The Day Before

I'm leaving tomorrow morning. At 6am. Meaning, wake-up call at 5am. You guys — it's actually happening. I'm beginning my journey to move to Nashville indefinitely.

I've been planning and talking about it for months, but the reality of me packing my life up in the trunk of my car and some of the backseat as it is now, saying goodbye to everything I know and love is not very real for me. When I said, "I'll see you in December," to my grandma tonight before she went to bed, it was the equivalent to me of saying, "I'll see you tomorrow." Because that's all I've been able to do the past several weeks. Through all the goodbyes, the friend visits, the parties, the packing and tieing up any loose ends, all I've been able to focus on is whatever next step I need to take. Whatever needs my attention in that moment. It's the only way to keep it together.

When I played volleyball in high school, we had this sort of "motto": Next Play Focus. If we lost a point, we needed to get back in the game and focus on the next point and not the previous point loss. That's really been my motto the last few weeks, the last few months. That and maybe not seriously thinking about what I'm doing. Everything is just words. Nothing is happening. Not until it happens anyways. Like tomorrow I guess.

But then... there have been slow occurences of realization. Of cracks in my understanding and perception of reality. Like the day after I was no longer technically employed and I was walking around a museum just |this| close to breaking down in tears thinking about the people I already missed. Or when I looked at my dogs Toby and Tater Tot tonight and wondered if they would understand that I would miss them. Or when I took my last swim in the Pacific Ocean this summer — watching the seagull on the shore eyeing my belongings as another wave rolled over my head and the cold air made me want to stay in the relatively warmer water longer. Whenever these moments come, and I get slightly overwhelmed, I just say to myself it will be okay. And then I focus on what's next.

Right now, I'm focused on tomorrow morning. Making sure all the things I need are packed. All the things I will need for Nashville are packed. And trying to remember all the details of my life here: the temple this morning, my family, the amazing friends that will be visiting me soon (hint hint), the waffle breakfast, the beach, the dogs... the sun. That Denny's where I used to go all the time in high school in my pajamas because it was more fun that way. The night bike rides. The strand.

I'm sure it will be slightly different when I get back. It usually is.

Despite how I know how tomorrow morning is going to feel — a little excited, and also a little really awful looking back at my mom and the house I grew up in for my entire life — I know that at the end of this journey is a continued adventure. It's what needs to happen for my life right now, and I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity to do it.

So... here we go.

LA Good Eats: The Apple Pan

Quality Forever. For real.

This is one of the best burger places in Los Angeles. The place itself is a little inconspicuous. Aside from the neon sign, it's a pretty small building, especially compared to seeing the large mall on the other side of the street. It's got a small parking lot in the back that I've been lucky enough to find parking in twice.

When you walk in, you see a U-shape counter and bar stools with the kitchen in the back. Timing is everything. If you come at a busy time or with a lot of people, good luck on the wait. They serve the food quickly, but it's first come first serve, and you have to be on the look-out for open seats. No one's there to take your name down.

Once you get your seat though, you can order the Hickoryburger — their original from 1945. At first bite, you'll realize why it was worth it to come here. And with some fries and maybe the banana cream pie and also the applie pie a la mode, you'll be really set.

Another thing to remember: this place is cash only.

And lastly, be excited that this place has been here for 60 years. It's basically a live historic Los Angeles monument.

Location:
10801 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Phone: (310) 475-3585
Website

Biking the Strand: Hermosa Beach to Venice

One of the best things you can do in Southern California is get a bike and ride the strand. There's many a miles of concrete for bikers/skaters/skateboarders/runners to do their thing on and you don't have to worry about any angry drivers trying to run you over (for the most part of it at least).

Last weekend I did the ultimate strand bike ride. The one that I've only done a handful of times before because it takes a little less than forever: my house to Hermosa Beach Pier all the way through to Venice Boardwalk. In total, it's about 30 miles (that's including my house to the pier which adds 2 miles each way). But it's also really one of the best ways to get a feel for how each beach is a little different from the others.

The bike route is really flexible. You can start at Hermosa Pier, or start earlier than that at Redondo Beach Pier. And you can end at Venice Boardwalk, or go further to Santa Monica Pier. I've never been beyond Santa Monica Pier on the bike path, but the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (which is basically what you're taking the whole time) does go all the way through to Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades. The bike trail in total is 22 miles — but you have to remember that's going to be each way. I don't think you have an option to uber back with a bicycle in tow.

And if you don't prepare for it like I don't each time, you're probably going to start feeling sore about twelve miles in.

This is the route Heidi and I took and the main places we stopped:

• Hermosa Beach Pier
• Manhattan Beach Pier
• Dockweiler Beach 
• Marina del Rey
• Venice Boardwalk

I don't know who Google Maps is calculating that time for — maybe I'm just really slow — but it takes me almost two hours to do this route. Not one hour and eight minutes. But maybe that's just me.

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND READ TIPS ON WHERE TO STOP

Abbott Kinney First Friday

Last Friday was my first Abbott Kinney First Friday in Venice. If you're looking for a crazy variety of food trucks, looking normal eating on the sidewalk, and finding fun surprises as you walk through a mass of people, this is the place to go on your first Friday of the month night.

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND READ ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE...

Twilight Concerts at Santa Monica Pier

On Thursday summer nights, Santa Monica Pier plays host to a series of Twilight Concerts. They have a variety of musicians perform and you get to enjoy the concert from the pier or bring a blanket and listen to the music on the beach below all for free.

If you're in the area, they also have a place you can park your bike. Otherwise, I opted to Uber over. They've also got a lot of vendors there with fun photobooths and games, as well as food for sale.

