Eye of the Lion.

Oh, hey there.
Well this is a little awkward.
It's been over a month since I checked in over here...

But, as you probably saw on my last post, I've been busy. Really busy.
I also still have Valentine's decorations up. And Olympics decorations.

But I have been adventuring. So much adventuring.

South Africa. Carmel. And next stop, Arizona.
It's been a really fun month (okay...at this point it's been two).

South Africa was a trip of a LIFETIME.

I have traveled in 19 countries now, and my South African Adventure may have topped the charts.

I swam with sharks.
I pet a lion.
I rode a hippo. (okay that's a lie)
And then I spotted a lion in the wild, while on Safari (or as the locals call it, a Game Drive).

In fact everyone was hanging out the right side of our truck, while I looked to my left and saw a lion settling itself down into the shade, I called out to our guide, "Um...I think that's a lion right there." And immediately after I spotted a lion on the left side of our vehicle, our guide spotted another on the right. Hidden in the grass, breathing deeply with a belly full of wildebeest (its liver and carcass right next to us). There were also two more lionesses we would encounter up ahead.

As the lion peeked through at us, I could see the beautiful colors of its mane blending with the tall grasses, and it's beautiful and clear amber eye watching us without any movement.

This moment had been worth all the annoyance of hauling my big camera, all the big clunky lenses and accessories halfway across the globe.

I sat in the back row of our land cruiser, zoom lens on the camera, and manually focused my shot until just the ring of his eye was in focus, and I snapped.

Hands down, this was my favorite picture of the trip.

I had my camera out a lot, everywhere we went. Both my Nikon and my iPhone, and sometimes my dad's GoPro. Because my motto for vacation is, "when all is said and done, all you take home are the memories and the photos".

I'm a firm believer of stopping to capture the moment, especially when traveling.

One of the fun parts too was that Easy Canvas Prints offered me an 8x10 canvas of one of my photographs. There was no question in my mind, that the lion's eye would be my choice. And I have been working on what I'm calling my "Wall of the World" a collage wall along my stairwell, featuring photos I have taken around the world, along with some other prints and things I have collected during my travels.

(This wall is really hard to get a good shot of from the ground level, and even harder to get a shot of from the stairs, apologies for the weird angles).

I have other great pictures, including this one, which I may have to order another canvas for - since Easy Canvas Prints is offering 50% off their canvases! (Yes, please!) There's something about adding the canvas to the wall of framed pictures, that added a little extra character and texture, giving the collage wall a little oopmh. I'm totally a fan!

 Anyway, my goal is to get back here blogging and share some of the highlights of my fabulous South African Adventure! And more importantly, share more photos with you! After all, those are my best "souvenirs."

Liquid Mountains of the Sky

New Jersey is coming.
I have about half the post written, photos uploaded, etc.

But, things have been SO busy.
I haven't been able to get to the rest of it.

Let alone the piles of Christmas presents that have taken over my living room floor and I have attempted to wrap three nights in a row now.

Yesterday, I got as close as getting out wrapping paper, scissors, and tape.
But I had other things that had to be done, things I thought would take a half hour.
And took THREE.

So...

Please continue holding while we resume regular service....


In the mean time. Please enjoy some craze-amaze skies that have been gracing my world just since I have been back...

It's wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky. Behind me and before me is God and I have no fears.
-Helen Keller

This last one, photo cred to my coworker.

Firenze!!!

So, for my next installment of my 2012 European Adventures, is my day in Florence FIRENZE!
Sadly, it was not my favorite day, and I don't really have many nice words to say.
(I might have cried. Hard. Sobbed. In front of David. Like THE David. In the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze. It might have been the beginning of a panic attack. I might have dropped my favorite cheap watch and shattered the glass. I might have gotten yelled at by our aggressive Italian tour guide. I might have almost lost my tour group at the Ponte Vechhio. I might have wanted the vegetarian caprese salad at lunch instead of lasagna and a hunk of beef. I might have regretted not purchasing a beautiful leather purse from a street vendor. It might have been my birthday.)

