Rolling...rolling...rolling down the river

This weekend, I went on my first rafting trip and definitely not my last. It was SO, SO awesome! I enjoyed every exhilarating moment.

We drove out to Auburn area on Friday night and camped. We got there and I pretty much passed out. You see, the girls partied like rock stars the night before at Cat Club.

Go time the following day was at 7am. The rafting company drove us out about an hour and fifteen minutes to our launch area. Got to the spot and one of the guide gave us a quick orientation about paddling and other safety precautions. Mostly common sense stuff like don't try to jump on other people's boat or don't touch rafts with other people because that's how babies are made...lol! j/k...

Our guide was this 20 year old kid. He was pure entertainment. This kid is so well traveled that he puts to shame some of the 40 year olds I know that have never even left California let alone know where Auburn, CA is. Shameful, I know :(

We rafted down the Middle Fork of the American River. It was so beautiful. I am kicking myself for not getting one of those water camera...dang it! Oh well...

From the parking lot, we geared up and then carried our raft down the river. There were six of us on the raft plus our guide on the very back, steering.

I initially sat in the middle, right behind Brian, the Gentle Giant (he is about 6'3). Right off the bat, the first rapid that we went through was called the "Good Morning" rapid.

The water temperature was about 56 degrees, it was still fairly early so there was still a cold brisk in the air. As we went through the first rapid, Brian slipped off his seat, almost lost his paddle and tilted far back that he almost knocked me off the raft. "Good Morning" rapid indeed!

Needless to say that as soon as we got to the calmer part of the water, I immediately moved to the very back of the raft :D

We rafted a total of 15 miles down the river on the intermediate level. Which meant that the rapids were faster and the drops higher. We stopped halfway through and had lunch. It was included in our day trip package.

There were parts of the river that they called swimmers rapids, so once in a while we would all jump off the raft and let the current carry us downstream. I was hesitant in the beginning to get in the water but after we went through the "Jungle" rapid, I jumped in the water so fast you think I was swimming for my life!

"Jungle" rapid consisted of ducking really low in the raft and pretty much covering our head to make sure that we didn't get smack in the face with a tree branch. The rapid was fast, the tree branches were low and not to mention spider infested!!!!!

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!! We got through the jungle, I got back on the side of the raft, ready to paddle and I felt something crawling up my leg. I got up and sure enough there was a spider half way up my right leg...........HOLY HELL! I shrieked so loud it must have echoed all the way down Folsom lake where the lake and the river eventually converges.

I looked around the raft and there were creepy crawlies all over! So, I jumped in the water to get all the spiders off of me....UGH!

Other than that, everything else was amazing! I will do it again and again and again in a heartbeat. I will however skip the "Jungle" rapid next time around.

Our day ended at about 4pm and the van was waiting for us with cold soda and chocolate bars. It was the perfect snack after a long day of rafting. The ride back to our campsite was about 45 minutes long. We were wiped out but still sporting the perma-grin.

I got back to town earlier this afternoon and took a nap for 3 hours. It felt so good to lay down on my bed, tucked in my comforter with Classical music lulling me to sleep. I love the outdoors and I love camping but man! I'm sore from paddling and sleeping on the ground and constantly thinking that a spider is about to attack me or a frog is going to jump in my sleeping bag.

It was nice to get away from the City. It's exactly what I needed but it's definitely good to be home.

Whitewater Excitement:

http://www.whitewaterexcitement.com/california-rivers/middle-fork

Found pics online:

http://www.hotshotimaging.com/rafting/dspboats.php?PHPSESSID=8cd558a270c71c1605cb65200af919d6









Happy Camper,
Jakey

So You Think You Can Dance?

Think again!

This is the funniest thing I have seen in a while...

My bestie Lianne posted this originally and I absolutely have to share with you.

The mascot is called Jollibee which is also the name of the fast food chain in the Philippines. Their HUGE back there. So big that they actually introduced themselves to the US a few years ago and now have a few franchises throughout California. Pretty impressive for the dancing bee!

I grew up eating Jollibee food and have gone to several birthday parties and celebrated mine there as well. I've never interacted with the mascot though because I was always scared of him (*_*)

Yesterday was my mom's 56th birthday. I took the day off and spent a glorious day with her. My mom is my ultimate best friend. There is nothing she does not know about me and still loves me unconditionally.

We had a fun day running around the city. We started off at the Ferry Building. We bought bread from Acme Bread and cheese from Cow Girl Creamery and had lunch overlooking the bay.

Afterwards, I surprised her with an afternoon tea at The Rotunda at Nieman Marcus. It was divine!

We also did a bit of retail therapy and squeezed in happy hour at Straits Cafe in the mall.

Because you are my mom you loved me before I was ever seen
You thanked God for this miracle, this little human being
So exciting, yet fragile it all must have seemed to you then
Hearing my little heart beat inside you, now life begins

Because you are my mom no pain was too great for you to bear
Now you’re a mother and I your child with joys and pains to share
And so into this world my life began each breath now on my own
One day we will look back at just how much I’ve grown

Because you are my mom you worried for me within your every bone
You finally let go of my little hand to take my first steps on my own

Because you are my mom you showed me through the years
To care about others and their feelings and the things that they hold dear

Because you are my mom you taught me right from wrong
Understanding that my faith in God will forever keep me strong
Showing me that being my own person is the only tool I’ll need
When morals and values are your foundation to succeed

Because you are my mom you loved me enough to also be my friend
You would be right there in ways that no one could see or ever comprehend
When there was no way I thought you could ever understand
There you would be, non-judging and willing to lend a hand

Because you are my mom, God’s gift to me was you
As your daughter I will always love you and promise to be true
I thank you for so many things and will try to never make you sad or blue

Because you are my mom, and one-day I will be a mother too
I pray I never forget all that you’ve been through
I am your daughter and in your image I am proud to be
By the grace of the Lord you were created, and then I came to be

Bust a move,
Jakey

The Love from Above

I know, I know I'm a poop. No excuses...

But I've got some great news to share...

My work transfer to the City finally came through! Its a complete departure from what I used to do even though I'm still with the same company. It feels so good to be doing something else. I was feeling really burnt out in my last role that I felt like a robot and very uninspired.

I can't even begin to describe the relief that I feel not having to commute anymore. I now walk to work (^_^) Yeay!

I went from working all by myself to interacting with at least 30+ people a day. Its a bit of an adjustment but one that is very welcomed.

Check out the view from my office window...





And the view from the lunch spot...

I'm thoroughly enjoying my first summer in the city. Hitting up almost all of the street festivals, going to happy hours with friends, meeting new people, eating yummy food.

BoSox at AT&T Park - Friday night game



Hiking at Lands End



My chemical romance



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This little blogger of yours is going through some learning curves right now. Some really tough and unforgiving curves but I'm keeping myself together in the best way I know how. I'm pulling from all the wisdom and strength I can muster. I'm confused, I'm humbled, I'm at a loss, for now...

In Faith,
J