Overcoming fears....little by little.

Last night, Hermanita and I went out to eat at Big Kahuna's.  It's a lil hot spot here in Imperial Beach that serves up some very juicy burgers! So good!! It definitely tastes as good as Island's Burgers, even a lil better!  While we were eating, she mentioned how much she missed Mr. Red and his laugh.  So being the kind friend that I am, I texted him to see if we could drop by.  He had some friends in town, but was more than happy to have us drop by.  This past weekend, his younger brother, Steele moved down from SLC, with his Great Dane, Duke.  Mr. Red prepared me weeks ago for another dog in his home.  I get very nervous & anxious around dogs.  I don't fear them anymore than not wanting to get dirty from them.  I didn't really grow up around dogs, but my teenage brothers had dogs that use to nip and jump on me as a toddler.  On my mission, I did my very best to get along with dogs, but they get me nervous...and I know that dogs can sense that, so I had to warm up to them rather quickly.
Well, Mr. Red got a dog about 2 months ago, and every time I go over to his place, he tries his best to help me get over my nervousness around his dog, Odysseus.  I'm trying, but maybe I don't progress as fast as others.  It doesn't help when a dog is excited, but luckily Odysseus is still a puppy and Mr. Red is teaching him not to jump on people.
Well, when Hermanita and I walked in, Mr. Red was on the floor playing with Ody and behind him was the BIGGEST dog I had EVER seen in my entire life!!!!!  HUGE!!!! I couldn't believe that someone would have this dog as a pet!! IT WAS LIKE A MINI-HORSE!!!! Oh man, my heart started racing!!! My breathing was shallow and faster, I was terrified....but I had to fake it since there were strangers around.   Oh, not to mention, there was a Boxer there too! Seriously, SO many dogs in one place!! I'm sure my face reflected exactly what I was feeling, as well as looking flushed with pure nervousness.  Mr. Red quickly reassured me that Duke was a gentle giant and wouldn't even bother with me.  I couldn't take my eyes off of him, he was GINORMOUS!!!!  Mr. Red was by my side as I stared at the dog, while he and Hermanita were catching up with each other.  Duke eventually made his way towards me and Mr. Red said that I should try to feed him.  He showed me how it was done, and then I took a turn at it.  Duke graciously ate the chicken from the palm of my hand and licked my hand a bit.  It tickled and my heartbeat slowed a bit.  I sat off to the side and continued watching this mini-horse/Great Dane, with eyes as big as saucers!  Steele, came and sat by me and also reassured me that Duke was a very lovable dog.  That was my first time meeting Steele and he was super nice to sit with me and convince me as to how nice Duke was.  I was slowly warming up to the idea and continued watching this giant dog that didn't bark once, and wasn't the slightest bit of annoyed by Steele's antics---messing with his face and roughhousing with him, to prove that Duke temperament would not change.  And it didn't.  Meanwhile, Mr Red kept hugging Duke and telling me that I should do likewise.  He was like a broken record and I tried to tell him that I would do it the next time I was there.  I don't know if he didn't believe it, (I was honestly telling the truth!) or wanted to help me get over my anxiety faster.  I don't like  the sound of broken records......and just wanted him to shut his trap! So I did it.....3 times.  And Duke didn't mind in the least bit.  He even rested his large head on my shoulder....and I started to melt :)

Duke, thank you for being very calm so that I could get use to you! 

I think I like you.

Sunday's Sunset!

Gorgeous, right?

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE living in San Diego, near the beach?

I LOOOOOOOOVE IT!!



Happy Friday! Yes, it will be!

*Thank you, Spotify! I LOVE this song! Makes me feel like it's REALLY Friday!

*I juiced some Carrots, Apples & Oranges this morning. I had to add the Oranges, because without it, it makes me think of Houston.  Siiiiiiiiiigh.

*I'm going to the Farmers Market in Imperial Beach today. I'm stoked. I really enjoy it!  

*Hung out with Cherry last night.  Went to eat Pho and then walked on IB pier. It was rather fun. Man, I love walking and talking. I think it's one of the most pleasantly enjoyable things to do. 

*I LOOOOOOVE this photo, that I took last night.... without a flash or a tripod: 

*Man, I LOVE photography. I NEED to finish my Photography degree!

Vibe.

*I shouldn't be bummed, but I am. I miss Houston, terribly.  I miss his morning texts that I received EVERY morning.  Long story short, he reiterated the fact that he only wants to be friends, right now.  At least I tried, I put myself out there and could only hope that he would share the same feelings.  Oh well, I tried and I'm happy I did.   

