Summer!!!

I'm feeling the full blown effect of summer now with this week's heat wave! But why does it feel like summer is already over?!!

All the plane travel in March-June has worn me out and I'm exhausted. I think it is a good exhaustion, but nevertheless, I'm not feeling the uplift of summer just yet. But I think these activities will do the trick:

Summer goals
1) Annual summer Hollywood bowl concert, this year with fireworks!
2) A big beach bonfire
3) Thursday Santa Monica beach concert
4) Channel Islands
5) Catalina Islands (this is the year for islands)
6) As many surf sessions as humanly possible
7) Swimming laps at the pool
8) Maybe another national park...Zion? Yosemite?
9) A lazy day at LACMA
10) Hike Mt. Baldy, inspired by this story
11 and 12) I cautiously add a couple more that seem like a long shot but possible....camping!! and learning to sail.

Basically can I do anything and everything involving water and the beach this summer? :)

Looking back at my summer list last year, not too much has changed with the addition of more outdoor activities. I must have liked what I did last year and I'm excited to make some of these summer LA traditions.

March thoughts I can't let go of

I can't believe it's already March 2017!  Some things that have been preoccupying my mind or have been prominent this month:

1. Owls - my coworker helped save a baby owl near our office the other day! UCLA is the perfect place to save owls apparently--with some serendipity-- a wild animal advisor, a PhD student studying ornithology, and a facility manager knowing where owls lived on campus, all came together, completely randomly! to return the baby owl to its nest--where a sibling awaited and a mother watched from above. The nest is right outside our office and everyone has been very excited about these owls! 

Momma owl looking down on the babies

Saved baby! 

2. Universal Studios & Harry Potter World- so a few of us had a girl's day at Universal!  I had so much fun!!! I wasn't sure what to expect, but being in a complete make-believe world of movies is a great way to escape.  We got annual passes- so I can't wait to go again!!! The nostalgia of those movies is strong--and I felt like I was in a fairy tale world of Hogsmeade as we walked through HP land. 

3. Beauty and the Beast -  Talking about nostalgia...I didn't think I'd love Beauty and the Beast as much as I did.  I think I loved it so much because it took me right back to my childhood and I was surprised that I knew ALL of the words to the movie...not just the songs, but dialogue throughout the entire movie! Two thoughts- damn Disney, you sure know how to get into our hearts and minds and monetize that, and second, wow they did a good job, but I still stay loyal to the animation of my childhood.   I'm listening to a lot of "Tale as old as time" and am currently banned from singing it in my own home by Chris haha 

 4. Wild flower, Poppies, and Cherry Blossoms! - We got a lot of rain this winter so the wild flowers and poppies are in full bloom! We're planning on taking a trip to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve on Sunday.  Pictures to come soon! Chris and I are also leaving for Japan/Korea next week and we matched our timing to see the cherry blossoms in Japan.  I hope the weather cooperates to make this all happen for us! 

5. Professional development - I'm applying to a professional development program for UCLA staff.  I really really really hope that I get in.  The application requires answering 6 questions and as what happens when I write all applications---I keep thinking, I wish I had done more! Fingers crossed that I get accepted.  

Trees

Tree lovers behold---my digital collection of trees of Southern California.

I love trees, and there are so many beautiful unique trees here. I can't help snapping a photo here and there, and I'd have more if I took photos of trees lined up against the street if I weren't driving! My dad always says the sidewalk trees suffer the most and live sad lives, they are cut into and shaped by the metropolis of sidewalks and buildings---but they are still so majestic and resilient.

Also, I need to learn to take better pictures.

Playa Vista

Laguna Beach, windswept trees

Laguna Beach, at an overlook

                                                                          La Jolla Beach

                                                                    La Jolla city sidewalk

 Abbot Kinney, Salt Air indoor tree! this is the tree I have in our apt that is growing out of control

 Huntington Gardens, wallpaper trees, succulents, cacti (I want this in my house!) 

 Huntington Gardens, Japanese Garden

 Huntington Gardens, Cacti/Desert Jungle

UCLA campus, tree I walk by everyday and still marvel at

 Echo Park Lake

 Larchmont Village

 Sequoia National Forest

 Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Laguna Beach, right next to the best gelato ice cream shop ever! 

Long Beach

 Westwood Village

San Diego Zoo

Torrey Pines Reserve + La Jolla Beach

Is summer over? It feels like fall, even though there is no change in the afternoon temperatures. Last year, I did not notice seasonal changes the way I do now, its the morning breeze and evening chills and the general feeling that it is time to get serious, at least until the holiday months.

We went to Torrey Pines State Park Reserve over Labor day weekend. Chris planned the trip and it was beautiful. When we woke up on Saturday morning, we slowly made our way down the coast (cause you know, traffic), and found ourselves among the slower pace, relaxed residents of Oceanside. 

After getting a quick bite and walking around the Oceanside pier, we headed to Torrey Pines Reserve. We ended up walking/hiking 9 miles! The park is right next to the beach and there are multiple hikes in the park. We did a few hikes that had breathtaking views of the ocean side, and then we followed one of the hikes that took us down to the beach. The rock formations and Torrey Pine trees are so unique and made me wonder at nature's power and beauty. The ocean water also connected with marshlands. For some reason, this is not something I expected to see in Southern CA. I loved this area- not only did you get to hike and beach in one place, but it was pretty empty and felt like a locals' area. I think it is one of my favorite hikes so far, and I would like to go back--next time we will be better prepared with parking and spend some more beach time! 

 These trees! They survive the ocean winds and though look like they are dying, they are resilient. I was amazed after reading about the park. The man who fought to protect these trees and this area, started at age 16. What was I doing at 16? Not saving trees that's for sure. I am thankful to people who fought and continue to fight to preserve nature and let us enjoy the wonders of this earth.

 Isn't it amazing?  We walked down the beach path, and this is where we ended up.  We then walked along the beach back to our car and I felt there was no better way to finish a hike than splashing around the water, cooling your feet, and watching birds fly over the waves in formation.

I spy...a bunch of rocks stacked up on top of each other. I wonder if it is Koreans who did that to make a wish. 

Just 15-20 minutes away is La Jolla beach with its seals, pelicans, and outdoor water activities. Apparently you can kayak, SUP, or snorkel/scuba through caves and see some water life up close. We got there just in time to see the sunset and of course smell the intense stench of hundreds of seals rolling around the sand and surfing in the waves! But boy were there a lot of people - I can't believe people would go through such lengths to get a selfie with a wild seal!! Seals were chasing people!! Which I have to admit was pretty funny from afar, but then I just couldn't contain my annoyance at people who would aggravate the seals moving closer and closer despite the seals' warning honk to get a picture. It is incredible that in the US we allow people to get close to wild life - but I notice in most of the rest of the world, you go on contained and monitored drives around nature reserves and you always accompanied by a guide. I don't know which one is "better" but I do wish that we who are given the privilege to freely roam these areas that we share with wild life,  are smart and respectful of their space. In any case, we are lucky to see these seals in close proximity and I hope some dumbo doesn't ruin it for all of us in the future. 

 

We will have to come back to La Jolla to swim with these seals :)