Pamphlets detailing the Coffee Bean's drink selections. (Yum!)
My three holds! Gah! I cannot wait to read them all!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
My New Obsessions
It's the simple things in life that can turn a day from crummy (or even just average) into a sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs, someone-just-gave-you-a-chocolate-bar kind of day. Simple things like, someone actually giving you a chocolate bar. Getting a letter in the mail. Getting your paycheck. Season 3 of Sherlock. (Oh, wait.) Or, if you're me, you rejoice at going to pick up the book you placed on hold at the library, and the librarian telling you, "Oh, it looks like you actually have three books available."
"Excuse me, what did you say?" I ask politely, waiting with bated breath.
"You have three books for pick-up."
*Cue the Hallelujah chorus and gospel singers* I do a silent fist pump and exclaim with joy. But quietly, so people don't stare.
Seriously, isn't that the best feeling in the world? But I digress...sort of. My two new passions are:
Obsession #1: Reading. Honestly, this is nothing new. Anyone who knows me can tell you I love to read. As in, love is not an accurate adjective to properly convey how much I enjoy reading. Unfortunately, I wandered from the delightful path of reading due to my hectic schedule, (watching five episodes of Alias takes a huge chunk out of my schedule. Not to mention job-hunting, working, and all that grown-up stuff also.) AND the lack of good books. Not that there aren't good books out there, I had just either read them, or hadn't heard about them yet. And...Alias.
Recently, however, I have rediscovered my passion for reading, and have devoured 3 books in about 4 days. Yes, yes friends, I am re-obsessed. Hoorah!
Obsession #2: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Umm, can someone please tell me how I did not know of their existence before? Because...they are amazing. They are so incredibly yummy, that - Dare I even say it? - I think like them better than Starbucks. Their concoctions are so creamy, so smooth, so delicious. And I have only been twice. But that is about to change. The other awesome thing about them is that they're not outrageously expensive. Sure, it still costs, but from what I've seen, they're a bit more affordable than Starbucks. I definitely recommend them! (Seriously, why do we not have these in Colorado?!)
Soooo, yeah.
"Excuse me, what did you say?" I ask politely, waiting with bated breath.
"You have three books for pick-up."
*Cue the Hallelujah chorus and gospel singers* I do a silent fist pump and exclaim with joy. But quietly, so people don't stare.
Seriously, isn't that the best feeling in the world? But I digress...sort of. My two new passions are:
Obsession #1: Reading. Honestly, this is nothing new. Anyone who knows me can tell you I love to read. As in, love is not an accurate adjective to properly convey how much I enjoy reading. Unfortunately, I wandered from the delightful path of reading due to my hectic schedule, (watching five episodes of Alias takes a huge chunk out of my schedule. Not to mention job-hunting, working, and all that grown-up stuff also.) AND the lack of good books. Not that there aren't good books out there, I had just either read them, or hadn't heard about them yet. And...Alias.
Recently, however, I have rediscovered my passion for reading, and have devoured 3 books in about 4 days. Yes, yes friends, I am re-obsessed. Hoorah!
Obsession #2: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Umm, can someone please tell me how I did not know of their existence before? Because...they are amazing. They are so incredibly yummy, that - Dare I even say it? - I think like them better than Starbucks. Their concoctions are so creamy, so smooth, so delicious. And I have only been twice. But that is about to change. The other awesome thing about them is that they're not outrageously expensive. Sure, it still costs, but from what I've seen, they're a bit more affordable than Starbucks. I definitely recommend them! (Seriously, why do we not have these in Colorado?!)
Soooo, yeah.
Monday, July 1, 2013
The Audition *Duh duh DUUUUHHHH*
So, for those of you who don't know or care, there was an audition yesterday for a Disney parade. Exciting, right? I was full of hopes and anticipation for weeks. I prepared my resume and headshot, got some new jazz shoes, tried to get into better shape, and generally freaked out.
