Big Bear Weekend Part 1 - Fun Times in the Mt.

Last weekend was my first work overnight trip.  It has been a couple of years since Casa has taken residents on a weekend trip and as the Activities Coordinator I thought it was time to start this up again.  So I planned a weekend in Big Bear.  1 night 2 days go play in the snow, sounds like a great trip.  We got our cabins rented for a great price, had a good number of residents, 11 sign-up, and great activities planned.  Our first concern was that we planned this trip too late in the season and would miss the snow, then as the trip was a couple of weeks away the reports started coming in of late season snow storms, then last week Aaron, my boss and the other staff member going on this trip tells me that Saturday when we were planning on driving there was going to be a snow storm, so we bumped up our leave time to early morning.  Then last Thursday Aaron calls to say that Friday night they were estimating 2 feet of snow fall and that it would reach a record low of 6 degrees.... yup that's right 6 and I don't like to be cold... so we decided that we would go up a day earlier so we would miss having to drive in the craziness and hopefully not have to put the chains on the vans... and we were worried there would be no snow!  Thanks to Shannon, another staff member and friend, we got a bunch of snow gear lent to the residents and me (I don't own snow pants, those things are not cute!) Thursday was a crazy hectic day trying to help everyone process that we were leaving a day earlier and to get them all packed and ready.  Plus plan and purchase enough food for us to snack and make extra meals.  Thankfully we had one wonderful parent who graciously paid for the extra night! What a blessing!!!

Here are a few pics of some residents all loaded up and ready for fun! :)

Friday I arrived at work to find that another staff member unknowingly took the mini van that I had left all the food in from the day before, so we got a bit of a late start.  Thankfully traffic was not bad, we had to pick up one resident on the way out of town and then we were off to the races.  While driving through San Bernandino RCa, who is autistic, stated that it was a very bad part of town and we needed to be careful, in the same breath he then asked, "Wendy are we going to stop here and kick it with the homeboys?" I died laughing and then asked, "RCa what about about the homegirls? Don't you want to kick it with both?" He said, "Oh yeah I don't discriminate."  Hilarious!!!!  Then a few miles down the road he saw a building that said "Public Shooting" and yelled, "Everyone take cover we are under fire!!!" It startled me at first until I saw the sign and then explained it was a shooting range to which in a very serious voice he said, "I know I was trying to be funny, did it work? Oh look its right next to the prison, that was good planning at least if there is a stray bullet they deserve to get hit." To which I said, "Yes RCa that was very funny."  Which the other residents didn't really get it, but it was funny all the same.

We had to make a pit stop because everyone was hungry and needed a snack or bathroom break, the second on this 2 hour drive mind you.  Everything with these guys revolves around food and the bathroom.  While Aaron ran inside I noticed that the window of his van was cracked so I decided I would get out and mess with the other residents in the car and throw snowballs at the window and purposely miss, but still make them fret.  Well as luck would have it on the third throw I threw the snowball directly through the small crack and nailed SC, she screamed and laughed and told me I was going to be in so much trouble when Aaron got back.  I helped get the snow out of her seat and just laughed as she threatened to get me back.  We got back into our vans and continued up the Mt. through some really thick fog but did not quite need the chains.  We made it to the cabins got all unloaded and situated and before the snow really began to fall.  The cabins and the owner were absolutely lovely.  The guys cabin although it was smaller was homey and a better space to hang out in.  Dinner was made and the residents were all happy to be fed.  JS a resident who is from Columbia went back for a third helping, some of the residents made some comments and JS holds his stomach and then says, "I eat so much because I am like Ted Kennedy." FUNNY! How he thought of Ted Kennedy I am not sure but I will forever laugh when I hear that name.  We played boys v. girls charades, which CN totally dominated and guessed for both teams within about 8 seconds every round.  Then Aaron did some tricky point addition that I still don't understand and the boys won.  The best was when LG kept making a motion of a door closing and someone typing and CN yells, "Aaron" which was the right answer and then RG made a Longhorn sign and that was his hint for me to which I yelled, "I am NOT a longhorn!!!! I'm an Aggie!" That only egged it on. :) The night finished with watching Bridewars and the guys making brownies.  Aaron didn't remember about baking in higher altitudes so the brownies were very undercooked but still tasty... although he did cheat and used a box mix instead of from scratch... boys.

