Tag: California

My Nan.

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Medel

I love to make my Nan proud. Whatever I do, whatever my achievements however big or small, she is happy. Whenever her family is happy, doing well and meeting their dreams she is the one that will always be the most pleased.

Today I rang my Nan to talk about a summer internship I had earned and we discussed my grades in school, graduation etc. She was ecstatic that I had called her which shone through her shyness as she told me all about the family and her garden and life. When I told her about my achievements she was so pleased and told me how she was so glad my work had paid off and I was doing well.

Although I disappointed her when I told her I would not be returning to England she said she looked forward to seeing me in California this Christmas time and still never ceased to show her happiness.

Whatever we do as grandchildren and wherever we place she will always be proud to call us her grandchildren, and that is why I am ever so proud to call her my Nan.

Whale Watching

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I love the ocean.  But I’m reaaaallllyyy lazy when it comes to actually getting into the water.

Today it was hot and sunny and absolutely beautiful outside.  But I had no motivation to get in the ocean.

My mom probably asked me 7 times to go paddle-boarding with her.  I think I just took a nap instead, I can’t actually remember.

But when I finally stopped being so sluggish, I agreed and we got in the water.

We paddled out and I absent-mindedly started singing “Starlight” by Muse.

All of the sudden, I heard a strange whooshing noise to my left.  I turned and saw a baby gray whale, staring at me. I freaked out and almost fell off my board into a kelp bed I was so excited.

“MMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!” I screamed, I yelled so loud some of the surfers nearby gave me a sideways look.

“Loookkkeeeyyy!” I exclaimed, pointing frantically at the foamy white water where the whale has just disappeared.

She turned just in time to see the whale poke his head up at us.  He seemed to wink, one large eye closing just before he went back under.

“Follow that whale!”

We tailed him long enough to see there were two adults with him.   They each let out a happy spout as they traveled up the coast.

No doubt they were heading for the food-rich waters of Alaska.  They gray whales pass up the California coast each year, an annual migration from Baja, Mexico up where they breed to Alaska, where the feed.

After a while, we lost them in the blinding reflection of the late afternoon sun.

We waved goodbye and started paddling back home.  But after about 5 minutes, I saw a shining black flash peeking out from within a cresting wave.

“MMMMOOOOOOOMMMMM!” I yelled again, pointing and bouncing up and down on my board.

She looked, only to see the bubbles of its disappearing shape, as it dove deep beneath the surface.

We started back again, seeing another pair of whales as we got closer to the beach.  They were far out in the distance, surfacing and playing in the middle of a swarm of seabirds, their dark backs glistening in the sun.

We got so excited about seeing them that we watched a documentary on gray whales after dinner. It was truly an amazing day.

I LOVE WHALES!

A Sun Diego Day

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I don’t think I’ve worn shorts and a tank top since October.

But it was sunny today on my vacation in San Diego so I broke out the summer wear and it was amazing.

I bought some rosemary and olive oil bread from a little place called Rustic Breads and it was absolutely marvelous.

There was a lot of glare so I couldn’t take a picture of it but this was the next thing in the display case and it looked just as delicious:

Then by the power of Ross Turner himself, I got to see my friend, Rose Hart, from CIMI!!!

She happened to be singing with her choir group on the U.S.S. Midway, fifteen minutes from my hotel.

I pulled into the parking lot and walked straight into her choir group (purely by chance) about a minute and a half before her tour started and she got onboard.

Rose Hart

After our extremely loud reunion, I walked around Downtown San Diego with my sisters and dress shopped for their graduation.

We headed down to La Jolla Shores to eat lunch at my favorite store in the world, the Cheese Shop.

I think we bought up half the stuff in there…seriously.

Then we walked down onto the beach and we saw a bunch of sea roses tangled up in the sand.

They still smelled sweet, mixed with salt and fresh sea breeze.

As we walked down further I saw three guys flying 200-foot-long kites.

Good thing it was windy…

I was very confused as to how these massive kites got into the air and I was lucky enough to see a guy launching his:

It was a very good day.

Add that to the fact that I got to see Ursula and Greg, two of my best friends ever, it was fantastic.

