tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57858834734576666262024-03-13T10:19:38.081-07:00Malibu AdventuresUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-25103024672472325752008-07-20T23:31:00.000-07:002008-07-29T23:24:08.212-07:00We got more bounce in California than all y'all combined.....just teasin!May was a busy month. I attended one of my first LA charity events in Hollywood. The event was a kickoff party for the Pink Door <a href="http://www.pinkdoornonprofit.com/">http://www.pinkdoornonprofit.com/</a>. The Pink Door helps women cancer survivors get back into the workforce. This non profit organization was started by a fellow Clements High School graduate, Cortney Cole. Cortney's mother passed away from cancer in 2005 and Cortney started the organization in her mother's honor. My friend Lee, who serves on the board of the Pink Door Organization, flew in from Houston for the event, so it was great to see her again! It was an honor to be a part of this special night.<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIV6AIpm1oI/AAAAAAAAAfo/vU64bjAfxZ4/s1600-h/The_Pink_Door_Page_0%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225717085373912706" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIV6AIpm1oI/AAAAAAAAAfo/vU64bjAfxZ4/s400/The_Pink_Door_Page_0%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Karl had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cinco</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">de</span> Mayo party at his house which is called "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ludgate</span>" because that's the name of the street he lives on. The house has a pool and a great layout, so it was a perfect place for our celebration. I actually helped cook! There was great food, even better company, and a fun pinata that didn't last long.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIV6AQ2a7vI/AAAAAAAAAfw/sGkJdzGm090/s1600-h/CincoDeMayo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225717087575142130" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIV6AQ2a7vI/AAAAAAAAAfw/sGkJdzGm090/s400/CincoDeMayo.jpg" border="0" /></a>I attended another fun Dodgers game with my friends Ember and Todd (both from Texas.) Todd actually graduated from both Clements High School and Texas A&M-but we missed each other by a few years-it's such a small world. Pamela Anderson threw the first pitch, and I realized who my new favorite Dodger player is (see below.) We enjoyed plenty of Dodger dogs, which I found out are grilled instead of steamed on an upper level of the stadium-next time I go, my goal is to find where exactly that stand is! I managed to not spill mustard all over myself, so I would say it was a pretty successful evening.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIV6Aa2WMgI/AAAAAAAAAf4/K7DTKapgpNM/s1600-h/DodgerPage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225717090259186178" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIV6Aa2WMgI/AAAAAAAAAf4/K7DTKapgpNM/s400/DodgerPage.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pepperdine</span> was having an alumni gathering the week after the Dodgers game at a local BBQ joint, so Ember, Jeni, Haley, Karl and I stopped by for some socializing and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">tri</span>-tip....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mmmmm</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Ember and I flashing our pearly whites :)<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_fBFdpX2I/AAAAAAAAAho/qY6t5CWcSHM/s1600-h/IMG_5102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_fBFdpX2I/AAAAAAAAAho/qY6t5CWcSHM/s320/IMG_5102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228642902139821922" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Haley holding an alumni sign (she just recently graduated from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Pepp</span> in December of 2007)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_fBUfmv9I/AAAAAAAAAhw/OLnFcAUL6fA/s1600-h/IMG_5103.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_fBUfmv9I/AAAAAAAAAhw/OLnFcAUL6fA/s320/IMG_5103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228642906174570450" border="0" /></a></div><p>Also in May, I got the privilege of being my friend Jeni's date to her co-worker Nina's wedding in Pasadena. Jeni's husband was working in Phoenix that weekend and couldn't make it, so I got to step in. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The bride was beautiful and both the food and dancing were amazing. I even won a centerpiece to take home! Nina's colors included turquoise, my favorite, so I was in heaven. In addition to the fun peacock we saw in between the ceremony and reception, there were two screens in the reception room that showed the tide rolling in from a tropical location. The scene changed to dusk and then to night as the evening went on-it was really cool! Jeni and I took a picture together in front of the screen, and it looks like we were right there.<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_agIZAltI/AAAAAAAAAhg/r12sbDXskP0/s1600-h/Nina%27s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_agIZAltI/AAAAAAAAAhg/r12sbDXskP0/s400/Nina%27s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228637937943484114" border="0" /></a><p>The all time highlight of May 2008 was traveling back to Texas to see my friends and family.<br /><br />In College Station, we had a get together dinner in the outdoor patio at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ozona's</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">soooo</span> many people that I love, miss and care about were able to make it. I truly thank you for making that night so special for me. It was bittersweet seeing the reasons why leaving and staying away from College Station is oh so hard. I had an action packed two days in the station that also included seeing Celeste (the best hair stylist ever- in my opinion), stopping by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">IPO</span> to visit some of my old co-workers, and of course dropping by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Northgate</span> to see my little sis Sara. My friend Lona was gracious enough to let me crash at her house-so fun! Check out why they say the most beautiful women are from TEXAS......</p><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIgU8vqrKKI/AAAAAAAAAgw/bOogY15YmbI/s1600-h/Trip-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226450401383622818" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIgU8vqrKKI/AAAAAAAAAgw/bOogY15YmbI/s400/Trip-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>The first night in Houston, I attended an Aggie Happy Hour where I got to catch up with Stephanie (my sorority sister) and Greg (another Clements and A&M grad.) My longhorn friends Andrea (my best friend since 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">nd</span> grade) and Mike (a friend from high school) came to the event just to see me! My sister Andee (A&M grad class of 2006 came too-which made it really special.)<br /><br />My friend Sarah had her wedding reception that weekend at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Maggiano's</span> Little Italy near the Houston Galleria. Talk about good food! Man, we ate about six courses and had to roll ourselves home. It was such a blessing to seeing Sarah and Bryan again and be there for this special time. I couldn't be happier for this couple. They currently live in Dallas and are about to move into their new home. I brought Stephanie as my date and got to catch up with my friend Amy (who I met through Sarah) who loves rap/hip hop music just about as much as I do. Whenever Amy and I are together-watch out!<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIV6AisBBzI/AAAAAAAAAgI/76yDheYeaUw/s1600-h/Houston_Page_0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225717092363339570" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SIV6AisBBzI/AAAAAAAAAgI/76yDheYeaUw/s400/Houston_Page_0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For the month of June, my parents decided to rent a house in Surprise, AZ (right outside of Phoenix) to see what it would be like to not live in Texas for a while. It was 120 degrees most days, but at least it's the dry kind of heat, right? Toby (our dog) was a good sport with the climate change. I traveled out there over a weekend and we had some great family bonding time seeing the Grand Canyon (a must see), taking a water aerobics class (all the McCall's went!), and seeing the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Get Smart</span> (very funny.) We took a train to the Grand Canyon that included some wild wild west entertainment (like a cowboy shootout and train robbery.) We had a blast!<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_TNoKqY5I/AAAAAAAAAhY/eJAW59qON_o/s1600-h/Surprise,.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_TNoKqY5I/AAAAAAAAAhY/eJAW59qON_o/s400/Surprise,.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228629923474334610" border="0" /></a><p>Summer 2008 will officially be known as my summer of traveling and weddings. My sorority sister Katti got married in St. Louis, Missouri at the end of June and I was asked to read scripture in the ceremony. I happily obliged and booked an airline ticket immediately (you can never plan too early these days, you know?) I had never traveled to St. Louis before, so this was a real treat. It had been a couple of years since I had seen both Bob (Katti's then fiance, now husband) and Katti, so being there was truly an honor. I also got to see one of my best friends Bree who was the maid of honor. Bree currently lives in Florida so we don't get to see each other all too often living on opposite coasts-but I am hoping to visit her sometime this fall. The reception was held at a place called Windows on Washington in downtown St. Louis and it really gave the celebration a New York City kind of feel. I had tears in my eyes when I had to leave both Bree and Katti Sunday morning to fly back to LA. We used to have so much fun together living in the sorority house in College Station and this weekend brought back all of those great memories.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_kG4gFIXI/AAAAAAAAAh4/7ePtt7hNTso/s1600-h/Katti%27s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_kG4gFIXI/AAAAAAAAAh4/7ePtt7hNTso/s400/Katti%27s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228648499297722738" border="0" /></a>If May and June were the wedding months, July was definitely the party month! Throughout the month of July, I celebrated my friend Haley's birthday at La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Paz</span> (it was a surprise party thrown by her husband Zach), the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">th</span> of July at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Ludgate</span>, and two birthday parties for my friend Jeni (one celebration took place at La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Paz</span> again and the other was a slumber party at her house-we watched cartoons way into the wee hours of the morning.)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_1fyzohEI/AAAAAAAAAig/KbOIsTVaOv0/s1600-h/Party-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_1fyzohEI/AAAAAAAAAig/KbOIsTVaOv0/s400/Party-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228667618963522626" border="0" /></a><br /><p> </p>My sister and I, along with my friends Carrie and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Tomikka</span> went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">LACMA</span> (LA County Museum of Art) and also to a fun restaurant called Home in Los <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Feliz</span> (where all the celebs hang.) Sadly we didn't see any that day. But the food was good! As far as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">LACMA</span>-it was a little too contemporary for me, but then again, this is LA.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Andee and I riding the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">escalador</span> to the modern art building...don't we look cool in our shades??<br /></div><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_vu857agI/AAAAAAAAAiA/SELRX6jch5w/s1600-h/IMG_5796.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_vu857agI/AAAAAAAAAiA/SELRX6jch5w/s320/IMG_5796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228661282302552578" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Painted car at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">LACMA</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5GH8WlkI/AAAAAAAAAio/_C_DzefckTk/s1600-h/IMG_5795.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5GH8WlkI/AAAAAAAAAio/_C_DzefckTk/s320/IMG_5795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228671576007153218" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Poster for the Japanese Art exhibit at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">LACMA</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5GQ70CnI/AAAAAAAAAiw/uAiDg3qvOlU/s1600-h/IMG_5776.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5GQ70CnI/AAAAAAAAAiw/uAiDg3qvOlU/s320/IMG_5776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228671578420808306" border="0" /></a>Lamppost art exhibit at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">LACMA</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5G5P6ZcI/AAAAAAAAAi4/yr3N2nbPLC8/s1600-h/IMG_5794.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5G5P6ZcI/AAAAAAAAAi4/yr3N2nbPLC8/s320/IMG_5794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228671589242529218" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: center;">The girls in front of <span style="font-style: italic;">Home</span> restaurant<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_vvoUFNWI/AAAAAAAAAiI/BnK-vUtLhXA/s1600-h/IMG_5775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_vvoUFNWI/AAAAAAAAAiI/BnK-vUtLhXA/s320/IMG_5775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228661293954970978" border="0" /></a><br />My mom came to visit over a long weekend and took my sister and I to Universal Studios. She even bought us a season pass-so that we can go anytime for free for an entire year! My favorites were the Simpson's ride and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Water World</span> show. The studio tour was great as well-we even got to see Wisteria Lane (from <span style="font-style: italic;">Desperate Housewives</span>) and some fancy car moves from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Fast and Furious</span> II or III movie (I can't recall which one.) They were filming DH that day, but surprisingly no one was outside to say hello.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My Mom and I at Universal Studios<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_vwat4VpI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/__lJ2Ip-LEM/s1600-h/IMG_5841.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_vwat4VpI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/__lJ2Ip-LEM/s320/IMG_5841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228661307484952210" border="0" /></a>The Simpson's Ride<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5Hc-J64I/AAAAAAAAAjA/Rjo4JkG3dxM/s1600-h/IMG_5836.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5Hc-J64I/AAAAAAAAAjA/Rjo4JkG3dxM/s320/IMG_5836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228671598831725442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Water World</span> show-you get totally drenched!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5Hvy6RVI/AAAAAAAAAjI/TLn9drNUs9w/s1600-h/IMG_5845.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_5Hvy6RVI/AAAAAAAAAjI/TLn9drNUs9w/s320/IMG_5845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228671603884836178" border="0" /></a><br /></div>My sister and I had a girl's weekend at my friend Katie's house in Santa Monica. We watched <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">girly</span> movies all day long (think <span style="font-style: italic;">Love Actually</span>, etc.) That night, we went to an arts show down by the Santa Monica Pier and below is one of those exhibits-yes those are overhead projectors. People were behind the screens moving buttons and such around and around while switching the pieces from one screen to another. It was entertaining to say the least. There was also a really odd glass house that the most horrific noises were coming from (all artificial) but I didn't catch a picture of that. You'll just have to use your imagination.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_vwvQ84RI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Hd6xobfoxWg/s1600-h/IMG_5907.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI_vwvQ84RI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Hd6xobfoxWg/s320/IMG_5907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228661313000759570" border="0" /></a><br />I couldn't have ended July 2008 any better than to see our Dallas Cowboys at their training camp in Oxnard (which is about an hour north of us in LA.) We got to see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Romo</span> and T.O. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">up close</span> and personal-it was awesome! I miss football (both professional and college level) so much!! We arrived in Oxnard about 7:30am last Saturday and didn't leave until the end of their second practice at 5pm. We are die hard fans for sure and got totally sunburned. My friends Zach, Haley, and Michelle, who went with me are all from the Dallas area and had a blast as well. This is the last year the Cowboys will train out here-next year they will start using the new Alamo Dome I believe. We topped off the day with a visit to Chick-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Fil</span>-A and Dairy Queen (neither one of those are within a 20 mile radius from us.