An LA type of labor day weekend.

This past weekend Micah and I headed down to Los Angeles for some quality time with family and friends. It was a great break from my normal routine and who says that one can't need a vacation from unemployment. I sure felt like I did, and was so thankful to have time away to relax and enjoy great company.

On Saturday, Micah's family took us to Thai food with a view. Even though it was a little foggy and windy, the restaurant had a great patio, complete with outside heaters which came in handy.



My attempt at a self-portrait group shot, not so shabby if I don't say so myself.



Saturday was also kick-off for the new season of college football. Alabama rocked it out of the park with a high-score win against Kent State. Of course, no one's ever heard of Kent State or their football team, so that was to be expected. Unfortunately, the much anticipated Oregon vs LSU game left us feeling sad and discouraged. However, I have faith that Oregon's team can pull it together and really it was more so their mistakes that cost them the game then LSU playing well.

On Sunday we got the chance to re-connect with some friends that we met in Colorado, and have since also moved back to California. Alicia and I were in the same dual-degree program and I miss her a ton! And, Micah and I of course miss hanging out with Alicia and Alberto. Our first stop was Aroma Coffee & Tea Company. It was a great brunch place. Our second stop was Hollywood. But, before getting on the underground metro we noticed this car's advertisement. It's for the Hollywood Cookie Diet.



If you can't read it well, the tag line says, "Eat a cookie, Skip a meal." Awesome.

We walked around the outside of Grauman's Chinese Theatre scanning all the signatures and handprints of the rich and famous.



Of particular importance was running across the dynamic trio from the Harry Potter series.



Here's another attempt at a self-portrait group photo. It was so great to hang out with A & A. For me, I was able to bemoan my current job status with someone that really understands exactly where I'm at, as she is right there with me.



I was able to see the hollywood sign for the third time in my life!





Later that night, after enjoying dinner at their place, we went down to Universal City Walk, which is right by Universal Studios. It's a pretty lively area.



There's a candy store on the walk called It'Sugar. They had an unbelievable amount of candy and candy paraphernalia. Oddly enough, out of all the candy that was available, we bought a pack of nerds, wild cherry and watermelon flavors.



After walking around for a bit, we ended up at Hard Rock Cafe, where we got drinks, dessert, and some utterly terrible service. The waitress claimed it was her third night on the job, but we were skeptical that she wasn't just bad at her job and didn't want to lose a good tip!



On Monday, Micah and I made these pancakes for his family. They were just as good as I remembered. Everyone loved them. Afterwards we made the short trek over to Downtown Disney, which is an area similar to Universal City Walk as it has stores and restaurants outside of the park. Therefore, not costing any money to enjoy the surroundings.

The big Lego store was awesome! We ended up buying some lego harry potter magnets. Yes, I'm aware of the unhealthy trend that is happening. But, I'm just so sad about the end of the harry potter era!



As we continued walking, we happened upon this gentleman making some minny mouse candy apples (the ears are marshmallows!) I couldn't help but drag Micah inside to get a caramel apple.



We went with the more plain, caramel peanut apple. Can you believe that a minny mouse chocolate dipped apple will cost you $10.00!!! Somebody is making bank on those suckers! Oh the magical world of Disney.



We had a fabulous time in LA. I cannot reiterate enough how great it was to get a little breather, spend time with family and friends, and just be together for a few days. I'm also happy to report that LA weather cooperated the last couple days we were there with some warm weather! (There's an ongoing joke that whenever I come to visit LA I bring bad weather, because it would always be unusually cold or windy or something.) I hope that the curse is broken and I will continue to enjoy good weather when I'm there.

our new apartment, the bedroom.

We are finally mostly settled into our new apartment. All but a couple random things that are still lingering in the living room have found a space to call their own. And, it already feels like home.

Micah moved back to San Francisco a month before I did, so when I got here our apartment was already picked out. Yes, I had seen pictures. But when we pulled up with all our stuff ready to be unpacked, I was a little anxious to see our new place. I trusted Micah, but this was going to be home for at least the next year, so I wanted to love it. And, I do. But, it took a little nesting first.

The first room to come together was the bedroom. I think this was for two reasons: 1. we had most of the furniture already, 2. I was so excited to have a bedroom large enough to move around in!



As your can tell, our bedroom is mostly black furniture, lots of white and grey, but with accents of red and blue.



One thing we were not crazy about is a tacky, fake wood accordion door that exists to separate an opening between the living room and bedroom. I did not want to wake up staring into my living room (that's why I rented a 1-bedroom, not a studio). But, I also did not want to look at that awful accordion door.



Problem solved. It's like having a red accent wall!

I only wish the chair (which previously found a home in the living room) was a different color. I don't have the slightest clue how to go about reupholstering a chair like that (or any chair for that matter).



Our two nightstands were the only new furniture purchase. And they cost a grand total of $80, bought off craigslist. Oh, to have space for nightstands, what a luxury!

And, that's the bedroom. The only thing I still would like to do is find a purpose for that wood beam (seen in the first & third pictures) that has 4 hanging hooks. I am thinking maybe some type of lanterns. I'm not really a plant person, I kill plants when I have them, so that wouldn't work. But, other than that, I think the room came together quite nicely.