It's been awhile
Mood:  bright
Well, I sure haven't updated this new blog in quite a while. In fact, it's no longer "new." Oh well, I suppose if I were working on this blog a lot, it would mean i was bored-which i am certainly not.

So far this summer has been wonderful...I must admit perhaps the most momentous week of all was when my brother came home. He was able to come home for a little over a week the begin. of July. It was absolutely wonderful just to hang out with him as we had yummy drinks at our fav coffee house in town, had a few bar bqs, and last but not least- hiked Half Dome!!! It was such a refreshing experience-funny that i say that since i was exhausted at the end..however, it was VERY refreshing to look back on what I accomplished and the quality time we spent. To go into a little detail-we left on the 6th and didn't get to the hotel until like 1 am. My good friend from college(Nem)whose staying the summer came with us came too. She met up with her boyfriend Oli and his fam. So we arrived late and left pretty early the following morning. We were all up by 7:30 but didn't actually hit the trail 'til 9:30. After hiking for 1.5 hr or so we hit an area where there were orange signs posted saying we could not go to the summit 'til after 4:00 'cause work was being done on the trail. So...with that in mind we took our jolly time getting to the top-then relaxed when we were at the base of the trail which headed to the summit. Right at 4:00 we headed to the top. It was so exciting! There were about 15 or so other people who were waiting to hike the rest too. I felt as if it was an Everest expedition minus the snow, oxygen tanks, etc (you get the pt). Once we got to the top of the first semi dome I spotted the cables which went practically straight up! There were boards placed every 8 ft or so where you could stop and rest. I had practically no tread on my shoes (which i failed to realize 'til then) so i was sliding all over the place hanging on for dear life. What an adventure! It was quite a rush. Finally my brother went behind me just in case i really did slip. Well, bottom line_we made it to the top! It was an experience i will never forget because it was with my dear brother...next year we plan to do Mnt Shasta when he gets back. He's already done it. Actually my dad went with him last time. I'm looking forward to it.

Besides the excitement of Half Dome i have spent my time (40 hr. a week) working as the lovely lifeguard who is ready at any time to save somone's life (or so i hope, except on those really dull days-jk). I work with some interesting people too. I guess you could consider most of them Tahoe bums. Whose not a Tahoe bum when you live here though? It's so easy just to take it easy...I get along with everyone although I have been entertained by some mild drama. It's nice working with Rach too. Yesterday, before the beach and pool actually opened we went for a morning swim out to the buoy. The water was so calm and pure-we swam past the pontoons and laughed the whole way about crazy stuff. It's been a fun job- I've met lots of people: grumpy old men (yesterday), sweet old ones, cute young ones, and of course the typical families with all ages...I love working with people so this is the way to go..

In the meantime besides work, I've been trying to train for the 10k race coming up in Aug. I love running along the river and going swimming afterwards. Man, I feel like a fat pig sometimes 'cause i practically sit on my butt all day at work (except for inservices when we practice rescues and have to swim mileage). So i guess I "feel" like i sit on my butt all day even though i really don't. I've also spent some time at the wildlife shelter- i love volunteering there. Guess what?! Last year there was a 75% release rate! The largest there's ever been! ..and guess who was the intern- I was. It felt great when Connie said she attributed every bit of it to me..

Today I went snorkeling with a cheap set i bought at Albertson's. It worked except i had to readjust it a few times. It was neat to explore the under world of the lake...with all its mysterious rocks and algae (sometimes I think the lakes clarity is over rated although it is mostly clear).

Well,maybe if i write more frequently i can focus on the details and funny little incidents i see and experience each day. Hope your summer is going well wherever you are...and remember embrace the time you have-enjoy yourself. After all, there is so much in life for us to appreciate!

burrrrr...it's cold!!
Mood:  bright
did i have a lovely day today...bitter cold but, yes, lovely! Rach and I had orientation for lifeguarding and when we woke up there were snow flurries!! Who needs a lifeguard when it's snowing outside?! I felt like my toes were going to fall off when i had to wash some paddle boats in the extremely cold, but gorgeous Tahoe water. Me, trying to be nice as usual (or make a friend since I'm new at this beach front) told this guy since he had his shoes on he didn't have to go throught the hassle and take them off...pretty much i volunteered Rach and me to rinse (which turned into a prolonged bath for the paddle boats). omgosh!! it was soooo..cold. there goes my days of offering to freeze my buns off to be a sweetie!

guess what? I had my first speech on Wed. for speech class. I did it on one of my passions-the environment/ wildlife shelter! (who would have guessed?) jk Anyway, i did a demonstration speech on how to perform a wildlife rescue. Man, did I get some dull stares from a few people. So..what did i do- I tried to spiff it up a tad..uhhh..not a good idea if you're not going to remain composed. After all, I was using beanie babies and it was kind of hard for me to picture how ridiculous, in one sense, it must look for me to be demonstrating how to handle wildlife using a beanie baby..doesn't exactly work-oh well, i got my pt. across though to my VERY enthusiastic audience (Not). That's ok though- that's why i'm here (one of the reasons)-to spread enthusiasm, love, and concern for this gorgeous creation and its inhabitants!!