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI__Cy6YVLI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/F0zlVYgxAwY/s1600-h/Party-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SI__Cy6YVLI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/F0zlVYgxAwY/s400/Party-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228678115891893426" border="0" /></a>Other fun stuff I should probably mention.....<br /><br />1. I saw the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">PIV</span> (Jeremy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Piven</span>) again at the Malibu theatre. This makes time number 3!!! He sat three rows ahead of Andee and I for the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">The Dark Knight</span>. I kept thinking "what is he going to do if he's in one of these movie previews?"<br /><br />2. Andee has moved out here and is currently bunking up in my room. She has started school at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">FIDM</span> (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in downtown LA. Read all about her adventures at andeemovestocali.blogspot.com<br /><br />3. I got accepted into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Pepperdine's</span> MBA program and I start classes August 25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">th</span>! I will continue to work full time and my classes will be at night or on the weekends. I'm both nervous and excited to be back in school again.<br /><br />4. I've been teaching water aerobics this summer while our current teacher is on maternity leave. It's been challenging but very fun.<br /><br />5. I'm coming back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Aggieland</span> for the Army game the weekend of September 27th. I hope I get to see everyone again, in addition to Amanda, Sabrina, and anyone else who I was not able to catch up with last time.<br /><br />6. Today I survived my first earthquake! It was a 5.4 and I definitely felt the rippling while our whole building shook. I truly appreciate all of your messages of concern-I am A-OK.<br /><br />I would love to hear how you are doing....drop me a line when you can. I think this is all for now folks-happy reading and I hope you enjoy my new blog layout and design.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-35995850036730112262008-04-22T11:06:00.000-07:002008-04-26T17:27:14.771-07:00May 7th will be one yearsince I packed up my little Corolla and drove cross country with my mom out here to Malibu....can you believe it?...It's been too terribly long since I've posted a blog. I have a couple spare hours so I thought it would be a perfect time to update you on how things are going.<br /><br /><div align="left">First of all let me say that I absolutely love living in California (minus the $4/gallon gas.) The move was definitely the right decision for me and I know was part of God's plan and his perfect timing. I've made so many new friends out here and I am never bored...ever. I find myself currently in a whirlwind but I'm hoping that slows down just a little once the school year is over and summertime is here. I'm so happy right now and I love that I can share that with all of you.<br /><br />I spent the first couple of days of Christmas break in Sugar Land visiting family and friends and then on Christmas Eve me, Mom, Dad, Toby and Granny piled in the car and drove up to Dallas. We stayed at Andee's apartment Christmas Eve night, then left Christmas Day for Colorado (in a super cool minivan.) Andee had to work the two days after Christmas (gotta love retail) so she flew into Colorado Springs the second night after we had arrived. We stayed in a really cute cabin and played in the snow. Toby loved the snow. There was even a snowman waiting for us when we arrived! Below are a few pictures from the trip:<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Our cute cabin!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4tsAbQk0I/AAAAAAAAAL0/ORuxWshFmTg/s1600-h/IMG_4117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192137654456587074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4tsAbQk0I/AAAAAAAAAL0/ORuxWshFmTg/s320/IMG_4117.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">The snowman that was awaiting our arrival:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4tLAbQkzI/AAAAAAAAALs/-Pfy2PoVcnc/s1600-h/IMG_4103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192137087520903986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4tLAbQkzI/AAAAAAAAALs/-Pfy2PoVcnc/s320/IMG_4103.JPG" border="0" /></a>Granny and Toby:<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4wqwbQk7I/AAAAAAAAAMs/KwUdgG7f2Uw/s1600-h/IMG_4174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192140931516634034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4wqwbQk7I/AAAAAAAAAMs/KwUdgG7f2Uw/s320/IMG_4174.JPG" border="0" /></a>I bought Andee and I matching Uggs for Christmas-she likes to show hers off.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4wJAbQk6I/AAAAAAAAAMk/XJ--vDNxTqw/s1600-h/IMG_4191.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192140351696049058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4wJAbQk6I/AAAAAAAAAMk/XJ--vDNxTqw/s320/IMG_4191.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mom bought us all matching fleeces to wear for the family picture-Toby didn't feel like cooperating at that time, it was too cold!</div><br /><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4voAbQk5I/AAAAAAAAAMc/yfZ799LVTbI/s1600-h/IMG_4179.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192139784760365970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4voAbQk5I/AAAAAAAAAMc/yfZ799LVTbI/s320/IMG_4179.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Doesn't he look so cute in his sweater, though?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4vBQbQk4I/AAAAAAAAAMU/7cyU7TLzLdM/s1600-h/IMG_4192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192139119040435074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4vBQbQk4I/AAAAAAAAAMU/7cyU7TLzLdM/s320/IMG_4192.JPG" border="0" /></a>Me and the giant bear statue-I love that fur jacket! I bought it in high school to wear while in NYC (our choral group was chosen to sing in Carnegie Hall!)<br /></div></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4uiQbQk3I/AAAAAAAAAMM/zXIHz7S3f-w/s1600-h/IMG_4158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192138586464490354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4uiQbQk3I/AAAAAAAAAMM/zXIHz7S3f-w/s320/IMG_4158.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center">Cripple Creek, Colorado-where we gambled a little and lost a little more!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4uKwbQk2I/AAAAAAAAAME/RbDeVDBRDEY/s1600-h/IMG_4166.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192138182737564514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4uKwbQk2I/AAAAAAAAAME/RbDeVDBRDEY/s320/IMG_4166.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />As far as January goes, I spent New Year's very low key with my sorority sister Stephanie. We ate some yummy Mexican food and then went to the movies. Our waiter at Cafe Adobe tried to kiss us! We knew 2008 was going to be a great year at that very moment. </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center">I also dragged my friend Jessica to a Leon Russell concert at the Malibu Inn mid-January. My mom had sent me an email saying I must go see him because she and my dad had seen him in concert back in the day, etc. It was a good concert but Jessica and I were the only two people under 45 in the whole joint! </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center">Leon Russell playing the keyboard: </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4y1wbQk8I/AAAAAAAAAM0/Ky4ZoEU8IM8/s1600-h/IMG_4210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192143319518450626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA4y1wbQk8I/AAAAAAAAAM0/Ky4ZoEU8IM8/s320/IMG_4210.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="left">February was a busy month! Not only did I visit the Santa Monica Pier again, I hiked the Hollywood sign (my first real hike-ever) with Pepperdine's campus recreation department, traveled to Las Vegas for a weekend getaway AND had two sets of visitors from Texas! YEAH! Here are pictures with some of the highlights.... </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center">I thought this was funny! I've got Hollywood literally in my hands.....you can tell I was dressed to impress that day :P<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA46sQbQlEI/AAAAAAAAANs/rdCu2dJl5NI/s1600-h/IMG_4240.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192151952402715714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA46sQbQlEI/AAAAAAAAANs/rdCu2dJl5NI/s320/IMG_4240.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Proof that I hiked all the way to the top! This is the view from behind the letters! There is a fence up there now because stars used to commit suicide off the letter "H".<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Here is a picture I took without the fence showing:<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5PBQbQlKI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/EIewIZn2dL4/s1600-h/IMG_4276.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192174303412524194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5PBQbQlKI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/EIewIZn2dL4/s320/IMG_4276.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here is a picture showing the fence:<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192173775131546770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5OigbQlJI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Um_kXkiGleU/s320/IMG_4270.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">This is a fun picture my friend Ember took of our shadows while hiking up to the sign:<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192932429564778290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEAiAbQlzI/AAAAAAAAATA/ztlUqtoueT8/s320/shadow.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Santa Monia Pier sign at night:<br /><br /><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5PYgbQlNI/AAAAAAAAAOg/zwG2JVjejdg/s1600-h/IMG_4301.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192174702844482770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5PYgbQlNI/AAAAAAAAAOg/zwG2JVjejdg/s320/IMG_4301.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p>Danna, Me and Ember on the Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica Pier: <p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5PZAbQlOI/AAAAAAAAAOo/J21nWnBzNPo/s1600-h/IMG_4294.JPG"></p></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192174711434417378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5PZAbQlOI/AAAAAAAAAOo/J21nWnBzNPo/s320/IMG_4294.JPG" border="0" /> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center">A sign on the Santa Monica Pier-not something you see around TX too much!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5PZQbQlPI/AAAAAAAAAOw/QGNMlErNtfA/s1600-h/IMG_4285.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192174715729384690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5PZQbQlPI/AAAAAAAAAOw/QGNMlErNtfA/s320/IMG_4285.JPG" border="0" /></a>Danna and I went to Vegas the second weekend in February. It's only a 45 minute flight from LAX to LAS and well worth it! You can usually get a round trip ticket for around $100 if not less (even on the weekend.) We met up with our friend Elaine who was in town for a conference and also with our friend Cat's mom who lives in the area.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Danna and I waiting to enter the <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Price Is Right</span> show at Bally's...sadly we were not picked to be contestants but we were ready:<br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5SKAbQlQI/AAAAAAAAAO4/bHZ21huKnq8/s1600-h/IMG_4302.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192177752271262978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5SKAbQlQI/AAAAAAAAAO4/bHZ21huKnq8/s320/IMG_4302.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p>Statue at Lake Las Vegas resort area-I thought he was cute:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5SKgbQlRI/AAAAAAAAAPA/lPz2XAeDDHo/s1600-h/IMG_4336.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192177760861197586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5SKgbQlRI/AAAAAAAAAPA/lPz2XAeDDHo/s320/IMG_4336.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br />Now this is the LIFE (outside the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Lake Las Vegas):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5SLAbQlSI/AAAAAAAAAPI/kAN8M618vWw/s1600-h/IMG_4348.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192177769451132194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA5SLAbQlSI/AAAAAAAAAPI/kAN8M618vWw/s320/IMG_4348.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p>You know I had to stop by Toby Keith's Bar and Grill!<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192538606833538418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA-aWgbQlXI/AAAAAAAAAPk/q4FMY2NfnCY/s320/IMG_4381.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">About a week after we got back from Vegas, my mom and sister flew out for a short weekend trip. I love having my friends and family come visit me (hint! hint!) We stopped by Pink's hotdogs first. I wasn't a fan but Andee and mom both loved it.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192538619718440338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA-aXQbQlZI/AAAAAAAAAP0/H4bVO1-BKVg/s320/IMG_4428.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Picture of mom's hotdogs....mmmmmm<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192538624013407650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SA-aXgbQlaI/AAAAAAAAAP8/pI4JB6-cBd0/s320/IMG_4431.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>We traveled to Oxnard for some whale watching.....it was fun, cold, but no whales were seen....only some rare dolphins that I couldn't catch pictures of.</p><p align="center">Mom and Andee waiting for the boat to pull out of the dock:</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192651804991591858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBABTgbQlbI/AAAAAAAAAQE/IUxo5iZOLGs/s320/IMG_4444.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">I was soooo excited about the possibility of seeing some whales...oh well:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192651813581526466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBABUAbQlcI/AAAAAAAAAQM/TpPvVdHNXUs/s320/IMG_4446.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="left">I took Andee to the Pepperdine homecoming basketball game and Kenny G played the national anthem. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192941113988651106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEIbgbQmGI/AAAAAAAAAVY/TrtcXAzxXPs/s320/IMG_4524.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">We were excited about seeing him-especially Andee (Kenny G is in the picture too!):</p><br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192651830761395682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBABVAbQleI/AAAAAAAAAQc/3Fkf6jAivOs/s320/IMG_4523.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">My friend Ember and the Pepperdine mascot-the WAVE at the game:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192651822171461074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBABUgbQldI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Khcwo3NOZEM/s320/IMG_4508.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Ember and I rockin out Pepperdine gear at the game:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192651839351330290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBABVgbQlfI/AAAAAAAAAQk/qsA6lOfgpIo/s320/IMG_4503.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Pepperdine wins!!!!</p><br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192656194448168466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBAFTAbQlhI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/NCoaErkFO4g/s320/IMG_4528.JPG" border="0" />Before Andee and mom left, I had to take them to the beach, so we went to my favorite one-Carbon....right here in Malibu. It's not all rocks, I promise.... this shot just showcases them. </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192656172973331970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBAFRwbQlgI/AAAAAAAAAQs/9C6GwzCwtqY/s320/IMG_4535.JPG" border="0" /> </p><br /><p align="center">Ember and I at Carbon beach:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192656203038103074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBAFTgbQliI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ZEjkhh2E0fU/s320/IMG_4529.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>February was also my friend Jaime's 30th birthday. We celebrated with mexican food and going salsa dancing. The ballroom/club charged us $15 and that covered your entrance fee plus an hour long lesson. So basically it was our group and then about 200 professional dancers (we are in LA.) I was asked to dance by this really cute guy that reminded me of Mossimo from the movie <em>The Wedding Planner</em> or if you are a Grey's Anatomy fan, Alex.</p><br /><p align="center">Here is a picture of me with the birthday girl, Jaime at the salsa club:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192656220217972274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBAFUgbQljI/AAAAAAAAARE/mIU7_bgmPv4/s320/IMG_4537.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>My big sis from ADPi Mindy also came to visit me in February. We had fun at Duke's in Malibu, at the Adamson House, the Santa Monica Pier and Promenade, and also on Carbon beach. Her visit was short but I was really happy to see her. Her sister Kelly and Kelly's friend came along as well.