Tuesday, September 25, 2012

California...or bust! September 2012

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012: Todd and I took our time packing and getting ready for our California trip. Everything was smooth sailing- packing, traveling to JFK, checking in. We used our electronic check-in on our phones! We didn't even have to print out our boarding passess. How cool is that?

We ate lunch at Todd English Bonfire at the airport. Split the steak tips. And then we got coffee flavored gelato! 

The flight was great. The take off was a little bumpy. I said a little prayer and it smoothed out for the rest of the flight. 

The airline provided free tv and movies! We were in 7th heaven (well...close enough). We watched "Girls" and "Globe Trekker: Holland",  "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Then he wanted to read the news online (zzzzzzz) and I got to watch "Brave" by Disney:Pixar, which I had been wanting to see. Fun!


By the time we landed, got our luggage, got to the rental car, I was ready to go to the hotel. But Todd wanted to forge ahead and go to church in Pasadena. It started at 8:00 (fortunately) and we were only 20 min. late....but afterwards, of course, I was glad we went. 

Found an inexpensive fast food Mexican place (in California? I know you're surprised...) King Taco, just a couple of blocks from our hotel. A couple of soft tacos and a Horchata (A drink Todd introduced to me a couple of years ago). Here's the recipe:


Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked white long-grain rice
  • 5 cups water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2/3 cup white sugar

Settled in for the night. Wiped out. Fell asleep immediately!

Thursday, September 20th, 2012:
Woke up to the sun's beautiful colors reflecting off the mountains. 
Here's a photo to share the beauty: 

Thursday, September 20th, 2012
We walked a bit downtown Pasadena, lots of neat shops and restaurants. We had driven past a bakery last night, called Flour and Tea. We walked there for brunch. Had a sausage and cheese in a big roll and almond tea. Tastey. 

While we were out, we walked to the Pasadena Reading Room. Classic and richly designed. 

A Bible History exhibit was on display for the 100th Anniversary of the King James Bible. The librarian gave us a book with the information. 

I had mapped out several Reading Rooms to visit and Todd went with me. Went to the Jointly Maintained downtown, 3rd church L.A. Reading Room and 9th Church L.A. Reading Room. 

Then we looked up 1st and 2nd church Los Angeles in an old Journal. 

Drove to pick up his parents at their hotel in Pasadena. Great to see them. 
Then we all rode over to Todd's Aunt Barbara and Uncle Andy's house for dinner. She made a wonderful dinner! Chick pea and vegetable stew, kale with nuts, golden beets. Tastey and healthy. It was like a gourmet dinner. 



We all sat around and visited. I got to visit with Barbara and hear what she has been reading. 

Memorable day. 


Friday, September 21st 2012:
We picked up his parents and drove to see the Getty Museum. First we drove to Todd and my hotel in Culver City (Four Points Sheraton) (we switched hotels to be closer for his class) to drop off our car. 

Then we drove to the museum. But when we got there, the parking was full so we couldn't stay. 

We decided to find a place for lunch. We went to Zabie's, the restaurant in Santa Monica where Todd and I usually have lunch during his class. 

Then we decided to go to the Armond Hammer Art Museum. We saw the Gustav Moreau exhibit (wonderful drawings) and then the permanent exhibit, which was impressive with Van Goghs, Monet, and several Rembrandts. 

We drove to our hotel and said our goodbyes. It was special to get to spend the day together. 

Todd and I walked across the street to the mall that had been remodeled. 

Had dinner. I got two spring rolls and vietnemese coffee for $5.00! We liked the food court because they weren't all chained restaurants. They were gourmet style and a great variety. 

Went back to our room and watched the latest episode of Parenthood.

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012
Had breakfast in the hotel and then I dropped him off at this class at the Santa Monica airport. 

I drove the side roads (and not the freeway; side roads are more scenic) and went to Broadview's Annual Meeting (the CS care facility for L.A.). It was beautiful: landscaping and setting, which had a rose garden. 

The event was outside under a tent. The Director spoke, then the President of the Board and then several nurses spoke about healings they'd seen. Then they had a lecturer: Tom McElroy "How you can change the world". It was probably one of the best lectures I've heard. It was conversational, but he stuck to his points and he explained what practitioner, Journal, etc. meant (not assuming everyone in the audience was a Christian Scientist). 

Then they served lunch! And it was free! They served finger sandwiches, chips, cookies and lemonade and tea. There was an "ice cream parlor" where you could make your own ice cream sundae. Yum! It was so elegant and done so well- balloons over the water fountain, a keyboard player playing in the background. It was a special event. It was such a delightful day. So grateful I got to experience it. 

Then I drove to 13th Reading Room of Los Angeles. I had to get on the freeway to save time (which I don't care to drive on the freeway). It's a nice Reading Room, great location. 

Then I drove back to Santa Monica (took side roads). I was so glad I had headed back when I did because I was just in time to pick up Todd from class. 

Drove to the Hilton Doubletree in Culver City. 

A wave of being tired swept over me and I felt wiped out. Took a nap. 

Todd went down to the hotel restaurant and he brought up pizza for us to eat! That was such a nice surprise. We ate the pizza and watched "Arrested Development" (one of my new favorite shows). 

Vie est bonne! (Life is good). 

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012
Dropped Todd off at his class then went to the Santa Monica Church. They've recently built a new church, three years ago. The reading room is at the front of the church. The outcome is attractive and modern. It's nice how it unfolded for them and the fruition. It's so nice to see such demonstration. 

Drove back to pick Todd up for class and we had lunch. Went to Zabies (our usual) on Ocean Blvd. 

Went to lay out by the pool. Very relaxing. I think the driving and traffic is getting to me. And wherever you go, you have to think about parking-where to park and what the cost will be. 

Picked up Todd and went back to the hotel. We just talked and I think he needed to wind down from his class. 

Went to downtown Culver City to eat for dinner. Found a great Sushi place - 
K-Zo. It was excellent and great service. I had the cucumber salad with eel and two pieces of eel. Todd had monk fish, scallop dish, halibut and kapache (hammerjack). 

Monday, September 24th, 2012
Took our time at the hotel this morning. Todd read from his "toy" (aka-I-pad) and I went on an adventure looking for a good bakery. Stumbled across a French cafe! Cafe Laurent (Culver City) (I'm good at stumbling). It was perfect. And free parking (hard to come by). Ate a chocolate croissant and a decaf. ice coffee. Had a nice visit with the owner, who was from Greece.  

We drove along the coast, through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. Beautiful. Dark blue sky, palm trees dotting the beach, calm water as far as you can see. Tranquil and serene. 


Then we drove through residential areas. I love the west coast architecture. 

Then Todd had the idea of riding the subway to the end of the line. We ended up in E. Los Angeles. It was a great way to see the city (and not drive in the traffic!). 

We had to get the car back by 7:00. We made it to the hotel-Four Points Sheraton, which is by the airport. 

We had a good meal in the hotel restaurant. We shared a cobb salad and some bratwurst. 

Turned in early because we have a 6:00 a.m. flight! (didn't know there were 6:00 a.m. fights...) Until next time! 








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