[Traveling Tales] To Zion and Beyond

July 20, 2014February 22, 2016Leave a comment

Last Thursday, my boyfriend and I started on one of the most epic adventures I’ve ever been on – road tripping from Los Angeles, through Las Vegas, dashing through Arizona and then into St. George, Utah – a quiet little town near the border where we took refuge for the night. In the morning, we rose with the sun and galavanted our way through Zion National Park. To be honest, I was almost okay missing the first day of Global Dance Fest so we could relax and explore – but, hey – always another time, right?

After Zion, we passed through Bryce and then zipped and zoomed through Utah as fast as we possibly could. Don’t get me wrong now – its a lovely state…to pass through. By late afternoon we’d made it to the continental divide and Grand Junction, and by early evening we arrived at our AirBnB then it was off to the races for Global Dance Fest at Red Rocks! This marks my first time here and I’m in absolute awe of all the natural beauty I’ve witnessed in the last 96 hours. Today’s our final full day in town so we took full advantage of the morning – going into town, picking up brunch, enjoying some refreshments by the Creek. And now, we wait patiently for the third and final day of GDE; I can’t wait to dish about the festival but that can wait til it’s over. Until then, here are some of my favorite snaps from the trip so far!

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Now that Ive had a taste for the open road, historic parks and epic views of nature I’m already planning another trip – the only question is: where to??! What’s the last roadtrip you went on? Or, what’s next on your bucket list?

Ps. I couldn’t leave you hanging, here’s a quick sneak peak of the magic

[Roadtrippin’] The Road to Red Rocks

July 16, 2014July 16, 2014Leave a comment

As the Super Moon rose through swaying palm trees, I perched on the love-seat in our kitchen – breathing in new opportunities and breathing out dissuaded anxieties with every beat of my heart. Silence ebbed and flowed through the room, engulfing it one minute – then a cackling laughter would chase it away. My mind raced in circles as my fingers traced a path on the top of my phone. There are exactly 1,000 miles from my doorstep to Red Rocks Amphitheater out in Morrison, Colorado; 1,000 miles between my bedroom and my first music festival outside of California. And it couldn’t come at a better time. For the majority of this calendar year, I’ve been at a mental and emotional crossroads; I’ve been made incredibly aware of my aptitudes as well as my downfalls, and through hard work and dedication – I’ve built an incredibly succinct vision of what I’d like to do with my life. Between my craft (writing) and my crafts (and arts), I need a jumping point to get me to the next level and attending the 16th anniversary of Global Dance is just that.

Zion National Park, Utah

For all the festivals franchises I’ve been to – HARD Presents, Insomniac Events, Go Ventures – I’m still a novice as far as the Global Dance events are concerned; and to cover the event on top of it? If there was a word that summarized – honored, thrilled, anxious, flabbergasted, stressed – the whole kit and kaboodle.

What’s more, is that my best friend – boyfriend – Danny – my partner in crime – photographer – whatever you want to call him, he’s coming with me and we’re making a huge road trip of the event. Last weekend we celebrated one year of loving each other and what better way to celebrate than gallivanting through Zion and Red Rocks! Back when I was in college, I spent a little bit of time in Breckenridge – but that was during the winter and under starkly different conditions! Instead of flying in between two monstrously large blizzards, we’ll be driving from LA through St.George, Utah where we’ll be able to rest our bones for a bit before we bounce to Zion National Park! I’ve heard so many fantastic things about it but to be able to see it physically with my own eyes, I can’t properly express how monumental this is for me – for us, really.

Then – it’s off to Morrison for Global Dance! Thanks to some quick thinking and good luck with Air BnB – I found an exceptionally fantastic place within close proximity – and for only $40 it’s a certifiable steal (Like, seriously – if you’re ever going to Red Rocks let me know and I’ll give you this guy’s information!) For all the research I’d done on GDE, I don’t know how it escaped me that there’d be more than one stage (I mean, duh; how many festivals are just one stage anymore….) – but I was truly hoping that with Red Rocks as a backdrop that it would more or less work out that way. Anyhow, now I have to navigate through time conflicts and hold DJ death matches in my head to plot the best plan of attack.