Enjoying some dinner

Gotta love it when a pic is taken as you are taking a big bite :) 

The boys cheat baking... box mixes with candy added

Night #1

That night we went to bed and were all getting situated and I see out our front window Aaron crouching below the windo and then RG go under the window. And then I remembered Aaron making threats of scaring the girls at night, so I go charging out of the cabin determined to not let those boys scare us and I open the door and BL comes jumping at me like a flying monkey and I scream, "SHIT!!!!" and then jump backward. BL falls down laughing and Aaron and RG come running back thinking I have hurt myself and then they die laughing that it was BL that scared me. Then it was time to settle down with the usual girl drama... I don't want to share a room with her... I don't want to sleep on this bed... I need more bathroom time... blah blah blah. 7 girls with one bathroom is pretty rough. I had to make about 4 trips back over to the boys cabin to get tylenol... forgotten cameras, phones, and gloves. Aaron filled me in on the guy drama of farting and bathroom issues and I was thankful for my girl drama.

We woke up the next morning to 18 inches of snow!!! It was absolutely beautiful and  the sun was out so it wasn't that cold! I didn't get any sleep that night due to a number of girls snoring, so at about 7am I hear the front door close, I get up and notice that LB is not in bed.  I wrap up in my sleepingbag and went outside to find LB's red booted feet kicking up in the air and her screaming, "Help I'm stuck."  I go over to her and the snow is up past my knees and help her out.  On our way back to the cabin she accidentally stepped on the back of my sleepingbag and I fell face forward into the a huge pile of snow.  It was hillarious, she was mortified and kept apologizing.  Come to find out she wanted to scare the boys by throwing snowballs at their cabin... unfortunately she was confused and got the wrong cabin and had another family come out and tell her to stop.

A look out our back door

Our vans covered with a bit of snow. 

A couple of shots of the Boy's Cabin

The other residents started to wake up and get ready and were very excited about all the snow outside and then became immediately worried that the parking lot and vans were covered with snow, so how were we going to get out for lunch!  We had not even eaten breakfast and they were so worried about LUNCH!  I told them to worry about one thing at a time and to get dressed so that we could go to the boys cabin for breakfast.  I made chocolate chip pancakes and the residents were thrilled to not stick to their normal diets.  Then it was time to go outside and PLAY!! Snowballs were thrown and snowangels made and then time to dig out the cars.  We waited a couple of hours for the plow to come, while answering the million $ question, "Are we going to be able to go out for lunch and shopping?"  Here Aaron and I were worried about if we would make it to go tubing and they were worried about Shopping!!! They are histerical. 

Whipping up some pancakes! 

I'd like some more please

Mmmm Breakfast was yummy.

Snow Angel Time!

Who's gonna get the first snowball?! 

 Just Relaxing

Happy Couples 

Who burried Aaron?! 

We finally got plowed out for lunch and at that point the temperature dropped drastically. It was now bitterly cold.  We didn't put the chains on just yet but once we found a spot to stop and have lunch at I got the residents situated and then went outside to see how these chains worked.  I didn't particually want to put them on myself but figured Aaron might need some help and it would be good for me to at least see what was going on.  Then we quickly ate, and then off to go tubing.  Tubing was fun but let me just say I have never been so COLD in my life. I had my Uggs waterproofed and well that did not hold up, my feet were completely numb.  I went down with SH 3 times and then could no longer fake that I was having a fun anymore.  BL and RCa were having blast and needed a little convincing that they were cold, but after about an hour we left.  Time to shopping, only problem is that it was so cold and had dropped so much snow that most shops were not even open.  I was a bit of a Scrooge and only gave them an hour because at this time my feet were warming up and were really starting to hurt.  They all found some suvouniers and were happy to get out of the snow. 

