Eli: December 2008

Sunday, December 28, 2008

End of year update

Since moving to LA, life is passing in a blur. There have been so many things to do and of course, lots of work. There were a few goals in mind for the 2008 year but they seemed to have been moved to my non-priority list... and you know what that means, it doesn't get done.

Looking back it is difficult to imagine living here since August 2007 (initially moving here for school). I keep telling people I've lived here since May 2008, since that is when I returned from Hawaii - working the seasonal trail on a cruiseline for a few months. In a way it seems living in LA has been longer than 7 months - there are familiar people in my life and constant which is great.

Moving every 5 months or so these past 3 years had been a lifestyle adventure. One that makes it seem like I've lived here forever! I keep getting the urge to move again, like some internal alarm that has been set on snooze indefinately. That alarm has been the most difficult to overcome and I'm still working on it. Perhaps it's a commitment phobia - but after moving around for so much, it was a bit strange and very weird to sign a 2 year contract for my apartment internet and cable! It really felt like I was signing my life away.

In the meantime, I've been enjoying the Southern California weather - it does get cold here and perhaps I've adapted because 40F, is very cold again! At least though, I can ride my bike on a regular basis and have been enjoying the outdoors.

I hope you all have a good Holiday season and a wonderful 2009!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Sedona & Grand Canyon

Went on a short vacation to Sedona and the Grand Canyon - both in Arizona. It was a nice vacation away from civilization and a bit relaxing since I didn't have to go to work for 4 days! It was a 9 hour drive to get there but with good company and lots of breaks, we got there in no time. I didn't realize it got dark so soon. I just haven't been paying attention these past few months. Just know that I look up at work and it's light out then the next thing I know, it's dark. It seems like I'm always at work.

We arrived at the hotel just in time... 30 minutes before it got dark. So we could at least check-in and orientate ourselves around town quickly. I'd never been to Sedona before so it was a new adventure. I'd only heard of this place and that it's a real popular destination in the summer months. Our plans also included the Grand Canyon - South Rim. I had gone to the North Rim years ago and actually camped out at the bottom so this was a different area that I would be looking at.

There are quite a bit of rocks in Sedona... yup. Lots of rocks. Red rocks. I guess that's the intriguing part of why so many folks visit. Plus, there are lots of parks and hiking trails throughout. And I learned from a friend that there's some sort of energy field called a vortex in the Sedona area that lots of people can feel an energy difference.

We ended up going to Red Rock State Park for a short hike and picnic. It started raining on us which cut our outdoor day short. I was prepared for cold weather - we all brought extra thick clothes and jackets to bundle up in but I guess it's been a while since I've been cold... it was maybe in the low 20's in the evenings and 50's in the day time. COLD! We had a combination of both kinds of weather - very nice and foggy rainy. It was really interesting to see the weather change at that altitude because we went on one of the recommended scenic roads - 89A towards Flagstaff and again on our way home. The first time was nice weather and the second time, we were lucky we didn't have to put snow chains on the vehicle!

We stopped by this hotel in California. It's off of Route 66 called the Wigwam Motel. I did a little research first to find this place. After seeing the cartoon movie "Cars" I realized places like this really do exist although rare.