The Tiny Light: Archive

16 tags

Big Sur, CA - Pine Ridge Trail

This weekend I adventured to Big Sur for a backpacking trip - my first ever! I had all the new gear, but none of the wisdom. After about eight miles of lugging my body and extra backpack weight uphill in the sun my feet were swollen and pinched with pain each step. What I thought was enough water became clear that it was going to be just enough. (Many experienced campers had water filtration...

May 20th

10 tags

May 17th

10 tags

May 14th

11 tags

If I could text my dog...

I was reading Postsecret a few weeks ago when I came across this secret: It made me think, what would I text my dog? I would text her I miss her and tell her when I would be home. The worst feeling is when they watch you leave the house each morning and they don’t know when you will return. What would you say to your beloved furry friend?

May 13th

14 tags

Girls Weekend Getaway

Start with some refreshing scenery… Pour yourself a glass of wine… Who am I kidding, have a few glasses and then some cocktails… Be sure to take the cute, formal pictures before… …you’re found heavily sleeping on a raft that washed up on a shore surrounded by children. That sums up my weekend with the girls at the lake - but I wouldn’t have...

May 10th

1 note

8 tags

The Best Burger You Will Ever Eat

There I am eating the best burger I have ever tasted. No need to Yelp this place, no need for a menu. Simply look up the Umami nearest to you and order the Truffle Burger. If you’re up for more try the Truffle French Fries. You’re welcome - enjoy!

May 8th

8 tags

Santa Barbara, CA

Don’t underestimate the power of a mini-vacation! My initial thought of driving to Santa Barbara and back in one weekend was that it was a terrible waste of time driving for such a short visit. I was proven wrong though. My visit was both relaxing and fun-filled - and it ended up feeling like I was away for much longer! Here are a few shots from my mini-vacation:

May 8th

13 tags

Juice Cleanse - Yes or No?

Juice cleanses have been the latest fad. While I find the bottled organic juices to be a huge marketing ploy and weary of the actual health benefits, I do see the positive outcomes from a day or two away from solid food. My co-worker and I decided to do a day of smoothies. Not only did I still have a large amount of energy, but I felt lighter and happier. The following day I was also more...

May 7th

2 notes

10 tags

“Worry gives small things a big shadow.”

May 2nd

15 tags

May Bucket List

May is here! Time for fresh fruit drinks, tanning out on my lawn with a good book, listening to a chill summer playlist while driving to the beach, and, unfortunately, allergies. I won’t let my sneezing get in the way of my plans though, here’s a sneak peek of what my May calendar looks like: - Backpack Big Sur. I’ve already picked out this trail. - Make Bloody Mary...

May 2nd

15 tags

Apr 23rd

1 note

8 tags

Apr 23rd

452 notes

8 tags

“May you always do what you are afraid to do.”

Apr 20th

2 notes

8 tags

Happy Friday tunes. Enjoy!

Apr 20th

12 tags

The best guacamole you'll ever have

Really. I didn’t believe it at first, but then I tried it for myself. While the pictures didn’t come out quite as nice as in the original blog where I found the recipe it truly was the best guacamole. Don’t be deterred by these two surprising ingredients! The bright colors of the pomegranate and mango will make a memorable impression at the next party or potluck you attend...

Apr 18th

1 note

13 tags

“I wish I’d done everything on earth with you.”

– Great Gatsby

Apr 12th

3 notes

10 tags

Apr 12th

10 tags

GoPro Stills

Today I went out Mountain Biking (MTB) and used my GoPro for the first time. Here are a few still shots I captured:

Apr 11th

3 notes

13 tags

Cake decorating

Last night I took a Beginner’s Cake Decorating class at Kathy’s Kreative Kakes. We learned how to make perfect dots (harder than it sounds), how to pipe different borders on your cake, draw straight lines with frosting, as well as make roses! See here for details from my Cupcake Decorating class.

Apr 10th

13 tags

Climbing Rocks

This weekend I stayed over in Mill Valley and less than ten minutes from our hotel room was this awesome bouldering spot. Not only was it a secluded, but the view was absolutely breathtaking! The rock is called “Turtle Rock” - can you see why? (hint: look at the top right side of this rock)

Apr 7th

1 note

8 tags

Apr 4th

16 tags

Spring into action

Spring is a wonderful reminder to get your ass in gear - search for that ideal campsite, work out a bit longer at the gym, and organize your closet so your heavy coats are stuffed in the back. Here are a few items from my April bucket list: - Bike Sawyer Trail - Simplify my living space (maybe make use of these boxes you sneak under the bed?) - Cook with taro … taking meal...

