we just had to

if you read my post about our last trip to yosemite, you might recall me writing about how we weren't able to do half dome because a.) we didn't have permits and b.) it was bloody hot. and if you noticed the blessed full moon the other night, then keep with me...

g had an idea implanted in his head ever since our last trip. why not hike half dome the night of the full moon? then we can watch the moon and sunrise atop a glorious rock? at the time, i brushed it aside because of work. and sanity. but a couple days before the full moon, i had a change of heart. how could i NOT experience something like this? so we made a last minute call to REI for camping rentals, packed our bags, and committed ourselves to half dome. we just had to.

we spent the first night in a hostel near yosemite. bear bones, but a perfect place to prepare for the next day's grueling hike.

the next morning, we headed out to the trail. we were prepared for the strenuous 18-mile hike with water, trail mix, headlamps, and a tent. the plan: hike to the campground for backpackers, set up the tent, sleep for a couple hours, and finish the hike to half dome around 1 am. then we could climb the cables without a permit/park ranger AND experience half dome under a full moon. magic.

everything went as planned. hiked (labored), took plenty of breaks (considering we were carrying 30+ pounds each), set up camp, slept for 4 hours, and back on the trail to half dome in moonlight. we met two other night hikers and finished the hike with them. once we reached the insane cables, free from park rangers and other hikers, the four of us made our way up. and let me just say that i've never done anything more difficult, more frightening, or more rewarding in my life. the sight at 8,800 feet was mesmerizing. indescribable. with the lighting of the full moon, i felt like we were standing on top of the moon itself. just the four of us. the adrenaline kicked in so profoundly that we didn't feel the exhaustion or the tiredness. we felt proud.

on top of half dome. freezing and excited.

unfortunately, we didn't take many pictures of our journey to the top, but for good reason. climbing the cables needed utmost focus since we were literally holding onto dear life. and not to mention, the only sources of light we had were from the moonlight and our headlamp. BUT we did get to watch a stunning sunrise as we headed back down.

this spontaneous adventure was physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. g and i not only accomplished a great feat, but also gained newfound respect and support for each other. if we could do this together, we could do anything...

...which leads me into my next post...

the last of it

summer is quickly making its exit, which means there are only a few weeks left of the sweetest fare. soon we'll be slicing through our last watermelon and begin selecting the perfect apple for that tart, that salad, that perfect one for snacking.

my last batch of strawberries was an indication that they are on their way out. they peaked and now they're being forced into the later season's submission. clearly, i'm not ready to let go. what will be of my panna cotta or my frozen yogurt mix-in? and what about a refreshing mid-afternoon snack? caught in this dilemma of disappearing strawberries, i resorted to making a strawberry conserve, courtesy of orangette.

the perfect blend of whole fruit, jam, and natural syrup, it is a no-fuss way to ensure the strawberries will last. last night, i tried it on a crostini with goat cheese and a drizzle of balsamic and man, was it good! i can imagine it doing wonders for shortcake or even sexing up a bowl of vanilla ice cream. shoot, i would just spoon some into a bowl and eat it with whipped cream. 

thank you, orangette, for inspiring me to hold onto this fruit as long as i can.

it's really happening

that envelope has my 30-day notice for my intent to move out. better yet, it has a great big ol' step forward into this adult life of mine. 

let me explain...

it is no secret that g and i are ready to vacate the city of angels and start anew. in seattle. we have been itching to leave the traffic, stress, and self-entitled people of la, and explore a city that embraces the lifestyle we value: green. conscientious. organic.

to make this move, we agreed now might be the best time to begin our transition. so in less than one month, we will both downsize on our things as i move into g's studio. yes, folks, i'm moving in with a boy! it has been a process to come to this point, where we both feel ready for the next step. but the best thing about this step is that it happened so organically, like all signs were pointing to this. we have no doubt we'll come across challenges - i don't know, like closet space or almond butter vs. peanut butter - but how can we move forward if we don't try? 

i couldn't be more excited for this change because not only does it mean that i get to share a living space with that one guy i love, but also because it means we are getting closer to where we belong: up north, together.

swingin' with it

remember those childhood days played at the playground? you know, when you climbed effortlessly on monkey bars, kissed the sweet air sliding down slides, and pumped those legs swinging on swings? and remember that freedom to be happy, paying no heed to responsibilities or concerns? it was as if night would never fall, the days would live forever.

well mama, g, and i were reunited with childhood this afternoon. we found a swing on the bluffs, wondered if we should actually use it, and said what the heck, yeah we will! and just like that, we took turns stripping ourselves from the limits of adulthood, took a seat, and let the giddiness of a child at play fill us within. amazingly, it was THAT easy to feel free, joyful. a swing and the willingness to let go of expectations.

these days

these days, i've been torn. it's been a constant battle between two thoughts of mind. lifestyle, if you will. 

should i be productive on my days off, like i don't know, studying something or figuring out my retirement plan? maybe scrubbing my bathtub or re-configuring my file cabinet?

...or should i just be content with how my summer days have been? yoga in the mornings with an afternoon dip in the ocean. a late dinner spread of summer fare. sleeping barely nude with windows open and fans blowing.

unfortunately, g and i were witness to a fatal car accident last week - a pedestrian killed by a teenage driver. with this battle of productivity versus relaxation brewing in my mind, i felt now was the time to write about the accident. i'm sure the pedestrian woke up that morning without a single thought that he was awaking to his final day of life. and isn't that how we all start our days? sure that we will do this and that with the "promise" of tomorrow?

so as i reflect on that tragic night, i put my absurd battle to rest. i am only guaranteed what i see, hear, touch, taste, and smell NOW. and as far as i'm concerned, the healing power of yoga; the sweetness of a ripened tomato; and the freedom of lying barebones in bed far outweigh the anticipation and expectations for a productive tomorrow.

it just seems right

this heat! this dreadful, disgusting, difficult-to-do-anything-except-for-jump-in-the-ocean heat! i've enjoyed you long enough, but this has got to stop...and soon.

lately, the only thing that seems right with this heat is the tomato. a perfectly misshapen, beautifully pigmented heirloom tomato. eaten room temperature as plain as can be, it is my saving grace for this unwelcomed heat.

so as long as my clothes are sticking to my back, i will savor the humble tomato at its prime while i can. and then we can all be happy.

bm

i, for one, do not take the daily bm for granted. if you have followed me through my travels, the bowel movement topic should be no surprise to you. it is, and always should be, a part of the daily routine - that one liberating moment when you can rest assured the system is fully functioning. but, of course, you may come across a day when the bm doesn't happen. not enough fiber. busy at work, tricking the body to think it's not a priority. plain ol' constipation. but hopefully, for most of us, we make up for it the following day. and what a moment (or few) it is!

now, i bring this up because the bm is, ironically, a major concern in my field of work. every day, i have to ask my antepartum and laboring patients when they had their last bowel movement. and for my postpartum patients, have you had a bm yet? pre-delivery, we want to make sure the bowels are flushing because any buildup could lead to premature contractions. post-delivery, we want to make sure patients aren't straining at the toilet, thereby irritating the perineum or putting undo force on an incision. main point here: the bm is IMPORTANT!

which is why my heart filled with glee when my antepartum patient with twins enjoyed a freeing bowel movement last night...after three days of dreadful buildup. she felt relieved, the nurses cheered, and i'm sure the twins kicked in celebration. let freedom ring!