Sound of Music @ the Hollywood Bowl

I've wanted to hear the L.A. Philharmonic perform for a while now b/c I have deep appreciation for live music especially by symphonies. Tonight, I joined my bro and his friends at the Hollywood Bowl for the "Sound of Music" performance and it was fabulous! We met up earlier for a picnic on the Museum Terrace, but me being the slow-poke eater sans 2.5 molars + 4 wisdom teeth (but have 3 cavities) barely got anything down except for some pasta salad, a slice of cheese, an ice-cream sandwich (made by my bro!), and an empanada (made by wonderful neighbor Rose).

The performance was spectacular and very entertaining. It features several actors and actresses from TV shows such as the daughter from "Desperate Housewives" (*shrug*: I don't watch it) and one of the "Dukes of Hazzard" which I did watch growing up, but I didn't recognize the Duke.

This was also my first time at the Hollywood Bowl; a very great experience! Now, I can't wait to hear the LA Philharmonic perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Last summer, one of the summer associates I assisted brought me and my team to the Hall. The specificity and ingenuity of the architecture is breathtaking. I would love to listen to them just perform b/c even though tonight's performance was spectacular, I was more focused on the singing than the symphony music.

Do I sound like a total yuppie??

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Local news: There goes the neighborhood.

So, Home Depot Homie told us about the gang-related shooting from a few weeks ago around Venice and La Brea. Apparently, there's been lots of activity (related or not). This morning in Mar Vista there was a shooting (innocent people according to the local internet news) and a drive-by at a local HS 2 weeks ago. What gives man? The heat must be seriously bringing out the crazies. :(

I wonder where in Mar Vista b/c it happened at 11:30 A.M. I take walks around Mar Vista Hill in the mornings! I guess I'll be going to the gym more often vs. walking around the hood. I think MVH is safe, but MV is a little more sketchy. Then again, people in this neighborhood aren't very friendly. I always smile and say hello to passerbys but they either look at me or ignore me. Either way, I receive no response.

Do I look shady??

I never listen or watch the news b/c there's just too much sad stuff like this.

Animal Cops: Alta Loma

Today was a slightly adventurous day for me. BTW, it is probably 20 degrees cooler in Alta Loma. How "ominous"/wonderful. I went to get my snaggletooth fixed today by my Dentist Aunty's Colleague. I've never had anybody else work on my teeth except my Aunt so this was an interesting experience. It actually went quite well b/c Dentist Uncle immediately applied novacane and gave me another numbing shot. I haven't had topical anasthesia applied since I was 10 y/o, getting 5 pre-molars and molars pulled out for braces. The weirdest thing is that he was drilling away on my front tooth, but it felt like he was working on my canine. Plus, my nose felt like it was 5 times bigger b/c the stuff spread upwards. I didn't care b/c he fixed the gapping hole in my tooth! Yay!

Afterwards, I brought Gramma Pearl home to Alta Loma and we were in for a surprise. Since it's been "earthquake weather" and Gramma's been away, her lawn really got jacked up. I have never seen so many dry patches on her lawn and there were actually weeds, too! I feel so bad for Gramma b/c she loves her lawn as much as Hank Hill. In the midst of our weed-pulling, there was a dog trotting along the other side of the street.

I always naturally gravitate towards dogs, and this dog actually gravitated towards me. I thought I was on "Animal Cops"; this dog looked like he was in a pretty bad condition. First of all, he looked like he crawled out of a cobwebbed basement; doggy had a long thick string of cobwebs along his back and a little more on his snout. Secondly, his fur was discolored in certain spots like the abused/neglected doggies I've seen on "Animal Cops" (TV is such a great source of knowledge). So I was feeling bad for the dog and wanted to get him some water and possibly food, but I know Gramma would trip out -- not so much about rabies, but moreso that this dog was gonna keep coming back to her home, then!

