Crashing California

For the last several day's in the waters off our coast there has been red tide. Red Tide is basically just a "toxic" algae bloom that makes the waters look muddy and dark, sort of dirty and red. (Hence the name, red tide). But, these red algae's have a little secret that's pretty fantastic. They have "bio-luminescence". So, for those that don't know: "Bio-luminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. Its name is a hybrid word, originating from the Greek bios for "living" and the Latin lumen "light". Bioluminescence is a naturally occurring form of chemiluminescence where energy is released by a chemical reaction in the form of light emission. Fireflies, anglerfish, and other creatures produce the chemicals luciferin (a pigment) and luciferase (an enzyme).[1] The luciferin reacts with oxygen to create light." (from Wikkipedia). Basically, when the waves come crashing down at night, the ...

By this time the news may have reached families in Canada and elsewhere in America regarding the fairly large blackout we had yesterday in Southern California.  It occured at about 3:40 p.m., being at work, everything just shut off, but we have generators so it took only a couple seconds for that to kick on and we're back in business. This was obviously taken after the lights came back on ~ the "O" is for Oceanside Thanks to facebook, we all soon realized that the power outage was fairly widespread, as now it turns out, all of San Diego County, parts of Orange and L.A. counties, to places in Arizona and New Mexico (and also, Mexico) had all been affected.  It was a bit scary and surreal at first (being so close to 9/11) but as we slowly realized that the world was in fact not ending and we were sent home to brave ridiculous traffic. (Since all the power was out, no traffic lights were working, and every intersection was a four-way stop). Once home tho, I have to ...

Here is the third and final "installment" from my sister visit ~ seems like too long ago now!! I miss them terribly and yet, I know I will see them again soon =)  I love them and I am sooo glad that God made a way for us to meet =)  ... My last full day there, was spent with Elle almost exclusively. She took me to all the places she loves, the western supply shop (yes, I set foot!) the place her boyfriend works, Cabela's (which was actually pretty amazing ~ It's a GIGANTIC outdoors store complete with every single wild animal tactfully taxedermied for all to see, half of it looked like a museum really, I even tried a target practice game!) Me and Elle outside the Western store! And here we are, modeling Cowboy hats!!! (NEVER EVER thought I'd wear one!!) A classically disturbing take-away from Cabela's Me, Elle and her man Tony ~ def. a "Good Ol' Boy" The Outside o...

(a continuation of my last blog about meeting and spending the week with my two sisters in Minnesota, Aug. 15-19) I spent such good times with both the girls the four days I was there.  I told them this morning as we left that I feel like we got to spend about 15 years of good sister times together in about 5 days!  We went shopping, I did their make-up, AND their hair, we (well, they) dyed it crazy colors (part of our shopping experience was going to Hot Topic and picking out red, pink and turquoise hair dye, which afterwards during the one thunderstom we had, we dyed colors in the hotel room while watching girl movies and eating subs and getting the shower in my hotel decidedly pink). Playing Piano & singing for me ;) I cried! Our shopping date =) "Processing" the dyeing experience, lol Elle helping me get on a horse! And we're up! Capturing the beauty of the countryside Hangin out after dinner, this is actually in th...

(This next blog post is pretty lengthy so I'm splitting it up into sections, I wrote it on the plane while flying back from Minneapolis last Friday -- all the reflections on my sisters and meeting them and all else, also some pics =) ) I have wondered at that word a bit over the years. I've known friends who have had sisters, and I have wonderful sisters-in-laws, I have sisters in Christ who hold me up and pray for me ~ but I didn't know the meaning of the word really (in my opinion) until this week. When I was discovered by my Dad and family 8 months ago it was a whirlwind of emotion and excitement and wonder, mostly for my dad at first, and he has eight other children ~ which is a feat in this day and age.  I quickly became attached to two of the eight ~ two sisters, Emma (the one who emailed me on facebook first) and Elle, a 20 year old sweetheart cowgirl.  They texted and facebooked me, and I was able to chat with them on the phone, but even they still seemed surrea...

The following was written yesterday on the planeride there -- which was less than wonderful, but I'm a horrible flyer, so, what can I expect! lol ---------------------------------------------- Not the first time I have done this ~ wanting to write my thoughts down, why does is always seem that I write whilst I fly in pivitol moments in my history? I guess I like the space that it offers. So, I am sitting aboard an airplane, 30-some thousand feet in the air enroute to Minneapolis MN to meet two sisters that I have never seen, and only were aware of in January.  How crazy is that??? There have been rare moments as I've been planning for this trip (from the beginning) that I have had glimpses in my soul about what this will be like. What it's going to be like to see a girl who shares my DNA, my real live younger sister. There are moments it terrifies me and moments there is pure joy that sits inside my guts.  It will be magnificent and wonderful and very emotional I woul...

So, after a short break, we are back!! (well, I am back) I am currently in Minnesota (say what?) lol, yes!!, I had been planning to make the trip the last couple weeks, to come out and meet/visit with two of my sisters. I had decided to take the plunge when I found out that Emma (the one who had contacted me first) was going to be here visiting her sister in Aug. ~ everyone is so spread out and since my Dad isn't making any sudden moves anytime soon, I thought this might kick him in the butt ~ PLUS, ofcourse, I wanted to meet the girls who share my blood!! So the first meeting and visit went well -- I had written a blog on the plane, which I'll post, then I'll blog somemore ;)  The are wonderful and beautiful girls!! I am still trying to kind of figure out what they think of me, haha, I think they like me ... I am really looking forward to the next three days =)  I will be seeing where they grew up, I think Elle is going to take me to see her horses (she's REALLY into...