Viva Las Vegas

So! Time for a Vegas update.

In case you were wondering, we really had a great time. I have a TON of photos, but I'll try to keep them to a minimum on here. The rest I'm sure I'll post on Facebook.

The first day we were there, (Wednesday,) Geoff and I mostly stayed in our hotel (the Stratosphere) which was HUGE. Unfortunately, we were on the opposite side of the building than the pool, so it took like, years to walk across that place, but once we finally got there, it was worth it. The pool was my favorite part of the hotel. On the 8th floor, it was a really big outdoor pool with a bar and fitness room right next to it. We ordered a drink, and sat in the pool, basking in 90 degree weather. Afterwards, we explored downstairs in the Casino, got a bite to eat, and returned to our room to get some rest for Geoff's birthday the next day.

On Thursday, we slept in for 

a bit, and then prepared for a day of walking. We decided to walk the whole strip that day, down to Minus5, the ice bar I mentioned before. As it happens, the Stratosphere is at the top of the strip, and Minus5 is down by Mandalay Bay, which is at the bottom of the strip. Leaving us about 4 miles to walk, IF we walk

ed in a straight line. (Which, as some of you know, is impossible on Las Vegas Blvd.) Out of all the casinos we went into, the Mirage was EASILY our favorite. It was SO incredibly colorful and fantastic... I'm already planning to save money to stay there next time. Another thing to save money for: Love - Cirque du Soleil (the Beatles tribute). Or any Cirque du Soleil show for that matter. Zoomanity looks amazing also. Those first photos of the colorful place is my favorite spot in the Mirage, which was the room dedicated to the Beatles show, "Love". There was a store with all this really fantastic Beatle stuff, and I really wished I could get Maxx a shirt or something, but there was hardly anything there for less than $50. Figures. 

We also went to the MGM Grand and saw the Lion exhibit, where they keep a few of the lions they use for the roaring lions at the beginning of every MGM movie... you know, that lion. Anyway, there was a glass walkway, where you walk "into" the lion pen, protected by glass.. And while we were there, all the lions happened to be sleeping RIGHT over the walkway, on top of where all the people were walking. 

Sleepy, sleepy lions... 

Later down the strip, we found the Coca Cola store, where we proceeded to taste 16 different sodas from around the world. Very interesting... some tasty, some awful.

After an entire afternoon of walking and exploring, we finally made it to Minus5, and had a fantastically unique experience at the ice bar. The ice was so smooth! That was the coolest part for me, I think, since I went around and ran my mittened hands all over the finely crafted structures and statues. The drinks tasted better in glasses made completely of ice than they would have in normal glasses, too! But I definitely see why they limit people to only 3 drinks tops. I only had one, and I felt a little loopy after leaving that chilly room..

We then had to book it back up to the top of the strip for our dinner reservation at the Top of the World restaurant on the 109th floor of the Stratosphere. It was SO much fun getting all dressed up together, and riding the super fast elevator (3 floors a second!) to the top of the tower... I've never been to a fancier restaurant in my life. Nor have I spent so much money on a meal... but it was all quite worth it. We ordered a half bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for our wine, and then had the 3 course meal for two, which included a beautiful salad, a fat steak, mini sweet flavored onions, asparagus, garlic potatoes, artichoke heart, and some sort of creature that we didn't eat, but I poked at a little. Oh, and then there was dessert, which was some sort of chocolate raspberry mouse thing made in the shape of the Stratosphere tower. Beautiful AND fabulous tasting. 

We had our picture taken up there, but purchasing them was way expensive, and after having just spent a ton of my savings on dinner, I wasn't apt to spend $40 extra dollars on some cheesy photos. (Even though they were pretty cute.) We tried to take a few photos of us together, so these are the closest we could get.. A myspace-esque photo, and a classic camera-pointed-at-mirror shot. Hahah.. oh well. Better than nothing, right? I only wish I'd remembered to bring my camera to the restaurant!