</p><p align="center">Mindy and I at Duke's:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192924402270901842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD5OwbQllI/AAAAAAAAARU/MzGi9eQLI38/s320/IMG_4543.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">My friend Haley who is getting married in Fort Worth this summer and I at Duke's. It was SO cold that night, so Haley had to put on my black leather jacket:</p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192656237397841474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBAFVgbQlkI/AAAAAAAAARM/aWMCjXrCQ9E/s320/IMG_4542.JPG" border="0" /><br />The Adamson House (old tile factory):<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192924483875280498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD5TgbQlnI/AAAAAAAAARk/M_m8edQfNFA/s320/IMG_4570.JPG" border="0" /><br />March was a fun month as well. I recently discovered this very cool restaurant called <em>The Sunet Restaurant</em> that is on Westward beach, before you get to Zuma.....so about 10 minutes north on PCH from campus. The downstairs is a casual environment with live music and the upstairs has a more intimate setting. Having dined both upstairs and down, I prefer the downstairs (relaxed) environment.<br /><br /><div align="center">This shot was take while standing right outside the restaurant:<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192924505350116994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD5UwbQloI/AAAAAAAAARs/JxE9XRfTkNs/s320/IMG_4594.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">My friends Tomikka and Ember at The Sunset Restaurant:<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192924522529986194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD5VwbQlpI/AAAAAAAAAR0/1lQTs3vIQGM/s320/IMG_4598.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Me standing infront of that sunset (2 pictures above) but it's a little dark!<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192926137437689506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD6zwbQlqI/AAAAAAAAAR8/znGWnzgxHMI/s320/IMG_4595.JPG" border="0" /><br />Another restaurant that is also my favorite is CPK (California Pizza Kitchen). Below is a picture of my friend Tiffany and I at the CPK in Santa Monica. A group of us went there after church.</p><br /><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192936926395537346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEEnwbQl8I/AAAAAAAAAUI/JcOplDk9GuY/s320/IMG_4737.JPG" border="0" /> My friend Jeni threw her husband a White Trash themed birthday party. It was a lot of fun! I wore aviators, my Toby Keith concert t-shirt, bright blue eyeshadow and dark red lipstick. Oh and let's not forget the necklace that is <em>"Rochelle"</em> written in gold.<br /><br /><p align="center">Here is a picture of me getting ready. I guess I could have just left my rollers in!<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192926214747100850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD64QbQlrI/AAAAAAAAASE/DrNIfeiLdIk/s320/IMG_4604.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p align="left">Me and Ember at the party. I love her Ed Hardy (he's a really hot designer right now in LA) hat. Note the chocolate on her lips from the chocolate fountain....we couldn't get enough!</p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192926223337035458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD64wbQlsI/AAAAAAAAASM/L-DJIxqAtwA/s320/IMG_4620.jpg" border="0" /></p>Jeni and I:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193699661047699666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBO6UwbQmNI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/qa457mXrldg/s320/IMG_4634.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">The fabulous Houston Oiler cowboy boots my dad let me borrow:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192926304941414098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD69gbQltI/AAAAAAAAASU/RE2fxDKlSnI/s320/IMG_4630.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">I also walked in my first 5K in March with my friend Patty at Zuma beach. </p><p align="center">Note my t-shirt! Gig 'Em!!<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192926313531348706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBD6-AbQluI/AAAAAAAAASc/FwY2j-WaqAw/s320/IMG_4696.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="left">The night of April 18th was Pepperdine's Faculty/Staff Appreciation Dinner at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown LA. The food was amazing. Steak, Salmon....what more could a girl from Texas ask for?<br /></p><p align="center">Haley and I in the Biltmore lobby...I'm not gonna lie....I loved my dress and felt pretty great:<br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192934242040977266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBECLgbQl3I/AAAAAAAAATg/3hLD5V4aKuA/s320/IMG_4852.jpg" border="0" />A toast to all the Pepperdine retirees:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192932485399353154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEAlQbQl0I/AAAAAAAAATI/vQIHFdvMsVQ/s320/IMG_4885.JPG" border="0" /><br />Our dessert plate....mmmmm....yummy!<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192932489694320466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEAlgbQl1I/AAAAAAAAATQ/f7jN5DP5Hp8/s320/IMG_4877.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">The reception area:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192932592773535586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEArgbQl2I/AAAAAAAAATY/LVZtnLYeMsw/s320/IMG_4869.JPG" border="0" />The ceiling at the Biltmore...I thought it was picture-worthy<br />(but then again, I think most things are!)<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192934267810781106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBECNAbQl7I/AAAAAAAAAUA/iVyWhhd9mM0/s320/IMG_4851.JPG" border="0" /></p></div><br /><p>My amazing family came out to visit as a group for the 2nd time in the past year and we really had fun. We hung out in Malibu the first day they got here and then headed to San Diego to stay at a Harrah's there for some sun and gambling. </p><br /><p align="center">My mom and I at Duke's</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192936934985471954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEEoQbQl9I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/7jqe-1Zb_fA/s320/IMG_4746.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Dad and Granny at Duke's:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192936943575406562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEEowbQl-I/AAAAAAAAAUY/kb9Vkvo0_ec/s320/IMG_4751.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Jeremy, Jeni, and Andee doing the sorority "1,2,3" pose at Duke's<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192936947870373874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEEpAbQl_I/AAAAAAAAAUg/80qWnLVzwkI/s320/IMG_4753.jpg" border="0" /><br />Andee and I at Duke's:<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192936956460308482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEEpgbQmAI/AAAAAAAAAUo/YEpmdp2q7M8/s320/IMG_4758.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">My dad and I in front of the view from our house in Topanga....pretty breath taking!</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192940345189505058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEHuwbQmCI/AAAAAAAAAU4/CzBjX666t1E/s320/IMG_4769.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Mom and Dad at a BBQ place right down the street from my house....aren't they so cute?</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192940358074406962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEHvgbQmDI/AAAAAAAAAVA/ZLjiU9QKivg/s320/IMG_4771.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">The hotel we stayed at in San Diego</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192940383844210770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEHxAbQmFI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/PAxPmoLUX9s/s320/IMG_4815.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Andee and I's amazing room:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192940370959308866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEHwQbQmEI/AAAAAAAAAVI/D3Djm9phB5s/s320/IMG_4783.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Andee and I having fun in the pool:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192941126873553010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEIcQbQmHI/AAAAAAAAAVg/CqnPwe8kjMs/s320/IMG_4822.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Several of my senior student workers graduated this semester and we had an appreciation dinner at Tammy's house. Below is a picture of me and Dama....she was my first friend here. I'm going to really miss her! She will be a teacher in the Rio Grande Valley for the next two years through a program called Teach for America.</p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192941144053422226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEIdQbQmJI/AAAAAAAAAVw/n3Ga2KIrc4Y/s320/IMG_4831.JPG" border="0" /> Some of my adorable and fun student workers:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192941569255184562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEI2AbQmLI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Zt_4RX-fE1Y/s320/IMG_4841.JPG" border="0" /> </p><br /><p align="center">Tammy and I with our senior graduating girls....Michelle, Dama and Lisa:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192941152643356834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SBEIdwbQmKI/AAAAAAAAAV4/MDkRnfGm0ng/s320/IMG_4837.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Until next time......love and miss y'all :)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-23051059051574485642007-12-18T18:39:00.001-08:002007-12-19T06:25:27.853-08:00Birthday..Thanksgiving..Texas..Andee's visitIt's been a busy couple of months to say the least. Tonight its pouring down rain and cold (can you imagine?) here in California so I figured why not sit down an update the blog.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>This past Sunday was my 27th birthday. I had mixed emotions due to the fact I was not going to celebrate it in Texas with my family and friends there. However, my friend Jessica threw me a wonderful dinner party at an Italian restaurant called Alessio. It's located about 20 minutes north of Malibu off the 101. There were about 11 people there....a small but great group of people. The restaurant has a really cozy atmosphere and even a fireplace! The food was amazing. I had a caesar salad and this broccoli, chicken, and pesto dish that was to die for. Probably the show stopper of the night was the dessert plate they brought. Usually the birthday honoree gets a piece of whatever they have handy, but management brought out a turkey sized platter with two pieces of apple strudel, several scoops of vanilla ice cream, one piece of bread pudding and a chocolate mocha mouse in a chocolate Easter egg shell topped with berries. There was enough for everyone and then some! I wish you all could have been there to help me finish it off. </div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145511044113291234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iHCFQ41-I/AAAAAAAAAIU/D-8wYoegHrk/s320/IMG_4049.JPG" border="0" />Here is a picture of the group that night....I love these guys!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145539249163524466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2igr1Q42XI/AAAAAAAAALc/02tEFS4v_fo/s320/IMG_4051.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>The Friday night before my birthday, my friends Jeni and Jeremy Eckman had a Christmas party at their house that included cookie decorating, gingerbread house making, a dance off, and a sock exchange. A fun time was had by all. In the sock exchange I received a Superman ski cap (pictured below.) Here are a few pictures from that night:<br /><br />The cookies we decorated:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145513277496285202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iJEFQ42BI/AAAAAAAAAIs/KQz-gCTfGIY/s320/IMG_3968.jpg" border="0" />The gingerbread house that was made:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145513462179878946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iJO1Q42CI/AAAAAAAAAI0/I2oFX6dAWWg/s320/IMG_3984.jpg" border="0" />My friend Jeni (the host): </div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145514673360656482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iKVVQ42GI/AAAAAAAAAJU/wZELK_g6Qv8/s320/IMG_3992.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><div>My friend Jessica (who has an amazing singing voice): </div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145514132194777154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iJ11Q42EI/AAAAAAAAAJE/I7PwFRjPD5A/s320/IMG_3986.JPG" border="0" /><br />The Superman ski cap that I will be rocking out in Colorado next week:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145513728467851314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iJeVQ42DI/AAAAAAAAAI8/pd7gQzPgQYQ/s320/IMG_3983.jpg" border="0" />A picture of the group: </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145517980485474418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iNV1Q42HI/AAAAAAAAAJc/FXt1OvYR100/s320/IMG_4024.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><br /><div>Over Thanksgiving I flew back to Texas and the first night I got to see my sorority sister Stephanie who I hadn't seen in years. She currently works and lives in Houston. We had dinner at Escalante's in Highland Village and it was delicious. Stephanie took over my position as Standards Advisor for ADPi in College Station. Here is a snap shot we took at the end of the night.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145518251068414082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iNllQ42II/AAAAAAAAAJk/0HgFnezPdiI/s320/IMG_3834.JPG" border="0" /></p>My mom threw me a small family birthday celebration since I couldn't be there on the 16th. I walked into the dining room and was shocked to see all of this set up. It felt very strange celebrating in November, but what ya gonna do? ;)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145518478701680786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iNy1Q42JI/AAAAAAAAAJs/3WdcmSiWLrk/s320/SugarLandBirthday.jpg" border="0" /><br />I also got to swing into College Station for about a day. It's always good to be back there and see friends (and their babies) I left just six months prior..... has it really been six months?<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>Holding Madeleine (Susan's little girl):<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145521012732385474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iQGVQ42MI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xvIXY-EAUeo/s320/IMG_3858.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>Holding Reese (Mindy's little boy):<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145520153738926242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iPUVQ42KI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KbFC0pno0Iw/s320/IMG_3840.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Susan, Lona, Mindy and I at my favorite BCS restaurant.....La Bodega!!<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145521850251008210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iQ3FQ42NI/AAAAAAAAAKM/60rQiJzHU5M/s320/IMG_3866.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>I spent the last couple of hours in town at my friend Amanda's house and then we went over to her sister-in-law Sabrina's for several games of Cranium....we stayed up until about 3 in the morning-it was so much fun! Amanda let me crash in her awesome and newly decorated guest bedroom.<br /></p><br /><p>In mid-October my sister and her friend Johnny came to visit me for a couple of days. We had a really great time and it was so good to have Andee back out here. Despite not being able to show them Malibu due to the fires, I think they had a memorable time. </p><p>Andee and I at the Getty Museum:<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145525144490924338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iT21Q42TI/AAAAAAAAAK8/k_Byj_Yk6aA/s320/IMG_3602.JPG" border="0" /><br />A shot overlooking LA from the Getty Museum....isn't it just gorgeous?<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145524809483475234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iTjVQ42SI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Xhp4QQn4wLY/s320/IMG_3539.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Mr. Bones Pumpkin patch is in West Hollywood. All the celebs (including Seal and Heidi Klum who were recently photographed at Mr. Bones) take their children here, but sadly we didn't see any.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145524470181058834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iTPlQ42RI/AAAAAAAAAKs/JN2tM-w9acA/s320/IMG_3648.JPG" border="0" /><br />A pic of Andee with her favorite pumpkin:<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145524135173609730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iS8FQ42QI/AAAAAAAAAKk/yHGT8zYCmgY/s320/IMG_3657.JPG" border="0" />And me with mine.....<br /></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145523804461127922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iSo1Q42PI/AAAAAAAAAKc/AX-mfragdmQ/s320/IMG_3661.JPG" border="0" />Instead of going to Malibu for beach day we drove down to the OC to check out Laguna Beach....it did not disappoint!<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145523447978842338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iSUFQ42OI/AAAAAAAAAKU/RGY7s0FlAhs/s320/IMG_3667.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p>We ate a posh, celebrity-owned restaurant called the "Geisha House". Johnny is the only one who ordered sushi...Andee ordered chicken and I had salmon....it was very good but we had to wait for what seemed like forever, even with reservations!