ok, tomor. is the big day. sure don't want to spiff up on the first day so off to hit the sack. Remember embrace the moments, enjoy yourself, and never forget what's truly important in life (trust me, you know). Hey, life's too short to worry-so 'acuna matata' as my fav Lion king characters would say.."it's our problem free philosophy-for the rest of our days!"
luvs
Irene

Mood:  not sure
Ohhhhh...family-honestly what is better than family. I'd have to say family takes the #1 mark. Today i went to a family get together picnic at a park named after my mom's side of the family. An actual park named after my fam-and there's eventually going to be a school. Ok, so I must admit, half of the people i met i really had no clue exactly how i was related to them. Yet, there was this overwhelming feeling of understanding between me and each of them. There was no reason to pretend to be somone i'm not. (Quite frankly, I see no reason to do that anymore, but we all have our tendencies). It was great to meet my great uncles and aunts and cousins. As the years pass, the more i realize how beautiful and important family truly is!

Aughhhh... i'm tired of making a commitment to slim down and get in shape. It's about time i just stop being a glutton..lol. Seriously though. I can't even begin to name the numerous times i find myself drifting towards the refrig. and eating when I'm not really hungry!! Why?! Boredom and habit-enough of that. If you're fat you don't need some "special" pill. Exercise and eat lots of fruits and veggies!! Why can't people see that?? Why can't i do that??

Fear Factor was on again tonight. I find it interesting how addicted people get to that show and all the other reality ones. I mean, I know they're suppose to be "reality" t.v. shows but seriously how real is a girl with a perfect body who is just there to show it off and a guy whose just as buff..if it was truly a reality t.v. show I think we'd see some plump ones who had to scarf down a worm or two. After all, the reality is at least 60% of Americans are overweight! So where's the 60% of people that don't look glamorous on the reality shows? Yep, I know. Who'd want to watch them if there weren't cute guys and girls pulling off the stunts, etc.? Oh....time to shift the focus from the external for a bit..for the fat ones and the skinny ones-there's a lot we don't see that needs work on. (uhhh..i'm not arrogant-I'm talking about myself too).

Well, I love summer and everything it entails. I love swimming through the crisp lake water, running on the river trails, mountain biking in the meadows, hiking up the rocky clifts, kyacking along the smooth shore, and just basking in the sun at the beach- or for the inside scoop-watching a chick flick with my sister on a warm summer evening. There are so many things to do..so much to embrace and enjoy-i am thankful for each and every person i have been given the opportunity to share the joys of life with..i am glad i can be sentimental too- being a girl sure has its advantages sometimes!

so long (as Jane Eyre would say)

Irene

Oh what a beautiful day..
Mood:  bright
Well, I had an eventful, lovely day today. My dear friend Jennica and I decided that we, like true mountain girls, would bike along the lake until our little legs could handle no more. Then, we'd stop somewhere and gorge ourselves with what we brought as the equivalent to a good lunch: some Truckee sourdough bread (from the night before, yet not stale), salami (ohhhh..fatty-forget shedding the lbs., cherries-yummy!, and carrots.

We finally arrived at Chamber's Landing where I will be working for the summer. My oh my, how I do get sentimental sometimes. I thought it would be so nice and still think it will be to work w/ Rach this summer. So..you guessed it! My boss asked me if I'd like to work there on the beach..sounds sweet but here's the contrast: two summers ago i tanned and read-this summer i will be on my toes ALl the time. This time I will be expected to be the competent lifeguard ready to make a rescue at any moment. Last time there was such deep within me; however, there never came a point where I really had to demonstrate my knowledge with the 'real deal'. This summer...may be more than basking in the sun checking out cute boys (for they can't see through my sunglasses-oh yeah!)

aughh..my creative spark is beginning to emerge! I long for bright, new ideas. I'm tired of the conventional way of doing things. This includes medicine, modern institutions for learning (uhhh.. Universities), and thought patterns in general. It is time to step outside of the box, see things from a different perspective, and contribute to the world in a unique way which hopefully will bring peace and understanding to many in the long run. After this, you may assume that I am an open-minded hippie..well, not entirely- I am interested in understanding other views-But there are some things I will never relent on. for another time, my dear friend!

Guess what?! We had snow June 6th! what a sweet surprise. fresh snow. I love the mountains and everything about them. Why on earth would i want to live in L.A.?! Honestly, I never want to year round-I don't think i would thrive. I will always be drawn to the beauty and mystery of the mountains-there awaits adventure for anyone ready to embrace it!

this only being my second entry, I shall close. Wherever you are and whatever you feel, never stop searching for truth until you find it! Live, Love, and Learn-that's my motto for today and something i like to carry with me wherever i go!

giggles
Irene

Another Blog
Mood:  cheeky
Another Blog?! Yes, indeed it is. I have decided to add another blog to the great abyss of already existing blogs. Here you will find random thoughts and perhaps something which will be slighltly entertaining, inspirational, or enlightening. Forget the idea of a 'conventional' style! To the arts and to creativity of all kind-may this blog be unique!