dolly

Home is where the heart is....

2009-06-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

This is my beautiful San Diego... where I've been living for the past three and a half years. Shortly before I took these pictures I discovered that I would officially have to leave San Diego... I'm hoping I can get my heart to move with me... but I doubt it! I love you San Diego...

So much hotness I almost exploded!

2009-06-10T16:59:00.000-07:00

As per standard with Mikala, she came up with the goods and got us all an invite to the opening of some club in San Diego! Weirdly, we all had to where white? Who cares I say! An excuse to where the white cocktail dress in my wardrobe that just sits there otherwise! To be honest if it weren't for the fact that the drinks were free and the girls were with me... I could have given the opening a miss!
Mikala, Stacy, Me and Laura (See below she has joined the new BFF crew!) Oh... and my blue shoes, which feel like a friend to me!!!

The venue...

Stacy and me... the HOTTEST mum and wife ever! When I grow up, I want to be just like her!!!

Laura and me, I now introduce Laura to everyone as the new Me with a green card, I'm doing my best to get her to be friends with all my friends so they miss me less! She's just like me but with an American accent, a job oh and permanent residency in the US (She might also be a touch funnier than I am!)... In other words she's cooler than me!

Rockin hard at the Hard Rock Hotel... San Diego

2009-06-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

It's MY Birthday! Well... it WAS my birthday and seen as I had a feeling it might be the last birthday I had in San Diego, I decided to celebrate in Style with a suite at the Hard Rock Hotel in down town San Diego and a night with some of my best friends in the whole wide world!

Me... getting ready!

It's cocktail time!!!

The girls... Kathy, Erica, me, Reena, Mikala... it's the BFF crew!!!

The next day, a few of who stayed enjoyed the morning sun and some breakfast on the deck! Oh... BEST birthday ever! Thanks everyone :-)

Celebrating with some of America's finest...

2009-06-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

In March I had the pleasure of joining one of my favourite people in America at his 'Commanding General Spring Officer's Dining in 2009' event! (That's a mouth full) or in short a "mess night". Shawn decided I needed a taste of a military officer's in uniform... and I have to admit when I walked into that room arm in arm with an Officer to a room full of mostly men in dress uniform, I thought I died and gone to heaven!!! On top of having one of the best night's ever, I also met a new fantastic friend Laura!

A couple enjoying a kiss whilst the frevolity in the background goes on... I was informed I should hardly touch Shawn when he is in uniform... these two didn't seem to care!

Shawn in his glorious dress uniform! Gorgeous!

A quick snapshot at the dinner table!

Laura!! The new "BFF" I haven't laughed so hard within minutes of meeting someone for years!

Couldn't have dreamed up a better night! Thanks Shawn and welcome to my world Laura!

Celebrating Julie...

2009-03-11T17:41:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago! We celebrated the glorious occassion of Julie's 30th! She is a photographer extraodinaire and just an all round very very cool girl! see Thrive Photo to see just how rockin she is! Picture from the party fun below!

Michele and Julie!

Erica, Me and Rachel... who knows what the heck is actually going on in this photo? Who cares...

This is Bronston and I... He is another navy boy, who is leaving the glorious shores of San Diego for Dubai in a week from now.

Churchward wedding... and bridesmaid fun!

2009-03-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Paul & Audrey's wedding was a day of fun and hilarity! There was 7 of us bridesmaids and you can see the "real" pictures at theblogisfound.com for Paul & Audrey and a few bridal party pics as well as the CRAZYBOOTH shots! Below are some randoms I took! It was, of course, once again an honor to walk down the aisle in front of one of my most special friends, Audrey! Don't ever ask me about the weird speech I did that has everyone trying to touch my boobs now!

A goodbye for now to one of America's finest...

2009-02-02T17:46:00.000-08:00

So I've lived in San Diego for 3 years now and upon the advice of my Dad (and most other good men) I've pretty much avoided military men for the most part (excluding the odd few I meet here and there at church!) So... on the basis of a lie a few weeks back (see jumping out of planes) I ended up friends with a couple of men that have done nothing but distract me and my pals (Kylie and Cassi can vouch!) over the past six weeks! Don't worry Dad, Christian's been shipped off to Texas for at least 3 years, so you don't have to worry about me just yet, but I do know why you tell me to avoid them!

Meet Christian Rondestvedt... it feels like I've known him for years!!! Kylie and I are fighting for his continual attention and love, and I've seriously considered asking his family to let me adopt them as my US version of my family! These people are GOOD people!

We miss you already Christian!

The boys, Andrew, James and Christian... down town San Diego

Brothers (James and Christian) and mwa!

For good measure, this is me with Christian's helmet, what self respecting Australian who meets her first American navy pilot doesn't beg for this picture! So she can send it immediatley via iphone to her friends (Cass & Kyles) to make them insanely jealous that she's at the family BBQ and they are NOT!

"rock" stars at Joshua Tree California!

2009-01-19T15:11:00.001-08:00

This weekend just gone a group of about 20 of us trekked our way to Joshua Tree for some rock climbing fun! Inspired by Nate Kaiser... it was a cool crew of kids, and fun for all! With all sorts of hilarity occuring it really is too hard to detail... you kinda just had to be there!

