Well done, Apple!

Apple has seemingly managed to catch up with the future. After downloading IOS 8, I am now even more excited to use it on my new iphone. I have yet to decide which one I want...iphone6 or iphone6 plus. Decisions, decisions.

What I know for sure is that I love the new face lift and software. Many tweaks and upgrades, most of which you already know or have heard about. I'm still getting used to some of it, such as the swipe to type app that you can integrate into the keyboard. That's neat but will take a little time to get used to. The new features on the camera are awesome. Can you say selfie timer? The time lapse option is pretty cool too, although it can be confusing for those who have never used a time lapse app before.

Siri improved supposedly, but I don't see that big of a difference - she's still a smart ass, for lack of better words. The tips app is helpful, and I especially like the Health Kit App. One thing I'm excited for is the pay as you go app where you will be able to pay with your iphone instead of physical currency. Bravo Apple!

Overall, from the small tweaks to the big updates, Apple did good in my book. Next week I will make my decision on which iphone I will be getting and purchase it in October. I know for sure I want the gold one and I want 64gb. The question is the 6 or 6 plus? My only issue with the 6 plus is it not fitting in my pocket or just being too big. But I saw that it was the first to sell out! Tell me your thoughts in the comments below on what you think is better. The 6 or 6 plus...and which one will you be getting?

Share your thoughts/excitement/opinions below. I want to hear from you.

Xoxo

Waterfront Fireworks

It's the 4th of July and the scene from Downtown San Diego is bumper to bumper traffic, all streets near the harbor and Seaport Village are closed off for pedestrians and people from all around come to enjoy the spectacular Big Bay Boom fireworks show. It's the biggest fireworks display west of Mississippi, and the best 4th of July event on the West coast. 

The city prepares 13,000 pounds of fireworks on 4 different barges around the San Diego Bay for a 21 minute show. People come from all over the United States and from different parts of the world to see the show that make your eyes glow with red, white, and blue lights. Best seen from Seaport Village, Harbor Island, the Broadway Pier, the Embarcadero, or Coronado, the show stretches across the waters of the bay to impress onlookers all around. 

Last year I had the once in a lifetime chance to see the show, in basically VIP seats from a gorgeous Yacht, anchored in the middle of the bay. A family friend generously offered my family and friends his yacht to cruise around the bay all day and into the night. So with about 20 people on board, plenty of delicious food and drinks to last us all day, we launched from a pier in Glorrietta Bay. We cruised all around the bay, then eventually set the anchor with views of Coronado on our left and the heart of Downtown San Diego on our right. I have never seen a more beautiful sight of our skyline than I did on that day. 

Once 9pm came around, the music started and so did the show. The pictures you see below don't compare to our actual view, althought a camera never perfectly captures the eyes view. The first firework went up in the air and exploded with a big boom. It was beautiful. You could physically feel each burst of firework. That's how close we were. And to see them we had to look strait above us. Not to mention that you could see the other fireworks shooting up in the air from the surrounding barges. It was a view like no other. I'll never forget the look on everyone's faces. Here we were, all adults and everyone stared in awe as though we were all kids for that moment, amazed with the lights and the overwhelming sound. 

Pictures from our Yacht taken by me.
           My personal favorite is this one

So for your next Fourth of July, if you are looking for something new and exciting to do, come so San Diego. For those of us who are so lucky to live here already, if up you have yet to do so, go see this amazing show. You will not be disappointed! 

Writers note: The top picture of this article/blog was a picture from Flickr of last nights show. The rest of the pictures were taken by me. Not the best of quality, but they were taken on my old iphone 4, with very minimal editing. All pics can be found on my Instagram: @jovi_casie . 

Text-lationships and revealing your true self

In the most recent generation of young adults, we are seeing so many new terms and made up words for our technology driven lives. From Tinder dates, to sexting, to twerking....well how about text-lationships? Sounds a bit crazy, but it's the newest term being used. And I'm about to give you all the inside scoop.

