Berkeley Graduation 2022

My best friend is a doctor! On May 15, 2022, my best friend Angela graduated from Berkeley’s School of Public Health & I was lucky to be able to attend. Here are a few photos from the momentous day:

The last time I visited Angela at Berkeley we shot photos at the Campanile (Sather Tower) - this was all pre-pandemic. I had no idea that the next time I’d be back taking photos there it would be the reception of her graduation, along with most of her family and friends!

Of course - all of Angela’s friends are incredibly sweet and even though I love to be behind the camera, I am thankful that people also push me to get in photos as well. This is my best friend after all, and I am so proud of her! Here is one of us together:

Finally, here is also a video montage of the trip/celebration! Most of the video footage and photos were taken by me, but I also included some video/pics from Angela and her other friends so we could have a capsule of this moment from everyone and not just my own perspective.

Las Vegas Birthday Vacation 2022

Nevada/Arizona Trip 2022

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“Vacation” seems like such a foreign word and idea to me these days, but finally, after a few years, my mom, aunt and I decided it was time to celebrate and give ourselves a break. Both my mother and aunt have April birthdays so we decided to take another trip down to Las Vegas to celebrate them. It was my aunt’s platinum birthday!

Grand Canyon West

The past trip we all agreed we wanted to see the Grand Canyon but we just couldn’t make it happen. This trip, it was the first thing we decided to do so that there would be no chance we’d miss it! We went to the Grand Canyon West, which isn’t the classic postcard photo spot, believe it or not… that is the South Entrance to the canyon. With limited time, we decided to go to the West entrance and save us some car travel time. The views were stunning regardless of choosing the West experience - photos of course will never do a view like this justice. My first World Wonder!

Hoover Dam

Because we took the shorter trip to the Grand Canyon West, we actually had time to stop by and see the Hoover Dam as well, which was right on our way back! It was breathtaking but way too windy out there!

The Strip & Carla’s Birthday

Here are a few miscellaneous photos from the Strip (which I’ve gone to many times now and am not as inspired to take new photos at), Carla on her birthday, and Orville Peck at the House of Blues - such a great show!

Red Rock Canyon

We were also so close to the Red Rock Canyon that we decided we might as well check that out too - so happy we did! If you buy tickets to the scenic loop there are many places to stop at and take in the incredible views. Also, it is a hiker’s dream - trail heads are at each stop! I have to come back again someday and do more exploring.

End of the year wrap up - 2021!

Well…. the time has come. 2021 is coming to a close. In many ways this year has been difficult and in many ways this year has been totally rewarding.

Since the end of November, we have been finishing up the purchase of our first home, painting that home. moving into that home, and cleaning up our apartment. It has been so much work but we also were able to enjoy a little bit along the way. There was no November blog post as a result, but that’s how life goes!

If you didn’t know, I am trying to challenge myself to learning something new or being creative every month in some way. In November, it was learning to paint our house. I am documenting these things over on my YouTube channel - you can watch November’s video here:

December’s video will be up shortly, but for now, please enjoy some of the photos I took this month:

Lee enjoying a latte in our front yard.

We also decided to explore the neighborhood during the terrific weather.

Our neighborhood sure has changed from our location in Ballard! Look what my neighbor has parked in their yard!

Enjoying one of our local parks.

…and exploring another local park that we may or may not have been allowed at!

Finally got to decorate a little bit for Christmas, as well as wrap some presents while Max judged me about how long his next meal was taking…

Went to a holiday market at the Tractor Tavern back in Ballard to get some last minute hand made gifts.

A beautiful ornament from my mother.

A day out in Seattle with my best friend, Angela!

Some family time with my nephew, my mother, my sister, and both Lee’s.

And of course… the snow. The second big snow of 2021. We got some on Christmas Eve and then a bunch more on the 26th. It is still here, going into the new year…. hopefully it will start melting soon when the temperatures allow it!

Capping this year off with a snow-filled view from my back yard.

This year has brought along so much change. I am trying to embrace it, and actually lean into it. I want to grow as a person, and can’t wait to see what 2022 will bring.

As a side note - I only made a few posts this year on my blog, so a true end of the year post with the “Best of” photos isn’t necessary - it’s all right here for you to look at! I also am skipping 2021’s top albums. There were many great moments in music this year, but albums themselves did not capture me this year. Perhaps it was a slow year, or perhaps I was just so busy focusing on exercising, laying my father to rest, moving, and getting back into creative ventures again, during year 2 of the pandemic, that I just was neglectful.

There was only one album this year that blew me away. That was Turnstile’s album Glow On.

The album is phenomenal frontwards and back. I could not stop listening to this one. It was reflective, catchy, and filled with momentum. Here’s a bit to tie you over with:

Thanks everyone, and see you in 2022!!