I'm baaaack!

My how life can change in 6 months! Since my last melancholy post, enough life has happened to fill at least a year, perhaps even 2. The sad part is is much of it seems a blur to me as I have rushed through it all out of necessity. So many adventures, new and old friends, highs and lows...all part of my story. 

I visited Disneyland with my cousins, feeling like a kid again. 

I ran my third and absolute final marathon with Lacy, my friend since 3 years old...

She rocked it and I struggled tremendously. My genes (& some life circumstances) don't provide for good back health. Sadly I haven't run too terribly much since then, but I still try for my mental sanity.

That same weekend I had a wonderful visit with my Papa's 93 year old cousin, Marg who is full of life and crazy stories. 

Met my baby cousin, Claire for drinks in the city. She had to buy as this slacker was without her ID, this was a first! 

I started riding bikes rather than running. Breaks were plenty as were many stick walls to protect me from any roadside danger. I swear I'm 31. 

An opportunity to never pass, feeding the horses.

I was accepted into Arizona State for their online nutrition program. I am over the moon happy and love the freedom of doing my work at my own pace, without having to visit a campus. This plus also freed up some time to take a second job, back at Auburn Medical Group where I had worked before starting school. Two jobs, school and a near daily commute of almost an hour one way made my plate just a little full, hence the blur.

Went to Hawaii for the first time and fell in love. 

Back packed the NaPali coast for 3 days and 2 nights. It was a wee but scary, but well worth the work. Once home I found the hike listed as one of the "Top 10 Most Dangerous Hikes in the US". I can see why! There may have been a few tears. 

The final destination of 11 miles out (to be hiked back also)

This was an incredibly special trip for me on so many levels, one reason being this is where my great grandmother, Isabel's ashes had been spread over 25 years ago by my uncle (on a boat, he didn't hike with her ashes). When getting to the end of the trail I was overcome with emotions. When my grandmother had passed I was too young to understand at maybe 3 years old. My mom was emotional and walked outside to find me blowing bubbles from our apartment's balcony. She had asked what I was doing and I responded, "blowing bubbles to Grandma, each one has a prayer in it." (This tradition was continued at her daughter, Shirl's celebration of life also) At the final, most beautiful destination, the beach, I stopped in my tracks as a woman about my age was blowing bubbles. Who brings bubbles that far?! Any extra weight in your bag is avoided (unless it is wine). My grandma Izzy was there. It was magical time and I of course took my Dad along and scattered him to share the space. 

My favorite San Diego family came to visit and JJ Showed me his hilarious personality

This bike stuff is serious! 

Saw the Amgen start in Monterey, CA

Dolphins paced me on a morning run in Santa Cruz...

This run reminded me with the force of a blow to the stomach that I long to live near the ocean. My heart is so calm and happy with the salty air, sand at my feet and the sound of waves crashing. Days after this trip I woke up with the idea that I need to move to the beach instead of continuing to dream about it for ten plus years. I only have one life to live and I may as well live it how I wish. That same day I made my plans to store my belongings, have mom watch over my fur child and to go on a grand adventure before moving. In 24 hours I made all of the arrangements and contacted my landlord to get out of my lease. Don't put an idea in my head because I won't waste any time to get it done if I like it! 

June was a tough one, add moving to that list of two jobs and the start of school and I was not much fun. Many moments started to come full circle for me and show me I was headed in the right direction. The biggest of those was the passing of a long ago friend, Andy. Andy was setting off to sail from SF to Hawaii and didn't make it out of the bay. Just knowing he had set out on his lifelong dream, of epic proportions, reminded me to make my own my reality as you never know. 

This also brought me back with amazing, old, comfortable friends. The kind you can openly cry with. Despite the sadness my heart was overflowing on this beautiful day in Del Mar.

I took a break from packing and studying to go to an awesome concert at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. One guess who it was?

Bruna and I

Michael Franti, Soja and Trevor Hall!

Such a beautiful night which charged me even more for my upcoming plans. So much of my travels have been inspired so far by this music, perfect timing! 

Late June I left Sacramento and headed back home to mom's to ride out my remaining time working. Being back wasn't as tough as I had thought. I don't know if I could ever express my appreciation for my Mima and her love for me in words. She is my rock. Thank you, Mima.

