Ontario California!

Really wanted to see my dog on this visit to Southern California; I certainly had the time but for the first time ever my ex denied me visitation during my window of downtime.  Heartbroken as I was, I decided to get out and explore Ontario the best I could.  I’ve always been through this city but have never really spent much time here.

Decided to take a long walk and that walk ended up being a little longer than planned.  Sidewalks ended when they probably shouldn’t have.  Roads that were on maps weren’t there anymore due to construction.  To make a long story short I ended up walking all the way to Rancho Cucamonga in a extra long detour. 

Saw a park on the map and decided to check it out.  Got there only to learn that there is an entrance fee. I would’ve had no problem paying it if the park had a back gate so I could continue my walk, but it didn’t, so I passed on entering the park.  Maybe next time.  Looked like a beautiful place.  I continued on and discovered Founders Garden outside the Citizens Business Bank Arena.  It was so peaceful and serene.  Then I ended up at the Ontario Mills Outlet Mall.  At that point I had to do a complete recheck on what state I was in. The mall is IDENTICAL to the Grapevine Mills Mall in Grapevine, Texas!!! 

Exploring the “country” side of Los Angeles was fun. Thanks Ontario!   

The Feel of Fresno!

So ending up in Fresno wasn’t on my initial plans for New Years Day.  Work called and next thing I know, this was the destination I was headed to.  Flying in, we had a gorgeous view of the Sierra Nevada’s and I must say from talking to people and asking them what there is to do in Fresno, visiting Yosemite is probably one of the only things worthwhile on the bucket list there though I’m determined on future visits to figure out what the city truly offers.

I’ll be honest and many will probably hate me for saying it.  Fresno has been one of the most saddest cities I’ve visited so far in my travels. The best way that I know how to describe the Fresno I saw, is a combination of South Central, Downtown and East Los Angeles with maybe a little bit of El Monte California mixed in there meets Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I know that’s a wide swing and just sounds weird but it truly is the only way I can accurately describe the feel of Fresno.  It’s one of those places where I can see used to be filled with so much life but now what remains are boarded up windows and empty spaces for rent. I’m sure the city has a little more life than what I saw while I was there, after all I was there New Years day so things are probably slightly different.  I can see the city being such a happening place way back in the day. It’s a place that could be reborn into something great one day but for now it just has a certain mood. I can’t quite describe it. It’s almost a city in mourning of better days maybe?

Anyway, while I was there I explored the downtown area.  Noticed a lot of loitering going on. Guess that’s pretty normal for this city from what I hear.  I saw museums and historic buildings; all closed of course because of the Holiday.  However, I was able to find a few thrift shops open and got to rummage through a few racks of goodies.  Didn’t pick up anything but it was fun to see. I enjoyed seeing the architecture of Fresno.  Old buildings always fascinate me a bit. As a kid I would wander off into spaces I wasn’t supposed to go exploring old buildings in the city I grew up in. I guess there is a nostalgia of the past that I’m drawn to.  

Anyway, that is my Fresno experience this go around.  I’m sure I’ll be back one day.  Maybe next time I’ll be able to dig into this city a little deeper and figure out it’s heartbeat a little better.  Until next time Fresno......

Maybe Next time Tucson

Sometimes when I’m out on the road, I just don’t have the time to get to see much.  This visit to Tucson Arizona was one of those visits. There are also times when the loneliness of travel kicks in and this was one of those days. Here are a few snapshots I did manage to get along the way. Certainly not my best work....I’m sure I’ll be back here one day. I plan to explore then....

Good Morning LA!

Not a whole lot done at this stop this past week.  Just a few hours of sleep and it was back on the road again.  Just sharing the sunrise I did manage to catch. Oh Los Angeles, how I truly do miss you. Aside from my heart being forever in Hawaii; SoCal is my second home and though I get back often, it’s never often enough....  

Los Angels Sunrise Sky

Sunrise Sky in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA - Sunrise

Oh Philadelphia!

Landing in Philadelphia, PA on the weekend only means one thing - spending time with an old friend from college.  She moved to this city several years ago and in the last couple months I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to see and learn it a little myself.  I haven’t had a chance to see the typical historic sites yet, I’m saving those things for a future visit when she isn’t available to hang out.  Since she is new to the city, she still doesn’t seem to know the good mom & pop restaurants and I’m waiting to discover those. So if you have a tip of a good sit down must visit restaurant, I’d be interested in hearing about it.