Finally, the big day arrived. I made sure to pack anything I needed, wrote down some directions, and set off. I arrived about 15 minutes before check-in, so I waited in my car for a few minutes. I didn't want to be that person who is always freakishly early to everything. After I deemed it acceptable to go in, I gathered my stuff and wandered to the front of the dance studio the audition was being held at. To my surprise, the door was locked! *What trickery is this?!*
A nice man walking by sent me off in the right direction, which was actually behind the building. I rounded the corner and...Oh. My. Gosh. Who are all these people?! There were seriously at least two hundred people in line behind the building. Two hundred. And every single one of them looked like your typical I've-been-dancing-my-whole-life-and-I'm-so-amazing-and-skinny girls. Needless to say, I was slightly intimidated.
So, I went to the back of the line, and waited. And waited. And waited. I stood there in the 100 degree heat for two hours. I did not bring sunscreen. Which was a mistake I won't be making again. I am again reduced to tomato status. *shame* Luckily, the girls I was standing near were all very friendly and we were able to chat and pass the time. One of the girls already worked for Disney as a face character, so I got to pick her brain about those auditions a little bit. (Yay.)
Finally, they called in the last 30 girls or so (which was us), and we went into the building. By this time, I was so hot and tired, and my stomach was doing flip-flops because I was so intimidated and I didn't know what to expect and I was just so grumpy. So, we get in there and they teach us a routine, and I am really struggling. The moves in and of themselves are easy, but I just did not pick them up quickly enough. So when I went to do the routine, I completely blanked. Which is never a good thing to do in an audition. They kindly told me I wasn't right for the part and sent me home.
I was a little bit mortified, and a little bit ashamed, and a lot depressed. So I went and bought some ice cream, told myself this wasn't the end, and jumped in the pool.
Finally, the big day arrived. I made sure to pack anything I needed, wrote down some directions, and set off. I arrived about 15 minutes before check-in, so I waited in my car for a few minutes. I didn't want to be that person who is always freakishly early to everything. After I deemed it acceptable to go in, I gathered my stuff and wandered to the front of the dance studio the audition was being held at. To my surprise, the door was locked! *What trickery is this?!*
A nice man walking by sent me off in the right direction, which was actually behind the building. I rounded the corner and...Oh. My. Gosh. Who are all these people?! There were seriously at least two hundred people in line behind the building. Two hundred. And every single one of them looked like your typical I've-been-dancing-my-whole-life-and-I'm-so-amazing-and-skinny girls. Needless to say, I was slightly intimidated.
So, I went to the back of the line, and waited. And waited. And waited. I stood there in the 100 degree heat for two hours. I did not bring sunscreen. Which was a mistake I won't be making again. I am again reduced to tomato status. *shame* Luckily, the girls I was standing near were all very friendly and we were able to chat and pass the time. One of the girls already worked for Disney as a face character, so I got to pick her brain about those auditions a little bit. (Yay.)
Finally, they called in the last 30 girls or so (which was us), and we went into the building. By this time, I was so hot and tired, and my stomach was doing flip-flops because I was so intimidated and I didn't know what to expect and I was just so grumpy. So, we get in there and they teach us a routine, and I am really struggling. The moves in and of themselves are easy, but I just did not pick them up quickly enough. So when I went to do the routine, I completely blanked. Which is never a good thing to do in an audition. They kindly told me I wasn't right for the part and sent me home.
I was a little bit mortified, and a little bit ashamed, and a lot depressed. So I went and bought some ice cream, told myself this wasn't the end, and jumped in the pool.
Because now I know what to expect. Now I can prepare for next time.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Firsts
People say there is a first time for everything. I have been taking that statement literally and am trying to do...well, everything. I want to take every opportunity that I can. That's what adventures are for, right? And, to make sure I don't forget my new experiences, I am going to put it in writing and share it with all of you!
