Tuesday, December 11, 2007

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.)

47 comments:

Sarah said...

heh. I love it. Mn, we really did eat our way through california.

Katie said...

This sounds AWESOME! It's snowing like crazy outside my window right now, so palm trees and sunshine sound like heaven. I'm so jealous!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun! I'm already jealous, and this was only part 1!

Kristen said...

sounds like you had a good time. :)

Tina Poe said...

So fun!! And omg, are those cheesy fries? I also want that giant cookie pie cream.

These pictures make me miss California. I'm glad you had such a good time, and a cute airport kiss to start your trip off right!

Stephanie said...

Looks like so much fun! And so much SUN! Can't wait to hear Part II!

DG said...

HOW FUN!!! Isn't Cali amazing???

Can't wait to hear about part two!

t.b.f.love. said...

Sounds like it was a great trip; how fun! I'm with you on the awe-of-the-mountains thing. Illinois? Flat, flat, flat.

Samantha said...

So glad you loved California!!! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

Jess said...

What a great trip! And such gorgeous photos! I am excited for part two.

Lisa said...

It's 2:30am here and you're making me want things that I cannot get! *Sob* I don't know what a pazookie is and how that even begins to make sense but I will happily take large amounts of ice cream and cookies separately, thanks.

sassafras said...

Oooh! How fun! I can't wait to hear the rest!

Miriam said...

Ooh picture perfect airport goodbye kiss huh? GQ is sounding pretty damn awesome.

I'm excited for Part 2.


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Annie said...

"Cut me some slack- Ohio is one FLAT state."

Ha! I feel ya! I grew up in Missouri and Illinois and when my family traveled it was for softball or to visit other family (all in non-costal areas). So when I went to Mexico with my BF and his family, and I played in the waves for about three straight hours and incessantly giggled, my BF's youngest brother told him, "You're dating a child."

Unknown said...

Mmmmm, love the pazookie. Fabulous!

xox

marisa rose said...

Pazookie looks to die for.

Jess said...

This sounds fantastic! I like Island's. But I knocked over three forks and a drink there the last time I went. How funny that we were both in LA this weekend! :)

ANA said...

I missed all the fun, not fair. My vaio is to blame for that and also the rains that smacked me with a flu :(.
nevermind, you girls have fun. You deserve it.

sweetanemone said...

ummm did someone say awesome?! i can't wait for your next installment! and i am so excited that you got to fly on a plane! hehe

mcgee said...

OH EM GEEE....that dessert looks DIVINE!!!! i'm drooling.

Katelin said...

Aw sounds like you had a great time so far, I LOVE Islands! It's seriously one of my favorite places to eat!

And the pazookie, delish! Can't wait to hear part two!

tiff said...

pizza cookie sounds like pretty much the best invention ever!

email said...

Sounds like fun! I can't stop looking at the two food pics.

Susie said...

Sounds like you had a ton of fun...and lots of awesome food! Can't wait for part 2.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had such a great time! I love the little toesies picture! Anxiously awaiting part 2.
(And thank you for your myspace comment. You rock, chica.)

xoxo

graffiti.girl.designs said...

sounds like you guys had a blast. can't wait to hear the rest. also i am going to need a little more detail on this airport kisser - call me soon! also (thats right another also) please email your new address - thank you kindly ;)

nicole antoinette said...

I absolutely LOVE BJs, especially the pizookies.

Ah! I'm so glad you enjoyed socal :)

A Margarita said...

Sounds like a blast! Mmmmmmm for cookies and wine.

Anonymous said...

wow, that dessert looks sooo good!

Julie Q said...

haha did you guys have those awkward dinners in laguna beach (just like on the show!) Those kids went on the worst first dates ever!!!

LOVE the pics! Can't wait for part 2

Anonymous said...

ahhh that sounds like THEEEE BEST weekend anyone could ask for! and its only part 1!!! the pics are gorgeous. and that pazookie makes me want to lick my screen.

Scotty said...

ooo... Burbank is MUCH better to fly into/out of than LAX.

Pazookies are the absolute BEST.

Islands has some pretty good burgers, and drinks ;)

Lisa said...

Did you not LOVE superbad? That is such a hilarious movie.

Jenni said...

Sounds like you had a GREAT time! I'm glad! You deserved a break!

So I'm really jealous that you went to Island's. My dad lives down there and whenever my sister and I used to visit, he would pick us up from the airport and we would go to Island's...ALWAYS! I LOVE that place! I would always get the Toucan (teriyaki chicken). And their cheese fries are to DIE FOR! I think I see them in your picture...:)

Passionista said...

Never been to Cali, but it really makes me want to take the trip! Sweet of G4 to keep you company :) Looking forward to part 2.

Larissa said...

Oh my word, pizookies are the BEST. I recently tried the cookies and cream one...yummmmmmy.

Yoda said...

What wouldn't I do for some sunshine out here??

Ahh, its been a while since I had a picture perfect airport goodbye kiss! Miss those things :-(

Virginia said...

That sounds awesome (so far)! I can't wait to hear part two.

And the picture-perfect airport goodbye kiss? That is the cutest thing I have ever heard.

Pretty Pretty Princess said...

Islands is one of my favorite places EVER!

Daddy Dan said...

Hey Michelle, I'm glad you had a great time out here. Sorry we couldn't provide you with a little better weather! I'm looking forward to hearing about your little fling with Sponge Bob!

dreamgirl said...

looks like you had a GREAT time and just what you needed :) I've always wanted to go to cali - i cant wait to hear more!

Pessimistic Redhead said...

You went to Laguna and the Hills? My trashy-TV-heart is green with envy.

Trish Ryan said...

What a great trip! I love that you took pictures of dessert :)

You'll tell us what happened when you got back from CA, right???

Princess Pointful said...

Sounds utterly fabulous.
I'm looking forward to hearing about these drunken escapades!!

Liz said...

I am so jealous! And I love the pictures.

L Sass said...

I am completely craving a cheeseburger and a pedicure right now!

erin said...

Looks like a great trip! And the pazookie or whatever it is called also looked delish.

BTW, what was up with those green shots in the other post? What was that?

And I know what you mean about mountains. That's all I wanted to see when I was in Portland!