The only pic I got while tubing... I was so cold I completely forgot about pictures til the end.

Had to try sledding down the snowhill by the cabin

We ordered pizza and made salad and just had a great night watching movies.  I made some chocolate chip cookies and everyone pigged out! :) I couldn't eat anymore so I had a spoonful of the dough and then tapped out.  Time for bed more girl drama and another night of no sleep.  Man those girls can snore.  The next morning we packed up took some parting pics and hit the road.  The snow seemed to be cleared and after a while we took off the chains.  Made the a pitstop telling the residents that we were not stopping again so grab a snack and use the restroom.  We were thinking this would be fine it should max only take 2 hours to get down the moutain we would be back at Casa by 12:30pm.  Little did we know the adventure that lied ahead.

Group Photo of some of my Party Peeps

To be Continued... :)

The Big Orange Balloon

Oh my goodness I completely forgot I had a blog... well not really but it seems that way. There are 4 posts that I started but never finished so I'm starting and finishing this one.

Backstory:  My friend Shannon started this To-Do list of activities she had never done before, well then I jumped on the bandwagon along with Javi.  So on Shannons iphone we have a list and have started marking things off.  I am also now hoping that when we mark something off I will blog about the adventure we went on. 

This post is about  going on the Big Orange Balloon at Irvine Great Park.  The Park is very new and once was a Airforce base that they are trying to transform into the "Central Park of the West Coast".  It is a very slow process and they are trying to be as green as possible.  They have taken the old cement from the runways and moved it around to form the sidwalks of the park.  They are building a canyon and a lake and walking trails, if it all finally happens it will be a beautiful park in the next 20+ years.  Right now there is not much to it, a carasel, a small kids playground, a farmer's market on Sunday's, and the main attraction The Big Orange Balloon.   It is a helium filled Balloon that is tethered to the ground and goes straight up 400 feet in the air.  Yesterday was our 3rd try and I was beginning to wonder if it would be the charm or the strike out.  Try #1 Javi got sick and we didn't want to go without him, Try #2 it rained and they closed the balloon, Try #3 I am going to tell with pictures...

Javi unfortunately could not come :(

Shannon and I decided we would get up and try for the first ride time 8:30am... it was early and well it looked like the weather would be working against us again

FOG!!!

Well that was not going to get us down.  We decided to go to Starbuck's to get some coffee and see if the fog would eventually burn off.   We had a great time chatting and almost made a spontaneous decision to go to Disneyland, but sat for too long and talked ourselves out of it. 

After a couple of hours we went back to the park because the sun was out and the balloon might fly.  Once back at the park the attendants said they were discussing a test flight, but there was a forecast for wind.  So Shannon and I decided that if nothing else we were going to get pics of the balloon.

 Shannon taking creative pics of the broken up cement that is along the hills. Not sure the purpose but it looked cool. I was sad that there was a sign that said you couldn't climb on it. Why have it if you can't climb on it?

 Took pic of balloon laying on the ground... its a BIG balloon.

 Well I wanted at least my pic with the balloon in the backgound... Kinda hard at arms length.

 Sad face that I don't get to ride the balloon

Got smart and had Shannon take my pic... much better :)

Watching the workers get the balloon ready for a test flight... we should go see if they are handing out tickets yet.

Balloon in flight.

Shannon and I finally got tickets... and stupid blog spot won't let me place the pictures where I want to and I just spent the last 20 min of my life screaming at my computer... Can I have those 20 min back please?  I just wanted the pics to be next to each other is that too much to ask blog spot?!?!?!?

Reading all the interesting facts about the balloon.  You must be educated on the matter.  

Must know the safety precautions.  

 Going Up!

 Enjoying the view.

View from the other side of the balloon.

Looking down on the park's "walking time line".  It is kind of a bust, they could have been so much more creative with how they displayed this history of CA.  It reminded me of the many activities at camp that "seem" like a good idea. Look at our cute little shadow.

When on the ground I looked at this and thought why do they have a random sidewalk that leads no where. Up in the air Shannon informed me that this was N pointing North.

Can you tell this use to be an Airforce base?

