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. 

El Segundo at night: Old Town Music Hall

Looking for something different and fun to do on a Friday or Saturday night? Go back in time to the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo.

Ever since I went to this place a year ago, I fell absolutely in love. It's a special experience to come here. And it was completely unexpected. I've lived in the South Bay my entire life and had no idea something like this existed here. All I knew was that it played old movies. But the experience is so much more than that.

There's no electronic ticket system, you go to the window and buy your ticket. It's very informal and there's only one movie room to walk into. The small lobby and bathroom area are in their own way a preservation of history and have fun elements to them.

Entering the actual theater is a treasure. There's chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and a stage up front with various musical accompaniments including a player piano.

Each time I've gone, there's been an introduction to the theater as a man in an electronic wheelchair comes up to the stage. He maneuvers himself onto the chair and starts playing the organ. The lights dim, the curtains open, and this massive 1925 wind-powered pipe organ is revealed. It's incredible. I don't know anything about organs, but every time I see it, I'm impressed. They've also highlighted the different areas on the organ so while the song is being played you can actually see the notes that are being hit. The music is an audible show, while watching the organ play is it's own visual experience.

Then there'll be a sing-a-long that feels slightly embarrassing (can people really hear my voice?), but then exciting when more people catch on to the tune. Finally, a silent film is shown and an intermission before the actual movie.

So far, each movie I've seen I've actually loved. I've never heard of them beforehand too, but they've been engaging, and it's made me think of what it must have been like for the people watching it when it first came out. The last one I came to – "Anchors Away," had Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly in it. I didn't even know Frank Sinatra was an actor. Gene Kelly I knew could dance, but after watching that movie, I've been pretty inspired to learn some tap dancing for fun.

Around since 1968, they not only show vintage silent and sound films, they also present live concerts in varying styles of music. I have yet to witness one of these shows but I'll share with you when I do!

Side story: When I came here on a date, an earthquake took place during the intermission, and my date suggested we should probably go outside, but I completely forgot about any earthquake safety drill (earthquakes happen so often, sometimes it just doesn't seem dangerous) and didn't understand why he would suggest that, until I kind of noticed the chandelier shaking above us. Don't worry about it though – that place is safe! And other than realizing I need to maybe be more pro-active about earthquake safety and listening to other people about it, we survived just fine!

San Pedro: The Korean Friendship Bell

There's certain go-to places I make sure friends see when they come to visit. The Korean Friendship Bell is one of them.  Aside from it's symbol of friendship, I love the park it sits in, the views, and the open area surrounding it.

I've experienced this place now in many different forms. My Nana was the first one to show me the bell when I was a lot younger. I always kept it in the back of my mind even though I hadn't visited or seen it for years. Then, at one point, I decided to go back to it. And it still stood there, as brightly colored and architecturally admirable as ever.

The Whale of a Day 2016 – Don't miss it!

Last year, I had the fortunate discovery of finding out about "Whale of a Day" in Palos Verdes at the unfortunate timing of stumbling upon it right when it ended.

Ever since then, it's been in my calendar with a reminder set. I did not want to miss this festival.

So came this past Saturday. I recruited my friend Cody, who's girlfriend Michelle was working at the event and who's mom actually put the event together as I found out later, and made our way to a dirt parking lot for a mini shuttle ride over to the festival.

I planned to stay there for maybe two hours. I was there for four. Simply because there was that much to do and see.

Read on for a list of all the greatness that it really was.

Monthly Inspiration: April

After spending this last weekend finishing the last two books these collected quotes were used for, this quote stood out to me the most for where I am right now.

First off, I love that it's from a French book and it fittingly reminds me of my friend Amanda who not only provided this quote, but who is currently studying abroad in France (learn about the city she's staying in through the program's blog).

Second, I get really restless. And to solve this restlessness, I often look to changing my environment/surroundings. I was actually at dinner with my dad tonight and his relentless changing of cars (I think we counted nine or more within the last ten years?) seems to be the equivalent to my need to go on adventures and explore.

But I've realized lately that, while these things can be really fun and wonderful, and this urge to go and do as many things as possible pushes me to experience and have a continued curiosity for so many things – it can sometimes act as a temporary solution to this continued feeling. So instead, my focus should be – I think – finding peace and patience with where I am at in my life now, and focusing on things that have a long-term impact such as studying the gospel more, and serving more, than wondering where I'm going next.

Honestly, it's a hard balance for me – being so excited about exploring new places, finding fun events, and enjoying that time with friends and family; but also being completely ok with just resting and completely appreciating the now.

So those are my thoughts going into April.

And now for the BIG REVEAL! Read on to see how the books turned out and find out how to make your own.

The view from my towel

Somehow, in the past three months, I was able to balance a full-time job, pass three classes, and have friends and adventures almost every weekend. It was definitely not easy, and there were moments of high anxiety and stress, but I made it through!

And now April's here.

And it's time to reflect.

April has already given me the time to have some relaxing beach days and reflect on where I am now, and further goals/priorities. I've got a lot lined up for this month to share and to finally put the guides together.

So there's something to look forward to.

Which is nice.

Because it's Monday. And being completely honest – it's just not been a very good Monday.

It reminded me of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Alexander's day really wasn't very good. And *spoiler alert* it never gets better. I thought there would be some kind of silver lining at the end you know? Some happy ending that almost every story you hear has. Especially since it's a kids book and all. Like, where's the hope Alexander?? But the lesson was that some days are just awful.

My friend and I would say that to each other sometimes when we were going through something rough, and there was nothing encouraging to say except for, "Life sucks sometimes." And you know, that's completely ok. Because sometimes it just does.

I'm not saying my day was the worst of all worst days, but still. It just fit the stereotypical idea of Monday. There was a great end though: I had my first class for the new quarter tonight and I'm actually pretty excited about it. And I'm making a post. #GettingThingsDone you know?

So let me just take a moment to remember this past Friday when I had lunch with one of my best friends, soaked up the sun on the beach, and waded into the initially cold water before going under and feeling completely renewed.

Cheers to more days like that in April.