the tale of dumb and dumber

a snapshot from a weekender to Death Valley National Park featuring

Dumb and Dumber

"I have sand in my mouth," Dumb said.

"It's all over your hair too," replied Dumber.

No, they weren't playing in a sandbox. They actually

rolled down a hill at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Multiple times.

Ladies and gentlemen, the future of U.S. military, Andrew Hanuk Choi. Infantry officer by uniform, sand bender by hobby.

"That was so fun, I'm going to do it backwards this time."

dark skies

After four years in Light Pollution Central, I was dying to see stars.

October granted my wish in Banff, Canada. I stared in awe, mouth dropped wide open except for the release of elongated "ooh"s and "aah"s. This was only the appetizer. A triple whammy of clouds, scattered rain, and a full moon (as the second brightest source of light next to the sun, Mr. Moon is public enemy no. 1 in stargazing circles) prevented the naked eye from seeing much twinkle, twinkle littles.

Then came November, taking me to Joshua Tree, California.

No words.

To my great dismay, however, the method I used back in Canada didn't work out this time as the genius of a brain in my head forgot to set focus to infinity. Incredible sights, blurry photos. Tears.

December brought redemption on a silver platter semi-broken tripod. Despite the forecasted rain and clouds throughout the night, neither stinker showed up. God is the sweetest.

I've got a long ways to go, but here's to gazing at sparkling celestial beings more often, from various geographic coordinates.

Sorry Disneyland, but World of Color got nothing on this.

joshua tree

On an unusually cold, overcast SoCal morning in mid-December, seven Angelenos packed into a pickup truck and headed southeast.

Rewind - three in a coupe, and four in the pickup. In 30 minutes, they would make a pit stop in Diamond Bar and hop into a single vehicle, an SUV spacious enough for families and sturdy enough for off-roading (although they sadly did not venture off the pavement).  

Eventually, they wound up at Joshua Tree National Park.

After a day of exploring and sky-watching, they followed a rainbow home.

the retired life

is the life for me. Really, it is. What do I want to be when I grow up? Retired.

Not. I want to be retired right now. Seventeen years of education, six of it spent working at the same time, now I'm ready to call it quits. 

The past few weeks of post-grad life have been: wake up too early, watch the sunrise, ooh and ahh at the pink hues enveloping the horizon, shift gears to trees, leaves, blades of grass and the waltz of light and shadows, and marvel at the colors, the textures, the sights. How beautiful this world really is. 

Time is gold. Time to breathe, take a stroll outside, and channel your inner grand(m/p)a. Time to enjoy the finer things in life.

dear blogosphere,

Between trying to code a website, finals, graduating, and 9 days of back-to-back adventures -oh and moving out, I left you in the dark. The whole month of December and the firsts of 2015 ate you up.

While you were sentenced to indefinite neglect, I've racked up one too many photos than I know what to do with (welcome to my life), then proceeded to do what I am so darn good at - wander about with camera in hand, shooting anything and everything, then returning to the dangerous game of Pretend - where we censor uncomfortable realities like a year's worth of photos itching to be processed.

Alas, I start here in getting you back on your feet - or should I say fingers? - again. And what better way to refresh than with celebration.

Congratulations to my dear friend, Connie Jung! With a diploma under your belt, the world is now your oyster. Not. It has always been! Instead of lavishing cliche phrases on you, let me just take this opportunity to celebrate all that you are and not just this feat of finishing college. What a human being. Your gentleness, patience, and warmth of a heart makes the world go around. And your art will blow it away*. I cannot wait to see how many more lives you touch just by being you, and how many butts you will kick together with God.

So many adventures await! What a blessing it is to walk this life with you.

* Her jaw-dropping talent and skillz are finally live on Etsy! Customized gifts, chalkboards, cards, party memorabilia, etc. whatever the need, go get it at yescome. 

*** Daydreaming/salivating males, back off. This beaut is taken. ***