What I Love

Coconuts! I love coconuts, and I'd had a lifelong dream to drink coconut milk straight from a coconut on the beach someday somewhere in the tropics. This dream came true when we were in Varadero, Cuba. Our friend Yariem got the coconuts for us straight from the tree. I was on cloud nine.

Birds. How cool would it be to fly? I've always loved birds, they symbolize freedom to me. This one's for the birds!

Surfboards. I love to surf, but haven't in awhile. I need to move back to the beach!

My lifelong best friend, Alicia. I have too many memories to count with this girl. It's impossible to imagine my childhood without her in it. I have very few memories without her in them. I treasure our friendship very much. You can't replace a lifelong friend.

My family. I love them.

Our one year anniversary on a catamaran on Lake Tahoe in August. Also one of the best days of my life. Actually, since I met Rob, life has been a lot better in a lot of ways. Although it's only been a little more than a year since we met, already, I can't imagine life without him.

My man. The best thing that ever happened to me. Need I say more?

Old photos, old friends. This is Brea and I in a photo booth in high school. We were 16 I think. I love finding old photos and reminiscing about them. I also like to make cards and collages out of old photos.

Hula. Hula is a huge passion, as is almost anything to do with the Hawaiian Islands. This was my first hula performance ever with my hula sister Marcella. Another very special day for me.

Abby and Coconut, two of my favorite little beings in the whole wide world.

Getting Coconut. One of the best days in my life. Life has been so much better since I got her. She brings me so much love and happiness.

Teaching. The best decision I ever made was to become a teacher. Sure, there's hard days, but the benefits far outweigh any challenges. This was Sammarria, the first little girl I ever worked with in my credential program. I was her literacy tutor, so I helped her become a better reader. We had a really great time together, and her reading improved a lot. We both cried when our time was over.

This is what she wrote to me on our last day together.

Coconut. This was Coco's first trip to the beach ever. We were in Bolinas. Two of my favorite things combined: being at the beach, and being with Coconut. She had a blast this day.

Kids. I love working with children. There are few things in life that feel more valuable or rewarding than working with children. Kids are so cool.

My mom. Her zest for life is incomparable. She's a great role model for me to remember to enjoy my life, and to live in the moment.

Hibiscus. My favorite flower. It reminds me of my favorite places like Encinitas and Hanalei, Kauai.

Discovering new things, like new kinds of fruit at the farmer's market. This was starfruit at the farmer's market in Havana. I'd never seen it before.

Beaches and Sunsets. This one was in Varadero, Cuba. I wish I could watch the sunset everyday. Every sunset I get to watch feels like a gift.

Foreign currency. Maybe I got this from my dad. I love foreign currency, and like to save and collect it. To me it's a little window into the country's history and interests. Aside from that, many foreign currency notes have very colorful and intricate designs, like little works of art.

Photographs. I love to take photos and have always loved photography. For me it's not really whether I'm good or not, but just that I enjoy doing it that makes it so worthwhile. Travel photography is my favorite. This is on Brea's street in the El Cero district of Havana, Cuba.

Bookstores. I love bookstores - why else? - because I love to read. This was a great little bookstore in Havana and my chicas (who both speak Spanish) were checking out the books. I was out of luck this time because I barely speak, and definitely don't read in Spanish. Hopefully someday I will though.

Art Museums. I love art museums because I love art, especially in other places. This was an art museum in Havana. We didn't go into this one, but we went to another one that had all of these old movie posters from the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Everything was hand screened, and so cool. There was a lot of really interesting stuff there.

My friends mean the world to me. I can't imagine my life without them. They bring so much joy to my life. This is Karissa and Brea and I in Cuba in November 2007. We were visiting Brea in Havana, who was in med school down there at the time. This day was one of the best days of my life.