This is the reason I’m so willing to put up with my normal 8-5; this is why I’m so dedicated to working day in and day out on my craft. It’s big moments like these that pave the way for monumental events to happen – and I’m so excited to share my journeys! Now, before I get back to being a glorified excel monkey – let me leave you with some of my favorite songs from the GDE: Red Rocks arsenal – enjoy!

[Doing It Right] Birthdays, Beaches and Bonobo

April 18, 2014April 18, 2014Leave a comment

For birthdays I’m a huge fan of presence over presents, so yesterday – instead of buying a present for Danny, I took the whole day off work so we could simply be together in whatever capacity we felt. So, as we let the day drift away – our plans slowly but surely fell into perfect place. We started off by cruising the California coast line through Malibu into the Zuma and Leo Carrillo State Beach areas. It was a little overcast but since when were we going to let a little weather get the best of us? We spent a good hour or two climbing eroded rock formations in search of tide pools and signs of life.

After the beach, we cruised up the coast to Neptue’s Net – an amazing spot right on the PCH with clam chowder bread bowls that’ll blow your mind, not to mention a healthy selection of adult beverages. Then it was off to Ventura’s Majestic Theater to see Bonobo’s Northern Borders Tour – fully equipped with a live band featuring killer saxophone, string and drums sections. The show ended so much earlier than I was prepared for but it was a beautiful moment to be trapped in, however long it might’ve been.

[Oh, Snap!] Street Art V13 – San Francisco

January 7, 2014January 7, 2014Leave a comment

If there’s one thing I simply can’t get enough of, it’s art – in any way, shape or format. Live music, performance art, museums, musicals; you name it – I love it…and street art is absolutely no exception.

Graffiti, street art and acrylic art are magnificent ways of intertwining nature and art and making the creative process into a public forum. My boyfriend and I have made a habit of taking what we call ‘Urban Safaris’ to hunt down these mystical murals that wind up around, inside and behind abandoned buildings and warehouses; the good news is, those aren’t the only places you can discover great pieces of art. From what I’ve discovered on my own, LA has three amazing areas for Street Art: the Melrose and Fairfax area, the Silver Lake Area and in Downtown around Japantown. And now that we’ve been making bi-monthly trips up to San Francisco, we’ve gotten to explore the Mission and have fallen head over heels for Clarion Alley, Balmy Street and Cypress Alley – where the following pictures were taken; enjoy!

[2014: A Brave New Year]

January 3, 2014Leave a comment

Over the past year, I’ve made myself stop and notice when the workings of the world fall into step and New Years Eve was absolutely no exception to this rule. From the ambiance and the incredible art (both created and sold at the event) to the plethora of people watching and incredible live musical acts, my creative pallet was equally engaged and satiated. To boot, it’s officially been one year with the man of my dreams and I couldn’t have picked a better way to celebrate our love than in a ‘Sea of Dreams’.

When we came back from San Francisco last night, I’d developed a new-found bounce in my step and I’d found a soft place for my head in the clouds. I’m still reeling, reliving and loving all of the moments from this trip – and let’s be real, from 2013 in general. So, what do I have up my sleeves for 2014? For the long list, you’ll just have to stay tuned in to find out – but the short and sweet of it expect some stellar Festival + Concert Coverage, DIY-deas, Adventures around California, Yummy Recipes, Life Musings and More. But, until then – let me leave you with some highlights of my last trip!

First stop – Menlo Oaks to visit my mom and gallivant through our awesome backyard!

San Francisco’s Ferry Building from Pier 14.

Pickled Quail Eggs @ The Alembic (Yummy!)

Playing tourist with my favorite Partner-in-Crime.

Sea of Dreams: The Ladder of Dreams created by Sea of Dreams founding father, Joegh Bullock

Thievery Corporation gettin’ down on the Main Stage and then with the ball drop…

Surprise! A-Trak brings Dillon Francis on stage for some back-to-back action.

Last stop – the Marin Headlands for that killer view of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. Parting with the city is always bittersweet, but it’s lovely to have another place besides Los Angeles and Corvallis that I can call home.

