What's the Best Thing That's Ever Happened?

Have you ever wondered what vertigo feels like? I can't say that I have, but I can now tell you from experience that it's not really fun. It feels like the room is spinning and you can't focus on anything, and sometimes it feels like you're going to throw up and you're exhausted because you've been trying desperately to keep your balance and not fall over or fall off your chair. If you have it really badly, you will throw up. A lot, apparently. (Thankfully I haven't experienced the joy of severe vertigo. Yay for my inner ears!)

So, that's been exciting, as have the "excersises" my doctor gave me to help my inner ears regain their equilibrium. But here's what else that's been excitng around here:



James had a birthday!! I found him a really yummy Oreo birthday cake and almost set it on fire with Happy Birthday candles.



Birthday boy



James wanted to see the Endeavour space shuttle at the science museum for his b-day.



Endeavour was awesome.



Would you like to buy an Endeavour shuttle of your very own? It will only cost you about $2 billion. Meer pocket change!



Many photographs were taken



It was amazing to think that we were looking at something that had been to space and back.

 And then the next weekend...


My lovely/crazy friend made James masks

 

This is the best thing that's ever happened.



Wait....maybe this is the best thing that's ever happened.

 Also, remember that exhibition I was sort of begging you to attend?


I won an honorable mention for my photograph!



No, the photo is not upside down.

 It's been a busy couple of weeks over here! What have you been up to?

Just Like "Saved By The Bell"

So...big month. Since we last spoke, I hit the big 3-0. To celebrate, James and I got sick, and last weekend when we were feeling a little better, we had a picnic with some friends in Fullerton. We brought a ton of food and some frisbees, and discovered just how unskilled we all are at both throwing and catching said frisbees.


Yummy mini cupcakes from Target



James and Chris picking dandelions with Charlie

 Then, for some good old-fashioned fun, some of us went on to play mini-golf. Here's a tip: bring a 6-year-old with you when you go, because he will hopefully stick his golf club up the nose of a giant statue and declare it to be the "most awesome booger touch ever."


This is Paul. If you look in the backround to the left, you can see the giant statue that provided the "most awesome booger touch ever."



Ryan



James on one of the meanest holes ever



Not the greatest pic of me and Ryan, but whatevs, at least you can't see my grey hair



Boys returning to the castle

 Ryan, James and I played in the arcade, because my main goal was to play skeeball, and lots of it.

We combined our winnings to cash in on some of most radical prizes ever. It was just like Saved By The Bell.

How badical are these babies??

And finally, what southern California 30th b-day bash would be complete without a trip to In'n'Out??

Sorry In'n'Out peeps who were just going about their business...

We rounded out the day with wine on the sofa and Little Britain on the television, but there are no photos of that.

I'm being a total social butterfly these days. This weekend I'm at a bachellorette party and bridal shower for my BFF who's getting married in mere weeks - OMG!! Expect pictures. Or maybe not.

Weddings and Birthdays and Family Visits, Oh My!

Before I show rather than tell, I wanted to take a moment to show you...Cal!!

Cal!

A friend got married in April at a beautiful outdoor ceremony in the hills. They had 1,000 paper cranes for 1,000 years of happiness and prosperity.


Cranes





Family Photos



Umm, the cake had glitter. Just sayin'.



Beautiful, happy couple!

James' parents visited us, and we went aaallll over the southland.

Koi at Mission San Juan Capistrano



Prayers



Can I have one in my living room?



Los Angeles






Financial District Art



The Toga Tour at the Getty Villa. Awesome.



I sorta want to jump in and swim laps...



Santiago Oaks



The Old Dam

 James turned 30 while his parents were visiting! Being me, I had to do something rediculous, like get a donkey pinata and sparklers in the shape of the number 30 to put on his cake. And get up at 6am to bake & ice said cake.



Cal & his new friend

 

Cake Sparklers

BTW, if you are considering using cake sparklers, I found that the "0" in mine didn't light. At all.

Finally, what says Mother's Day like WWII aircraft?



Lyon Air Museum





B-17

It was really great to see the B-17 because my grandfather flew in one during WWII. He was a rear gunner. We even got to go inside a B-17 that was in front of the air museum. Plus, my best friend texted me while we were there with a picture of her newly bejewelled left hand, so it was a great day all around!!

PS. Sorry for the image-heavy post. Well, not really. Sorry if you didn't enjoy it, hopefully you did. 


I Sort of Love Giraffes

Ah, Sunday night, when you realize that there's still a whole lotta weekend you'd like to experience...

Took James to the Irvine Spectrum this week. Not being from around here and not being much of a shopper (unlike his wife...), this was a new experience.

Golden Horse, Irvine Spectrum

 When I worked at David's Bridal, one of my brides told me that her fiance proposed to her on top of the Ferris Wheel at the Spectrum. I think of her every time I'm here.


Stormy Sunday

 I turned 29 this week! This is unfortunate timing for James, because it's Valentine's Day the week before, as well as the anniversary of when we got together in college. We choose to celebrate the anniversary, not so much the Valentine's Day. If you look closely, you can see the top of our gold waving cat our friend sent us as a wedding gift. Try not to notice the dust on the lampshade...


Valentine's, Anniversary & Birthday cards

 You're never too old to celebrate your birthday at the zoo, and that's what I did. James and my parents and I drove up to the LA Zoo which I haven't been to in about 20 years, and I looked at animals to my heart's content. I wish I'd seen lions that were awake, and elephants and hippos, and I wish even more that I'd gotten to hug a giraffe, but that's life.


Flamingos



Monkeys, LA Zoo

   

I forget what kind of monkey this is, but I think it had a very bright posterior. No, it's not a baboon.

  

Giraffe, LA Zoo

  I sort of love giraffes. I have a stuffed giraffe from when I was born. His name is Jerry and he's way too disgusting to show you, so you'll just have to make do with these pictures of real giraffes. (I'm sorry, Jerry, you're not disgusting to me.)
 

Me, My Dad, & a Giraffe

 How was everyone else's week/weekend?