Uvas Canyon

 Yes, we are too dressed up for hiking. No, we were not trying to impress anyone. Blame spontaneity.

 You bet we slipped a million times with these.

 This place is amazing. It didn't take much effort to get to these waterfalls either. Our hike in total was about 1.5 hours. Perfect for those like me who are out of shape. :D

 I really need to invest in a tripod...

The hike is alongside the river and streams with small to medium size waterfalls.

 On a hot day, this is a perfect place to hike with the closed canopy providing plenty of shade.

 Bridges crossing over the streams make an excellent make-shift tripod.

 The entire time, I wanted to steal the small plants for my terrariums :)

 Love the green moss!

 Bubbles and...

 crisp cool water... (ugly veiny feet i know :( blame genetics)

"Your love pours down on me, surrounds me like a waterfall..."

"And There no stopping us right now..."

Untouched spider webs...

"Uh can you hurry? Mosquitoes are biting me"

Amazing how this tree grew out from under the rocks...

Found this all over the forest floor. Its like nature's doily...

Slap on mosquito repellent if you want to hang around the streams and waterfalls. The small stagnant pools below the waterfalls make perfect mosquito breeding ground, and humans make delicious snacks.

Sometimes...I feel like a ninja in these...

This makes me thirsty...the water is so clear!

Look at the ring of mosses. This picture reminds me of a scene from Pokemon...

The lovely Miss Tuyen...

The moisture in this particular biome makes way for the abundance of moss. Love...

On the five

Berkeley

I knew I wouldn't make my BFF's graduation, so I made a trip to Berkeley during the Mother's Day weekend to see her before she officially leaves Cal. First stop, we went to my all time favorite Indian restaurant, "House of Curry" near campus.

This place generously provides customers with free freshly brewed chai tea. Cheers!

This is my BFF Tuyen who has now graduated from Cal with a B.A. in Public Health, and minor in Global Poverty & Practice. She is going to save the world! :)

Being girly with my best buddies while waiting for food. I am the queen of chipped nail polish. I still have the ugly China Glaze yellow on my nails as I type..

Garlic naan!!!

My latest obsession is Basmati rice. This one has saffron in it. The ever-so-adorable Anna with her famous dimples. :)

So stylish! Rocking Jeffrey Campbell and  Prrrada... She was my cute photo assistant while I took graduation pictures for Tuyen...

 Congrats Tuyen! I am so proud of you!

Before leaving, we cooled off with the fresh iced mojito coffee @ Philz

San Diego Zoo

T'was my first time exploring SD Zoo. San Diego Zoo has really set the standards high when it comes to having a wide diversity of animal exhibits. I don't think any other zoos can ever live up to my expectations. I am still blown by being able to meet the variety of critically endangered species in one place in this environmental ticking time clock we have with nature due to the ever increasing pressures of anthropogenic forces. Though there are endless controversies and distaste for animals being kept in captivity, zoos give can be a mind-opening experience.

You know you at the zoo when you are greeted by this fancy fella.

"Is your mama a llama?"

Little kids watching the not-so-hungry hippos sleep.

Lazy ass hippos... 

 

 

We even got to ride the hippos. Meet my roommate Jean.

This was my favorite exhibit! The Polar Bears were so lively and playful.

 One polar bear teased the other one with a log.

My fellow Geographers! Imagine how life would be with the Saber-tooth tiger. Goodbye cars? (i kid)

We met the Asian elephant. I wonder if she knows she has grass sprinkled on her head?

Oh em gee..it's the African Elephant! You can tell by its huge African-continent shaped ears and wrinkly skin compared to the Asian Elephant.

For those of you making fun of my Viet name since the day I was born, I finally met my close relative, the "North American Dung Beetle"  -_--

Ah yes, this is a...red flower thingy on a bare naked tree mabob..

   

Sleepy Jaguar...

Love the scales on this tree.

A very anti-climatic and anti-social meet and greet with the Panda.

 

I must confess...I am extremely afraid of cockroaches mainly because these things are indestructible and dwell in nasty crevices. :( BUT, I learned that they are actually extremely clean and have powerful saliva to break down bacteria and tend groom to stay sanitized after feasting on crap. This is why the hissing roaches make perfect reality TV show foods. Not bad, but I still wouldnt touch or eat one.

Giraffes are awesome for having insects and bacteria repellent skins!

This zebra is so badass, he doesn't need black stripes. This guy really reminds me of the fruity zebra bubblegum with temporary tattoos on the wrappers.

Neck Cramps anyone?

So surreal! So regal & boss at the same time! 

Just when we lost hope trying to find the Tiger in its den, the trainers released the Tiger in time for feeding time.

This statue is tribute to the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas that once lived here.