If Rach and I do anything, we do it stylishly!

Reena and Rachel reach the top of the rock pile! We celebrate with a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich!

Ahhh.... Joshua Tree, right in the middle of a Southern California winter... NICE!

Rach presents us with some yoga to help connect with nature... NAMASTE...

I take a leap of faith... realizing if I die... it really would not have been worth it!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-12T19:57:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of two of my favourite people in the WHOLE WIDE world coming to visit me over the Christmas and New Year holidays! Fun... is a MASSIVE understatement to describe what was had with Cassi and Kylie! I am still recovering from the very serious "post holiday depression syndrome" that I've been feeling ever since the departure of these two hot girls!

Thanks for coming girls, you made for one of the best vacations I've ever had!! LOVE YOU BOTH... and all the boys are missing you over here!

This is us stopped on the highway in Julian, San Diego

Kylie and Cassi, Julian, San Diego
New Years eve, exactly how it should be celebrated, with a bottle of wine permanently in your hand and your glass never empty! Best new years EVER!

It's a DISCO Christmas....

2008-12-27T16:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas time in San Diego was a blast, myself and my favourite people in the whole wide world gathered together for some Disco time inspired by my Absolut purchase in London...

Kylie also inspired the party, seen as without her I wouldn't have looked anywhere near as good a host!! Thanks Kyles...
Cuban cigar time... imported by Cassi after 4 months of traveling around South America... O yeah!

Jumping out of planes...

2008-12-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

So, Friday night I met some new friends who invited me to Sky Dive on Saturday... I didn't end up jumping because in all honesty I didn't feel that this guys $300 would be well spent on me jumping out of a plane just to prove I would... seen as I had done it before I opted out and just watched all the boys jump over and over again! It was a perfect day and with my camera beside me I felt like I'd been on a week's vacation by the time the day was over.... so relaxed!!

Meet Andrew, he's Marine's Reconnaissance and from the few stories I've heard jumping out of a plane is the easiest thing these guys do... I don't envy their job but I am greatful someone's doing it!

Old friends... GOOD times... and some new friends

2008-12-04T19:26:00.001-08:00

I had too much fun catching up with old friends like Nikki, Shaun and Nick whilst I was in London as well as meeting some outrageously fun new people!!!

Some new friends, Christopher and the girls from OC that took me to Cuckko Club in SoHo, Chris is a good friend of a good friend here in San Diego, it was nice of him to oblige to take out a bunch of strangers he'd never met! But it was well worth the effort!
Amy!!! O how I loved seeing Amy again... we haven't been in the same city for close to 5 years, it felt like it was only yesterday when we got back together!! Like old time Amy, I LOVE YOU!
Brendon, a new friend... as you can see I seem to be more excited about meeting my new friend than he is! Brendon was in town for business from South Africa and staying with some of my most treasured London friends (below)
Nick Craddock... the craziest room mate I've ever had!!! Great seeing you again Nick! You rock!
Nick, myself and Shaun... we called Kelly for old time sake (she was sleeping like a good married girl!) and Shaun was kind enough to not make me walk home in the freezing cold and had me in his home around the corner from the pub... He's getting married and moving to Oz! So to all my friends down under I'm sending you some quality pals! Be good to them!

Some pictures from VACAY!

2008-12-04T19:23:00.001-08:00

Here are a few shots from my latest trip to London of around and about town....

The best things in life are free...

2008-12-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Just a few weeks ago we celebrated our amazing volunteers at Christian City Church and threw them a party! Which means I get to get dressed up and high 5 people! Twas fun to say the least... check out the crazybooth action at theblogisfound.com that's where the true photo mania is!

Rach and I... who knows what we're up to.
Alicia and I... Alicia is MY volunteer, she comes into our office every Wednesday and does things to make me look great! You don't get better people than that...
Erica, Audrey and ME! The next two girls I plan on walking down the aisle in front of!!!

America... CHANGES

2008-11-05T15:45:00.000-08:00

Woooo hooooo!!! We've just ended two years of an intense political campaign here in the USA, and the weeks and months prior created an environment for heated debates and nerdy discussions galore! I loved it until the few days prior at which point things started to get really heated! As you can imagine in my line of work, mixing religion with politics can get very very complicated! But we made it through, I don't think I lost any friends on the way and I've lived through one of the greatest moments in American history! For those of you in Oz and abroad that know me well can only imagine how much I loved being in the USA for this Presidential Campaign. A US Presidential Campaign was the envy of us political geeks in Australia just because of the craziness, and I feel like I just watched the craziest one yet. To John McCain's credit he made one of the most tear-jerking and respectable concession speeches I imagine anyone has ever seen in a Presidential race. Worth looking it up on Youtube.

Obama Rama people!!! I love America!

This is Rach and I being the political geeks we are, very excited to see the results unfold, I decided to dress for the ocassion seen as I couldn't vote! I walked around all day just screaming "I vote America!"

Live gig... small venue = happy happy Yvette

2008-10-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

The Tuesday night just gone, myself and some "bff's" headed to rock the Casbah at a small live gig with Greg Laswell. Thankfully the support act ROCKED it... "Get Back Loretta" and Greg who is a San Diego local played on until well past midnight, there would have been maybe 200 people there! I love it when that happens, it's like a performance in your lounge room sorrounded by people of like mind! Here are some pics.

