I'm back on LJ from a long hiatus. A lot of things happened in my life. I decided to convert this journal to a photo journal so I can post something once a day as an inspiration to you and I. Let's get this project rolling!

We had a blast at Del Mar Horse Racing on Memorial Day. We had a ton of fun and learned something about horse racing and fashion. Besides betting some money on horses who will win in each race, there are gents and ladies who dress up to the extremes with big hats and style. I think it's cool to see people doing this because once you enter the world of horse racing, it does evoke a different world, away from the madcap of busy San Diego life. I think every San Diegan should experience this at least once! Quarter horses were beautiful, especially when they prance and run swiftly. But my favorite horse has always been palomino. Betting is totally unpredictable because we cannot predict who will win each race, so it makes people think twice of who will win. The money pot can range up to half million for those who bet heavily. I can't believe when I saw that. It's definitely a place for people who love to watch any kind of racing and excitement. However, I betted on one horse and won a small amount of money for guessing it right. Hah.

It's official. The legendary icons of the hey days are no longer among us. You probably already heard about the news recently and I'm not gonna repeat what they've been blaring on the TV, radio or Internet. Instead, I'm gonna analyze the lives of those legendary icons. Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson recently passed away.

I found it a little sad that Michael Jackson has to go like this way because he's such a huge legend in spite of his freakish nature and appearance. He was awesome and innovative when it came to musical themes and songs. He's a genius by producing out of this world music. He doesn't belong to a neatly compartmentalized category of the rock 'n roll --- he is his own man! He's passionate about expressing his music and how it looks from his perspective. He's a freak now because he couldn't find a middle ground to put stop to where he's going toward, especially with his appearance and lifestyle of choice. The way he hung out with the kids spoke volumes. I think it's very sad that people were after him for his money rather than his moral choices. I don't think he really molested the kids in any way but making up for a lost time when his childhood and youth were robbed by his family who made him and the other kids work like mules, never really enjoying childish moments or appreciate them. He married and divorced Lisa Marie Presley. He's assumed gay. The media hounded him to the death so he ended up being highly stressed out and couldn't find an outlet where he can get calm and re-think his priorities and how he can help the others in his own way. The world is unkind to him. Now, after his surprising death, the world paid homage to him. How ironic is this? How Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and other star icons have received similar attention just by the fact they're famous. I think it's sad that he didn't pursue the truth and self-discovery about who he is and find inner peace with God.

Farah Fawcett was a trendsetter because she was the it girl as a part of Charlie's Angels TV show. She had come up with those funky hairdos and signature looks of her own. I wonder what she has done for our generation? I wondered about that. She merely wowed us but not by whole much. But in today's world Farah is just yet another actress who died of cancer and didn't overcome it like Patrick Swayze is trying to do. I pray that she has found peace along with her family and friends. I think we need to remember that the celebrities are humans like the rest of us and don't need undue attention. Just leave them as it is. Also, nothing lasts forever. It's how it is. But I can't believe how many people are crazed over them.

I was thrilled when my work offered yoga class after the staff meeting. It was quite a workout! I loved it. The instructor was super friendly and crystal clear with the physical movements. It was a great workout even with simple and light exercises. The exercises she chose to share with us were phenomenal because I was already sweating profusely while doing correct breathing exercises. I think either yoga or pilates are a must for anyone who do any kind of sports in order to maintain inner core and balance without too much strenuous activity or further injuries. I realized that I want to do yoga every week. It was a great workout and there was a noticeable slimming effect already. Yoga or pilates are a must for any exercise regimen in order to regain flexibility and relaxation from too much sedentary activities at work or home. While I'm sedentary most of the time, I realized that I need to boost my physical activity after work and weekends in order to keep up my shape. The after glow of yoga gave me really good feeling and inner strength that I hadn't had before.

Yesterday was totally unexpected. I didn't expect to attend several places in the same day! Yesterday was a day to remember. Yesterday, at work, my boss invited my two interns and me, which makes up a department for me, to lunch at Tapas Picasso Spanish Restaurante, located in Hillcrest, San Diego. Let's say I'm hooked on Spanish tapas, by the fact the food is delicious and the portion sizes are small! Not humongous US sized portions. That's one charm that the Spanish have -- food, laid back environment and a bit of class. In fact my boss permitted a pitcher of Sangria wine for us to drink! Imagine that, drinking wine during lunch time and knowing the fact we will return to work after lunch. It's so wonderful that my boss was permitting this although most companies wouldn't permit alcohol on premises or in any company's handbook. I just fell in love with this because it reminds me a bit of European feel. But I'd not do this often! Just something to cherish the moment. After work, we went to a co-worker's farewell get together at Martinis Fourth Above, a bar that's next to my work building. The setting sun and the warm breeze was phenomenal. It was my favorite time of the evening, not dark or bright but just in the middle. Just mingling and laughing, sharing stories and the like. We had so much fun. My husband actually enjoyed himself. =) My co-worker is leaving our company but is still tied to it somehow. I was very happy for her, and she's one of my dearest co-workers. We still do hang out once in a while. At least she's moving on professionally, which is very important. After this get together, we stopped by our friends' home to have a small dinner plus my husband was helping his friend with the computer. I had a wonderful chat with the friend's wife and the other visitor who was staying with them for a while. We caught up on news and it was wonderful seeing our friends' daughter. Very sweet and growing up so fast! Overall, I had a great, memorable day and evening.