I have never shot a gun. I have shot a paint ball or laser gun, but a real one? Nope. I am a curious girl who likes to do things usually at least once. So I investigated and found a gun range near by. I found one that had a ladies night, which would make it cheaper to do, hopefully.

So once there, everyone at the place is very helpful. Letting us check out what is in the cabinets before we go shoot. There was a good number of people there and a few newbies just like us. Nice to be in a place where there are a good number of professionals around to instruct. I was a dumb blond with the gun, this is not a good sign.

 Lucky for me there is help just around the bin, a senior seasoned shooter took an interest in showing us what to do. This was great because I learned what I was doing wrong and other tips, plus let us shoot some of his weapons! Now this was really cool because within an hour we were able to shoot multiple weapons.



See the shots! It helps that Jim gave us one of his targets that splattered so you could see the holes easily. It was nice to see the results so clear and easily. In general we hit what we were aiming for... which was nice.

Skydiving!

After what seemed like forever when in reality it was an hour an half, the Hollister crew was finally ready to take us up in the air. The sad part was that we were just waiting like bums, wish we were learning something or they had timed it better.

So when they did get it all together then the ball was rolling. Dustin was my jump master and very efficient, with in moments I was strapped up and heading out to the plane. Finally we are on our way! I am about to jump out of a plane, this is crazy and exciting at the same time.

As we get on the plane, both of us are getting strapped to our jump-masters, the guys who are wearing the parachutes (important!). There is a group of us crowded into a small hanger plane and everyone is nervous.

The pilots are joking around, asking if any wants to get out or that something was wrong with the plane. The jumpers join in, pretending to want to get out or that they forgot their shoot.

When we hit 8,000 ft the doors opened and half the plane jumped out. Then Dustin and myself scooted to the front and waited as the plane kept climbing to 15,000 ft.

Before I knew it, we were there and scooting to the back of the plane. Dustin is repeating the instructions and asking if I am ready. Am I? Better be!

Suddenly the door is open and I am sitting on the edge of the plane looking out thinking "Holy (@*!" Pulling in my arms and then Dustin jumps out.

There is nothing like it, the air is whizzing by you and your brain is freaking out.

The air itself is very thin and tastes a bit bitter. The moment you open your mouth the air is forcing itself through you, forcing you to breath through your nose.

Yet you can't help but smile because of how amazingly beautiful everything is. It is just crazy how quickly you are falling, it is hard for your mind to catch up on what is happening.

 

What your brain does recognize is the cold air and the pressure on your ears. They feel clogged and you have to try to regulate them.

After that I became aware of my jacket. It was mostly zipped up but not totally and thus was flapping in the wind. This was starting to bug me.

So with a bit of a struggle, I zipped it up. It is very hard to move your arms or body while you are falling since the force of air is pressing against you.

Before I knew it, Dustin was tapping my shoulder to let me know he was going to pull the chord for the shoot to open.

The speed drops dramatically and now you are able to really look around. I am in just awe.

Sooner than I wished, Dustin is telling me that we will have to prep for landing and is pointing out to me where we are going.

As we get closer to the ground I am stretching my legs out in front of me. I have to be in a sitting position so that Dustin's feet touch first and he can do the actual landing.

Back on the ground I look around me like a little kid, I just survived jumping out of plane. Now that I have lived through that... I can survive anything.

Garden goes on...

I am quiet puzzled by how this garden adventure turned out. It is November and I am still harvesting spices. I'm so happy to have a bit of mustard or sage pop into my dishes. That I grew them tickles my fancy.

The tomatoes that did so well at the start never matured. This shouldn't surprise me as they need warmth to grow. Maybe I should have kept them inside my house. All and all, I am happy and feel successful with my mini herb garden. Though I need to start the basil again as it looks sad.

Good neighbors

I live in a place where people look out for each other. It is a community. People here realize they have an impact. Look at the picture, trying to reunite the shoe and its owner. 

It is not the first time I've seen something like this. When people lose scarfs, gloves to jackets a good Samaritan puts it in a safe visible spot near by. I'm not saying it is certain to be found but they tried. Once my wallet fell from my pocket and guess what... they returned it.