I don't remember taking this shot but really like it.

Looking straight down the center of the balloon basket.

I would rate this activity as a B-.  There was a lot of build up and suspense, but I really wish there was more to the park.  I asked our balloon guy when the estimated completion of the park would be and he stated 20-30 years, well that gives them some buffer room. It got the B because it was FREE and that is always a plus when you are a girl living on a budget. The view was BEAUTIFUL and I would love to go again at night and see all the city lights.  This balloon would be perfect at Central Park in NY, that would me a phenomenal view, of course in NY it would probably cost about $20 to do.

See you on the next adventure! 

A little snipet about Casa de Amma

So a couple of weeks ago we had a journalist from the OC Register come to Casa de Amma and do a feature article on our facility and the residents.  Now this may be only a local paper but hopefully this article will get the word out there about what we are doing.  Here is the link it is also posted on my Facebook but knowing me I like to post where ever possible. 
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/amma-278577-casa-residents.html?pic=1



There is only one typo and that is Bradley Lewis has only been at CDA for one year not from when it first opened, but considering that is the only minor typo and they could have described our residents much differently I think it is over all a great article.  There are extra pics as well so make sure to check those out too so that you can get a quick glance at building.  Also you can go to
www.casadeamma.org to see me some more virtual tours of the building.  This is a short post but I am so excited about the article and wanted to share it with everyone.

A Tale From the Land of Melisstonia

So you have all heard the tale of how, Melisstonia, a country of Wendy's World came to fruition with the coffee stain.  Well I have contemplated purposly spilling something to create the next country in Wendy's World, but haven't quite decided how I feel about forcing the next country.  But back in the land of Melisstonia I still have my throne, a primative one but beloved one none the less.  This throne sits in the office of my most trusted advisor Duchess Kasidee.  I spent many of hours in her office, Kas's Korner, venting and getting advice on how to go about my daily affairs with the Wicked Villians of Wendy's World and how they would try to repress the people and break their spirits to point where the people no longer felt joy for their jobs.  These hours of advisement usually included some popcorn and LOTS of Diet Coke.  Even though I moved away from Melisstonia many of close friends included my trusted advisor Duchess Kasidee still fight off these Wicked Villians.  Duchess Kasidee has preserved my throne and even made a sign for it declaring it reserved. 

Recently I was sadden to hear that one of my loyal followers had torn down my sign and was using my throne as a place to throw her belongings.  My heart broke, I even cried a small tear.  Now this follower, Caitlin our Court Jester, admitted her crime and begged for forgiveness (through text message due to the long distance).  I was gracious in handing out the consequence for such a crime.  I told her she had to get on her knees and beg forgiveness from the throne in front of Duchess Kasidee.  Caitlin the Court Jester was also kind enough to bring a Diet Coke offering in her apology.  I think she was grieved as well from her offense. 

All has been made right in the land of Melisstonia.  The throne has been given the respect is deserves and the sign is a little worn but back in place. I suggested it might need to be lamenated so that it can better with stand the wear and tear of time.  The loyal residents of Melisstonia are still battling the WickednVillians. Many have escaped their clutches and other are still looking for the right timing.  All are loved by their Queen who wishes she could be there fight along side of them, but has been called to discover new lands.  

"Peter Pan" 360 and "Insatiable" (it a book stop being dirty)

