yesterday all five of my afternoon students cancelled their lessons at the last minute. divine intervention i'm sure... and i think i needed the break badly.

so i hiked up one steep verdugo mountain, racing the setting sun and bracing against cold wind. dreaming about france and shopping in my mind for water wicking clothing... it was completely invigorating, and i was wishing i had a camera to capture the colors of poppies and some blue wild flower.

it's getting easier to climb, although i still feel it in my legs the next day. i've been contemplating a move to some city where i can walk up to my fourth story apartment and develop glutes for a bikini. but unless my schools fold and fire me, i'll have to stay in my home with one floor in car driven los angeles and hike in the mountains as often as possible. it's working for me right now actually.

i would not, however, recommend stopping at trader joes while ravishing with hunger. i mean ravenous.

i bought european things. 59 dollars worth of proscuitto and soft cheeses and crackers and veggies and hummus and pesto. don't forget the fresh flowers for $3.19. and eat with gusto, as french women drink their wine. the hike makes it all taste better.