You can make a difference to a persons day by helping them find a lost object. I realized I lost a jacket a block away and it was gone before I got back. This was a devastating loss for me and all within five minuets. Had that happened in my neighborhood, my jacket would be there safe.

Think and help others, because you would want it if in their shoes.

Movie Critique: Play the Game

This movie is funny! A total chick flick but really quite cute and good. It is really true in many ways, has some serious on the money points. It is honestly how people interact.

It is sad but you will find yourself saying yup a lot. As an outsider you see through it and also are a bit indignant when the characters don't... but its really quite true to life. Helps lay out the guy and girls mentalities when it comes to dating and love. It really cracks in to not all but some of the guys mentalities.

Don't worry ladies watch it to the end and be rewarded.

Focusing my energy

When I was in Thailand I started learning about Buddhism, really identifying with what they were saying or more I was reading. Before I knew it I was in the Wat and the monk was tying a string on me wishing me luck. This is common practice to tie a string around a persons wrist to help ground them or more their soul to their bodies and for them to be careful while traveling.
So when my sweetie gave me a present with a multicolored string. It brought me back to my trips and before I knew it I was putting it on. Finding it comforting and reminding me of a when I traveled, I found it reviving my spirit. Re-energized I kick myself back into my goals.

 

Yet it is the multicolor that kept getting me. I found myself wanting each color to represent something. Red was easy, love of course. Green is for my career. Yellow was happy and became a way to focus on positive thoughts. Blue of course is calm, keeping grounded and finding balance.

Jump in SF Bay

This blog has always been holding myself accountable to my goals and the random things that come to mind. Going farther into my life than I would necessarily want people to know right away off hand. I have nothing to hide. Even so, I decided to start another blog. Not quiet sure when I will find the time but I have come to the decision I need a blog that is more professionally aimed.

Since I am always in the know of events, restaurants to shopping and in general a good pulse of the Bay. I also plan to explore the Bay better and believe in jumping into life head on. Plus full of random tips and want to put this all more into focus. Meaning I started Jump In SF Bay found at: http://jumpinsfbay.wordpress.com/

You will probably see some post from this one migrate over there but it will have all its own content and more focused. 

The Renaissance Fair

The drive up was quite quick. I really have to admit I was surprised but that could also be because we (my sweetie and myself) started from Hayward. So going out to Hollister was not too bad. Soon enough we were pulling in and getting out of the car. Everyone is changing into their 15th century garb and starting to change how they are talking. This is going to be kind of cool and the fair's last day.

Laundry Service

Once we enter the fair it is like going through a time warp. The first thing we are greeted by is a group of maids washing clothes. Now that is what I call dry cleaning. The fair turns into a myriad of circular paths each opening to other performances.

Their are stores selling all sorts of gift items and things from the time period. There were leather, metal and hand-made goods. All sorts of funny little nicks and knacks to put in your house or to use while at the fair. The best thing really was all the performances from the Capella groups to people teaching to actual mini theater performances.

Men in Tights

Like the above, an abridged version of a bunch of Shakespeare's plays. The actors gave a rather humorous twist to them via their improvisation. One thing I loved about this performance was there way of summarizing how to remember a few of the plays with inches. Like how "Much Ado About Nothing " as the 3" play where as 12" was for "Taming the Shrew". It was quiet a good way to help the crowd remember them and put a nice hidden adult twist to a family fun affair. During the play  actors incorporated in the crowd and joined in, just like real guest were.

 

After a bit we got bored and continued on to check out the rest of the fair. It really is just like a fair with games and all. There is a maze, petting zoos and a few rides. Funny to look at them and compare to our current rides. It is easy to see how they have evolved and actually kind of cool. I really enjoyed being able to stop and shoot a bit of archery. Plus I hit the target a few times too, cool huh? Things you did as a kid can be recalled.

 

The best thing for me was watching this man blow glass. I mean it is incredible the works of art he did and these pumpkins to solar lights and more. Listening to him was also a hoot. How the art was good for people who cannot wait since they could change things easily, unlike clay which is all about precision and taking its time to cure.

Dressage

Then we were off to explore again and some how managed to stumble into the last main show of jousting for the season. It was great! First there was a horse show where the riders did some tricks and mostly dressage. Which is a formal style of horseback riding. Then the real show was on.