We also went up to the observation deck to view the strip from the top (both outside and inside the building). There, we saw the rides that crazy people go on up there. There are 3. "The Big Shot", which is like Tower of Terror, except on the needle of the Stratosphere, "Insanity", which looks like an egg beater that hangs you over the edge of the building, (Geoff and I were going to go on that one, but ended up wanting to save money,) and then there's the "X-Scream", which I have taken a picture of for mom to freak out over. (It's the one you told me not to go on, Mom...haha.) It looks like a roller coaster, but acts like a see-saw sort of thing. You get pushed up the teeter-totter, 

and then it swings down until it looks like you're going to be shot out into oblivion, straight down onto the strip, but it stops you just in time, as you're hanging down over the edge of the tower. Horrifying, really. I took this picture of it on it's way down to the stopping point. (Which is way below that fence there, by the way.)

After a little rest in the room, we went out to a nightclub at the Mirage called "Jet", since it was Ladies Night, and earlier that day, we received some admission tickets to get us in for free. I also got tickets for being a girl that got me 3 free drinks! It was pretty fun, but I woke up the next morning with blisters all over my poor little feet from doing all that walking in heels, and my legs are still killing me. But all in all, it was worth it. We had a fantastic time, and didn't get into too much trouble, which I'm sure, was to the parents' relief, eh? 

Also, we didn't gamble at all! Which, I must admit, I kind of really wanted to try to play the penny slots just for fun (only a penny for one try, right?) but we didn't have any cash, and didn't want to use the ATMs at the Casinos, since it was like a $4 charge per withdrawl, you know... Oh well. Maybe next time.

Ahhh, I guess that is all the highlights for now.. There are tons of stories to this trip, and I've told all the ones I have photos for, and some that stuck out particularly for us, so I'm going to leave it at this for now. All in all, it was really a lot of fun, and I feel quite refreshed now. Had a lovely time at the Animal Shelter today, and I'm ready for Mayterm class to start on Tuesday!

Love to you all!

Vegas, baby.

So, after sort of avoiding the place for a while, I've finally suckered myself into going to visit Las Vegas. 

I've kind of always stayed away since the only thing appealing about it from afar, to me, is the shiny lights and the shows I can't afford to see. It looks expensive and I have no desire to gamble, so what's the point in going, right?

Well. Things may change.

I was thinking about what to do for Geoff's birthday next week, (the 23rd,) and as much as I wanted to take him to the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown L.A. to eat at the rotating restaurant on the roof, I could only afford to pay for either the hotel,

 OR the meal. But not both. (Turns out, they end up being around the same price.) So, upon researching other rotating bars/restaurants, I came across the Stratosphere in Vegas which has both a rotating restaurant (called Top of the World Restaurant) and a rotating lounge (the "Romance Lounge"). The lounge and restaurant sit atop the Stratosphere, over 800 feet above Las Vegas with all glass around it for a panoramic view that should be simply stunning.

A little more research, and I happened to find a fantastic deal on a hotel room actually in the hotel of the Stratosphere (which is located in the middle of the strip too, so it's walking

 distance from everything.) I paid like, a total of $73 for a room for 2 nights. That includes taxes. Impressive, no? Also it gives us free access to the top of the Stratosphere which has like, rides where they dangle you over the top of the building and stuff... Looks pretty intense. Anyway, that gives us some money to buy food and drinks while we are there. We can't afford going to see any shows, but I'm sure we'll be entertained by just walking the strip and seeing all the lights and such. 

We do have one plan... or I do, at least. I want to take Geoff to a bar called "Minus5" which is a vodka bar made entirely of ice. The walls, chairs, bar, shotglasses, ceiling, everything is carved out of ice. You are only allowed in there for about 30 minutes due to regulations, and may not have more than 3 drinks. I'm sure we'll only have one drink though, since it's like $30 for one drink and the tour. They issue you big furry jackets and hats and boots and mittens though so you won't get cold while you're visiting. Sounds like fun to me! They don't let you take cameras in, but if the photo they take isn't too expensive, maybe we'll purchase it and I'll post it on this blog for you guys.

