Old blogs « A Girl & a Dog
<div style = "text-align: center;"> <img src="images/1221711394-sc-101.jpg"> </ div> <br> dogs are good for the soul. While walking my dog, people often smile at him. Dogs allow us to open up and communicate more, they make us less afraid, and they make us feel good. The dogs are loving, forgiving, faithful, happy and brighten even the darkest of days. I recently read the book, "Dog Days, Jon Katz and I am currently reading his book," The Dogs of Bedlam Farm. "He loves his dogs and do not deny how important they are in life.It has a slightly different perspective when it comes to giving a dog away and find a dog a new home. I have not decided where I stand on the issue. For me, bringing a dog in my house is making a commitment and a responsibility I'm going for the life of this dog. I understand both sides of the issue, but just not sure how I feel. I suppose I should be in a situtation to be able to decide where I really am. Jake, my 100-pound chocolate lab, has brought me more joy, love and affection that I never could imagine. It is my constant companion.Our solitary walks together, are recorded as the best moments of my life. I learned some important lessons from him, like allowing the stillness of nature into all my senses and give me a lasting peace, if only for that moment. In difficult times, I have to bring me back to those moments and allow them to treat this. <br /> One more week and we're headed for Canada! I am very excited to see something new and out of California! I so want to see other parts of the world.I realize Canada is not going to be too different, culturally speaking, but it will sure be nice! I really want to go kayaking. I tried to talk Jay kayaking courses with me, but he does not want any part of it. Think it will be boring, and he wants an engine. Not surprising really .... I like doing things human-powered, and he likes to do things in motorization. Its really frustrating sometimes. Well, I'm going kayaking anyway! If only I could figure out how to take Jake Long ... .. Anyone kayak with his dog?? <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/1212644983-sc-97.jpg"> </ div> <br> Jake and I were on the last leg of our Big Pine Creek Canyon hike when we stopped at the cabin of the old Lon Chaney for a much needed rest. I removed my bag and then pack Jake. Being released from his ball, he flew to the fresh, gentle stream flowing past the cabin. I sat on the steps of the cabin and removed my boots and warm socks stink. My toes and I squirm more hindered to join Jake in the stream. Cold water painfully stabbed at my feet, but felt good at the same time.It was not long and I had to return to impede above water. I sat on the grassy ledge, his feet resting on a rock in the open stream and watched Jake frolic in the water. Suddenly, Jake put his head in water, has averaged something with his paw, and turning to the air. I thought "what the hell is he?" I looked closer, the water is only a foot deep, and I saw a big stick. "Jake did it again, the thrust of head, eyes and nose in water, has maintained a batting average, and came proudly stick in his mouth and marched out of the stream with his treasure clenched tight.Seeing that I was not going to drive (my feet were just too painful), he laid in the grass and chewed sticks soaked until it's not much. Bored, he got up and jumped across the stream again looking for another club. Jake's swinging his head under the water again, his leg has maintained a batting average, and this time came the stick in his mouth. Again, he proudly danced around me want to be hunted, but moved into the grass to do some chewing. All I could do was laugh out loud at the funny boy who makes my life so much joy! <br /> .... In 2 days! I can not wait.I played with my equipment earlier today and feel while packing my bag. It does not take much for me to get excited to go hiking! Jake and I are going up Big Pine Canyon, we'll camp at Third Lake, then the next morning, we will take the path leading to side Palisade Glacier. Hope to get really good pictures. You do not know if the snow will stop us or not. We had a foot of snow fell last week and we will be camping at a little over 10K. We'll have a good time no matter what! <br /> I'm worried.I earnestly hope that the adventure of my life and my desire to travel the world is strong sign. I want to go to Nepal, first and foremost. It has been my dream to trek in the Himalayas and experience a land without roads and modern conveniences. I finally found a friend who loves hiking and being outdoors and is ready to go with me. It's now a matter of time, money, planning to leave, so I'm sure it all works hope. The husband does not really get to a third world country. He is worried about me getting sick, injured or running