13 days ago, I embarked from this very room on a grand adventure.
I have since traversed the country to its lengthy Pacific Coast, and faced the conditions in the untamed North.
Now, what a wonder it is to be relaxing safe in my Mortensen apartment, with a big bowl of soup and rice cooling, and a mug of tasty tea steeping... clocks ticking, interstate humming. I can wear light, comfortable clothing, and bare feet without having to worry about getting my feet wet or dirty. The clutter is my clutter, and easily managed. OH! It is good to be back.
Los Angeles High Lights:
On Friday when I was on my own to explore Hollywood, I got off the metro and walked the wrong way all the way to some place called "Mount Olympus" where Hollywood Avenue ended! I should have figured that the expansive blocks of apartment buildings would not have yielded Amoeba Music and hip coffee shops... After finding Hollywood, and walking the right way, I really enjoyed perusing, and when Nathan caught up with me, we had warm drinks and figured I walked an extra 3 miles.
Every Museum we went to was great. I saw Van Gogh's Irises, two seascapes by Turner, a small Frida and some big Diego Riveras. I also saw some Andy Warhols. A whole room full in fact... and even though I don't hold his art too close to my heart, it was still a fine experience to see some of the originals of the posters and stamps that have made their way into pop culture common place. I saw some really clothing on display, and have decided that a fun out fit to have would be that of a French Man in the 1700s. I think the the long coat, fitted vest, and pants that buttoned around my knees would be very fetching.
After getting supplies at the farmers market, Nathan (my cousin, who I was visiting) made a delicious dinner and we watched one of the Christmas gifts he got his friend.
In n Out Burger and its delicious healing powers. YUM!
Lots of good food as a matter of fact! Thai the first night, an Ethiopian lunch (we ate with our fingers!) Fish Tacos, and blueberry cheese cake from, "The House of Pies."
A completely deserted (except for some kelp...) Venice Beach. I got my picture taken with the faithful umbrella. Wet feet.
One night, because Nathan's friend got a gift certificate for christmas, he took us out to a movie at the Arc Light Theater, which is big and fancy. We saw "The King's Speech." Both I, and Nate's friend Colin dozed off a little... At least I had the excuse of that being the day I walked too much. THe movie wasn't bad at all.
Our last full day included the In n Out Burger, Huntington Library and Museum, a visit to Occidental College near dark, a stop at "Inteligencia" coffee for warm drinks and Hipster watching, a stop at the Observatory, the fish tacos, pie, naps, and finally a visit to the "Upright Citizen's Brigade" theater for star studded comedy.
I think the Huntington was my favorite, probably because they wooed me right off the bat with their 17th century globes, John Locke notes, and original Audobon illustrations. The gardens were beautiful too, if wet and hurried.
Inteligencia was Nathan's surefire hipster zone. He promised I'd see some, and he did not let me down. I had been expecting to see lots of California hipsters, but until that night, they had remained quite hidden to avoid the rain. My hot chocolate tasted weird. Like it might have been enjoyed by the Aztecs centuries ago, but not by me with my Swiss Miss Sensibilities.
I had never had a fish taco before, and Nathan told me that the place we went could very well be the best place to get fish tacos. Pretty good!
The Observatory was windy, wet and cold, but the view was amazing. Worthy stop.
And then, the next day, we got a Japanese lunch, and then went to the Airport. Nathan's flight left at 1, but mine wasn't until 6. I could have stayed behind and checked out down town, but by then I was weary and soggy enough to just go with and wait. I like airports. I read, wrote letters, got McDonalds and had a right swell time.
I got sad when Nathan left. We didn't talk much, but I account that to us still being of a different age. Where I hung out with Claire, Nathan was always her big brother, and big brothers are sometimes kept at a distance, especially by little girls. I hope that our relationship will continue to blossom in the years to come. It won't even be a whole year before I see him again! Hooray family weddings!
My mom picked me up from the air port and drove straight home, where I spent the rest of my time until now. Home is wonderful, but I am delighted to be back.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Vespers Week
I was going to blog while my meal cooked, but I got distracted. Now I blog while contentedly munching brown rice and venison steak.
Yesterday was a lot of fun.
I will start at the beginning.
