Out In Town

3...2...1... SUMMER is HERE!!!!!!

What is one to do when the summer is just beginning and your vacation is just ending? Well, to make the best of it … would seem the best answer! The bright colors and the linen pants are virtually everywhere ... good choice considering the rising temperature. As for me, school starts this week. Another ten weeks of heavy reading and long nights at Starbucks cramming for tests. So much fun!! This past couple of weeks I decided to use my nights and weekends doing as much as possible to prepare myself for the next ten weeks of exile from the “normal” world: I went out and try to enjoy what this gorgeous city has to offer.

I was often at the movies. I went to Universal Studios City Walk to watch Shrek the Third. It was just as hilarious as the previous installments. I love the baby-shower part and the increased screen time for the other characters: Cinderella, Snow White…etc. I was there with E. We ate at Café Tu Tu Tango. The chicken empanadas were delicious! Then we walked around City Walk and did some souvenir shopping. We got tickets for the last show 11:50 PM, so we left the place at around 2:00 AM. It was a very fun movie, definitely worth the staying up late. We also went to see 28 Weeks Later at Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade. This movie was just as intense, if not more, than the first one. We walked around the promenade and got some French crêpes with some Starbucks hot chocolate. E and I also watched Knocked up at the Northridge Mall in the San Fernando Valley. This movie was just extremely hilarious. Probably not a good date movie, if your date is a woman. But, since I do not have that problem we had a blast. Man, guy-movies are so much fun. We got some food at Applebee’s, and then called it a night. We watched a low-key movie called Fracture. Even though E and my other friend fell asleep, I liked the movie. I also went with my family to watch Fantastic Four’s Rise of the Silver Surfer. My brothers are fans of any comic flick.

I went to enjoy an Opera with some co-workers. It was a very much-advertised Placido Domingo’s opera called Luisa Fernanda. It was entirely in Spanish and the performers did a great job. I loved it, especially the ending. It leaves you speculating on the end result of Luisa’s choice. The event took place at LA’s Opera house, The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, in the heart of Downtown. It is always fun and refreshing to walk around these streets and getting some drinks on its outdoor bars. I also went with my coworkers to this chic place in Downtown called J-Lounge. It is really nice. The best part besides its Mango-Mojitos and its cabañas, is that as the evening approaches and it starts getting darker, the Downtown skyline shines in the background contrasting with the patio heaters’ light creating a very inviting atmosphere. It was fun. Maybe I drank a little bit too much … but nothing to feel ashamed about

E and I also took a trip to Santa Barbara. We ate, shopped and had a great time. This city seems to have stopped in time. It’s calm streets and yet lively pubs are a fun contrast. We sat at the pier and talked, and talked and talked … well, he did most all the talking. I also took the opportunity of taking my dog (a rottwailer out for a walk out in the nice SoCal weather after a visit to the Vet.

So, school is beginning. No free summer for me. But, at this point I feel I’m ready to hit the books. Besides I have the 4th of July long weekend and a week off from work during the summer. Movies, Opera, Chic restaurants and bars, beaches, parks, cafes and retail stores… you gotta love Southern California.

posted by Guerrero Azteca @ 4:09 PM