Looking forward to the 4th of July.

"An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing."
~Samuel Smiles

I really love the 4th of July. I think I've mentioned that before. Yes, I have. Here. I just really love the relaxed feeling of this holiday on a warm summer evening with fireworks. I feel a little cheesy, but I've really gained a ridiculous affinity toward fireworks. Maybe I've always had it. I remember going over to the Presidio to watch the fireworks over the Golden Gate Bridge as kid, or just sitting on our roof and watching them... through the fog, of course. I guess I always have loved fireworks. I suppose I just expected that this intense liking and awe of fireworks might dissipate with age. I'm here to tell you it hasn't.

So this weekend, I'm looking forward to watching three nights of fireworks!

I'm also looking forward seeing and visiting with my cousin Amber, her husband Steve, and their girls this weekend.

And to eating a grilled hamburger.

And chips! (Who looks forward to chips? Someone who never eats them except on special occasions.)

And making (and eating!) Pearl Dean's strawberry peach ice cream. It's not the 4th of July if I don't make Pearl Dean's deeeeeeelicious ice cream.

And looking forward to seeing Britt, Casey, and their girls, now home from Deutschland.

And relaxing!

And singing patriotic songs.

And eating Pearl Dean's strawberry peach ice cream.

And relaxing.

And eating Pearl Dean's strawberry peach ice cream. Oh wait, I think I already said that.

Fireworks photo found here.

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Wish List: Skinny.

"Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind, large ones weaken it."
~Leonardo Da Vinci

I'm a city dweller at heart and in San Francisco, I always lived in a flat or house that shared walls with both neighbors, so these skinny houses seem right up my alley. Also: less to clean, less to decorate, less storage. Hence, you would be forced to constantly remain de-cluttered of unimportant items. The impact on the environment would be far less, and in return so would your own utility bills. I would love to call one of these charming abodes (or one like it), home.

This one's in South Carolina:

This one is in Amsterdam:

Another in Amsterdam:

Also in Amsterdam (I'm seeing a trend here):

How about this one in Massachusetts:

Or the narrowest one in NYC:

Or this one in Virginia:

Or I could take off to Toronto (LOVE this one!):

Amsterdam Skinnies and South Carolina here
Massachusetts Skinny here
NYC House here
Spite House (Virginia) here
Tiny Toronto here

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And you thought this whole post was going to be about losing weight...
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Babies. The Movie. Recommended.

"I restore myself when I'm alone."
~Marilyn Monroe

A few weeks ago, I had simply had a enough of people. You know those days (weeks)? When everybody seems to need a piece of you, or a moment of your time, or advice on a decision (that they don't even end up taking). I'd been working several late nights and just wanted to do something alone. Something where I didn't have to talk to anyone. I wasn't in a bad mood, just tired of talking to people. :)

So I left work at 7:00pm in time to drive to the movie theater and see a film called Babies. Interestingly, the film doesn't have a lot talking (just what I was looking for), since the main characters aren't old enough to speak. It was very much a visually moving experience.

The film follows four babies from birth through their first birthday. Ponijao from Namibia. Mari from Tokyo. Bayar from Mongolia. And Hattie from San Francisco.

The babies and their day-to-day experiences were actually really delightful to watch. I found myself laughing out loud at points and really enjoying the journey of human development on screen. Watching the babies discover their world around them and grow in their capacity to express themselves was really satisfying. Also, I think I re-learned the importance of voiding my life of excess and doing away with a focus on material things. Babies don't need tons of toys. They were most content playing with dirt, sticks, and the occasional goat.

Great film. Liked the music. The film served my intended purpose of getting away from my own life, not talking to anyone, and through delightful humor, lightening up my mood. I went home happy. The babies were just beautiful and irresistible to watch.

I definitely recommend the film. You'll learn something. You'll laugh. And you'll walk away pleasantly smiling.

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A Memorial Day Birthday in California.

"If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people."
~Thich Nhat Hanh

Leave it to the smell of jasmine, the sound of Disneyland's nightly fireworks, the beauty of magnolia and jacaranda trees, and a healthy dose of Botts' dots to remind me why I love being from California!

Last weekend, we (Mom, Shep, and I) were in southern California visiting Grandpa T for his 91st birthday! Ninety-one years. Grandpa was actually pretty excited that his birthday fell on Memorial Day this year so there were flags out all over just for him. I sure love him, and it was great to spend his birthday there. Having Mom and Shep there was an added bonus!

Happy birthday, Grandpa!
Here's to many more!

Jacaranda photo found here.

Photos of Grandpa from Christmas 2007.