what i learned on my trip into the woods

i made many mistakes but learned a lot.  so i don't forget:

• starting a hike at 2p creates unnecessary stress.  i hiked in 6 miles the first day -- after driving 7 hours.  i was stressed out about getting to the campsite before dark.  even though i made it by 5p, it would have been better to start the next morning.
• eat, drink, and rest BEFORE getting hungry, thirsty, and tired.  matt usually reminds me to do this.  the first day, i only ate 2 bananas before setting off and didn't stop to snack.  by dinner time, the thought of food was nauseating. (i ate by telling myself to eat "3 more bites" every 3 bites.)  felt terrible.  it's pretty amazing what 12 hours of sleep can fix.  
• it's nice to make camp by 3p or earlier.  it rained in the afternoons, so it was good to start early.  it also leaves time for fun.  i brought 3 books, including a field guide. and splashed around / took a dip in the river almost every day.  amazing!
• pack smaller dinners, more snacks, and hot beverages.  in the past, matt and i ate double portions of dinner.  way too much this time -- the re-hydrated stuff i packed out was heavier than it was initially! 
• it's okay to stroll.  felt so much happier strolling.  and i still made great time.
• bears eat your food, not you.  i worried about bears for a long time but then got tired from worrying.  so i stopped and spent energy on more interesting things like noticing trees and flowers.  

week of 8/20/2012 in review

a good week.

• jobs. san mateo county sustainability coordinator.
• meals.  variations of vegetable + starch.  MON. matt and i cooked together -- polenta w/ mushroom ragout, chard, and fried egg.  WED.  pasta w/ roasted tomato & garlic.  THURS.  ratatouille w/ baguette & goat cheese.
• movies.  super sold-out showing of the master w/ garett.  outdoor screening of iron giant w/ brett&matt @pixar.
• glamping.  a night at china camp state park w/ a few other couples.  food ridiculousness ensued. for dinner, ancho chili chicken, bread salad w/ tomato, zucchini and corn w/ lime salt, almond cake w/ wine-poached pear & creme fraiche.  for breakfast, bacon egg and cheese on pita & oatmeal scones.  (matt made the scones :)  we brought a down comforter & pillows -- best night of sleep in a tent ever.  we did a bit of hiking around the park and also went on a nice loop hike which included a stop at the tourist club beer hall.

week of 8/13/2012

i went on my first solo backpacking trip last week!  it was a 42-ish mile loop that intersected for 10 mi. with the PCT/JMT.  there was ~7000 ft. of elevation gain over 4 days and then down, down, down.

met interesting people, saw gorgeous things, and reached backpacking nirvana on day 4 -- walking without pushing for mileage, without feeling anxious about bears/lightening/getting lost.  the highlight of my trip was seeing a 75-year old lady on the top of glen pass.  she offered a high school -aged boy her map.  "i don't need a map, i know where i'm going," she said.  it was poetic -- old age's cranky confidence meets youth's recklessness and uncertainty.

i'm glad i did this!  feeling good and strong.

week of 8/6/2012 in review

i still do stuff, though not as much this week :)

• house projects.  uh, watering the weeds (yard) and weeding.  repeat.
  
• meals planned & made.  MON. lasagna & salad. THURS. broiled eggplant w/ lentils, almond cake.  FRI. ramen + fried lotus root, mushrooms, tofu, and chard.  SAT.  chicken pesto pasta & beet greens.  SUN. beet salad, greens, pizzas galore, strawberry daifuku.
• saw friends.  lunch w/ keqin, dinner with eugene & alicia, dinner w/ george, dinner & movie with pete, rebecca, nathan.
• jobs applied to.  google.  wrote a 3-page appeal to the CPUC.
• networked.  went to "young professionals in energy" happy hour. 
  
• reading.  wedding blogs.
• foraged at the farmer's market and bernal hill -wide garage sale.
  

i love the sf public library

it's AMAZING.

week of 7/30/2012 in review

i do stuff, i promise:

• house projects completed. painted dining room chairs red (loving the blast of color).  painted chalkboard wall in kitchen.  smog checked my car.
  
• meals planned & made.  MON.  sausage / fried egg w/ braised cabbage & salad.  TUES.  lentil curry & brown rice.  WED.  zucchini brown rice gratin.  THURS.  black bean & green pepper tacos w/ salsa fresca.  FRI.  pork chops w/ braised cabbage & salad.  SUN.  roast chicken, tomato & yellow pepper soup & salad. 
  
• jobs applied to.  EPA R9's Office of Inspector General.  Impact Carbon.
• networked.  with a former co-worker and alum in the impact investing world.
• reading.  american pie (pizza cookbook) and walkabout northern california (inn-to-inn walking vacations).
• rebecca & nathan's wedding last saturday.