Have you ever found yourself wanting to be in a relationship, so you go on Tinder or meet someone in person, and then how does it begin 99% of the time? With sending each other a multitude of texts daily until you meet up for the first date. Recently I spoke to a friend who met this seemingly great guy. She said they met on tinder, texted for about two weeks (making sure he wasn't some creep), then decided to meet up for the first time. She was so excited, and she couldn't wait to meet him, after all, they talked daily and exchanged goodmorning texts to goodnight texts. It seemed great! Until they met in person. They had nothing to talk about on their first date. She said it was so awkward. They never saw each other again, and the multitude of texts, suddenly stopped altogether. 

You see, I think a lot of us get so caught up hiding behind our phones, in every aspect, that we forget how to be humans, literally and physically. And in these cases, we develop a text-lationship with someone, feeling more comfortable behind the phone than in person. I would describe a text-lationship as a relationship between two people, and the only form of contact or communication is texting. You don't see that person, you don't talk on the phone, just text. It's really both as simple and lame as that. 

This generation of young adults is so technology driven that we are forgetting who we are, and how to interact. When did we become so comfortable with the idea of hiding behind a cell phone. When did it become okay of us to become a whole other person because we don't need to meet in person. I mean, wake up people! I see this newest trend happening more and more. And it really shouldn't be. 

We've all been subject to this in one form of another. Even if it's innocently texting just get to know the person before meeting up. My advice:

1. Hold off on the texting, no cute texts such as goodmorning or goodnight, until after you meet.
2. If you want to get to know the person, pick up the phone. Keep the primary conversations short, until after you meet in person. Trust me when I say, it will help your relationship in the long run.
3. And most guys like a woman who plays hard to get, not too much, just a little. If they do text you, wait like 10 minutes to text them back, don't respond right away every time.

These aren't rules, just advice. I don't believe in rules when it comes to dating and relationships. These are just a few ways to get a relationship started off the right way and how to avoid a text-lationship.

In the generation of Instagram celebrities, it's so easy to jump on the bandwagon. A lot of people make up this alternate persona, appealing to the Instagram audience, only to boost their popularity with people they don't even know. Saddest part? We're nothing like our Instagram profiles. We usually appear skinnier, smarter, and are amateur photographers. We seemingly live a very awesome life, when in reality, most of these people hate their jobs, are overwhelmed with their kids, and some are not happy in their romantic relationships. But as always, their Instagram profile says otherwise.

With all these new and quirky terms, technology is taking over our lives, but don't let it. You want to be in a real relationship and represent your true self? Then leave behind the social media, the rules, and the technology. You tell me if you see a change in your relationships and/or dating...because the chances are good that you will.


Writer's note: This video I included below, from Youtube, is a perfect example of everything I mentioned in this Blog/Article. PLease take the time to share this video and my blog. Thank you

Instagram: @jovi_casie

jovi.casie@gmail.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxVZYiJKl1Y

Meet me in St. Louis...or maybe just San Diego.

Yesterday I went to the San Diego county fair with the family. Although, I always remember it as the Del Mar Fair. Going to the fair reminds me of one of my favorite movies... "Meet me in St. Louis".  The Fair is a big and fun occasion for my family. This year was the first year we went as a family since I was a teenager.  My whole family would go every year for as long as I can remember. I even have all the old pictures. 

This year, we decided to plan ahead and go as a family to celebrate Fathers Day weekend. It was a blast. We started out by walking through all the tented halls that hold all the sales booths, fashion, jewelry, home products, outdoor furniture and decor. They have everything you can think of. My parents love to go to find things for their home. While my brother, his girlfriend and I love to goof around like we're kids still and be silly. I love it. 

My brother and I both got the famous Rootbeer floats from Farrell's Parlour, a retro 50's inspired ice cream parlour that has the best floats, sundaes and waffle cones. Then we had Pinks savory hot dogs. A popular hot dog place from Los Angeles, specifically Hollywood area. It was my first time trying it, and it was the bomb.com! Dad had a huge turkey leg smothered in smokey BBQ sauce. Mom had a tuna sandwich, she likes to keep it healthy. Overall, we tried the food, sweets, dessert, and a couple fried foods. Needless to say we were overly stuffed by days end and slightly bloated! 

The fair is fun, entertaining, and just full of life. You see people from all ends of the world, different cultures, ethnicities; and I just love that there is no judgment, everyone embraces each other. After all, we're all here for the same reason, for fun, the delicious food, and the bonding time with family, your friends, or a significant other. 

