Vincent

Here is a little auntie-pride. Nephew Vinci performed in a musical "Sophie's world". I loved that book by Norwegian Jostein Gaardner by the way. If you are interested in philosophy at all, I recommend the read. He wrote it for teenagers, but I enjoyed it as an adult. It gives a nice overview of the history of philosophy.

And voila, here is Vinci:

The Getty

I have had the pleasure to visit the Getty Museum twice last week, as I was volunteering at the LA Business Council Sustainability Summit. I was told that it took 6 years to level the mountain for the massive complex. Can't imagine how much it must have cost. Mr. Getty's wealth was derived from oil business...why am I not surprised?

It was too far to cycle for me, so i explored carpooling and public transit options. I was a little worried about asking for a ride, but fellow sustainability summit volunteers were very accomodating! The bus system is not bad - for North American standards. Poor - for London UK standards though - a young woman, I believe she must have been a nanny from the UK, was complaining about the bus system. In my opinion that's not the bus system's fault .It's an urban planning issue: everything is so spread out here - compared to European cities.

Beautiful Architecture!

As Arnie says: "I'll be back!"

L.A.Annie reporting...

Progress Report - LA Week 3:

• I found a place to live as of July. On a walk street in Venice. One block from the beach with a beautiful backyard.
• Number of times getting lost on my commute is steadily decreasing.
• Still in love with SoCal.

Now I'll let the pictures speak:

The Courtyard Outside My Office

Intelligentsia - Coffee Bar in Venice

Yummie snacks, and good coffees. These baristas know what they are doing!

Santa Monica Pier

If you look closely, you can see David Hasselknoff walking away from his day-job.

This will be part of my bike route to work as of July...The Boardwalk in Santa Monica and Venice aka Musclebeach...very LA, I hear.

Please note, that the colour of my toe nails matches the colour of my bike frame. Oops, I meant color. Need to communicate in American English now!

Amelia

from the Calgary Archive File: Rebecca, Amelia and Chris a few weeks ago in Calgary.
Miss you!

Local Honey

My co-worker Isabel in Calgary, who is originally from Columbia, shared an interesting tidbit about honey with me over lunch a few months ago.

When traveling to a new place, eat some local honey, Isabel says, and it will help your immune system to get accustomed to the local environment, and any allergens it might contain.

I also just consulted Dr. Google and he confirms that local honey can help with allergies, as it contains trace amount of allergens.

It was a little challenging to find local SoCal honey, most of the honey on the shelf at the supermarket was from overseas, New Zealand, etc. I did find one kind eventually (which was more expensive than the honey from NZ,...we live in a weird world...). It includes habanero pepper, so it's spicy. So far, so good. No adaptation issues in the new big city. The honey remedy must work! (and okay, I admit, I would use any excuse to try some new honey...)

Going Carless in Los Angeles

Greetings from LA and welcome to a new chapter of Anna's Adventures in the New World. I am currently making a move - starting to set up my life in Los Angeles.

Why LA? People have been asking me this question today - my official first work day out of the Santa Monica office.

Reason #1: Food. The food I ate in Calgary was mostly coming from California anyway. In an effort to eat locally, I decided to move closer to the source.

Reason #2: Warm weather and sunshine. Blue (ish - considering the smog) sky and warm weather, that's the way I - Leo Anna - like it!

Reason #3: People! I am sure that a state of 30 Million People has some interesting characters to offer. Most of the California Residents that I have met in the past years, have been awesome and interesting people, with progressive minds (although right now, I miss my Canadian friends :(...I made some wonderful friends up North)

Reason #4 Yoga: I look forward to continue my Iyengar yoga practice here - there appear to be quite a few studios offering Iyengar yoga!

Reason #5 Work: In my work I focus on sustainability. In the city, where I hear that you can sometimes taste the smog, there is a lot more incentive to take action to reduce the environmental footprint. So that should be good too.

In a nutshell, I'd say LifeStyle. It seems that anything you could possibly want to pursue, you can find it in LA. Unless you are trying to pursue a carless lifestyle, of course. Which I am planning on doing - at least for the first month.

No car for me for now! So what are my options?

Waiting for the bus is not so bad, when the sky is blue, palm trees are around and your busline is called sunset ride.

Walking to the bus station, these purple trees are currently blooming everywhere and smell like heaven.

On my way to Beverly Hills

My Surly LHT ready to go, a little shy next to the cool Beverly Hill Cruisers

LA is Succulent Central

mmm...this gas station on Olympic and Robertson almost makes me reconsider my no-driving choice ;)

Backyard Blooming

The June living room - a ranch house (which in LA lingo means it's a one story home)

More Home Shots

Two of my Roomies. Wag on the left, Boogie on the right.

Boogie whispering to Wag: "Ask her why she talks like Arnie, the Governator and stop staring at her, you make her nervous!"

That's it from LA for now. Other than that, I am taking in the Newness and enjoy one moment at the time. Best wishes!