in terror.The thing is, there are infinite things to worry about and everything can happen anytime or anywhere. I can not stay home just because something "could" happen to me. I mean, I could leave my front door, fall down the stairs and break my neck. Does this mean that I would never go out of my front door? No, that's crazy! <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/1210057762-sc-94.jpg"> </ div> <br> My school semester is officially over and I am so relieved. It was a difficult semester for me and I so wanted to quit many times.I stuck with it though and I'm so glad I did. Only 1 more semester and I'll get my diploma! Graduation in December! I guess my Christmas present will be a degree of master! I can not wait! I want to travel in 2009, something special. My dream has always been trekking in Nepal. I not only want to see the beauty of the Himalayas, but I learned about people and living culture of Nepal and seek as a spiritually rewarding experience. I think it would transform their lives. I've been a vegetarian for 6 years in art '90 'My reasons for being more ethical than for general health. I've always been an animal lover and I really oppose the mistreatment and slaughter procedures unethical that many animals raised for food must endure. My vegetarian leanings have never left me and in recent months, I had the urge to become vegetarian. I want to live a life of nonviolence and I can not do fully as if I eat meat. My husband does not understand the whole vegetarian thing and he is a die-hard "meat and potatoes" man!I did not say that I am serious to be vegetarian because I think it may create a problem. I never understood how I'll do yet. It would be very difficult to cook two separate meals and we have a conflict in our food tastes. It would just make it worse. For now, I'm vegetarian option when I'm alone or we're eating out. I'm going to slowly. I came upon your blog after reading your comment on my blog. I always believed that there are invisible connection between people where they are those who have similar thoughts.I am very happy to read your blog about the desire to be a vegetarian, it reminded me how much I wanted to be a vegetarian before. I am also an animal lover. I always used to feel bad about my consumption of meat, when I saw the birds at the bird feeder on my deck and while watching Animal Planet. Finally I become a vegetarian and do not miss meat. Yes, my husband feels his meal is not complete without meat. <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src = "images/1201962228-sc-89.jpg "> </ div> <br> Winter is here, the new year is here and already a month has passed and I was wondering where he went. The school has started again and I am impatient of be done at the end of the year. Reason-life problems and personal changes, I had to abandon my nurse practitioner program, something I'm still a difficult time with. I went to the administration of nursing so I am going to graduate with my Masters. <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src = "images/1194835945-sc-88.jpg "> </ div> <br> Wow, time flies, does not it! Living in Mammoth is a dream!" Every day I think the fact that I live here and I can not believe it. The pace of life is slower in Mammoth and I am taking the time to appreciate where I am and where I work. Mammoth is good for me and I am healthier here. I get more exercise, eat less, and the simple lifestyle satisfies me. <br /> I am not only survived my 3 graduate courses, I'm not good enough! I now have 3 months off glorious! I really projects and things to do and I'm sure I'll even have time for half of them.Wait for the House to sell and hope something affordable in the region rises Mammoth. Looking forward to some major hike this week and hope to get a podcast this week also. <br /> You've just finished reading James Patterson, "Step on a Crack." Good, entertaining read that does not require much thought! At the moment I read "Yoga Beyond Belief" by Ganga White. It requires reflection, but it is very informative and inspiring. I have been bitten by the yoga bug! Wow, its been a long time .... But some reason, I feel the need to say something.<br /> right to life is hectic today. I'm knee at school, I sometimes feel like I'm drowning. I knew it would be difficult but you never know until you're in the middle. I fear for the future and whether or not I'll be able to continue or not. For those of you who may know, I'm at university studying to become a nurse practitioner in the family. The next semester, I begin my practitioners and was told its really intense. I feel so insecure, I have so many questions .... <br /> <br /> I was going back and forth between home and Mammoth.After 5 months in Mammoth, it really spoiled me. Home will never be the same. I belong to Mammoth, to my beloved Sierras. We're going to move soon. Sell the house, moving ... many things to think and do. Overwhelming, actually .... <br /> <br /> still dream of returning to Alaska. I always think about it every day. This is the most amazing place I've ever seen. Very different from the Sierra, his vast and magnificent, there really are no words to describe adequately. For me, its more of a feeling, something that can be expressed by words.