In our own Backyard

I saw pictures from where my co-worker lives in Northern California – she has cows in her backyard. Like 50 of them all in a line. And she's backed up to a meadow so you know, pretty flowers, beautiful sunsets. All that greatness. I usually imagine her frolicking in the fields up there. It's not the California I know, but I can romanticize it.

Not that it's all bad here. There's always something to do or experience. It's a nexus of amazing activities. For me, living in the South Bay area, I've always had the beach as a refresh and a recharge away from the close-knit houses, tall buildings, and people.

Plus, I've always found other ways to make it more of what I romanticize about living in the country, or in an area where there's not as many activities and all you have are the people around you and nature and maybe that cute little diner that everyone gathers at.

Things like when my friend had the idea of getting a projector so we could watch movies in her backyard. That's what I'd imagine I'd be doing in the country.

Redondo Beach: The SEA Lab

I'm not one to kiss and tell or anything, but I'm feeling lucky. Seven years of lucky to be exact. The secret? Kissing a sea cucumber. Which I did. For the second time in my life. The first time was on an elementary school field trip to the same place – the SEA Lab in Redondo Beach. Right at the border of Hermosa Beach.

At that time, I remember feeling squeamish because at the time, "boys had cooties" and all that, and we kissed the same sea cucumber. But all in all, I'd say in retrospect those seven years weren't bad, so why not  give my next seven whatever little boost of advantage I can get?

Aside from my favorite fish face above and the sea cucumber, there were even more cool things about taking the SEA Lab tour.

Gidget: In remembrance

May is becoming a month of remembrance for me. Taking a slightly different, and more personal, tone from the things highlighted this week – today marks one year that we put my dog Gidget down.

Hermosa Beach Historical Museum

Hermosa Beach is one of the three beach cities of the South Bay – Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach being the other two. Honestly, it's my favorite of the cities. It's kind of the in-between of everything, and the beach itself is the one closest to where I grew up and live.

From knowing it the past twenty-four years, I've seen how it's changed – shops have come and go, things have been remodeled, redesigned, the pier now has a four-way crosswalk... It's not for better or worse changes, just changes.

I was biking to the beach with my friend Chloe this past weekend, going down Pier Avenue and passing the building where I once took some creative performance summer school, and saw the sign out front saying that the Hermosa Beach Historical Museum was open from 2 – 4pm. Lucky for us, it was 2:30pm.

Kodaline at the Wiltern

The Wiltern is one of the most beautiful inside concert venues I've been to in Los Angeles. The detail in the architecture, the ceilings, the chandelier's are gorgeous representations of the art deco era. It's a treat to see any performance there.

That particular night I got to see Gavin James and Kodaline perform.

LA Galaxy Game: I'm in a Bubble

That's me. In the bubble.

To be more precise, I am the one in the blue shirt, closest in the picture, on team "Tiki Punch" dribbling the ball diagonally toward the orange Shasta can. I feel like now... I know what a professional athlete must feel like. Because that's me, on the LA Galaxy soccer field, in a bubble. Did I mention, I am in a bubble, dribbling, on a professional field, in front of all LA Galaxy fans?

Not to overemphasize this excitement about being in a bubble, but I WAS SO EXCITED.

Portraits of Hope: The Spheres at MacArthur Park

If you're feeling colorful and in a painting mood, sign up to help paint spheres for the Portraits of Hope project! The last time they were here, all the lifeguard towers became bright and colorful in what seemed like an overnight transition for a summer. I didn't realize this organization was behind it. And now they're back and it's an opportunity not to be missed!

Headquarters will be in El Segundo for the next three months or so until all the spheres are complete (I believe there's a thousand or more?) and will then be taken and displayed at MacArthur Park in Downtown LA.

Essentially, you get to paint giant beach balls with pre-lined forms on them. It's fun, it's creative, it's colorful, and it's just happy. You just have to paint somewhat inside the lines (which is harder than it looks) – but even that isn't a qualifying condition. You just need to be able to paint. Or watch paint dry.

It was seriously so fun to be a small part of this Los Angeles community project. It's for people of all ages so kids to not-kids are able to participate.

