Downtown Happenings

I really do love living downtown, right in the middle of things.  I am so happy!

 Not sure what was going on last night...top picture was last night in the lot behind my apartment

Tonight in the lot...much more typical.  Funny to live in downtown and have no idea what's happening!

A picture Mike took at The Getty.  The view is so spectacular

woah....flying...

This meal was delicious in the morning.  Not so pleasant after some rough riding in the plane.  I did not end up flying at all, but Mike did an awesome job and got to fly twice!  The instructor was thoroughly impressed. 

This is a tiny plane.

Mike (left) and Nick (our instructor) getting ready for flight.  I'm firmly ensconced in the back....breathing deeply...

The Santa Monica pier. 

Malibu shores.  I love that the water is clear enough to see the rockiness below.

Mike "banked an impressive turn" over the ocean.  The world tilted just a bit after that for me.

A golf course on our way back, right before Mike's fateful comment, "Does anyone ever get sick in here?".  I didn't handle the descent well, though I did NOT get sick!

Happy to be back on the ground, I got out so Mike and Nick could enjoy the second half of the run and walked my green self back to the car.  We went to the Getty (I forgot my camera, but promise to go back and take pictures!), to Whole Foods, and now just back to relax a bit.  xoxo

Art for the un-inclined

As previously stated, I'm one of the least artistic people you know.  The dinner and art-making tonight was fun, though, and Mike and I met some friendly people.  The night began with a large canvas that everyone was supposed to add a "circle of life" rendering to (to be auctioned for charity at a later date).  Then spin art and doodling on paper.  Dinner was passable (they were kind enough to provide me with a lactose-free version) and we colored mandala papers as a pre-dinner "meditation".  After we made little canvases about "the meaning of life".  Pretty hokey, but fun nonetheless. 

Doodling in the dark

Mike's new signature

Goodie bag

the meaning of life, as defined by me

Tomorrow is flying a 4-seater plane (super-excited!!) and....I don't know what else.

xoxo

Welcome to muscle beach....

The isolation tank was about what I expected.  Mostly, I'd rather be running. 

After, we had an amazing breakfast and enjoyed the sunshine on Venice Beach.  Some great people watching!

 Muscle beach?  Not so much....

The Venice Beach Sumo Contest.

The skate park on the beach was pretty cool

You could see a two-headed chicken, dog, and pig and pet a goat!

Off to the art dinner tonight-waaaay more excited about that than the isolation tank!

Life in the City of Angels

Having visitors is fun.

Having fun visitors is more fun.

Having fun visitors in a fun place is even more fun.

Mike got in safely last night and this morning we were out, visiting the city and generally laughing at ourselves.  We went to the open-air market next door (you can have places like that here-the weather is that good!) and found some really pretty gelatin desserts.  It didn't taste amazing, but was worth a try!

Fresh nectarines and peaches at the Farmer's Market two weekends ago (I know, I'm behind)

Really fun-looking mushrooms.  I've never had them so fresh, and was amazed at how different they tasted!

 My oven is now big enough for two pans!  I made roasted veggies from the farmers market, mini crustless quiches, and banana bars.

 This is my pretty gelatin thing, though the pictures don't do it justice.  I just wish it tasted better....

Mike's fruit tart.

We're off to explore more and go grocery shopping.  As with my co-workers, it is great to have a friend who eats the same way I do.  Makes shopping much easier!  More pictures and stories of our adventures to follow!

Stretching....

my comfort zone.  My friend Mike is coming to LA over Memorial Day weekend (everyone wants to visit me now!) and is encouraging me to try things that are really pushing me out of my comfort zone.  We will be:

flying an airplane over LA for 2 hours  (I'm mildly afraid of heights)

spending 2 hours suspended in sensory deprivation tanks  (I'm mildly claustrophobic)

having a 4 course dinner and making "art"  (I'm the least artistic person any of you know!)

I'm sure that I will have some really fun pictures to post.  I'm already nervous.  Yikes!