Just because we can...

2008-10-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

My new room mate Erica recently inspired me to get outside myself a little and do something small to change the world, so we both decided to make a goal to raise at least $5,000 in the next year or so towards campaigns like A21. So Tuesday night we took advantage of "tight ass tuesday" and went to see the movie Call and Response. Erica and I invited everyone we knew in San Diego to come along and, instead of just paying the cheap ticket price we asked everyone to give us at least $10, and we would donate the gap to charity!

I was hoping to see around $300 raised but low and behold all the incredible people that came out to join us rallied together to raise almost $1,000.00. I was AMAZED and it was the simplest thing I've ever done in my life! So look out... there will be more of these things to come! Keep an eye out for my posts on training for a half marathon in January, a group of us will be raising money for Global Support, who create initiatives that counteract things like the slave trade and bring people out of poverty!

Changing the world.... well I'm not, but these guys are!

2008-10-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

Aside from the fact that these two are republicans, they actually turned out to be two paticularly amazing people! This week I had the pressure (I mean pleasure!) of hanging out with David and Travis who have sincerely decided to give changing the world a go (check out their blog! Creatively changing the world). A few days with these guys and you want to buy a lot less shoes, and start helping people! (I can't decide if I hate them or love them for that! I do love shoes!) Anyway David and Travis stumbled across San Diego through some rather strange circumstances and connections, but, we were happy to have them! Check their stuff out, buy some coffee... get your sister some jewelry or just give them some money they'll do more with it than you or I would!

Keep an eye out for more of David and Travis, I'm heading to Nashville in February 09 to their fundraising dinner with some friends! No shoe shopping, but LOTS of fun!!!!

A day in San Diego with Mike McFarland...

2008-10-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

My new friend Mike was shocked to hear that I had never ventured to the "world famous" San Diego zoo... he offered to take me and sucessfully snuck me in! It was like being 15 and sneaking into the Jet Club all over again (Without the waiting in the bathrooms for hours on end)!! Anyway, I'm not sure why it's so world famous and I can't say I would recommend anyone pay money to go to the zoo, Mike was far more entertaining than anything else there! Then we headed off to Balboa Park for some fun at the Museum of photgraphic art and some San Diego sights... GORGEOUS DAY!! Thanks Mike!!!

Balboa Park... gorgeous.

Our friend squirrel... too cute, you don't get these in Oz.
Mike still smiling before we thought the car was stolen and then...
realized it had just been towed... O well, still a great day!

Always a bridesmaid

2008-10-08T22:07:00.000-07:00

David & Briana's wedding, was stunning! I am becoming a professional bridesmaid and like each and every other time, this wedding was such an honor to be a part of. Dave and Briana are two of the greatest people in the world and to be a part of one of the greatest days of their life was amazing! And FUN!!!

Hawaii... 2

2008-10-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

More of the kids at Hawaii...

Hawaii...1

2008-09-24T16:18:00.000-07:00

Matt & Kala... too gorgeous
Hiking with Matt, Kala and Nate (This is Nate and Matt above)
Kala and I... hardcore base jumpers! (NOT!)...
Some incredible beach we stumbled upon... and no I did not photoshop this picture... this is what it looks like!

Yachtfest...

2008-09-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of heading to San Diego's Yachtfest to take some pictures for a great friend and his business Digital Ear.... Yachtfest for those of you in Oz and all over the world is simply a place where people go to see the latest yachts, planes, ferrari's etc.... essentially for me it's like looking at everything you can't afford and secretly just being greatful for the open bar and the free food at the event!!!

Rebekah Faith.... Good to see you again!

2008-09-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

It was sooooo fun to see my friend Bek in Hawaii this past week, the first good catch up we've had in three years! Can you believe how time flys... anyway I actually took some stunning shots of her that are far more amazing than this! But these were more fun and I'm in them! So... here you have it... Bek is also the gorgeous yummy mummy of little Sunny below!

Sunny... one of the cutest babies I ever did meet!

2008-09-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

On my recent trip to Hawaii.... one of my longest standing friends Rebekah brought along baby Sunny, who I'd never had the chance to meet! As you can see below he has the coolest attitude ever and is just DROP DEAD gorgeous... say hello to Sunny world! He knows how much he rocks!

My 'unit'.... gets engaged

2008-09-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

Audrey and I were once told by a friend, it was strange being with us when we were together... it was like we were a "unit". Since that point that's exactly what we have fondly referred to each other as! So unfortunatley the unit must be broken and she has decided to leave me for a man who can be a friend... but a friend with benefits!!!

Audrey and Paul officially got engaeged on our first night in Hawaii this last week! Here's a sneak peak of the fun!

CONGRATULATIONS AUDREY & PAUL!

Later on... at House Red

2008-08-26T16:32:00.001-07:00

After recording on Sunday night a few us went home to relax and sip on martini's.... here's a sneak peak of life after the party!

This is what happens when an Ozzie Leaves... sadness

2008-08-25T18:58:00.001-07:00

Sadly, Cassie had to leave us... I was amazed after just 10 short days how many people were clearly very sad that she was moving on! And... still it's a bit disturbing how much they all talk about her (I'm starting to wonder if they wish I had gone on that trip! JUST KIDDING)... Anyway. We took a night out to celebrate Mollie's Birthday whilst commiserating Cassie's exit from San Diego with new and old friends alike!

