Summer, 2010

Sadly, although summer continues for another month, my vacation has come to an end. Notice I’m not complaining! I know how lucky I am to have a two month summer break. Going to bed at 2am and waking up around noon (or later) and wearing jeans and fitted T’s has been great…now its back to 6am wake up calls, cardigans, and teacher clothes. Have I mentioned that I love my job? Those that are closest to me are aware of how hard I work and how passionate I am about my subject matter. Teaching isn’t just my job, it is my career. Sure its hard work and sometimes it takes a lot of out of me. Most of you know that during the school year, my focus is on work and I’m pretty much MIA. That is why I take advantage of summer and accept any opportunity presented to just see, do, and live! However, as I get ready to go back to work mode, I resolve to make more time for my friends this year, and find a way to balance both work and play…

I feel like I saw my friends more this summer, than I usually do during the whole school year. Seriously, this summer has been AMAZING! I can’t believe everything I saw and did, and of course there are moments that I will never forget and will impact my life forever. Then there are the people I met this summer and a couple of locals that I grew closer to as the weeks went by. Sure, relationships with one or two of these people may not survive past summer, but the majority of them were not just part of a summer fling, they are the real deal, genuine friends, and I have a pretty good feeling we will all grow old(er) together. Literally, my birthday is coming up! Plus, they help make the SCV fun!

At the beginning of my summer vacation, I asked What’s Your Summer Story? I hoped for many things, but the way my summer panned out could not have been predicted…

Here’s my Summer Story, along with the people and events that were part of it…

Concerts: One of my most favorite hobbies! I love concerts!

Anthony Bourdain, Bakersfield
Ximena Sariñana, Club Nokia
Banda el Recodo, Nokia Theater
Recoditos, Nokia Theater
Gloria Trevi, Nokia Theater
Julieta Venegas, Club Nokia
RENT, Hollywood Bowl
Camila, Nokia Theater

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John and Greg: The boys came out on a road trip and I got to show them around Hollywood for the day!

Road Trip
Hollywood
Pink’s Hotdogs
Cube
CeFiore

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Memorable Moments from the World Cup: I was so caught up in finishing out the school year, I totally forgot WC season was coming up! WakaWaka!

Not being able to handle watching Mexico vs Argentina on TV
Rafa Marquez’s Hotness
Ghana Losing
Maradonut’s Suit

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The SCV Crew: In no particular order. I am so LUCKY to know them and call them my friends and some are even family.  I won the lottery with these people (not everyone is pictured).

Our philosophy as a crew:

Just live life. Be happy. Try new stuff.

William
Scott
Bree
Eevis
Jeff
Nate
Jay
Susan
Jason McKay
Aleks
Derek
Carrie
Brian
Greg T.
Kendra
Mike M.
Cherryle
Hsiawen
Mike
Vinh
RE
Jeffrey

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Music: I love music. I love music that impacts me. Sometimes the cheesiest songs are the best! These are my summer jams and musicians/bands that I was re introduced to. The clear standout was Jamiroquai. Definitely set the mood for summer! Who knew they had more than Virtual Insanity and that song from Napoleon Dynamite? Seven Days in Sunny June is so smoooooth. Love. I will always associate them with the summer of 2010.

Jamiroquai
Seven Days in Sunny June
Love the Way You Lie
Bien o Mal
Meet Me Halfway
My LOVE/HATE relationship with Pandora
Julieta Venegas
Old Skool Shakira
Soda Stereo
Cafe Tacuba
Finding Mars Volta again.

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Shawna: our BFF summer kicked off with a visit to Disneyland so I could experience Captain EO for the first time in almost 20 years! We have a mutual admiration for Michael! Also, she introduced me to an amazing book this summer. If that’s not a true friend, then I don’t know what is!

Disneyland
Captain Eo
Secret Project
The Book.
California Girls
New Mexico
That guy.
And that guy.
Oh, and him too.
Greg B.
Summer Nights
Talking to Vinh
Girl talk.
Texts at 2am.
Too much more to mention…

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D is for…: Perhaps one of the most unexpected parts of summer. Well technically I met him before summer. NVM. Hello. Even if we grow apart, the books, literature and music will continue to be a part of my life. Thanks Maximus.

Rhode Island
QC
WakaWaka
Marcus
Jamiroqui.
Maradonut
Running
Shoe Laces
Barney Stinton
Art
Drums
Candy Wrapper
Do I want to click that?
KThxBai.
Good Morning.
Too much more to mention.

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Day Trips with the Crew: Sometimes our sense of adventure leads us to fun times! I’m always up for an adventure and its nice to know my friends are as well!

Sandwich Train
Langers
Phillipes
Scoops
Bottega Louie Fail
Fixies

Coffee Caravan
Cognoscenti
Intelligentsia SL
Scoops
Espresso Cielo
Intelligentsia Venice

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SCV Events with the Crew: The Newhall Coffee Party was one of the best nights ever. For everything else, when there isn’t anything to do in the SCV, you gather up your friends and make your own scene. I think we have mastered this art. Photo by Greg T.

Trivia
Bake You Happy 2.0
Newhall Coffee Celebration
Undergrounds on the grass surrounded by friends
Fried Chicken
Frysmith

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Conventions: I’m a proud Badge B**ch. When is the next convention? I don’t know the first thing about Anime, but when I was offered a pass? I’m up for adventure, show me the way! Comic Con? Sure, why not? New experiences are my life.

Anime Expo
Costumes
Characters coming to life.
Beautiful.

San Diego Comic Con
Damon
Gerard Way
Gabriel Ba
Cast of Vampire Diaries
Jeph Jacques
Ryan Reynolds
LL Cool J
Draco Malfoy
Photographed everyone mentioned and more
Rocket Poppeteers
Extraordinary Desserts
Little Italy
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto
Too much more to mention

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I’m sure there are a gazillion more things that I’ve forgotten to mention. Let’s just say this summer was packed with fun and adventure and bonding with friends and family!

XoXo

-L