On the Road

I love road trips - I think it's my favorite way to travel (& that's coming from someone who works on airports for a living).

There's nothing quite like a night drive with a playlist, coffee, and a destination in mind. I love how quiet the world gets the farther you get away from a city. I have many fond memories of family trips around California, and once I had my license, solo trips to different cities were my favorite way to spend the weekend. Since I've been married, I can count the number of solo trips with two hands, but having someone to join in on my spontaneous adventures is great.

Roads were made for journeys, not destinations.

We drove through Nevada on our way to Utah in 2022 and made one planned stop that turned into two. I had been working long nights redesigning the runways and taxiways at Jean Airport, and I wanted to make a quick stop to see it before we went into construction. Coincidentally, the art installation 7 Magic Mountains was right next door.

I had seen the exhibition on social media a few years back, but it never piqued my interest to go out of my way and visit whenever I went to Vegas. Ugo Rondinone had chosen the location to express the mid-point physically and symbolically between the natural and the artificial: the surrounding mountain ranges and desert express nature, and the man-made highway and the constant traffic flow between Los Angeles and Las Vegas express the artificial.

I am planning for more trips in 2024, most likely road trips as a family of three (and three birds ˙ᵕ˙). We've actually been practicing short drives with the car seat, and it's been going well. For a while, I know our trips will be slower getting to the destination. Stops will be of a different nature - spontaneous feedings and diaper changes. I know the one thing I won't change is my favorite part of a road trip - stopping to catch the last light of a sunset or a moment of peace at dawn watching the sunrise.

The Comfort in Two

As summer gives way to fall and winter, I sigh in relief because the end of the year is my favorite. Along with the holidays, our families celebrate multiple birthdays and anniversaries within the -ber months. This past two months, in particular, we celebrated Tino turning 30 and our second year of marriage.

Cotton is the 2nd-anniversary gift. It's poetic because the longer you are married, the more your life becomes intertwined with your partner. Even though I am stubbornly independent, I know three strands are not easily broken. Cotton represents how marriage brings couples closer together; the material is flexible, symbolizing adaptability and a strengthening relationship. Oh, how true this was for year two, just learning more about each other. Ecclesiastes 4:12 will be something I hold close to my heart in this new year (and 2023) because we're stepping into trust as we transition to a one-income household to give Tino time to rest and re-evaluate his career plans.

This man stepped back into my life when I was at a crossroads. I prayed for someone and hesitantly asked for more than I thought I could be given. To see God's work in his life mirror my prayers gives me so much peace. Every time I look at Tino, I am reminded of how faithful He is to his promises.

To walk this life and have someone so selfless pray over me? I am so blessed to call this man my home.

Ventura Summer, Winter Reflections

Film snapshots of home. Taken at the 'height' of the pandemic, at least what we thought would be the peak.

I took these photos in March 2020. Quarantine measures were just beginning and not as strict, or at least people didn't take it seriously - which obviously shows in these snapshots. I got weird looks for wearing a mask at the beach, and we ended up staying only a few minutes. Just enough time to snap these pictures since everyone had varying definitions of 6-foot separation.

It's December as I write this and reflect. The cases are rising - worse than what they predicted it would be in March. More and more people I know test positive. Ironically, fewer people seem to care - even the ones affected with the virus. It's disheartening to see people disregard quarantine measures for ...personal gain? I don't even know or understand that mindset. It's made me look at people differently. It's been hard not to cast judgment when essential workers are doing the MOST for their communities, and the general public can't seem to understand the ramifications of their actions.

The human race as a whole is selfish and flawed. 2020 really brought out and highlighted all the nasty.

Praying 2021 sheds a different light. More forgiveness. More consciousness of others, and less of self.