<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145525393599027522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iUFVQ42UI/AAAAAAAAALE/ZKd94s51SEg/s320/IMG_3631.JPG" border="0" /></p>At the beginning of October my sorority sister Erin came out here to visit another sorority sister whose family lives in Orange County. I met up with Erin in Beverly Hills and we ate lunch at Nate N' Al's famous deli. It was so great seeing not only a familiar Texas face, but an ADPi no less! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145536869751642450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2iehVQ42VI/AAAAAAAAALM/3z6mqTXhVTI/s320/IMG_3506.JPG" border="0" /> The only celeb I have seen since I last blogged was Craig T. Nelson (from the show Coach.) I sang in the choir at the Malibu Presbyterian church (where he is a member) two Sundays ago and they were having trouble lighting the advent candle, so Craig T. stands up and offers his lighter to the little girl. The congregation laughed and I just thought to myself "how bout them apples." He was there with his wife and they sat on about the 5th row back. I can't believe he watched me sing! :)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145537097384909154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/R2ieulQ42WI/AAAAAAAAALU/NKDflDNxW8s/s320/craig_t_nelson01.jpg" border="0" /><br />Even though I haven't seen many A-list celebs doesn't mean my friends haven't.....<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Danna sat next to Dennis Quaid at Casa Escobar during lunch (a little Mexican food joint here in Malibu)<br /><br /></li><li>Gail sat next to Julia Roberts and her daughter while at the beauty salon here in Malibu last Saturday</li><br /><br /><li>My friend Eryn saw Britney Spears on the Pepperdine campus trying to escape the Paparazzi<br /><br /></li></ul><p>I am heading back to Texas for Christmas break on Saturday morning bright and early (5:45am flight.) From Sugar Land, we are driving up to Dallas on the 24th to spend Christmas with my sister and then on the 25th we are driving to Divide, Colorado where my mom has rented a cabin for the week. My sister will fly out the night of the 27th to meet us since she has to work the two days after Christmas (gotta love life in retail.) We are even bringing our dog Toby on this journey. I can't wait! New Years Eve will most likely be spent in Houston celebrating with friends.<br /><br />I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during the past two fires here. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Years if I don't see you before then.<br /></p><p>Much love,</p><br /><p>Ro</p></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-57714342174385463132007-09-23T09:18:00.001-07:002007-09-23T18:31:32.707-07:00Celebrity Catwalk, Pinkberry and More<div align="left">Hi all-sorry it’s been so long since my last update….here I go!<br /><br />My friend Haley and I went to see a showing of Mary Poppins in Malibu Bluffs park where Dick Van Dyke opened the night storytelling his experience working on the movie set and also answered questions from the audience. It was shown on this huge screen while we sat on blankets underneath the stars: </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113537428712741314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvbvMuAWWcI/AAAAAAAAAIE/ZJ3Oy5H20Pg/s320/IMG_3058.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Dick answering questions from the audience:<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113537806669863378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvbviuAWWdI/AAAAAAAAAIM/D7gscbppab4/s320/IMG_3063.JPG" border="0" /><br />One of the other highlights over the past two months was going to the Celebrity Catwalk at the Hollywood Highlands center (picture below) with my friend Rachel.<br /><br /><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113441328819493106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaXy-AWWPI/AAAAAAAAAGc/4ZOeXdXOkjs/s320/1-highlandsmall.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Rachel and I were buddies in high school through choir at Clements and she recently moved out here to follow her dreams in the music industry. We re-connected through facebook and I was able to drag her with me to this event starting late for a Thursday night. Here is a picture taken of Rachel and I at the club shortly after we arrived:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113439666667149522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaWSOAWWNI/AAAAAAAAAGM/lrw_sfk5ZLo/s320/1-rachel-ro.jpg" border="0" /><br />The Celebrity Catwalk is a fashion show where proceeds go to local animal shelters. I was excited because Aubrey O’Day (from P.Diddy’s making the band 3) was there. She is the lead singer of the group Danity Kane that I love rocking out to. Other celebs that I was excited to see there include: Kim Kardashian (pictured with Aubrey and a socialite) Bobby Trendy (Anna Nicole Smith’s former stylist), David Hasselhoff (his daughter was one of the models in the show, so he was just a member of the audience) Jenna Jameson (former adult film star), and Kendra Wilkinson (Hugh Hefner’s sporty girlfriend). And yes, these pictures were taken from my very own camera! </p><div align="center">Aubrey O'Day and Kim Kardashian<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113435414649526402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaSauAWWII/AAAAAAAAAFk/H-goD5dUaMs/s320/1-aubreyandkim.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></p><p align="center"><br />Bobby Trendy<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113435912865732754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaS3uAWWJI/AAAAAAAAAFs/8czr4n2PcvU/s320/1-bobbytrendy2.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br />David Hasselhoff<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113437098276706466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaT8uAWWKI/AAAAAAAAAF0/LsJtv0P2qgA/s320/1-hasselhoff4.jpg" border="0" /><br />Jenna Jameson<br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113437570723109042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaUYOAWWLI/AAAAAAAAAF8/Rfp90WRn09s/s320/1-jj3.jpg" border="0" /> </p><div align="center">Kendra Wilkinson</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113438318047418562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaVDuAWWMI/AAAAAAAAAGE/iM9ykX19vFg/s320/1-kendrawilkinson.jpg" border="0" /><br />Rachel and I grabbed sandwiches at Johnny Rockets prior to the event starting and walked in the doors at 10 till 8:00pm. As the bouncers were checking our bags-every single pen in my purse (and some of them being my favorite) was taken away permanently, being thrown in a stack of other dangerous items such as perfumes. Heaven forbid we smell good and get a few autographs…at least cameras were allowed!<br /><br />So we head to the bar after glancing around and I order a gin and tonic, and Rachel grabs a rum and diet coke (both costing $6 each). We stand in front of the end of the runway, thinking its going to be a great spot to stand. The place starts filling up, and I am snapping shots of Bobby Trendy and David Hasselhoff, trying to look cool while standing in place grooving to the music, holding my drink, purse and camera. The show started about 45 minutes later and right as the models were about to walk out-what seem liked hundreds of media pile up right in front of us with their big cameras and push everyone else out of the way. I still was able to see all the models and catch the pictures you saw above. After about an hour our feet were tired (I should have worn my crocs) and we headed home.<br /><br />About two weeks later my friend Eryn (who is just as **I’m not going to say obsessed** interested in celebrity spotting and gossip as I am) and I went on a search for the Polaroid beach house. Now, for those of you who do not watch E! news or get your daily updates from perezhilton.com I will tell you what this is. Polaroid decided for the past couple of years to rent a beach house in Malibu where celebs can show up to eat and drink all they want for free while snapping photos of themselves to capture the indulgent moments of their visits. Paris Hilton lives just a few doors down, so she is over there quite often and so are people like Adrian Grenier, (from the HBO show Entourage) Jeremy Piven, and Matthew McConaughey. Everything from movie release parties, fashion shows, 4th of July parties, celeb birthday parties, etc. are held here on a daily basis. If you pass by Ralph’s (the only grocery store in Malibu) you can see the back side of the PBH where there is valet parking every single day of the week, along with Mac trucks for setting up catering, lighting, etc.<br /><br />Now back to my story…Eryn and I were about 80% sure that the Polaroid Beach House was on Carbon Beach (home of Leonardo Di Caprio, Jennifer Aniston) so that’s where we spent about four hours walking up and down looking for this house. I should mention at the time of our journey we didn’t know the beach house was behind Ralph’s which is NOT on Carbon beach. Anyway, one of the highlights of our amazing beach workout was seeing and actually speaking to Michelle Rodriguez (from Lost, the movies Blue Crush, Fast and Furious). As Eryn and I were walking back towards our car heading north on the beach, we walk past Michelle who was in a yellow bikini and playing with her dog.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113440645919693026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaXLOAWWOI/AAAAAAAAAGU/3NR4eK-EThA/s320/michelle_rodriguez.jpg" border="0" /> </p><br /><br /><p>Eryn didn’t recognize her and thought she was some surfer girl with a great body but I knew who she was immediately! Her dog had run right in front of us so she goes “im sorry about that” and we go “oh, it’s OK” while attempting to hold back huge smiles on our faces. Right as we pass Michelle and dog I turn to Eryn and say, “do you know who that was? It’s Michelle Rodriguez”. As she looks back over her shoulder a paparazzi runs over to Michelle to take her picture. She immediately jogs back up the house. The next day, sure enough the below picture of Michelle was posted on perezhilton.com. It was pretty cool to see that knowing we were about 20 feet away! </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113443446238370050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaZuOAWWQI/AAAAAAAAAGk/N1w3tv02g2E/s320/michelle-rodriguez-beach.jpg" border="0" /><br />Prior to actually seeing Michelle, we spotted a beach house with about 15 papparazzi just 100 feet away under umbrellas snapping photos like mad. At the house, I would say there were 20 people lounging outside- having a good time, but the only person I recognized as we casually strolled by twice was Jon Favreau (from the movies <em>Swingers, The Break Up, Wimbledon</em>).<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113446246557047058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvacROAWWRI/AAAAAAAAAGs/plFn0P5k3Jk/s320/JonFavreau.jpg" border="0" /><br />Upon seeing him, I thought to myself “surely they are not all here for this guy”. Later on we heard from a lady who either lives on or frequents the beach that Naomi Watts was sitting outside the house but I could not find her in the crowd.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113447431968020770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvadWOAWWSI/AAAAAAAAAG0/RRMyQENljl4/s320/naomi-watts.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p>Pulling up perezhilton.com later on, I saw that Vince Vaungh was hanging out at the same house later that day. Our four hour workout walking up and down Carbon Beach was not a total wash. The water is crystal clear from the minute you put your feet in, so you truly feel like you are in Cancun when you arrive.<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113448183587297586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaeB-AWWTI/AAAAAAAAAG8/YmRlpQy8heM/s320/IMG_3299.JPG" border="0" /><br />We also spotted the back side of the Silver Spoon house, which basically serves the same purpose as the Polaroid beach house. I snapped a shot of the Silver Spoon land rover as we were walking back to our car (picture shown below-check out license plate).</p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113449317458663746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvafD-AWWUI/AAAAAAAAAHE/E5jK4MuixP0/s320/IMG_3305.JPG" border="0" /><br />Another cool LA thing my friend Jessica and I tried was the new kinda-like-but not-frozen yogurt craze called PinkBerry. They almost look like Jamba Juice stores but we went to a kiosk in a local mall. People line up in droves for this stuff, just like they do for those Sprinkles cupcakes I adore. Now, I must admit that some people are skeptical about what exactly PinkBerry is made of and according to California law it doesn’t have enough bacteria cultures per ounce (sounds yummy, right?) to be called frozen yogurt. It’s got tons of sugar but if you want to try something unique I would recommend it. </p><br /><p>According to wikipedia: “The tart, frozen dessert has a groupie-like following who sometimes refer to it as ‘Crackberry’. The company acknowledges its cult-like following by maintaining a ‘groupie corner’ on its website”. There are two flavors: regular and green tea. I sampled both and ended up getting the regular flavor, which I honestly cannot tell you what it tastes like for all the money in the world, but it was good. I topped it off with fresh kiwi fruit, but there are about 15 cut-fresh, on site fruit toppings for one to choose from along with kid cereals such as Captain Crunch and Fruity/Coco Pebbles. If you want to read more, check out their official website at: <a href="http://www.pinkberry.com/html/pbmain.php">http://www.pinkberry.com/html/pbmain.php</a>. Due to the high amount of sugar its obviously not something you want to eat daily-but a unique tasty treat that if one has access to, should try.<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113450855056955730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvagdeAWWVI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Hdy8h2_Tlqo/s320/pinkberry.bmp" border="0" /> </p><br /><br /><p>My roommate Danna got here from Qatar earlier this month and she and I have been having a blast hanging out and living in her RV at the Malibu RV park where Matthew McConaughey keeps his Air Stream and lives when he is in the area. You can clearly see the Pacific Ocean from our spot and it is just amazing……our 5 minute commute to work isn’t bad either!!!<br /></p><br /><p>One of two note worthy adventures was going to an indoor shooting range for the first time where I got to shoot a 22. Not only was the shooting range fun, but I was hitting the targets, amazing I know. I liked the 22 because it had very little kickback and was easy to handle. Below is a picture of Danna and I wearing our ear shields. We had gone to an Aggie Game watching party in Manhattan Beach earlier that day-that's why we are in maroon. I was shocked that we were not given bullet proof vests, but I guess that’s the chance you have to take when you step in the front door, and normal procedure according to some of my other friends who frequent shooting ranges in Texas. </p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113451731230284130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvahQeAWWWI/AAAAAAAAAHU/ZYYtVocPtmA/s320/IMG_3439.JPG" border="0" /><br />The other adventure was going to my first Dodger’s game! We got there at about the 5th inning (we got lost and drove 40 minutes out of our way but finally made it). This was just enough time to order a Dodger dog (the stadium’s famously long and delicious hot dog) and watch the Dodgers beat the Padres. We managed to sit in front of three of the most obnoxious Dodger fans in the stadium, but we had a good time. EVERYONE there was in Dodger garb-it was like being at Kyle Field for a home football game, but instead of maroon, the color of the evening was royal blue.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113456193701304690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvalUOAWWXI/AAAAAAAAAHc/v_j-u2xDOhk/s320/dodgers_pics_001.jpg" border="0" /><br />I have seen quite a few movies in the past two months and surprisingly they are all entertaining and I highly recommend them:<br /><br /><strong><em>Bourne Ultimatum</em></strong>-the best one of the Bourne Trilogy and a must see:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113459114279066002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rvan-OAWWZI/AAAAAAAAAHs/yuuQPjgzFEs/s200/bourne.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong><em>Stardust</em></strong>-is a mystical love story with Michelle Phieffer, Claire Danes and Robert De Niro:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113459724164422050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvaohuAWWaI/AAAAAAAAAH0/xySgHfI6d6g/s320/stardust.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong><em>3:10 to Yuma</em></strong>-a great Western shoot-em-out movie with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113458684782336386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvanlOAWWYI/AAAAAAAAAHk/C7Ildlvl_oE/s320/yuma.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><strong><em>Eastern Promises</em></strong>-a graphic story of a young Russian girl who gets caught up in the Russian mob in London, starring Naomi Watts and Viggo Mortensen:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113461098553956786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RvapxuAWWbI/AAAAAAAAAH8/kMijvBB-Ivk/s320/easternpromiseszu6.jpg" border="0" /><br />I should mention that over Labor Day weekend I traveled back to College Station, had a wonderful time, and will write about it in another blog. I am waiting for pictures from a friend of mine because the queen of taking photos left her camera in LA when packing for Texas.