Anyway, in lieu of any more of my words, I'd rather let the pictures speak for themselves.
Because despite my own Florence Issues, it is a beautiful city, with a crazy amount of history, and David statues (I saw 3) and incredible art, architecture, and culture, and I feel so fortunate that I got to walk those streets, see those sights, and eat their food.

I have been to Florence. Flo, if you will.

Not everyone can say that. So I know in the big picture, it was a wonderful day with Flo.
Also, I had the best cannoli of my life that day. So.

Europe 2012:
Day 1: Barcelona, Spain
Day 2: Aix en Provence, France

Christmas Eve: A Snapshot

For Christmas this year, my parents gave me a fun new 35mm lens for my camera...
Which is awesome, since I dropped my camera with my 18-55mm lens about a week before, and it won't stay attached to the camera body any longer. (Major BOO, HISS).

It is also awesome because now I can take super fun pictures like this...

(Christmas light bokeh was all I ever dreamed of...)

And please check out the depth of field, while dad is checking out the iPad...

These girls were more than happy to model for my practice shots...
which clearly I need a lot more of....working on that whole focus thing....

This sweet fluff-nugget had spent two days straight with me baking, cleaning, wrapping, and visiting with friends. After a night of opening all our presents....let me rephrase, after a night where SHE opened all our presents for us....she lumped out under the Christmas tree. I am pretty sure that was a first...

Oh yes, I do need practice, but new lens = way fun.

Linking up over here:

Farewell Fall

 

Have you seen and entered my super fun, super fabulous giveaway

for the MyMemories Suite!

Wordless Wednesday: This is Croatia

I am in the {very} beginning stages of sorting my pictures...
While doing this yesterday on my lunch break - this picture popped up. The very first one I took in Croatia.
I just have to share.

Croatia may be one of the most breathtaking places I have ever seen.

You might agree...


SOOC:
(Or Straight out of camera)

Sisters on the Town

The Grovers and Steigers go way back.

I'm talking playing with the cardboard bricks, fighting over the sit and spin, and riding side by side on the spring loaded ponies in the nursery at church, back.

So far back that I don't remember when we became friends.

But our mama's are friends.
Which means we are too.

Two sisters.
Three and a half years apart.
Nurse Daughters, or ND's for short.
A sense of wanderlust and adventure.

We had a lot in common.

Which I think is why our friendship has stood the test of time.

I mean, check this photo out. You won't see any forehead.
We girls knew how to rock the solid bangs.
Pouty girl in the middle is my sister.
She perfected the pout before it was the standard MySpace pose.

Our mom's took us into the city to help serve the Seamen's Mission.

I don't remember doing any work.
Just eating their belgian waffles.
Although, now that I look at the picture, maybe they were technically scandinavian waffles?

We talk about those waffles to this day.
I have never EVER had a waffle so good.

Anyway, we have done a lot of adventures together. Disneyland. Hawaii. Tahoe.

Anyway, we were due for another sister date.
So we headed to the city to replicate an adventure we took last spring.
The San Francisco Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building and brunch at the Market Bar.

The morning started with Blue Bottle.
You gotta at least try it once.
But be ready to wait in line for 20 minutes.
The jury is still out on if it is worth the wait.
But their logo is cute.
And their waffle isn't half bad.
Not as good as the mission. But good.

We explored the Ferry Building. And all of its crowded quirky glory.
I bought a super cute succulent.
In a mug.
It's my first.
I don't do plants.
I have a palm tree.
That I water about 6 times a year.
Which reminds me....

The best part of this farmer's market - is that it is in both the front and the back of the building.
The first time we explored, we discovered the entire back section.
Which is way bigger.
And way better.

And this time around, WAY more variety, quality, and even though it was crowded we actually were able to get to a lot of the booths and find out about the products and produce being peddled.
Um, or eat their free samples.
Tomato. Tomahto.

Does everything not look awesome?
Cindy bought us each a pluot.
Which I ate when I got home.
And I kinda wish she bought me seven.


The flowers were fresher.
Brighter.
All around lovelier.

I bought a bundle of lavender.
Which smelled divine.
Lavender scent reminds me of the nap class that I took in college.

You think I'm kidding about the nap class?
No. I got one unit for napping.

Seriously.

And I passed.
Like that was even a question.