I love San Diego!!!

Sandy Friends and Smiley Beaches.

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This weekend was so good.

Yesterday, I got off campus with my best friends to go shopping in Santa Barbara. I mean, what could go wrong there? Four girls on State Street, a beautiful sunny day in California, shopping. It was fantastic.

We ended up eating at Pascucci’s for dinner. Although I was never a big fan of the restaurant because I believe the food is incredibly bland, I nevertheless had an amazing time with my girls, all of whom I will miss so so so much after June 8th of this year…

Today, the girls headed out to the beach.

The day was beautiful and we made so many memories under the sun. Sand was everywhere and we strutted around in our bright bikinis, showing off our fabulous shorts tans we all accumulated from sports.

Anyways, although I am super happy, I am growing scared because of how close graduation is. 60 more days! And then we all part our different ways and walk the rest of the paths we were on.

All I can say is that I feel incredibly blessed to have crossed paths with such wonderful girls. I know I will never forget them and that we will always, ALWAYS stay best friends, wherever we are on this Earth.

Family.

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Group Hug.
Family is one of the most important things in someone’s life. They are the people that support, surprise and sometimes sadden someone. Family is the people we treasure throughout our lives whatever happens. They are the friends we never forget.

This October my big sister will be moving out to California to reunite with our family and once again become part of the unit. The 2-year separation has now finished and my best friend is returning home.

I can say whatever the distance and whatever the situation the love of family will never change. This is because family are ultimately our best friends.

The Dailey Method

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With summer (and graduation) just around the corner, I have been trying to get fit. My goal is to lose about 5 pounds and get muscle tone.

Well, this weekend was a good step towards achieving my goal.

This morning, I went to the Dailey Method in Santa Barbara with my friend Emmy for the first time. I thought this class would be a breeze but boy was I wrong.

The Dailey Method kicked my butt (or, if i wanted to use proper Dailey Method terminology, it had kicked my seat).

The Dailey Method is a system that combines barre, core, yoga, and orthopedic exercises. There are multiple Dailey Method locations all around America, although many are concentrated in California.

What drew me to the Dailey Method was the way it toned your body to keep it in alignment. I have scoliosis in my upper and lower back that often makes me very tense. The end result of this tough workout was, surprisingly, a more relaxed body. My back feels great and I am not sore at all.

I only wish that they had a location in Boston, where I hope to go to college. For now, I will try to go to as many classes as I can!

Please check out the website: http://www.thedaileymethod.com/index.html

And the video:

Life’s A Beach.

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Usually I have an undeniable, irresistible desire for Korean food or home.

But this time, it’s the beach.

The weather has been beautiful lately here in Ojai. I mean, how lucky are we to have summer weather in the end of January?

It started with the semi-annual sale at Victoria’s Secret.

Discounts on swimsuits and free shipping on orders over $25!!

So I bought one and it arrived last Monday but since I was unhappy with it, I sent it back. Now, I have to wait until February for the new one!

NOW ALL I NEED IS SOME SAND AND A LOT OF OCEAN.

But I must have patience because being at a boarding school, I don’t have many chances to leave and head to the beach whenever I want to.

I JUST WANT SUMMER!!

Sometimes life’s a beach.

A Time To Relax.

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Cabo.

Ok yes I do live in sunny California but it’s still very exciting to be booking a holiday to somewhere hot. Somewhere with beautiful, idyllic beaches, great food and a lovely warm sea. The prospect of relaxing with absolutely no cares in the world is so appealing right now. Just one more thing to do, make it through senior year.

To some, Senior year may have been a breeze, but to me right now it is a struggle to make it through. No I’m not suffering from the good old senioritous. I just really need a break. Some people may say that your High School years are the best years of your life and they have been, don’t get me wrong. But right now I need a long time to relax and summer is just a little to far away.

Swimming in a clear ocean, snorkeling, diving in pools or just lapping up the sun on a inflatable lilo. All these are things that I love to do to relax but they all involve time. Time I just don’t have. Plus in Cali the water is just a little too cold.

