Spicy Boss Sauce!

I think it is important to start this blog off by letting you know I am now a professional SD Hot Spot Seeker (meaning I am well versed in finding street parking now so I don't have to pay for garages, except on Fri/Sat).

My Friday started at 7am arriving at work with my packed gear for the weekend at Joshua Tree for the youth from the foster academy and some nice waffles that I overflowed and made an incredible mess at the hostel.  Met Juan and Mario who were helping with the trip (Juan has been with the program for 10 years) and Mario just joined the leadership program.

We arrived at Joshua Tree and started off with some scrambling so we could understand the route that we would be taking the kids on. My favorite part was where you had to lay on your back because the rocks were so narrow, scoot yourself up like an inch worm and then reach up and pull yourself up to get out of the cave like area. Sound sweet? Yea, that's cuz it is.  We had to be careful who we took in there though because its a tight spot, I probably only had like a foot of space between my chest and the rock wall.  My knees got pretty banged up as well!

Hostels - Not Just a Horror Movie

I arrived in my hostel Sunday night - I haven't regretted one day I have been here.  I feel like I'm staying in a college dorm or a non-creepy less embarrassing version of "Real World". Free breakfasts (or "breakie" as my Aussie roomie called it) free dinners on certain nights, free phone use, showers, room, TV, Internet, etc all for $25/night. Right on, plus I've met the greatest people (Jenna from Australia and Jessica and Hannah from Washington).  I've been eating Cap N' Crunch and Cookie Crisp for breakfast every morning and taking coffee to work.  I love all their artwork around here and of course this sticker on the wall explained how I feel.









On my first day of work I was welcomed with both these items on my desk!  A surfers calendar, a company koozie, map of San Diego, REI discount card, Fat Tire lip balm (YEA!) and the softest sweat proof team shirt ever!  My boss also had these lovely, wonderful flowers, but they smelled so nice they were attracting fruit flies and I had to put them outside.  I got a tour of the building and I have to say I almost wet myself when I saw the awesome Gear Room. It was boss sauce money, baby! Surfboards, wetsuits, sleeping bags, camping gear, ALL DONATED (Quick Silver, Black Diamond).

I took out my boxes and made myself at home. That's my desk my second day of work. Notice the head came with me (behind the flowers) and I have been drinking that Smart Water. Two bottles a day! These surfboards are awesome and yes that is fake grass that we have as carpet in our office where ever there isn't hardwood floors!

This is just some more awesome decor at my office. I have no idea what this Octopus painted poster is for, but it looks like a mural to me so I like it.

A bike, snowboard, and surf board are literally hanging above my desk along the walls to remind us that we have the most incredible jobs in the world. I don't know if that is what it was meant to do, but that's what it does for me.

While at the hostel I talked to my roomie Jenna about Coachella (so jealous) and where she will be going for the rest of her 4.5 month holiday. Last night, thankfully, my roomies Hannah and Jessica talked me out of staying in (which I said was necessary due to my early morning on the Marine Base to talk to their youth center). I was reading that book to the left which had a section all about horrendous shark attacks (200 stitches to fix up one guy!) It was making me terrified, which is great since I have to do a surf training next weekend and then do 6 surfing trips with the military kids in July/August. 

We went to the Bootlegger bar, where 3 different creepy men hit on our table. Jessica took care of that by saying, "Um yes, we don't want to talk to you anymore." The guy leaned in and said, "Oh hey, hey, by the way, you're really rude" which she then responded with, "I don't care. Suck my dick."  I think she is pretty awesome and possibly a role model. We then went to Wet Willies and you can take a gander at their wall of alcoholic slushies we stared at while Jessica sang karaoke to Hannah.  Hannah is like the sweetest girl ever and has an adorable little nephew she showed me pics of and Jenna is an adventure seeker. Great people to stay with during my hostel living.

My schedule for June - August? 6 Surf Board trips (including 1 overnight surf boarding trip), 2 kayak trips, 1 snorkeling trip, and 1 stand up paddle boarding - all with the military kids.  We are in the process of finalizing our contract and I couldn't be more stoked!  I need to work this core though and my shoulders, I don't think my body is ready for this.

I'm off to wash clothes, pack, and prepare for an overnight Joshua Tree climbing trip with the foster academy youth.  Leaving tomorrow at 8am until Sunday at 6pm where I will return to this hostel (that reminds me, I need to make my new reservations). It's about a 3 hour trip (or the same amount of time for me to get to Los Angeles) with my executive director who I've barely talked to and 4 other dudes (lead guides) ~ Should be interesting.  Wish me luck!

Vegas, Beaches!

