it's cold tonight

It's cold and windy tonight, but the ranger still allowed us to have a
camp fire until 10pm. Temperature is supposed to drop down to the
mid-40's.

another pie day

good morning

camp sunset

The sun is setting. Dinner was good. Heating water for some hot
chocolate before the sun goes down.

cuyamaca lake bed

Driving back to the campsite after ice cream in Julian.

home sweet home

antsy to get out

going camping

julia day: mag-isa

photo by ceec

My little niece Julia thinks she is a big girl now.  Getting in the car one day, my mom tried to hold her hand to help her up.

Julia:  Mama, 'wag mo na ako hahawakan, kaya ko na sumakay mag-dalawa!

~

Sorry, non-Pinoy speakers, this one loses everyhing in translation so I won't even attempt.
 

bing crosby's

I haven't gone to happy hour in heaven knows how long, so when Tora, my co-worker who is leaving the company and whose last day was today, invited a bunch of us for happy hour at Bing Crosby's, I said what the heck. It was a good enough reason to go.

I had the Road to Morocco (pita and hummus), Trio of Ahi Tuna (nori-seared, spicy tartare and marinated with watermelon) and a pint of pale ale (can't remember the name), and I was set for the rest of the evening. The girls had martini -- all were too sweet for me (the drinks, not the girls).

I was hoping for a little swing jazz a la Rat Pack, but alas tonight's band was more on the pop-jazz kind. The baby grand stayed silent.

A fun evening overall; a pleasant farewell to a cool gal.

~

sunset on the beach

Mission Bay sunset on a Monday evening with Michael. Taking a walk after a long day at work.

~

pasta sauce

Tomatoes, garlic, onions, basil, oregano, and bell pepper. Salt and pepper.

~

julia day: bentilador

photo by ceec

We have plenty of hot days back home, and the most practical way of cooling is by electric fans, or bentilador (adopted from the Spanish word ventilador).  One particularly hot day, my little niece Julia asked my dad to turn on the fan.

Julia:  Papa, buksan mo elec... (mumble)... benti... (thinking)... buksan mo electador.  Ang init!

Julia: Papa, turn on the elec... (mumble)... benta... (thinking)... turn on the electador.  It's hot!

~

bike trail to dog beach

Michael and I checked out the west end of the San Diego River bike trail from Morena Boulevard to Dog Beach in Ocean Beach. Not bad at all. A couple of transient "campsites" along the way. Great view of the mountains.
~

freedom of speech

Clockwise from top left:
•Yes on Prop 8
•BIBLE - Basic Information Before Leaving Earth
•Darwin is dead, Jesus is Alive!!
•Frodo failed, Obama has the ring
•Sorry Yet?
•U turn or burn.

Is it a surprise that these stickers are on one car... er, truck?

on my grocery soapbox again

julia day: bread and butter

photo by ceec

The Filipino version of the TV show Big Brother (predictably titled "Pinoy Big Brother) is very popular back home.  One day, my little niece Julia saw my dad in the kitchen spreading some butter on a piece of bread.

Julia:  Ano 'yan lagay mo sa tinapay, Papa?

Papa:  Butter.  Gusto mo?

Julia:  Sige, lagyan mo tinapay ko Pinoy Big Butter.

Julia:  What are you putting on the bread, Papa?
Papa: Butter.  You want some?
Julia: Yes, I want some Pinoy Big Butter.

I was the same age when I was mixing up similar-sounding words.  I was born at San Juan de Dios hospital, and when I was three I was telling people that I was born at the San Juan de Pineapple Juice Hospital.

~

julia day: happy meal jesus

photo by ceec

My mom re-hung a framed picture of  a print of "Jesus in Agony" on the wall of her bedroom and my little niece Julia saw it.

Jula: (Pointing at the picture) Mama, sino 'yan? Momo ba 'yan?

Mama: Hindi, God 'yan.

J:  God?

M:  Siya ang nagbibigay sa atin ng pagkain.

J:  A... si McDonald!



Julia: Mama, who is that? Is that a ghost?
Mama: No, that is God.
J: God?
M: He's the one who gives us food.
J: Ah... it's McDonald!

~