super post of february. Posted on Saturday, February 27, 2010 | 0 comments

San Diego "winter" is upon us. Rain and rain and wind and a wide, bizarre range of weather. Since my mom visited and the half marathon training has somewhat subsided, I have seemed to feel like I am hibernating a smidge; yet I feel as if I have never been busier here in San Diego.

Went on a great hike in Torrey Pines State Reserve; every time I hike this place, whether it's with friends, by myself, or with family, I see something new and exciting each time. A new sunset, a new building, a new shared experience.

aren't sunsets quite possibly one of nature's coolest things?

On one of my days off, I got the itch to just go to a place in San Diego and take some snapshots. Very impulsive, but it was neat just driving to drive, capturing a moment in an instant. I wound up at the intersection of mission bay and the pacific ocean. First on the mission beach side, then on the opposite side at dog beach in OB. Getting lost in a place of full of people totally by myself was weird; i felt almost in a bubble, floating along, capturing a scene. I probably will revisit that feeling again soon, just to figure out how to experience it without feeling lost. Sounds so deep and sad, no? Ah, the life of a young adult trying to make something of the world. Existential stuff, ha.

on opposite sides of the bay, same sun, brilliant light. Left is dog beach, right is jetty at the end of mission beach.

This is the roller coaster at belmont park. Both times when I was driving past this intersection, I couldn't help but take a photo; it's a little spooky looking in the winter for the lack of tourists in the area. I still want to ride it, because nothing beats a wooden roller coaster.

there is something so quintessential about palm trees making a photo look so california, isn't it?

Next as we make our way through the time, I finally visited sea world; it's literally 10 minutes from my apartment and it's taken me 6 months to get too. Personally, the exhibits and interactions here rock compared to the san diego zoo. Maybe it's the shows or the up-close and personal feel for the animals you get, so I had a great time. Went with two girls from work and then revisited a week later with Amy and our friend Courtney. The second time at Sea World was better than the first, probably because of Shamu.

Courtney came for Valentine's--ahem I mean President's day weekend. We hiked Torrey Pines, naturally and went whale watching--a first for all of us. Fabulous time had by all, especially in our adventure suits and coast guard rescue boat.

more great pics on facebook, holler. I can't believe february is almost over, eek. But hope to have good fun with the weekend off (if I'm not trapped inside by rain and tsunami warnings??) peace.

Visits and such. and more photos, duh. Posted on Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 1 comments

Whew, last of the visitors for a while. Mom came for 5 days and had a nice stay at the small apt; we both realized that after she left that it was a little cramped between her, Amy, and I . No worries, she was reeling the entire time about how amazing San Diego is, how beautiful the natural scenery is, and how happy I am that I moved out here. I agree, I really have grown to love this place because despite how difficult and stressful working at the hospital can be, I always have a beautiful ocean to look at, a hike to go, a neighborhood to explore. My sister made a comment to me when she was visiting recently about how a lot of the photos I take are not of people but of nature. I think this is a two fold answer: 1. nature in CA is absolutely incredible and such a contrast from the east; why not focus on that and 2. i still am not comfortable photographing strangers/my friend are still few. Working 12 hour days completely distorts your body clock and your interaction with the outside world. I get home, eat a meal, and crash into bed, with an alarm setting 7 hours later (or less sometimes) to do it all over again. I struggle to find a good balance between this exhausting lifestyle and my social life; however, I am making more of an effort this month than in 2009. Let's hope my efforts pay off and I can function better with my relationships than I have had previously. Anyways, as usual in my postings, here are some recent photos of, you guessed it, nature! I recently took a photo class through the store where I purchased my camera and was enlightened about the many tools about photography I had yet to discover on the camera. I'm still learning, but am content with how these pictures are turning out. If you want copies, let me know, I would be happy to email/snail mail any and all prints.

mom visiting-she hasn't seen an ocean since august.

amy and i after finishing the LA Half Marathon in Santa Monica. so tired.

Hotel Del Coronado, love the red roof.

La Jolla Shores, looking in on the private beach.

Hiking in Torrey Pines with Amy and Fernanda-got many sunset/artsy shots.

sunset.

there are many more of these on facebook, check it out!

2010, what up! Posted on Monday, January 4, 2010 | 1 comments

Happy New Year! I am looking forward to a year of exciting new opportunities and adventures. Goals for the year, I don't like calling it a resolution-then it doesn't happen:

1. take a photography class, show some photographs in a show/shop

2. make a killer mashup with Amy

3. run a marathon (my 1st half is coming up on Jan 10th!)

4. optimism in the workplace-the first year as a nurse is the toughest, so i have to make it to september, oh boy

5. make a concerted effort to stay in touch, despite the 3000 miles from home

6. huck a cliff skiing (a little dangerous, but it seems like so much fun)

any other suggestions, bring it on!