So I say this a lot but really I have to admit I pretty much have the best job around. I think I previously mentioned in an earlier post... not that I have all that many post, but that is beside the point... that I was trying to get the residents to go see Peter Pan 360 as an activity. Well this past Saturday 9 residents went with me and it was AMAZING!!!! It is here in OC I think until after Jan and I really want to go see it again. They built this tent and inside there is a circular stage with a tail and all the seats go around the stage so there really aren't any bad seats, plus it is a small area so it is pretty intimate. Go to www.peterpantheshow.com to see what exactly I am talking about. But on the tent there are all these screens that go around the stage so that when they are "flying" it projects these pictures that really make them look like they are flying. When they would go under water the screen really helped make it look like they were sinking.  The screen where such a great tool to really make the use of their minimal props.  The actors have to hook in and out of theirr harnesses but they do it with such ease that most of the time you don't even notice unless you are really trying to see it. They have so few props that get reused for different scenes and it is just awesome I would give it 5 HUGE stars and say that it is a MUST SEE!!!! Can you tell I really liked it. Plus all the residents really liked it as well. The lady who played Tinker Bell was hilarious, she looked like she has had a bit of a rough life, but that edge brought a whole new level to the character. Plus Tink was not dressed in some super cute fairy costume she wore a beaten up pink tutu, a dirty wife beater, and combat boots. The tutu and her messy hair had all these twinkle lights in them. Oh and Peter and many of the lost boys wore those Vibram shoes are like toe sock but shoes.


We had a little bit of a rough start mainly because I forgot the tickets back at CDA and had to turn around to go get them. Thankfully I did not get very far, but it is a good think by uncle told me that I needed to leave earlier then I was planning on, we really didn't need the extra 30 except for the fact I forgot the tickets. One of the other staff members at CDA stood outside and held out the folder they were in so I didn't even have to stop the van. The resident thoroughly hassled me about it all night. Plus we had a surprise guest....JAVI!!!! We had an extra ticket and so Javi joined us at the venue and the residents were so excited they then told me that they want a surprise guest at all their outings. Not sure that one is going to happen. They also were asking me about what the next big show was going to be and it is going to be Wicked. Now I took the residents to see Wicked at the Pantageous theater on Hollywood Blvd and many have heard me tell the story, it is long and I won't take the time to tell it right now, but lets just say it was definitely work and I don't think I will be taking them this time. I will leave that to another staff member. Plus I have seen Wicked 3 times so I don't feel the need to see it again.

Here is a pic of all the residents all dressed up and ready to see Peter, Wendy, Michael, Jon, & the Lost Boys battle mean ole Captain Hook.

Ok now for the book review. I just finished an excellent book by Meg Cabot, Insatiable.


                                           
Now it may look like a seedy romance novel and it has a couple of moments where it kind of is but over all it is pretty great. Meg Cabot is one of my favorite, as I like to call, Fluff authors. I don't mean that in a rude way but her novels don't really make me think and they are easy and light hearted and just plain fun and this one is no different. This on actually makes fun of all the Vampire craze that is sweeping the nation right now. Now from this point on I will be giving slight spoilers so you have been warned. If you are a reader who wants to know nothing besides what the book jacket says do not read the next paragraph you have been dutifully warned!




*Spoiler Alert* (see I'm still warning you so don't get angry with me if you can not resist temptation)
So in Insatiable the main character Meena is a dialog writer for a Soap Opera called Insatiable and just found out that they are going with a storyline involving Vampires and Meena HATE vampires and think the whole world has gone nuts with Vampires. Meena also has this special gift of she knows how people are going to die and if this death is going to be in the near future, she also feels compelled, as most people would, to try and help people to keep them from dying. Meena also has these neighbors who are obsessed with Insatiable and are constantly giving her ideas of what to write next. These neighbors throw a party because their rich royalty cousin, Lucien, is coming to town and they want to celebrate. Meena goes to the party and falls instantly in love with this Romanian Prince, whom she later finds out is... oh my goodness a Vampire and he is the Prince of Darkness!!!! Meg does a great job of intertwining some history about how Dracula by Bram Stoker is based off Vlad the Impaler, whose name is Vlad Dracula. (I know it is true cause I read the author's note in the back of the book, I'm nerdy sometimes) I bet you didn't see that one coming :). Now come in forcefully the Vampire Slayer and no it is not Buffy. It is a buff man named Alaric who is part of the secret society of Vampire Slayer the Palentine (once again a real organization that is now considered defunct, again author's note). Well of course Alaric is trying to kill Lucien and Meena is finally convinced Lucien is a Vampire but he can't possibly be bad. Lucien has an evil brother Dimitri what wants to be new Prince of Darkness. Anyway there is a whole war between sides, Alaric falls for Meena, Meena loves Lucien, same ole same ole. What I won't spoils is what happens in the battle cause it is a pretty great twist. I will say that I really enjoyed Meena as the heroine and to an extent respect her as much as you can a fictional character. She is way better then mopey dopey Bella from Twilight. I got one word for Bella and Edward and all their teenage angst... overrated!  Stepping away from the soapbox cause that is a whole nother entry.  Back to Insatiable, it did not end the way I wanted it to but that is because there was no closure and that is because, after researching on Meg's website, she is making this a series.   Yay! I just hope that the next book is as good as this one.

