Ok, so the traffic is manic and the people all speak a different language, but LA is really fun.
I checked into my hotel on Wednesday having navigated successfully from Bakersfield and found myself at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel nestled in downtown Los Angeles. I scored a deal on Hotwire for this amazingly old and intricately decorated hotel. I dropped off my bags and got back into the car and headed for the Ocean, I love the Ocean (hence, I capitalize the word b/c of the reverence I feel towards it).
Santa Monica...oh how beautiful you were. I sat on the very edge of the Pier on a cute little park bench and just watched the waves go by. From being a busy bee, and manic about getting stuff done in a certain amount of time, it was so refreshing to just sit. I watched little kids try to fish off the pier with the grandfather, I listened to a street performer sing and play the keyboard, and I journaled about everything around me. The sun felt so good and with the breeze there wasn't an opportunity to feel too warm in the sun. I walked from the Pier up a few blocks to the Promenade shops and cafe's, I went in and out of stores, but mostly just watched people. When I was finished with the window shopping, I returned to the beach where the sun was beginning its set. It was so beautiful. I with several others ventured underneath the pier to take photos of the sun coming through the beams.... I have posted all of the photos on Facebook so go check 'em out.
So far, I think that night was one of my favorites since being on the West Coast. It has been so great seeing family and friends, and I have felt renewed and refreshed from my visit in Bakersfield. I got to relax. I got to read. I got to chat on the phone with friends from back home. It was wonderful. But, sitting on the pier and looking at the expanse of ocean before me, it just took my breath away. While I wished that I had ten of my best friends there with me, it was a perfect night for just me.
Today was a busy day--and for the most part I didn't get lost while driving around. I went to Beverly Hills this morning and did the Rodeo Drive thing...it was so funny. People were everywhere taking photos and fighting for parking spots. I went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, and it was of course delicious. Upon paying for my check the bartender asked me if I was with the Burgess' of Virginia. I definately didn't know what to say, but it turns out he is a Burgess, in Virginia, and his family was the first of their family line to begin a life in America. He asked me how old my family was in the country and I sat dumbfounded for a second...and I said the most honest answer, while having no idea what I was talking about. That was it, I never asked where in VA, and I only offered once that I lived there now. It was so strange.
After lunch I took off for Hollywood and Highland. I wanted to see Mann's Chinese Theater, and see the sights on Sunset Blvd. The streets were full of people walking with their heads down so they could read all the "Stars", and I became one of them fairly quickly. While I didn't see anyone completely stellar I did find Mickey Mouse and some other fun ones.
Now back at the Hotel I am trying to relax and recount my day. My feet are tired, my eyes are strained (I don't know why), and my back is ready for rest. Tomorrow I think I'm going to go to a museum or two. I am looking forward to balancing my "Pop Culture" experience thus far with some real "Art Culture". That's all for now, I'm doing well- I am having a blast, and have often pinched myself wondering if this is truly my life.
8.17.2007
8.14.2007
Current State Of...
Starting over with this.... my computer just freaked out therefore losing what I've just written. A bit frustrating to say the least, but to be honest I hadn't written much of anything interesting anyway.
Today is Tuesday. I am currently in Bakersfield, CA and have been here since Friday. I am staying with my friend Candice, and have had such a refreshing time. It's strange the kinship I feel to this place. Every little thing is comforting and familiar- although I never have lived here. Spending a month here two years ago definitely felt like I had part of my life here that I never knew. That doesn't make sense to anyone I am sure, but it does to me. On Sunday night Candice cooked some Halibut for dinner, that has been vacuumed sealed from Bill. Before I returned home in '05 we made a big dinner with some of the goods from the freezer, and it was delicious...so it was the last of what she had saved in the deep freeze. It was very fresh despite being in the freezer for a couple of years...apparently the vacuum sealer process allows you to keep proteins, etc... forever. I never believed it and was even a little cautious that I wouldn't be feeling so well later. BUT it DID work. It was awesome. Last night Felicia and her daughters Alexis and newborn Sophia came over, and I made dinner for everyone. I haven't cooked since being out here- a week now, and while that is not a long time, it was still strange. They loved it, we had fun...it was good.