Jousting: Salute

The jousting had four rounds, which was in my mind a bit unfair. The first round winner has to fight the next fresh guy and their were four guys. I don't get why two didn't fight two and have the winners fight each other. That way each guy was equally worn down, but I don't make the rules. It was fun to watch. Seeing them charge and try to break the other. Plus when they would actually play sword fight and sparks would fly. All in all the day was a success and I felt happy to have done it.

Yoga: Bikram

Finally I am getting into yoga! I found this great studio in the Mission right by where I am house/pet sitting. It is a Bikram Yoga Studio that had this great deal for newbies: $30 for 30 days! I could not resist and I bought it. So far I have managed to go at least five times. I am excited.
It is a hot yoga which means you are going to be seriously sweating by the time the 90 minuet class is over. It also goes through the same 26 poses every class. I like this cause I am starting to learn them and what to do next. Every time though it is pushing me or more I am pushing me to my limits. It is all about your own body and how far it can bend. Working yourself from the inside out and outside in.
I like how balanced I feel after. I am going to keep doing this.

Ghetto Tetris Squish

Packing for burning man is a crazy feat. It's a matter figuring out what you have and calculating your space.
Luckily between the twinzzzz (aka myself and ms. N.) We had it covered. Myself packing food and Ms. N. Playing Tetris with all our supplies in our Frank Sinatra automobile.

Pictures were lost with my phone I am working on recovering them.

Somehow we managed to fit a week of food and water, two shade structures, three chairs, one table, our daily costumes, kitchen gear, three tents, two air beds, yoga mat, etc......and last but not least, two colorful bikes.
Ms. N got it all on the roof, the trunk and inside the car. I was in WOW.Now on our very way. See you all after the burn!!!

Burnifing the bike

I learned last year that a bike is seriously needed in this dust bowl city I'm going to. When I mentioned needing to hunt for a cheap throw away bike, my hunny offered me the one he found ages ago.

He had already brought it over and a glue gun and sticks, these will end up becoming the best most handy thing EVER! A bit later we set out to decorate it. How? My first idea was neon puff balls but didn't know where the store I saw them was. So I thought about caution tape, not very Burner. Then about a garden bike. You know with leaves, flowers and such? Talking to my Mom, Mr. A heard the store I was looking and took me straight there!

Went to Jo Ann's and got the neon puff balls that were my original idea. Then once home the project was about to start! We started gluing these puff balls all over the bike. I turned the reins over to Mr.A because he seemed to really kinda get into it. Sweet! There is hope to get him into Burning Man yet, maybe. Then it is just putting them everywhere! I mean every corner and nook and cranny I can find I am putting them on. From the frame, to the top and even the handle bars!

Then when there are no more puff balls to use, I put extra padding in my seat. Yup I am making it comfy since I do not like riding bikes and have not since last Burn I might as well try to make it better. I put cushion on the seat and the handle bars. This bike is rocking hard core and is so sick you will not believe.

Sadly I do not think the butterfly lights will work, kinda sure they were broken while putting them on. Oh well as casualty to the bike. I kept going since I knew I had no love of bike riding, I made sure to pad the seat! Yes I but extra cushion on and even made sure to match colors. Since I was on a roll, I did the handle bars too... this bike might be so comfy I will wanna ride it all the time. Hell, it looks cool enough too. Playa beware! We are coming!

Masters program... DONE!

Quick than I could blink this year flew by, suddenly I was almost done with it. All my school terms have blended one into another. Leaving me done and wide eyed.
Do I know 100% what I want to do? No I don't. This is why I am reading a book called I could do anything I wanted if only I knew what that was.
I do have the feeling of accomplishment. I just finished my Masters in Marketing. Plus I got to certificates one in Integrated Marketing Communications and one in Public Relations.
I have always know what to study, now it is about what I can do with this wonderful degree. I am ready for my next step... I think.

Fly me by the bay

Rushing cause its the way life seems to run when you juggle to much and try to be everywhere at once. I am finally using a gift certificate I won ages ago. I had to rent a zip car to do it which breaks the bank of course.