My friend Robyn is letting me borrow her fabulous Vegas dress which is ruffly and orange/red (very cute) so I'll definitely be taking lots of photos. 

Unrelated to Vegas, I finished my last Final today for Compassion, and so I am officially done with my Spring Semester. After Mayterm (which is only like 3 weeks long anyways,) I will be a senior! yikes. Oh, did I tell you I start Bartending school on May 4th? That's like in... 2 weeks? 2 and a half? Anyway. I'm excited for that also. I think that's all for now. I'm going to go have a snack and do more lazing about while I still can. Ciao!

Finally finished!

Today, I finished my book.

15 copies of an original children's book, written, illustrated, printed and bound by yours truly!

(Okay, Geoff helped me bind a few at the end after my hands gave out.) :D

I intend to mail some out to you guys once they are given back to me after they are graded.

It's extremely satisfying, and that also means that I have one more project to do before I'm done with my Spring Semester!! 

I'm just glad my biggest project is out of the way.

I know I haven't told you guys yet, so there is news around the house!

Laura and her boyfriend Bryce are moving out to start their own life, which will be fantastic for them! I'm very happy they are getting to do this, and Geoff and I have been trying to help all we can. It is looking like Liz Smith (my dear friend from high school in case you guys don't remember the name,) will be living with us this summer in one of the rooms we are renting out! I'm super excited, because I miss her terribly, and she is so easy to be around, living with her is going to be a treat! We've been looking for someone else to fill Laura's room for a longer period of time, and we think we've found someone. His name is Bryce,(#2) and he is a med student graduating this year. He got a job at Loma Linda, so he will be coming to this area from Seattle at the beginning of this summer. Turns out, he is interested in Emergency Medicine, which is cool because that's what Geoff is interested in also! They will have much to nerd out about. :)

So, Geoff and I have been thinking about the things we are going to need to acquire when Laura and Bryce (#1) leave, and so far we have gotten two end tables, a coffee table, and a kitchen table and 5 chairs all for about $100! (Thank you, Craig's List.) I have been saving some of my birthday money, trying to stock up for things we need... and also something we want. Geoff and I have been thinking about adopting a puppy since I first started volunteering at the animal control center in San Bernardino. It is starting to look like this may actually become a reality pretty soon. We've both been putting money away to afford the care and love of this animal, and are now waiting to find just the right one. We've planned it out so our schedules will be ideal for the training of the puppy this summer before we enter our senior year. Since I will be bartending this summer, I will be working primarily at night, and Geoff will be working primarily during the day, at least one of us will always be home to spend time training and taking care of the puppy. Come fall, he will be trained and used to being independent. We can't wait!

Oh, also! Geoff is getting oriented and trained to be a volunteer with me at the shelter tomorrow! Hooray!

I really love working there... I don't think I've told you, but I've been sort of ... "promoted", I guess, at the shelter! I got trained to help with Adoptions, which means now I can go into the puppy house and get out little puppies for people and help them in the adoption process. I deal more with the public now, but still get to walk and play with the dogs. Lately, I've been playing with the dogs most of the other volunteers are too nervous to take out of the kennel. (Geoff pointed out that I was the same way with the dogs as I used to be with the horses.) Last Saturday, I played with a beautiful, sweet Mastiff (similar to a tank,) a rottweiler mix, and some sort of a shepherd/pit bull mix. Very strong dogs, but very fun. I much prefer playing with the bigger dogs than the smaller ones, personally.

Alright I think that's all for now. It's bed time!! 

EARLY BED TIME. FINALLY. AFTER A WEEK OF HARDLY ANY SLEEPING!!

Ciao!

Random, But worth reading.