Apr 4th

12 tags

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

– Mary Oliver, “The Summer Day”

Apr 2nd

4 notes

10 tags

Apr 2nd

2 notes

10 tags

“Challenge the conventional notions of practice.”

Apr 2nd

7 tags

Mar 30th

4 notes

15 tags

Tortilla Making

How easy is tortilla making? Easy. Two ingredients, 3 steps. Mix together corn flour and water. Roll into balls and flatten them (I put wax paper on each side and used a rolling pin). Then heat on each side for 30-50 seconds. Done! I added sweet potato, black beans, cabbage, tomato, avocado and cheese on mine, but the beauty of tortillas is that it allows a lot of creativity. Go ahead and...

Mar 28th

8 tags

The Golden Gate Bridge

I played tourist on Saturday and walked across the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge. In one direction you face the city of San Francisco with fog swallowing it from above, and from the other direction you approach the green sunlight hills of Marin.

Mar 26th

1 note

14 tags

Mar 26th

8 notes

16 tags

McNee Ranch State Park

I spend all week in an office. Sometimes I don’t even know if its been raining or sunny outside. But when the weekend rolls around, you won’t find me anywhere contained by four walls. My girl friends and I have a new tradition of hiking every weekend. It is also great preparation for my upcoming Half Dome trip in Yosemite. Here are some pictures from this past weekend’s hike in...

Mar 25th

1 note

11 tags

“The best dreams happen when you’re awake.”

Mar 22nd

12 tags

Cheese 101

I recently attended the Cheese School of San Francisco and took a class taught by the owner, Kiri Fisher. The class was called “How to Taste Cheese 101” - and today I will share some of the fun facts I learned: - A yellow cheese indicates it was made with cow’s milk. The more yellow the cheese the more time the cow spent in the pasture. A white cheese shows it was made with...

Mar 21st

1 note

13 tags

Stuffed Zucchini

An impressive dish that is easy! Simply scoop out the center of the zucchini and stuff it with whatever ingredients you have around. For me that was tri-colored quinoa, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, and cheese.

Mar 19th

1 note

10 tags

“Don’t let the urgent overwhelm the important in your day to day life.”

Mar 14th

17 tags

Because it's there

George Mallory spoke these words to a New York Times reporter in 1924 - “Because it’s there.” Why travel to space? Why climb a mountain? Why explore the depths of the ocean? Its existence is a challenge.

Mar 8th

12 tags

Great Libraries

There is something enchanting and comfortable about libraries - do you feel it too? They’re usually cramped and crowded, which in any other scenario I would dislike, but in this case you’re surrounded by stories. Precious stories of adventure, heartache, romance, mystery, discoveries and imagination. Here are some libraries from around the world that I would love to visit given the...

Mar 8th

7 notes

13 tags

Mar 8th

5 notes

13 tags

“One can only be as bored as one is boring”

Mar 6th

21 tags

Sushi Rolls

Making sushi in your own kitchen is not as hard as it seems. This past Sunday I got a group of my friends together and showed them how to roll! And here is a picture of me and the boy all dressed up in theme, just for fun.

Mar 4th

1 note

10 tags

“I hope there are days when you fall in love with being alive.”

Mar 4th

10 notes

7 tags

Mar 3rd

5 notes

8 tags

Mar 2nd

9 notes

14 tags

March Bucket List

The past two months have been action packed and unusually productive (maybe my monthly bucket lists are working?). By the looks of my March calendar, this month will be no different! Here are a few items from my March bucket list: - Make homemade corn tortillas - Boulder outdoors - Take an online class - Do an art project - Give someone a “Thank You” gift - Attend the abs...

Mar 2nd

1 note

13 tags

Spring Rolls

Last night I crossed the last item off on my February Bucket List: making Spring Rolls. Prepping for the meal was so much more fun than I had expected! I sipped on sake and Sapporo Japanese beer while having fun with the mixture of fresh ingredients. Inside each roll I included sprouts, carrots, cucumber, rice vermicelli, tofu, cilantro, mint leaves, and lettuce. (I loosely followed this...

Mar 1st

4 notes

14 tags