Weddings and Sunburns

This past weekend, my Irish roommate was a bridesmaid in a wedding, and she invited me to join her as her date back in May. The bride had joined us on our trip to Vegas, so I was acquainted we her. The ceremony was held in a beautiful Catholic church just north of Simi Valley followed by a reception at the beautiful Spanish Hills Country Club.

It was a bit awkward at first. While I was happy to be a witness to the beautiful ceremony, I felt like I was encroaching on something personal. My only connection to the couple was as a friend of a friend.

However, once the reception got into full swing and I joined my date at the bridal party table, I felt more comfortable.

Both families were Hispanic, so some of the speeches tested my knowledge of Spanish, which I'm sorry to report wasn't strong. Although, I am holding to the conviction that had I been given a written copy of their speeches, I would have been able to translate it.

The food was delicious! I chose the vegetarian option and it was layers varying squashes wrapped in roasted red pepper and topped with some sort of sour cream or cream cheese. I also tried a bit of my friend's chicken. It was so juicy, and her mashed potatoes were perfectly creamy. My compliments to the chef.

After eating but before dancing ensued, my friend and I took the opportunity to pop into the photo booth they had set up. It was a really cute idea that I may steal for my own wedding. Guests could gather into a curtained off area (that accommodated many more than your average photo booth) to take photo booth pictures, with a variety of props if they so wish, and then paste them into a photo album with a cute little message.

Shortly after, everyone was invited onto dance floor. The DJ went through a few Top 40's before the band took back over and the real fun began. Let me tell you, Hispanics can dance! And I cannot. The groom's brother was such a sweetheart and tried to teach me, but it resulted in me learning nothing and him just spinning me around the dance floor. The groom even stepped in for a little bit, but my feet just do not move as quickly as they are supposed to. I need to take an agility class or go back to my high school basketball practices. Maybe I should start running more sprints. Quick was never an adjective I would use to describe myself, but I didn't realize that would hinder me off the athletic fields. Regardless, I made a valiant effort and certainly enjoyed myself.

My Irish roomie and I followed up our wedding date with a beach day. We headed back to Malibu to meet up with some friends of hers we have hung out with before. They're fun people, so I'm glad I got to see them again before my summer in L.A. comes to a close.

One thing you need to know about California beaches, they can be pretty breezy. It was a particularly windy, though beautifully clear day. I was a bit chilly lying out in my bathing suit and didn't want to get out of the suns rays to lie under our umbrella for fear of getting too cold. So I stayed in the sun...for all 5 hours we were there.

After my great victory over the sun in the deserts of Lancaster, you would think 5 hours on a beach wouldn't be an issue. What is that compared to a whole day in the desert sun? Apparently, I did not do as well in my reapplying because I am burnt to a crisp. This is easily my worst burn since the blistered and purpled shins I came home with on my senior class trip. It is an all encompassing burn that makes it hurt to sit, stand, and lie down. There is not enough aloe vera in the world for me right now. My body is radiating so much heat, I could be used as a space heater. I hope I recover by the end of the week or it will be a long drive home.

Heather: 1 Skin cancer: 1

The Bu

I had done a decent job fending it off, but the sun and it's powerful rays caught up to me this past Tuesday on my trip to Malibu. My shoulders and knees turned into tomatoes, but, with the help of my wonderful Aloe Ocean Potion lotion (say that ten times fast) I am getting back to my normal paleness.

It was a beautiful day! Not a cloud in the sky, a gentle breeze, and warm sand. The water is pretty frigid, but nice to walk in. I relaxed on an uncrowded beach with my Dublin roommate and the little boy she babysits while we ate lunch.

Malibu is not at all what I expected. There is no real town like in Santa Barbara. It is mostly just and endless strip of beach, some areas public and some areas private with beautiful houses. I picked out a few I wouldn't mind buying. If anyone wants to pitch in $5-10 million, let me know. I will happily accept housemates!

Before taking our trip to Malibu, we started the day with a nice hike up to a mountain top that boasted a breathtaking view of Simi Valley in all it's glory.

I did hear back from my interviewer at Voltage Pictures. Rather than bring me in early and have me writing script coverage, he said he passed my resume on to an Assistant Editor of the feature The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman. I looked it up on IMDB, and it has a few recognizable names in the cast such as Shia LaBouf and Rupert Grint. I am beyond excited at this opportunity. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, because I imagine there is a good chance that nothing will come of it. However, the fact that there is possibility has me dancing in my head.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the completely different world that is Beverly Hills. I was driving through West Hollywood on the way to an interview and was thinking how different it was from East Hollywood. Then I crossed into Beverly Hills city limits. Everything about it is so well-kept. You definitely get what you are paying for when you live there.

I also happened upon Paramount Pictures studios on my way home. I was tempted to leave my resume at the gate, but the traffic flow wouldn't allow we to make a left turn onto their lot. Typical L.A.