This could be yours.

Or mine.

How could you NOT take those big blue eyes home?

Honestly.

On another unrelated note to dogs or anything, you all should definitely watch this video:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH ME

It is amazing and edifying and terrifying all at the same time.

Definitely an experience.

Birthday, etc.

So I bet you all are wondering how my birthday went!

(And I assure you the reason for my delayed report is NOT because I have been hungover since then.) :D

Well, Geoff and I had a lovely time in Palm Springs.

We first went to an outdoor bar/restaurant called Azul, which was wonderful, but a little pricey.

We hung out there for a while, and I ordered my first drink! It was a raspberry Mojito! (delicious).

However, the bartender made our drinks SO STRONG, that after two drinks (the second was a raspberry lemon drop martini, I would later discover was a $13 drink...) I was pretty much set for the evening. Hence, I am sorry to say that I do not have any photos of my birthday. But, I assure you it was full of fun, walking up and down the strip of little stores and restaurants in Palm Springs, stopping every once in a while for a drink. I think at some point we had Nachos too.

Thank you all for the birthday present money, which I received in the mail, and for the happy loving wishes and phone calls I got during the day. :) It was great to hear from you all.

On a completely unrelated note, Geoff and I did this really awesome thing last week, which they call "Flavor Tripping". (It's completely safe and legal and all that so let me explain first.) And don't worry. It's not a drug or anything.

There are these tropical berries they call "Miracle Berries", or "miracle fruit" which, after eating, give you the illusion that sour things taste sweet. They make these in small

 tablets now which can be bought online, usually coming from Asia. They did an article about these "Miracle Fruits" in the New York Times not too long ago... you can read the article here, if you are interested. Anyway, my housemates Laura and Bryce had bought a box of these to try out, and they gave us their last two tablets. We put them on our tongues until they dissolved, (about 30 seconds or so,) and then went about the house, trying to eat everything strange we could get our hands on. To our astonishment, the results were INCREDIBLY powerful. 

Lemons and Limes tasted like candy... (I actually ate like, an entire lemon as if it were an orange. They were my favorite...) Balsamic Vinegar was stran

ge tasting, but not bad! Tabasco Sauce was incredibly sweet, but still had the after-kick of spice. I put a ton on my tongue... delicious! Guinness tasted like chocolate, and Corona just tasted... strange.

I wrote down everything we tried, and Geoff and I rated them:

Lemons -- K (A+) G (A+)

Lime -- K (A) G (A)

Tabasco -- K (A-) G (A-)

Pickle -- K (C) G (too grossed out to try) 

(It just tasted like a sweet pickle, really...)

Corona -- K & G (B)

Vinegar -- K & G (C+)

Wine -- K & G (B)

Guinness -- K (B) G (B-)

Horseradish -- K (B+) G (too scared.)

Spicy Brown Mustard -- K (B-) 

(tasted like honey mustard.. bleh.)

Minced Garlic -- K (B) G (B-)

Anyway, I highly recommend the experience! It's a lot of fun to try, and it's actually a really great thing for people with diabetes... makes not sweet things taste really sweet... gets your sugar fix without you eating sugar! 

I will warn you though, if you eat too much of this weird stuff, you might want to limit yourself... all that acid from the sour fruits gives you an interesting feeling in your tummy sometime after the tabasco... :P  Bleh!

I love you all very much, and Geoff sends his greetings to you too.

Take care of yourselves!

Much love!

Sad.

My beautiful puppy Yo-Yo, my favorite at the shelter, the one I would spoil and play with whenever possible, did not get adopted this Saturday like I'd hoped.

And so, today, she got very sick, and as it goes with sick dogs at animal control, she was put down.

My compassionate volunteer coordinator, Dreena, was kind enough to send me a sympathy email, letting me know about yo-yo. She let me know that the "nurse" Sona, held her very gently in her arms as she peacefully fell asleep for the last time... so she wasn't alone, and she left in a loving atmosphere.

