Simple Pleasures

I once wrote a blog (see previous) about simple pleasures. Nowadays one can get very caught up in the many gadgetry, technical toys to play with. Perhaps it's a good thing to be reminded that quality time with loved ones doesn't require anything more than simply getting outdoors.

A couple weekends ago I told Patrick and his daughter, Ciara, that I was taking them to one of my favorite places in the afternoon. Ciara was bouncing around pleading, like any 8-year-old would, for me to tell her where I was taking them. I ignored her and told her after we did some chores around the house we would go.

Eventually I corralled everyone into my Scion car and I drove us to La Jolla Cove. I have always loved this place. It's great. You can go down into the sandy cove to the beach if you like, or stay dry and have a picnic in the grassy park. Or perhaps you choose to climb around the big rocks on another part of the beach or simply stroll along the sidewalk along the top of the cliffs and enjoy the view of the waves and people from above. Ciara had a blast and of course opted to go running into the water. Then we searched the tidepools while Patrick took some great shots of the big waves crashing. It was such a lovely afternoon - reminded me of my childhood when Sundays after church were always Family Day and my mom would pack a picnic and we'd drive the 8 of us to the beach, park, mountains or somewhere in nature. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful city with nice weather and I was so pleased to share it with my special ones.

At the end of the day I commented to P, "Wasn't that a lovely afternoon?" And he answered, "Yes... it was all about simple pleasures."

Simple Pleasures

Click to watch on slideshow :)

You are from San Diego if you know:

*a treat for my San Diego readers! :)

You are from San Diego if you know:
Every street name is either in Spanish or Spanish-related, and you're surprised when other areas don't have this.

You can determine the accuracy of someone's "I'm ghetto" claim by knowing their high school. For example, El Camino High School or Crawford High School.

You see weather forecasts for four different climate zones in the same county, and aren't remotely surprised.

You routinely go or have gone to Pat & Oscar's solely to get breadsticks.

You've ever gone to Downtown San Diego and marveled at the homeless people mingling with the rich young urbanities.

You've gone to Mt.Helix in July and known you still need a jacket.

You've tailgated at Qualcomm Stadium, and for bonus points, also tailgated when it was Jack Murphy Stadium.

You've been to the Wild Animal Park but can't remember the last time you went to the Zoo.

You've ever been on a field trip to see an Imax movie at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

You still call it the Del Mar Fair.

You say "I'm going to the track" and people know what you mean.

You understand what "May-Gray" and "June-Gloom" is.

A famous skateboarder/surfer lives in your town.

There's a North County, a South County, and an East County but no Central County.

"Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan Moves You!"

You know what it means when two guys are walking in Hillcrest.

You know what it means when a girl in a short skirt is walking on El Cajon Blvd.

You've gotten stuck in the Horton Plaza parking structure traffic after a Padres game.

You know what "The Merge" is, and will plan your entire day around not being on it during rush hour(s).

You've ever been to Belmont Park and rode the Big Dipper.

(For North County) You remember the days before the all the big movie theaters opened. And when they did. First the Edwards in San Marcos, then the Regal in Oceanside, then the Krikorian in Vista, and finally the Regal in Escondido.

You've ever taken the Coaster and laughed at people sitting in traffic on the 5.

You know the difference between Claremont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Mira Mesa.

You can correctly pronounce Tierrasanta, La Jolla, Rancho Penasquitos, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and El Cajon.

You've ever gone to Sea World on a warm day and sat in the first few rows at the Shamu Show to get cooled off.

You've ever been delayed at the Border Checkpoints on the 5 and the 15.

There are more bands than people.

Your house doesn't have air conditioning.

You know it's San Diegan, not San Diegoan, or San Diegoite.

Everyone has their favorite beach.

No matter what the weather is, there is always someone walking around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops.

You live on, near or are surrounded by hills.

You hate tourists and their bad driving.

You have family and or friends that have moved to Arizona.

There are four distinct seasons: Summer, Not Quite Summer, Almost Summer, and Oh Hey Look Its Summer Again

Your house is worth more than the GDP of some small countries.

You know what MB, OB, and PB stand for.

You used to, and sometimes still do ride the carousel at Seaport Village.

You know someone who doesn't own pants, and have a neighbor who doesn't seem to own a shirt.

Most high schools have a surf team.

"K-best 95!"

You know what Santa Ana's are, and that they have literally nothing to do with the city of Santa Ana.

You know what a California burrito is.

The Introduction

After posting my spiffy Frappr map and seeing that there are actually strangers (how flattering!) reading my blog I decided to give a little introduction for those who don't know me already.
I am a 34-year-old (gasp!! I can clean up well heh heh heh) native San Diegan born of Hispanic origen (mostly Mexican and some Basque). I am blessed to be part of not only a big immediate family but also a huge extended family where I've learned throughout the years that God and family are more important than any job or money. I am the youngest of 6 (but not a Daddy's girl or "la consentida" - we thankfully are treated equally in my family which is great since I've yet to meet a daddy's princess whose being spoiled has done an ounce of good for her or those around her as she grows up). As you can tell I have a lot to say. I am smart, independent, nurturing, reponsible, stubborn, proud, silly, witty, young, adventurous, outdoorsy, disciplined, imaginative, a light sleeper, pensive, observing, passionate, troubled and creative. I hate to accept help and would rather risk harm or pain than give up. I am mentally and emotionally a late bloomer in life due to an extremely sheltered and protected (at times, lovely and at others: stifling) childhood and teenage years.
Music is a God-given talent of mine. My siblings and I all inherited our music gene from our naturally-gifted singing mother. But I was the only one passionate and unconventional enough to pursue it professionally (more on that some other time). Since childhood I excelled in piano and singing and am deeply moved by lyrics, composers and intruments. Another love? Horses. Specifically the Arabian breed. My sister and I grew up sharing one and although I no longer ride or compete - I will forever be in awe of a horse's beauty and grace.
I have never been married and can't wait to write a blog on the subject, but I have been seeing since May 2006, an Irishman with merry eyes with whom I am emphatically and realistically in love with...
I hate to be asked what I do but since graduating college at UC Irvine back in 1994 I have been professionally working as an actress (stage and screen), a model and a singer. I will definitely write a blog on those experiences in time. Alas, as I am getting older I am losing the necessary drive for that insane and unhealthy livelihood and find myself actually contemplating a somewhat conventional life. (This is shocking for those who know me since I have NEVER wanted or pursued normality). I also have been teaching teens the past 6 years as a job to fall back on. Someday I will write an eye-opening blog about the CA public school system and the teens of today in Southern Cal.
A true "people person", I possess the genuine talent to be able to walk alone into a room or party, not knowing a soul, and being able to talk amicably to ANYONE. I think it's because I want people to know they can feel at ease and comfortable around me (even if they are shy or do not know me). One of my greatest pleasure in life is meeting foreigners from other countries. I am poor as heck but somehow have managed to travel to Europe, Mexico and South America. I admire those who speak more than 1 language and am proud of the self-taught spanish (my parents didn't teach us) and italian that I speak. Other favorite people to be around would be gay people or dancers. (Gays probably because I somehow relate to their not fitting the "normal" mold of society and dancers because I admire that profession so much and truly regret not contiuing ballet). I love hosting get-togethers and being a social butterfly at artistic events and parties around town (even though I rarely do any of the above anymore.) Nonetheless, I value and yearn for my privacy as well. I currently live alone with my cat and piano and have been known to become broodingly dark the last 6 years due to some of Life's experiences. It is those moments that I am most creative with writing or singing at the piano. But they are those moments that I truly suffer the most...