Kingsford & Modie, Mom's African Gray. 

I was blessed to get away for a weekend over the Fourth of July, back to Hawaii! 

Morning run views 

Quiet spots for contemplation around every corner.

The clouds here make me smile. 

My last weekend in town I shared some wine with friends at my favorite local winery, Dono Dal Cielo.

This hippie heart was happy as a clam!

I finished out my time with many meals shared with friends, making memories, sharing tears & laughter. To all who made such an effort to share time, call or text me...THANK YOU. You all make my life that much better and I know we will continue it though the years no matter where we find ourselves. 

In route to Chicago, with no planned return home until mid October. I will be enrolled full time in school for the entire journey. I have many stops in the next three months, but you will have to just wait and see! 

Fascinating how I continue to move and store belongings, yet three months fits in three bags. 

Here I goooooo!!!! Keep in touch and know I am easily accessible via Skype, text and email. 

 

Saturday: My last day of 30 (in Bali)

This morning was rough. I can't help waking up early despite how much sleep I have had. Getting to bed after 2 am and waking at 7:30 does me no good! Again, if you know me I need minimum 7 hours to be functional and nice. Buuuut apparently my body wanted  no more sleep. Fine, be that way. To breaky I headed!

Most things come quite large, but this lil bambino was too cute. 

Spotted a gargantuan spider in the gardens, same I had seen in Thailand. 

I finished breaky and rushed to ready to head to yoga at the festival. I was walking down the beautifully messaged path to the car alongside Marco (dj from yesterday's post). We were chatting away about life when suddenly we heard a loud crashing noise from the palms overhead. About 4-5 palm fronds fell atop us. I screamed like a girl of course. They landed upon Marco's shoulder and my left arm. Holy cow did it hurt, still bruised and scraped today. I guess I should count my blessings it wasn't coconuts!

Let me give you a little back story to this cursed incident. Marco was wearing a shirt he had purchased Christmas Day. He had been searching for a traditional  Ballinese shirt and walked into a store where a local lady greeted him. She said "I have a gift for you!" And gave him the shirt. He had not asked her anything about such a shirt that he happened to be in search of and here she had a gift of one for him. He put it on and raised his arms over head and all around joked he was like god when he did this. Suddenly the ceiling fell in that spot over his head. He had been sharing this story with everyone since the incident. Before we left this morning for the car he had decided the shirt would be too hot and would change once we arrived at the festival. Well, once the palm tree crashed upon us he changed right then and there, mid path amongst the debris. We are convinced something was amiss with the shirt. He gifted it to our taxi driver, which thankful did not affect our ride! Phew!

The shirt. 

Headed to yoga!!

Pre palm fall

This morning certainly made me feel drunk on life when I headed to yoga at the festival where Michael and Jay played Accoustic. I have done this once before (stated in my first Thai adventure post, my inspiration) and it is my favorite. The session was held in the gymnasium where the main stage is set.

A little dance and clapping mid pose

The couple behind me had the absolute cutest dachshund pup who lazed under them all practice. Joy to my heart!

Much needed stretch fest after the last few days of running and dancing.

Michael sang "the Sound of Sunshine" and encouraged all to take our mid yoga dance into the field...

http://instagram.com/p/ifFyr8DxhL/

I ditched yoga a few minutes early to go hear Trevor Hall talk about his work with India and it's influence on his music.

Post presentation jam sesh. He played songs inspired or learned on his trips to India, a few in the native language of his ashram's village.

I couldn't not be a fan. "Let your dreads grow!"

I later see this: http://instagram.com/p/idM3Nph4Fd/

So much inspiration this morning. 

I headed to lunch before leaving for the hotel...

http://instagram.com/p/idIyHKDxgH/

Not the most glamorous pic of me, but I was in heaven! Is this real life?!?

I hopped into a cab (after finally finding one-not easy out here in the jungle!) and met my 19 year old driver, Balon. I love nothing more than chatting with locals. It came up that my birthday is tomorrow. In Indonesian birthday is said Ulongtong (not sure on spelling). Balon then said, "God bless you and good luck. Long life". Such pure sweetness. 

