Las Vegas: Neon Museum

Utah and Las Vegas have been primary visiting points these last few years. Maybe because it's within driving distance. And if you're driving from Los Angeles to Utah, you go right through Las Vegas, so you might as well stop.

When I'm in Vegas, I don't drink, gamble, or usually go out to show off my moves at a club. So what the heck do I do?

Surprisingly for some, Las Vegas is actually more than just for partying. For example, there's places like the Neon Museum.

Every time someone I know is going to Vegas, I always recommend them going to this place. They usually don't... but that's definitely their loss (I'm looking at you Gina), because the Neon Museum is basically a neon sign graveyard that tells the history of Las Vegas. And if that doesn't sell you, then ... well, it's just fantastic. How about that?

Brighton, UT in brief

Aside from wanting to see the ice castles, I just really wanted to experience winter. Or at least what winter should feel like. So while all my Utah friends were super happy it wasn't snowing, and there wasn't really snow on the ground, I was personally super disappointed. I wanted snow. I wanted to make snow angels, have a snowball fight, freeze a little bit, and make a snowman. I always want to build a snowman.

So on the final day Krystal and I were in Utah, Brittney suggested we drive to Brighton. We had gone to church, and watched "Crossroads" (yep, that Britney Spears movie) before we finally left to experience the snowy bliss.

We were in Brighton for a brief moment, but it was enough time to make that^ glorious creation.

Salt Lake City, UT: Four of my favorite places

I've been to Utah about four times in the past four years. For different reasons and different lengths of time... so far in the fall and winter. I'm not a local, but I usually stay with people who have grown up in or around Salt Lake City.

The four places I've chosen as my favorites were chosen because they're the ones I consistently visit every time I'm there, and they're still just as fun/interesting/beautiful to me as the first time I explored them.

In Provo, it started with Waffles

I'm taking a trip this weekend and I realized I never shared some of my trips from earlier this year. So I guess this is like a "take-me-back-Tuesday," and tomorrow's "way-back-Wednesday," etc., because these trips were way worthwhile.

It was the end of January when I journeyed to Utah with my friend Krystal. Why go to Utah since it's snowy and usually freezing cold?

Monthly Inspiration: June

This quote was actually not in the original quote book I made. But it should have been.

It was said by a man who gave his life to the service of others. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints passed away this last Saturday. I chose this quote to honor and remember him.

We all have an incredible amount of good potential within us to achieve so much.

Personally, I get down on myself when I don't know how to do something, and I start doubting myself, my skills, my abilities.

In this past year, I've really tried to focus on believing I can do anything. It sounds cheesy, but even if I don't believe I can do something, I just pretend like I can, and imagine it, and somehow... it gets done.

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.