By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be growing old - Benjamin Franklin

I don't know about you, but as I've gotten older, time just whizzes on by. How can it already be close to the end of summer?!

I remember what it was like to be young. When problems consisted of wanting to have my favorite toy, and a bit later on, having sleepovers with friends, keeping up with some of the latest fashion trends, wondering if that boy I liked would ever notice me,  thinking of other opportunities to add to my college applications, and of course, waiting anxiously to turn a year older...

Now-a-days, I'm old enough to see styles that were big when I was young come back into style. The high-waisted jeans (ick), the crop tops... These days, instead of flocking to the "new" trends and trying them on, often times I pick up a hanger, inspect the item, and think, "What IS this?!" I move the article of clothing around, trying to picture in my head, how it would actually fit on a human form, often times without success.

I look in the mirror, and see subtle changes in my face. Though my complexion is better, I see age lines that weren't there not that long ago. I see silver strands in my hair and am waiting for that tipping point when I will start to dye it so that I can continue to pretend that I'm not as old as I am.

Though, just last week, I was carded, so maybe I can keep pretending a little longer. (Phew!)

By now, I'm sure some of you have seen this:

Source: http://9gag.com

I'm almost in the middle of this! Agghhh! (Without the kiddos though.)

I'm closing in on one of those "milestone" birthdays and when I think about it, it's surreal. My life may not be where I thought it would be by this time, but I really can't complain. After all, I've got great relationships with friends and family and I live about 3 miles away from the beach in my favorite city!

My birthday in 2016 (La Jolla, CA)

“To travel, to experience and learn: that is to live.” - Tenzing Norgay

Hello there!

It's been a while since I've been on here. I've been keeping myself busy with my creativity projects and have also been neglecting that food blog I was working on. Oops!

The Couz and the Bro

Anyway, my brother, Stephen (but better known to his friends as "Steve") turned 40 a few months ago. I was planning on writing about that in May or early June, but my obsession with finishing the Game of Throne books kept me occupied. I finally finished the 5th book (A Dance with Dragons) earlier this month! So before I go and start rambling about the books and the HBO series, I will stop myself from digressing...

So, yeah, Steve just hit a big milestone in life. He may or may not like that I have called him out on this, but truth be told... he doesn't look his age. Nor, truthfully does he act it. :)

George Burns stated it well, "You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old!"

Heck, I'm not going to disagree with that! My previous irritation of getting carded has now been transformed to feeling a small joy from it these days!

Totem Poles in Stanley Park, Vancouver

While it may not have been the case when I was young, I am definitely grateful to have grown up with a sibling. Even though my first words were "Stop it!" due to his torment, even though his chant of "Kimmy's got a BIG ol' head!" still rings in my ears, even though he never let me play with his Star Wars toys... I'm still glad that I had someone to share my childhood with.

After all, no one else (aside from my parents) has been there my whole life. To know the growing pains, the challenges, and the good times. Who else can we call when our parents are driving us up the wall?

On the way back from Vancouver

For his birthday I bought took him to Seattle. We had so many reasons why we chose that city:

1. Our cousin lives there, so mini cousin reunion!
2. It's close enough to Vancouver.
3. It's just a great city!
4. etc...

We have travelled together before many years ago but it was time we did it again.

On the waterfront

While we were up there, we took a day trip to Vancouver, went to a Sounders game, visited the Space Needle and Chihuly exhibit, met up with some friends, and explored this beautiful city.

We truly, and honestly were going to go on a hike, as my cousin goes on them regularly. The breathtaking posts on her instagram account: https://instagram.com/chrisxxs were enough to motivate me to go! But, the day we scheduled it, the bridge was up due to Seafair, so we'll have to do that one next time. 

Happy Birthday Steve and happy mini cousin reunion! To many more!