Friday, July 27, 2012

Missing Summer

When we were living in NYC, Dan used to tell me that the weather in Los Angeles was "overrated."

"What are you talking about?" I would say, thinking this was just one of Dan's crazy notions.

People, the weather in Los Angeles is overrated.

It is July, and I am freezing. I am wearing clothes I would normally reserve for wintertime. While most of the country is sweltering in 100-degree heat, it's too cool for school here. Sure, it's nice. Low humidity. Imagine a nice April day in New York City. Pleasant, but you still need a sweater.

While that is awesome in January and February, now in July, I kind of miss real summer. I want to wear tank tops and sundresses. I made watermelon strawberry ice pops this week, but have zero desire to eat them. Don't you love a popsicle when it's scorching hot? Yeah, never gonna happen. (Note: If I chose to live 30 minutes east of where I live now, I would have a different tale to tell.)

I can't tell you how gleeful Dan is that he was right (for once!) He never rubs it in my face though. Come on, do you really believe that?

Despite this, my farmer's tan grows worse and worse. It just happens here. You don't even have to go outside. No amount of SPF lotion can stop it. Women's magazines have brainwashed me about the effects of the sun damage. I have been vigilant about sunscreen for the last decade, but it's no use now. People, I am turning into a giant wrinkle. In my farmer area.

In conclusion of my rant, I would like to discuss the yoga class I went to last week. It was at the famous studio down the street with a BIG DEAL yoga teacher. BIG DEAL meaning I actually own one of her workout DVDs.

I should have known I was in trouble when I asked my neighboring yogi on the mat next to me if she had taken this instructor before.

She answered, "Oh yeah. She is amazing. She's the ultimate goddess."

I kid you not, we spent the first 20 minutes of class playing maracas.

The actual yoga part wasn't so bad. They had live drumming (of course) and the teacher talked about air, water, fire and earth, and the 100 people packed in the room were in a deep trance, sweating buckets. That's when the goddess decided we should work in partners. Does anyone else think that working with a partner in yoga class sounds horrifying? Look at these pictures if you are unsure.

I can't remember exactly what was asked of us, but it was something along the lines of having one person go into crow pose with the other person standing and straddling the person's head so the crow person can better balance and straighten their leg? Something crazy. All I know is that I barely do crow pose and if I did, I wouldn't want some stranger's sweaty thighs helping me do it. When the class was extended from an hour and a half to a two hour class(!), I got out of there. Fast. I got stuff to do. And it's not maraca playing.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

4th of July

On the 4th of July, Dan and I did a morning hike at Temescal Canyon in the Pacific Palisades. It was a varied and hilly trail filled with flowers and greenery and people...lots of people. I am thinking we were not the only ones who came up with the brilliant idea to hike on our day off. Unfortunately, the spectacular views of the ocean were covered by fog...or as people out here call it, "marine layer." Still, the misty canyon tops were pretty in their own right, and we still got a look at some multimillion dollar homes. Pretty cool that this place is only 15 minutes away from our apartment, right?









Afterwards, we went to the Nowak's house for a BBQ. With the help of Chris' famous key lime pie (which lived up to all the hype), we managed to eat back all the calories we burned hiking the trails. The perfect 4th!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Is Anybody Out There?

Why, hello there!

Nearly a month goes by and nothing to say. That is not exactly true, I suppose, but obviously I haven't had much to blog about lately. Here's what you've been missing.

It's getting better. It being California. Last week-end, I rode Dan's bike to Venice to take a workout class, and then I rode back. It was sunny and the sky was blue and the wind was in my hair, and I thought to myself, "I like this. I like that this is my life."

I have been visiting the Farmer's Market on Main Street on Sunday mornings. I never did the Farmer's Market thing in NYC because it was never convenient, and I couldn't deal with the crowd. Now it is a 10 minute walk away. There is a little bit of sticker shock paying everything in cash, but the produce really is better. I have been stocking up on farm-fresh tomatoes, peaches and whatever else looks good. They have these strawberries that are super shiny and super sweet. When I eat them, "I think, I like this. I like that this is my life." (Although I do kind of feel like a big yuppie). Passing by the "valet bike parking" at the market always makes me smile. Only in California.

In the last month, I have made a conscious effort to take better care of myself. Think: Taking vitamins, eating more salads, limiting my sweets and exercising often. I have gained about 10 pounds since moving out there (thanks, tacos and ice cream) and since starting my regimen, I think I might have lost a few lbs. (Best feeling: being able to fit in an old pair of shorts that were too small a few weeks ago!) I also feel calmer and happier and more like myself. Maybe that is why it is getting better.

For the very first time in my life, I have my very own garden! It's nothing huge, but I love it. I am growing flowers in a soothing palette of whites, purples, greens and yellows mixed in with some herbs (cilantro, rosemary, thyme, basil and sage). I also have cherry tomatoes and strawberries. Cool right?

I have zero knowledge about gardening and was a bit intimidated by the process, so I recruited my friends Emily and Jonathan to help me pull it all together. We took a trip to Home Depot and Armstrong Garden Center in Marina Del Ray, and they literally forced me to make all kinds of decisions and make my gardening dreams come true in just a few hours. It was all such a whirlwind. Considering I have spent weeks making every other decision when it comes to decorating this apartment, it was kind of crazy to make my garden happen in one afternoon. I think I might add a few pots here and there, but it's just about done, which is a relief!







When it comes to other things in the apartment, We still don't have a couch (long story) but we have a kitchen table, a bookcase, a chair and a lamp. Dan has done a great job in organizing most of our storage spaces. We're getting there, but our apartment still feels very incomplete and it still feels like we just got here. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We see it flickering.

We have been more social. Sandy, Ara and June came to visit us.  I consider June to be my best friend in LA. Can you see why? Plus, she's standing now!






I saw Magic Mike with the girls (and a whole bunch of screaming girls in the movie theater). We had dinner with Matt and Katie. We tried (and possibly succeeded) to make new friends. I'd like to start some exploring LA very soon.

I'll be in Miami next week for a business trip.

That's about it. Can't think of anything else. See? That's why I haven't blogged. You've missed nothing; absolutely nothing.