Experience #1 - The making and consuming of hummus. Every time someone asked me if I had had hummus, and heard the subsequent "No" they would respond with, "Oh my gosh, you've seriously never had hummus?! But it's so gooood!". Honestly, I don't see that it's that surprising...I mean, it's not all that common...I'm sure there are tons of people who've never had hummus...Right? At any rate, it was quite delicious and very satisfying. I approve. *stamp of approval*
Experience #2 - UNBELIEVABLY expensive coffee (see post below), and incredibly classy waffle sandwiches. Delicious! (Side note: Every time I spell sandwich, I spell it "sandwhich". I really think that it should be spelled that way. It makes more sense. Where in the English language is the word wich? Seriously.)
Experience #3 - Doing my own laundry. Surprisingly, I actually really like doing laundry. Like Penny. Except there's no Billy to my Penny... *tears*
Experience #4 - Flying on an airplane...by myself. *DUH DUH DUUUUUH* I, for one, love the airport, so this wasn't as harrowing as it may be for some people. And I didn't get stuck next to an insanely obese person OR a baby, so I'd say that it was a pretty satisfying experience. (Side note: I totally did that running into a spinning hug thing when my family picked me up. What can I say? I am a cliché kind of girl. And I was pretty freaking excited to see them.)
Experience #5 - Seeing the fireworks at Disneyland. As big of a Disney buff that I am, I have never actually stayed to see the fireworks at night. 0_o They. Were. Amazing. They have this voiceover track going while you're watching and it is incredible. I seriously almost started crying when they were talking about how your dreams can come true. (I BELIEVE!)
So, that's all for now. I'll be sure to keep you updated on all the new things I try.
Experience #1 - The making and consuming of hummus. Every time someone asked me if I had had hummus, and heard the subsequent "No" they would respond with, "Oh my gosh, you've seriously never had hummus?! But it's so gooood!". Honestly, I don't see that it's that surprising...I mean, it's not all that common...I'm sure there are tons of people who've never had hummus...Right? At any rate, it was quite delicious and very satisfying. I approve. *stamp of approval*
Experience #2 - UNBELIEVABLY expensive coffee (see post below), and incredibly classy waffle sandwiches. Delicious! (Side note: Every time I spell sandwich, I spell it "sandwhich". I really think that it should be spelled that way. It makes more sense. Where in the English language is the word wich? Seriously.)
Experience #3 - Doing my own laundry. Surprisingly, I actually really like doing laundry. Like Penny. Except there's no Billy to my Penny... *tears*
Experience #4 - Flying on an airplane...by myself. *DUH DUH DUUUUUH* I, for one, love the airport, so this wasn't as harrowing as it may be for some people. And I didn't get stuck next to an insanely obese person OR a baby, so I'd say that it was a pretty satisfying experience. (Side note: I totally did that running into a spinning hug thing when my family picked me up. What can I say? I am a cliché kind of girl. And I was pretty freaking excited to see them.)
Experience #5 - Seeing the fireworks at Disneyland. As big of a Disney buff that I am, I have never actually stayed to see the fireworks at night. 0_o They. Were. Amazing. They have this voiceover track going while you're watching and it is incredible. I seriously almost started crying when they were talking about how your dreams can come true. (I BELIEVE!)
So, that's all for now. I'll be sure to keep you updated on all the new things I try.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Adventuring in OC
Today. Today, I had an adventure. An adventure filled with coffee, class, and waffles. Yes, folks, I actually left my room and went somewhere. Amazing, right? Yes, well, *cough* just shut up and listen, okay?
Well, today started off like any other day. I woke up obscenely late (10:30am!) and decided, Hmm, I should probably shower today. Now, anyone who knows me can tell you that I don't like showering. It's wet. It's a hassle. It takes too long. But, I realize that it is socially unacceptable not to shower. And so it must be done. (Wow, that digressed quickly...)