<br /><br />One thing I am looking forward to (other than seeing Daniel Baldwin later today, since Danna has joined his softball team) is having my sister Andrea and her friend Johnny come visit for the weekend mid-October! I can’t wait!!!<br /><br />That’s all for now…love, peace and chicken grease (taken from one of my student workers). Please drop me a line to let me know how you are doing-I love hearing from everyone.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-7902607276642265622007-07-22T16:02:00.000-07:002007-07-28T15:14:26.308-07:00More Celeb Sightings and The Family Visit<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Hi Friends!</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I guess I should start off with my recent celebrity sightings....last Sunday afternoon I watched Daniel Baldwin play softball at Malibu Bluffs park. My friends Jen and Kerri are on a city league softball team and Daniel (or DB as his teammates called him) happens to be their pitcher. I had gone with Jen to look for couches the day before. When she mentioned she had a game the next day and that Daniel would be there, I thought I would pop by. It was really cool seeing a celeb do something "normal" without photographers around. The mother of his unborn child (the former chef at the Malibu rehab facility he was recently staying in) was also there, lounging on the grass beside the field. In between innings he would go lay next to her, putting his head on her stomach. It was really sweet. Today, Tammy and I went to the Malibu Arts Festival, which is a huge craft show with photographers, artists, sculptors, food vendors, etc. I didn't see anything I couldn't live without, however I did see Drew Lachey (Nick's brother), his wife and child walking by. Drew and Leah were both in sunglasses and are a lot shorter in person.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu-1I4rgWI/AAAAAAAAAFc/MLoeMKypNAs/s1600-h/daniel-baldwin1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu-1I4rgWI/AAAAAAAAAFc/MLoeMKypNAs/s320/daniel-baldwin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092373623800037730" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu-vI4rgVI/AAAAAAAAAFU/aPHAi5lI_Xc/s1600-h/Drew+Lachey.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu-vI4rgVI/AAAAAAAAAFU/aPHAi5lI_Xc/s320/Drew+Lachey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092373520720822610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Now onto the family visit. My entire family (mom, dad, granny, and Andee) minus Toby arrived in Los Angeles on a Thursday morning and headed straight to Venice beach and Hollywood boulevard while I was at work. Around 4pm, they made their way to campus and got to see my office, get a few Pepperdine t-shirts and hats, and got a glimpse of the breath-taking view of the Pacific.</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">After I got off work, we headed to Duke's barefoot bar and chowed down on grilled chicken sandwiches, fish and chips, and some fruity drink concoctions. We were able to snab a table outside that looked right onto the ocean. They were really tired, so after dinner mom, dad, and granmy headed back to the hotel and Andee stayed with me. I took Andee to Ralph's hoping to see a celeb but unfortunately we didn't there. We then headed to the Malibu Country Mart and got some iced tea at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (they are everywhere here) and I showed her the unique shops and where Nobu was (a hot spot for Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox and other local celebs who like expensive sushi). While walking back towards my car we saw Paul Rudd playing with his son in the little playground found smack-dab in the middle of the Country Mart. All of the playground pictures you see in US Weekly or OK magazine are taken here.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu9Wo4rgUI/AAAAAAAAAFM/pn8zcmVxdQ8/s1600-h/dukes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu9Wo4rgUI/AAAAAAAAAFM/pn8zcmVxdQ8/s320/dukes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092372000302399810" border="0" /></a><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Friday was Disneyland....it was so much fun, however I must say that I like Disney World better because you feel like you are at a resort in Florida more so than you do here in Cali. We rode almost all the kiddie rides (my back can't handle much more) and then Andee and Dad rode Space Mountain. My favorite rides were Peter Pan, It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and meeting Mickey Mouse (45 minutes in line for that one). We had started our day at Disney around 11:30am and by about 6:00pm we were spent. We stopped at a Red Robin (a West Coast restaurant that has a diner feel) on the way home and called it a night.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu09I4rgJI/AAAAAAAAAD0/iwvcpJm3L60/s1600-h/disneyland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu09I4rgJI/AAAAAAAAAD0/iwvcpJm3L60/s320/disneyland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092362766122713234" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Saturday we hit the wineries....that was a really unique experience. We drove up PCH and the 101 to the Santa Barbara wine country....more specifically to a city called Los Olivos (where Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch is). Our first winery was the Firestone winery owned by Andrew Firestone's family (yes the tire company and of the show the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Bachelor</span><span style="font-size:130%;">). The winery had little stations set up in a large room, each showcasing five to six different wines (whites and reds) for you to taste. You pay $5-$7 dollars per winery (this includes a keepsake glass and the tastings). They give you a list of what you are trying and a little description of each. Firestone also owns Curtis winery so we paid $10 which included the glass and wine at both places. Firestone also had samples of their jalapeño mustard and merlot chocolate dip to try with pretzels which was a real treat.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu19Y4rgLI/AAAAAAAAAEE/wnwPkYMuoTQ/s1600-h/IMG_2957.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu19Y4rgLI/AAAAAAAAAEE/wnwPkYMuoTQ/s320/IMG_2957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092363869929308338" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu1yI4rgKI/AAAAAAAAAD8/G11aciwHK7M/s1600-h/IMG_2956.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu1yI4rgKI/AAAAAAAAAD8/G11aciwHK7M/s320/IMG_2956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092363676655780002" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu2HY4rgMI/AAAAAAAAAEM/vM4L-sTEIQM/s1600-h/IMG_2958.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu2HY4rgMI/AAAAAAAAAEM/vM4L-sTEIQM/s320/IMG_2958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092364041728000194" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu2Xo4rgNI/AAAAAAAAAEU/RTw4enOZvxY/s1600-h/IMG_2988.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu2Xo4rgNI/AAAAAAAAAEU/RTw4enOZvxY/s320/IMG_2988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092364320900874450" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">After about two full glasses worth of tastings, we drove down to the Curtis winery where I tasted (hands down) the best wine ever made. I am a really big sweet wine (or fruit forward) fan....anything labeled a Reisling or dessert wine, I know I will like. This wine was called a 2005 Late Harvest Viognier and was mouth watering delicious....super sweet. At $35 a bottle for about three glasses worth, I passed but will definitely buy a bottle at some point in my life. We stopped at two more wineries after that and also spent two hours at a local casino playing slot machines...no big winnings here but it was fun. After the casino we were starving and hit up an In and Out Burger in Ventura. Everyone loved it just as much as I do. It's definitely worth the hype in my opinion.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu3w44rgOI/AAAAAAAAAEc/R_HXTsQFX8c/s1600-h/IMG_2999.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu3w44rgOI/AAAAAAAAAEc/R_HXTsQFX8c/s320/IMG_2999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092365854204199138" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sunday we headed to Beverly Hills to check out Kitson (a very trendy expensive shop of t-shirts, jeans, and trinket type things). After about 30 minutes in Kitson, Andee picked up a cute makeup bag and we headed to Sprinkles cupcakes. Dad, granny and I tried milk chocolate, Andee got a red velvet one and mom had a carrot cake. No one was disappointed. We also go two extra to share (vanilla and chocolate coconut). My favorites to this day are peanut butter chip and vanilla. Those of you in the Dallas area- check out your local Sprinkles (they are selling a limited edition cherry flavor until August 5th) and the Houston area will be getting a franchise soon according to their website. The picture below is a picture I took in front of Kitson and it says "Kitson Welcomes the Beckhams to Los Angeles".<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu39Y4rgPI/AAAAAAAAAEk/xdGCToRVwT0/s1600-h/kitson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu39Y4rgPI/AAAAAAAAAEk/xdGCToRVwT0/s320/kitson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092366068952563954" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">After Sprinkles, we headed to the Grove/Farmer's Market for some pizza and shopping. We also took in a movie (</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >License to Wed)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> at the Grove theater. I thought the movie was OK-but not as funny as I thought it would be. One nice thing about the theater, were the all you could drink self-serving soda fountain machines (I have given up sodas since then, going on 10 days and doing excellent). Andee and I had Subway for dinner back in Malibu and then stopped at the local frozen yogurt store called Malibu Yogurt (Malibu Yo). One would think Malibu Yo was this amazing place but in actuality its just the only ice cream/yogurt shop within a 30 mile radius. I wasn't impressed at all with the chocolate flavor I had the first time, but this time with Andee I got a coffee flavor that was pretty good and I am a fan again.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu7HI4rgRI/AAAAAAAAAE0/rSi0AV8aSQs/s1600-h/malibu+yo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu7HI4rgRI/AAAAAAAAAE0/rSi0AV8aSQs/s320/malibu+yo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092369534991171858" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Monday was beach day and of course it was cloudy. We laid on a couple of towels on the shores of Zuma and watched surfers, junior life guards in training and a large number of people that didn't have to work that day frolic in the ocean and sand. After changing, the family headed back to the airport for the 3-hour flight back home. I spent the rest of that day doing laundry, napping, and at the chiropractor because one of the rides at Disneyland ended up being a little more jarring than I had thought. It was really hard to see them all leave but we got a lot done in a short amount of time and everyone had a blast.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu4PI4rgQI/AAAAAAAAAEs/POeCDmJj3uI/s1600-h/IMG_3034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu4PI4rgQI/AAAAAAAAAEs/POeCDmJj3uI/s320/IMG_3034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092366373895241986" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I can't believe I have been here for almost three months....the summer has gone by so fast and I am really enjoying being out here. On a side note, I saw the movie Hairspray last week (Pepperdine hosted it again) and it was wonderful-you must go see it. We had a choice of either seeing Harry Potter or Hairspray and of course I chose the musical.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu7zI4rgSI/AAAAAAAAAE8/0Oui4JVdDvg/s1600-h/hairspray.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 132px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu7zI4rgSI/AAAAAAAAAE8/0Oui4JVdDvg/s200/hairspray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092370290905415970" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Also, the Beckhams have now moved into their Beverly Hills pad and are the new "IT" couple...hopefully they will make their way to the 'Bu so I can blog about it! ;) I really want to go to an LA Galaxy game (the team David plays for) and also check out a Dodger's game at some point.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu8Y44rgTI/AAAAAAAAAFE/xuxYV0QLFxg/s1600-h/beckhams-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rqu8Y44rgTI/AAAAAAAAAFE/xuxYV0QLFxg/s320/beckhams-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092370939445477682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Thanks for reading....and I hope to hear from you all soon!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">xoxo</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ro</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-63050379396722577542007-07-01T10:53:00.001-07:002007-07-02T08:49:59.653-07:00$10 Beach parking and fireworks to come<span style="font-size:130%;">I think every week that passes I start to enjoy California more and more...the people, the area in general...I have made three new friends (also Pepperdine employees) closer to my age and it has really made a difference. However, there is one thing that I will never ever like-the lack of parking and the fees to pay in very small paved lots for anything you want to do on the weekends. During the week this is not so much of a problem, but the weekends bring</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> flocks of people from everywhere wanting to stake claim on some hot sand and soak their feet in the ice cold Pacific.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For example, this past weekend, my friend Jessica and I were goi</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ng to go to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Adamson</span> House which is an old tile factory here in Malibu whose inside is absolutely breathtaking. Below is a picture of a hallway in the house-the floor looks like it has a Persian rug laying on it, however those are indeed tiles. The tour itself is only $5, so we thought this would be a great cheap adventure for Saturday. Wrong.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof6Fql93pI/AAAAAAAAACs/xrd3Kye-OqU/s1600-h/adamson_house_hallway.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082305679750717074" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof6Fql93pI/AAAAAAAAACs/xrd3Kye-OqU/s320/adamson_house_hallway.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Friday night we had gone to see <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ratatouille</span> at the Malibu Theatre (Pepperdine hosted another free movie and of course I was there-next week is the Transformers and I might just go to that too since it is free and Josh Duhamel is in it). The movie was fantastic! I highly recommend it. Prior to the movie we went to an Italian food place called </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Spruzzo's that was good and reasonably priced. The cornbread/focaccia bread they give you beforehand was really yummy-I had at least two pieces.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RogA66l93uI/AAAAAAAAADU/2qvxWWhotkA/s1600-h/focaccia.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082313191648517858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RogA66l93uI/AAAAAAAAADU/2qvxWWhotkA/s320/focaccia.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof6Ual93qI/AAAAAAAAAC0/VDMA2g338T0/s1600-h/ratatouille.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082305933153787554" style="WIDTH: 189px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 281px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof6Ual93qI/AAAAAAAAAC0/VDMA2g338T0/s320/ratatouille.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The movie started at 9:45 and we didn't get home until midnight, so Jessica and I decided that our original plan of making the first tour at 10am wasn't going to happen and we moved our plans to 2pm (when the last tour left). I left campu</span><span style="font-size:130%;">s around 1:20 and drove down to see if I could find the Adamson house-that was a success, but I worried because it looked like there were a lot of cars parked near the area. I swung back to pick up Jessica and we pull into the Adamson House parking lot. The guy tell us that the $7 pay lot was full (where beach people park too) and that we were out of luck. We drove up and down PCH for about 15 minutes and determined that we would just have to plan this for another day and go on the first tour, hoping to beat some of the crazy beach traffic next time. I was really really sad.<br /><br /></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082307170104368818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof7cal93rI/AAAAAAAAAC8/Vr7reIO1pzE/s320/IMG_2641.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;">To boost our spirits, we decided to go to Malibu Lagoon nearby where we paid $10, y</span><span style="font-size:130%;">es $10 to park our car in their tiny lot. When we drove up, the guard was playing her guitar so I just drove</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> on by and snabbed an empty spot. We noticed that other cars had a yellow ticket in their windshield and figured we needed to go ahead and pay. After we each reluctantly handed over our $5 we were going to spend at the Adamson House, we hiked past the swampy lagoon to the beach. It's a pretty, small beach but there were about 250 people spread all over. Lots of small kiddos and two completely naked (children) splashing in the water....The cool thing about the beach was some of it led you in front of the houses located in the coveted <em>Malibu Colony</em> where numerous celebrities live. Jessica and I sc</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ooted</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> under the wire gate that had a sign stating something along the lines of "private beach unless you are below the high tide area" (the wet sand).