Bed by 2am out the door headed to see Meg by 7:10am. Good thing too, traffic was regular ridiculous LA traffic. I sweated about 3lbs off while sitting in the hot traffic of the 101. Love LA, hate the highway. Got to meet Hank (Jenny's friend) who made us a great breakfast in prep for our adventures and performed his interpretation of  Eye of the Tiger. Also learned about, Julian,CA where I am required to taste some apple pie (supposedly the best apples in California and they don't sell them anywhere in the
state but Julian!)

On the road to Vegas ~ Arrived, checked-in, bikinis on, hit that pool for two hours. Ate, took about 3hours to get ourselves ready for the night, roamed the desert and enjoyed Vegas as adults do. Thank you to the stripper I bought the cheap beer from on the street! Would also like to thank the Monte Carlo for having the best pillows and insanely nice beds! The next day was filled with walking, eating, shopping, and of course some gambling. Megan taught me how to play roulette (tossin them chips) at Paris Vegas Hotel & Casino. Didn't miss the Bellagio and the water show either.

Megan's Goodbye Party was a much needed day of fun. Huntington Beach with brats, hot dogs, pudgy pies, drinks and bonfire! If you don't know what a pudgy pie is, you haven't REALLY camped then. Meg is so inventive and crafty, she created that little fire, mostly with Everclear (which is illegal in the US). Started up fairly quick. Got to see some old friends as well (Artis, Mike, Chavalah, etc) reminisced over hilarious past shenanigans and caught up with current events. Left the beach by 10pm to continue the party at Megan's. Met some interesting individuals there and was ready to hit the sack.

Met up with Chris and Rebecca to enjoy one more day together before I leave for San Diego. We hit up long beach so she could drop her stuff off to a few jewelry stores that she sells in. These are a few of my favorite pieces of hers (that I could wear with almost anything). She let me choose one from her doubles and I now have an original Spina bullet casing necklace (it's a key). If you look at her logo it's a bullet with a recycle sign over it since she melts down old casings for the necklaces, on the back it says "using arms to make art". Yea, she is pretty clever. After we narrowly escaped a swarm of bees that looked like a plague scene from "The Reaping", we headed to the doggie beach.

Rebecca and Lucky beaching it up

Cumpleanos de Gordo!

Last days in LA, very sad, but going to see Big Buddy (Megan) in Anaheim/Vegas tomorrow morning!

So we woke up and I went with Rebecca to the Melrose Trading Post that happens every Sunday at Fairfax high school, where she also sells her awesome jewelry and feather hair pieces.  This place is like a large craft market where you find treasures and rare goodies. I found this amazing wallet that I want to buy, The Magic Wallet (I'll put the creators info up later). He makes the wallets from recycled book covers and you just lay your money or cards in, flip it, and any way you turn it the money secures itself. LOVE IT, need one for outings!

This is Lenise and she is pretty awesome and an all around adorably nice lady (friends with Rebecca)! She did a sage cleansing for me at the market, which is supposed to cleanse your body of unwanted spirits or bad and negative energy as well as balance you. I don't know if it worked, but I can honestly tell you, I didn't prefer the scent (some describe it as a sweet marijuana smell), but I still thought it was awesome to have done and listen to her tell me about it.

Next, Chris and I headed to the Atwater Village Theatre to watch a production of "The Many Mistresses of Martin Luther King". Pretty interesting play and put on by only 5 people. I liked being able to discuss it with my brother and give our opinions on their acting, however, when it was finished and it came to Q&A session, we dipped out. It was a fairly racially driven play and I didn't feel like hearing a lot of debate that night.

Chris riding car down Ralph Aisles

For lunch, Chris used leftovers and made these incredible fajita quesadillas (onion, green pepper, mushrooms, meat, cheese salsa, avocado) and then we headed to the store to gather materials for Cumpleanos de Gordo! Chris wanted a Michigan themed birthday so we made pasties, rhubarb strawberry pie, mac n cheese, brie and apricot dip, and a double chocolate vegan pie for good measure.

For Chris' Birthday we began by singing the Simpsons version of Happy Birthday and changing the words: Happy Birthday! and then heading to The Griddle which is the ONLY place you should ever have breakfast, or at least pancakes, in Los Angeles! They have cap n' crunch waffles, oreo pancakes, red velvet pancakes, the list goes on. We got an omelet, cottage cheese, and the secret cinnamon french toast. T'was life changing and I think I immediately went into a sugar coma as I drank my coffee to balance it out. Every time I hit up LA, it is my goal to either eat at The Griddle or In N Out Burger and order off both their secret menus.

