Concerts and Summer Ending

 My summer is basically at an end, since both my jobs run on the calendars of schools. However, before my "time off" or at least my siblings time off drew to a close, we went to a few concerts. Two concerts were planned since the beginning of this year, so waiting for them felt like ages. Neither venue allowed professional cameras and since we barely got tickets my pics weren't the best. 

Now my pictures may not have been the best, but it's the memories of the concerts that still put a smile to my face. The first concert was Imagine Dragons "Smoke + Mirrors" Tour performed at the forum. The place was smaller but we where still far off. The band was great live even with the main singer saying he was sick he skated my favorite songs. There is just something amazing about hearing your favorite songs live directly from the band themselves that just makes the music so real. The whole concert was like that and the opening acts set the stage perfectly, so the whole night was rocking awesome.  

Then there was the second concert which can be summarized in one word . . . Epic! My sister and I decided to grab some high up there seats in the Staples Center to see Taylor Swift on her 1989 World Tour. I figured we should see her while she is IT and at the height of her career, for now. Anyways, I'm so glad we grabbed those tickets when we did, because they were about twice the amount by the time the concert came around. It didn't help she started to have guests pop-in almost every concert and when she got to L.A. expectations were super high, it is Los Angeles where the stars live. 

So luck was greatly on our side, because we were there on the last night in L.A. She not only brought up Selena Gomez to sing her latest hit, then out of nowhere Taylor introduced Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) from FRIENDS to sing "Smelly Cat." If our minds couldn't be blow anymore she later had one more surprise named . . . Justin Timberlake! That right there made the night more than I could handle and I totally became screaming fan girl. 

To say Taylor Swift made our summer is putting it lightly and other concerts will be hard to top that nights experience. Nevertheless, I will still venture out to concerts and will always remember this summer as being the summer of awesome concerts.

Viva Las Vegas

My baby brother turned 18 this past weekend, I know that means he is no longer a baby BUT he will always be MY baby brother. Anyways for his special bday my family threw him a Vegas themed party because he and his friends love playing poker.

 

Poker, and gambling in general, is something I try to avoid mainly because I hate just throwing money away. I'd rather save it for a trip or shoes, but mostly for a trip to somewhere. I always have a new place to go on my mind or heart.

 

So in planning this party I got to thinking about all my Vegas trips and realized I'd been about 13 times. And each time I've been its definitely been shall I say interesting. The one thing I can say for Vegas is its never boring and you will always leave the city with a new memory and story, trust me.

Spur of the Moment Beach Trips

 

Living in SoCal has many benefits, one huge plus is our numerous beaches and weather year round that allows us to visit said beaches when the time is right. So when your day is open and then your family decides to go for a spur of the moment trip to the beach you don't really think you just go. Napping, reading and swimming at the beach is all the fun in the sun we do as a family.  

 

Truthfully California beaches aren't the best in the world BUT they definitely are not the worst. My family usually stay up in Sunset and Seal beach area away from the more popular beaches like Huntington or Bolsa Chica. Each are good but for different reasons. Huntington has the pier and the promenade with great restaurants. Then there's Bolsa Chica where you can build awesome campfires on the beach to cook s'mores! And if you happen to have an R.V. , you can even camp there. There are more beautiful and fun beaches up the coast but those I'll save for another post.

Basically in the end no matter which beach you choose to spend your leisure time at you'll find the same things: sand, sun, and sea.

Passing By

After finally watching the Imitation Game and binge watching Doctor Who, I couldn't help but recall my time in London. I loved being able to spend my nights outs with my new friends on the streets of London exploring and living like regular Londoners. It was those nights out when we just wandered with nothing particularly planned that became truly memorable. London is just that kind of city, open to all and just asking for you to get lost in it.

Dew You See?

Lately I've been captivated by dew. It's such a simple everyday wonder but so fascinating. I love going to work and looking for the water droplets amongst the grass, plants and flowers. I've even begun to find the dew trapped in spiders webs. Taking the time to stop and look for something like dew on a bright summer morning has become my new morning ritual. So I will definitely be amassing many photos and will share them as they come along. Now I encourage you to find something that makes you stop and marvel, even if it is something as simple as dew.

