Getting Around Southern California

Being a local in Southern California I am out and about everyday for work and play so I'm on the road as much as a trucker! Well, maybe not that many hours :), but I do get around. Here's the thing about traveling around So Cal that visitors get right away: you need a car to get anywhere, period. Our public transportation is o-k in L.A., but outside of that it is used as a last resort. There is more freedom and flexibility to having a car to get around than any other mode of transportation here. So, with that said here is some of my advice to visitors:

1. Rent a car. Even if it is for a weekend.
2. Review the DMV handbook of our driving laws and pay attention to the street signs e.g. speed limit, construction detour, no right turn on red during rush hour traffic, etc.
3. Study the map before you go! Learn the major freeways if anything and have a street map in the car with you in case you get lost or detoured. GPS devices help, but they have to be up-to-date and even then they can't be relied upon like a map.
4. Be prepared for traffic: rush hour, holiday, and weekend. Have water, snacks, and any medication you need in the car to help ease the stress. If you're traveling with children or some one with special needs, then you're better off pulling over and taking a break at the nearest park, restaurant, or mall while waiting for the traffic to lighten up. My man likes to watch a movie at a local theatre and by the time it's over so is the traffic. Or, we'll have an early dinner and enjoy sitting in a restaurant rather than in traffic and then head home.
5. Speaking of traveling with people with special needs...there are "driving tours" that you can take or drive yourself so that you don't have to get out of the car to sight see. AAA has a book on them and you should ask the company that you rent a car from about them too. Nothing should stop you from having a great time here with everyone- no matter what their capabilities. :)

L.A. on a Dime

There are inexpensive ways to enjoy L.A. and here are some of my favorite stomping grounds!

• Griffith Park Observatory- You could easily spend an entire day here going to the shows, lectures, strolling through 3 stories of exhibits, and having lunch at the Wolfgang Puck cafe (which I never found the food here extraordinary, but vegetarians will be happy or anyone else on a special diet). Oh and did I mention that parking and admission into the observatory is free?

• The Getty Musuem- An afternoon here is casual and slow. If the weather is good you can leisurely walk around the fragrant garden and if it's foul weather then you'll still have much to see at this large museum. Parking is inexpensive and admission is free, which is great so you can save money for eating at the outdoor cafe and going to town at the gift shop. The restaurant there is an o-k place to eat if you want to dine indoors but I found that the food was overpriced and didn't taste as good as the cafe food. *** FYI: tripods of any kind (like for cameras), are not permitted. I shot a news story there last year and the PR person forgot to mention that to me and I was reminded by every employee there when I arrived. It is one of L.A.'s strict fire code laws and I think that there is only one building in L.A. that does permit them! So don't bring a tripod unless you're press like me or they will make you put it back in your car.***

• Mann Chinese Theatre- Go here at night! It's more dramatic and exciting! You'll have lots of shopping to do (love the MAC store here), plenty of restaurants to choose from, across the street is Disney's El Captain movie theater (great for little and big kids), and of course, part of the Hollywood walk of fame is here in front of the Mann movie theater. This is the location of the early 1920's and golden era movie premiers so get your picture taken here and try to fit your hands and feet into celebrities' imprints in concrete!

• Universal City Walk/Universal Studios- I haven't been to universal studios theme park since I was in elementary school since I would rather spend my money at another theme park called Disneyland :), yet I find myself at the City Walk almost every year and it is entertaining every time! This is another place to go to at night to see street performers, shop (I love the Wound & Wound Co that sells classic toys), watch a movie, or have dinner (I like the Hard Rock Cafe). Parking is a bit steep, but that's L.A. for you- you have to pay for parking almost everywhere!

• Venice Beach- Looking for "medicinal pot"? Then this is the place for you! Seriously! Marijuana is legal in California if you have a medical prescription for it and there are plenty of shops here to get that...and bongs and probably other things that are controversial. Yet, if you're looking for something very different then go here and go only during the day, and even then watch out for pick pockets! Bring cash too to make purchases at the many vendors that line the sand.

I have to admit that I am a creature of habit and I stick with what I like. These 2 places I'm a regular at and have never been disappointed in the food or service:

•  Philippe's- This place is right across the street from L.A. Union Train Station so it's not hard to miss. It's next door to China Town and Olvera Street (a.k.a. unofficially "Mexican Town"). They are famous for their French dipped sandwiches, but I enjoy having breakfast here. You can walk over from the train station or park across the street. It's a small lot, but at least parking is free. The charm never fails to hit me. I always feel like I've stepped into a time machine and its taken me to the 1940's! From the decor, workers uniforms, and the simple food it will all take you back. I've even signed the brick wall on the second floor a few times, but so has everyone else! But it's something that regulars do. Don't leave L.A. before you've dined here.
• Korea town-This place will fill your appetite for Asian food! Have lunch on the weekend here, because that's when all of the street vendors come out and performers. It's much more lively and many of the restaurants have an "A" grade.