Well, I think Gramma may have been right on this one. Our garage door was open AND the door in the garage to the laundry room/inside the house (we rarely leave that door open). The dog went into our garage and so I kept calling him to come back out. Nope, he went into the house! That's when I started panicking. I tried to grab him and I got a handful of loose fur and the cobwebs! Gross!! Luckily, he only went into my room and then I coaxed him out before Gramma knew...

(If anybody tells Gramma, I will have to send my peeps after you. Even if you are family.)

So, I was kinda excited, thinking that this might be my first time rescuing a stray pet, but Gramma wasn't having it so I led the dog down the street, all the while debating whether I should go back and grab my phone to call somebody to get the dog. I managed to give the dog some water and then a golf cart full of 3 young girls whizzed by so the dog happily chased after them.

And that was the end of my potential first episode of "Animal Cops: Alta Loma."

"Earthquake Weather"

I spent last night at Dad's where it was insanely hot, humid, and overcast (earlier). Dad said, yup, it's earthquake weather. Funny b/c just earlier in the day, I was discussing w/ BF how it's earthquake weather and why haven't I heard anybody else say it lately? Well, it was good to know that us 2 aren't the only paranoid ones.

Earthquake weather is so creepy. I commented to my friend from the opposite coast the other day that you never know when it's gonna rain. She thought I was nuts b/c it's summertime in LA! On TV, Hollywood is always perfectly sunny. :) (That's not to say that her impression of LA is based on TV. Hence, my side-story.)

Side-story: When I was in junior high, we had pen pals from Arkansas. One Arkansan wrote to one of my classmates, "I have never been to L.A. before. Is it true that it never rains like on TV?" Heehee. I remember us all LOL. Kinda mean, now that I think about it. Other pen pals wrote about how Chelsea Clinton was their (best) friend and how she's really nice and all. (This was the time when President Clinton first began serving.)

So, everytime I mention "earthquake weather," I think about my friend b/c even though she's learned quite a lot about LA within the past year, there's still so much to experience and know! Like how no matter how polite and courteous people can be, others will still be rude (to their friendly bus drivers. I always thanked mine even when I exited from the rear of the bus ;).

And like how we actually have "earthquake weather." BF and I describe earthquake weather as "funky weather." For instance, it downpoured in BFE when it was 100 degrees everywhere else. There's been 71% or more humidity on the Westside -- this is L.A., not Miami! It's been overcast, but Africa hot and Taiwan humid. It's just not the stereotypical summer weather. BTW, Taiwan had a 6.1 earthquake "last night" (as in PST).

Today, my BGF and I chatted for a little and talked about "earthquake weather." She described it as, "waking up in the early morning to walk Teddy, and everything is so still and quiet...it's just creepy." That's a new one.

So yeah, earthquake weather. I think I might blingo that to see what comes up.

Here's a good one (actually, I pounced on the first good one I read since I'm working off of weak, stolen wi-fi):

Folklore reserves the term "earthquake weather" for the sultry, ominously uneasy period said to precede large earthquakes. Scientists have generally belittled suggestions that weather could have anything to do with the ponderous forces unleashed during a quake. Despite such authoritative pronouncements, many Californians, who have ample experience with seismic events, insist that quakes and weather are somehow connected.

They may be right -- at least some of the time.

Tonight, Gramma also said, this is earthquake weather and that she didn't know where to hide if there was an earthquake. Poor Gramma! It's true! We've always been taught to hide under a table. The problem is, all of Gramma's table are made of glass. I told her to stand in the doorway between the family room and the hallway, but right against the wall is a ginormous mirror. :( Hm. Come to think of it, this house is not very earthquake-safe, especially for Gramma!

Hopefully, we won't experience any. Thank God I don't work in the U.S. Bank Tower any more (it's only the tallest building in Downtown L.A.)