Me and my new friend Tin Tin (I mean Christian)... seriously I did think that I had met Tin Tin in the human flesh when I first met Christian... he is gracious enough to let me continue calling him that and all the Ozzies and New Zealanders (and I suppose the English if I knew any here) can appreciate how endearing that really is!

Tin Tin and Cassie...
Tom, Shazad and Kathy
Cassie's absolutley favourite couple in America... Shazhad and Shahrzad ("Shaz and Shaz") she even tried to get herself married into the family! I'm with you Cassie I love these guys too!

Anyway, all in all we are hoping to have a "Cassie CAME BACK" party in November if all goes well and she changes her plans! Yay for San Diego...

This is what happens when an Ozzie comes to town...

2008-08-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

It was an absolute pleasure to recently share my life with Cassie for 10 days! Who would have known she was this much fun! Cassie came to town before heading off to South America for 4 months of pure craziness. I think she thought she would mostly just sit on the beach and relax. Instead I introduced her to the full Yvette experience and all it involves!
A bike ride along the beach led us to what I call the circus on Mission Beach, Cassie was happy to be there...
A walk through gorgeous La Jolla with J.J, who spent the week making me look much cooler than I really am! Showing us around and making sure Cassie had an incredible time.
Me, J.J and Cassie out somewhere? I can't even remember where now! But it was FUN
Cassie and I on our way to dinner so we could watch the Olympic opening and have a glass of wine... which turned into making a new friend (Mollie) and then a night at the "Shaz" house! Tooooo much fun!
Tom, Mollie, Me, Shazad, Cassie and J.J before the night ended with a Justin Timberlake concert in the living room (At which point J.J. decided he was now J.T! Wish I had a video of that for you!)

Back in town with the Hubbards.... always a GREAT night

2008-08-25T16:14:00.000-07:00

So... it's been months and months since I last got a chance to hang out with the Hubbard's (Matt & Kala) who are always the funnest people in San Diego to be with! This weekend we headed out to the best of San Diego Magazine celebration (which sadly I have no pictures of because I am dependent on borrowed cameras right now) and then Matt got inspired to come out downtown and we all headed back to their place to jump in the limo! Headed downtown to a hotel which of course Matt had unbelievable hook ups at and I spent the rest of the night drinking Moet and meeting new people! Life is not getting any slower here in San Diego!
Kala and Me...
This is Kala in the limo, turning up the music!
Kala, Matt (not her husband), Me and our new friend Jason (although I'm pretty sure I called him James all night!)
Jason and I... his face suggests that once again I had called him James... for no good reason! Could have been all that Moet.

Project build a church...

2008-08-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

The application process for our city approval and permits to build are in full throttle! Below are some pictures of the land that Christian City Church San Diego is in escrow for! We are working our tails off trying to get plans and reports together from the architecture to the traffic surveys and environmental reports so we can get the approval from the city of Encinitas to build the greatest church in San Diego! We're excited to say the least!

Only in America....

2008-08-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

So a week ago I popped down to LA for another weekend celebrating Dan and Leah's birthday and a stay in the gorgeous Hermosa Beach (a little outside LA) with Kelley who took me to the 6 man volleyball tournament on the Saturday... I have to say at first discussion I wasn't overly excited about the prospect and couldn't understand what all the fuss was about, until I finally dragged myself off the couch at 3pm to head down to the beach to meet up with everyone to find myself in the land of 'eye candy' and all things crazy about America... O what a day! Next year I'll be making sure I prepare myself with an early nights sleep so I don't miss a thing!

Post concert depression...

2008-07-21T18:20:00.001-07:00

I can't tell you how incredible Coldplay was at the MGM Grand this weekend just gone in Vegas! My expression below will give you a small insight into the deep and very profound happiness I was feeling at the time... now I am simply suffering from a serious case of post concert depression.... O well.

A big thanks to Charlie and Co... who as always show us a fabulous time in Vegas where Reena and I danced the night away with our new friends on top of the world (or at least the Rio)

Rock and roll.... in a garage, like it should be

2008-07-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the pleasure of experiencing the first ever album rehearsal for House Red! I just loooooove being around musicians and taking photos of the genius that they are! It doesn't get much cooler than these kids!

4.0 July 4 - time to dance

2008-07-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

3.0 July 4 - A house with love

2008-07-11T17:26:00.000-07:00

Dan cooked Leah and I up the best BBQ ever! Love it when you get to eat with an Aussie who remembers how to BBQ!

Some lovin, with all the family by the pool!

2.0 July 4 - The practice child... Zoe

2008-07-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

1.0 July 4 weekend... begins with a restyle

2008-07-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

So, when you feel like a get away to somewhat of a paralell universe, what better place to go than the house of Pringle in LA! I drove down to LA for the weekend of July 4th to have a break from the crowds for the weekend and didn't leave the house except for the odd trip to Ralph's for more supplies until I was beckoned to return to San Diego... here are some highlights of the weekend...
Dan... shave head... your vote on whether or not you think he looks better? Leah.... die hair black... No argument here, ridiculously good looking! So hot

Apple pie and good friends.... in Julian

2008-07-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

A little while back, the Kaiser's, Reena and I went off to Julian for some photo fun! If you want to see the master of all photographers who comes out with the arty BFF shots then head on over to theblogisfound.com where you will see Nate Kaiser photos of his finest models ever!!!