Any-way. Whilst I was in the shower getting clean, my cousin called me on the phone asking if I would like to go to one of their favorite coffee joints. Of course, coffee is one of my many passions, so we named a time and set off for Costa Mesa! Now, I was expecting some hipster out-of-the-way coffee shop with dim lighting, live music, and cushy chairs. But Portola Coffee Lab is none of those things. Portola Coffee Lab is pure class. We went up to the counter (well, it was more of a bar with the cool stools and such) and ordered what was called a "Daisy Buchanan".
Now, at this particular coffee shop, there are certain baristas who are given their own space to work in, and they create their own drinks. Originals, so to speak. This particular drink was one of them, and was only available that day. The spectacular thing is that the barista made the drink in front of our very eyes! In a glass! With (and here's the kicker) a glass straw. And it was at this moment that I realized, I am probably in the classiest establishment I will ever be in. So, while we sat at the bar sipping from our glass straws and people watching, I tried to look as classy as possible. And it worked! Until I got to the end of my coffee. For at the bottom of my glass were some fruit chunks. (Do not judge me until you've tried it. It was actually quite delicious) Blueberries and strawberries to be exact.
Now, I had paid $12 for this coffee (I told you they were classy!), I sure as heck wasn't going to leave perfectly good fruit at the bottom! The only way to get the fruit out however, was to slide it up the side of the glass with my straw and then pluck it out with my fingers...and that is when I realized that I will never be one of "them" (Meaning: classy people). I am just too practical to be classy. -_-
On to the waffles! After finishing my fruit (It took a little while to get it all out of the bottom) we headed over to a restaurant called "The Iron Press". I had no idea what to expect. Once we got the menus, I realized that they served sandwiches. But instead of bread they use waffles! Waffles of all things! Such an idea had never occurred to me before. I was experiencing all sorts of new things today. And such bliss. This waffle sandwich was probably the most delicious thing I have ever consumed in my life. Just thinking about it makes me start salivating for more. Yuuuummm.
And so ends my adventure. =)
*Side note: Both of these places were in this outdoor/indoor mall area we were in, and some of the other stores are worth honorable mention. They had a cheese store (Imagine, a whole store devoted to cheese!), a record store (How cool is that?! One of my cousins bought a space age disco album that includes tracks from Star Wars, Star Trek, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind), a spice store (I love spices), and a ton of clothing shops. Just a cool experience all around.
Well, today started off like any other day. I woke up obscenely late (10:30am!) and decided, Hmm, I should probably shower today. Now, anyone who knows me can tell you that I don't like showering. It's wet. It's a hassle. It takes too long. But, I realize that it is socially unacceptable not to shower. And so it must be done. (Wow, that digressed quickly...)
Any-way. Whilst I was in the shower getting clean, my cousin called me on the phone asking if I would like to go to one of their favorite coffee joints. Of course, coffee is one of my many passions, so we named a time and set off for Costa Mesa! Now, I was expecting some hipster out-of-the-way coffee shop with dim lighting, live music, and cushy chairs. But Portola Coffee Lab is none of those things. Portola Coffee Lab is pure class. We went up to the counter (well, it was more of a bar with the cool stools and such) and ordered what was called a "Daisy Buchanan".
Now, at this particular coffee shop, there are certain baristas who are given their own space to work in, and they create their own drinks. Originals, so to speak. This particular drink was one of them, and was only available that day. The spectacular thing is that the barista made the drink in front of our very eyes! In a glass! With (and here's the kicker) a glass straw. And it was at this moment that I realized, I am probably in the classiest establishment I will ever be in. So, while we sat at the bar sipping from our glass straws and people watching, I tried to look as classy as possible. And it worked! Until I got to the end of my coffee. For at the bottom of my glass were some fruit chunks. (Do not judge me until you've tried it. It was actually quite delicious) Blueberries and strawberries to be exact.