<br /><br />I was a little intimidated, but Jessica had done this before so I followed her lead. There were quite a few people laying out on their decks, letting their big dogs run free on the beach catching disgusting tennis balls. I could not tell if any of the beach residents were celebrities or if they were just tourists who had either friends in high places or shelled out the 5-10 grand to rent a house for a week. Yes up to $10,000 for renting a house on the Pacific coastline for one week. I wanted to hang out on the beach more, but Jessica was ready to go back, so I dropped her off and picked up my friend Haley who also enjoys relaxing on the beach. Good thing our parking pass was for all day or I would have been really bummed. What really irked me was that after 3 or 4pm they stopped charging people-had we only known. We got some sun and people watched for a couple of hours. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof9B6l93sI/AAAAAAAAADE/84v4JgWtcfA/s1600-h/Fireworks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082308913861091010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 273px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof9B6l93sI/AAAAAAAAADE/84v4JgWtcfA/s320/Fireworks.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />We have the 4th off and I am probably going to a BBQ and will watch the fireworks from Alumni Park on the Pepperdine campus.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">...the park is on top of a hill, overlooking the coastline where they shoot fireworks off a barge in the middle of the oce</span><span style="font-size:130%;">an-I can't wait!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Another thing I can't wait for is having my family come visit. They get here in 11 days and yes I am counting. My sister wants to go to H&M and Kitson in Beverly Hills and my mom wants to go see Laguna Beach...I know we are all going to have a great time</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, not to mention going to Disneyland!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof-Sal93tI/AAAAAAAAADM/DxGKkfebNV0/s1600-h/pizookie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082310296840560338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rof-Sal93tI/AAAAAAAAADM/DxGKkfebNV0/s320/pizookie.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">BJ's Brewhouse is a chain restaurant that my mom loves to go to partly because she receives gift certificates from there and partly because the food and beer is good! Well several of my friends here are just obsessed with BJ's and I think it is so funny. They obviously have not experienced the food in Texas, that is for sure. I went to BJ's two weekends ago with my friends Lisa and Kerri and for dessert we ordered a pizookie which I had never heard of before. A Pizookie is a pizza cookie baked in this little dish topped with vanilla ice cream. It's OK....but I still prefer Great American Cookie and Blue Bell over it any day. We are also going to BJ's for Haley's birthday on Tuesday night. Last time I was there I had one of their famous pizzas but I am going to try really hard to branch out and try something new there.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Last week I went to the first chiropractor listed in my Healthcare provider packet. I really lucked out because Dr. Michelle Caravello is amazing. She is so nice, down to earth and really cares about me and the health of my sad back. It also helps that she lived in Austin for 8 years and has a soft spot in her heart for Texas. I can't wait to go "back" tomorrow night for another adjustment. My workstation recently got lifted to an appropriate height and this coming week my keyboard tray should be installed.....and at that time-everything will be kosher.<br /><br />I hope all my friends and family in Texas are surviving the rain!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-62414373032895989242007-06-18T14:43:00.000-07:002009-11-01T08:37:22.595-08:00$3.25 cupcakes and thrift store Stuart Weitzman's<span style="font-size:130%;">Things in Cali are going well. The weather is really nice (the thing I like most about living in California). The high this week is 82…I do realize how lucky I am as most of you are blistering in the Texas heat right now. This past weekend I went to Santa Monica with two of my friends Damaris and Sondra. We drove in Friday night and walked the Santa Monica Pier all the way to the very end and ate at a decent Mexican food restaurant called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mariasol</span>. I had a cheese enchilada and a chicken soft taco (with beans and rice of course) and it was the best tasting Mexican food I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ve</span> had in California since I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ve</span> been here. We got to eat on the back porch that overlooked the ocean where we could see numerous people taking pictures right next to the wood railings that kept anyone from falling flat into the Pacific. There was a cute couple dressed in all white with a photographer and assistant trying to get the best shot even though the wind was blowing pretty steadily. Below is a really pretty shot of the Pier, as mine weren't so hot.<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rnb-_GOXrkI/AAAAAAAAABs/sopjGYsKJcI/s1600-h/SantaMonica.gif"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077525989862911554" style="" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rnb-_GOXrkI/AAAAAAAAABs/sopjGYsKJcI/s320/SantaMonica.gif" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The Santa Monica pier was not as classy as I thought it would be. It was built in 1909 and I could tell that at one point it was something really great but now it just has a “dirty” feel to it. The only nice restaurants are the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bubba</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gump</span> Shrimp Company and then of course, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mariasol</span>. The rest were amusement park stands selling burgers, hot dogs and the sort. There were rides for little kids who were running around like mad Friday night. There were also vendor carts of people selling Hollywood show tickets, craftsmen/women who would mold your face from a little clay ball, painters, cheap I love <heart>LA t-shirts and souvenirs….you get the idea. </heart></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">After dinner we walked down to the 3rd Street Promenade (via cutting through a crowded mall nearby). Now, the only thing I can compare this environment to is Austin’s 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> street. The Promenade is an outdoor shopping street that has really nice and unique stores on each side but in the middle you will find the homeless, street dancers/performers, people preaching about Jesus (and the non believers arguing back-which included three PhD’s who looked like George Lucas and thought they were religion experts), musicians and other interesting people. It was a sight for sore eyes. I would have taken a lot of pictures but my battery died on my digital camera just as we were leaving the pier.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">One of the stores we stopped at was called “Hear Music” where you can listen to any CD they have and you can search for songs on this little computer screen by name, artist, song title or key word. Now I’m sure you’re going…”what’s so special about that?” but it’s really geared towards a person walking in and being able to chill and listen to however much music they wanted and had little stools and such to make it a welcoming environment. In addition to the very friendly and quite attractive staff, there is also a deli/coffee bar connected to it at the front of the store. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">After Hear, we pretty much had reached the end of the Promenade and were walking back towards the car. I enticed my group (which now included <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Dama</span>’s friend Eric who was in town for about a month doing a summer school class) to stop at this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">gelato</span> bar called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Angelato</span> that we had passed about 20 minutes earlier. It was stark white inside (very Asian/new age looking) and you had to pay before they would serve you. So you hand over your $3.75 for two tiny scoops of whatever flavor you would like and then they give you a ticket that stated the type of “holder” you are getting (cup or cone) and the size. I was feeling guilty about the Mexican food I just ate and got the small cup even though as stuffed as I was, I could have easily tried a bite of everything they had there. Angelato had all flavors under the sun….mango, kiwi, chocolate, strawberry, bubblegum (blue and pink), pistachio, blueberry, etc. Me, being a sherbet lover, got the raspberry sorbet that was juicy, cold, and could have easily been devoured in about three bites had they given me a normal sized spoon other than the baby plastic stick they provide (see picture below).<br /></span></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rnb_ZGOXrlI/AAAAAAAAAB0/KHs1okv3r1E/s1600-h/Gelato.gif"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077526436539510354" style="" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rnb_ZGOXrlI/AAAAAAAAAB0/KHs1okv3r1E/s320/Gelato.gif" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Saturday morning I was bound and determined to go walk on the beach, because the last time I went was the day my mom left town and I was with Holly and Andrea (over a month earlier). So, I woke up early and drove about 10-15 minutes to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Zuma</span> beach, which is a famous and popular beach to local surfers and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">hot spot</span> for Malibu residents because not many tourists drive down that far….they see Santa Monica beach (where I had been before) and immediately stop and set up camp. It was still foggy so I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">didn</span>’t bring my camera but I will most likely be going back this weekend and will take a few snap shots. I walked for a good hour and a half down the shoreline and it felt absolutely amazing having the sand in between my toes and feeling the ice cold Pacific splash on my feet and legs. There were numerous surfers (who I find to have pretty good bodies) and a few fishermen wading in the blue waters. I parked on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">PCH</span> (Pacific Coast Highway), jumped the little cement wall, stuffed my cell phone and car key in my jog-bra, took off my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Croc</span> flip flops and was on my merry way. I walked to the very end of the beach and the further I kept walking, the closer the houses got to the shoreline. Surprisingly, no one was on their patio enjoying the breathtaking view…typical. But there were wooden beach chairs on the dudes between the houses and public beach that had “no trespassing” signs in front of them where one can imagine (when in town) the Malibu beach homeowners sit and sip wine til the sun goes down. Ahhh...the life. Below is a picture of Zuma beach during sunset.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rnb_xWOXrnI/AAAAAAAAACE/4nExQJKyPio/s1600-h/Malibu-Beach.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077526853151338098" style="" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rnb_xWOXrnI/AAAAAAAAACE/4nExQJKyPio/s320/Malibu-Beach.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">After a shower and change of clothes, I headed to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Camarillo</span> (25 minutes north on 101, before you get to Oxnard) where they have an outlet mall and Target. The purpose of my trip was to buy more of those Ralph Lauren Polo t-shirts I absolutely love and adore. They are great for the weekends, working out and even sleeping in….AND they come in great fun colors like hot pink and turquoise (my favorite). Then I headed to Target to do some grocery shopping, drove through Wendy’s to grab a grilled chicken sandwich and headed back to Malibu. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Sunday, my friend Michelle and I went to Mosaic, a non-denominational church that meets in the Beverly Hills high school. It has a young crowd-which I really like! Afterwards we ate at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Chipotle</span> where I had a yummy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Barbacoa</span> burrito. The proceeds from sales between 12:30-3:30pm were going to a mission group from Mosaic. After <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Chipotle</span>, Michelle and I ventured off to find the famous Sprinkles <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">café</span>-where they serve $3.25 cupcakes that stars like Oprah gush about. Little did we know, we could have just looked for the crowd of people outside while driving down Santa Monica Blvd and we would have found it. We waited in line about 15 minutes and each got one cupcake-she got the milk chocolate and I got the peanut butter chip. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">OMG</span>-they were to die for! As we were eating them (we managed to walk a few feet past Sprinkles and then plopped down on Santa Monica Blvd. sitting on a low brick white wall in front of a store that was closed) we just kept saying “WOW” over and over again. Definitely worth the money!!! There is one in Dallas that my sister has been to, and surprisingly, the cupcakes are $3.25 there as well. We stopped in a thrift store to find some cowboy attire for a hoedown next weekend, and I was surprised to see designer shoes and bags for pretty cheap there...only in LA- LA land, I tell ya. Most of them were not anything I couldn't live without, so I managed to not buy anything.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RncAaGOXroI/AAAAAAAAACM/6GYs_HUXF48/s1600-h/cupcakes.bmp"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077527553231007362" style="" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RncAaGOXroI/AAAAAAAAACM/6GYs_HUXF48/s320/cupcakes.bmp" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Sunday night I had to pick my friend Haley up from LAX airport (I think I have the airport route down pretty well). We ate Subway on the way home and called it a night. I had forgotten to mention that the weekend before last, I saw Knocked Up which I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">didn</span>’t think was as funny as Wedding Crashers and also saw Ocean’s 13. Walking out of the theatre was actor John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">McGinley</span> who plays Dr. Cox on scrubs (picture below). He was wearing a yellow baseball cap and his wife was probably with him, I just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">didn</span>’t notice. He recently was married in his Malibu home just two months ago.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RncBcmOXrqI/AAAAAAAAACc/lEhb5MRHkaE/s1600-h/mcg.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077528695692308130" style="" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RncBcmOXrqI/AAAAAAAAACc/lEhb5MRHkaE/s320/mcg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RncBP2OXrpI/AAAAAAAAACU/jrw9JsJrBsU/s1600-h/laguna3_cast_017.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I’m really bummed I missed Father’s Day this past weekend but mom emailed me a picture of Dad in his polo I got him, along with the cake I over-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">nighted</span> him (the triple layer white chocolate fudge cake I told you about in my Jane Seymour blog) in a Tupperware dish. Everyone loved it just as much as I do! This coming weekend I plan on going to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Adamson</span> house (historical tile factory) and then going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Walmart</span>! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">YAY</span>!!! Miss you all…I would love to hear from you!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RncCW2OXrrI/AAAAAAAAACk/Fmz8Q95Cc0c/s1600-h/Dad-Father"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077529696419688114" style="" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RncCW2OXrrI/AAAAAAAAACk/Fmz8Q95Cc0c/s320/Dad-Father%27s+Day+2.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Other fun facts/updates </span></div><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">My friend Michelle saw Robin Williams coming out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">CVS</span> with a bag in his hand. He was wearing those blue converse tennis shoes that used to be popular when I was in middle school.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">My family (Mom, Dad, Granny and Andee) is coming to visit July 12-17 and I cannot wait! Things we plan on doing are: Disney World, the wine country, the beach, Hollywood, and anything else they would like.<br /></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Gas is cheaper in LA and pretty much anywhere other than in Malibu by about 30 cents a gallon (really cheap next to the airport)…imagine that</span></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-32278691784718926512007-06-02T20:32:00.000-07:002009-11-01T08:33:35.816-08:00the DMV and Duke's<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RmMy-wn9ZZI/AAAAAAAAABk/cpYlEI6HD2c/s1600-h/dukesofmalibuoutside.