57. Need more hours in the day

Need more hours in the day
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I'm embarassed. This is the current state of my desk at work. For those that know me, you are probably thinking "no way is that Rose's desk because she is a neat freak and an organzational machine." But, lo and behold, it's true. We are currently short staffed, and I have a lot on my plate. We interviewed potential assistants yesterday, and had a couple of great prospects. Her first task: organize my desk. Just kidding. Only I know where everything goes. Oh, didn't you know?... I'm a control freak too.

56. Tippie-toes

Tippie-toes
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

We recently bought Lily this step stool because it was getting more and more difficult to carry her up to the sink to wash her hands. She needs to grow a couple more inches, but tippie toes will work for now. She loves this independence. And she looooooves brushing her teeth. In fact, it is a morning and nightly struggle to take the toothbrush away from her.

55. A wish on the side of the road

A wish on the side of the road
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I have been wanting to take a macro photo of a dandelion, but whenever I am looking for one- I can't find any. I found this dandelion in the center divider patch of grass as I was sitting in traffic on Highland Avenue. I had my windows rolled down, listening to my Glee soundtrack and singing outloud. I looked down, and there is a lone dandelion. I snapped this one just as traffic started moving and before the car behind me could honk impatiently. Someday I will get that macro photo.

54. Drive by photo

Drive by photo
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I knew that today was going to be a busy day and that I may not have time to take my "photo of the day" so I snapped this one as I was driving. I actually did end up taking some photos after I put Lily to bed, but when looking back at today's collection- this is the one I chose anyways. Surprisingly, the lighting and shadows add an interesting dimension.

53. Coming soon in 3D!

Coming soon in 3D!
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

Today was a gorgeous day, and as I looked up at the beautiful blue cloudless sky, I noticed this crew putting up the new bilboard on Wilshire Blvd. They must have had an amazing view of the city from up there!

52. Egg noodles

Egg noodles
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I made a big pot of beef stew and served it with a side of egg noodles. Lily didn't really care for it. She prefers the long spaghetti noodles that she can slurp.

51. Bare trees, grey light

Bare trees, grey light
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

Sam and I took a photo field trip in my parent's neighborhood, the neighborhood I grew up in. We stopped to take photos of these beautiful bare trees. During the summer they are lush and green and the long leaves are like streamers coming down from the branches kissing the sidewalk below. I remember riding my bikes through them as a child, and the neighborhood kids even had a name for it... "the green lagoon".

50. Happy birthday to me

Happy birthday to me
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

When the clock struck midnight, Rui handed me a pretty box to open. I knew I was getting a purse because he had it delivered to my office last week. But it was still a surprise because I didn't know what style he picked.... and he done good.

It was a truly memorable birthday. My cousin Revi watched Lily, while Rui treated me to the 10 course tasting menu at Melisse in Santa Monica. We have lived within miles for almost 5 years, but didn't try it until tonight. It was heavenly! Literally, the lobster bolognese is to die for. No wonder this restaurant has 2 Michelin stars.

49. Afternoon tea

Afternoon tea
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

"All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes." - George Orwell, A Nice Cup of Tea
Tomorrow is my birthday (aka the second anniversary of my sweet sixteen). The days seem to fly by which is why I have learned to delight in the extraordinariness of the everyday. Whether it is spending time on the floor coloring with my daughter, singing in the car with my sister, enjoying a home-made dinner with my husband, or simply enjoying a a great cup of tea.

48. Wheels on the bus go round and round

Wheels on the bus go round and round
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

The wipers on the bus go "swish, swish, swish"...all through the town.
Today, I had a meeting at the LAUSD nursing services offices (which aren't really offices, but rather trailers) and parked right in front of this long row of shiny yellow school buses.

47. Window washers

Window washers
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

It's that time of year again... window washing time. You'll need to click the picture (to see it bigger in my flickr) so that you can actually see the window washers- the window washers way up in the sky.
Here is the photo I took this time last year, from inside my office.

46. Big girl swing

Big girl swing
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

Lily and I spent the President's Day holiday at the Rangel's home for a playdate with Miss Mia, Baby Jake, Matt, Matthew, and Emi. It was Lily's first time on a "big-kid" swing, and I nearly broke down in tears because she is growing up too fast. I must cherish these sweet moments as she asks "mama, push?".

