4-28. Travel Day

I’m on my way to a friend’s wedding in Indianapolis and here are my thoughts from the day. Yes I write them down when I think of them. That’s what being in an airport and always having a pen is good for.

I put $10 of gas into my car outside the airport and only got 2.1 gallons. I was shocked, and just laughed out loud.

There were lots of men caring suits in suit bags in San Francisco. This lead me to think two things. One: Wow, not to stereotype, but there are a lot of gay men in San Francisco and they take care of their clothing better. Two: there are lots of single men going to weddings on a Thursday.

Even on Southwest Airlines where luggage is free there are a ton of people who want to carry on their overstuffed luggage and have two pieces. Oh Unitedstatesians.

There are a lot of attractive people in airports.

I read an entire book on my first flight (leaving me very bored on my second flight). The book was called “Dear Exile” and was amazing. It was just so real and hit home in many ways. Especially the first three letters, page 64 and page 156. It was two friends letters while one was in Peace Corps. I think it is the best quick example of life in Peace Corps, life going on back in the states without you, and then the reality of coming home. READ IT!

I LOVE PEOPLE WATCHING! It makes me smile, and cringe, and happy.

Why am I so good at sitting still when alone but need toys and to fidget when with people? Any psychologists want to take a stab at that one? I think it’s because I am stimulated and fascinated by people watching. But does that mean my real friends and family bore me? Not too sure about this predicament.

Country Inn and Suits are awesome! Huge cheap room from Orbitz with big bed, couch, two big chairs, desk and chair, microwave, freezer and fridge, free cookies all the time, free breakfast, and airport shuttle.

Cannot wait to see my Peace Corps peops tomorrow!

Random Thoughts From the Past Few Weeks in Northern California:

Red lights suck!!!

I think I saw a family washing their entire car from the small windshield washer thing at a gas station.

California is all very new.

I like open road better than traffic and red lights.

Which direction is best for driving the PCH? Northbound? Southbound? The view is different depending on direction.

I am soooo sad part of the PCH was closed and it was hazy. Yet it was still beautiful.

Who knew the PCH had such beautiful rolling green hills, farmland, and wineries.

Santa Cruz seems like a hippie city.

There are a ton of hitch hikers in Northern California.

I really want to learn to kite surf and there were a ton north of Monterey.

The beach Pompomino(or something like that) looked amazing.

The small town of Cabrillo looked cool.

I loved the PCH and Pacifica. I didn’t even stop but loved the look and its distance to the city.

I have driven in a lot of major cities. Cities are expensive.

There are a lot of rude drivers and people here. Um, hello, there is a line.

I love Niki and Jamal

4-27. Goodbye Freinds. Hello Prison.

We slept in a bit and while I made Gallo Pinto poor Jamal had to go prepare for the Firefighter chicken and polenta dinner. While cooking, chatting and eating, the morning got away from us. I did discover that mixing Worcestershire sauce with BBQ sauce gives you a taste close to Lizano. It was then time for big hugs and goodbyes. I didn’t want to leave because it was so good to be with Niki and Jamal, and the Sonoma area is gorgeous. I drove into the city with little problems and after I parked met a random guy who let me use his office bathroom. I really had to pee. While waiting for the Alcatraz ferry I strolled around Fisherman’s Wharf. I then made it to Alcatraz for the tour and some walking around. This place was cool but I think it should still be used. The entire Island is a National Park but would possibly serve better as a prison. It would suck to be there and maybe deter criminals a little more than normal prison. The NPS must make bank though. $26 per person and there must be over a 1,000 visitors on good days. I took the ferry back, hopped in my car, drove to a hotel near the airport, and prepared my bag to fly the next day. I talked to dad and got an update on the family, then relaxed a bit with TV.

4-26. By Ferry I Go.