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071953659135092114" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RmMy-wn9ZZI/AAAAAAAAABk/cpYlEI6HD2c/s320/dukesofmalibuoutside.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Hi All,<br /><br />I apologize for taking so long to post again. I have been fighting a massive cold since Monday (something I believe I caught from traveling, thank goodness its NOT TB!) After much alka- seltzer, decongestants and some nasty orange stuff called Delsym-I am feeling 90% better without having to go to the doctor!!!! AND the weekend before I flew to Texas to get some Tex Mex, BBQ, see Toby and my family...it was a quick but wonderful trip back. My next planned trip back to College Station is Labor Day weekend-so hopefully I will get to see some of you then.<br /><br />Things are starting to settle in a little bit...two Thursdays ago I decide to take my car to get the much dreaded smog check because I had made an appointment at the DMV the very next morning to get my license, plates and car registered. In California, you must do this or else they will not let you register your car-so its a pretty big deal. I had a training course that morning that ended around 12:15, so I went straight to my car and drove "through the canyon" to Calabasas to the Xpress smog check station. As I pull up, I realize just one lane over is an oil change place and I thought-this is perfect, I can kill two birds with one stone. I get my oil changed and ended up paying about $50 because my air filter needed replacing. After that was done, I drove around again to get in the smog check line. The owner, very kind gentleman from India who had family in Sugar Land (small world) took my keys and pulled my car up into the metal "car holder" that spins your tires so they can get an emission test.<br /><br />Well just about that time the check engine light on my car comes on. I freak out. He says that there is no way the car will pass the computerized smog test with the engine light on. So I drive back around to the oil change lane and they do a battery test and everything was fine. They tell me to go drive 10-15 miles to get the light "out of the car's memory" and then go back into the smog lane. To make a long story short, I drive around, come back and it passes the test. Thank goodness!!!! I was really worried there for a second since my car is seven years old. But Toyotas have NEVER let us down and I'm positive they never will. A gray-haired man in a Porche had pulled in front of me, so I had to wait about 10 minutes for his check to finish before my test was complete. I got a free car wash out of the deal and a diet coke-so I was a happy camper. The man's printer was broken, so my certificate stating my car had passed was non existent-I had to trust him that the computer actually sent the confirmation directly to the DMV. I was really worried that since my car didn't have California plates yet, it would not get put into the system.<br /><br />What was supposed to take about 45 minutes total, took about an hour and a half....at least it was done. I called the DMV immediately when I got back to the office to make sure my smog check was sent into their system. After reading my VIN number over the phone three times "a as in apple, 1, 4, c as in cat...." you get the picture-the man confirmed that the result was indeed in their system. Another answered prayer.<br /><br />The next morning (Friday) I wake up early and leave the house around 7:15am wanting to make sure I made it not only to Thousand Oaks (the closest DMV) but to the actual office for my 8:30am appointment. I get there around 8, sit in my car eating my yogurt and drinking a slim fast (my typical breakfast on the run) and call my big sis Mindy who is currently living in Georgia and is three hours ahead of me-so I knew she would be awake. We talk for about 15 minutes and the doors finally open with a crowd of about 20 people standing outside the door. I walk in and grab a few forms that I have to fill out and the lady tells me to go back to my car and pull around so they can do a verification inspection (a quick look over) that someone signs off on stating that I am indeed the owner of the car I pulled up in. After that I go back inside and wait until they call my number. My number gets called after about 4 minutes and I walk up with all my documentation-the car title, my TX license, and my passport. They issue me California plates, tags and take about $110 of my hard earned money. I then go over to take my license picture and then they punch a big ugly hole in my TX license and hand me a two-sided 40 question paper driving test. The night before I had printed off the entire California DMV handbook from the website that included a picture and letter from Governor Arnold telling us to drive safely and to NOT speed race. I passed the test with flying colors and was out of there in exactly one hour.<br /><br />This past Friday night me, and two of my student workers Haley and Michelle went to Duke's (a restaurant right on the beach-picture shown above). They have what is called the Barefoot Bar with 1/2 price entrees from 4-6pm. We ate outside right where the ocean waves crash up to the glass plated wall and seagulls beg for handouts. I got a delicious cheeseburger and walked out of there only paying $7 for dinner including the tip-what a deal! Too bad the valet was $3 and you have no other option unless you are a "lucky" person who gets to park right on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and have a chance of your car being damaged or YOU have a chance of being hit by an oncoming car. Nice thought, right?<br /><br />Yesterday, I went to Agoura Hills to get my Allstate car insurance policy switched over (meaning pay MUCH more a month-the minute I move out of Malibu, my 6 month premium will go down over $200) and my new agent helped me put on the new plates. It so happened that her husband was a mechanic on the side and she had just the tools to unscrew the caps of the front plates and I did the back ones. When I came home, I found that not only my health insurance card arrived but so did my driver's license! I am sunburned in the picture-but its a decent one. I will post it soon.<br /><br />After the Allstate appointment I walked around the Thousand Oaks mall and it gave me a feeling of "normalcy". Next weekend I have an appointment to get my hair cut at the JC Penney's salon (Celeste where are you when I need you?) I am debating on whether or not to keep the appointment and go to the Unicuts Plus (hopefully a grade up from TGF's) in Calabasas that I just saw today while we were having lunch at Sharky's (a Mexican grill similar to Chipotle). I will let you know what I decide and how my hair turns out. I'm just getting a trim and maybe partial highlights re-done, they can't mess that up too much, right????<br /><br />More fun things about California/Malibu:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">McDonald's charges you for extra ketchup<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">movie tickets range from $9.50 for students up to $14 </span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Patricia Arquette was right in front of some friends while they were standing in line to see Shrek III last night</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Parking anywhere (the beach, a restaurant, etc) will cost you anywhere from $3-$7</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">every car in the Malibu Colony Plaza/Country Mart is an exotic luxury car....Ferrari, Range Rover, Maserati, Lamborghini</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Spinach Enchiladas are warmed spinach leaves in a corn tortilla-no cheese, sauce, onions, nuthin</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I miss my friends and family A LOT but meeting new people here has really been good for me. This week I am planning on walking the track at least four times again (i was too weak this past week to do anything other than sleep the minute I got home from work). I would love to hear from everyone to see how you are doing and how life in Texas is.....<br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Love to you all,<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Malibu McCall ;)</span></p><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-45796805158318299192007-05-21T18:42:00.000-07:002009-11-01T08:26:08.340-08:00In and Out Burger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RlJSMu0yYII/AAAAAAAAABc/D33_2gBjFxw/s1600-h/IN-N-OUT_BURGER_MENU_BOARD.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067202909426573442" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/RlJSMu0yYII/AAAAAAAAABc/D33_2gBjFxw/s320/IN-N-OUT_BURGER_MENU_BOARD.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Saturday I cleaned my messy room and left the house about <st1:time hour="14" minute="0">2pm</st1:time> to drive through <st1:place><st1:placename>Malibu</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:place> then onto 101 to Thousand Oaks (T.O. to the locals). The whole purpose of the trip was to get out of <st1:city><st1:place>Malibu</st1:place></st1:city> (you get kind of stir crazy living in a beach town because <st1:city><st1:place>Malibu</st1:place></st1:city> is very secluded) and to find a universal remote. Surprisingly Best Buy was not hard to find at all, and en route I saw all the shops and stores that T.O. has to offer-which is EVERYTHING you can think of! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mervyn</span>’s, <st1:city><st1:place>Marshall</st1:place></st1:city>’s, Ross, <st1:place><st1:city>Starbucks</st1:city>, <st1:state>Del</st1:state></st1:place> Taco (never been there but remember seeing it), Kohl’s…the list goes on and on. T.O. Boulevard is very similar to <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state> Avenue-unlike the crazy freeways and side streets of LA and it runs right down the middle of the city. I found a remote that had my TV listed on the back so I just bought it-thankfully it works and I was able to figure out how to program it all on my own. While I was deciding which remote to get, I asked one of the sales ladies where the nearest Target was. It was only about a mile and a half North and seemed easy to get to. I had to return the laundry detergent I had bought and of course Ralph’s (right across the street) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">didn</span>’t carry the same size bottle as the one I bought at Target a week earlier. </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">After Target, heading South on the 101 back towards <st1:city><st1:place>Malibu</st1:place></st1:city>, I spot an<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> </span><i style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">In and Out Burger</span> </i>and immediately pull over. I drive up and there is a <i>Burger</i> employee standing in the drive through line taking people’s orders and inputting the orders into a hand held computer that shoots the information to the line cookers inside-pretty cool, huh? So I tell the cute high school-aged girl that it is my first time here and she was very surprised. I told her I just moved from <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state> and she said that she had met several other people visiting from <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state> earlier that day in line.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I look up at the menu and they have three choices: a hamburger meal, a cheeseburger meal and a double cheeseburger meal…oh and shakes/malts. After our brief introduction, I casually say “so I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ve</span> heard you can order things that are not on the menu-tell me about those” and she proceeds to tell me that they have a grilled cheese (my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fav</span>) and then this Adkins burger wrapped in lettuce leaves-no thanks. So I order a cheeseburger with grilled onions and jalapenos (I guess jalapenos are a <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state> thing because they gave me peppers instead, which was fine). You pay and pick up your bag at separate windows and I had asked for it "to-go" instead of saying “yes I’m going to devour this in the parking lot” and I was on my merry way. Right before I pull away, I ask for more ketchup and the girl at the window says “there is some in the bag” and I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">didn</span>’t want to argue with her, knowing that the four packets she gave me would not be near enough (for those of you who don’t know, ketchup is its own food group in my book) so I said “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ok</span>, thanks” and drove off.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">So I’m thinking…man this is going to be really great when I get home and am able to enjoy this at a table. Yeah right. So I reach into the bag to grab a fry and realize that they (meaning In and Out Burger) do not cover the burger completely in paper, foil, whatever. Half of the burger was sticking out of the paper wrapping and leaking grease onto the paper bag, which was getting on my seat and I was kind of freaking out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I pull over into this shopping center and justify eating it right then because I could tell the fries were getting cold and I forgot that I was going grocery shopping at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Albertson</span>’s in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Calabasas</span> before heading back to Malibu-which would be another hour before I would get to eat. It was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">soooo</span> yummy! I only regret getting the “jalapenos” on there because the spiciness took away from the taste of the burger, so near the end I just took out the peppers to truly enjoy the taste of the burger. Now, I must tell you that they have a “special sauce” on their burgers that I knew deep down probably had mayonnaise in it (for those of you who don’t know-I HATE MAYO). Had I known beforehand, I probably would have ordered it dry but chalked it up to being a new food adventure and ate the entire thing without thinking twice about the sauce.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">After enjoying the delicious burger that Californians crave-I headed to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Albertson</span>’s in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Calabasas</span> where a lot of Malibu residents shop on the weekends due to the prices being more reasonable than Ralph’s. Now I must confess-I made fun of my friend Amanda in <st1:city><st1:place>College Station</st1:place></st1:city> because she loved shopping at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Albertson</span>’s and I hardly ever went in there-but this one was pretty nice. I shopped around for a while getting the staples: diet soda, and peanut butter plus a few other items. I signed up for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Albertson</span>’s reward card and it turned out that I saved $27 with my card!!! Can you b<st1:personname><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">elie</span></st1:personname><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ve</span> that? At Kroger’s the most I have ever saved was about $18. I felt really good about my savvy shopping adventure.</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;">The funny thing about moving out here-I immediately wanted to put a Texas A&M sticker on the back of my car (and I did). However, when I lived in <st1:city><st1:place>College Station</st1:place></st1:city>, I never had the urge to do this. I also, get so freaking excited when I can get a country station in my car and find myself looking at the license plates of every single car that I pass-hoping to see one from Texas-weird I know.</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Because you asked…..</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Things I specifically miss (besides friends and family)</span></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Knowing who/where my doctor is</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Tex-Mex (which to me, includes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Freebirds</span> and La Bodega)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Cell phone service (rumor has it that a new Sprint tower will be on campus in June)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Being able to stop by a friend’s house if they <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">aren</span>’t answering my phone calls </span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">When my mom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">IM</span>’s me and says “you’re missing Boston Legal” I know which channel to turn to</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Paying under $3 for a gallon of gas</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Not having to fear getting bit by a rattle snake</span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:130%;">Fun/Cool Things I have found out about Malibu<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jeopardy comes on at <st1:time hour="19" minute="0">7pm</st1:time> here</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">MTV 3 (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">latino</span>) is channel 6-i truly wish I could speak/understand espanol </span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Fox news is channel 10-this seems so odd to me</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pamela Anderson’s kids are in the <st1:city><st1:place>Malibu</st1:place></st1:city> little league city team and she walks the campus around 10am almost every day. She wears the same white outfit every time so paparazzi don’t bother her-smart lady</span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-51274672601971474292007-05-19T19:44:00.001-07:002009-11-01T08:21:20.293-08:00The Piv<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066471845863251970" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rk-5TO0yYAI/AAAAAAAAAAc/7meUN-rwERw/s320/JP-New.