Keeping the fish alive... post 2

2008-07-02T01:39:00.001-07:00

More love from the house of JJ... Just outside those doors and to the right... a magnificent view of the water which I've been staring at each morning before I head to work! I'm a better person after this week!

Keeping the fish alive... post 1

2008-06-30T23:25:00.000-07:00

this week I've had the pleasure of house sitting for my friend Shannon! Sadly (for him!) he went on vacation in Kiev, after spending almost a week here I can't imagine why he didn't just go on vacation in his own home! Anyways, it was good cause for me to move in for the week, just to be sure the fish didn't die. (Or the plants, but I am not so sure I am being all that successful at that!) Either way it has been motive for me to come home early every night and somewhat hardly leave the house the weekend just gone, except to run or walk along the gorgeous bay literally steps from here.... o the life of a missionary! It's sometimes so hard to suffer for Jesus here in San Diego!

And as you can see above, staying at home can be fun too!!!

It's like riding a bike

2008-06-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

So, I was camera-less this weekend (I left in my office and couldn't be bothered driving 30 minutes to get it... so here is some shots from last Sunday!). Shannon, Micha and I went for a leisurely Sunday afternoon ride on the bay. I realized it had been more than 5 years since I'd been on a bike... i could do it, but only just! Anyway.... summer is just so amazing here in San Diego we stopped for coffee, sat and stared at the very weird people walking past, made an english pal who taught Shannon about Cricket and then back to church... could be descibed as the perfect Sunday.

Shannon
Me....

We got land....

2008-06-18T16:29:00.000-07:00

O and for those of you who care.... the church went into escrow on land yesterday... now we start the process of getting the permits we need and then we can BUILD it won't be long now and we will have our very own building!! We are excited to say the least!

Summer has arrived in San Diego!

2008-06-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

I love it when Summer hits in San Diego.... people just get FUN! This week I had the pleasure of a late night phone call on Wednesday with an offer of a free ticket to the US Open (which was being held 4 miles from my house)... with a quick email to the staff and a call to my boss I got the day off and headed to the golf! Followed around Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott. Other than's Adam's 4 best friends who had flown from Oz to follow him around I am pretty sure Ali and I were the only one's not screaming Tiger from the sidelines and instead we came out with a few "Aussie, aussie, aussie!!!" moments and GO SCOTT!!! They take your cameras and your phone away (which was a nice change for me not being attached to my blackberry) so I only have a photo of the ticket for you!) All in all... a very inspiring day and some GREAT golf to say the least!

This is me the next day pretending to be a professional... watch out LPGA!
Kathy and I went to a black tie event friday night, some charity event to do with Sports education and the special olympics. This was also VERY last minute and gave me a chance to wear one of the 5 bridesmaid dresses I have collected so far (watch out for news... there is a few more of those dresses to come this year!). Anyway unforunatley the highlight of our night was the drive home (see above) and the stop at In and Out Burger on the way home (see below)... I have discovered that telling people that you work for a church is a quick way to have them stop hitting on you!!!

And.... another shameless self portrait just before going to sleep after a quite night of cleaning my room on Saturday night getting ready for the onslaught of Christine Caine in all our services the next day at church. I had to actually get up early and look half decent before driving her and the fam around! I decided an early night was to be had!

Celebration time....

2008-06-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we celebrated Kathy's birthday! with a stunning dinner at Red Pearl Kitchen... (Incredible food) and then some cocktails under the summer sky at J bar! Happy birthday Kathy.... I didn't take anywhere near as many photos as I usually do, which most likely means I was just having too good a time to even think about it!
Mirek & Sarah.... in love.
Sarah & I.... in like, but definitley not in love!
Sarah & Mirek rode their bikes downtown, parking was ridiculous so they didn't end up paying $20 like the rest of us... smart little coookiesKelley, Kathy & Amanda.... heading to J bar, where Kelley narrowly missed punching some girl out on my behalf! It was quite the adventure that night!

And this week.....

2008-06-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

I am continually amazed by all the incredible people I am surrounded by.... I love my friends and my life!

Matt Stack takes me to Bronx Pizza, the greatest pizza joint (as far as he is concerned) in the San Diego county! You can see how excited he is about the food!
Some BBQ at the Bennett love shack with great friends!

Downtown with the Lynch girls and new friends.... celebrating birthdays and old college pals! Funny stories! This is everyone two seconds before tequila shots (I'm taking the photo to avoid having to do the shot!) at the classy joint called Lime, the tequila bar (I won't be taking any of you there!)
Reena and I, watching the Padres get totalled by Chicago Cubs Monday night
As stated before, beer and my blackberry tend to rule my life! Here I am.... beer, blackberry!
My gorgeous city.... San Diego
Yep, me... walking in the parking lot, late night Monday after a game, some beer, a good old chat to Cooper our new friend who owns 'the corner' (me above with beer and blackberry sitting in 'the corner') and some great laughs with Reena.... life is sweet.

of late....

