For the one I'm looking for...

It doesn’t interest me what you do for living. I want to know what you ache for—and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, have been opened by life’s betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you dance with wildness and let it fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes, without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear the accusation of betrayal—and not betray your own soul.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the moon: YES!

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you are or how you came to be here. I want to know if you can stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me what or where or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself—and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

—Oriahe Mountain Dreamer, An Indian Elder

Happy Valentines Day, to all those that I love!!!!

Hiking with Dad in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

My dad and I joined some fellow Borrego-ans today for a hike in Anza Borrego State Park.

This is the biggest state park in the United States, with 600,000 acres of wildly rugged mountains (highest elevation 6,000 feet) and desert (elevation 40 feet), along with flora, fauna, and fossils dating back 540 million years. You will see mesquite, yucca, and smoke trees; cacti; and thousands of native plants and flowers.

Circa third or fourth grade my dad volunteered to come along on a Girl Scout camping trip in Anza Borrego. We have memories of wind storms that were so swift that the tent kept falling down (on top of us) requiring my dad to keep hammering stakes into the ground in an attempt to secure our abode. We took a nature hike one afternoon and came across some "free spirits" who were topless. My dad his best to distract us but my fellow scouts and I were all giggles at seeing the site of boobies!

And now we're heading for our "second" nature hike, 21 years later!

This is Dr. McCloskey. He is now a "snowbird" like my parents and splits his time between Central Oregon and Borrego Springs, CA. (My parents aren't the only ones with this idea, apparently.) I was a patient at his office in Bend, Oregon (near my hometown) when I was in High School and had bunions on my feet. He left an impression and I never forgot how he took off his shoes and socks to show me his bunions. He told me to rest assured that they were not problematic and that doing any type of surgery would open Pandora's box. (He was right, my feet are just fine... and after I stopped dancing on pointe, they returned to almost normal :O) )

The first part of our hike was on Pictograph Trail to see the Pictographs. While this area was used by Indians as far back as 3000 BC, the pictographs themselves are a relatively recent addition of the last 300 to 400 years. They are said to be a way for Indians to tell their story through drawings.

Our hike continued up to the Panoramic Overview trail.

The weather could not have been more perfect ~ a cloudless bright blue sky and just a hint of a breeze to keep us cool in the desert.

I

LOVE

MY DAD!

I enjoyed snapping some landscape shots while practicing shooting in Aperture mode.

I'm learning, slowly but surely.

Honestly, I never knew that Borrego had so much to offer! When my parents bought their house ten years ago, I thought they were crazy. Borrego is in the middle of nowhere, far from civilization appears boring, is too hot and takes forever to get to (reality: just over 2 and a half hours door to door, mainly on two lane roads and the last bit is SUPER twisty turn windy). BUT I'm learning that the landscape can be breathtaking, the simplicity relaxing and Borrego's remoteness makes it that much more of a sanctuary.

Wouldn't you agree?

My Goddaughter, Brittnee will be visiting me in April. I'm already mapping out our trails for hikes and photos. Stay tuned for more on Anza Borrego Desert State Park!

Superbowl ~ GEAUX SAINTS!

All hail the queen! Queen Latifah kicks off Superbowl XLIV. It was great to see all of the celebrity supporters of St. Jude involved in this year's game.

My sister and brother-in-law hosted their annual Superbowl party. In lieu of birthday bashes and/or Christmas parties, they pull out all of the stops to party on Superbowl Sunday.

My sister was rooting for the Colts and I was for the New Orleans Saints. Mainly, because of my support of Reggie Bush, who is a huge supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Carrie Underwood loves St. Jude too! I loved her version of The Star Spangled Banner almost as much as I loved Jennifer Hudson's! Last year my sister and brother-in-law won tickets to The Superbowl! Pre-party, awesome seats at the game and post parties too. LUCKY!

Appetizers and desserts were a-plenty. As were football pools. My dad won a round! Doesn't Eric make a nice food model?

