#53 of 365: Weeds

Couldn't resist blowing on a giant dandelion I found while taking Brooklyn for a walk around the neighborhood with Lori and Mom.

And The Thunder Rolls

While I was laying in bed reading a book last night my mom came into my room and told me that there was lightning out on the horizon and that I needed to get up and look out the window. Sure enough there was a quite a bit of it spread out all along the western horizon. My mom asked if we should bring in the painted picture frames Lori had left outside to dry because it looked like it might rain. We decided the storm probably wouldn't come this way and just left them out. I stayed at the window watching the lightning until I was too tired and laid back down to sleep.

A couple hours later I woke up to lightning filling my room with light and thunder crashing. The storm had definitely come this way and was right on top of us! There was no rain yet though but my mom thought to bring in the frames earlier anyway. I watched the lightning for a little bit just thinking how frustrated I was I didn't have a tripod with me to take pictures of this. I made sure my mom was awake for the lightning, and she was, because no one could sleep through it actually. She told me I should try taking some photos anyways. I grabbed my camera and propped myself and the camera against the window sill.

Click on the photos to few them larger and see the lightning better.

The lightning was seriously right over us! You can see the window screen in the photo.


Then the rain started and it came down in buckets! I had to shut the window because the rain was coming inside. That didn't stop me from shooting, it just made the photo even cooler.


The storm kept moving and soon it was going past the house. I ran out to the back porch and stood pressed up against the sliding glass door to keep out of the way of the rain and the lightning. 

There was lightning going off to the right during this shot so it lit up the foreground.

When I first saw this photo after I uploaded them to the computer I thought, "That's weird...I don't remember taking any pictures of the backyard this morning." Then I realized it was a picture of a bolt of lightning that reached across the whole eastern sky. I was really happy when I got it in the shot but disappointed to see that it burned everything white. You can still see the end of the lightning on the left side. 

Here's a collage of the other bolts of lightning I captured.

I was getting drenched standing out on the back porch and was starting to shiver so much it was affecting me holding still during these long exposures. I wasn't going to give up easily though. I'm the kind of person who doesn't like to miss out on things. But then the battery died on my camera and I knew it was time to go in. The lightning and thunder lasted for several more hours without me taking any photos of it, but I had to get some sleep anyway. 

#52 of 365: Moon Shine

I went out in the back yard to take some pictures for today's 365 project. The night was gorgeous. The moon was shining through the clouds. The air and the grass were cool to the touch.

#51 of 365: What's Your Flava?

Mine and Lori's birthdays are only 6 days apart so I signed us up for Cold Stone Creamery's birthday club. We each got a coupon for a free Like It creation. The coupons expired 7 days from our birthdays and so Lori's coupon overlapped with my coupon by 2 days. It was perfect timing for us to go today and get our free ice cream. She got sweet cream ice cream with raspberries mixed in and I got chocolate cake batter ice cream with peanut butter mixed in. 

Happy Birthday To Me!

I turned 28 yesterday. I was lucky enough to be able to go to Idaho to spend it with my sister Lori, her husband Kurt, their new baby Brooklyn and my mom. 

We kind of just hung out most of the day. It was nice and relaxing. 

It is a family tradition that we can request what we have for meals on our birthday. I asked my mom to make her super fluffy waffles for breakfast and lime chicken for dinner. 

Sky and Heidi came over for dinner too and we played games afterward. Lori and Kurt taught us a cool new game called 10 and 2. 



Heidi made my birthday cake. She is incredibly creative and often makes cakes for friends and family. She fashioned my cake after the camera I referred to in a previous post. She made the camera and film strip out of fondant. I can't believe how much the camera looks like the actual one I used to shoot with!

The past year has been really crazy and really fun! I have a new job, a new car, three new nieces and nephews, a new hair color. I've been on lots of new adventures and made a ton of new friends.

The best part about turning 28 is that I don't look it. I'm okay with getting older because everyone keeps telling me I look 19 or 20 years old. Seriously, I get that all the time. But I notice the wrinkles and gray hairs. 

The worst part about turning 28 is that I don't act it. My mom had a husband, 5 kids and a house by the time she was my age. I've got a lot of catching up to do. But I'll come around when I'm ready. All in due time. 

#50 of 365: And I'm A Virgo!

I made everyone gather around me for today's self portrait. They were all very patient as I set up my camera and took a couple photos. The candles even lasted and only got some wax on the cake, melted the decorations a little and barely burned the edges of the silk flower. And that was with all 28 of the candles for each year I am. I was actually so preoccupied with taking the photos and not burning down the house that I forgot to make a wish when I blew out the candles. 

#49 of 365: A Square Of The Airport

I took a flight from Oakland to Boise to Salt Lake. Then a shuttle bus from Salt Lake to Idaho Falls. The flight was uneventful and relaxing. The shuttle was very eventful and nerve-racking. Glad I made it to Idaho alive. I don't have very good luck with that.

#48 of 365: In Sync

Updating my ipod before I take off to Idaho for a week. My favorites on it right now are The Airborne Toxic Event and Augustana.

Rainbow Cupcakes

I wanted to make something to take to work this week to celebrate my birthday. A bunch of people there have seen pictures of the rainbow birthday cake I made a couple months ago so I thought I'd try to make cupcakes using the same technique. I made 96 adorable cupcakes. I still can't get over how easy this is to do and how incredible the results are!

Some girls at work are going to throw a baby shower for a guy we work with because he is having his first boy and we're thinking about doing this kind of cake but with a chocolate cake mix and a blue-tinted white cake mix. It's going to be so cool!




I frosted the cupcakes and added sprinkles too. I say these cupcakes are rainbow flavored, because I use a white cake mix and what does white taste like?