Next up: LA tomorrow for a long weekend. I'm pysched. I am still finalizing where I am going to be staying. I have looked up on several websites for deals, and have two in mind that would be great places to stay. I have points of interest all planned out, and have gotten MAJOR help from Candice and Felicia on routes to drive, and things to see. I am going to 'The Getty Museum', and the 'Museum of Tolerance' (the latter is the Holocaust Museum). Sprinkled in there I've got the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Downtown Disney in Anaheim (I don't think I'm going to do the park...the lines will be ridic), Melrose Place, Sunset Strip, Rodeo, etc... the list goes on. It will be a very full four days, but I'm looking forward to it.
Then to VEGAS!! I am so excited to see Jessica and Kristin! I will try and be better about updating on the Blog. I think about it when I'm out to coffee or lunch, but have tried to journal as well.
Any Questions, Concerns, or Comments? Ok, great.
Today is Tuesday. I am currently in Bakersfield, CA and have been here since Friday. I am staying with my friend Candice, and have had such a refreshing time. It's strange the kinship I feel to this place. Every little thing is comforting and familiar- although I never have lived here. Spending a month here two years ago definitely felt like I had part of my life here that I never knew. That doesn't make sense to anyone I am sure, but it does to me. On Sunday night Candice cooked some Halibut for dinner, that has been vacuumed sealed from Bill. Before I returned home in '05 we made a big dinner with some of the goods from the freezer, and it was delicious...so it was the last of what she had saved in the deep freeze. It was very fresh despite being in the freezer for a couple of years...apparently the vacuum sealer process allows you to keep proteins, etc... forever. I never believed it and was even a little cautious that I wouldn't be feeling so well later. BUT it DID work. It was awesome. Last night Felicia and her daughters Alexis and newborn Sophia came over, and I made dinner for everyone. I haven't cooked since being out here- a week now, and while that is not a long time, it was still strange. They loved it, we had fun...it was good.
Next up: LA tomorrow for a long weekend. I'm pysched. I am still finalizing where I am going to be staying. I have looked up on several websites for deals, and have two in mind that would be great places to stay. I have points of interest all planned out, and have gotten MAJOR help from Candice and Felicia on routes to drive, and things to see. I am going to 'The Getty Museum', and the 'Museum of Tolerance' (the latter is the Holocaust Museum). Sprinkled in there I've got the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Downtown Disney in Anaheim (I don't think I'm going to do the park...the lines will be ridic), Melrose Place, Sunset Strip, Rodeo, etc... the list goes on. It will be a very full four days, but I'm looking forward to it.
Then to VEGAS!! I am so excited to see Jessica and Kristin! I will try and be better about updating on the Blog. I think about it when I'm out to coffee or lunch, but have tried to journal as well.
Any Questions, Concerns, or Comments? Ok, great.
8.08.2007
Sweet Ole Sacramento
Yay for Wednesday's, well Yay for any day really. Today my brother Justin and I went to "Old Sac" which is the historic downtown Sacramento where the old buildings are from the western times, it was beautiful. There were plenty of gift shoppes, great restaurants, and all of the historical architecture. I had some genuine real good Mexican for lunch (a sincere highlight).
For the most part its beautiful here. The drive between San Francisco and Sacramento was fairly straightforward, and leaving the Bay Area was so beautiful. However, it turns desert like in some ways and very brown. The downtown areas in Sac are full of trees and greenery, but the expanse of the highway is not all the colorful. What I do appreciate however is the weather. It's beautiful, warm in the sun high 80's, but so dry. I could get used to this I think.
Highlights of the day do include: 1) Lunch and hanging out with the brother. 2) The fabulous email I got from Theresa with the "Family Update", it made me smile and so grateful for her friendship. 3) The ridiculous photos of Matt trying on glasses, they def. made me smile (I preferred one and three). 4) Some t-shirts I saw in a shop, that made me laugh so hard, and a sticker that says "Spear Brittany"...awesome.
