If dogs smiled

We were watching television and a  commercial about dogs came on.  And then this Red Boston Terrier's face showed up on screen.  I started laughing because it looks so much like my dog, Charlie.  

I think it's a good look on him if we got him veneers.  It'll liven up this pouty face.

Turtle: An Incredible Journey

Mom and I watched the documentary Turtle: The Incredible Journey tonight on Netflix.  It's a documentary about a loggerhead turtle starting where she was born on the beaches of Florida and her 9,000 mile journey in the ocean and back to become a mother.  It's like Finding Nemo, but the turtle version.  There were a bunch of perils along that way that were very suspenseful.  I was scared for her. At one point, I got emotional and I clung to my mom like she's a raft.  I think I just felt bad for the turtle because she was all alone in the vast ocean and no one to help her.  But she turned out fine.  It's truly amazing how beautiful the ocean is and how much these animals go through.  I also learned that turtles have built-in compasses and map of the ocean in their head so they never get lost.  Wow, I wish I had that.

Facts about loggerhead turtles:

Average weight and length: 180 - 400lbs and about 3 feet.

Heaviest recorded: 1,200lbs and 7 feet!!!!

Lifespan: about 30 years

Conservation status: Sadly, they are now considered endangered.

Guard Dog

 

What do you see?  Is that a dog on top of a roof ?  Yes, it is.  Our school is in the middle of a residential area.  This dog is on top of the roof watching all the kids arrive to school every morning. He's just doing his job, I guess. 

World Music

Do you like different types of music?  I do.  Here are some of what I've been listening to:

Indian:

Ringa Ringa by A.R. Rahman & Ila Arun

I recently watched a You Tube video and it's kinda cool and funny at the same time. I was intrigued by the belly dancing.

Portugese:

Samba de Orly by Bebel Gilberto

It's from the film "Rio".  I like a several songs in that movie.

O Samba Tai by Seu Jorge

Cause my mom keeps playing it.

French:

La Meme Histoire by Feist

My mom used to hum this to me when I was younger. It's from the film Paris Je T'aime.

Le Festin by Camille

From the film "Ratatouille"

Classical:

Recently, I've been watching "Howl's Moving Castle"  A lot.  I think I have a thing for the main character, Howl. But anyway, I like the main theme of the movie.

Jazz/American:

Anything Ella Fitzgerald/Miles Davis/Diana Krall

I tell my mom these songs remind me of "city and Christmas".  (Mom shrugs.)

Latin/Calypso/Reggaeton/African beats:

Anything on my mom's Zumba dvd.  Guaranteed to get you movin'. The songs get stuck in your head for days, too.

Alternative:

Anything by these artists: Royksopp, Feist, Frou Frou, Daft Punk

Kinda calming or it get's you in a trance.

Pop:

Of course I gotta have some Katy Perry.  My cousin Kayla slept over one weekend and on the way to the park, we had the song "Fireworks" on in the car and we sang to our hearts content. I also like Phoenix, Passion Pit, Jason Mraz, and Adele.

What do you like to listen to? Whatever it is, turn it up!

Sore Mommy

I hear a lot of groans of pain in the past a couple of days.  My mom's training for the Pasadena Marathon in May.  Asprin is her friend nowadays.  Hopefully, her muscles will get used to the torture real soon cuz I want to be able to jump on her lap again.  I tried doing that yesterday and man, I heard her hiss and mutter some words under her breath. Not a good idea to jump on someone's lap when they're in pain.  Hold a pair of chopsticks and make them walk on the table.  That's how she was walking this morning.  Don't tell her I told you though.

Fraggle Rock

You know what my parents got me hooked on?  Fraggle Rock. It's a show both my parents watched in the 80's.  It's a pretty cool show. The intro song is pretty catchy, too (listen here).  The bass line is rockin'. Sometimes my mom and I are doing something and she starts whistling the tune.  We both stop what we're doing and we clap at the proper spots in the tune.  After that, we resume what we're doing.

Out and about at the Getty Center

 Don't you just want to take your shoes off and just feel the grass between your toes?  

It was a perfect day to do that today.

 You can also jump and freeze in midair as your daddy snaps a picture.

Sunset at the Getty Center. Perfect way to end a perfect day.

Hike to Sturtevant Falls

Sturtevant Falls
Big Santa Anita Canyon / Via Chantry Flat
Angeles National Forest / Southern California 

Mileage (round trip): 3.7

 It was a pleasant day to hike.  

My parents have done this hike many times and it's time that I enjoyed it too.

 The nice thing about hiking when you're small is you can attach yourself to a parent like a barnacle when you're tired.

 Wobbly and bouncy planks are used to cross creeks.

 This way please.

Jolly walk through the woods.

 

 I love crossing these makeshift bridges.

 Rocks.  I love climbing rocks.

 Made it to the falls.

Found a perfect spot against a wall of rock to eat my snack.

Sturtevant Falls.  Come visit.

Tips:  

Lots of families with little kids and dogs do this hike. It's a fairly easy hike. Start early.  Parking could be a challenge.  You need to get a $5 Forest Service Adventure Pass per car or you can get the annual pass for $30. You can buy it from Big 5, REI , or Ranger Stations. Bring a light sweater, hat, water, lots of snacks, bug repellent, and sturdy shoes. There are a few restrooms along the way. The hike starts at Chantry Flats and goes down about half a mile on a paved road to Roberts Camp.  Then the rest of the walk is pleasant going through the woods across creeks. You'll pass by some cabins built in the 1900s on trail and rocks and boulders until your reach Sturtevant Falls.  Many hikers hang out, rest, and eat their lunch or snacks here. If you do, just make sure to take all your trash away with you. In the summer time, some folks take a dip in the cool waters of the falls. The toughest part of this hike is probably hiking the half mile back up from Roberts Camp.  It's a little steep and it's in full sun.  If you have kids, whoo-wee, good luck dragging them or carrying them back up along with your back pack. It's about 400 feet back out of the bottom.  But really, the hike is beautiful and going back up is not that bad. Enjoy!

Happy 2012 to you

Things you can do with honey sticks from the farmers' market, two Dum Dum Pops, and one tiny kitty cat while eating breakfast.