Meeting a Holocaust Survivor: Mary Natan

Mary's Bio about her experience.

I recently met the "youngest smuggler" in the world...at least that's what she was called at the ghetto that she and her family was forced into during WWII. She was only ten then and today she is sharing her experience with others at the Museum of Tolerance in L.A. I felt very lucky to have this experience and I would say that this was one of the highlights of my life.

She was so positive and funny, which was a surprise but I think having a sense of humor helps her get through her talks. She said she hated to see people cry when she speaks so she tries to keep it light when it gets too heavy for everyone. Coming out of the death camps alive left her with nightmares and a chronic shaking of her hands- psychological effects her doctor told her. Other than that she is happy to be alive, because when in the death camp you lived "not by the day, or hour, but by the second." That's how intense 5 years of her life was. She lost some of her family members like her mom and it was difficult for her to talk about that part, but she did have some "smiles" along the way which is why she titled her book Nightmares and Smiles.

This generation will not be alive forever and our children will probably never meet a Holocaust survivor so I really recommend that you listen to one before it's too late. It was an enriching experience for me and I think you'll get that feeling too. Oh, and why was she called the youngest smuggler in the world? You'll have to ask her to find out :).

JPL Open House: A Science Fair with a Budget

Now that's a welcoming!

 Once a year the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena has an open house for the weekend where it is open to the public from 9am-5pm. Parking is free and so is admission, which is great because you'll spend your money on food (cash only) and the JPL gift shop! But first you'll do A LOT of walking up and down hills upon hills upon hills upon...you get the point. I was so happy that I wore my hiking shoes and felt sorry for the foreign girls in heals or sandals. One Russian girl standing in line with me was in 4' heals! Eeek! Any way, the signs were the first thing I noticed like the one above and bellow:

This is why I get along with scientists!

He had to work on the weekend!

Nice view

This is one of many exhibits/ buildings that we were able to casually roam (after waiting in line to get in) and there were display tables. Here is where they make materials for space craft.




One thing that I do have to point out is the amount of time you'll spend waiting in line to get into an exhibit/building. They can only let so many people in at a time, but there are many volunteers and workers there to keep you entertained and dishing out answers to all of your questions. It was very warm today though and I wished that I were in shorts and mad that I forgot my hat, but I solved that problem:

Slumming it in my new favorite hat!

 There are many spots set up for you to take photos like this one called "Photo Stop":

We live in one of these!!!

 I went to town at the gift shop! Haha...

My JPL "haul"

What surprised me the most was the crowds! I got there 2 hrs after they opened and after me they had to turn people away! The lines were very long, but most of them moved quickly. Yet during lunch it was so crowded I had to eat on the sidewalk! Never thought that I would be eating a hot dog and drinking a Coke on the streets of JPL. Surreal! Also, there were so many activities for kids that I wanted to do like take a picture on Mars or play with remote control rovers! Oh well I played with the big kids by listening to scientists talk about their specialized research projects and took photos at their exhibits. Some areas reminded me of a science fair where scientists stood behind their table with boards or models of their spacecraft laid out and they would go over their work. But it was very informative and nice to meet the people behind the research. This was my first time at JPL so I was trying to take it all in and I would like to go back on one of their tours during the year. Overall, I'm exhausted but it was so worth it. I will be dreaming of outer space tonight!

San Pedro at 5am

After just taking 2 photos (above) I was told by a worker at State Fish Co, Inc to not take any pictures. (Thank God he didn't try to take my camera away from me considering that I just bought it yesterday!) Any way, the other seafood and doc vendors didn't have any problem with me getting shots of them. It was the first vendor that I stopped at too so that made me think that it was some unwritten policy since it was not posted anywhere that I could not take photos. Yet, the more I walked around I didn't see any sign posted that this was a private doc and no one else told me to stop taking pictures. So after my experience at this vendor it lead me to think that they were hiding something illegal that they don't want shown. Especially since they didn't give me a reason to not take photos and they were rude about it. Next time they're not getting my business!

The only vendor to tell me not to take pictures inside.

For those of you who don't know where I was it is in Long Beach on the other side of the bay that the Queen Mary is docked called San Pedro. Here you can buy seafood and veggies at wholesale prices and by the bulk. Many restaurant owners purchase their seafood here, but it is open to the general public. Yet you have to get here early on Saturday or else all of the good fish is already taken. I arrived around 5am and the place was packed. Trying to find parking was fun, but once you do don't worry about having to carry all of your purchases. Just pull up to the loading dock when you're ready. It helps to have a person with you to stand on the doc watching your food while you go in to get more. Also, this is a cash-only place so bring plenty of it! A cooler or 2 is also useful to keep your purchases fresh and prevent your car from smelling like fish. So now I've got a week or 2 worth of seafood lunch and dinners! Can you taste the scrimp!? Yum!

I should have packed a 3rd ice chest!

Loading doc.

Venus at Twilight

It's a bird? It's a plane! And Venus!