I also drew naked people.
But that was a different class.

Those are different posts all together.
Back to the farmer's market.
And fully clothed people.

Like these guys...a live band.
Best comment of the day, was my sister's, regarding them...

"Well....I guess if Needtobreathe isn't available"

They kinda looked like them.
And sounded like them.
I don't know. Maybe that comment was just funny to me.
Moving on...

Some of the vendors get kinda bossy.
You don't want to mess with them.
Especially when they tell you samples are mandatory.
Oh fine.
If you insist.

We wined and dined at the Market Bar.
There was a lot of bacon involved.
And mimosas.
And more bacon.

After a fab brunch, back to the Ferry Building to use the restrooms explore.

I could have bought one of everything.
But the visa bill and my jeans won't allow it.
So I settled for taking pictures.

Yes, that is sombrero shaped pasta.
And rainbow lasagna.
I think the black and white bow ties are adorbs.

These are the baby sisters. One is a hygienist, and got a kick out of the dental fund at the candy shop.
And one is a nurse. Who loves all things nerdy.

We love them both.

Finally, we made a stop in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
We don't have CB&TL in the burbs.
I know, call us underprivileged.

In fact, I have only been to Coffee Bean one time in my life.
When I went to a private Hilary Duff concert a few years back.
And stalked Perez Hilton - at what he then considered his "office".

See, this is the picture we took with him. But I cropped my sister and I out.
2006 wasn't a hot year.
You're welcome.

Anyway, CB&TL is a bit of a novelty around these parts.
So we may have geeked out a bit.
But it was fun.
And Cindy bought me a light blended vanilla whirly doo.
Who knows what they call their drinks.
I can't keep it straight.
But it was delish.

And the nerdy shoe shot?
Taken by my sister.
But not posed.
We actually were just sitting like that.
Do you even care?
Time to stop typing?
Yeah, I thought so.


The good news is tomorrow is my actual blog-i-versary.
And I announce the winner of my mug swap giveaway.

Did you get your mug?
Did you mail your mug?

You have until tomorrow to do it.
Police yourselves people.

And come back tomorrow.
Maybe I'll post one of my sketches of naked people.* **


*I totally won't.
**At least not tomorrow.



Linking up with Heather at Life Made Lovely

Reading Inquiry: Sailing the Seven Seas - The Baltics to the Mediterranean

Another sneak peek of the photos I will be printing for my wall of the world...



In a few weeks I will be crossing the pond once again to vacay it up on the Med. Sea.  (That is what we called it in Sunday School). Not to be confused with the Dead Sea.

Last summer I traveled to the Baltics.
Seven Countries, Twelve Days.

We departed out of Dover, England and spent a day traveling through the North Sea (my BIRTHDAY, holla!) where our first stop was Copenhagen, Denmark

Followed by Warnemunde, Germany

 

Tallinn, Estonia

 

St. Petersburg, Russia

 

Helsinki, Finland

and finally, Stockholm, Sweden

 

One of the best parts of vacation is getting a chance to escape into a good book. Even more fun, was traveling with my Kindle (I am totally obsessed, and no, Amazon is not telling me to say that). I loaded it up with a handful of books before I left (and I have the 3G version, so I was able to download some while I was there as well) - which left a lot more room in my carry-on. I am not a light packer. And I need every inch I can get.

I really enjoyed my reading selection from my Baltic Sea vacation, because I was reading the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, while traveling through the countries where the books take place!

It was really cool to read through a lot of Swedish words and phrases and be familiar (yet, FAR from understanding) with the language and alphabet as I was exploring the country!

As my Med-Sea Vacay is approaching I wanted to reach out and see if anyone has any recommended reading for me! I'll be spending a lot of time in Italy and Greece, so I thought I'd ask, any awesome novels that you have read that take place there?

I also have read the Hunger Games Triology and The Help - and enjoyed both of those A TON, so I am looking for any fiction recommendations - even if they are not set in the Mediterranean! (I also love a good Chick-Lit novel, I have read the entire Shopaholic Series, and everything by Sophie Kinsella)

So, hit me with your best shot!

Linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesday, for all of these shots, but particularly the last one.