45. Red envelopes

Red envelopes
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I am 1/32 Chinese, and I was trying to plead my case to the parental units that I deserve a red envelope for the new year, but then was made aware that married people with children are ineligible, and must now serve as red-envelope givers.
Lily is just over 50% Chinese and this is the lot that she received from her grandparents in Hong Kong. Lucky girl!

44. Valentine cutie

Valentine cutie
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I had grand plans of taking an adorable photo of Lily holding this sign with both hands, but she kept insisting on holding it with her chin instead. It may not have been the photo I originally planned, but it turned out even better.

43. My true Valentine's gift

My true Valentine's gift
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

Every year, I tell Rui NOT to buy me roses for Valentine's day, but every year, he disobeys my wishes and sends me an overpriced dozen anyways. He had this beautiful bouquet delivered to my office today, but my true Valentine's day gift is witnessing these precious moments between daddy and daughter.

42. Chillin on the runway

Chillin on the runway
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I take turnaround trips to Sacramento or Oakland every month for advocacy meetings, and I truly look forward to them. On the morning trip there and the evening return trip, I have 1 full hour where I can sit with my eyes closed, listening to my I-pod, with absolutely no interruptions, no cellphone, no computer.  As a mother of a toddler, these purely peaceful moments are few and far between.

41. Day old bread

Day old bread
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

Every Saturday, I plan my menu for the week so that I can go grocery shopping accordingly. I knew that I wanted to make Ribolitta on Valentine's Day, and it calls for "day old bread". So I have to buy the fresh Italian baked bread early in the week and let it "age".
It isn't a very romantic meal, but it always reminds us of the first time we tried this Tuscan soup in a Florence restaurant frequented by the locals. We went to this restaurant 4 times during our stay in that city- ordering Ribollita every time. And upon the first spoonful, we immediately travel back in time to that romantic trip to Italy.

40. Flower's appeal

flower's appeal
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

A flower's appeal is in its contradictions - so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect. -Adabella Radici

39. pb&j with love

pb&j with love
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I turned into Martha Stewart this week, and decided to put hearts into Lily's lunch everyday since Valentine's day is this Sunday. We started off the week with something easy: heart shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Tomorrow, I will carve her cucumber slices into heart shapes too.

38. Yu Cafe

yu cafe
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I love coffee.
Its rich warm aroma is like a wake-up call to my brain. Sometimes I am a purist, drinking it black, sometimes with cream and sugar...just depends on the mood I am in, and the jolt that I require.
These coffee "vessels" sit neatly in a row in my kitchen cupboard- awaiting to be filled with that whirl of decadent goodness.

37. Rainy days

rainy days
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

This has been a rainy winter for Southern California and there was a bit of a break from the rain, so we took advantage of the opportunity to go outside. Lily was happy to get some fresh air... in her rain coat of course.

36. Escape artist

Escape artist
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

Earlier this week, Lily dove head first out of her crib. I nearly had a heart attack. She was fine (thank God) but it looks like we will need to either buy a crib tent to keep her in or convert it into a toddler bed. I think I'll go with the former option- I am not yet ready to give her that much freedom.

35. Baby Mammoth

Baby Mammoth
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I have worked within walking distance to the La Brea Tar Pits for the last 2 1/2 years, and today was the first time I actually stepped inside of the gates. I didn't actually go into the museum, rather I just walked around Hancock Park. It is so peaceful. If it didn't smell like tar, then I would eat my lunch on the park benches everyday.

34. Section 324

Section 324
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I have always prided myself in being adventurous and a "dare-devil", but when my colleagues and I went to the Laker game with free tickets, I was actually afraid of heights sitting in the nosebleeds...I must be getting old or wimpy.

33. Blue Cubes

Blue Cubes
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

The metro office on the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and La Brea Ave. always catches my eye. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to actually stop and take a good photo. Instead i snapped this one as I was waiting at the light.

32. Berlin Wall on Wilshire

Berlin Wall on Wilshire
Originally uploaded by simple.joys

I was 11 years old when the great wall dividing East and West Germany came crashing down. I didn't truly understand what was happening, but I knew it was a historic event. I had the opportunity to visit Germany for a study abroad program a few years ago, and the difference in the 2 regions is still very visible.

This photo is a snippet of the 10 panels of the Berlin Wall currently on display in front of the Variety Building, where I work. It is in commemeration of the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall. I must have Germany on my mind after posting yesterday's "photo-of-the-day".