Tuesday Quotes

Posted on November 29, 2011 by jamiegall1930

If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.
St. Clement of Alexandra

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
Samuel Smiles

Men’s best successes come after their disappointments.
Henry Ward Beecher

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.
Samuel Johnson

If you want to succeed in the world must make your own opportunities as you go on. The man who waits for some seventh wave to toss him on dry land will find that the seventh wave is a long time a coming. You can commit no greater folly than to sit by the roadside until some one comes along and invites you to ride with him to wealth or influence.
John B. Gough

Believe with all of your heart that you will do what you were made to do.
Orison Swett Marden

 


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Holidays in Los Angeles

Posted on November 28, 2011 by jamiegall1930

Last year was my first year in Los Angeles for the Holidays.  I was curious as to how LA would deck out for the holidays, and I tried to get to a lot of things to experience the holidays in LA.  I knew I’d have a hard time with the holidays because the snow wouldn’t be around, but believe it or not, that’s why I left in the first place 😉

Some of my favorite things around the holidays include:  The Holidays in Los Angeles

The Palm Trees being decked out with lights!

One of the other things I tried to embark upon last year were the Holiday Boat Parades.  What did I learn from this excursion? IT GETS CROWDED!  I love that all the houses around the Naples Canals are all decked out in lights, and everyone’s having their holiday parties.  I’m sure this is the same along the Venice Canals in Venice.  And along Newport Beach and Huntington Beach where they also have their boat parades.

But one thing I learned is that yes, the boat parades are lovely, but it wasn’t as fun as I thought it would be.  This year, my love and I are going to head to the Naples Canals on a random night and just walk along the canals looking at the lights on our own time.  I think it’ll be a bit more enjoyable, at least, for us =)

The shot above is all blurry.  I apologize, for this was before my tripod or even monopod, or me even understanding the concepts of night photography.  This year there will be far better pictures =) LOL.  But because of how crowded it was, it was hard to get good pictures that night! =)

And, I personally love how the Grove gets all decked out for Christmas.  Perhaps it was so aww strucking to me because this was my first Grove experience, and at the same time, I was impressed with the water show with music, the train on the tracks running throughout the Grove, and the decked out Santa house with the lights and garland around town.  And their tree was absolutely beautiful.  I will be visiting back there sometime this holiday season.

Pretty Spectacular, huh?  It’s incredibly tall.  I did my best to try to get the entire tree in the picture! How’d I do?

One place I never got to because it was too far out of my comfort zone, is The Mission Inn in Riverside, CA.  This year, I will be making the trek out there because I’ve heard and seen some incredible pictures from this place.  This Inn goes all out for the Holidays with lights, over 3.5 million lights adorn this Inn.  I have to feel the magic.  If you’re interested in learning more, check out their website here =)

And the other place I’m looking to take a night out for is walking the shops of Beverly Hills.  I want to see how Beverly Hills gets all decked out for the holidays, but I also want to see the window shops from the stores on Rodeo Drive.  They switch them out regularly, and some of the stores come up with some spectacular displays.  I can’t wait to see the holidays transform before my eyes.

Here’s to the next few weeks ahead!  I hope you’ll enjoy them because I know I will =)


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I love Ice Skating!

Posted on November 27, 2011 by jamiegall1930

I have always had fond memories of ice skating.  As a young kid, my dad would take my older brother and myself to different ice skating rinks throughout Minnesota.  We’d skate for hours.  I was confident enough to go in circles, but not confident enough to even try jumping.

During the off season, I’d learn how to roller blade and hit the bike paths around town.  I was on those skates a lot.  It was my freedom, my escape from school, from work, from whatever was happening around me.

And then a few years ago for my birthday I invited all my closest friends and family out to dinner.  My brother and his girlfriend invited us to go ice skating after.  I happily agreed.  Those that attended dinner headed out after as we headed to the ice skating rink to meet my brother and his girlfriend.  I just enjoyed myself.  It has been years since I’d gone ice skating.

Last year was the first year I was in LA.  I walked to Pershing Square and watched the ice skaters enjoy themselves at the outdoor ice skating rink.  It was something beautiful to watch.  For me, it was nice to sit outside without a jacket and watch the ice skaters in front of me.  At the time I wasn’t ready to attempt ice skating in LA.

However, this year I am.  This upcoming Friday I’ll be going to the W hotel in Westhood for a night of ice skating.  I’m looking to meet some new friends, but really, I’ll be content with the skates on my feet as I glide around that ice.  I look forward to it.

Do you have any fun ice skating stories for me to share?


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