With the recommendations from Jamal I Headed to Larksburg for the ferry. I had to drive around for a bit to find parking and ended up at the Bed Bath and Beyond. The ferry ride was very nice and I met an interesting girl from Alaska who has accomplished a lot. After the ferry ride and walking a ton I had to take three buses to get to the base of Golden Gate Bridge, which was my goal for the day. Did you know the bridges official color is called international orange. I took a beautiful walk over the bridge then all the way back. I got to watch some surfers and dream about climbing to the top. Afterwards there were three long bus rides back to Fisherman’s Wharf, and when I arrived all tours for Alcatraz were sold out. So, I took the ferry back. I got a what in my mind was a good call from mom and made my way back to Niki’s. We ordered a ton of food from a Thai/Indian Restaurant and ate in to have a lazy girls night. We had some good chats, listened to Disney music, looked at pictures and went to bed.

4-25. Planning Day

I spent the morning talking to Kim, Mom and dad, planned some San Francisco stuff, and organized for my upcoming Indiana trip. I was then picked up and got to have lunch at a Mexican restaurant with Niki and Jen. The company and my burrito were both wonderful even though I wasn’t feeling myself. After lunch I had a nice walk to get some stamps. Who knew a book was so expensive. I tried to rest for a bit and when Niki got home she made a yummy healthy dinner. We all hung out for a bit watching hockey then called it a night.

I should have taken a picture of Niki while cooking and her yummy food. Oopsy. I have been slacking on pictures and that is not good.

4-24. Brisket Hash. Yummmm

Once we all woke up after having a slept in Niki made us an amazing Brisket Hash for breakfast. We then made our way to the Gloria Ferrer winery for some yummy champagne and spicy nuts. Our next stop was at the gorgeous Buena Vista winery for some wine tasting. It was so beautiful and the oldest in CA. We had some snacks and a sit at the Swiss Hotel. We tried to get some cheese at Vella for Jamal but they were closed for Easter Sunday. We all relaxed and I read a few books filled with useless facts, which I LOVED. We all went over to Jamal’s parents house for Easter at the Cooks. We had some yummy food, laughed a bit and around 10 called it a night.

2-23

I had some matzo ball soup for breakfast and got to chat with Niki. Scott and Maddie came from Sacramento to visit and it was so good to see them. We all headed to lunch at Red Grape and it was freaking delicious. We walked back to the house and stopped at a neat coffee place. I got a great hug from Maddie and said goodbye to Scott. We all hung around chatting and when Jamal went to bed Cole and I watched “Love Actually.” After the movie we realized it was a little rainy so we hung out in the living room until it was time for dinner. The three of us headed to Plaza Tequila for Mexican dinner. Afterwards we headed to Time Square where Jamal had to work and I wanted to experience. After an hour we walked around town on our way home and I met more of their friends. Once back at their place Niki and I and some time to talk one on one. It was very enlightening and I learned a lot.

4-22

We awoke early so Hills could make her train in Santa Barbara. Hills treated me to such an amazing “vacation” it was nothing to make the drive back down. Santa Barbara was a beautiful town but I wanted to make my drive up North. My intention was to drive the entire PCH/Route 1 up to San Francisco but the weather had another plan. I made it to San Simeon on a cloudy day and couldn’t understand why it was so crowded. I spoke to mom and dad on the phone by the visitor center and realized it was Good Friday. I passed on the 25 dollar hour and half tour after talking to Jenni and knowing that I would be back someday. I also needed to back track again because the part I was looking forward to on the PCH had been washed away. Bummer.

I made my way on the 101 up to San Luis Obispo the cut back over in the Monterey area. This took longer than I thought and it was very cloudy so I didn’t stop, except for traffic. I fell in love, from the road, with the Pompomelio area and Pacifica. Even though I had been in the car all day I wanted to get to Niki and Jamal’s in Sonoma. I made the quick trip through San Francisco around 6pm and the sun finally came out. I was worried I would miss Passover dinner but got there just in time.

I haven’t had a Passover dinner in many years. It was delicious and refreshing and sooooo good to see Niki and actually meet Jamal. I really know nothing about Judaism which made for some fun. Niki and Jamal’s friends were nice and entertaining. It was a funny evening and nice to laugh and not think about serious issues. After a warm shower it was time for bed in a comfy room.