I took this picture today at twilight (right after the sun set) and it's not the  best shot of Venus, but I got an airline in the same frame! Haha! I had it on action/sport shot to track Venus so that's one reason that it's such poor quality, but I thought it was a cool enough shot to share with my fellow travelers :).

My Work Stolen: Should I be Flattered? Would You Be?

AG Productions-the only website I approve my work to be on.

It has happened more than once before and I'm sure it happens everyday with other people. Here is how it works:

1. You put up a video/song/art on the net and people steal it by embedding it onto their website, which almost always has no original content of their own.
2. The people who stole it get all the traffic/sponsors/ads/$$$ for YOUR work (rarely do they add a link to your website- the one they stole it from).
3. Then they claim to host the BEST in travel/art/music/etc on their website and the original creator has to now go through a process to get their stolen work back and off the criminal's website.

Sound harsh? Then you've probably never had your hard work stolen from you. You have the right to choose where you advertise your work. I'm very cautious as who I associate my work with and which websites I endorse. So, for example, if you see my travel shows on BootsNall, MiND, or Matador TV, they never asked me for permission to promote their website with my work. I work with a production company that promotes my work on their website AGP and they are the only people (to date) that have written permission to do so.

Be careful travelers, because some one might be making a buck off of your hard work. If you have any questions, then drop me a line on my facebook page. In the mean time, support your artist or traveler by going directly to their website- not one that filters everyone elses.

P.S. You do not have to sign up or register on any website to watch my travels!!! They're free here! Enjoy :)!

Where My Video Production Skills Were Sharpened!

Oh the good old days of school! :)

Hiking Betty Style: Make Up for the Trails

I don't use too much make up when hiking (if I use it at all), but just enough to look decent in pictures and protect my skin at the same time. So here is the break down of what I used on my last hike:

• MAC liquid last eye liner. It's basically highly pigmented, water proof, liquid liner that helps define my eyes. I wear it in black, but if you want some color go for this bright teal one!

• Maybelline Full N' Soft waterproof mascara. This is my favorite drug store mascara, because it looks so natural but still gives my lashes some volume. Also, it doesn't flake as much as other waterproof ones I've used.

• Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer just to even out my skin tone and the SPF 20 is a plus! Remember to set it with powder and if your face feel really gross by the end of the hike bring make up remover wipes and you're back to looking fresh again!

• Lastly, I love Philosophy's Melon Daiquiri lip shine (gloss). I rotate between that and a chap stick with a high SPF.

P.S. I keep my frizzy hair under control with a cream leave-in conditioner in braids and under a hat :).

Deer Springs Trail to Suicide Rock: Enjoying Nature's Roughness

Home on the trails!

I have always felt at home in the great out doors and when I go hiking at San Jacinto State Park it feels like I am at home. It can be a rough and tumble kind of place where getting beat up by the elements and the merciless terrain scare many people away. But I say give it a shot! The only thing you'll loose out on is an adventure!

The Junction/ Fork in the Road.

The Trail Head is Across from Me!

 So here's a trail that I have had my eye on for almost a decade and I finally did it. Deer Springs trail to Suicide Rock (a.k.a. a gigantic slab of granite rock similar to Half Dome in Yosemite). The trailhead is directly across the Idyllwild nature center parking lot ($2/person to park). Before you start make sure you have the free hiking permit with you that you can get at the Ranger Station in town just down the road. These trails are busy during peak seasons so go early or late to be sure you'll get one for the trail you want.



This trail was very busy and I passed many different types of people along the way so it's not the most difficult trail, but there are some spots that are strenuous. Water and snacks helped me through those and I wished that I had brought my walking sticks. This is the kind of trail that you enjoy for the trail not the summit. From the top your views are not that different from the ones that you get on the trail and I walked across a stream a few times and enjoyed small pools beside the path. So there is no need to reach the top to get something out of this hike. Enjoy the journey and views along the way and have fun! Here I am goofing off with the trees and just overall enjoying the fresh air.

Having fun with nature.

Show some love!

SNOW!!! I HATE SNOW! But I pressed on anyway.

I highly recommend bringing a camera! Don't leave home without it! Also, always pack a backpack with supplies like a warm top to throw on, because I ran into snow! I didn't need snow shoes so I was lucky, but it is not uncommon to find snow at 6,000-7,000" in the spring here. Also, sunblock is essential at higher elevations since you're closer to the sun and there is very little shade when you get to the top. I'm wearing clothes with sun protection as well and that helps along with a (must have) hat. I'll write a blog soon about how I stay looking "cute" or less like a rug rat out on the trail for all of the Betty's reading this, but really you don't need much to keep it together on this hike. There is plenty of shade and it wasn't as dusty as other trails in the area like Devil's Slide Trail in Humber Park :p. I was a little tired when I reached the top, but I was also elated and I'm sure that if you give this trail a chance then you'll have a memorable experience as well. See ya on the trails hikers!

Just resting...I'm a-o-k...really.

Overall a great view!