[234/365] Pumpkins, Lopez Ranch Pumpkin Patch, West Hollywood, California, USA

More pumpkins!!

[233/365] Lopez Ranch Pumpkin Patch, West Hollywood, California, USA

It's been a while since I've blogged! Been so so busy! I'm now a year older...eeks. I got myself a birthday gift - the Canon 7D...so excited!

Anyway, today is Halloween, so Happy Halloween! Stopped by the pumpkin patch today for a little photo shoot.

[232/365] Scenic Drive, White Sands National Monument, White Sands, New Mexico, USA

This was the 8 mile scenic drive road through the beautiful White Sands National Monument. Both sides of the road were miles and miles of white sand.

[231/365] Hot Air Balloons, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

So colorful! :)

[230/365] Oktoberfest, Alpine Village, Torrance, California, USA

Happy Oktober! Oh, how I'd love to go to Oktoberfest in Germany! Since I haven't made it out there for it, I guess this one in Torrance will have to do. My new 40 ounce Oktoberfest ceramic stein sure was happy. :)

[229/265] Ray Ban Wayfarers, White Sands National Monument, White Sands, New Mexico, USA

The White Sands National Monument is just MADE for photo shoots. I decide to do some product photography with my Ray Ban Wayfarers. I just love these - especially with the New York City subway map on the interior!

Even though the sun was shining brightly, the sand still remained a cool temperature!

[228/365] Santa Fe Map, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

I love maps! We visited the lovely capital of New Mexico for a short food visit and I grabbed this while walking into the restaurant.

[227/365] Blog Action Day 2010! - Theme: Water - Water Faucet Jewelry, Annenberg Space for Photography, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Did you know that nearly one billion people in the world do not have access to clean, safe drinking water? Yes, the lack of water is a global crisis.

A few months ago, I went to a photography exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography where I viewed moving images of the water crisis around the world. I admit that I take water for granted, but starting the discussion and learning about the facts is the first step towards making a change.

Back in July, the United Nations General Assembly declared that safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights.

Take a few moments to read about it and visit non-profits that have the water crisis in mind. Some that I have been reading about: http://water.org/, http://thewaterproject.org/, http://www.endwaterpoverty.org/, http://www.waterforpeople.org/. There's plenty more out there! One of the easiest things that you can do to make an impact is to read about each cause and decide whether there is one that you want to make a donation to.

Yesterday was Blog Action Day (October 15th). The topic this year was Water and so I chose this photo of some jewelry sold at the Annenberg Space for Photography featuring tiny water faucets, with little cards with the words "Water is a Human Right".

[226/365] Lemonade Stand, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Happy Friday! This was one of the booths at the Fiesta selling drinks, as well as food. Really liked the display!

Lots and lots of catching up today with photos...and everything else in my life it seems.

[225/365] Dawn Patrol, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Every morning of the Fiesta, before the Mass Ascension, several balloons go up into the sky for "Dawn Patrol". The purpose is for them to make sure that conditions are set for hundreds of balloons to go up all at once. This was an HP-sponsored about ready to lift off!

[224/365] Fireworks Show, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

After the night glow was cancelled due to strong winds, the Fiesta organizers proceeded with the fireworks show. The sky lit up with bursts of fireworks and suddenly, towards our left, the firewords continued, seemingly coming from the ground. I quickly turned the camera left and it created this effect on a 20 second exposure shot.

[223/365] White Sands National Monument, White Sands, New Mexico, USA

It's amazing the amount of things you can do in a short period of time if you really make the effort! From Albuquerque, the drive was about 4 hours south, but we were happy we did it. The White Sands National Monument is 265 square acres of bright white sand dunes. The dunes are made of gypsum crystals, so even in the hot sun, they don't absorb heat and remain cool year round! We walked up and down the dunes and looked out to miles more of these white sand dunes. Beautiful.

[222/365] Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon in the Sky, Albuquerque International Balloon FIesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Waking up at 3:30am (2:30am Pacific time) never felt more worth it! It was amazing to watch each balloon lift up into the sky, bursts of fire creating the hot air to take the balloon up. Did I ride on a hot air balloon? No, it would have cost 350 dollars per person, and I was so amazed with everything else that I'm not regretful that I did. This Rainbow Ryders company was the only official balloon company to actually lift off from the Fiesta field -- all the people in there were ones that paid for the ride. Most of the other balloons that lifted off mainly just had the pilot and a few others associated with the balloon.

[221/365] Morning Mass Ascension, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

My attempts at attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta have been three years in the making! Third time's a charm, finally made it there and it was so worth it! We woke up at 3:30am New Mexico time to make it out to the field for the Dawn Patrol, a set of balloons that take off before sunrise in order to test conditions. By around 6am, balloons started lifting off all over the field all around us for the Mass Ascension. There are at least 500 balloons that are on display, flying high in the sky. They were all a multitude of different patterns and shapes. It was so beautiful! Many more pictures from New Mexico to come. It was a great weekend!