Lucky for me I got an Audi. It was so much fun driving around in this sleek spacious car. A little weird since I don't usually drive and it takes a bit to get used to a new car. Once that is done and traffic gets the heck out of my way I am doing fine. Granted Google maps sent me all over the place in weird directions that made NO SENSE!! Yet I made it there!

Once there it was pretty easy to find the place and wait a quick bit for my instructor. Then its to the parking lot for planes to pick up ours. It's a small private plane, is really not meant for more than four. The instructor, Mr. G is checking the plane and showing me some of the main checks too.

Then when we are climbing into the plane and I get to check out the dashboard. Mr. G starts telling me what does what. I get acquainted with the real control. Its fascinating stuff really. How the plane works all the different dials and knobs. What does what probably takes a good bit of time to get use too.

Suddenly we are in the air, the world below us getting smaller. I get to help in the ascend. This tiny plane is making a huge racket and really working to get up there. Then suddenly it is level and we are just flying around the bay. Looking out the window trying to listen through the head phones.

Once you get the hang of it and being up there, which for my evil tummy is not a great thing always. It is quite easy to do. Looking out is the crazy part. The whole experience is like being a little kid again in some senses. Very happy I did it, wishing I had the money to be able to do it regularly.
My certificate! Just saying I did it. =)

Gimp

Be careful, really I am serious even the house can be dangerous. I know this as I stubbed my toe real bad at home. Suddenly I could not walk. Really, no weight could be put on that darn pinkie toe. It became about hobbling around and keeping my foot up. I was useless!

First time in a while I have three days off in a row and now I cannot walk at all. I spent them entirely with my foot up and watching whatever. During these days was my birthday, yup! What a fun way to spend it. A gimp worshiping ice.

A week has gone by and I am still not on my feet 100%. Have watched way too much TV, worked on projects and resumes/job stuff. Plus built a race car lego and was like a kid again. Now nine days later I am up and about, walking a good bit. Tomorrow is my first day at work, its going to be hard.

Message to the world

Have you ever wanted to send a message in a bottle? Or had a lot of different ideas pent up in your head that you wanted to release. Be it bad memories and times or things you have not said to some one whose passed. Wanted opposing things or just overwhelmed? Have you ever been hopeful wanting to put a wish out to the world?

Well me and a two friends did this tonight. We wrote, trust me each letter was very different. Though I think it made all of us realize something or feel a bit better. The intent of course was different.

The result the same. It all went in one bottle and out to the world to find its way to fulfill the wishes. Or more hopefully for us to find some of our own paths.

Natasha's Grad Party

This party was amazing, a splendid affair. It would not have happened without the hard work of my beloved parents. I am so lucky to have them as my folks, they are so hip and are truly my best friends. They took such time, planning and good care for this party. They really handled everything. Mom spent the week before cooking and Dad spent it working on finishing the backyard landscape project.Boy did it turn out well. All the neighbors aka my Aunts and Uncles came out and stayed a long while. It was great to see my adoptive family the neighborhood that took care of me as a kid. They were shocked to see the change in the backyard.My crew started showing up and soon the party was on. Mr. AA was taking pictures which I cannot wait to see, specially if I have to wait for him to take it. My girls are posing away as the guys don't really care. Half the time the guy's don't even know it's happening like Mr. AS, one of the two Mr. A's.
We had a bit of name repetition, cause Ms. CW and CG came together and my friend from UO Ms. N, yes I have a friend with the same name came too. Thus in all their were two Mr. A, Ms. C, and of course Ms. N... making it a fun night. Of course from early one Ms. V was a show stopper and caught everyone's eye. Yet in general the party was hip to casual dressy. Plus they were smart and carpooled, Ms. K (who helped with pictures) brought Ms. C and her bf Mr. L.

My girls really had a ball (I am pretty sure), the only thing missing half the time was myself! I have to say I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with my friends. I assumed everyone would come to my house for the after party and thus spent the time trying to mingle with my friends of family and family who I see less often.
Granted in some cases I think the fact that I was not there 24/7 is a good thing. I missed out on some of the crazy antics that would have probably made me roll my eyes or even stress me out. Here I am promising that my friends are grown up enough and telling my friends that their kids cannot come. Why? I've Ms.J licking Ms. A or pretending to... hmm.
Then of course there is this random bit. I have to say getting to see parts of my party that I wasn't around for later is quite interesting. It wasn't so hot to need shorts, so is this their goofball attempt at sex appeal?

