Angel Dream

York Blvd., Los Angeles
April '08

Self

Tia Irma's Patio
April '08

Sunday

Rusty and his family

Happy Friday

Feliz Cumpleanos

Thank you for your unconditional love and support.
I love you, Mom.

Competition

“I win if my house is bigger than yours, or if my cell phone is smaller than yours. Or if my laptop computer is thinner. And yet all this is meaningless, isn’t it? And I don’t mean that in a spiritual way. Be as greedy and self-centered as you want. The only competition that matters, in the end, is about life itself. And the standard is clear: ‘Mine is longer than yours.’”

An excerpt of an article written by Michael Kinsley, who suffers from Parkinson's disease.

Humble Beginnings

Maze

Resting

Like every other kid I know, she plays hard
And wherever she goes, she looks for an opportunity to play and have fun.

We can learn so much from children.

Alone

Acceptance

Remember that however good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Piano

The Getty
March 2008

18

Juliann
18 on 3/25

The Company I Keep

Inspired

Easter Sunday

The Getty

Hello Spring

70s

Things I miss about the decade:

i was young
i got three playmates (2 brothers & 1 sister)
playing outdoors until late at night
spending my summer vacation with my cousins
trips to disneyland on my birthday
$1 went a loooong way
walking home from school with friends
the milder weather
the music
riding the bus (riding the bus feels like a chore now)
the innocence
my only job was going to school
after school activities
visiting family on the weekends
making my own slip-n-slide from a plastic runner

Dreams

Crossing Over

Beauty Queen

A Perfect Life?

Loops of Memories

The smell of wet dirt and roasted corn remind me of the time I spent in Mexico with my Grandmother.

Urban

Only in the kind of neighborhood that I live in can you find these kinds of storefronts.

My Perfect Day

very little traffic on my way to work. bright cheery sunshine all around.

lunch with a friend & a bowl of albondigas soup from my favorite restaurant.

a catch-up phone call with my sister. my favorite kind of calls.

a pleasant drive home from work. the traffic gods were definitely smiling on me.

some quality time with my mom even if it's only for a half hour.

lots of loud and really bad singing (english & spanish) in my car lately.

noticing my environment, finding the little corner gems and having my camera handy.

Hope, Faith & Dreams

Hold on to hope, keep faith and never, ever give up on dreams.

40

On day two, I'm indulging on left-over birthday cake, reading birthday cards that made it into my mailbox this morning and making plans for the year.

Change of Scenery

Gift

Each day is a gift, but today is a special gift. Happy Leap Day!

Her Journey

My heart is full with love, and I feel like I'm going to burst at the seams at how proud I am of her.

She has started to search for answers. No longer relying in only God to give her the answers or begging Him to tell her what to do next, she has started to help herself, which I'm sure is what He wanted her to do all along. She's finding her voice and is realizing that she's not a victim. Soon, she'll stop wondering about what she could have done or should have done differently. Truth be told, she did the only thing she knew to do--love deeply and fiercely.

I pray for strength and courage to get her through the trips and stumbles. I pray for love and support to get her through the roadblocks and negative thoughts. I pray for laughter and hugs to encourage her to keep going. But more importantly, I pray in appreciation for her and her journey.

5 Grateful Things

(1) That the weather has made a change. Finally. I took this picture last week when we experienced three storms back-to-back that dumped cold rain and strong winds on us. That has all changed because today it's beautiful!

(2) That I got a late start today and was able to enjoy the morning outdoors instead of sitting in my office and enjoying it through my office window.

(3) That I have my favorite snack--grapes--with me today.

(4) That we're one step closer to buying another house. *fingers crossed*

(5) That not only did I get a late start at work, BUT I'm leaving early. I get to enjoy a fun function with my family. Oh, and I have my camera with me!

Hello Old Friend

I've started to take pictures of the bridge again.

Happy Valentine's Day

Reason 6,368 why I love my husband:
He surprised his 10-year old with an afternoon visit to her school and lunch from her favorite restaurant. Swoon.

Have I already mentioned that when she turned 3, he baked her a cake, frosted it pink, added sprinkles, AND treated her pre-school classmates with an impromptu surprise party? **I realize that moms do this all the time for their kiddies. I applaud whatever parent shows up for their children.**

Downtown Los Angeles

Kindness

If only, . . .

last night,
she said she was tired
she said she was sick and tired of being sick and tired
she said she was having a bad day
she said she hated her job
she said she hated where she lived
she said she hated her commute
she said she was dying inside
she said she was tired of keeping it together
she said she didn't want one more person tell her how good she looked
she said she lost her faith
she said she didn't know what to do next
she said she was tired of being nice
she said she couldn't hear one more person say how good things are
she said she wanted to go away
she said she didn't know how much longer she could hold on
she said she wished she felt better because she really wanted to help
she said she wanted her old life back

finally, she cried. she cried hard.

if only, she knew how much she helped me last night.

Life Lessons

Falling or Flying

The best thing you can do is learn to let go.
It's hard, I know.

But, it's important for you. For me. For her. For him. For us.

At first, you might feel like you're falling.
But, I promise
Soon you'll be flying.

At Lunch

This is part of a conversation I overheard at lunch today:

Her: We would be so good together.
Him: It's just that I don't want a girlfriend right now.
Her: Yeah, but, we have so much fun together. I'll be good. I'll be fun.
Him: Well, I'm trying to figure things out with--
Her: But, I'm the one here with you today not her. And, all your friends like me. We could be one big group hanging out doing fun things.
Him: Did I tell you, I'm going to see my parents this weekend. They're coming out to see me.
Her: *reaching over to touch his arm * I love your parents, and I would get along with them. I want us to have what they have.

Kindness

I have been told that the smallest act of kindness can make a difference to someone.

Pause

"I only do this until I get dizzy & then I lay down on my back & watch the clouds, she said. It sounds simple but you won't believe how many people forget the second part." --Brian Andreas

Listening

Friday Afternoon

The Old & The New

It's Good To Be Me

It's good to be me because, while on a trip to San Francisco, this talented gentleman serenaded me.

Window

Out of all the people in our office,

I think I have the best view because:

I have a breathtaking view of Mt. Wilson

In the Summer, it glows under the afternoon sun

and

In the Winter, its peaks are often capped in snow.

I also have the perfect view of the Colorado Street Bridge

I love its old-world charm

complete with old-fashion street lights.

I love it so much that I've used it as a backdrop for a few photos.

This morning something horrible happened

the act was so horrible that it has tarnished my beautiful view.

A man jumped to his death from the bridge

but not before killing his wife and mother-in-law.

Possibilities

"Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

--Mary Oliver

Being Present