Freak out

I spent a lot of time with my ESL client this week to make up for missed sessions. On Monday, to work on past tense, she told me that she watched Miss Universe on Sunday and how the ladies are beautiful, and that I should be a contestant for a pageant. I'm like, ha! Me? No, I don't think so but that is very kind of you to say that (as I freak out about my potential snaggletooth which will hopefully be fixed on Friday).

Today, we discussed how English is a difficult language to learn. A part of my explanation was that the written form can differ so much from conversation (which I guess happens with all languages). She lamented about how she learned a few slang phrases and idioms, but forgot them all so it can be a challenge keeping up with English conversations. No, no, wait, she remembers two:

"Freak out..."
"That sucks!"

Isn't that tight? Well, maybe you had to be there to get a kick out of hearing the sweetest 55+ y/o ESL lady say those two phrases emphatically. To be honest, I was a little nervous about which phrases she was gonna bust out. A grip of ghetto-slang or gangsta rap lyrics ran thru my head. At least she knows those two phrases since they're still pretty common. (Or am I the only one who still says those phrases?)

On another separate note -- or part II of Turtle Soup Saga -- I took Lil F out for a walk this AM. When I picked her up to put her back in her tank, she had a hair stuck to her leg. My hair. That tends to happen b/c I shed a lot. :( I started pulling the hair from her leg...when I realized it was coming from her butt!! OMG!!! I was completely freaking out. How and when did she eat a 3 inch hair? I'm gonna have to wear a hair net around my turtle!! :*( I almost didn't tell BF since he swears I try to kill the turtle that I love so much (especially after yesterday's incident).

No way!

Since it's been earthquake weather, I've been really nervous for my turtle. I asked BF last week that if any natural disaster happens (I make it sound like a typhoon or tornado will hit) and I'm not home, please remember to grab Lil F and my Hello Kitty.

He said he doesn't have enough hands. :(

Turtle Soup

BF often jokes about making our/my turtle into turtle soup or turtle burger and I always make a big deal about how mean he is. Today, I almost made turtle soup by accident!

BF left earlier than me (for once) to meet with a client this morning. In my haste to bum-rush to school, I turned the A/C off with a little too much force. Apparently, I had turned the A/C off...and turned the heater on! Crap! BF says her tank was so hot so he kept throwing ice cubes in to cool her off.

My poor little turtle!! Of course we don't know how hot her water really got b/c when her shipment came in yesterday, they didn't include the thermometer I ordered.

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In other news today (since BF doesn't update his blog) -- BF met with his new client whom he was referred to by his rap-star cousin's associate. Bummer that my first time hearing rap-star cousin rap was for the up & coming shoe company (they just signed Snoop Dogg to rock 'em) on their funky website (that BF will soon revamp). Oh well. He definitely sounds awesome, though! Hopefully, I'll get to hear him perform live soon.

Anywho, so the company gave BF a pair of shoes from their new line; it's not even on the shelves yet! The only thing is that he really doesn't wanna "represent" w/ this pair of "luxury kicks." I won't put a picture of them up for fear that some cyber-stalker will put 2 & 2 together, and BF will lose his client b/c of me (which translates to the BF not being able to purchase ice-cream and other yummy things for me).

Still more news -- BF & I went to Home Depot over the weekend to pick up some blinds to go with our new drapes. He's in an interior decorating mood especially because more of his clients will be stopping by his office (a.k.a. our home). Dude, we met the funniest and "hardest-working hungover Mexican." He gave us the lowdown on how the peeps at the Marina del Rey Home Depot be haters. Plus, the same people have been jacking a buncha Hondas from the parking lot...and they also jacked the store manager's Denali. Not that the situation is funny but it was pretty hysterical when the homie was telling us. Anywho, so we got a good price for the blinds + comedy routine. We're quite happy with how xtn's office looks.

Every day that I'm driving back home from school, I tell myself that I'm going to clean my "office." It still hasn't happened yet...

