Cock-A-Leekie Weekend

This weekend, Eric came up to LA to fix our interwebs... Denise and I are extremely grateful. The next day, I had to work so I went to work, and Eric went to get himself some breakfast while I worked. After that he came and met my coworkers.

After that we left L.A. for destinations further south and decided to go to the little town of Julian...



We had heard that there was good pie there. So we decided to try some...



This is the Peach and Apple pie... it is to die for. Even if you don't like Apple pie. Run, do not walk, to this place to get some at your earliest convenience... I wish I had a stockpile of them, in my freezer.



It is kind of a drive to get there, but the view is amazing, and if nothing else, the pie is worth it....



So, the next day we return to the farmer's market at Hillcrest, where I am convinced to try the scotch egg...



My original reluctance was mostly due to the fact that I, in general do not like eggs, I try to avoid them, unless I am craving them, and even then, I like to not eat them...



It wasn't bad, but not something I would eat everyday...



These, however, I could eat everyday for the rest of my life, and be exceedingly happy...Yummy Carne Asada street tacos.... yum!



Washed down by some of the best Aguas Frescas I have ever had. Eric got Jamaica, and I got Orange Pineapple, both were good, but mine was absolutely freaking fantastic! I want the taco lady to adopt me!



After Brunch of Farmer's Market food, (we also had amazing red velvet cookies of awesomeness!) We headed over to the zoo! There was a lot of traffic getting into Balboa Park though...



We went to the reptile house



And saw some awesome reptiles



including this one who is my favorite of the outdoor lizards on display... He is a Rainbow Skink



After that we went to the Children's Zoo area where we saw this amazing statue of the Lorax. Eric saw it before me, and knew I had to take a picture of it, because I am well known for randomly announcing, "I am the Lorax, I speak for the Trees!" in the middle of random conversations..



We ended the night by going back to the house and making this amazing Scottish soup! It is Eric's recipe and it is amazing! I am glad I know how to make it now!

Epic Weekend...

Last Weekend....

Eric and I went to the San Diego Zoo, where we had our picture taken while we were sitting on a Hippo Statue....



Saw Giraffes up close and personal...



And envied the snoozing Pandas...



We also went to the Hillcrest Farmer's Market, where Eric got a snack....



What is that?

It is a Scotch Egg, which is basically a hardboiled egg, surrounded by sausage, breaded and fried.... Then, he put HP sauce on it....



And we also walked to the end of the longest pier on the West Coast, after eating at a yummy barbeque place in Ocean Beach...

Aquarium and Whale Watching

On Sunday, after church, Eric and I went to the Aquarium of the Pacific and on a whale watching cruise. Both were a lot of fun. Here are some photo highlights from the day.

The Aquarium



Los Angeles Area Watershed Exhibit



Eric touching the Sharks



The new Tiger Shark (she is so beautiful!)



Dolphins: they were little and cute, and even though I've never been as into them as other animals of the sea, these were cute and there was at least one baby in the pod.



Sea Lions: They Bark and tend to look like deranged dogs of the sea, but I like the picture



A Blue Whale: We saw three while out that day!



Looking for Whales!

Grand Canyon August 09

So, This weekend I had the most amazing trip to the Grand Canyon with my beloved Revolution Youth. I learned amazing things about myself and others, and had the time of my life.

On Thursday, I was a little sad, and didn't want to go on this trip, most honestly because I knew I would be missing out on an opportunity to spend time with an amazing guy. But God had different plans. On Wednesday night, I learned in the amazing Esther Bible Study that just because we can't see God in the story doesn't mean He is isn't there. And this is what I remebered on Thursday.

On the way to the Grand Canyon the Yellow Spanish church van broke down in the middle of the desert. It was well over a hundred degrees out there, and I was slightly worried. Shortly thereafter I got a text (my very first) from Eric asking me how the drive was going. I told him about the situation, and after expressing concern, he told me to keep him updated. After a bit of tinkering it seemed like we had a fix, but about ten minutes later the van stopped working again. I texted Eric and told him we were broken again, and after a myriad of texts, he told me that if I wanted him to come out there, he would. I protested, telling him I didn't want him to waste his day off rescuing us. Eric informed me that he would not consider it a wasted trip. Then I talked to Nate and told him of the offer. I then extended an invitation for Eric to join us on our trip. After a few more texts it became apparent that Eric was coming to join us. This ended up being a miracle. The van was not going to be fixed and we didn't have enough seats or room for everyone to be in the one van. So, after a whole long confusing riddkulus mistake with the tow truck resulting in us being in the middle of the dessert for over six hours. We were towed to Needles, where, because of the difficulties with the tow truck, Eric arrived about 30 minutes after we did. We piled people in his car, and the van, and finally made it to the hotel around 2 am.

The rest of the weekend was pretty much as planned, with lots of fun, and excitement. I was able to spend some time getting to know Eric better during the drive, and while the youth were swimming at a local pool. And I was able to see how he interacted with people I care about. I learned things about myself that are going to result in some changes (all for the better I assure you) and I was pleasantly delighted in how the weekend ended up. I appreciate that Eric understood that the youth were my priority, and that he wasn't overly clingy. He was helpful, and had independent conversations with people on the trip. He treated me with respect, and all in all I am still amazed that a guy as great as him could have any interest in me.

On the way home we stopped at Cracker Barrell which is my favortie chain restaurant, and Nate had them sing to me for my birthday because he knows of my love for the place and because the closest one is something like 5 hours away from here. It was a little early for the birthday greeting, but appreciated nonetheless.

Here are my pictures from the Grand Canyon, the rest of my day is crazy, but I will try to get my Aquarium and Whale watching pictures up from Sunday later today or tomorrow...

Nate and Carlos trying to fix the van, roughly halfway between Needles and Barstow



Eric and I standing by the Grand Canyon



It really is pretty amazing there.



Amazing Lighting at Sunset



Sunset at the Grand Canyon



Group Shot



Kenny and Eric inspecting a hole in the dam



Nate and I




The Lake by the Dam



Driving with Eric to Dogtown Lake



A heart by Dogtown Lake



Llama!



The High Elevation equaled amazing weather.



Cracker Barrell <3

Trip to San Diego

So, I went on a not-quite blind internet date on Sunday. I met up with a really great guy who I've been writing back and forth with for a few months. We had a lot of fun. Enough fun that we plan on seeing each other again. I don't know where this is going to go, but I'm totally looking forward to findong out.

I'm Lovin It...

Someone whose blog I read did this so I am going to too...

Some things I currently love...


Jurassic Park, The Ride! I love flume rides, and this is better than any other one ever... Why? BECAUSE THERE ARE DINOSAURS! I don't however love it when you have to share a row with people who try to squeeze your lungs out by pushing down on the lap bar....



It hasn't come out yet, so I am not positive I will love it, but the previews are amazing, and it has the incredibly good looking Johnny Depp in it... I want this poster!



A couple of Sundays ago, my friend bridget bought me a snack of regular Hot Cheetos upon her discovery that I had never tried them. I have become a HUGE fan in only a week, and I actually like the baked ones better, because there is less grease!



I love the color blue! It is a happy color and it makes me smile! I also love the Universal Tram Ride!