark as a result of a solar eclipse.  Lacking their high tech This and That, these brave men believed the darkened sky was a sign of the god’s displeasure in their fighting and laid down their weapons and walked away.  What a way to end a war! 

Now, I’m not knocking technology or the US military (Go Troops!), but it just seems that sometimes we are just too dang fancy for our own good.  Just a thought.  Or maybe I have watched one too many war movies (“Honey, I thought you would like ‘We Were Soldiers’… it’s a great movie”). I think it may be time to round up the boys for a nice chick flick night… “Oh boys… let’s all hold hands and watch ‘Love Comes Softly’”… hehe 

Today was a good day.  Nothing special happened, it was just good.  I had a good workout, followed by a good lunch made by a good man…     ,watched a good movie and then had a good, relaxing afternoon in the park with a good book, good music and a good time flying remote controlled airplanes.  Now I’m off to give myself a good pedicure. 

Why does blaring the David Crowder Band in my car always make me smile?

The lack of appreciation of American traditions (or anything American, for that matter) by other cultures surrounding me that I used to chalk up to “cultural differences” and be facinated by, has now become another pet pieve of mine, to say the least and is now a new topic for my much beloved Soap Box.

I miss thunderstorms… or rain for that matter!

What is it about seeing older Mexican men wearing cowboy hats that amuses me so?

Why do the strawberries taste SO good here in California??  Really, every strawberry tastes like the best one you have ever eaten!!

I miss playing tennis with Aubrey, hanging out with my friends, and being pounded by questions that I don’t understand from my brother.  I miss “chick flick nights” with my mom.

**Disclaimer:  This message represents the official view of the voices in my head.  This message is intended for the use of  the  individuals specificaly named  and  may  contain information that is confidential,  privileged  or  unsuitable  for  overly  sensitive persons  with  low  self-esteem, no sense of humour or irrational religious beliefs. If you are not  the  intended  recipient,  any dissemination,  distribution  or  copying  of  this  message is not authorised (either explicitly or implicitly) and  constitutes  an irritating  social  faux  pas. Unless the word absquatulation has been used in its correct context somewhere  other  than  in  this warning, it does not have any legal or grammatical use and may be ignored. No animals were  harmed  in  the  transmission  of  this message,  although  the  yorkshire  terrier  next door is living on borrowed time, let me tell you. Those of you with an overwhelming fear  of  the unknown will be gratified to learn that there is no
hidden message revealed by reading  this  warning  backwards,  so just ignore that Alert Notice from Microsoft: However, by pouring a complete circle of salt around yourself and your  computer  you can  ensure  that  no harm befalls you and your pets. If you have read this message in error, please  add  some  nutmeg  and  egg whites  and place it in a warm oven for 40 minutes. Whisk briefly and   let    it    stand    for    2    hours    before    icing.

How do you know it’s time to start exercizing? 

Is it when your boyfriend starts rubbing your belly as if you were pregnant? 

Nope. 

It’s when you and your boyfriend start rubbing each other’s bellys as if both were pregnant and naming each other’s bellys! 

At 10:30 on Saturday evening I was sitting in the emergency room.  Let’s just say there was an incident with a sound-proof wall, the 2×4 holding up the wall, and Chuck’s head.  Don’t worry, folks, Chuck is fine.  He had a small cut on his head, and after telling everyone in the emergency room that I hit him with the 2×4 and begging the doctor for staples he really didn’t need, he was discharged with a doctor’s note for three days off work.  Since I had an extra day off work for Memorial Day, we decided to take a small trip to Yosemite National Park. 

We started out driving through the southwest side of the park and through Yosemite Valley.  *Note: For those of you planning trips for Memorial Day weekend, choose another weekend!*  Traffic was horrible, but on the plus side, we got to see all the sites from the comfort of our car while waiting in bumper to bumper traffic!  From there we decided to head to the east side of the park and camped just outside of the park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  When Chuck and I were first dating, I asked him where his favorite place was.  He said the Sierra Nevada Mountains were the most beautiful place in the country, and man, was he right!  Since the time when Chuck said he loved the Sierra’s I have been anticipating seeing them, and I was definately not disappointed!  Monday, we headed back into the park and did some small hiking (I have GOT to get in shape!) and saw some of the waterfalls up close. 

I am still awed by the amazing beauty I saw this weekend, and it would not have been possible if Chuck had not gotten those days off work.  So, Chuck thanks for taking one in the noggin for me.  Baby, you’re the best!

So, I guess most of the country is having a small heatwave.  For the first time since moving out here, I get to participate in the crazy weather the rest of the country has experienced over the past few seasons… well, sort of.  For most of you, a heatwave means 80-85 degree highs in May.  For me, it means 90-95 degree highs in May!  Everyone at work warned me about the crazy heat the Valley gets when I complained about the small heatwave of 80-85 degree temps we had back in March, and they weren’t kidding!  I knew it was hot when I felt some relief from the heat the other day when the high was 88 degrees!  The thing I find amusing, though, is that they told me the humidity here is “really bad”.  ”It will get to 115 and it will be a sweltering heat.  The humidity is SO bad.”, they said.  Imagine my dread, based on my knowledge of what the words “humidity” and “sweltering” mean (Mom, Val and Aubs, you know what I mean!).  I’m starting to think the word “humidity” in Cali-language might mean something different than it does in Midwest/Southern language, because I have yet to see it.