Dinner parties to deaths...

We never know what life has in store.  Last night I was having the time of my life at a dinner party in Los Angeles.  This morning I awoke in Atwater Village to a sunny day.  Took my dog for a walk.  Made some amazing maca and cacao infused coffee and sat down at the computer to get in a little non-profit fair trade work before an afternoon of more fun with friends and thrift store shopping.  I turned on my computer, feeling happy and alive and then I heard.  I cried.  I am so sad.  A friend I grew up with just passed away.  She was 35 and leaves a husband and two kids behind.  Wow.  Life is so precious.  Life is good, yet it can throw the hardest curve ball when you least expect it.  From total happiness to tears.  That is the wildness of this untamed life we live.  We can not control what happens to us all the time.  Somethings are just not seen.  Sipping the maca cacao espresso magic (through subtle tears), I'm trying to find some balance where I can see the good and hold the heartbreak at the same time.  We never know what life has in store... 

(high school photos - Becky is in the bottom right, I'm the bottom left)

Happy in LA

I've traveled the world and there is something about LA that gets me... Or I get it.  The city makes me smile.  There is an energy in the air, an excitement so to speak.  Life.  Culture.  Diversity.  Always something to do.  Great thrift stores.  Groovy bars.  Hot men ;)

Wanting to live in this area for some time, I'm finally sub-letting a place on the east side.  It's hot as hell up here, not like the cool ocean air I'm used to.  Yet, I don't mind.  Even took the dog for a walk today.  Heading off to a dinner party with friends I've made in Atwater.  I'm one happy gal... Yes, for some reason I can not explain - I Love LA!  (Photo taken at an outdoor summer concert in downtown Los Angeles.)

Cooking School in Chiang Mai

I recently returned from a trip East where I took a cooking course.  It was my favorite part of the holiday.  I love cooking and as I get older, I seem to enjoy it more.  Being in Thailand with locals who took me to the food markets to buy items fresh was heaven to me.  I learned a lot in a one day cooking course.  I also ate like a queen!  From homemade pesto to soup to sticky rice to curry dishes, I made it all and enjoyed the party of flavors.  So inspired after leaving the culinary school with a cookbook,  I went to the market in Chaing Mai and bought my own special spices and herbs.  They are now with me state-side.  Happy and ready to be and artist in the kitchen - all I need is a wok and a hungry boyfriend to cook for.  :)