When the sun goes down and the lights start to turn on all over, I'm reminded of the moment in "Meet me in St. Louis", where Judy Garlands character Esther, is fascinated by the light show at the St. Louis fair.  It's towards the end of the movie when her whole family gathers at the famous hometown fair and they are so fascinated and joyful. The ending line of the movie is by Esther. She says, "I can't believe it. Right here where we live. Right here in St. Louis." She refers to not having to take a train or stay in a hotel, but that this beauty is truely right there in their hometown. 

So as the lights turned on at the San Diego County Fair, I can say I was truely mesmerized by the beauty of that moment. I concur with Judy Garlands character. San Diegans are so lucky to live here. We honestly do have everything here. And the best part? We don't have to take a train or stay in a hotel. The fair is just a short drive away. As my family and I left the fair, I stopped and took one last look down the famous entrance strip. The lights were gleaming with joy, laughter all around me, people taking pictures, and the Farris Wheel at the very end, all lit up making for a perfect picture moment. It was a beautiful moment to capture as a memory. It was the perfect end to a perfect day with my family at the Fair. 

Instagram: jovi_casie

Email: jovi.casie@gmail.com

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12423871/?claim=dsy3u64t7gx">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

What happened to human interaction?

While at a Starbucks recently, I noticed something that made me instantly think that people really do need to put down their phones and maybe actually speak to the nice stranger that says hi. 

While sipping on my Venti Iced Passion Tea Lemonade and browsing on my ipad, I suddenly looked up and noticed my surroundings. There was a group of students at the table next to me discussing a book, I  overheard their conversation a little. They were having a really cool discussion, and I kind of wished I was part of this study group. The couple sitting in front of me were literally sitting in silence. Both on their phones, the guy looked around a few times as though he was bored. His girlfriend or wife didn't even notice because she was so 'busy' on Instagram. (When I walked by her to use the restroom I saw it on her iphone screen.) There was one person sitting at the bar area doing homework. One guy sitting behind me doing the same. And an elderly lady reading a book and sipping her coffee even further behind me. Randomly, there was a guy dozing off while listening to his headphones in the back corner. And not surprisingly everyone in line waiting for their drinks were looking at their phones until it was time to order. Not one person seemed to say hi to each other or even smile. As I looked all around me the only people who stood out the most was the group next to me. I was honestly fascinated that such discussions still take place. Why was I so fascinated at what seems like a common thing? Simply because it really isn't that common anymore. 

Why is it so hard for people to socialize in such a small area such as a coffee shop? I understand that some come alone to study, and I think there's nothing wrong with that. These couples or friends that come here to hang out but end up being on their phones the whole time, are just nuts. Yes, nuts! Because they can't interact with the person they came here to hangout with. 

So then something amazing happened as I was observing everyone. An elderly guy came in to enjoy his coffee. He ordered then walked by me looking for somewhere to sit. He found a single table in front of the group of students, so he was to my left but across from me. He must have noticed that I was observing. He smiled at me and I smiled back. A few minutes later, he walked over to me and politely said that he comes in to enjoy a small coffee everyday and that he likes to conversate with new people. Always being the cautious person I am, I was a little reluctant at first. He then asked if he could join me. I told him that I was writing but he could join me for a few minutes. He was really old, and he seemed like one of those nice old people that just wanna talk to someone because they're lonely. Turns out he was. 

He began to tell me about how he comes in everyday and he was widowed and used to come here with his wife when she was still alive. He said he still comes in for his coffee because he likes the company of others. I thought it was so sweet but sad about him loosing his wife. So then he asked me what I did and what I was writing about, so I told him I was a writer and blogger. He was so fascinated by it. I could go on and on about our cool conversation, but it would take a whole other story. The conversation lasted about a good half hour, and the guy was really nice and we had a genuine conversation.

I wish this kind of incident happened more often in life. Had I been one of those many other people too busy on their cell phones, I wouldn't have looked up, and I wouldn't have met a cool person and had that interesting conversation. My point is that we should put down our phones and tablets and iPads, and strike up a conversation.  As Einstein said, " I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots."