Lately...

A lot has happened recently. In the past week, I gathered up my stuff and headed back to LA to start school. I wrapped up being lazy, hanging out with lillee, photographing constantly and my new music project (for the time being). I started my official last semester of CSU Northridge. Granted, I only went to two of my four classes this week but nonetheless, it was a brand new schedule after just doing whatever I wanted for the last month. Even though many new exciting things are happening, I'm not as stressed out as I feel I should be but it is only the first few days of the semester. Get back to me in a few weeks and I'll probably be pulling out what little hair I have left.

The blog will still continue but just not as much as before as I assume I will be spending my time reading textbooks, writing papers and finishing up the first part of my college experience. First comes a BA, then a MA, maybe a PhD. Who knows.

Happy Blogging. 

The Blog is Back On

And here is why...

• The school semester is over. 
• My birthday is over. 
• My camera is fixed. 
• I have more free time this winter break. 
• Why not? 

Currently Playing On My Record Player

October was kind of tough. There were a lot of changes, school was stressful as always and on top of everything, I got about $200 worth of parking tickets as well as my computer dying, my guitar needing to get fixed and now...my camera needs to be taken it. I would like to say the universe is against me but its time like these when I just take a deep breath and try to keep moving forward. 

That is the reason for the lack of pictures. So let's listen to Giant Drag who has been playing constantly the last few days. 

Happy Blogging. 

The End of A Long Week

Please tell me about yours. 

Happy Blogging.

Reading To Keep You Occupied

 A Day In The Life Of A Ballerina

Life lately as usual has been a little stressful. Its pass the stress of the beginning school but now it moves into the stress of the daily routine and the ever appearing midterms. In the last month, I have also been dealing with constant neck pain which only recently I started seeing a chiropractor for and has been improving. Before it made literally everything from sleeping to driving to just watching a movie with my daughter or boyfriend one hell of a task. Along with that, it is almost the end of the month, which means as the new month arrives, so do the due dates to pay bills, times to set my calendar for parent teacher conferences, setting up my tutoring schedule to start working, along with a million other personal plans to put into motion. 

I don't know about you but the end of the month is alway stressful for me just because of the load of things I need to wrap up. But I look forward to the next month. I look forward to feeling better physically, enough to start running again and even have time to work on my music which is a big stress reliever for me personally. 

Have you ever been one of those people who on the bus or walking down the street, looks at someone else and wonder what life looks like through their eyes? Well recently, I was reading one of the blogs I follow A Cup of Jo, and she found an article on the life of a ballerina. I have always been fascinated with dance since I was a little girl and has always tried to incorporate it into my life. I found the article to be very glamourous. Here is something for you to read to keep you occupied while I work elsewhere for this blog and such...

Happy Blogging!

Vilnius, Lithuania

If you haven't already noticed, I don't necessarily do post according to the day that they happen. If that was the case, there would be about 40-50 photos a day. I also haven't posted in the last week and a half. Why? Because around a week ago, I arrived back from Europe.

I have run a few errands in my time back, like cutting my hair, buying new shoes, helping a friend move, getting a new license and finally getting a PO box for the nomad within in me. But really, I have wanted to spend the days back by sleeping and recuperating from everything I experienced overseas. 

Many people have asked "how was your trip?" And I reply with "it was very beautiful but very emotionally exhausting." Not exhausting as in "I'm tired from all the walking and the cold weather", cause that I can handle. That doesn't even bother me. I've tried to keep the details to only a few close individuals but really, I think the only people that can understand what I mean are the ones that went on the trip with me. 

Its one thing when you are learning about the prejudice against a group of people but when you are in the exact places where they were murdered, where their culture is still holding on by a string, when you realize there are still bodies beneath the ground you are walking on, well that is a lot to handle and as much as I am grateful to the professors that planned everything, we didn't necessarily get a lot of time to deal with the things we saw until near the end of the trip. 

I've wanted nothing but to cuddle with puppies and cats. I haven't wanted to watch any films that deal with gore, violence or death. I've been enjoying eat healthy again and having the people I need to talk to around me. But alas, I am back and I still have plenty of photos from the trip. Over the last two weeks, I probably took around 2000 photos. And that doesn't include the photos I have taken when I got back (your usual cat photos). 

I hope everyone is having a great summer and I can't wait to share the rest of mine with all of you. 

Happy Blogging!

Mass Grave Site

Happy Blogging!

Warsaw Jewish Cemetery

The days have been a mixture of exciting, beautiful and emotional. Despite feeling completely exhausted at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Most people look confused when I told them I was going to Poland but its been such a dream to visit such monumental places that I have learned about since I become interested in Jewish history more than ten years ago. Each student has had their own unique experiences that have led them here but through them, we connect with each other on another level. We've been able to act as if we've been friends for years because how can we have seen the things we have and not feel bonded to each other. Our time in Warsaw is ending soon but its exciting to know that this is only the beginning of the trip and we have seen so much history already. What a wonderful summer. 