[Oh, Snap!] Adventures on the East Coast

December 3, 2013December 3, 2013Leave a comment

Rabbit, rabbit and happy December! I know I’m a few days behind, but considering the monumental amount of jetlag that I’m feeling right now – I’d say it’s quite alright. Our flights back home were both delayed which made for an entertaining, drunken sprint between gates C and A of the Philadelphia airport but let’s just say this: we’re glad we didn’t get stranded in the airport and test their theory of brotherly love. Now that I’ve had a day to unwind, process and fall back into my California state of mind: Pho, flip flops and cruising the streets with my windows down, I’ve had the chance to reminisce on my amazing stay on the East Coast and all the fun I had with my man. We went from Massachusetts, up into New Hampshire to explore, then up the Maine Coast and back to Salem to get some history before we bounced out of the airport. It was the most amazing week with three of the best families ever – my dad’s side, my stepmom’s side and then my boyfriend’s dad’s side of the family. There was lots of laughs, wine, cards against humanity and good old fashioned fun – I got to visit the Nubble Lighthouse, see a snow flurry and down some real New England Clam Chowder!

Fact: Smoked Salmon is SO much better on the East Coast!

First Sunset on the Atlantic

The Nubble Lighthouse

Ogunquit Beach

I swear, Street Art finds us sometimes!

First Unitarian Church of Salem

The Witch House in Salem Massachusetts!

[Greetings from the East Coast!]

November 26, 2013November 26, 2013Leave a comment

Hello, hello my pretties! It’s been a while since I’ve given my blog a proper update but that’s because of how damn busy things get lately. John Lennon once said that ‘life is what happens when you’re making other plans’ and after the monster few weeks I’ve had, I whole heatedly agree with the man.

The Disney Studio Lot Getting Ready for the Holidays

At work, we just finished up Fiscal ’13 and are starting the new fiscal year; which means projects, reports and thanks to a coworker leaving the team, a brand spanking new account – that happens to be one of our most visible. Nothing wrong with that, because with great power comes great responsibility and respect – but it’s a lot more on my plate and sometimes I admittedly eat like a bird. But that’s only because there’s so much more going on underneath the surface of my life – there’s been some moving and shaking in pretty much every area of my life: from my romantic life to my home life and back to the writing front – there is simply so much going on but I’m waiting til everything’s set in stone to share and celebrate the good news; and trust, it’s all good news.

Over the past three months, there’s been an emotional shift inside of me – back in September, there was a night that both changed my life and reaffirmed that I’m becoming the woman I wanted to be. But, since then – I’ve pulled back from a large portion of my social circle and have seen more of the inside of my eyelids at 11pm on a Friday night than I’ve seen of flashing lights and crowded rooms. Then again; everything in moderation, right? I’ve been an incredibly bouncy kitty over the course of the last year and with three major festival weekends (EDC weekend in Vegas, Lightning in a Bottle and HARD Summer) crammed into one summer, it’s absolutely no wonder that I to reset myself and reevaluate the world I’ve been cultivating.

Sunrise from my Roof

And last, but most definitely not least – it’s the HOLIDAY season; cheer, family, festive drinks and decorations galore! It probably has a lot to do with being a California girl and not being exposed to weather like I’m getting now (SO COLD!), but I’m a huge fan of the days ranging from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Usually, my family has Thanksgiving in the Silicon Valley or up in Corvallis but this year, we flipped the game and flew out to Massachusetts so we could spread the holiday cheer from Coast to Coast. And with my boyfriend’s family out in New Hampshire, we got to kill a lot of birds with just one itty bitty stone – I got to show Danny off around my aunt, nephew and cousin and then I’m meeting his dad and step-mom. Nervous? Sure, but where there’s whiskey – there’s a way.

Above the Clouds

It’s been cold cold cold; the temperature here ranges from 10 to 35° so if you can imagine, I’ve been freezing my ass off out here. Remember, I’m a California girl; this right here, this is cruel and unusual punishment. However, I’m seeing snow for the first time in since middle school and am absolutely enthralled by it! I can’t wait to see what this week of family time will bring, so hold tight – can’t wait to dish!