#47 of 365: Please Hold

Answering the phone at work. It's been ringing off the hook lately. I won't have to answer it as much because I'm being promoted and getting a new position.

#46 of 365: Fishin' In The Dark

Sitting on the dock at the river. Gazing at the stars. Listening to the fish jump. Dipping my toes in the warm water. Enjoying the cool night breeze.

#45 of 365: Sunny Sixteen

I used to borrow my Aunt Liesl's Pentax K1000 when I lived near her. I took that thing everywhere and it took great photos! When I found a Pentax KM on ebay I bought it for about $80 in 2004. The light meter is broken in it so I have to figure out the aperture and shutter speed on my own. It took me a looooong time to be convinced to switch to digital because I love film and my film cameras so much!

#44 of 365: Peace, Love & Happiness

Danny and I went to San Francisco for the day because it's what we do when he's in town. We went vintage shopping on Haight and found this cool hippie mural. Haight is the coolest place for people watching, which is the main reason Danny and I go to the City.

#43 of 365: Big Blue

If you don't know by now, I love accessories! Even ones for my hair. I attached this silk flower to an alligator clip and it fits easily in my hair. I have flowers of other colors that I've done the same with to go with almost any outfit.

#42 of 365: Style Seeker

Josh Davino has been my for stylist for 6 years and my friend for 10. He is amazing at hair and at life! I trust him implicitly with my hair. I often tell him to do whatever he wants with it. It's never outrageous but always perfect for me.

#41 of 365: Squeaky Clean

Brushing my teeth in the morning. I need to floss more though.

#40 of 365: Silhouette

I was already late to work but I wanted to try taking a picture like one I'd found on the internet for today's self portrait. I hurried and posed and snapped a couple shots and then ran out the door. I didn't realize until just now that all of them were out of focus and a couple were really dark. I worked my magic in Photoshop and came up with this silhouette.

#39 of 365: Fierce

My intense look under my eyelashes and through my bangs.

#38 of 365: Linger Longer

One of the first to Stake Conference this morning and one of the last to leave. Waiting for Dad so we can finally go home and I can take a nap.

#37 of 365: Hairspray

What gives a girl
Power and punch?
Is it charm, is it poise?
No, it's hairspray!

What gets a gal
Asked out to lunch
Is it brains, is it dough?
No, it's hairspray!

#36 of 365: Whipped

Kimberly gave me a recipe for Marshmallow Dip to use for an appetizer contest I have at work tomorrow. It's just cream cheese, marshmallow creme and vanilla extract. It's super yummy too!

#35 of 365: Wavering

Low lighting. Hand held camera. Excellent effect.

#34 of 365: Milk and Cookies

Having milk and cookies while watching a movie at Dina's house.

#33 of 365: This Little Piggy Went To Market

Stacy, Dina and I wandering the flea market in search of beads, mirrored compacts, silk flowers, glass vases, tank tops, rings, bracelets, makeup cases and fabric. I bought 16 rings at a dollar each!

#32 of 365: Breakfast For Dinner

I eat cereal for dinner 5 out of 7 nights a week. I love it. It's quick and easy. Favorite cereals: Lucky Charms (or Marshmallow Mateys), Capn' Crunch Berries (or Berry Colossal Crunch), Cinnamon Toast Crunch (or Cinnamon Toasters) and Cocoa Pebbles (or Cocoa Dyno-Bites.)

#31 of 365: My Necessities

I made myself very comfortable in Lindsie's backseat on the drive home from Sacramento. I've got my sandals kicked off, my current read for book club, the best trail mix ever, waterbottle, camera, cell phone, jeans and a t-shirt. All the essentials.

#30 of 365: Identification

This weekend I went to the long anticipated California YSA conference for my church. It was 2 days of workshops, mingling, food, dancing, speed dating, speakers, etc. Everyone wore a name badge on a certain color lanyard to distinguish their age. All the 27 year olds wore purple.

#29 of 365: Love Blooms

Acting like a fool at Jeff and Ashley's wedding. If they weren't so busy with all their guests I'm sure they would have been right there with me with flowers in their mouths. Jeff and Ashley are so rad and their reception was a blast! It was really nice just being a guest instead of the photographer for once.

#28 of 365: Lash Blast

Putting on my favorite part of makeup: mascara.

Photo of the Night

I was in awe of the clouds tonight. The way the moonlight was illuminating them it looked surreal. Like something painted in a children's storybook.

#27 of 365: Dance Fever

Dina and I watch So You Think You Can Dance every Wednesday night at her house. Tonight was the final performance night with the winner to be announced tomorrow night. On the screen are Jeanine and Kayla dancing to a Mia Michaels routine.

#26 of 365: Goofy Girls

Desirae surprised me by showing up at my house after I got off work. We just laid on my bed and talked and laughed for a couple hours. I've missed hanging out with her.

Bocce Night To Remember

I already said, in a previous post, that some friends and I went to play bocce at Campo di Bocce in Livermore. I've played there before and fell in love with the game.

Campo di Bocce is gorgeous! Everyone must go there! Come visit me and I'll take you. Brittney, Job and I already made plans to go at Christmastime.

Tamara giving bocce a try.

The palino and bocce balls after a round.

Jenny and Tamara comparing whose ball is closer to the palino.

Rob measuring which ball is closest to the palino.

Look how close Jenny got! It was her first time playing but she kicked everyone's butt! She said it was because of the couple YouTube videos she watched.

Rob's cousin Bryan's band was playing at a bar in Hayward so we went and got there for the last couple songs. They're pretty good.

Me and Tamara.

Tamara's adorable best friends Jenny and Andrea.

We then went to an awesome karaoke place and hung out in the VIP room for a couple hours. My voice was getting hoarse but I just kept singing, with and without the microphone.