Now, I had paid $12 for this coffee (I told you they were classy!), I sure as heck wasn't going to leave perfectly good fruit at the bottom! The only way to get the fruit out however, was to slide it up the side of the glass with my straw and then pluck it out with my fingers...and that is when I realized that I will never be one of "them" (Meaning: classy people). I am just too practical to be classy. -_-
On to the waffles! After finishing my fruit (It took a little while to get it all out of the bottom) we headed over to a restaurant called "The Iron Press". I had no idea what to expect. Once we got the menus, I realized that they served sandwiches. But instead of bread they use waffles! Waffles of all things! Such an idea had never occurred to me before. I was experiencing all sorts of new things today. And such bliss. This waffle sandwich was probably the most delicious thing I have ever consumed in my life. Just thinking about it makes me start salivating for more. Yuuuummm.
And so ends my adventure. =)
*Side note: Both of these places were in this outdoor/indoor mall area we were in, and some of the other stores are worth honorable mention. They had a cheese store (Imagine, a whole store devoted to cheese!), a record store (How cool is that?! One of my cousins bought a space age disco album that includes tracks from Star Wars, Star Trek, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind), a spice store (I love spices), and a ton of clothing shops. Just a cool experience all around.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Settling In
Well, a lot has happened recently. Essentially, I have packed up all my things, driven out to California with my dad, unpacked (most) of my things, and done a little sightseeing. All in about a week.
Okay, so I am not the most organized person (obviously), or the most efficient with my time. So most of my packing was done in the two days before I left. I had a lot of help, and miraculously I got most of what I own in boxes and tucked away into Jeffrey. (Side note: Jeffrey is my car.)
The drive was fairly uneventful. We drove straight through and made it in about 16 and a half hours. (Woot!) We only made it through the power of pure caffeine and sugar. And good music. Obviously. Dad drove for four straight hours during the wee hours of the night, enabling me to sleep for quite a long time. Along the way we drove through many interesting towns, and I am quite certain we passed a street called Sneffels...possibly the greatest street ever named. I would live there.
Anyway,we arrived in CA around 9 am, which was a lot earlier than we had originally planned. We decided to surprise-visit some relatives, had lunch with them, and then we drove on to the place where I would be staying. We arrived, unpacked, ate, etc. etc...
Since then, I have unpacked my stuff, opened a bank account (for all my non-existent money), visited Corona del Mar (which is where my parents got married!), spent 11 hours in Disneyland (I got my picture taken with princesses!), started to finally learn how to swim (Yes, I know, I know, "How do you not know how to swim?!"), and gotten a thoroughly tomato-esque sunburn (I am a pasty white person).
And what I have concluded from all of this is that I quite like California so far. I am quite homesick for my family back home, but I think this is going to be a really great time. I love the people I'm staying with, and I feel very welcome. I can't wait to see what else is ahead!
Okay, so I am not the most organized person (obviously), or the most efficient with my time. So most of my packing was done in the two days before I left. I had a lot of help, and miraculously I got most of what I own in boxes and tucked away into Jeffrey. (Side note: Jeffrey is my car.)
The drive was fairly uneventful. We drove straight through and made it in about 16 and a half hours. (Woot!) We only made it through the power of pure caffeine and sugar. And good music. Obviously. Dad drove for four straight hours during the wee hours of the night, enabling me to sleep for quite a long time. Along the way we drove through many interesting towns, and I am quite certain we passed a street called Sneffels...possibly the greatest street ever named. I would live there.
Anyway,we arrived in CA around 9 am, which was a lot earlier than we had originally planned. We decided to surprise-visit some relatives, had lunch with them, and then we drove on to the place where I would be staying. We arrived, unpacked, ate, etc. etc...
Since then, I have unpacked my stuff, opened a bank account (for all my non-existent money), visited Corona del Mar (which is where my parents got married!), spent 11 hours in Disneyland (I got my picture taken with princesses!), started to finally learn how to swim (Yes, I know, I know, "How do you not know how to swim?!"), and gotten a thoroughly tomato-esque sunburn (I am a pasty white person).
And what I have concluded from all of this is that I quite like California so far. I am quite homesick for my family back home, but I think this is going to be a really great time. I love the people I'm staying with, and I feel very welcome. I can't wait to see what else is ahead!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)