On the docket for the next day or two is to hang out by the pool- catch up on my tan, and to read my book. I'm on my second one of the week, and its been really fun to just relax. In addition to being with Justin, I have been able to spend some time with his mother Donna. She's awesomely funny, and the dynamic between him and her makes me laugh so hard. It's not something I've ever been witness to as our family has lived all over the country and not all parties attend every function. She has been a joy to get to know, she loves the Lord and talks about her church with such passion. It makes me a little envious to know that she is so at home in her church, and the way the Body of Christ moves in her community. While I have been touch to the crowd of witnesses in Lexington, I do long for a place to worship on Sunday's that I am completely comfortable in.
For the most part its beautiful here. The drive between San Francisco and Sacramento was fairly straightforward, and leaving the Bay Area was so beautiful. However, it turns desert like in some ways and very brown. The downtown areas in Sac are full of trees and greenery, but the expanse of the highway is not all the colorful. What I do appreciate however is the weather. It's beautiful, warm in the sun high 80's, but so dry. I could get used to this I think.
Highlights of the day do include: 1) Lunch and hanging out with the brother. 2) The fabulous email I got from Theresa with the "Family Update", it made me smile and so grateful for her friendship. 3) The ridiculous photos of Matt trying on glasses, they def. made me smile (I preferred one and three). 4) Some t-shirts I saw in a shop, that made me laugh so hard, and a sticker that says "Spear Brittany"...awesome.
On the docket for the next day or two is to hang out by the pool- catch up on my tan, and to read my book. I'm on my second one of the week, and its been really fun to just relax. In addition to being with Justin, I have been able to spend some time with his mother Donna. She's awesomely funny, and the dynamic between him and her makes me laugh so hard. It's not something I've ever been witness to as our family has lived all over the country and not all parties attend every function. She has been a joy to get to know, she loves the Lord and talks about her church with such passion. It makes me a little envious to know that she is so at home in her church, and the way the Body of Christ moves in her community. While I have been touch to the crowd of witnesses in Lexington, I do long for a place to worship on Sunday's that I am completely comfortable in.
8.06.2007
Right Now...
So here we are. Welcome to my very first Blog!!
In light of my future and travel plans I wanted to create a place that I could check into and update friends and family on a "Hey, I wonder what Kari is up to" basis. I figured that this was a much more productive use of my time, rather than scan through my email address book and pick out people I wanted to update on my adventures. You can thank me later for not overwhelming your Inbox with random stories and photos.
Today is Day ONE away from home. I have gotten really far- I'm in Richmond waiting for my flight into San Francisco. I was up at 4:45am to bustle along to the Richmond Airport, I was also thankful for the pleasant demeanor of Betty Cabell this morning while she dropped me off at the airport. It's hard to muster being awake in addition to actually being in a good mood, she accomplished all of this without a drop of Diet Coke. I'm so proud of you! While it's on my mind, I'd like to also mention that I did not have any Diet Coke yesterday. NOT a single one. I am so amazed, can I please have a moment of silence from you my friends who know that I am so addicted?
The highlight of this story is not that I was up early, its that I am still at the airport and its nearing 8:30am. The flight attendant for my flight to Pittsburgh did not feel like working today and didn't show up. Therefore pushing me into a line of 20 passengers who needed to be rerouted to get their connectors. I was in line for about 45 minutes and then was able to determine that I am indeed making into CA today, just not until 7:15pm PCT, which is just ridiculous. I have already prayed for patience, and now I'm just thankful that I have a book, Sudoku, my cell phone, and most importantly my LAP TOP. The only thing I don't have is the little sleeve of movies I picked out to bring with me for the trip, I unfortunately left that at Betty Cabell's house this morning. Argh.