Happy Mother's Day!

Just want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of the special women in my life.  I wouldn't be the woman I am today without the love and support my Mom and the great examples I've had from my grandmas and the other mothers in my life.  I love you all so much, and I'm thankful for you!

Learning....

I've learned a lot in the past two days:
1. Laptops don't like to drink water.  It took mine 2 days, but all is back to normal, thank goodness!

2. They weren't kidding when they talked about crazy LA traffic.  It took me 75 minutes to get home yesterday, 60 today.  (20 minutes to get in in the morning)

3. I can read my Kindle while running on the treadmill.  Loooove that!

4. I'm stronger than I thought--picked a patient back up into bed today to prevent her from falling.

5. I am more blessed than I knew how to pray for.

6. Nothing in LA is free, especially not parking.

7. I could love it here.

The nursing home where I am working in Santa Monica is about a mile from the beach.  I took some time to wander around yesterday and enjoyed the sunshine and water.   I really get a kick out of this place.

This is the widest beach I've ever seen

Anyone up for sand volleyball in the shadow of the mountains?

Steered clear of the carnival

Can you guess where my feet were?

Improv

As you all know, I'm not crafty. At all.  But I tried tonight.  I have no table and chairs and am unwilling to spend a bunch of money, as I will be moving in 3 months.  This is the heads-up if you come visit me, we're sitting on the floor to eat!

The leather ottoman

Plus a poster frame

Together with some pretty fabric (a sample from the garment district)

 Equals a makeshift seating area--complete with floor cushions!

The idea is to prevent spillage when eating at the ottoman and to donate the cushions to an animal shelter in 3 months.  Not perfect, but it works!

I start work Wednesday at the nursing home in Santa Monica.  My plan is to drive out there tomorrow to check out the neighborhood...and the beach!  I can't believe I'll be working 1.5 miles from the ocean.  I'm blessed.

P.S. Coconut La Croix is sooo delicious

My cousins are the best!

Got to see Ali, Matt, Kait, and Mike this weekend.  They are such great people and I'm soo excited that I get to spend time with them.  Found out today that I'll be starting tomorrow at a Santa Monica nursing home, about 2 miles from the beach.  Yikes!  Life happens quickly, doesn't it?  Brilliant sunshine is calling me outside....xoxo

Ali and Matt--I promise I tried to get a pic with both of their eyes open!

Kait and Mike--just back from a long drive

Bad Blogger!

Sorry: have had a few pics on my camera for a few days and just didn't get them up.  This weekend should be better for pictures--I'm going to be out and about a bunch!  Ali invited me for dinner tonight and Kait for brunch tomorrow.  Yay social life!  Last night was a delicious veggie burger at the pirate bar around the corner from my apartment.  Today is grocery shopping-I have no food!

Have a great weekend! xoxo

Emmy looking adorable in her new jeans before she went back to DC.

Delicious lunch (and dinner!) on Thursday.  Got to people watch and was entertained by the people in the next picture playing piano in the middle of the plaza.

Everyone around the piano took turns playing, as did a few onlookers. Love it!

LA Loft!

This is the life!  Emmy and I got pretty well unpacked, I met "Tony", who gave me a tip on a cheaper, secure parking garage, and now we're pooped and going to bed.  But first....pictures!  This apartment feels huge-high ceilings and 2x the size of my Yuma apartment without any yucky carpet.  Visitors encouraged!  xoxo

My worst fear...realized.  Emmy and I had been laughing all night about how one of us was bound to drop something in the toilet sans lid....that's a new tube of toothpaste :-(

Rosie in her place of honor on the bed

There are pebbles and glass beads in the sink, I assume to give it a "spa" feel.  Mostly, Emmy and I just think it is yucky.  You can't clean pebbles!

From the door, looking right

 From the door, looking center

From the door, looking left.

He failed to mention the Mirror Ball in the Craigslist ad! 

Now we just have to figure out how to turn it on!