Some of their night's are also themed. The night we went was "Australia Rocks the Pier" theme. We were able to get as close as possible to the stage and enjoyed Ben Browning of Cut Copy's performance which included Sid the koala character that came on-stage (actually my favorite part).

They have their calendar of performers on their website here, including tonight's! (Spoiler alert: tonight Sister Nancy is playing — it's reggae night.)

Bonus: Santa Monica Pier is a prime location, because it's a beautiful setting for just walking around, and you can explore Pacific Park, take a ride on the ferris wheel for $5 or go across the street and play at Tongva Park (my favorite park in Los Angeles).


CLICK THROUGH TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT

Surprise! I'm moving to Nashville.

Yep, you read that headline correctly. I am moving to Nashville, Tennessee. Or rather, probably the surrounding area of Nashville. And it's happening in exactly three weeks — September 2nd. To be more specific, I will be driving to Nashville and am not actually going to be there until September 23rd. I'll be doing a Route 66 road trip from here to Chicago and then visiting some friends and family in Ohio before staying in Charleston, WV for a couple nights and finally arriving in Nashville.

No, I am not moving for a job. No, I am not moving for a person — nor do I know any people there. I am moving because I simply love the area of Nashville, and it's the right time.

READ ON FOR MY FULL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

LA Sweet Treat: Saffron & Rose Ice Cream

Because ice cream is always a good idea. Especially this place.

CLICK THROUGH TO KNOW WHY...

Monthly Inspiration: August

Happy August!!! I can't believe summer is coming to a close and that it's AUGUST! This year is over halfway over! But no worries, there's still time left for greatness.

So... not to spring this on you or anything, but I'M MOVING. And not down the street like my brother — proud of you Collin and a little jealous of your sweet set-up! — like up and going out of Los Angeles. Out of state. Specifics to follow, but feel free to make any guesses (unless you already know — don't be a cheater).

I'm really excited about it. Also terrified. But I just put in my notice at work this last week so it's official official.

Because I'm moving, it makes each moment all the more memorable and sweeter. This last Monday night, just as I was about to go to bed at 9pm because I'm that old and was weirdly exhausted, my friend Emily called and said she, AJ, and Ashley were going to kidnap me and we were going to go somewhere fun. C'est la vie and YOLO — I was willingly taken.

They picked me up, had a killer playlist and we drove through the LA night singing and car dancing all the way on to Diddy Riese. There was the "Vacation" movie premiere happening at the Fox Theater with a little VIP party going on next to the long Diddy Riese line. They were blasting some good music too so Emily and I danced in line much to the amusement and embarassment of AJ and Ashley.

I realized this may be the last time I go to Diddy Riese for a long long time. And it's so strange to me how I used to live in Westwood and I can so easily remember my first couple of times going to Diddy Riese and how the area was all so new and confusing, even before I went to school at UCLA. Now these things are preserved memories layered with new memories like the one that night.

On the ride back, when we were almost home, they saw some sprinklers on and apparently running through sprinklers is on their summer bucket list, so we stopped just so we could get soaking wet running through them at 11 o'clock at night.

The quote above came to mind as we were in the car, as we were singing, as we were running through the sprinklers, as the air from the open window was blowing through my face reminding me of where I was in that moment. I wasn't hanging out of the window like in the movie scene of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, but that feeling of glorious freedom and being there, in that specific moment of inifinity was present.

I will cherish each moment of infinity I have with these girls for the next four weeks I'm here.

Palos Verdes: Frascati Trail

I'm spending some time reminiscing on past memories. Because exciting news and all that coming soon for the future. For now, this experience from the winter of 2013 when Whitney was visiting from Kansas City, MO, and my friend Kelsey was in town and I realized that not every hiking trail in Palos Verdes is worth driving to. Isn't there a quote though that you either win or you learn? #fbf

READ ON FOR MORE ABOUT MY "LEARNING" EXPERIENCE 

Los Angeles: California Science Center

Almost three years after the space shuttle Endeavour was moved to the science center, I finally made it a point to go and visit. I wanted to see for myself this thing that was in space and the journey it took from here to there and back. In any case, I'll take any reason to go to The California Science Center.

The California Science Center in Exposition Park is a great place to visit and discover. Aside from the fact that it's next to/part of USC's campus #BruinPride (haha JUST KIDDING rival USC folks – it's only semi-personal), it's a really great place to go on any afternoon and learn about science in an interactive and fun way. Plus, it's free to the public which is always a plus.

Some things you might have to pay for:

• Parking – $10 (unless you take the metro which is lots cheaper and a short walk from the station to the entrance)
• IMAX movie – around $8.25 (for 18 years and older) this is an experience worth getting tickets for though. The IMAX movies aren't like the 3D movies you see in a theater; they really make you feel like you're part of the ocean or in Jersualem (depending on what movie you choose to see). Right now you have three different films to choose from: Hubble 3D, Jerusalem 3D, or Humpback Whales 3D. We chose Jerusalem in lieu of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.
• The Endeavour – this can actually be "free" too if you buy a ticket to one of the other exhibits or IMAX movie, otherwise it's a $2 processing fee when you make an online reservation (a reservation is required through September 7)
• Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit – you can get a combo deal with the IMAX movie purchase – $26 (for 18 years and older), but the exhibit alone is about $20 (for 18 year old and older). This is one thing I didn't get to do when we recently went, but Yelp gives it a four out of five star rating.
• There's also attractions like the high wire bicycle (where you're riding a bicycle on a wire at the top level), a small rock wall, and a motion-based simulator which you can buy an "attraction pack" for all at $7. 

Basically you can really choose how much or not at all you want to spend. The point is that this is one of the coolest museums for all ages in LA and is right next to a rose garden, California African American Museum and the Museum of Natural History. Just throwing that in there.

CLICK THROUGH TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT SCIENCE-Y THINGS OCCURRED