2008-06-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

I've got soooo much going on right now, I can hardly keep up with myself! So here are some pictures of the week just gone to keep you on your toes.... more of this week to come!
Rachel receieves a SURPRISE birthday celebration after we forgot to celebrate on her actual day! This is the team bursting into my office with a box of icecreams!
Bobby & Jenny love it up in my jacouzzi on memorial day
Memorial day gathering at my place, put on by the faithful socialites Faith and Justin
Me, Micha and some random people I met at the ivy on Sunday evening... I could be wrong but I am almost positive these people don't have legit jobs, but they do come from Mexico City and they did have a LOT of cash??? Who knows....
The bathrooms at the Ivy Hotel San Diego... I know it's weird that I do this, but bathrooms around San Diego always seem to be cool enough to take a quick hello shot of myself to y'all out there!!!

Take me to the ball game...

2008-05-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Michael Smith (for some reason I can't bring myself to not always say both parts of his name, maybe I know too many Michael's?) took me to dinner and the Padres on Friday night... sadly the Padres lost, but the view and the conversation super ceded the pain of such a loss!!!

Cafe Chloe for dinner.... where I had to mouth watering pleasure of eating some NZ lamb chops! sooooo gooood!
The view from Petco Park, San Diego....

Reena....

2008-05-27T22:21:00.001-07:00

Formally introducing Reena to all of you in Oz and the rest of the universe who don't know her....
spontaneous . best friend . hilarious . always always always smiling (even when she is sad) . gifted . insight . wisdom . best traveling partner an independent girl could wish for . up for anything . just darn cool to be around . easy in the sense that nothing seems hard when you are with reena . also known as rookie (or veruka salt)

Memorial weekend rock out...

2008-05-27T21:43:00.001-07:00

This weekend, I had the fun of hanging out with 'House Red' at this crazy parallel universe referred to as Spirit West Coast here in San Diego.... I hung out to watch our band rock out and Jurgen preach it up, but didn't get to see much else! Here are the guys!

In all seriousness, I am not sure it's possible to get a more rockin' married couple than Rach and Andy...

Pauly Churchward, rips it up on the guitar, what a sweet looking machine that is... makes me want to learn so I can have one!
Josiah, who pulls the weirdest faces known to man kind whilst bringing the mojo on the drums! Hilarious....

Mid-week madness...

2008-05-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night, Bobby, Shannon, Kathy and I headed to a new spot called 'the corner' a nice burger a few drinks, great conversation and the usual shenanigans...

Shannon, got some new "decks" this week.... DJ Shanny??? Anyway it wasn't quite a disco, but no doubt one day soon we will have ourselves a disco!

beer and blackberry's... what life is all about

2008-05-19T00:25:00.000-07:00

This week wasn't exactly slow, but I failed to photograph any of the incredibly exciting things, like the Jet ski injuries I incurred while pretending i was in the x-games with Sarah, or the gorgeous dinner i had the pleasure of attending with more than 50 of my favourite people on Monday night! i did however get in a few shots (albeit terrible ones!) on a casual night with Bobby and my now new friend James where beer and blackberries seemed to rule the evening! A nice night in coronado as summer begins here in San Diego... hope it's not too cold wherever you are in the world!

Bobby, summer nights at 806 in Coronado....

Beer, blackberry... sometimes I think this is what rules my life!!!

Bobby and James, I know they look like lovers... but that's only how it looks!

I have smart friends...

2008-05-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

Today, I had the pleasure of taking photos of my friends Jessica and Brooks Klien to celebrate Jessica's graduation from Law School... Congratulations Jessica!

Unscene party... open bar

2008-05-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

The reason I am sitting at home on a friday night blogging, is because I had waaaay too much fun on Thursday night! Last night we headed to Pearl Hotel (see dinner with friends) Point Loma, for a party that, to be honest I have no idea who or what it was really for... all I know is it was called Unscene and it turned out that the vodka and beer was free. At that point in time I quickly decided I would not be driving anywhere again that evening.

A quick hello from me from one of the hotel rooms open for view (and a short line for the bathroom!) I'm always thinking of you all wherever you are in the world! Hellllooooo!

Rachel with her dirty martini... FRRREEEEEEE!

Trusty Shannon, always making me look good!

Me.... waiting in anticipation for the evenings surprise entertainment...

Synchronized swimmers!!! What the?

The party ended at Pearl, which took Bobby, Kathy and I back to Coronado island for just a few more beers... it was just to early to go to bed.

Kathy... showing us how it's done on the streets of Coronado

McP's where the locals go...

48 hours: 6 driving, 3 sleeping, 39... pure madness!

2008-05-05T19:30:00.001-07:00

So... this weekend found me road tripping with my faithful friends Shannon and Kathy... this time our travels were in celebration of Kathy's sister Kelley. We get in the car on Friday afternoon to drive to LA with no idea as to where we were even sleeping, let alone going to end up that night. Plan was to come home around 6pm the next day but a last minute phone call and an impromtu BBQ at Dan and Leah's found Shannon and I driving home at 4.30am on Sunday morning to get me back in time for church at 9.00am.... o the life!

