The OC Experience :: Part One

To sum up this weekend: California was a BLAST. Oh you want more details? OK, OK ;)

FRIDAY
The anticipation at the airport was high. GQ (C4 just wasn't working so Sarah and I came up with this nickname over the weekend) waited with me until I had to go through security. Kept telling me I would be fine and not to worry (and we may have shared a picture-perfect airport goodbye kiss). After all was said and done I think I was the most anxious before I even set foot on the plane! Take off and landing were sort of exciting and seeing both Columbus and Burbank lit up through the clouds was one of the coolest things I've experienced.

The flight was long, 5 1/2 hours due to strong headwinds. And on top of that we had a 2 hour delay so our original arrival time at Burbank airport of 5 p.m. ended up being 8. I exited the airport to find Sarah waiting for me, and of course had a SQUEE! moment. I thought I would be nervous meeting her for the first time, but it was more like reuniting with a long time friend. Hugs, laughter, making fun of me for overpacking and of course the palm tree discussion. They reminded me of something a little on the hairy side, but later in the trip my view was swayed. I may even be obsessed.

After landing, I had a voicemail from my high school friend Nate saying he knew I was flying in that night but couldn't remember when. He was having a small get together at his apartment and invited us over. We made the trip to Hollywood for a night of Superbad, burned popcorn, microwaved metal bowls, WINE and snakes. Yes, snakes. Normally I hate snakes but this one was sitting in his roommate's lap like a domesticated animal. Sort of adorable. Well, as adorable as a snake can be I guess. It was so good to see Nate, and we parted ways knowing we'd see each other again at Christmastime.

SATURDAY
Sarah and I had ourselves a morning of pampering at Rosey Toes, a nail salon on Balboa Island. Manicures, pedicures and girl talk. I wish I would have taken a picture of the inside of the shop. It was decked out in pink and black, and I swear in miniature it would have made a perfect Barbie house.



We made our way to Laguna Beach for lunch, but not without visiting "The Hills". I was amazed at how the houses are stacked one on top of the other. The road seemed to go on forever but the view at the top was breathtaking. I know what you're thinking, they're just mountains right? Cut me some slack - Ohio is one FLAT state.



Lunch was delicious. BBQ chicken pizza from BJ's and a cookies & cream pazookie (a cookie baked in a pizza pan). TO. DIE. FOR. Let's just say it was devoured in no time flat.



What is a vacation without shopping right? Shoes, sweaters, purses, new winter coats. Yeah, it was heaven. A few hundred dollars and tons of new clothes later, we decided we had worked up an appetite. Sarah's long time friend, Swaaaan met up with us for dinner at Island's (I'd just like to cut in here and say she is freakin hilarious and I'm so glad we met!). They have the biggest burgers I've ever seen. We knew we had to eat up because we had a long night of drinking ahead.



With our stomachs full and some time to waste before our bar escapades began - we laughed our asses off to some YouTube videos. Condom commercials in Europe are hilarious.

Tomorrow I will post Part Two! (Look forward to palm tree groping, drunk girl fights over cigarettes, Michelle as a pimp and my fling with Spongebob Squarepants - GOOD TIMES, GOOD TIMES.)