LA Zoo Visit for Kissin' and More

On Tuesday, December 23, I went with my sister, Kirsten and her two kids, Mikey and Kendra to visit the LA Zoo. We had a great time meeting the sea lions and harbor seals. I was able to get a 'kiss' from Rocky. Kirsten and Mikey were able to 'shake hands' with Mona. Kendra got to feed Mona by throwing fish to her. And we all got to pet a harbor seal. If you are wondering what's like to get a kiss from a sea lion, picture a VERY BIG dog nose coming at you that smells really fishy.

We enjoyed visiting the gorillas and I enjoyed having to leave the gorilla exhibit because the gorilla eating his own vomit was grossing out Kris too much. Apparently gorillas in captivity enjoy regurgitation and reconsumption. There is no known answer as to why they enjoy it. The keeper's theory was that if it tastes good once, it must taste good a second time.

As we were leaving the zoo, we were sitting at a picnic bench talking to Jason over the phone when Kirsten told me to look behind me. I did and there was a little black and white 'kitty.' So we quietly got up and started walking towards the front of the zoo. We ran into someone who was walking that way and advised them to not go that way.

After leaving the zoo we headed up to the Griffith Observatory. It was an amazing view from up there. It was my first time up there. I can't believe I'd never been up there when it's only up the hill from the zoo. We enjoyed watching a show in the planetarium. And then it was time to go home because it had been a really long day.

The Phantom of the Opera

On Friday, November 28, 2008, me and my friend April went to see The Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco. I was excited to see it again. I haven't seen it since I saw it for my 21st birthday in Philadelphia. I was very excited to take April to this vegetarian restaurant but it was closed up. So we ended up trying this really nice restaurant in a hotel across the street from the theater. We had these amazing raviolis. Anyway, we made it to the theater and enjoyed watching the show. Also we got really excited about our tickets to see Wicked because we realized that we have some good seats. And it's only 3 more weeks until I go to see Wicked in Los Angeles with my sisters for Christmas. Yay for musicals!!

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving morning found me running with about 7,500 other people around downtown San Jose. I went with my friend Shauna and her husband Adlai. Shauna and I ran the 5k and Adlai did the 10k. I haven't run in a couple of weeks, and at the end of the event I was feeling that. In fact, I'm still feeling it in my upper thighs, where I tend to feel things when I'm running. I did get an awesome t-shirt and I guess as my Aunt Val would say, I earned my dinner. I am hoping to run New Year's day in Palo Alto. I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

Guess Who I saw at PF Changs

I took a photo to prove that I saw him. I hope he thinks I've been nice, not naughty.

Baby Fish

About a month ago, I came home to find extra items in my fish tank, but I had to look a couple of times to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing... baby fish. At first I was assuming it must be from my guppies because they were the only fish I had that were the same kind. So I ran one of them back to the pet store. So I read up on guppies to see how long you have to keep them before you can get rid of them. I was waiting until they were old enough to take to the pet store. Today I was look at the babies and noticed that they are getting markings that are very similar to my Mikey Mouse Platy. (they have a marking that looks like Mickey Mouse on them.) So tonight I was doing some research on Platy babies. Turns out that I was wrong about how fish have babies. There are fish that have live births. And so it's possible to have bought a pregnant fish. And it's possible that my babies are Platys instead of guppies. It turns out that they are very hardy fish. I am hoping to get rid of some babies next week. Let me know if you are interested.

Happy Halloween

This year was all about recycling and reusing. So last year I was Spider Pig and this year I was another famous pig. Also, we decorated at work and it was a zoo theme. It was lots of fun. I didn't win for my costume, but I had fun. I am also including the photo of me trying to find my blond wig.

Walking around the World

Okay, I didn't quite walk around the world. But I did manage to get my 13.1 miles of walking in for the Nike Half-Marathon on Sunday October 19th. I was so happy to get so much support for everyone. I had fun texting and talking to people while walking. And I really enjoyed listening to the book on tape that I had. It was also fun having people driving around and honking at me in encouragement. Also, a co-worker lives a couple of miles from me and she and her husband came out to wish me on. Needless to say I got in my distance and I will be getting my prizes in the mail shortly. I will be showing that stuff of a lot. Thanks to everyone who wished me well.

The next Saturday I went on the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in San Jose. I had fun walking with everyone. It always makes me cry to see so many people out supporting such an important cause. I sometimes wish that we could have better results against diseases like breast cancer and Cystic Fibrosis.