Shannon... road trip love
Shannon and Kathy... hollywood Boulevard

Parc resturaunt and weird night club....
Kathy and I... I am drinking a free beer, because somehow I convinced the barmen that because he had run out of what I ordered originally he should let me taste a new type of beer before deciding if I would purchase a 2nd one... I never did purchase another one.

Kathy, smiling back at me!

Kathy and Kelley, the gorgeous sisters
The beginning of a long night of great food, great wine, great beer, pure insanity from Dan and a dip in the pool!
hmmm.... rock star?
Leah and Zoe
Dan, America's next top.... weird person?

I did get to church on time Sunday morning! Shannon charged on through driving home from LA with a pancake stop and a few coffee stops along the way! I literally got out of the car, showered, put on something you might call an outfit and then headed to church! Lucky Jurgen is such a cracker preacher, I didn't even fall asleep!

breakfast time... not business time

2008-05-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

On a slow morning there is nothing much better to do, than take a great friend and go get GREAT coffee and GREAT food... Bobby introduced me to La Jolla's 'The Coffee Cup'... it's only taken just over two years but I am starting to find places here in San Diego that have an ability to not burn your coffee and serve food proportions that aren't intent on making sure you stay single forever (and rather obese!). Great morning! Thanks Bobby....

This is Bobby Geeee (he's getting over the fact that I whip my camera out every time I am anywhere near him! He just doesn't realize how rich and famous I am making him!!)
Ahhhh.... food that tastes amazing! I love it!

Some more birthday life...

2008-04-29T23:22:00.000-07:00

I know it's getting boring, the truth is.... even I think it's time to stop celebrating me! But, I had one last birthday dinner celebration that was owed to me, (we had to cancel during birthday week). So brad took me to one of San Diego's finer restaurants. The Prado Restaurant, in beautiful Balboa Park here in San Diego... where I enjoyed great conversation about counter-terrorism projects and the radicalization of Africa, suffice to say I was very inspired... it may have been the great wine I was drinking but I'm sticking with the fact that Brad was fascinating. It seems he has come a long way from the cell phone industry he was in when we first met two years ago!

Balboa Park fountain... I thought it was pretty

This is Brad and I walking by that fountain... I am not even going to try and explain the look on his face!

Brad, giving me an update on how much more interesting he is, than I had originally thought!!!

Ending the night where it began... at the pretty fountain

Me, at home taking shameless self portraits of myself because I had once again had a happy day, another night to be grateful for incredible friends, incredible food and wine, and just good old fashioned fantastic conversation!

The boss man!

2008-04-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

this is nate kaiser... who I now fondly refer to as "boss man"...

he won't let me type in capital letters . won't let me write by pen unless it's all in caps . is fond of french techno music . has somewhat of an 80's edge and somehow convinces himself it is cool . addicted to twitter . a cooooool nerd . married to a chic so hot you scratch you head and wonder... how? . you find out they got married at like 12 and you realize... o that's why! . CUTEST kids in the world . most likely the greatest photographer i have ever had the chance to actually speak with . i worship their blog www.theblogisfound.com . i only volunteered to work with he and jac on fridays because it seemed less weird than offering to actually pay money to be friends with them!

The above is what happens when nate gets your camera

Nate pretending to work, really he is just on twitter, while Genevieve does all the real work....

Dinner with friends....

2008-04-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

Last night I convinced three of my most treasured friends to all join me at this fabulous new little hotel called the Pearl. It was this 1960's rundown motel stuck in a weird little suburb called Point Loma that they have revolutionized into a retro boutique hotel. I can't for the life of me figure out why you would want to sleep here, but the restaurant is killer! They even have shag carpet love seats for those that are a little more intimate than my friends and I are! Food was AMAZING! service great and of course the conversation topped everything!

Reena; as always big smile... and lots of love!
Even the bathrooms were cool enough to take a snapshot of... and a little hi from me to all of you wherever you are in the world...
The three... Kathy, Bobby and Reena. If you never get the pleasure of good wine and conversation with this crew you haven't lived life to its fullest!! You guys are the best.

I think I might have a birthday life

2008-04-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

So, tonight I had dinner with another fabulous friend (Matt Stack the "not" boyfriend) and tomorrow I have more plans to be around more amazing people... I still have facials to get and gift cards to spend left from my birthday. And to top it all off my eldest brother who I haven't more than a 30 second conversation with in more than a year and half called all the way from Indonesia! Happy birthday life to me.

the end of birthday week.... Vegas 2008 version 3.0

2008-04-21T00:02:00.001-07:00

Birthday week came to an end this weekend with another trip to to Vegas. Shannon and Kathy joined me in the fun of incredible food, cirque de soleil, pools and day spas... it doesn't get much better than that!

The view from the hotel (which if you hadn't guessed was Mandalay Bay)
Kathy, katherine, kat... whatever I call her, Bes.... really good friend! and I when she finally arrived about 9 hours later than expected!

Shannon and I enjoying a walk through the casino and then poolside, where I lay for an hour before deciding I should really do what the day spa suggests and spend all day in it!