Lulu and Dane

My dad and (other) brother-in-law, Nick. Nick was in town this weekend so got to partake in the festivities. (Dana is at home, nesting... doing "Baby Elle" projects).

Authentic Mexican food in the backyard!

Some of the desserts. the brownies closest to us, Pam brownies, are the best I have ever tasted (er, devoured?) They have as much frosting as brownie, and that's all good in my book.

Classic. Skinny, size double zero South Orange County gal scarfing down Pam Brownies. And this is why I loathe going to the gym. No matter how many miles I jog, classes I sweat through, or crunches I complete, I will NEVER be able to scarf desserts and be skinny. Ever. Thank you very much, metabolism.

And ending with the amazing Bartender, Chris.

Cheers to the only day a year where I actually watch football. And congratulations to The New Orleans Saints!

Dias Ocho ~ Adios Cabo San Lucas, BCS

Home again, home again. I was mighty proud of my packing skills. One carry on suitcase and an (overstuffed) backpack. Amazing what you can cram into a suitcase when you are too cheap to pay to check a bag! :O)

On the way to the airport I asked our taxi driver if he would like to join us for lunch. So he pulled over to his favorite spot. On the side of the road. Away from all of the resorts. I knew it would be good.

And guess what they had? PAPAS MIXTAS! Oh yeah! (How did I not discover these in my earlier Mexico days? Kathi... this is worse than having a first taste of Krispy Kremes!)

Adios! This is the photo of Kahti, the Security guard and me on the Beach on one of our hikes. I can't wait to get back to SUNSET BEACH!

Nos vemos pronto!

Mexican smoking...

I love how subtle the warnings are on cigarette packaging in Mexico!

Dia SIETE ~ Cabo San Lucas, BCS Mexico The yocal locals...

The sun is back and the Kathi / Cathi's and I are headed to downtown for an encore of Senor Sweets!

Esperanza Court overlooking the marina in downtown Cabo

I'm loving the sun kissed bronze... not loving the shiny shine glow. Evidence of the heat.

Gelato and fruit for our breakfast appetizer...

...followed by the prized Mexican french toast!

We had to try the eggs and pancakes.

and we are saving room for dessert for tonight. :O) I love vacation diets! LOL

Kathi and I convinced Cathy that we needed to do a little shopping. She only did a few (not so subtle) deep sighs to let us know that we needed to wrap things up and head back to Sunset beach!

All of that work warranted a little poolside nap. How cute are the love birds?

On the bus. Typical of Bob and MMH. I'm in the back making bff's with strangers and Bob is sitting silently pretending he's not with me.

We headed back to the hotel in search of some real Mexican food. As in non-resort, what the local yocals eat. Along the way, we passed the Cabo fire station. You don' think I would just pass by, did you? I may have a "thing" for firefighters (bomberos).

Kathi and the fire station dog.

I showed some restraint and did not ask to take a slide down the pole.

...nor did I ask to try on the turnout gear. (I did in Japan! :O) And have the photos to prove it!)

The night shift yelled out to Kathi and I and asked us to come back tomorrow to bailar (dance!) But tomorrow we are Los Angeles bound. Que lastima!

After walking for awhile off the beaten path (and Bob and Cathy questioning our judgment for going just a little further) we arrived at the local joint that Kathi recommended.

Kathi is all smiles to have found PAPAS MIXTAS!

Papas mixtas are large baked potatoes with Chihuahua cheese, butter, chunks of carne asada and corn. Delicioso!

We knew that we were in the right spot when we were the only gringos in the restaurant. These cutie patooties came over to chat at our table.

Kath and I couldn't resist checking out the homemade tortillas and posing for a photo.

Tomorrow we fly back to Los Angeles. Hopefully we can cram in one more Mexican meal on the road. I'm not ready to return to schedules, electronics, lean cuisines and real work. Time to plan my next getaway!!!! :O)