2 Ns

BF & I just got back from visiting friends. We caught them during their last half hour at the hospital, before we all headed to their home. They just welcomed a newborn son into the family on Monday. Yay! Congrats to Mommy and Daddy of 2 Ns! (Both of their sons' names begin with "N.") We hung out with them a little bit at their home so I played with Big Brother N (2:6), who was absolutely adorable.

Point of digression: being in this field has really had an effect on me. It's already bad enough that I have a hard time enjoying my favorite singers when they are clearly abusing their voice. Now, I can't turn the SLP diagnosing off.

I had fun with BBN, who was all chats and giggles. I couldn't help but make observations: "Whoa! The kid's making 4-word utterances!" Other observations soon followed: follows simple commands, responds appropriately to most Wh-questions, consistently imitates, artic is WNL, etc. ;)

Anywho, I have to say it was a wonderful experience playing with BBN and meeting three day old Little Brother N. LBN is the youngest baby I have ever been around! Second would be classmate's 1-month old angel. (Both referenced to in this post.) The best was when Daddy of 2Ns showed a camera video footage of when LBN was just born -- but it was all paparazzi-style and even rated G! Apparently, you're not allowed to take pictures in the delivery room, so he held the camera in his palm but he totally censored it for the general audience. That is talent!

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On a completely separate note, I've decided that within the next 10 years, I am sOOoo swimming with sea turtles in Hawaii. BF thinks it's one of my "I'm going to (find and) ride a mustang" proclamations but no, this is like for reals ferrealz.

Red Bull gives you what?

I am, once again, a legendary student clinician! Not b/c I'm a G at this clinic business but b/c both of my clients didn't show up for clinic this week when I had a midterm. Again, it must've been b/c I went to church on Sunday. Ha!

Actually, I'm kinda bummed that this quarter is flying by b/c clinic has been the least stressful in comparison to the other quarters. I have to admit that I semi-prayed that my kiddo wouldn't come today since we had a midterm that I wasn't done cramming for.

I went to bro's office last night to fax a work document to him (he's in Kentucky) and to cram for CAPD. The lamest thing is that at 11:50 P.M., I finally began studying and cracked open a Red Bull, desperate to stay awake. At precisely 12:28 A.M., I called it quits and proceeded home. In my daze, I crossed the Centinela/Washington intersection and about 5 lights flashed. OH NO WAY! I'm getting another ticket?!?!?!?!?! I swear it was yellow thru the whole intersection!

The ironic thing is that I just e-mailed my awesome cherry-saving/Cherry-Saver classmate (who saved my cherries twice last night...re: TA and CAPD notes. Thx, K!) about my first and only car accident way back in the day. The irony is that when the thought of getting a ticket crossed my mind, I had a flashback of my accident when homeboy said only one thing to me: in America, we stop at yellow lights.

Well in L.A., we speed through them (and run reds).

Oh, but the point of this post was that Red Bull is such a waste of calories for me. (Thank goodness my bro had a sugar-free one.) You'd think that downing a can at midnight would at least keep me up for 2 hours, but heck, it didn't do anything for me. I was ready to fall asleep when I finished the can; hence, driving thru a yellow was like life in slow-motion (I coulda sworn the light turned red after I finished crossing, though! I guess I'll find out in a few weeks.).

I was trying to explain to my classmates on Monday my weirdness about Red Bull. For some reason, I feel guilty when I drink it. I think I look at it like it's a drug or something (although I am not a RB junkie. It does nothing for me. I'd maul a mofo for Starbucks, though). Or I associate it with the night-life. Yeah, give me a Red Bull vodka. Or it was the rage when RED was still at Hacienda.

I only gave the cocktail example, so my classmates looked at me like I was crazy, and one simply said, "it's just an energy drink."

I guess. But in my case, it's just a waste of calories.

BTW, I tried a tangerine frappuccino from Starbucks yesterday -- only b/c I had a coupon for a free sample, thx to my bro -- and it was pretty good. However, on any day of the week and twice on Mondays, I'd rather get an espresso drink.