We then carried on our cultural talk, teaching one another about our own ways of life. He taught me that hello is "hah-low" in Indonesian. Here I had thought I was being so negligent in not learning a proper greeting and everyone was greeting me in what I thought was English. Guess I wasn't so negligent after all! 

I headed back to Soulshine for a Vanilla Sky smoothie (banana, vanilla, cinnamon, clove) and then crashed for a nap! No sleep, heat and yoga wiped me out!

I awoke and hurried to ready to head back to the festival. I went earlier than some of the others as I was not about to miss Nahko. 

My heart is so full. (As were my eyes with happy tears)

I first saw him perform at Wanderlust festival at Squaw Valley just a couple of years ago when he was hardly known. Full circle to Bali and I am counting my blessings! 

Some of you may know I have a secret love of beat boxing-Nahko kills it! 

One last Michael show for a long while. (Singing with Ethan Tucker)

Tonight I was dragging and my bed could not be any more welcoming! Goodnight, 30! 

Friday Franti Festival!

Today is the first day of the festival! I am beyond excited! Aaaaand a bit sore as I took a tumble on my run yesterday. But have no fear, dear mothers-I am fine! Just a little bruised and scabbed. And it didn't stop me from another run today! But today I was far more cautious and stopped to enjoy the views a bit more.

Never gets old!

The "trail", which is actually a back road, so cars and scooters are often present. A few times I have encountered children out on the path and they are darling. Yesterday a little boy started running behind me. Today a group of little boys asked where I was from and after answering "California", one said "I'm from Bali!". They found themselves in collective laughter afterwards. 

These stones, turn to this:

Simply amazing!

There are several of these shops along a certain block. I find it funny that they do not sell different things in the same areas. Often you will see the same things sold along one street, as though it is a collective specialty.

Cranes, cranes, cranes!

I like to think he was cheering me on and not barking at me.

This was a hidden little amazon I ran over.

How now brown cow? I don't see you at all.

They are not friendly like Thai cows, which made my heart sad when I attempted to feed one. 

Post run called for some delicious breaky.  

I forgot to take a picture when the eggs were present. I was starved. These "plates" of banana leaves are awesome!

This never grows old. I'm soaking it in before I head to my backpacker digs in two days.

Soulshine juice, a mix of everything. 

A few of us headed to the festival later than the rest. 

The festival raises money for a birthing clinic as well as a scholarship fund for the green school (google it, my pictures don't do it justice)

The main building. The entire school is built of bamboo. The ultimate treehouse!!!

Vendors selling all kinds of wonderful earth friendly goods that call to my hippie heart.

Stunning mandala of fresh petals.

The coolest, comfiest chairs

More of the school. There are 108 solar panels that power the school.

More of the vendors from floor two of three.

The main stage area from the second floor. Loving this!!

DJ Marco, he owns Bissap Baobab restaurant in San Fran by day. Sweet soul.

Went "home" for a nap and lunch before heading out for the night.

Walked in to Nahko and Trevor performing together during Trevor's show. I can't tell you all how much I enjoy the music these two make, brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart.

Turned around and spotted Nahko in the crowd. These two literally adore one another, it's pretty awesome to witness.

You can see Nahko front and center fanning it up for Trevor's show.

I headed to grab a snack and water in the chill out area (second floor of the main building shown above). I had the most beautiful butterfly that would not leave me alone, landing on my phone repeatedly while I went through my excessive pictures. Mom, I thought of you! 

And then of course my favorite! Local Balinese girls performing traditional dance to "The Sound of Sunshine".

Jay, the guitar player being carried through the crowd on Cappy's (Michael's oldest son) shoulders.

Michael in the crowd telling everyone to get down. Such an awesome performer. I was drenched with sweat by the night's end.

Then the concert was taken into the field. So. Much. Fun! 

I returned home and called to wish my Nana a happy 85th birthday around 2am Bali time. She was in complete shock I called her from Bali, then asked what I was doing besides drinking. I guess she assumed since I was up so late, I must have been under the influence of something.  I've had two glasses of wine since being here. This place and this music are like drugs for me. My soul is shining!