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;">I saw my second celebrity about two hours ago as I was driving up to Ralph's (a grocery store similar to Kroger's). I had taken a right into the Malibu Colony Plaza parking lot, and there walks Jeremy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Piven</span> (of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HBO's</span> Entourage and the movie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Smokin</span>' Aces), passing me on my right side. He was wearing a hat similar to the one in the attached picture and sunglasses. When I looked in his direction, I knew immediately it was him. From what I have read online he stands about 5'9 and moved out to Malibu recently. He was carrying what looked like a frozen coffee drink and had forgotten where he parked his silver Lexus. I immediately drove around again and found him walking up a different aisle than where I saw him just a few seconds before. He had dry cleaning in the back of his car. I love Jeremy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Piven</span> and think he is really cute, so this was a real treat. I wish I had been out of my car, walking through the parking lot, so I could have at least said "hi" in passing. Oh well....im a happy camper for now ;)</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rk_ArO0yYEI/AAAAAAAAAA8/mAa8O-1UOCg/s1600-h/Piven.jpg"></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rk_AQO0yYDI/AAAAAAAAAA0/nMgMKdSrZJM/s1600-h/Piven-5.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066479490905038898" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rk_AQO0yYDI/AAAAAAAAAA0/nMgMKdSrZJM/s320/Piven-5.jpg" border="0" /></span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-91439858960615789562007-05-16T20:50:00.000-07:002009-07-30T13:43:15.962-07:00Book signing with Jane Seymour<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rk54Ce0yX-I/AAAAAAAAAAM/dlOUDNybP48/s1600-h/Ro-Jane-closeup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066118614867927010" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/Rk54Ce0yX-I/AAAAAAAAAAM/dlOUDNybP48/s320/Ro-Jane-closeup.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I arrived at the Malibu shopping area around 5:30pm on Wednesday, May 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>. I had to deposit my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Yellowhouse</span> (Hunter's Point) apartment refund check at Wells Fargo, then I walked over to Diesel which was only two stores down to buy the<span style="font-style: italic;"> Making Yourself at Home</span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></em> book by Jane Seymour-wanting to ensure I had a copy before she arrived. I had about 45 minutes to kill, so I treated myself to dinner at Cafe Marmalade (my La Bodega and Cheddar's replacement while in California). I was feeling really healthy that night, so I ordered a cheeseburger and a piece of a cake (that I and the waitress who first served it to me like to call "sugar buzz"). It's a triple layer white chocolate cake that is mouth watering .<br /><br />**Side Note: I first had the cake on my interview trip out here late March. It was so good that I took half of the cake home and ate it at the LAX airport the next day while waiting on my flight back to Dallas. It tasted as fresh as the day before-the wonders of a paper to-go box.**<br /><br />I ate the burger (which was delicious) and took the cake to go and then walked back over to Diesel which was right next door. Jane came in about 10 minutes before 7 and stood at the front entry of Diesel while customers and a few photographers took her picture while signing copies of her book and she also chit chatted with customers. She didn't come to the back into the store (where seats were lined up and I was patiently waiting) until about 7:30.<br /><br />After Jane talked about the book a little bit (which features her home here in Malibu), someone asked her what her favorite color pallet was and she responded "well today it's Aqua but my all time favorite color is teal because it reminds me of the ocean" and then she said "i like the color red because if you are feeling bad that day or need to state your mind on something or just need a boost of confidence, it makes that all possible....I am sure the young lady in red could tell us, did that color do well for you today?" MEANING ME!!!!! And I said "Yes it did".<br /><br />In a response about whether or not she had achieved inner peace-she shared one of her three near-death experiences. Jane said she saw herself being injected (while in </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><em>Anaphylactic shock</em></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >) and s</span>aid it was as though she was in the corner of a room looking down from above. What was running through her mind, she said, was the realization that death is not painful. However, you cannot take anything with you....not your cars, homes, personal belongings...all you have is your <em>family, friends, and the relationships you develop </em>throughout your life. It was a very emotional statement that almost brought full-on tears.<br /><br />**Side note: It reminded me of when I had seen Teri Hatcher about two months before in College Station at the Presidential Conference Center. A female student asked Teri how a woman can accomplish being powerful and successful, while making time for friends, family and yourself. Some in the audience thought the question was stupid. Teri didn't and said "I wish I could come out there an give you a hug because I see that you are anxious, worried and scared....but you have your whole life to accomplish great things-there is no time limit." It was very inspiring to say the least.**<br /><br />Jane spoke for about 15 minutes total then invited those of us who had not had our book signed to come on up. I asked if she'd take a picture with me, letting her know I had purchased the book for my mom and she said "well let me hold up the book so it can be in the photo too". I thought that was really sweet of her-and it made a great picture as well. Jane was extremely laid back and friendly. I was told by another lady at the signing that not all celebrities are like that-even if they are at a scheduled event. My first celebrity experience was amazing and I am looking forward to many more.<br /><br />Love,<br />Rochelle</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785883473457666626.post-69224539279898013792007-05-15T20:14:00.000-07:002009-07-30T13:36:30.342-07:00Texas to Cali<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SnIEPam-QQI/AAAAAAAAAu8/TRO9Db-AUv0/s1600-h/824836430505_0_ALB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cGnvAM2fHcU/SnIEPam-QQI/AAAAAAAAAu8/TRO9Db-AUv0/s320/824836430505_0_ALB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364354769039016194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Howdy Friends!!!<br /><br />Give yourself about 10-15 minutes to read this….I’m usually not this long winded, but I wanted to write down everything I remembered from our journey to get here….I hope you find it entertaining….and get a chance to read it.<br /><br />I am so glad I got to see almost all of you before I left town. It still hasn’t hit me yet that living out here is permanent (until I marry Jeremy Piven and demand he moves back to Texas with me)….right now things feel like a summer vacation with a full time job. My mom and I finally made it to Malibu on Thursday evening about 7:30pm after three and a half days of driving.<br /><br />For those of you who will hopefully delight me with your presence out here in the near future, I highly recommend flying the three hours directly into LAX instead of driving the 24. I can’t believe my little Corolla made it with all the stuff I had weighing it down inside.<br /><br />We left Sugar Land at about 12:45pm on Monday and drove about six hours and stopped in Ozona (right outside of Junction) to stay the night. On the way there we stopped at the James Avery factory in Kerrville, after eating some not so great BBQ. It was about 20 minutes to closing time at James Avery so we took a quick look in the store, then watched their 10 minute video about the grounds. They do not give walking tours due to the potential distractions tourists could have on their workers. It’s neat to say I have been there but it is not on par with the Celestial Seasonings factory tour in Boulder, CO or Ethel M’s chocolate factory tour in Las Vegas (which, sadly I think is closed now).<br /><br />The hotel we stayed at in Ozona was called Travel America or something of that sort. Let me tell you, this place was the nicest, cheapest motel I have ever stayed in. The room was decent size, clean, and the bathroom was all tile…they provided HBO, and free breakfast in the morning (no hot food-just muffins, donuts, coffee) but I was really impressed for $50 a night.<br /><br />The next morning we drove from Ozona through El Paso and then finally stopped in Tucson. We managed to find the least clean Motel-6 in probably the continental United States. I was very disappointed to say the least-especially since we had such a great experience at the other motel the night before.<br /><br />There was no Kleenex in the room, only one roll of toilet paper, you could hear the traffic from the interstate right outside out door and there was no shower head in the shower, just a pipe that stuck out of the wall. We arrived extremely late at night, were tired and didn’t want keep looking for something that would have cost us about $40 bucks more just so we could sleep for about 6-7 hours.<br /><br />We decided that we were only going to drive about two more hours the next day and then stay the night in Phoenix to rest and relax a little bit after two days of hard driving. A good friend of mine who knows the hotel business very well, tried to get us a cheap room in Phoenix but everything was coming back at $130 or higher….after talking to my dad, we found out that the Sun’s were in the playoffs against the Lakers and that’s why most of the hotels were booked and the rates were sky high. My mom suggested we stay at a Harrah’s Casino/Resort she had read about in her triple-A book. We called and got a good rate on the last non- smoking room they had. We then loaded back up in the little Corolla and were on our way to Maricopa, AZ (to an Indian reservation).<br /><br />**Side note**We stopped at a great Mexican food dive called Andele’s en route to Maricopa and my mom ordered the new Miller Light Chill (which is Miller Light with lime). I only had one sip since I was driving but if you are a beer drinker, and can find it there in Texas-get your hands on some immediately…..its really refreshing….I am sure the rest of the beer companies will come up with their own version soon but Miller is the only one I have seen up to this point.<br /><br />Back to the casino….This place was amazing! Our room was huge and bright, as was the bathroom. It reminded me a lot of the room I stayed in at the Intercontinental hotel in the Middle East-but with cactus pictures, etc on the wall instead of camels.<br /><br />Man, it was really nice. Luckily, I had some Harrah’s credit from the time I stayed there in Reno a couple years back and they were able to comp a couple of my meals. This all happened on Wednesday night. Thursday morning we left about 11:45am and headed straight to LA, only to stop in a town not too far past the California border at a Carl’s Jr. for a burger. It was OK, but I am still dying to go to In & Out Burger which I have heard is delicious.<br /><br />LA traffic is almost unbearable. Driving through LA to get to Malibu was probably the most congested two hours of the whole trip. Granted, we arrived during 5 o'clock traffic, but I’ve heard and now believe that all major freeways and highways are bumper to bumper unless its Sunday morning; however that does not guarantee that you will get somewhere in the time you think you should. I also want to note that $3.45 for a gallon of gas is considered “cheap” here.<br /><br />So we take the Pacific Coast Highway (also called PCH or the 1) to Malibu. I had seen the campus a month earlier on my interview trip-but my mom had only seen pictures.<br /><br />We were hungry so we go to this little shopping center right across the street and eat at a place called “Coogie’s Beach Grill”. They have sandwiches, salads, etc. with reasonable prices. We both ordered Santa Fe salads that were comparable to something at Chili’s or On the Border. We then walked to Ralph’s (right next door) which is a partner to Kroger's in Texas.<br /><br />About two weeks earlier I had ordered a Ralph’s card online and I had received it before I got here and I was so excited for some strange reason-I guess it kind of made me feel like I was a local or something. No celebrity sightings that night, unfortunately.<br /><br />Saturday we woke up and ran to Target off the 101. By ran, I mean drove 30 minutes through a windy canyon to get my mom a duffle bag in order to properly re-pack her clothes for her flight home on Sunday. She and I had pretty much threw what we thought we would need for the week getting here in trash bags because suitcases would not fit with all of my stuff in the car. We also bought some plastic drawers for me to organize clothes and random stuff in since I couldn’t fit any furniture in my car. I also got a box fan because the one I had from home again, would not fit.<br /><br />After Target we went to LAX to pick up my friend Andrea who was flying in from Dallas to help me get settled. My mom, Andrea and I went down to Venice Beach to eat some good burgers and people watch. Venice beach encompasses a strip of shops and eateries along the Pacific Coast just south of LA. Venice Beach is also home to Muscle Beach, made popular by our Governator.<br /><br />The next morning we headed to a shopping mecca called the Grove. There was a farmer’s market that includes food from all over the world: fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, baked goods, nuts and candies, little knickknacks and LA souvenirs….the list could go on and on. The Grove also has a lot of posh stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, etc but you enter and exit the stores through the outdoor/open air walkway that has a trolley running through the middle.<br /><br />If you ever come visit, I will definitely take you there, because it's really neat! After walking around, riding the trolley and taking tons pictures like a tourist, we had dinner at this little Greek place that was delicious.<br /><br />Sunday morning my mom and I drove from Malibu to the LAX airport, but before I dropped her off we stopped for breakfast and thought we saw William Shatner and his wife at Burger King, but I verified with Google that his wife is younger than the woman we saw with him, and he is not as tall as the man dining at BK.<br /><br />I also thought I saw Jennifer Aniston at the Grove but it was just a really pretty girl that looked a lot like her. I will probably go through this stage where I think everyone is a celebrity but then realize they aren’t. I promise to only report legitimate sightings to you all. Andrea and I cruised down to Santa Monica beach, and around the LA area (Sunset Blvd, Wilshire, etc.) It was really cool seeing the different sights that you always see on the E! channel. I love reading about celebrities so I feel like I am in the right place. We also stopped by some lookout point and took pictures of the Hollywood sign and downtown LA.<br /><br />On Monday I started my work at Pepperdine. I am truly grateful for having university experience before coming here and I hope to implement some of the things I have learned into my new job. The ten students I am working with and director I am working for are the nicest people I have ever met and have welcomed me with open hearts and arms.<br /><br />I eat lunch outside where they have tons of tables while getting a great tan on mostly my face and lower arms. The last two days were “hot” (85 degrees) but today there was a cool breeze with clear and sunny skies. Yesterday was rough-I woke up really missing home and teared up while eating lunch outside. Good thing I had my big sunglasses on so no one could tell. Today was much better and I know that feeling homesick is normal, just something I haven’t really experienced on this level.<br /><br />I have made friends at the local Wells Fargo, and the local bookstore called Diesel where Jane Seymour is going to be Wednesday May 16th for a book signing. She might be my first celebrity sighting if I decide to go. I’m wondering if I have to buy the book or just ask her to take a picture with me. Since it’s a book signing, I don’t feel as weird asking for a picture-but we’ll see.<br /><br />Everyone that I have met is VERY nice…it reminds me of Texas. People smile when I tell them I just moved from there and usually say “oh I have a friend/family member that lives there” and we develop an instant connection. I just met someone from A&M today; it's a small world.<br /><br />Hopefully you haven’t fallen asleep while reading this.<br /><br />This weekend I am planning on using the outdoor track on campus and go into Thousand Oaks to look around at what they have (check out the mall, Target, and Best Buy for a universal remote because I surprisingly lost my tv remote in the move). Imagine that!<br /><br />Thank you for your emails, text messages and warm wishes- please keep them coming. Miss y’all =)<br /><br />Love,<br />Rochelle</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0