Day 11 - A Picture of Something You Hate

I'm not sure where I might find a photo to show these things, but I hate suffering, worry, hate (yes I hate hate), ignorance or narrow-mindedness, war, crime, violence, and natural disasters. I hate that cruelty even exists, usually at the hands of humans. Come on people, we're better than that. I'll stop here because this is all too depressing to think about. Thank goodness that most of the posts are about happy things.

Da 10 - A Picture of the Person You do the Most Messed Up Things With

Well I wouldn't say "We do the the most messed up things together," nor have we ever, really. But Meghan and I definitely spent most of our 20's having some wild and crazy times together. She came to visit me when I lived in Hawaii in 2001, and that's really when our friendship began. We've also been to Joshua Tree for New Year's once, and to Baja for my 3oth birthday, among many other memorable trips closer to home. She's the best road trip sister, and filled with a wild, spontaneous spirit. This girl is a whole lot of fun to hang out with. I'm glad we got to go all out and live it up back in the days before marriage and kids.

Day 9 - A Picture of the Person Who Has Gotten You Through the Most

Well it's a tie between my mom & Karissa, but since I've posted a lot about my mom, this post is about Karissa. We've been best friends for the past 10 years, (since we both graduated from college,) but have known each other since we were 10 years old. She's an amazingly fun, supportive, loving & wonderful friend. She has a heart of gold. She's also an incredible cook, Spanish teacher, world traveler, and my favorite person to laugh and drink wine with in the world. We love to share recipes, & laugh at our lives in the best AND worst of times. We basically know that in good times or bad, we'll always have each other. And that's priceless. Friends like her are hard to come by, and I don't take our friendship for granted one bit. I am so blessed to have such an incredibly wonderful best friend.
P.S. This photo is of Karissa & I in Havana, Cuba in November, 2007.

Day 8 - A Picture that Makes You Laugh

This is kind of one of those "I Guess You Had to Be There" moments, but this photo was taken while we were camping in Baja for New Years a little bit over a year ago. It was a big night for our camp of 6, and Rob was the life of the party. Somehow he ended up with Matt's wetsuit hoodie too, which was a good thing, since he kept doing flying somersaults around our campsite. The hoodie and the sand dunes probably prevented a major disaster/injury from happening! Anyway, one of my favorite characters ever was Steve Martin as a wild and crazy guy. This was Rob channeling a wild and crazy guy, and it was hilarious. It brings back great memories.

Day 7 - A Picture of Your Most Treasured Item

My most treasured item is the owl-framed photo of my grandma & I. It was taken near Mendocino, (where we would go every summer,) when I was about three years old. My grandmother loved owls, and she framed the photo of us in the owl frame that I now have.
Yesterday marked six years since she passed away, and I still miss her constantly and think of her almost every day. She was the most loving, wonderful grandma. I called her "Mum," because when I was a toddler, I heard my mom call her "Mom," and I was trying to copy my mom.
She was like another mom to me, and when she passed away, it left a void. I wished I'd known I wouldn't have her around forever. I loved her so much, and I still do. That's why I treasure the owl frame with her and I more than anything.

Day 6 - A Picture of a Person You'd Love to Trade Places with for a Day

Image Credit: Sarah Von

She writes my favorite blog in the universe (Yes & Yes), she is an incredibly bright, funny, and creative writer, and travels the world to work in refugee camps and teach English abroad. What on Earth is not to love?

Day 5 - A Picture of Your Favorite Memory

Hmmm, I have a lot of favorite memories. But one that of course stands out is the day I got married. I will treasure the memories from that day for the rest of my life.
Other favorite memories are of being with my family in Kauai, and of trips to the North Coast with my mom and grandma during the summers when I was a little girl.
Living in France & Hawaii also stand out as a series of very happy memories. I have so many more great memories from throughout my lifetime, but it would take a book to include all of them. I feel lucky to have so many.