So recap of the holidays:

-working on xmas was rough, but I survived-thanks time and a half.

-my dad and sister visited me from DC. saw some great sites, surfed, ate great food, laughed a lot.

-took some great pictures, naturally

-got a new computer (hello macbook and video chat!!)

-mom is coming out to visit me on the 8th and is going to watch Amy and I run the half marathon in LA, so stay tuned for that update.

Pics from recent times:

usoc training center in chula vista

it's like the one in colorado springs, but there's no one there.

i really wanted to sneak in, but this path leads to nowhere

orange tree...yup in california.

oh hey tom donohoe! and sister!

even on a cloudy day, CA landscape is amazing

I think san diego is a season behind the east coast. now in december leaves fall?

more center. we were the only ones here.

after seeing dad and kmd off to the airport, the sun still had not risen yet; but the full moon was up. this is at law street.

crown point drive, very close to sea world at daybreak

sea world tower with a plane taking off at sunrise.

turn around a 180 from the last picture, and the moon is setting. surreal.

la jolla scenic drive. kinda captures that early am stillness.

worth it to be up early to see this from my car window.

peace. out.

Happy Holidays Posted on Thursday, December 24, 2009 | 1 comments

With the holidays today, a full work schedule, and visitors, time has been passing by super fast. I've come to realize how people can truly feel about the holidays being the hardest time of the year. Back in September, when I willingly agreed to work Christmas, I really did not think much of it. However, now I realize that I really do miss my family a lot on the East Coast and our annual holiday traditions: the Christmas Eve gift exchange, complete with prayers and singing; the lazy Christmas morning with breakfast and the Godfather on TV, and then the enormous Donohoe party on the 26th. As much as I groan and pity myself, I do realize how important it is to stay strong and enjoy my life out here--I did pick it didn't I? So as I begin my three days of work in a row tomorrow, I will keep in mind of all my family and friends who I cherish so much. I am grateful for everyone in my life now and am so appreciative of the love and support I have received. So Merry Christmas, enjoy the views from the left coast.

Temecula wine country

Ponte Family Winery

Manhattan Beach Pier at sunset

"It's Christmas in California
And it's hard to ignore that it feels like summer all the time..."

Getting in the spirit of christmas Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 | 1 comments

So I am waiting today for the gas-man to come and turn on my heater. Yes, that's right it's slightly chilly in San Diego, getting as low as the high 40s at night, so yes, a smidge of heat would be nice. Back in Virginia, rental companies swing by the apartments, turn on the heat, winterize the place; out here? i get laughed at on the phone about "winterization" with a "oh we don't do that". Then why do I pay you rent? sigh. To continue, my appointment today is a time between 730 am and midnight; convenient, right? Thanks gas company because I have an old-school wall heater (no central in this dojo), they have to come and light the pilot light. Enough venting.

What have I done recently? Let's see, work, work, and did I mention work? I seem to have my schedule planned to work as many as three days in a row, have four days off. As much as I really like these multiple days off in a row, working those three days really runs a girl down; read: now I have a sinus infection, sweet. Love yucky drainage in my throat with clogged sinuses. So now I working on getting through the z-pack, and making plans to see an allergist asap.

So since my last post, I have been christmas shopping like a pro, trying to get the best deal for good presents for everyone. Instead of getting many presents, I have opted to go for 1 or 2 big presents for the family. I hope they like them! (I want to reveal what I got so bad, but xmas is still some time in the future--ah the agony of waiting!)

Saw a great concert; no scratch that, saw a good concert. I was working last Saturday (Dec. 12, also my sister's bday) and was hustling to get to the Rimac Arena at UCSD for the 94.9 Holiday Hootenanny, which was hosting many wonderful bands including: White Rabbits, Manchester Orchestra, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, and Spoon. Alas, it was an early start time for the concert, so as soon as I walked in, Phoenix was finishing their set. So sad I missed it, but there's always another concert. A consolation prize was Vampire Weekend and Spoon, both rocking out impressively. Despite having to work the next day as well, I had a great time.

Ezra from Vampire Weekend

lead singer from Spoon

Yesterday, Amy and I journeyed up to Orange County to explore Laguna Beach and go see "The Glory of Christmas". Held at the Crystal Cathedral, it's the story of the birth of Jesus, complete with LIVE animals, at least 100 actors, and organs, trumpets and a choir oh my. I wanted to take a video of the angels that "descended down from the heavens" on wires, but every time I pulled out my camera, the spotlights behind us would go on and I would chicken out, for fear of an usher yelling at me. Way to act like a grown up, Colleen. Here are some inside shots from inside the Cathedral; I need to go back in the daylight to get the full effect of the amazing windows.

Sunset at laguna

inside the cathedral

Also, here are some photos from the ocean beach pier; on one of my recent days off, I was sick of shopping and just wanted to get lost for a bit. yes for surfing pics! enjoy.