Kari Land Updates. If you have known me for a while now you are very familiar with the writings and ramblings I include in the letters. I started writing them in '99 after I graduated High School as a means for communicating with friends that were scattered all over the country at different College's and Universities. What I found in taking the time to write them, was that I was benefiting more from taking the time to sit and reflect about the current state of life I was in then I ever thought I would. After moving to VA in 2003, the updates become fewer and further in between- life just got busy. I so often wish that I had copies of all of the letters so that I could compile them all in the story of my life for that time. I always said that they'd make a book one day...can't make a book if I don't have the pages! What I do have though, is now and this very special time I am embarking in. I will use this blog as a forum for my Kari Land Updates, and see what happens. It may be reaching more people then I would normally write to, and it may push me to be vulnerable then I would naturally stretch to go, but I'm going to try.
So, that's the what, why and where- now if I could just get on a plane and get out of Virginia that'd be great! In being away, it is my prayer that the Lord would use this time to draw me closer in my relationship with Him and HIS plans for my life. I have the dreams, I just need a little help in narrowing them down and placing them in a timetable. While I am a city girl at heart and am drawn to crowds (I just love knowing what is going on), I also love my life in Lexington, Virginia. In jumping off the platform into what the Lord has purposed for me, and where He'd like me to be, I am really hoping that all the roads will lead by all of you in a visit or two, and then eventually back to Lexington. How I do love you. We'll see, right? Let's go find out!!
In light of my future and travel plans I wanted to create a place that I could check into and update friends and family on a "Hey, I wonder what Kari is up to" basis. I figured that this was a much more productive use of my time, rather than scan through my email address book and pick out people I wanted to update on my adventures. You can thank me later for not overwhelming your Inbox with random stories and photos.
Today is Day ONE away from home. I have gotten really far- I'm in Richmond waiting for my flight into San Francisco. I was up at 4:45am to bustle along to the Richmond Airport, I was also thankful for the pleasant demeanor of Betty Cabell this morning while she dropped me off at the airport. It's hard to muster being awake in addition to actually being in a good mood, she accomplished all of this without a drop of Diet Coke. I'm so proud of you! While it's on my mind, I'd like to also mention that I did not have any Diet Coke yesterday. NOT a single one. I am so amazed, can I please have a moment of silence from you my friends who know that I am so addicted?
The highlight of this story is not that I was up early, its that I am still at the airport and its nearing 8:30am. The flight attendant for my flight to Pittsburgh did not feel like working today and didn't show up. Therefore pushing me into a line of 20 passengers who needed to be rerouted to get their connectors. I was in line for about 45 minutes and then was able to determine that I am indeed making into CA today, just not until 7:15pm PCT, which is just ridiculous. I have already prayed for patience, and now I'm just thankful that I have a book, Sudoku, my cell phone, and most importantly my LAP TOP. The only thing I don't have is the little sleeve of movies I picked out to bring with me for the trip, I unfortunately left that at Betty Cabell's house this morning. Argh.
Kari Land Updates. If you have known me for a while now you are very familiar with the writings and ramblings I include in the letters. I started writing them in '99 after I graduated High School as a means for communicating with friends that were scattered all over the country at different College's and Universities. What I found in taking the time to write them, was that I was benefiting more from taking the time to sit and reflect about the current state of life I was in then I ever thought I would. After moving to VA in 2003, the updates become fewer and further in between- life just got busy. I so often wish that I had copies of all of the letters so that I could compile them all in the story of my life for that time. I always said that they'd make a book one day...can't make a book if I don't have the pages! What I do have though, is now and this very special time I am embarking in. I will use this blog as a forum for my Kari Land Updates, and see what happens. It may be reaching more people then I would normally write to, and it may push me to be vulnerable then I would naturally stretch to go, but I'm going to try.
So, that's the what, why and where- now if I could just get on a plane and get out of Virginia that'd be great! In being away, it is my prayer that the Lord would use this time to draw me closer in my relationship with Him and HIS plans for my life. I have the dreams, I just need a little help in narrowing them down and placing them in a timetable. While I am a city girl at heart and am drawn to crowds (I just love knowing what is going on), I also love my life in Lexington, Virginia. In jumping off the platform into what the Lord has purposed for me, and where He'd like me to be, I am really hoping that all the roads will lead by all of you in a visit or two, and then eventually back to Lexington. How I do love you. We'll see, right? Let's go find out!!
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