4-21

Hillary woke early and went to the Supah Ninja set. When she returned she deicide we needed a vacation. So no camping and instead we booked a historic Hotel. We packed the car and headed to Betsy Johnson which was crazy expensive. I found a gorgeous cheap dress a few days earlier and luckily it was still there. We had an issue with the security tag then headed to Jerry’s Deli. We had an amazing picnic, if you could call that , in the car while stuck in LA traffic. We stopped for gas on Victoria Ave. and made our way to when we realized Santa Maria is not near Santa Barbara. The scenery was beautiful and I was so happy to see this different landscape in California. The rolling green hills and coasts together were amazing. The old hotel was at first not so pretty but then we saw the rose gardens around the pool and the different architecture style. We made a grocery store trip for Mimosas material and headed to the pool. After a quick jump in the pool and sit in the hot tub we headed back to the room for room service and movie. We tried to watch movie but had difficulties so were upgraded to a larger room. We finally watched “No Strings Attached” and got to hang out with Hills. It was so fun to laugh a lot and roll in a comfy bed. Not being in Santa Barbara presented a transportation issue for Hills so figured that out and went to bed.

4-20

In the morning Heidi and Doug introduced me to the bald eagles of Iowa. It’s amazing how clear the images are. We had a delicious homemade breakfast of chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes. It was so yummy to have a hot breakfast. AND, Heidi made my pancakes Mickey Mouse shaped! After breakfast we looked at cool old family pictures, and amazing scrapbooks Heidi made. I didn’t want to leave but I wanted to get on the road before traffic hit.

I drove to the town of Orange in Orange County. What a great town! While waiting for Megs I walked around this town and fell in love with it. We had dinner at the Filling Station, which was yummy and a cool old converted gas station from the 50’s. We got some yogurt and headed to Megan’s. Anaheim Hills is gorgeous town in Southern California. It was so green and lush and great to see Megs house. It wouldn’t have been the same without seeing where Megan came from. I just wish I could have sent more tome there, but I needed to get back to LA. On the drive to LA I talked to cousin Aaron then drove around for parking spot. Around 10 I finally had time to journal and reflect on life for a bit. I realized we couldn’t fix the dress I had, but needed one for the wedding. Oh life.

4-19.

We had some left over pizza breakfast and watched “Waiting for Superman”, which I have really wanted to see since before it came out! In the afternoon I drive to Huntington Beach to meet up with Heidi and Doug. Even though I wasn’t feeling %100 myself it was really great to get caught up with family. I saw Alberta’s new home which I loved in this huge cool Leisure World living complex. We all had dinner in Seal Beach at this amazing Thai restaurant. After dinner we walked on the beautiful pier. WE chatted at Alberta’s a little but then Heidi and I chatted more before going to bed. It’s always nice to get caught up with people, especially family.

4-18

While I stayed in a huge bed Hillary went for a bike ride and brought home Breakfast. She is such a great hostess. We made the drive to Brentwood very quickly so made phone calls before going up to Auntie Bette’s Apartment. We got to hang out with Bette for a little bit then she took us to lunch in an adorable healthy restaurant in a cute area off of 26th. Before heading back she showed us some really old trees with beautiful roots lining a very nice neighborhood. Brentwood seems like a great area and it was so nice to see Auntie Bette. The visit was quick so I hope to spend more time out here at a later date.

After Auntie Bette’s we traveled in Beverly Hills a little bit and visited Nous Model Management. I got a contract and now I am moving out to LA to model. Just kidding. I got to see where Hillary used to work and it felt great to get caught up on her life by seeing it not just hearing about it. We briefly shopped at nice store then went back to relax. Hillary is on a week of vacation before she starts Supah Ninja’s starts so we get to relax and hang out. We debated about what to eat for good hour and settled on sticky mango rice (which I am hooked on) and pizza from a normal grocery store which happened to have lots of attractive people in it. We watched Secretariat and then looked at Hilary’s amazing art journal book thing. I was on the phone with the family for awhile so I didn’t get to say goodbye to Warren. I didn’t like that, so I decided to come back through LA on my way north and Hills was going to join me for a night or to o camping. It was so nice to be in LA with Hillary and seeing friends and family.

