Even though the year is almost over, these last few months have felt busier and busier. Looking back on November, there’s so much to write about, but little time to share it all. I think I’m going to start going through my monthly highlights to hopefully cover events, good books, movies, pics, etc. that I don’t get to share individually on my blog.

A Star is Born

If you’re looking for a good movie with a handsome man and voices that will bring you to tears, then go see A Star is Born. I fell in love with Bradley Cooper (even more so), Lady Gaga and their sultry soundtrack together.

Annie’s Canyon

Before heading to the movies, I hiked Annie’s Canyon up in Solana Beach. It was an extremely difficult trek, lasting all of 6 minutes. No, really. It popped up as a popular hike in the area and the photos looked pretty cool, so I decided it was worth a trip.

The canyon itself was cool, especially the narrow parts the winded you through the sandstone. The hike though is super easy and the place was packed with kids, so if you like hiking with a hangover, then maybe avoid this place!

Surfing the Giants at Coronado

I finally set my fears aside and tried surfing. It was a little bit scary at first–growing up in Florida/my Dad humming the Jaws theme song when we’d go to the beach instilled a deep fear of sharks into me.

After I warmed up to the idea of being in the ocean and possibly stepping on a sting ray, it was smooth surfing from there out. The waves at Coronado were relatively calm, but still gave me enough power to ride into the shore. We ended the lesson before the fog set in, which some random girl walking by happened to snap. Though my nerves have calmed a little bit, I do have to work up the courage to go again.

Camping at Big Bear

A group of us headed up North to Big Bear for a night of camping in the woods. It was the absolute coldest I’ve been in California with the temperature dropping to 19 at night. We spent the remaining hours of daylight and most the of evening staying warm around the campfire.

We had a yummy dinner of fajitas and some hot cider. When she wasn’t trying to run away from the fire, Artemis kept watch over us until she also fell also. It was nice getting out of the city for awhile and to see a clear sky of stars overhead.

Like going back upstate, camping reminded me how much I take the calmness of nature for granted. It also reminded me how much I love NOT living in the cold.

We had another campfire breakfast complete with bagels and lox–one of my favorites–then headed to a nearby trail to hike. Though it was just a night, the mini-camping trip was a great way to unwind with my friends–and take a break from the PB lifestyle.

Thanksgiving

It’s no secret that I love to eat, but I also enjoy cooking, which is why I gathered some of my friends who didn’t return home for the holiday together for a Thanksgiving dinner.

It was my first time cooking a turkey, but thankfully it turned out perfectly–and only took 6 hours to make lolz! Kelsey helped me prepare some of the other dishes (casseroles, stuffed mushrooms, cranberry sauce) and the rest of my friends brought treats to share as well like bomb cake pops, blueberry and brie stuffed filo dough, and corn bread.

I also headed up to Los Angeles right after Thanksgiving, but that deserves a post on its own, so stay tuned!