She was a wonderful dog. She was only a few months old and she could sit, come, would play, and crawl in your lap to snuggle and get a belly rub. I would have taken her home if I could have.

Needless to say, most of today was sad for me.

On a brighter note, my wonderful housemate Laura took me out to Niko Niko Sushi (a local sushi place,) for an early birthday dinner. We got the Crunchy Spider Roll and the Sapporo Roll, (which was new for both of us,) and it was delicious. We had a lovely chat, and now I am home. Time to get back to work...

Oh, by the way. My childrens book is coming out pretty nice. I'm happy with it. I've done 8 out of 16 of the illustrations, so I still have my work cut out for me, but luckily it is our last Typography project of the semester, so I have a few weeks to work on it.

I was Blind but now can See!

So, wonderful news.

I was worried about passing my eye test when I renewed my license next week, and as you can imagine, became considerably nervous as I attempted to read road signs far away as I rode with Geoff. So, with TONS of Linda's help, I managed to find a really lovely Optometrist/Opthomologist in Redlands to get contacts and an eye exam. Yesterday was my appointment... it all went very fast... but to put things shortly, I've ordered a year's supply, my doctor's name is Dr. Ledesma, and he is very nice. He talks really fast, and sounds like he knows a lot, but isn't annoying about it. He said that I probably would have barely passed the eye exam without contacts, but that it was good I was getting them now. Also, they give me free saline solution any time I want, so I don't have to keep buying it!

To be honest, even though I have to wake up 20 minutes earlier than I used to now in order to get my contacts in on time in the morning, it's totally worth it. I see SO much more detail at a distance that I haven't seen before... Let me tell you. The mountains here are gorgeous! Even on our smoggy days! :) I feel way more confident about reading things far away, and won't ever have trouble reading power points during lectures if I'm seated at the back of the room. Happy day. Thank you Dad and Linda! :)  ...AND now I don't have to search for my glasses to wear and look silly for my California license photo! Hehehe. yay. Life's small pleasures, right?

In other news, Geoff is taking an EMT refresher course and interviewing for a job as an 

EMT this summer this weekend in L.A., so I will be alone for most of this weekend. :( At least I will get lots of work done I guess....

OH! Goodness, I forgot to mention! My dear friend Albert, who is a fellow photographer, who worked with me at the Bulldog Weekly my Freshman year.. has had a child. Which, I know, is terrifying to me too, but .. I guess I just had to say it! Albert has a baby. It's really a trip for me and Megan--we can't believe it. Considering we had no idea if this was his plan or not, and I didn't even know he was seriously dating someone! Anyway, that was a shocker. His baby shower is this weekend, but I'm afraid I probably won't be able to attend, since Geoff will be taking the car into L.A. all weekend... Gosh. Anyway, don't worry family, I'm not having babies. But congratulations to Albert all the same. My friend is a daddy. (whoa.)

Also, for my Typography class, I am going to be writing, illustrating, designing, printing, and binding my own children's book! I have to admit, I am intimidated but still excited at the same time about this. It will be featuring a character called ________ the hedgehog, (he has yet to be named,) and concerns the subject of Colors. So, it's a REALLY little kid's book I guess. But I have to make 13 copies, so Mom & David will get one, Dad & Linda will get one, I will keep a few for my portfolio, and maybe I will give Albert one to read to his baby. :D I hope it turns out looking pretty good.

Hmm, that's all I can think of for now! 

Oh, wait, I'll put up a picture of my favorite puppy at the Animal Control Center!! I played with her for about an hour last saturday... hopefully she's adopted by now. Her name is Yo-yo. Isn't she precious?? She can sit, walk on a leash, plays fetch, and crawls into your lap to cuddle when you sit on the ground. And she's only about 4 months old!! I would take that dog home in a second! We think she is a yellow lab / pit bull mix. Really a beautiful girl. :)