Los Angeles Love
Driving West into Burbank I saw the landscape along the LA River change. The first time I saw the brilliant blue and hot pink colors I wrote a poem. It is one of those things you don't expect to find- beauty along a concrete divide. The company wasn't bad either...
Back on my alma mater campus, the grounds seemed to be in full bloom. After lunch was lent an office to work in. A knock on the door, saw the ghost of someone that seemed so brilliant once. Made it through the presentation I was creating. Day turned to night and headed to a new restaurant with my friend of 20 years. My parents looked on, and we all ate and drank a little too much as an impromptu celebration.
Woke up hoping I had not lived it up too much at the Argentinean restaurant. The sun was out and my friend was driving in to take me to the beach. We took the streets, the heat rose from Ventura Boulevard as we drove west, over the canyon on Topanga. Stopped at the general store for some beach side munchies.
We sat, and lounged, he built me a pebble and stone monument, splashed in the cold water and when it cooled off drove back into the Valley. Back down Ventura Boulevard.
At the East end of the Boulevard met up with more friends. We talked non-stop over sangria and tapas followed by maza and red wine. When I mentioned the previously celebrated 20th anniversary they did the math- one friend and I were in our 21st and my other friend also our 20th year of friendship. There is nothing more comforting than people that know you- I mean really know you.
My vacation had a minor aberration, not the sun and wine from the day before. Fortunately I woke up okay, although very early. It was actually a very good day of facilitating a workshop for 70 educators working towards advancing a multicultural society. It is sort of surreal to hear someone introduce you- humbling.
Picked up some organic watermelon and ice cream before heading to a bar-b-q. Twenty-seven years my friend and I have known each other. She barbecued some veggie goods for me, we watched her beautiful 18 month old son laugh, and dance, respond to prompts in Spanish, ASL, and English. Being there seeing her and her husband raising their bicultural child, filled me up with something like hope.
My last day, was spent with my parents. They, laughed because since Palm Springs I had just been a whirl: Somethings never change. They also enjoyed the time catching up with my friends and hearing how everyone was doing. The circle seemed so complete-before I left LA I had everything.
The blessings that have followed in my new city are in the form of new friendships, many already going on three years. Guess I've broken on through to the other side.
Back on my alma mater campus, the grounds seemed to be in full bloom. After lunch was lent an office to work in. A knock on the door, saw the ghost of someone that seemed so brilliant once. Made it through the presentation I was creating. Day turned to night and headed to a new restaurant with my friend of 20 years. My parents looked on, and we all ate and drank a little too much as an impromptu celebration.
Woke up hoping I had not lived it up too much at the Argentinean restaurant. The sun was out and my friend was driving in to take me to the beach. We took the streets, the heat rose from Ventura Boulevard as we drove west, over the canyon on Topanga. Stopped at the general store for some beach side munchies.
We sat, and lounged, he built me a pebble and stone monument, splashed in the cold water and when it cooled off drove back into the Valley. Back down Ventura Boulevard.
At the East end of the Boulevard met up with more friends. We talked non-stop over sangria and tapas followed by maza and red wine. When I mentioned the previously celebrated 20th anniversary they did the math- one friend and I were in our 21st and my other friend also our 20th year of friendship. There is nothing more comforting than people that know you- I mean really know you.
My vacation had a minor aberration, not the sun and wine from the day before. Fortunately I woke up okay, although very early. It was actually a very good day of facilitating a workshop for 70 educators working towards advancing a multicultural society. It is sort of surreal to hear someone introduce you- humbling.
Picked up some organic watermelon and ice cream before heading to a bar-b-q. Twenty-seven years my friend and I have known each other. She barbecued some veggie goods for me, we watched her beautiful 18 month old son laugh, and dance, respond to prompts in Spanish, ASL, and English. Being there seeing her and her husband raising their bicultural child, filled me up with something like hope.
My last day, was spent with my parents. They, laughed because since Palm Springs I had just been a whirl: Somethings never change. They also enjoyed the time catching up with my friends and hearing how everyone was doing. The circle seemed so complete-before I left LA I had everything.
The blessings that have followed in my new city are in the form of new friendships, many already going on three years. Guess I've broken on through to the other side.
posted by Lorena | 6:57 AM
2 Comments:
Great to live vicariously through your journeys here and there, Lorena. But now I want to encourage you to finish the journey you began in 2003 - your dissertation. Just as in your real life, may you take many "mental walks" with your dissertation topic leading you further and further down the path of scholarly writing. I as will the rest of your friends I am sure, will support you in any way that I can to help you through this FINAL year of your dissertation. And when you need a break, start planning your 2008 graduation party!
gracias amigos :)
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