Ok spoiling done, although there is so much more that I could have spoiled. I would overall give the book 5 stars.  It may seem as though I am an easy judge since I gave Peter Pan 5 stars and Insatiable 5 stars, but usually I am very critical so this is rare.  Just wait til I really don't like something that will be a long post... when does the next Twilight saga movie come out? 

Doneski.

Three's Company Part 1

Well once again it has been forever since my last post... forgive me please. 

Many have asked about the housewarming and for pics of it as well as the apt.  I am sad to say I did not end up taking a single picture of the party, but it was a blast.  As for the apartment I would like to dedicate this entry to giving you a tour of my new home!

First this is our front door, welcome wreath and all,  it has a private entrance that is a nice bonus makes you feel less crowded cause lets be real in Cali all the building are REALLY close together. 

Chloe says "Come on in lets get started!"

To the left is our dinning room and kitchen.  Excuse the alligator toy in the middle of the floor. Chloe likes to make sure she has a toy in every room for easy access.

We have a double sided fireplace and on the kitchen side the mantel has Aliah's Miniture collection. Unfortunately you can't see the antique Kansas car liscense plate that says GDOLDAZ for "good ole days".  At first when Aliah asked if I knew what it said my brain kept trying to make it way Godzilla but I couldn't figure out what the extra D was for.

Let's take a closer look at our beautiful kitchen that has a gas stove/oven that I LOVE i'm not sure if I will ever be able to go back to electric. Also there is TONs of counter space that is wonderful for all my baking projects and tons of cabinets to store all sorts of stuff.

Next up lets turn the corner to the living room we have what Javi calls the totem pole book shelf that each one of us has a little cubby to put stuff in and then a little place that houses the mail and dog stuff.

Top is Aliah with Papaya's cause that how she teaches you to say her name, "Aliah like Papaya".  Next my favorite pic of my dad when he was little boy and on a horse along with an owl candle. Then there is Javi's cubby with an autographed picture of Madonna and a Cher mug where we keep quarters.

Here is the living room. Awww look we have interupted Chloe and Sequia having fun playing together they are such sweet friends and have a hard time deciding who is the dominant one.

This side of the fireplace the mantel is dedicated to all my Kenya stuff, I love that painting! And yes that is one of those easy to light firelogs cause the only way I know how to start a fire is toilet paper doused with diesel and I don't think the apt complex would appriciate that too much.

Next up is the hallway and I had to have some place to out my adorable apron

 This is my bed room.  I am still trying to find a new bedspread since I have had this one since sophmore year of college, andI finally found one that I love, but now I have no money to spend.  I will update when I finally get something new! Yup that is the awesome kitchen table that was in my duplex and it is now my desk.

This is the hallway that leads to the bathroom, hall closet, laundry room, Javi's room and Aliah's room.  We won't be stopping in those rooms because I have not asked permission to take pics of them, but take my word for it they are pretty great as well.

Unlike my last couple of places this place has tons of storage and with three people living in it we still have some empty places.  Although one of those above cabinets now belongs to our friend Shannon who comes and stays with us on the weekends so she doesn't always have to transport her stuff back and forth.

Oh and I also wanted to highlight a piece of Javi's artwork that I absolutely love. Javi did this in a High School art classes and it is torn pieces of magazines that he put together.  It is beautiful in person and this pic does not do it justice.

That is my new home and it is so much fun! It is filled with lots of love and laughter and I could not be more thankful to both of my amazing roomies, who in Three's Company Part 2 I will be interviewing and introducing you to.