Currently the bath has become my place of rest and relaxation. The bath is a place where I can clear my mind of all thoughts, close my eyes and dream that I’m lying in some luxurious sea. Unfortunately this dream is shattered when I step out the water filled shell into reality.

Bring on the summer and bring on a time to relax.

Happy Birthday Nan.

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My Nan is one of the most loving, generous, compassionate women ever known to mankind. She is a woman who will always put others interests before her own, and will always make the time listen to anyone’s woes and counsel them in her own way.

Although she has all these talents and more it is the way that she treats her family that makes her a shining jewel amongst the rubble of society. The time she invests in each and every one of our work and our personal growth. The time she spends reading her sons poetry proudly or reminiscing over the great dance or musical performances starring her grandchildren. The light that glimmers in my Nans eyes as she proudly speaks about her family’s achievements and the wide smile that spreads over her face as she laughs over their stupidity is a sight that will brighten anyone’s day.

Nan you mean the world to me and that is why I dedicate this blog to you.

You are the one who has taught me to pursue my passions and to follow what I believe in. From the days I first watched Holby City with you and decided to become a paramedic to now as I set out to become a journalist you have always been my driving force. In times of trouble you have helped me out and guided me through big decisions like moving to America. If it wasn’t for that chat you gave me one summer evening in 2010 on how I should give California a go and do it for my family, I can honestly say I would have struggled to leave.

It was so lovely when you visited in April 2011. You were the first to come, out of our family, and this took a lot of bravery. Your presence at Meher Mount meant so much to us and we all look forward to you visiting again in the next few years. I’m glad you had the chance to admire our new life and realize you still have a significant place in both our lives and our hearts.

You find so much joy and happiness in life and nature. You aluminate the light in our world throughout the darkness and make everything special in your own description. I love the way you seek so much pleasure in the changing colors of the leaves and the seasonal changes in your surroundings.

As I start to consider my career path and colleges I bear in mind if it would have your approval. Just as Dad said over Christmas that every house your children move to must be approved by you, I feel that often I find myself seeking your approval on big changes in my life. This is because you’re a great guide who speaks truthfully and reasonably and that is why I am going to do my best to make you proud throughout my life.

Happy 80th Birthday Nan, I am sorry I will not be there to celebrate. All my love.

Bex, Georgie and Nan at the beach

Anacapa Island

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I love the Channel Islands.  Just off the coast of California, these 5 little land masses are some of the most incredible spots on Earth.  Made up of  Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara, this archipelago is home to 145 species of animals found nowhere else in the world.

I went on a trip to Anacapa with my Ojai Valley School biology class and took a few pictures and chilled in some tide pools.  It was a lot of fun and very beautiful.  Lucky for me, the sun was out and it was warm.

The pools are deep and clear and kinda freezing. At least in early spring.  But the water sparkled and the waves were great.

The tide rushed in and out quickly, churning foam swirled between the rocks and obscured the pools.

Waves began building and crashing over the rocks in great greenish-white masses, soaking everyone in their vicinity . Including moi.

Me, (and my camera) getting hammered.  Good thing Olympus makes good waterproof gear.

How it looks when I’m not getting hit in the face ^^^  Nice huh?

He braved the splash zone

And got that as a prize.

I guess he was just asking for it that day…

I happen to be immensely fond of sea anemones.  They’re cute and squishy and occasionally colorful.  The green ones are the best and I’ve only ever seen three in my life.  Fortunately, that day was my third sighting:

Pretty isn’t he?  I only call it a he because I named him Zar.

Have you ever looked at obsidian (volcanic glass)?  Sometimes I think the water looks just like it.

I love the way it looks when the water streams off the rocks.

Not paying attention, here I am getting smacked in the face with my own camera.  Gotta love the waves.

White water!

I quite enjoy tide pools…

A purple sea star in the middle of early lunch.

Sea stars push their stomachs out through their mouths and envelop their food, pulling it back inside their bodies.  These echinoderms have no table manners.

As you can see, the tube feet have suctioned on to the mussel and arm bends around the shellfish to better maintain its grip.

All it all it was a good field trip, the best I’ve ever had.  If you ever get the chance, head on out to the Islands, it’ll be well worth your while.