Since the last posting we have continued to go out, explore, and enjoy our new life together on the west coast. We have still been enjoying our hikes each weekend and getting better at them as well! I remembered to snap some pictures of Fryman Canyon since I didn't have any on the last posting. I even hiked Fryman this past weekend on my own. It was my first solo hike ever, felt pretty good. I know that I have mentioned the amazing views that you get from these hikes, but in solo hiking the other day I discovered another appreciation of them that I had never really paid attention too before. On these outings you get some quiet, calm, and serenity. The noises, sirens, people moving, buses, and everyday constant hustling and bustling of this major city simply fades away and disappears. You simply escape and only hear your thoughts, breaths (sometimes they feel and sound labored .. haha), and your footsteps. So, these hikes have become more than just something to do. They are great exercise for the body and a respite and rejuvenating center for your mind and soul. You can see why we enjoy them so much and actually don't hate that we set alarms to get up on the weekends and go hike before it gets too hot (hey, we can always nap later).
Me solo hiking in Fryman Canyon.
This view from Runyon was particularly amazing. We haven't had a very clear day when hiking (yes, there is actually a lot of smog here and a marine layer that is heavy in the mornings) but on this day it was pretty clear. If you look at the background of this picture, the hazy bluish-gray color that looks like clouds in the distance is actually the Pacific Ocean. We could see all the way from downtown LA to the coast. It was quite amazing and breathtaking.
Runyon Canyon view
Coming down one of the steep trails of Runyon
Then, of course, you have to go back up!
Runyon
Runyon
Some of the intense stairs on the hike at Runyon. I very much have a love/hate relationship with these things!
This is maybe about halfway up the stairs. Obviously, I was trailing behind at this point. As much as I love/hate these stairs they are luckily only on one side of this hike. The rest is dirt trails you see in the other pictures.
Had to throw this picture in to show that this little southern girl can back her truck into the tightest of places. Made my dad proud. It was a bit tricky but I did it and hit nothing! (what you can't see in the metal poles and gates in front of me .. where David is standing taking this picture.) We waited out this spot because the parking patrol was on a tear this day ticketing and towing cars that were parked on the road. Eek!
We also spent some time poolside hanging out with some friends the other weekend. It was great to just relax and not really have a worry but to keep cool and chill. This is where the infamous video of us doing our ALS Ice Bucket Challenge took place -- thanks Tonya Baker! ;)
On the weekends, David has also been keeping true to his southern roots, making sweet tea ... in mason jars! How else?! I know this makes many of you proud, as it does me, but I wish I could fully appreciate and enjoy some with him. However, I am that strange southerner who does not enjoy the southern staple, sweet tea. I know, insert audible gasp from every southern reader out there! Sorry y'all, there are plenty of other things I promise I hold true to out here.
Hope Jan and Mary Plyler are proud of their boy and his skills in the kitchen!
On the work front, David and I both have had some big developments.
David first! He was offered, and accepted, an awesome opportunity to travel with John Legend's tour team for 5 days. He went on the road with the crew and live-recorded the shows that John Legend played in San Diego, Las Vegas, and Denver/Red Rocks. In preparation for the trip we had to run to a few of the bigger studios around LA and Santa Monica to pick up some gear for him and Jason, his coworker for the shows. These studios were amazing, even to me who really understands nothing about all those knobs, sliders, switches, control boards, etc. So, for those of you reading this that know music and understand the business you will truly appreciate these next few pictures. The experience was something new and exciting for David; he truly enjoyed it and definitely made some cool new memories. The night they were at Red Rocks was 50 year anniversary, to the day, of The Beatles' first performance at Red Rocks. So naturally, John Legend played a tribute song in their honor, "Sometimes."
I've never been to any of the places he went and the Red Rocks has always been somewhere I wanted to go. After going, his first time there as well, David came back and said we absolutely need to go back ... added to the bucket list!
Ocean Way Studio (located in Hollywood)
Ocean Way Studio
Jason and David, at Apogee, learning the gear they would be using for next few days on the road.
The trip:
John Legend at Red Rocks
David at the top of Red Rocks
David's credentials/pass
Red Rocks crowd ... SOLD OUT!!
Panoramic view from the top of Red Rocks
Panoramic view from the stage at Red Rocks
Denver, CO
driving into Red Rocks
The Chelsea Theatre in Las Vegas - preshow
John Legend in Vegas
Vegas marquee
San Diego coastline from the airplane
Downtown San Diego
Their recording rig.
San Diego State University
My job front news. I finally have a start date ... tomorrow!! Which, by the time most of you east coasters see this will be the same day. I am starting at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CHLA, on Thursday August 28 -- which just happens to be CAROLINA GAMEDAY!!! I will be supporting my Gamecocks from the west coast as best I can. And Cari Chandler, if you're reading this, that includes me using my Gamecock tervis tumbler! I am very excited and a little nervous. I am ready and looking forward to starting this new chapter. Palmetto Health Children's Hospital will always be my home and truly made me into the person and Child Life Specialist that I am. So, starting this adventure without that family around is going to be something strange and incredible. It will be strange to be doing something I've been doing for seven and a half years without the amazing team that molded me. I know I'll find my new niche and will make new friends and be molded into ways I never thought possible. I keep seeing all the pictures on Facebook of everyone sending their kids off to school for their first day of a new year, or a new school, or first day ever at school; and I feel like I should have David take a picture of me holding a sign saying "First Day at CHLA" with my book bag on and my new clothes. Yes, I even got to go "back to work" shopping. The child life team out here does not wear scrubs like back home so I got to go splurge, just a little. That, too, feels a little funny. To not be wearing scrub pants and to have to buy "real" pants almost feels like I'm back in my student teaching days when that's all I ever wore (wish I could still fit in those pants ... oh just a little dream). Needless to say, tomorrow is a big day - I start building my new work family and my Gamecock family back home starts on their next (winning) chapter!
In honor of finally landing a job out here my friend Erin and I went out to celebrate with a low-key girls night. Erin moved back out to LA a couple of weeks before me and started her job about a week ago. While David was gone we decided to have a night and just celebrate our success and future successes. It was a much needed and much appreciated night together.
As for now, we will continue to march on with settling in, turning this apartment into a home, and doing our best with the new jobs and projects ahead of us! Until next time friends ...
GO COCKS!!!
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