Vespers started on Friday, so after class I got on the bus to take us all to Central Lutheran. Snow had been falling for a couple hours, and the 10 minute drive took 40. I made it on time though, and I played with Brass Chamber in the entry way for the third year. I didn't play very well though.
After we were done, Steve gave us a ride back to Augsburg, which was great because then we didn't have sit for another 2 hours before going home. When I did make it back, I went across 94 to watch "The Great Dictator" with Colin, Renee, Aidan, Paul and Steve-J. After that, I ran into a friend who was visiting my neighbor, and she invited me over to play Smash Brothers. We didn't actually play for that long, probably because I am so terrible, they didn't see the point in it. I do want to practice.
These events lead up to why I stayed in bed as long as possible yesterday morning, even though I'd hoped to get some work on my biology project done. I barely made the bus at 12:30, and then spent the rest of the day at the church. Same deal this time through, only I think we played much better.
Steve brought us home again, and then I went to an Mpirg party. I didn't know it was going to be an Mpirg party. Oliver who invited me, just said that I should come, and that he'd be heart broken if I didn't. So I walked by myself all the way into the Seward Neighborhood, and to my delight, when I arrived, saw many people I already knew! Oliver did introductions, and I was soon set free to socialize. I actually succeeded too. The dynamic was very good, probably because everyone there were political canvassing, extroverted types. SO GREAT!
I made friends, and had moments with old ones, and it was fantastic.
I spent a really long time in a room talking about History and politics with an Mpirg worker, met a boy from Morris who knows Josh and who is awesome, and after an incident involving an unlocked bathroom door, vowed to hang out with Kathy for the last time (before actually doing it, after all these years!).
When the rest of the Augsburg people started leaving, I went too because I didn't want to walk back alone, and then Alex and I went to Hard Times (one hour before they closed!).
This morning I woke up at a decent hour considering the late night, and was able to do some work on biology before meeting with Hunter, and then I practiced for my trumpet Jury.
Now that I've eaten, and blogged, it is time for me to get back to work. I am going to do some reading, and if I can, I will write some of my religion paper too.
Yesterday was a lot of fun.
I will start at the beginning.
Vespers started on Friday, so after class I got on the bus to take us all to Central Lutheran. Snow had been falling for a couple hours, and the 10 minute drive took 40. I made it on time though, and I played with Brass Chamber in the entry way for the third year. I didn't play very well though.
After we were done, Steve gave us a ride back to Augsburg, which was great because then we didn't have sit for another 2 hours before going home. When I did make it back, I went across 94 to watch "The Great Dictator" with Colin, Renee, Aidan, Paul and Steve-J. After that, I ran into a friend who was visiting my neighbor, and she invited me over to play Smash Brothers. We didn't actually play for that long, probably because I am so terrible, they didn't see the point in it. I do want to practice.
These events lead up to why I stayed in bed as long as possible yesterday morning, even though I'd hoped to get some work on my biology project done. I barely made the bus at 12:30, and then spent the rest of the day at the church. Same deal this time through, only I think we played much better.
Steve brought us home again, and then I went to an Mpirg party. I didn't know it was going to be an Mpirg party. Oliver who invited me, just said that I should come, and that he'd be heart broken if I didn't. So I walked by myself all the way into the Seward Neighborhood, and to my delight, when I arrived, saw many people I already knew! Oliver did introductions, and I was soon set free to socialize. I actually succeeded too. The dynamic was very good, probably because everyone there were political canvassing, extroverted types. SO GREAT!
I made friends, and had moments with old ones, and it was fantastic.
I spent a really long time in a room talking about History and politics with an Mpirg worker, met a boy from Morris who knows Josh and who is awesome, and after an incident involving an unlocked bathroom door, vowed to hang out with Kathy for the last time (before actually doing it, after all these years!).
When the rest of the Augsburg people started leaving, I went too because I didn't want to walk back alone, and then Alex and I went to Hard Times (one hour before they closed!).
This morning I woke up at a decent hour considering the late night, and was able to do some work on biology before meeting with Hunter, and then I practiced for my trumpet Jury.
Now that I've eaten, and blogged, it is time for me to get back to work. I am going to do some reading, and if I can, I will write some of my religion paper too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)