Happy Blogging!

Lullaby For Frank

So the last few days have been incredibly stressful and exhausting. I am planning on leaving for Europe in only three days and there is still a ton I need to do. But in the mean time, I have managed to write and record a song in less than a week. This was for a friend (which was probably a ton more motivating) who has been having trouble sleeping. If you like the song, please feel free to share through social media and blogs, just remember to leave a link for BFAB. 

Happy Blogging!

Spring Freakin Break

Are you? 

I don't know what kind of readers I attract at BFAB so I have no idea what kind of lives all of you may have. But being a full time student, full time mom, full time chinchilla owner, part time intern and part time blogger, my plate is full. 

But I am extremely happy about the upcoming Spring Break this week.

My plans have been chaotic and few. "Let's go on a road trip." "Let's go camping." "Maybe I'll go off by myself for a bit." "Maybe I'll just turn my phone off and sleep a week straight." 

But the plan ended up being having Birdie stay with me for a whole week and I have a big mess of plans for us which I plan on sharing with all of you. Hopefully you will be interested enough to check it out. 

Happy Spring Break 

and 

Happy Blogging!

Happy April Fools Day/Goals for this month

Am I the only one who is ready for this day to be over? 

Granted, I was only "pranked" by three people but whenever it happened I thought "jeeze, I do not have the time to deal with this right now." I do have a sense of humor but it tends to be more on the clever/subtle side where I only get a few intelligent laughs (i've been compared to having the attitude of the character Juno). Maybe next year when I'm dealing with a ton of transitions, I'll be a more light-hearted about this so-called "holiday." 

On a more optimistic note, its the beginning of the month! Usually that means paying rent and then being broke for 30 days but I realized I hadn't made any goals for myself lately so I thought, why not make a few for the month. 

1. Run more (about 3-4 times a week). Its not like I'm starting running or I never run but I'm always happier when I do run. It puts me in a better mood, gives me a slight boost of energy in my day and makes me feel better about my body. But lately because of the stress, I've been only running 1-2 times a week and then taking a week and a half break. Not good. 
2. No more candy or chips! I've been meaning to do this for a while. I eat a lot of candy and it doesn't do any good at all. I'm showing my daughter that its okay to eat junk food. Not good. It ruins my teeth. Not good. It's bad for my body and my mood. NOT GOOD. It hit me while I was picking a snack in the store. I don't worry too much about eating healthy all the time, sometimes its good for a break. So I thought about getting a salad but I saw these popcorn chip type things and I thought, "that looks good, I'll try it." So I put my salad back and bought the chips and I regretted it. It wasn't like I got sick or that they tasted bad. I just felt like I had made the wrong choice and from that point on I thought, something needs to change. 
3. Be more creative! My creative projects such as art, music and photography has taken a bit of a back seat since I transferred to university but I forgot how much my art balances me out! Every time I get back into the groove, just like running, I remember why I did it in the first place. I need to put myself out there. 

A year ago, I remember realizing that it doesn't help to put a wall around yourself. Of course, protect yourself from getting hurt but sometimes, its good to take risks and be a little vulnerable. It makes you stronger in the long run. Lately, I've forgotten this and have just wanted to shut everyone out but how does that help anyone? 

Make some goals and share. 

Happy Blogging!

Disneyland Day Two

 Happy Blogging!

Sunday Flea Markets

Growing up in Portland, I've become a city girl. 

I do enjoying hiking, camping and small towns that have a lot to offer but I've always felt more in my niche in the city. One of the reasons is not how big corporate stores are readily available at your fingertips but that small local treasures (while still including "the hunt") are an appreciated art and encouraged by the culture of the city. So I decided that since I live so close to LA, why not stroll a flea market. 

I've never actually been to a flea market. 

I've been to antique stores, Portland Saturday market, farmers market, garage sales and "the bins" but never a flea market. So I looked up Los Angeles flea markets and decided on the two most popular ones. One in Downtown, another on Melrose. 

What I didn't expect was that even though the Downtown one was decent sized, I spent two and a half hours there. By the time I drove to the Melrose Trading Post, I was already losing steam, only to find that the Melrose Trading Post was about four times the size of the Downtown Flea. My brain was starting to shut off. 

But I did have a nice time none the less and I learned that most flea markets run every Sunday. So though I ended up quite exhausted this weekend, I'm sure this won't be the last time I attend "the fleas". 

 The Little Yellow Typewriter 

 The Little Yellow Typewriter 

 Duoma Terrariums 

Eco Apothecary 

Faithful Roots

 Wooden Sunglasses 

Clock Books 

I ended up getting a pressed leather purse, a bottle of honey&milk argan oil, a sticker that says "reading is sexy" and a pair of Cactus salt and pepper shakers. I would consider this a good day. 

Happy Blogging!