It’s always surreal when November transitions into December and the holiday craze kicks into high gear.
It’s especially strange when it’s 72 degrees and sunny. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I was grinning ear to ear when we kicked off November by camping on the beach (see above). Likewise when we wished it farewell on the beach (see last photo).
There were a lot of highlights for me this month. I stepped out of my comfort zone and produced a story for broadcast I was proud of, I had some revelations about money, and I explored more of my new city that I love so dearly. Here are a few of my favorite photos from November:
Griffith Park is one of my favorite spots in L.A. I’d been a few times, but never on such a clear day. I didn’t know you could see all the way to Santa Monica (and the ocean!) from the Observatory. John and I hiked around here for a while and soaked up the sun.
We also revisited the old brewery downtown where hundreds of artists-in-residence dwell. We walked by one guy’s studio that was wide open. We stood there peeking in long enough that the artist, Sean Sobczak, welcomed us in and lit everything up:
We partied afterward in a warehouse. This is the bathroom. I didn’t use it… I just wanted a photo.
Last week, we saw Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy from Anchorman at The Grove signing books. We got there just a few minutes before he arrived, and he walked right past us. I could’ve reached out and touched him. (I really wanted the chance to tell him I was the next Veronica Corningstone, but alas, the book signing line was too insanely long.)
Thanksgiving was truly the highlight of the month. John and I celebrated, just the two of us. Neither one of us had ever cooked a Thanksgiving dinner before, but damn did we make ourselves proud. It made missing our families back home a little easier. (And now we know we’re totally capable of hosting it ourselves!)
Since then, I’ve been making the most of my Thanksgiving break. It’s so incredibly nice to have time off from the pressures of school. Yesterday, we headed out to Venice Beach and spent the afternoon strolling the boardwalk, people-watching, and sitting out in the sun. We even changed into our workout clothes and went for a run on the beach and through the canals.
Of course, next week it immediately kicks back into crazy time at school for me, but there are really only a couple more weeks of that before winter break, if you can believe it. (I can’t.) Next week is the last week of classes before final projects are due, so wish me luck!
There’s so much to look forward to in December, I don’t know where to begin. But seeing family and friends when we go back home for Christmas is at the top of my list.
Mmm, LOVE that red double exposure. I took my family to the Venice canals as well! Apparently they didn’t even know they existed, which I thought was kind of funny.
Yeah, funny I forgot you could do it with digital cameras, too, and not just film haha! The canals are a great place to take anyone visiting. So fun to be a voyeur there!
I LOVE THE SEAHORSES! SEAHORSES ARE MY FAVOURITES.
I, TOO, LIKE SEAHORSES. CELEBRATE!
November was a tough month for me. I moved on November 2nd and really struggled with homesickness and missing my family. I’m having a tougher time transitioning into December, but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have plans after Christmas to visit family (not my parents, but my dad’s siblings and mom) which is helping immensely with the loneliness. My parents have plans to come visit in April and it looks like I’ll be headed home for spring break in March. Even though that stuff is still pretty far off, once school starts in January I’ll be busier than I know how to handle and time will fly.
Ah, I can relate to the homesickness. It’s good to have those things to look forward to, though, to get you through the meantime. Keeping busy is always good.
aww man! that’s crazy! i would have gone to the grove to see him.
i’ve been meaning to hike around griffith park. which hike did you do?
I’m not sure which hike it is! But if you’re up at the Observatory standing in front of it, it’s directly to the left. We ended up on a pretty narrow path on a steep hill at one point. I felt dizzy, haha.
It’s full on Midwestern fall + winter weather over here, so your beach picks are making me straight up drool. Looks like your Thanksgiving and break have been relaxing and rejuvenating!
It really was! And you should know we’re having a cold snap this week. Temps in the 50s. What?!
WHY DIDN’T YOU???? (touch ron burgundy, i mean.) *collapses into jealousy*
Ahahaha. I know, I know. Missed opportunity. But the security guys around him didn’t seem like they’d be tolerant of groping.
That food looks amazing! And I can’t imagine 72 degrees in December! Does it ever get cold over there?
Actually, it’s cold as I’m typing this! Highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s this week, shockingly. I’m shivering in my apartment but refuse to turn on the heat…. mostly because it’ll probably just blow dust from lack of use.
where’s the OMG I LOVE! button on this?!? bahaha.