Some Good Times at Davey Wayne's

Another cool night spot is this swanky bar in Hollywood – Good Times at Davey Wayne's. All you need for this experience to be memorable is entering through the refrigerator door.

Joshua Tree: City Girl Camping

#TBT to that time Whitney and I went camping and failed on so many levels, but won because we did it together. This is a story of dreams not coming true in the way you initially pictured them, but having fun anyways.

San Pedro: Sunken City

The Sunken City in San Pedro felt like a small part of Venice Beach had left an imprint here. There was graffiti, and palm trees, and areas where it seemed like you could make it into a skatepark. It also felt like it's own treasure, hidden from view until you climbed over a wall and down a dirt road.

San Pedro: Marine Mammal Care Center

Near the Korean Bell of Friendship is the Marine Mammal Care Center. It's kind of tucked away but completely worth stopping by and learning about. The smell of fish is strong, but don't let that deter you.

The care center provides a place of rehabilitation for sick or injured marine mammals in Los Angeles County.

Manhattan Beach: Roundhouse Aquarium

There's a couple aquariums in the South Bay. They're rather small compared to maybe the Long Beach Aquarium or something of that space, but it's still fun to see the life that you can't usually see under the water.

The Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach is one of my favorites just for the casual visit. It's free to the public with a suggested donation, and the location – at the end of the Manhattan Beach pier, is unbeatable. It's perfect to go and visit at the end of the day and check it out before watching the sunset.

Malibu: El Matador State Beach

Between the last post, and this one, and the upcoming post (spoiler), it should really be called "Adventures with Brittney." Or something along those lines. But due to ease of search within the blog, and SEO obligations, it shall remain as boring as "Malibu: El Matador State Beach." So basic.

This was quite the adventure of highs and lows.

Flower Fields Forever (but actually until May 10th)

You now have one week left to see, smell, and frolic (with limitations) in The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.

Britt and I went when there was still more acres to bloom, but even then it was so cool seeing fields of flowers in designated colors lining the ground. They're open through May 10th (this weekend!) and tickets cost $12, and an additional fee (I think it was $5 each) for the wagon ride (which I recommend – super fun!), plus if you want some sprinkle ice cream it's another expanse. Bring cash.

In addition to walking around the fields and seeing all the "Ranunculus" (I keep saying it as "redonkulous" but obviously that's not a word...) in bloom, there's also a sweet pea maze, and a small rose garden. 

You can't walk in-between the flowers and run through them, but there's pathways that you can go into that bring you within the field. 

Monthly Inspiration: May

I'm beginning to feel "old." I mean, I haven't even made it to a quarter of a century yet but that feeling when you realize that you're an "adult" to most people, but you still feel like a kid in the way that your life and your future are pretty uncertain ... do you get that feeling?

I remember when I was younger, I'd look at people who were in college and think they've figured it out, they're on the right path, they know what they're doing. When I got to college I still felt as uncertain about where I was going or what I wanted to really do, what I was supposed to do, as I did in high school. At one point, transferring out of UCLA to an art school sounded like a good idea. And maybe it would have been. Although I probably would have a lot of debt if I made that choice.

Then I started looking at people that had graduated or had solid jobs and professions and families and think again well they've got it figured out, they know what they're doing, they're comfortable, they've "made it."  And now that I've graduated, now that I have a full-time job that I love, and a profession that I can grow in, I still feel as uncertain about my future and where I'll "end up" as much as I did in high school or college. And it's weird too because I'm looking at high school kids now – who I still feel like I relate to and am not much older than – and realize I'm almost ten years older than them. It freaks me out a bit. What happened to that time?! I still feel pretty much the exact same. Just a bit more knowledgeable about certain topics. And more confident in my skillset. But still uncertain about what specifically my future will hold.

It's kind of great though too. I realize that as soon as I feel comfortable, I often become complacent. Life isn't as bright in those gray stages. I don't grow as much, I'm not challenged. A friend of mine made a point once – the friend that gave me this quote – that life would be boring if it was predictable, if we knew what was going to happen in five or ten years from now.

So with that, here's to another month of welcome uncertainty.