 Next we stopped to see, Lenise! She also does crystal cleansing (that is her main thing) and healing with crystals. This is just one room of her house and she also showed me the "Crystal Cave" in the garage set-up (pretty sweet!). Chris did a session in the outdoor crystal garden and then I did one too (even though it was his birthday). These were supposed to stimulate different things. It was so awesome to hear about all the different stones and what they are each meant for and how you can use them in different ways. Lastly, Lenise totally hooked me up with two gorgeous rings made out of stone (I'll put a pic up later). When I told her I didn't want to take both she informed me that I was, "A Giver. I can tell, you don't take. You have to receive to balance yourself." She is so kind hearted, I hope to see her again when I visit Rebecca and Chris (like monthly).

So here is the disgusting Strawberry Rhubarb pie I made, Rebecca made it beautiful with the slits and the "32" etched out of pie crust. I heard it was good, but I refuse to eat rhubarb. Sorry I tricked you into eating it, Rebecca!  Rebecca served his piece with a candle while we sang him Happy Birthday:

One rock of crack, please

Rebecca made us a wonderful breakfast (mushroom/broccoli scrambled eggs) with avocado, wheat toast, and the best coffee (with almond milk & organic sugar). We then headed straight to San Diego. Things I learned: 1. Always take your brother with you to check out apartments 2. ONLY take the I-5 to San Diego otherwise you have to pay tolls and they don't accept credit/debit cards 3. If it sounds too good to be true - it's a skank house.

So we checked out two hostels for me to stay at and one apartment. Here's how that little excursion went:

First we checked out Lucky D's Hostel - here's the link: Lucky D's Hostel. Pros: Free Internet, free calls in USA, Free Breakfasts (all you can make waffles on the weekend!), free dinners, free pub crawls/walking tours, and computers available. Also very reasonable prices. Cons: 14 day maximum stay, parking sucks (but hey its San Diego), and people are almost too chill there. But I liked it regardless so I put this at the top of my list for places to stay. Here's a review, more pics: Review

Next we checked out a room in a 9 bedroom "house" for $400 plus utilities. I'll let my brothers words explain this: "So a guy from Into The Wild was reading and smoking on the porch and didn't look up to even talk to us, let us walk in this hippy commune. and then the only person living there was some religious Chinese weird talk." So I decided no for this and I also didn't want to have stuff stolen in the middle of the night. I thought to myself, 'If friends came out to visit, would I want them to see this?' Answer was quick and swift.

Next we checked out two other hostels. I didn't much care for the one, but the other was GORGEOUS! There is a cafe attached, the YMCA downstairs, it is in the nicer part of town, and you get a private room with a TV, wireless Internet, and a mini fridge so people don't steal your stuff. Sadly, the price range was a little steeper ($331/week compared to the $258 for 14 days at Lucky D's) but hey, ya get what ya pay for. The parking can run up to $15/day so that was a deciding factor as well.  Also, I was a bit thrown off by the homeless woman screaming in the lobby that they had to call the cops on. I probably didn't help when she angrily looked at my huge saucer eyes staring at her and she yelled, "Yea, I know I'm LOUD!" and I just shook my head yes and stared back.

We checked out one last place which was a hotel at a very low price. We went down many roads and after pulling up near it, I heard myself say, "Maybe this is it, Chris, with the people out front." As soon as we pulled up to the door, I said, "Oh my god, I don't want to get out of the car. Please just pull away. Go!" and he sat there laughing at me, as an older brother would, and said, "Go on, Erika, get out and check it out." If you are wondering what happened, we pulled up to a place that looked like a warehouse with one cracked out woman, two drug dealers, and a buyer. The other side of the street was many grocery shopping carts filled with some of the homeless' belongings and tarps over them.  The homeless weren't the problem, it was the unsavory characters hanging on the stoop of my potential new home. I have posted this picture to give you an idea, but they were a little more salty than this. My brother wanted me to take a picture for my blog, but of course I was too scared.

We hit the traffic, took us about 3.5 hours to get home to LA. Had a delicious dinner and I passed out attempting to watch a movie again. Looks to me that I will be staying in Lucky D's Hostel for at least the first 2 weeks of work.

Today I got to go to my brothers Jui-Jitsu Class and I learned how to stop an attacker by putting him into the guillotine choke hold (pass out in 8-10 seconds) and block hits when someone is on top of you. This is a pretty physical sport. 

We then headed to Porto's Bakery in Burbank for some Cuban pastries! Chris raved about this, so I let him order: Feta Cheese sandwich, apricot cheese danish, and a guava cheese danish. and a small mocha. The line had like 50+ people and they are worth the wait because it is wonderfully insane good food and is very cheap. We basically got an entire meal for like $9-$10. Those guava danishes are $1! I'm glad I don't live here, I don't need that kind of temptation in my life.