Dance floor fun
Charlie, taking some time out of his busy schedule to explain some of the intricacies of the Vegas world in a way that only a local could... he had some suggestions to help me make some quick cash, I'm hoping I don't have to make that call anytime soon.
More dance floor fun at The Palms
Ghost Bar, The Palms
Us.... Shannon, Kathrine.... me! Happy birthday to me I just had another incredible weekend!

Actual birthday, birthday lunch...

2008-04-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

As is expected I tend to turn my birthday into a week of celebration and attention rather than focusing on the day! So, after a great celebration on the Sunday with friends. a bunch of us went to lunch again on the Monday (and a few that couldn't make it Sunday...) I didn't take many photos, but here's Rach and the mini-boy Kaiser (or Jasper as referred to by most) who was a second time celebrator!

Birthday week begins...

2008-04-14T16:47:00.001-07:00

So... yesterday, birthday week begun!!! I had the best day with my closest friends all in one place enjoying the fantastic weather, and view of San Diego! With a mimosa (or two... or three...) and the greatest crab eggs benedict you could hope to eat! It doesn't get much better than this!

Bobby Geeeee and meeee........
Matt Stack.... being a great 'not' boyfriend again for Audrey, whose real man couldn't make it.
Matt & Kala.... still as cute as ever!
Me, after a few mimosa's with Leanne (after no mimosa's and looking fabulous!)

Jasper, the mini kaiser...
Nate... my friday boss man.
Four of my favourite men.... Michael, Matt, Shannon and Bobby
The girls.... Kathy, me, Ali (the day is coming to an end... sadly!)
Breeeeeezzzzyyyy (Briana)... my faithful friend and old roomie! too cute

Some introductions are in order...

2008-04-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

It's time to be formally introduced to some of my friends, who will no doubt become rich and famous from there frequent appearances on my blog! First up is the Titoni family...

Meet the Titoni's....

Ok.... Rylee Jean: cute . not much of a talker. O Oh . eyelashes to die for . crawls . knows when she wants to eat! . so cute it's necessary for them to make more .

Stacy: Mum . incredible wife . inspirational in so many ways . waaaay to gorgeous . loves a mimosa with friends . trustworthy . smart . loyal . easy to look up to . makeup . sweat pants

Taylor: Dad . husband . crazy . can not see the negative . believer . unbelievably cool and he doesn't even know it, which of course makes him cooler . funny stories to tell . loves his family . dedicated . unbelievably resilient . entrepreuner
The big dog: no bling to be seen here (unlike Mia see 'meet the animlas') . in the backyard . needs excercise . eats alot
Beautful Bella: the grown up daughter . too smart . funny . knows how to talk (in a good way!) . is nice to me so I like her! . makes me feel old . makes me feel very uncool .

So there you have the Titoni's. A day with them is a like a min-getaway for me! You just can't get enough of those people that will let you come over and fall asleep on there couch directly after they finish serving you lunch as they go about doing there sunday afternoon gardening duties or what ever it is family types do! All I know is I never leave the Titoni home feeling stressed out and I am usually well fed! It doesn't get much better than that!

Finally not the bridesmaid...

2008-04-08T17:56:00.001-07:00

I finally got to go to a wedding where I wasn't the photographer or a bridesmaid, it was a welcome night of fun!!! Although becuase I was niether you will note the lack of any wedding type pictures and only these of me and two of my friends.... whatever I had to blog something!

Matt Stack, as always once again comes through as my token 'not' boyfriend for the night!!

And the famous Rachie.... we spent the night talking about how google is taking over the world and Gmail could very well explode time with its new postdating email ability.....hence the reason the photos stop now!

epic adventure to the east...

2008-03-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

Rachel and I decided last minute on saturday, to take an epic adventure to the east... essentially the idea was to get on the 8 freeway and keep driving east until we get bored... so we ended up in Arizona!!!

Just in case you need a quick, cheap shot on your way to Yuma, we found a handy little market that would pertain to those needs on the way in El Centro.
Rachel, scouring the local toursim magazine for exciting things to see and do... note her face (not so excited!)

These colors don't run... that says it all! I love America....

Someone lives here? Weird....
This made me want to sing that song.... "little blue dune buggy..."

All in all a brilliant day, as per usual anything spontaneous seems to to trump that which is planned! Plus who wouldn't want to be trapped in a car for around 8 hours with one of the coolest people on the planet... ME! (Just kidding.... I meant Rachel.)

vvvvveeeeeeggaaaasss.....

2008-03-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

This year has already seen me take two spontaneous trips to Vegas.... above is a small indication in photos of one of the greatest nights out I think I've ever had! And a sweeet little drive from San Diego to Vegas... Reena being the best road trip partner one can have!!!

meet the animals....

2008-03-28T19:21:00.001-07:00

mini Mia Titoni.... my favourite little yappy dog, who where's bling!

the new matthesius kitten, they keep feeding the old one to the coyote's so I can't keep up with the names...

the good life

2008-03-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

This is the first ever photo I took on my new Canon EOS 40D!!!

this is my friend...

2008-03-28T00:04:00.000-07:00

Stacy and I, Mammoth Mountain California! I'm the one with the camera in my hand.

This is me

2008-03-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

This is me, a little bit bored in the Mandalay Bay hotel waiting from my friend who i call Idaho Scott (mainly because I met him in Boise, Idaho!)... it seemed ideal for my first ever blog!