Mid-April Update

A lot to update about, try to keep up! (if you want)

Been working a ton. Seems every morning I wake in a good mood to the beautiful California sun, enjoy a 20 min slow-paced bike ride to work then face what adults face - an 8 hr work day (5 days a week). I know it's nothing to complain about but hey I'm just a kid!

All that to say I've been able to squeeze a LOT of fun in lately. The beginning of April brought my brother Nick to visit! Had an incredible time. I got time off of work so we were able to spend our time at 2 beaches (newport & huntington), a day trip to Hollywood and a nice Easter service followed by a delicious Easter lunch with a surprise 5.1 earthquake. My first earthquake! (that I was awake for). Left me feeling a little motion sick as it lasted about 20 seconds. It started in Baja California (which is actually a place in Mexico). It was a 7.1 there and killed at least 2 people. :( Luckily it was tame by the time it got to us. It was weird, not like I expected. I always assumed during any type of earthquake the ground would crack open and swallow some cars (or children, maybe some women). But all I could feel was my chair vibrating as I watched the chandeliers sway.

I'm glad Nick could experience the earthquake with me.

Due to heavy attendance at Disneyland for spring break, us cast members (employees) are "blocked-out" from getting friends and family into the park for free during this time. Nick was a great sport about not getting to go into the park during his 1 week visit. We did enjoy the fireworks from the park from my apartment here on the 4th floor.

My roommates miss Nick as much as I do. Nick was a big hit here in Anaheim.

I'm becoming quite the reader. I'm really intrigued about other countries & cultures. I got a book on Europe from the local library (which will hopefully help spur on motivation for a 'nick and brian' trip to Italy, France, Germany, and whatever else we can fit in on our journey... next year?). Also fascinated by a book titled Hidden Children of the Holocaust. Sad book, but incredibly interesting. Almost finished with Bruchko. A book about a missionary my age who spent years in South America in the 1950's. A crazy awesome story!

Nick left April 8th. After I waved him goodbye at 4 a.m. I welcomed Megan and Brad at 10 a.m. There trip was extra cool because they rented a car! Not to downplay my visit with Nick, but he and I were limited to local spots. Brad and Megan drove me to San Diego (probably my 2nd favorite city in the US! New York City being number 1). I'll post some pictures in the next link so you can see the view of the city from the famous Coronado bridge.

Unfortunately I had to work 3 out of the 4 days Megan and Brad were visiting. As they proceeded to travel around Southern California the next 3 days I worked at the Toy Story parking lot greeting guests, handing out maps, loading guests onto shuttles, and of course - making dreams come true! haha. In the evening we always met up for dinner and dessert. I also took them to downtown Disney (the free, public area of Disneyland). Their last night here ended on a great note as we turned down the idea of eating out and went to Von's (local grocery store), picked up some key ingredients, and I got to make them fish tacos in my apartment.

It's very sad to see the last of my family leave knowing I won't see them again until August.

I feel as though I take advantage of every opportunity out here. Including buying a season pass to Universal Studios Hollywood yesterday! What an awesome place!!!! Spent the whole day there with a friend (who has a car, and his own season pass). I wish I would have taken Nick Megan and Brad to Universal Studios. There's no "block out" dates there. Though there aren't as many rides at Universal as there are at Disney, the rides they do have are INCREDIBLE! The Jurassic Park ride alone makes me want to watch the movies again. :) Stephen Spielberg helped make the ride, and it's so much fun. Also rode The Mummy, The Simpson's Ride (2nd favorite ride) and watched a presentation of Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 3-D. Can't wait to go back now that I have a season pass. By the way they hand out free tickets to live TV show tapings at the park. Looks like The Tonight Show will be an easy possibility.

I'm sure you all (my Ohio readers) are enjoying Swensons and the Browns and the Cleveland Cavs and Stan Hywett Hall and everything. I have to get the apartment ready for inspections in a couple hours. Wash me luck! (pun).