the perfect way to end the year :)

making new year's resolutions

and signing our names as promises

as we do our last minute gift shopping at the venetian

we find an amazing winter waterfall :)

(see you again in 2 weeks, vegas!)

and just like that ...

we're in vegas :)

spontaneous 2day/1night trip to sin city

for a getaway with my girlfriend

visting the dog pound to say hello to little animals :)

using exhibits as photo backgrounds

is a creative way to make new years cards :)

the LACMA Children's Gallery

taking it easy after christmas with my girlfriend :)

there's nothing like relaxing after a busy and fun-filled week

christmas dinner in laguna niguel

the best home cooked japanese food around :)

a little christmas eve hometown spirit

a classic lunch at dandy's, chatsworth :)

(I spy a little girl peeping on the food)

hanging out at the grove in LA with some old family friends

christmas is right around the corner :)

american shopping season

out looking for white elephant gifts and we find this little jewel!

didn't buy this though as it wasn't for sale :P

and finally, we can all celebrate a momentous night

bliley's last shift at cj's

mr. poko be is ready for the rain :)

merry christmas shopping

found one of these all wrapped up and ready to go ..

(dreaming)

it's christmastime

and this car has parked for so long that

it became a landing zone for almost every leaf on that tree

it's the small, sweet things in life that matter most :)

$8 on sale headphones from walgreens

packaged in the most impossible-to-open plastic casing!

laundry is a time for the most hardworking grandma

to collect coins from forgotten pockets

(total amount: $153)

it's like we owned the mountain

the last big bear trip of 2010

was the most uncrowded session ever

waxing up the good ol' board and getting ready for big bear

happy birthday to my big brother mark!

(who handed this down to me years ago)

climbing trees and stringing christmas lights

the view from up here is more than I could ever ask for :)

classic halothon ctfx bloodgulch

with a custom made cake to celebrate my brother's belated birthday

some relationships aren't always love at first sight

but now, you can't get him off of her!

it was definitely a doggy day in chatsworth :)

TREATS!

spending the day indoors on this lovely and slow wednesday

some people start their days at 3 pm

a dinner to celebrate my best friend's official 2 week notice (at cj's of course)

cheers to bigger and better things!

a day without big surprises, sleeping in, and a night painting stockings

are the simple moments that make you the most special

happy first anniversary :)

Call of Duty Black Ops: Zombies!

this has been our addicted reality for the past few days

it feels like freshman year all over again

skidazzle: bringing friends together since 2010

($18 big bear tickets!)

behind the scenes tour of toy story mania

(only because it was closed down and we only got to play for 10 seconds!)

beer foam lines the edges of this tall glass

like tree rings tell the stories of its time

(a guy's night out to discuss dreams and reality)

starbucks holiday cups means christmas is around the corner!

christmas tree lighting at LMU

was the perfect way to end november and kick off december!

END OF THE MONTH BONUS PHOTOS

-- november's runner ups --

follow these trails and you'll find us

let's play dress up and have a picnic

november will be remembered by library visits

phone calls from san francisco :)

here's to a happy holidays!

to: gap

from: me

when your girlfriend drives at light speed down surface streets

to make sure that your car isn't towed or ticketed

it's safe to say:

YOU SCORED BIG :)

(tow away zone between 3 and 6 pm)

my new favorite candy!

amazing little japanese treat :) go out and try it!

get a whole box and I promise that you won't regret it!

(let it melt, DO NOT BITE!)

REFLECT

the international terminal's second story cafeteria

always reminds me of my old family vacations

(sending off my dad at LAX)

black friday at the camarillo outlets

despite the crowding and long lines, we find time to relax and laugh

inside the True Religion dressing room

happy turkey day!

serving up the 22 pounder with my dad :)

there's nothing like going through tons of recipes

only to choose the one you first thought up

thanksgiving dessert preparation with jamie :)

peppermint bark in three different flavors!

great food paired with even better company

I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now :)

(plus it feels like we're in vegas)

a long awaited phone call brings me to my next step in life

my dream is finally becoming reality -- look out san francisco!

offer: verbally accepted!

this fisheye view of the lovely california freeway

becomes a chill ride home after an easy sunday morning

classic san francisco

after the longest and most exciting 8-5 day in my life

a well deserved kick-back is in store for the rest of the night :)

as I make my way further down the streets of the foggy city

I follow the sun's warmth as it peeks from behind these vertical buildings

(this is my home for the next 3 days)