San Francisco Memories

 Recently a couple friends of mine have traveled to San Francisco, which made me in turn reflect back on my trip through the bay area. I had never been in San Fran before, but last spring break my family did a coastal trip up to San Fran. The weather was gloomy going in but the forecast turned around the very next day and the rest of the time we were there was filled with wonderful weather. I even got wind burned. Going from Pier 40 where we stayed down to Pier 1 was an adventure, as we literally got lost. In getting lost we made many memories that include inside jokes and a favorite dish from a hole in the wall Chinese restaurant, that till this day is still the best Chinese food we've ever tasted. So if you get a chance try getting lost in San Fran you may find something fun.

 

Backyard S'Mores

It's that awesome time of the year in SoCal where the sun sets really late into the evening and the weather stays warm into the night making the moment perfect for a backyard BBQ and Fire-pits. A couple of my friends have fire pits in their backyards and it's always a great time when we light them up and gather round to make some good 'ol s'mores. Roasting marshmallows is a task best done without a camera in hand, so I took a few shots before I could accidentally drop my phone in the fire like a proper phone newb and thought I'd share them. Next s'more fun will definitely be at the beach, but in a quick pinch a backyard fire-pit is always a fun alternative. Plus the big upside is lifeguards won't come by and kick you out at a certain time. When you're at home you can stay out till late at night, as long as your neighbors don't mind your ruckus.

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July to All!

No matter where you are in the world that statement is true, yes in even in the U.K., because even they have a 4th of July. Sure they don't celebrate Independence Day, but they still have a July 4th. It's just another day to them and everyone else in the world. 

So with all that said for this in America no mater race, gender or anything else we should all unite to have a day to celebrate this day.

Why push away the politics, hate, and issues for one day?

Simple, we wouldn't have the chance to voice our opinions, argue or have an opportunity to change anything in the country we live in if not for the flag  which still people protect till this day and have died protecting. 

All our forefathers, no matter their intentions or history, had one goal to create a nation were freedom will be available for all. So lets let that vision be cerated in unity for at least one and celebrate freedom under that hard eared Red, White and Blue flag. 

Happy Independence Day America!

Dodger Game & Father's Day Weekend

This past Sunday was Father's, who doesn't love to celebrate their father or father figure in their life. I love my papa dearly, he is seriously the most selfless, loving, and understanding man on the planet and I could never hope to have a better dad. Sadly Father's day for my family on my dad's side will always be a bit hard to celebrate, since my cousin passed away two years ago this past Thursday from a 5 year on and off again battle with cancer. His passing was(is) still hard for my family as it was around Father's Day, so my beloved grandpa, who was basically his father, takes my cousins passing very hard this time of year.  We all try extra hard to keep everyone happy around this week, especially my grandpa. And what better way to occupy ones mind than to enjoy America's favorite past time, baseball.

So off we went to spend a hot afternoon amidst a full crowd in the glorious old stadium in L.A. cheering on the Dodgers. My family ate delicious sandwiches from our favorite family deli, drank ice cold lemonade and soda, had some good old peanuts and witnessed a loss . . . again. I swear I never see a win but at least this time I got to watch two home runs back to back and had my family laughing at the fact I may be a jinx. I'm still holding on to the claim that I'm not a jinx, buuut thus far the record is not in my favor. Either way I got a chance to take some great shots of the ball park and enjoy the game with my family all around.

Also I shot this quickly in passing on the drive into the stadium's hills entrance area. It's kind hard to describe, but if you've never been to Dodger stadium basically you drive up a valley to get to it and pass bridges and freeways along the way to get into the stadium that was a ravine once a upon a poor time. (another story for another time) Well I quickly tried grabbing a quick shot of Downtown cause it is just so close but I missed. Anyways, after messing with the photo I realized it reminded me of one of my favorite artists, Edward Hopper. Can you see the resemblance?

California Palms

One of my dear college friends was from Washington, she once told me that one of her favorite things about choosing California for college was seeing palm trees. For a girl coming from a very green tree filled state it was kind of funny to hear her say palm trees were her favorite. For me they aren't the most impressive tree I've seen in ever or in California, but I must say they do photograph pretty well.