4-17

We all met up again in the morning at Doug’s then after a quick rest Lindsay picked us up and we headed to the Hollywood Farmers Market. The food was amazing here. We had tamales, ice cream, mango sticky rice, pad Thai, and tons of fresh fruit tasters. I can’t believe someone would want to shut this down. The U.S really is all about money. Before we left all four of us did the tradition of the photo booth. I love that Hillary and Doug go every Sunday. We then relaxed for a bit and met Warren at Saddle Ranch. This was an experience and I want to see the VH1 show to see it in full force. Everyone described the place as trashy and the people watching was amazing. The food was also really good. We then made a detoured drive to Redondo. I love Hillary’s new house and I am so glad we went. Hills got some Sushi and I got Mexican food for dinner, which we ate in the couch. After dinner I got to meet a very nice well known director. You can goggle him.

4-16

While Hillary got her hair cut I got caught up with Nikki and made some plans to visit a little later on.

Once Hillary got back we made another trip to Melrose to shop some more. I loved some shoes but the girl in the store was a very annoying transplant to California ( like the fake California girl of stereotypes) and we wanted to leave the store.

We met Noah and Warren at Joey’s Café for brunch and then headed to Warrens so I could see his place. Our next stop was the mall still looking for a dress.

We had some time to relax before the party then got ready. It has been fun learning about Hillary’s life here in LA. I still think it’s funny and strange that I am going to warp party for season 7 of The Office. I am not at all into television or Hollywood life, but what a great first experience in LA. It’s just so California.

Back on the road. April 15, 2011

After a two week vacation from the road trip and being pampered by my grandparents it was time to hit the road once again. With my nails done and hair cut I was ready for LA. Or was I?

Before I hit the traffic, which wasn’t too bad, I had to take a potty break. The McDonalds had automatic doors and couches outside to sit on outside. I was only in Montclair. Once in LA I noticed the smog. It may have been hazy or foggy but I immediately thought of smog.

I got to stroll up and down Sunset Boulevard in the Hollywood area and settled in with Drama while waiting for Hillary.

Once Hillary got home we got caught up on everything and headed out. We did a little shopping on Melrose and headed to happy hour at The Parlor. It was a beautiful evening and we had yummy food and drinks. It was fun to try all of the sliders.

We made a stop at Pinkberry where I got a lesson in California lingo then headed back to Hillary’s. Warren joined us a little later, I got to see a few new shows, and it was a relaxing night.

Break Time

I am now at Nana and Pops. Don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I will defiantly enjoy it. I love waking up to the sun, palm trees, and snow capped mountains. Rest time, which means a break from the blog. Sorry.

I think I am taking crooked pictures. Not good.

Does anybody know a literature publisher? Specifically children’s books. I have a few questions.

Maybe

I may have found my favorite place in the U.S. and this is not an April fool’s joke. I’ll need to reflect more BUT, Jerome is definitely a candidate.

AZ cities are set up funny. Very spread out. Then again most small towns/cities are like that.

Middle Arizona has so much to offer.

Our family trip to AZ, Grand Canyon, and Vegas back in the day was awesome!

LOTS of bikers were out today! Yes it was beautiful but, was it a holiday?

Prescott AZ is cool but, very crowded today. It also has Whisky row!

At 9am someone told me about traffic on I-17 due to an accident. I thought at 2pm it would have been cleared. Oops. Should have taken the back roads. It was only the second time in nine months of traveling I have hit bad traffic. It was now 3:30pm. Dad convinced me to stop at the rest stop. Jenni looked up the problem for me and informed me a cattle truck had flipped. Now a glimpse into my brain: I hope it was empty. That poor driver. Back on the road. Thanks for letting me in. Wave. On the phone with James. I see construction vehicles. Maybe this is not the accident and just the construction. I see the cattle truck on its side very close to cliff edge. I see construction workers. Oh my god, I hope it was empty. AAGGHHHHH NOOOOOOO I see sticks sticking strangely outwards. AAGGHHHHH they’re cow legs, AAAGGGHHHHHHH dead cows with dirt on them. OH MY GOD!!! Want to cry, cry a little. Tell James what I saw. I think the cows went over the cliff and they had to fish them out. Very very sad. Poor cows. Poor driver. I hope the cows didn’t suffer. Do they feel pain? Yes, poor cows. Poor driver. Think of a cow truck I saw in Costa Rica with a cow that had fallen down and they were zapping the others to move so it could get up but they just left it there being stepped on. Poor cows. Poor drivers. Very sad. I hope the driver is okay. I hope he doesn’t get fired or charged. How does insurance work. Poor driver. Very sad. I hope the cows owners aren’t mean. Poor cows. Sad. The last part continues for the rest of the day.