During all of this I am talking and catching up with my "family". Granted a lot of the time I was chained to the door. It seemed like any time I'd venture away it would ring and I was greeting another guest. Not a bad thing at all!
I would get out over to the corner that my group claimed as their own. When I did finally get there it was fun to chat with my friends. Honestly I kept getting stolen away by one of my girls and then by one of the adults or the door. People were constantly coming and going. Yet I kept up on my friends, making sure they had food and drinks. To the point that Ms. J started calling me "Stepford". Cute, very cute. That didn't stop my crew, they all had a good time mingling together. The adults thought that they would mingle when they ran out of wine. Not until the cold forced everyone inside did the two groups start to merge.
The server's were on top of it and brought the group their own bottles of wine. I mean why get up when you can have it with you? Smart servers, this is why you get help cause otherwise you spend the whole party going nuts. I was already going nuts trying to keep track of who came and went.
The party kept going on successfully, it helped in some ways that so many of my friends and family had Murphy on their case and missed it. Yet honestly it would have been better to have them their and their presence is missed. Plus that the crowd wasn't starving or really planning on drinking, we were totally covered! Heck we were overboard. Thus as the night went on and we migrated inside my parents toasted and then I spoke myself, thanking everyone and enjoying the mushy moment.When I had planned this party I knew my Uncle R and his family might be coming into town. Sure as luck would have it they did! It was amazing to have actual family around. I had not seen them in about ten years. Thus these young adults were kids as was myself when I last saw them! It was great to catch up with them and even get to know my cousins.As the music got better I kicked off my shoes and started to really dance. Granted getting pulled into conversations left and right. Did I say it was amazing having friends all around? It really was a kick to see them all in the house I grew up on finally getting to mingle with each other.The one on one time or watching friends catch up and mingle together was priceless. I loved that I could get friends that rarely could hang out, together. I have to admit though my girls who usually were always out on the dance floor were all hanging back.
Really had to force everyone on the floor and hustle them out there. Otherwise they were starting to once again settle into the comfy niche. This is a party, there is no parking! It is about mingling and mixing it up with different people. Then continuing to dance on and be merry for the rest of the night. Once they started to dance, well then things went off. Heck a conga line broke out and it was kinda ridiculous. I grabbed on the the camera man Mr. A and he tried to get away as the line behind him grew. LOL!Soon everyone is cutting a rug and my parents are starting to mingle a bit more with my friends. This just makes me happy. Everyone is having fun and dancing, my parents get to put faces to the names finally. I am surrounded by people I love and that love me back.
I am surrounded by people I love and that love me back. What more can I ask for? As people start to leave and everyone is getting their last rounds and its really just my friends I am surprised as my burn camp mate Mr. L pops in. It was a great surprise that he did that and I was so appreciative that he came out.
Finally I get to spend some time with my sweet guy and we get to dance a bit. Honestly we hardly spent a moment together. Just spent the whole party with friends and everyone there. I running around kinda crazy and he was holding his own. Never the less, it was great to get someone one on one time to celebrate.Then it was time to pack the car and boy did I have to pack the car! Since we over planned, I ended up taking half a case of sparkling California wine home (can we say another party?), not to mention some reds, whites from the party and that were gifts! Plus the balloons and the stuff I brought over, plus some food. Then of course all my flowers.
I mean FLOWERS! Ms. J got me red sunflowers and Ms. N red tipped roses, these two really went well together. Ms. Y, my guy's mom (Yes I know. Raise your brows at family meeting. Over it yet? Good) besides being brave and mingling fiercely, she got me this incredible orchid plant. I am going to work so hard to keep it alive as long as I can. Plus Ms. C and her guy not only got me a great bouquet that has an amazing, fragrant lily on top of one of my incredible gift bottles.
Days later my flowers are all going strong in looks and smell. I feel incredibly lucky and loved. Thank you again for the amazing memories. It was a wonderful event.