The Golden State

Finally got round to posting some holiday snaps...

First stop L.A. mainly we hung out on Sunset Strip and went to lots of the infamous hang outs... Whiskey a go go, Viper Rooms, Formosa Cafe, Trocadero.  I guess my favourite thing was seeing Steve Adler and having my book signed haha!

Did lots of the trashy tourist stuff like Universal Studios, hollywood stars and their homes... the black and white house is Simon Cowell's, 7515 Mullholland Drive is Tarantino's.  

We did try to do something a little more cultural one day - we headed down town to one of the art galleries but it was closed ha!! 

Next we spent a few days at Santa Monica & Venice beach... check out Teddy posing on Muscle Beach!!

Then we took the PCH 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to San Franciso the scenery was amazing, only wish we had more time to stop and take more photos.  The land gradually changes from almost desert like to lush green national parks with a rugged coast line all the way.

San Fran was really cool it has lots of character with the old Victorian houses and the steep hills, the Bay is really beautiful too.  We did all the main tourist stuff - walked across the Bay Bridge, visited Alcatraz, took a ride on one of the old trolley cars.

World Cup Action

Not had much time recently to blog and nothing really exciting to report.  Just a LOT of work!  I thought I would post some pics of the beer garden during the world cup... sorry about the quality they are from a blackberry.
It was great opening the beer garden the day the world cup started; it was so popular for weekend early kick-offs we had queues outside the door at 6am! 
Russell came down yesterday and tried one of the wurst platters and enjoyed a few steins.  As good as they are, I am kinda sick of the sight of the wursts now.  I don't even think I have ate that many just seen enough of them !! 

Absolutely Wonderful

... This was one of Ted's favourite sayings whilst in DC!  Particularly about the food.  He thought it was funny that we always seem to take photos of food and he liked to join in the fun.  So here is a special food blog of some of what we ate while they were here.  (Yes we are all a little bit rounder).

Dinner @ Nooshi - One of mine & Russell's go to places

 

Pizza @ 2Amy's - One of the best Pizzerias in DC

 

Dessert @ Filomena Ristorante - An Italian Val & Ted found

BBQ sauce accident! @ Old Glory

Burgers @ Bullfeathers

Enjoying the infamous Chili Half-Smoke @ Bens Chili Bowl

Busy Bee

It's been such a long time since I blogged - my time is kinda precious now.  I started my job at the beer garden two weeks ago and its been really hectic.  The place is mega busy over the weekends and we are working LONG hours.  I am not grumbling though as means finally making some bucks!  My name even got mention in a review for the place :D
I have also started a second job; which I am really excited about it is working for a urban ministry which runs summer camps for kids in the more impoverished neighbourhoods in the city.  I am the Executive Directors Assistant mainly helping with admin/accounts stuff but will also get to work with the kids sometimes.  I am so happy about this job!  Here is their website if you want to see what I will be doing City Gate

Another Sightseeing Tour

Russell's folks arrived last week for their first visit to DC, so the sightseeing starts again! Our first stop was the Zoo...

The obligatory zoo photo... there is always a queue for this shot!

We were lucky enough to see the orangutan's out playing on their ropes; they dropped a couple of poops each I hope they weren't aiming at anyone!

The otters were my favourite; this little guy was very cheeky.

We visited the Old Post Office and went up the tower; which gives you a brilliant view of DC.  

Out playing shuffle board... at one of our locals

We also visited the Smithsonian American Indian Museum which we hadn't been to before.  They were having a Hawaiian Celebration Day so I got to make a Hula necklace :)

An Indian Warrior made from baseball gloves :)

Not sure what the plan is yet for us this weekend, hope you have a happy one though xxx