*I couldn't be more grateful for my dear friend Izzy. God sent me an angel to console my aching heart, in the very moment I needed one.  I don't like to let many people see me cry. To me, that's always been a sign of weakness.  She let me cry without making me feel stupid or weak.  She didn't judge anything that came out of my mouth.  She was the best friend that I needed in my time of sadness.

*From a Facebook post left on Ash's page: Remember how we talk about not throwing stuff out in the universe, unless you want it? Last night, I was thinking of an ex that I tried contacting months ago, but found out he had a new number. I was wishing I could talk with him because we haven't talked in a couple years. This morning I woke up to a text from him!!!! Out of the blue!!! Crazy, right?!?! He said that he was just thinking about me and wondered how I was doing. Ok, now I need to start thinknig of winning the Mega lotto tonight....   {And no, I wasn't lookin' for a "rebound", Riddler lives in Utah, no possibility there}

*My niece Novee's birthday was on Tuesday.  She's 11 now! I can't believe it!! Time flies by so quickly! I'll have to do a birthday post for her! 

*Went to the beach yesterday, man it was bitterly cold!!! The sun was out yet it was so windy! I got some sun on my pale legs and arms (as you can see above). I tried biking the Strand on Tuesday, but geez Louise, it was SOOOO windy! Biking into the wind was HARD!!! As I biked from the Strand to the beach in Imperial Beach, I think I saw Houston driving away from his place. I didn't want to look at him, I would have turned to mush. ANYWAYS, have I mentioned how much I LOVE living in San Diego?!?! I need to find a place on the beach! I just can't get enough of it!!

  

*I'm kinda stoked for the weekend and the upcoming week! I'll be going with a friend out to her family's place in Palm Springs to celebrate Passover.  I'm excited for the change of scenery, as well as the opportunity to experience Passover again.

*Tomorrow's the Farmers Market in Imperial Beach. I was/am really looking forward to going to it tomorrow. Part of me hopes to run into Houston, but I think my poor heart wouldn't be able to handle it.  Imperial Beach, I've fallen in love with you.....but sometimes, it hurts to see you. 

Half-birthday.

Last night, I was suppose to go to back to Houston's beach with my friend Tat. I wanted to try taking more night photos again, with a tripod.  I was texting with Houston before I left my house, so I casually mentioned what my plans were. He jokingly said that maybe he would stalk me down. At the last minute, Tat cancelled but I still wanted to go shoot photos.
As I started to walk on the beach, by myself, he was there! My heart was so happy! Partly because I've missed him...and also because I didn't want to go out on the beach, alone, in the dark.

I got a few pics and enjoyed the company, immensely. On the way back, I almost stepped on:

Crazy, right?!?! Ewww, scary! Makes me think twice about walking on the beach, in the dark!  It was so dark out there, that I only made out the figure and didn't know what it was until I viewed the picture on my camera.  It didn't dawn on me, until I was home, uploading the pictures, that maybe I should have tried to scoop it up with my slippers and thrown it back in. 
All in all, this was probably my most favorite half-birthday to date! I've got Houston to thank for that :)

Friday's Farmers Market!

This is my sister.

Defined by law, she's my ex-sister-in-law.

But to me, she is still just my sister.

We went to the Farmers Market today down in Imperial Beach (IB).

We ate Gyros & Crepes!!!

SO. DAMN. DELICIOUS.!!!

Seriously, I'm falling in love with IB more and more and more!

I loved it down there. It's so chill and fun!

Good food. Great company!

What a FUN Friday!!!

(Can you see why I'm falling in love with IB! And especially their lil Farmers Market!)

Farmers Market

Today was my second time going to a Farmers Market, but the first time going to the one in Imperial Beach.  Can I just say, I'm starting to LOVE IB like it's my second home. I've been spending A LOT more time down there and it's just wonderful!  It was delightful walking around with Houston and checkin' out the shops.  So cool!  I ate a Gyro (yes, again) and man, I think I was Greek in another life!  Houston bought me a Nutella Crepe, since he lost a bet we had this week. It was a very legit Crepe, because the man who made it was from France! DELICOUS! Walked around more and then bought more fruits to juice back at Houston's.  I'm pretty obsessed with fresh juice, as of late! Love it! Especially since I don't have to do it because Houston's so nice to do it for me! Spent the evening talking and listening to Jack Johnson on Pandora, again.  I can't wait til next Friday.....but until then, I get to see Houston several more times! Can't wait! :)