Bull Run hikes

Hiking in Bull Run was a great break from our working days in Manassas. Over 5,000 acres of the Manassas Battlefield Park has been preserved... saved from more strip shopping! It's about 4 miles from my parent's and about 30 miles from DC. You get a wonderful view of the Shenandoah Mtns, locally called the Blue Ridge. Alot of history here.

Each time we hiked the battlefield, the trees were even more golden. We came across a deer on our path. Walked pretty close to it, but didn't mind us much. Sabrina was frolicking all over the woods so I think she missed the deer. She disappeard alot deep in the forest but always managed to find us. Gives us so much joy to see her running so free. The looks on her face is priceless. I can only imagine what she sees. I can tell she is really loving it here. She gets to be dog doing her favorite thing... running! Running in acres and acres of land, green grasses, and trees she happily navigates around. We can only dream of lush acres in California. Though she does have her beaches in Santa Barbara but she much prefers not getting her paws wet. She leaves that up to her lab friends.

Here's what the website says about the park: Manassas National Battlefield park was established in 1940 to preserve the scene of two major Civil War battles. Located a few miles north of the prized railroad junction of Manassas, Virginia, the peaceful Virginia countryside bore witness to clashes between the armies of the North and South in 1861 and 1862.

Queens/Long Island

Headed to Long Island for Brett's work. Stopped in Freshmeadows Queens to show Brett my former neighborhood and school, St. Johns U.

Checked into our hotel in Hauppauge then headed off to the furthest you can drive east to Orient Point. So cool to be there right on the edge of the islet. A ferry can take you to Connecticut. We decided not to adventure into CT and check out the farmlands and wineyards instead. Fruit and veggie stands everywhere. North Fork area of Long Island is home to some great vineyards. The Hamptons is considered the South Fork area. We opted for more laid back north fork scene. We enjoyed wine tasting at Castello Di Borghese the first vineyard on North Fork. Then headed to try out the seafood. Mediocre at best but the view spectacular.

Great shopping spot at Century 21 Department Stores Also in Manhattan. Though at this point, I am shopped out!

St. John's University



Long Island


Wine tasting

New York City

September 11-15
Busy week at the Inside Beauty Health, Wellness Conference at the Javitz.


We stayed at Olivers apartment located at the most northern most tip of the city. We had dinner with him one night and he was off to Denver the next morning. Fern came up for 4 days and each morning went across the bridge to the Bronx for what else but Starbucks (notice a cup in Brett's hand). Great location and comfy lofty chairs to sit and people watch and read the NY Times.

Favorite NYC activity: eating


Central Park at dusk



Playing with letters


Sept 11-17
NYC


Favorite NYC sport: shopping

Pleasant surprises: we met lots of cute dogs, walked right into a street festival. Spent most of our time eating and shopping around there with Brett and Fern.

Beautiful places: the park next to Oliver's apt building

Cool spot: the Apple store, open 24 hrs a day 7 days a week!
You can click on different images from the NYC Apple store

Least impressed with: Tiffany's

Most impressed with: the brand new subway train we got to ride in. The guys sitting next to us were Transit engineers and they were testing out the new train. And oh yeah, I asked alot of questions, especially after he said to the other guy "we passed the critical zone". Smooth ride all the way to mid-town.

"If you're bored in Manhattan, it's your own fault"

In Remembrance 9/11

I remember it was just five years ago from today, I recently moved to Santa Barbara and living solo in my downtown apt. My mom routinely called to see how I was doing that morning from Virginia. While we were on the phone, she had the news on and I watched the Today Show like any other weekday. We both found out while on the phone what horrifying events were taking place. I'm still in disbelief. Haven't made sense of it but able to reflect.

The year following 9/11 was personally challenging for me. I got laid off at a non-profit in Santa Barbara. Funding to the environmental organization was dwindled down to having to lay off 3 of us, first time in their 30 year history. Won't analyze it further but indirectly feeling the consequences of that day, I will always remember.
Poems to share. Sometimes thoughts are best shared through poetry.

__________________________________________________

Traditional Buddhist Healing Blessing

Just as the soft rains fill the streams,
pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness
flow forth to awaken and heal all beings,
Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May your heart's wishes be soon fulfilled
as completely shining as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.

By the power of every moment of your goodness
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.

For all in whose heart dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.
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A Blessing for Happiness

Metta Sutta (Stuttanipata)
May everyone be happy and safe,
and may their hearts be filled with joy.
May all living beings live in Security and in Peace--
Beings who are frail or strong,
Tall or short, big or small,
Visible or not visible, near or far away,
Already born or yet to be born.
May all of them dwell in perfect tranquility.
Let no one do harm to anyone.
Let no one put the life of anyone in danger.
Let no one, out of anger or ill will,
wish anyone any harm.

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Blessing
The Buddha

May every creature abound in well-being and peace.
May every living being, weak or strong, the long and the small
The short and the medium-sized, the mean and the great
May every living being, seen or unseen, those dwelling far off,
Those near by, those already born, those waiting to be born
May all attain inward peace.
Let no one deceive another
Let no one despise another in any situation
Let no one, from antipathy or hatred, wish evil to anyone at all.
Just as a mother, with her own life, protects her only son from hurt
So within yourself foster a limitless concern for every living creature.

Display a heart of boundless love for all the world
In all its height and depth and broad extent
Love unrestrained, without hate or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk, sit or lie, until overcome by drowsiness
Devote your mind entirely to this, it is known as living here life divine.

Brett's birthday

Celebrating his birthday in Virginia. Mama made a feast complete with Pancit for good luck.






Fern ate too much. Sabrina's just hooked on the window.
carl and rafi

Sabrina's new backyard

Sabrina keeping papa company in the garden

West Coast to East Coast

We made it from our roadtrip across the US. From Santa Barbara, CA to Manassas, VA. Approximately 3,300 miles in 5 days through 11 states and 4 audio books: in order of appearance CA, NV, UT, CO, KS, MS, IL, IN, KY, WVA, VA.

We stayed 2 nights in Las Vegas (thanks GregooOOOOoooo for timeshare use ... awesome place) to relax and eat yummy filipino food, off the strip of course. I vote for it being pet friend though ;-) Sabrina was a trooper for having to sneak in and out to do her business. It was fun for us all though.

Along the way, incredible landscapes, nice people, good roadfood, high-speed internet and pet friendly lodging. We however came across one psycho big rig driver on the last stretch to Virginia. Whew we survived that one, but was fun looking back.

Seems Sabrina gets up from sleeping at just the right time to see a spectacular site. Lots of them driving through Utah and western Colorado. Couldn't ask for a better roadtrip dog. She's incredibly fun to be with. The expressions on her face when we stop (for any reason) is priceless. She has this look of joy ... or is it the "are we there yet" look.

Off to New York Sept 11 for 2 weeks. More quilt free miles through 5 states.

St. Louis

Another day of ideal driving conditions... sunny blue skies. Stopped for some fun under the arch.

Sabrina the road princess

Sabrina the travelling dog

Leading the way to our room. Looks like she's done this before.


Sabrina being playful.

Utah

Taking in the Utah scenery. Going west to east Utah was Brett's most scenic state. Mine, Colorado, Utah comes in at a close second. It was all so breathtaking.