<br /> <br /> Back to books ... pathophysiology call me ... ... <br /> <p have not blogged lately cuz my husband and I had quite the discussion about this and he does not think its right for me to blog personal stuff, and he thinks it is dangerous . It really upset me and I certainly dissuaded from doing so. I promised that I will not blog anything from him (not that I did that much anyway ....) </ p> I just read this and in some respects, I agree with your husband. However, I must say that this site has parameters. I have mine on the highest of privacy.Only people I can judge by reading my blogs. I like it like that because my youngest son is like your husband. And he will not mind writing about them here. Nevertheless, we must also remember to respect them, while remaining ourselves. Our hubby's our not our father or our bosses, our companion and partner. They sometimes need to be reminded. God knows that the mine had to be reminded of this sometimes too. <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/1145841274-sc-63.jpg"> </ div> <br> I love podcasts!Some people say that podcasting is just a fad but I think not. I think its here to stay and will eventually be more popular than conventional radio. My iPod is full of podcasts. I subscribe to 12 of them and every now and then I download a podcast, what I want to try, or maybe I'm interested in this particular topic for the day. My favorite podcast is <a href="http://www.alaskapodshow.com"> Alaska Podshow Podcast. </ A> I love Alaska and listen to the Podcast Alaska Podshow Alaska brings closer to me.I got to know Scott, the moderator, a little and it's fun being in contact with him. Everyone's time, Scott plays one of my audio feedback on the show and my husband teases me for being a "podcaster wants to be." Well, it's true! I do my own podcast, but I must confess I am a bit scared as well as knowing that it is a huge commitment that I really did not have time. <br /> I also listen to Adam Curry Daily Source Code's, or <a href="http://www.curry.com"> Charlie </ a> as he is affectionately called these days.Podcasts are available on any subject you can think of! You can subscribe to podcasts via iTunes <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/"> </ a> <a href = "http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/index.php "> Juice </ a> or any other number of podcast receivers. You can also podcast files just download individual and listen on your computer. Podcasts are great for your iPod, mp3 player, or burn to a CD and listen in your car. The possibilities are endless! <br /> is way past time for an entry here ... <a href = "http://www.csudh.edu / SOH / Don "> school </ a> this semester, has kept me so darn busy. Good news, I'm almost done! More than a week and only an important document for the purpose. I have finished with everything else and it feels really good, I'm looking forward to being off. Sometimes I wonder if I really want a Master .... <br /> Easter weekend was great! Steph (my daughter) and I went to a concert on Saturday evening with <a href="http://www.sanctusreal.com"> Sanctus Real </ a> <a href = "http://www. telecastmusic.com "> Telecast </ a> and <a href="http://www.tree63.com"> Tree 63 </ a>. It was great. I felt really bad for the tree 63 as their last and about 50% of stage left during intermission. Too bad for them because the shaft 63 is awesome! They signed my CD after the show, and it was great to see them in person. On Sunday, I went to church with Mom, Dad, and my sister and spent the day at their home. The Easter dinner was incredible and Steph joined us too. It was altogether a great day! Jay was off in desert with the guys.<br /> <p My family gave me some wonderful surprise! It was way cool. My sister was the IT planning for years. I had these wonderful gifts .... Rolaids, Senior Vitamins, Icy Hot salve, wrinkles, Milk of Magnesia, even denture cleanser! Laughing, I asked my sister if she waited all my teeth to fall, I must say it was great fun. The best gift is an album that my mom and dad did for me. It contains pictures of my birth and childhood. Something very special that I will always cherish and be able to add. stuff like that is absolutely priceless. I love my family very much.Thank you all! XOXO <img src = "http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/07....