Saw a billboard that said: “Green house gases. They’re trying to scam us. Do the math.”

Passed on Instrument Museum and Phoenix. Not in city mood and will have to do southern Arizona on a later trip. Want to get to nana and pops.

Very nice sunset!

Something smelled sweet. ORANGES!!!!! Drove through a pretty, yummy smelling, orange farm.

All cars had to stop at a Agricultural Stop before entering California but they didn’t even stop us or check anything. That was strange.

There were very polite men in Arizona, and everyone was genuinely friendly.

Got to CA and the first gas I saw was over a dollar more than what I had paid in AZ.

I think my nose is clear now. Everything has a distinct smell. Sometimes good.

I don’t know what to do when there are bugs in my car. Does it kill them to let them out of the window while driving over forty? I think so. I have now done it twice and feel bad. But I don’t want bugs in my car. What is a girl to do?

Hi Nana and Pop!

Shey

The Navajo Tribal Council is very cool!

I went to the small Navajo (Dine) Museum in the council building and then checked out an art place. Still not sure which rock was Window Rock but didn’t care too much to find it.

There was cattle on the road. Like right on the busy road.

I should have taken a picture. On the reservation you can buy Gas, do your laundry, and buy snacks n the same place.

Drove along road with littered beer bottles on the side to get to Hubbell.

Hubbell Trading Post is very old and still working. Loved it.

Back in Taos I talked to this boy who did a Native American exchange program from his tribe to Alaska. Very cool and nice to see the cultures surviving and learning from each other.

Today white people are Anglos, not white man.

There was a cool Art co-op with the artist working. The rug weaving is crazy cool.

It’s interesting to see these small round houses on peoples land. Are they homes or ceremonial?

Canyon de Chelly, pronounced Shey, is a living working reservation community. That’s so cool. The Canyon is also really neat. You are allowed to drive along it on certain roads. It’s also worth booking a private tour so you can go in the canyon and through the river.

Now that I have seen Mesa Verde, Chaco and Chelly, I think I am good as far as ruins go. There still really cool and New Mexico has a TON of sites you can visit.

The American Southwest is windy in March.

I maybe saw a pack of wild dogs. Or, just crazy reservation dogs all together.

I still feel bad not buying work from the artists on the reservations. I have the money and some of the stuff is very good. I feel like I am bothering them. Oh mental dilemmas.

I should have brought my cool old camera from 1985 to be more photographer like.

The Hopi Reservation is much smaller and I passed the high school right next to the prison. The inmates were out playing basketball.

The reservation town of Pollaco was great to see. It’s another world out here.

AZ route 87 was awesome! I couldn’t see any electricity poles for miles. They may have been underground, but it was nice to think I was in untouched land. I cannot imagine living out here though. The scenary was nice.

I feel more comfortable with trees around. I don’t like the aridness. Leaving Flagstaff it was finally very green for a little bit.

I skipped through Flagstaff for the second time in my life.

The approach to Jerome at night was SOOOOOO cool. It reminded me of the drive up to Jerrico in Costa Rica. What a cool former ghost town. Love it.

Conner Hotel was booked. Not sure if I would have liked a haunted hotel, but it would have been a great experience. Luckily the very nice man gave me a card for a free dinner at Quince. They were having an open mike night and it was very good. It would have been the perfect night to make friends, but I was exhausted. Love this town.