Long fuzzy socks. Check. Big puffy jacket. Check. Drumsticks. Check. Spent Thursday evening packing for the Chicago/Iowa trip my taiko group took last weekend. And seriously, no matter how organized I am (I make lists and everything!) I always feel like I’m forgetting something, and it didn’t help that as I ran out the door my roommate yelled, “what about your passport??”

Right after I snapped this pic Jason goes, “wow, that’s like a legit barn!” (please excuse the glare)

Enough stoplights?

Maz practices in the green room (red room?)

Tabi + jeans are the latest trend.

Our sweet accommodations at the atrium-style Radisson. They had sleep-by-number beds!

Corn oil!! How awesome is that?

Sears Tower. We spent some time going, “Is that Sears Tower..? It’s pretty tall… Is it the tallest building in the U.S.?” Aya’s phone had all the answers.

Mmmm…

The set list.

Group shot with members of the Midwest Buddhist Temple. Thank you!!

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In other news, a photo I submitted awhile back to air space magazine, an online photography magazine, was published in Issue Five! Check em out – it’s a very cool magazine with a different cool theme for every issue. It’s really fun to see all the different interpretations!

I am very much a city girl. I like always feeling like there’s something to do and someplace to go, even if I don’t need to do that or go there at the moment. I love visiting new places and trying new things and meeting new people. I love the color and variety that a big city offers.

But every once in awhile we all need an escape from the hustle and the bustle – from the smoggy skylines and the honking cars and the 405 (which is secretly just a really big parking lot.) Fresh air, blue skies, quiet surroundings – they recharge you and calm your mind. All the gajillion things that run through your head each day are quieted a bit and you get to focus on what is actually most important.

A couple weekends ago I accompanied Scott and his family to the farm which belonged to his grandparents, to work on some renovating projects. I first tried to help out with the curtain hemming group, but upon quickly realizing how useless I was in that area (bobbin what?), I instead joined the outdoor crew, nailing up boards and freeing nearby trees from the death-grips of dried wisteria vines (that stuff is ruthless). I also got to snap a few pics of the farm and the beautiful fields of fruit trees that were all in bloom. It was nice to spend some time in a place where so many of Scott’s childhood memories were created, and nice to get away from the busyness of LA, even if it was just for a bit!

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For our one year anniversary Scott and I took a trip to Griffith Park since neither of us had ever been. We had to park a bit far down the windy road, but it made for a nice hike with some awesome views of the city and plenty of fun photo material. Once inside, we marveled at the Tesla coil and watched the planetarium show. I may just be behind the times, but when did planetarium shows get so awesome??? The last time I went they consisted of some little lights on a black ceiling and a dude with a laser pointer. But now they’re like full-out movies with scenes that change from the daytime sky to the night sky, to Galileo walking around his workspace, to close-ups of planets and  moving tours through galaxies, all with exciting music and sound effects and a man who walks around narrating with a headset mic and holding a glowing globe (no seriously). I was so amazed. Given, the last time I went to a planetarium show I was probably like, 8, and playing Oregon Trail on a computer with a black screen and green graphics. Boy was that game awesome.

After Griffith Park we headed to The Kitchen for dinner, but on the night of our actual anniversary we decided to stay in and cook. Because what could be classier than bacon-wrapped hot dogs?

*Most of the above pics were taken with my snazzy new f/1.4 50mm lens, courtesy of Scott. I love it!!*