Cutie in a Cape

I just had to post a few of these photos from my shoot this past weekend on my personal blog..they are too cute for words! He was a photographer's dream!

California Adventures - Update & Film

So, I have been talking a lot to my parents about my future in Cali. It could be possible to stay there this summer, it is just a lot to work out and get together in such a short amount of time, I would rather have more time to plan it all out. Now, I think the plan is I will start graphic design either this summer or in the spring and take the fall semester to live in Cali and take classes, get a job or internship (I have found a ton!) OR go next summer and get an internship--that sounds like the best plan. And my mom is considering taking a break and going to work at a pharmacy in California , she is going to call the recruiter for that area and she loves the pharmacies in Laguna, so she would be there with me for my first time living there for a little while. I just cant wait to start this journey.

I  just got my film developed. I only took two rolls but here are some of them!

California Adventures - Afterthoughts

First, I forgot to share some of my California playlist that has been on my ipod for probably 2 years. It pretty much has every great song written about or has to do with California. And yes, I listened to it the whole way there, while we were and definitely now that I am back. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. California Dreamin - The Mamas & Papas (the most obvious)
2. California - Phantom Planet (OC theme song)
3. Going to California - Led Zeppelin
4. California Stars - Billy Bragg & Wilco
5. Hotel California - The Eagles 
6. More Bounce in California - Soul Kid
7. California - Hawk Nelson
8. San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) - Scott McKenzie (All time favorite)
9. California - Joni Mitchell
10. California Soul - Marlena Shaw
11. California - Shawn Mullins
12. Dear California - Vanessa Carlton
13. California Sun - The Ramones
14. California Girls - The Beach Boys
15. Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Next, my jumbled-emotional-crazy thoughts about my future in Cali. I feel like I have a few options and know the right thing will happen I just feel so strongly about getting back there--the best way to describe it is I feel like there is a magnet just pulling me there. I cant even pin point what I love about it so much, it is just the over all feel of me being there. Here are the options I have thought about so far:

• Option 1: This could be a stretch, but moving there just for this summer and getting an internship or a job there so I can really get a feel of what it would be like to live there. Then, come back and start school in the fall. This is my favorite option, however it depends on my GPA at the end of the semester and if it is high enough to be able to get into the graphic design program in fall.
• Option 2: Go live there this summer and if I come back and dont get into the graphic design program for fall I could take that semester to work on my minor in business/photography and get those courses taken care of and then start in the Spring. I know it might not sound like the best option on paper, but I talked with my adviser today and she said starting in Spring is not that bad.
• Option 3: Take summer classes in Cali--just like 2 core courses so it would raise my GPA for when I come back in the fall and have a better chance of getting into the program. This is basically like the first one and I think it would be good for me to experience having a job and taking a class or two there to get a feel for everything.

I just cant shake the feeling of what it felt like leaving. That awful feeling where your throat starts closing up, holding back tears. As of where I would want to live, I dont know. I honestly would be fine with anywhere and wouldnt mind commuting to LA if I had to for an internship. My top choice would be Laguna Beach or Encinitas--just because they are more authentic beach towns and have a smaller feel. But, University Heights is a good area in San Diego I wouldnt mind living in either. Or the Silverlake community in Los Angeles. There is just something about the true beach towns and the beaches themselves (like crystal cove) that are so inspiring--I guess because you can tell it is all natural, no one has made those beaches or altered them. This may sound weird but I feel close to the sky when I am there, I cant explain it.

California Adventures - Day 5

So, today was our last day here and last night was our last night in the Inn. Everyone at the inn were all so cool and nice, I want to go back and work there when I move, I would love it. Going to miss them a lot. And I went and told our chef Paula if I ever become rich and famous I am coming to find her and spending all my money hiring her as my personal chef. After we left I was really bummed but perked up later. After I put on my big black sunglasses to cover up my sad eyes, we headed to a town called Encinitas north of La Jolla. It was a cool authentic beach town--one of the few left that arent all built up and commercialized. And had amazing vintage stores :)

In my element

 Had to get some fish tacos before I left! Yummmmm

 Bracelet made from wet suits from a local surfer

 View from our car of Encinitas

After we left Encinitas we drove through the campus of University of California at San Deigo. It was beautiful--all the streets and the campus was lined with trees, I really loved the feel of it there.

Next, we checked into our hotel then headed back out to see the cove. I wanted to take pictures at sunset but it was a very overcast day so there wasnt really a sunset :( Nonetheless, the cove was breathtaking. I couldnt believe all the seals just laying on the rocks. Pictures really dont do the cove justice.

Best picture I got at La Jolla Cove -- need a wide angle lens :/

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Took a picture of this water front villa for rent for my grandparents to get :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was planning on doing a style column on my outfits for everyday in Cali, but that didnt happen. But, here is a bit of my outfit from today with my latest color obsessions--mint and fuchsia!

After we left La Jolla Cove we headed to dinner at the amazing Trulucks. It was so so good--I just wish I hadnt been too full for dessert (which almost never happens).

Wedge Salad

My Red Snapper with blackened shrimp and crawfish on top with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes

Now, we are back at the hotel and I had to take a picture of these two. You have not experienced "going green" until you have been to California--it is great.

As we were finishing up dinner tonight the young manager of the restaurant came to talk to us--she was from Tennessee. We got to talking about how she got to Cali and she said she had met her husband studying abroad and this is where his family's company is. But, when she moved here she had no idea where she was going to work or live and didnt know a soul. She told me all the ways she got to know people and find jobs and internships and it was just overall really encouraging--it was like she was meant to come talk to us tonight. She said if you are in any way shakey or in doubt, it probably isnt going to turn out well but if your mind is completely made up then you need to go for it. And thats what scares me. I was coming here thinking I would love it ofcourse but still couldnt imagine just moving from Auburn knowing no one and leaving all my friends....but I have fell in love and wasnt prepared for me to love it here this much. I guess I would like to try to get a summer internship or something here over the summer, if I dont have to start school this summer, so then I can get a feel of what it would be like to really live here. I am determined to get an internship in the future with Bri Emery in L.A. Check her out here. I can just picture myself living here so perfectly. Anyways, I know the right thing will happen and it would be terrifying moving here without knowing anyone but I can come back to my friends at the inn and the girl from the restaurant gave me her e-mail address. She was SO nice and is about to move to San Francisco (which I still want to to visit to see if I would like living there better) and said to call her anytime I come back. 

I forgot to mention how amazing the stars are in the west coast. As many of my friends know, I am a huge believer of the stars so they really draw me in here. 

The trip went by so fast but we really fit so much in and saw so many things. It is truly hurting my heart to leave. I will probably be pretty bummed for a few days but I will be happy to see Neko (my cat) and my friends! I just never imagined I could love a place so much in my life--it just feels like home. Ill be leaving half of my heart here tomorrow.

I have probably forgotten a bunch of stuff or some important details so I will probably do a post of things I forgot when I get home.