Anyway, grabbed these photos of this visit.  I’m always intrigued by boarded up abandoned buildings. The ones I managed to capture were homes.  Some still lived in, others clearly not. When I see them boarded up, all I imagine is what they looked like back in their prime and the lives of those in the neighborhood. How different it must’ve looked.  The building with the mural struck me as most interesting.  The neighborhood around it is clearly not in the best of shape but it seems like the mural is still in tact which is nice to see.  Usually I’d expect to see graffiti covering parts of it but it seems just fine from the angle I caught of it.  Very refreshing to see.  

Aside from the city skyline and the dusk sky capture from downtown, that’s pretty much the round of up this Philly experience. Until next time Philly....  

Early Morning Travel - Orlando, FL

So this past weekend I had a real quick stop into Orlando, Florida.  Landed when it was dark and left when it was still dark.  Didn’t see a drop of the city itself, just the inside of a hotel room and the back of my eyelids as I caught a few hours of sleep.  I have to say though, one of my favorite time of day to travel is those early morning hours.  I know it seems weird being that you have to sometimes wake up in what feels like the middle of the night just to make your flight on time and all you want to do is go right back to sleep, but traveling at that hour has it’s benefits. First off, if you’re living in a large city with rush hour traffic, you will have none getting to the airport at a really early hour, so it’s easy to get there on time if you don’t in fact hit the snooze button and oversleep. Parking is usually easier too. Then there is the airport itself. There is just a quiet peace about it. A place that you can often get lost in during the middle of the day, is suddenly calm and empty. Fellow passengers are half asleep so they too are just in a peaceful quiet state as well. They haven’t been up all day so they aren’t quite crabby and upset yet from the day’s drama, though some do occasionally wake up on the wrong side of the bed.  The plane is likely to be on time because if you’re on the first flight out, it’s just sitting parked at the gate and ready to go. The only downside really is that extra long coffee line you wait in, inside the terminal. Anyway that’s my opinion about early morning travel. Grabbed a few shots of the Orlando airport and early morning travelers to share with you. One of these days I’ll actually see Orlando in the daylight again.  It’s been about 24 years, so it’s about time.   

MCO early morning

Orlando Airport 

VEGAS - PORTLAND Roundup

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas right???  Had a little fun on the Las Vegas strip this past week.  Caught some lip locking on the strip in the typical Vegas crazy style that made me laugh. I became obsessed with the High Roller Ferris Wheel.  I must get on it the next time I visit.  I made it my mission to go up to it and take a look. That thing is huge!!!  Saw Sprinkles and had to take a bite.  I’m very familiar with the chain from Los Angeles and suddenly I had a craving for a red velvet cupcake. Caught the Volcano show at the Mirage- it’s a must see.  Hopefully I’ll get front row view next time. Prior to this visit, I hadn’t been to Vegas strip in about 13 years. A lot has changed but the Vegas Crazy still remains the same.  I’m sure I’ll be back sooner than later, so until we meet again Vegas.....

Kissing on the Vegas Strip

High Roller Ferris Wheel

Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcake!!

The Volcano Show - The Mirage

Treasure Island

Second stop of the week was Portland, Oregon.  This stop was so short I could’ve blinked and it was over.  Landed when it was dark and left when it was still dark.  Bummed me out because Portland is certainly a city I would love to explore more.  Hopefully on a future visit.  Either way I grabbed a shot of the airport and some mystery mountains with the morning sunrise on my flight out. Not sure which mountain is which. I assume one is Mount Hood.  Either way the snow capped peak just reminds me that winter is right around the corner and I’m not a fan of snow yet. Must start thinking of repacking my bags for wintertime travel......

PDX Airport - Portland Oregon

Portland Oregon Sunrise.  Not sure what mountain this is..

Orlando, Philadelphia you’re scheduled to be up next.  Let’s see what next week brings.  :)

My Week: Miami - Washington DC - Los Angeles

Miami - Washington DC - Los Angeles

It’s been a busy week on the road.  This is a quick round up of what I’ve seen. Seems like a big bulk of my week went to the birds.  From the ducks at the waterfront park in Miami, to the geese on the waterfront park on my stop in DC, birds were the theme.

Waterfront Park in Miami, FL

Duck showing off at the park - Miami FL

My visit in Miami was a real blur.  Short blip on my clock.  The ducks were really the highlight of that short stay.  Got a shot of one showing of a bit at a waterfront park that I walked to.

Driving through the trees in Mount Vernon

Old Town Alexandria, Alexandria, VA

Waterfront Park in Alexandria, VA

Resident feeding the birds in Alexandria, VA

 Next stop was Washington DC.  Ended up staying out in Alexandria Virginia, so I had lunch with my old college roommate whom I haven’t seen in about 15 years in Old Town Alexandria. It was nice to catch up. Old Town Alexandria actually really reminded me a lot of Fell’s Point out in Baltimore, MD.  Same vibe.  Nice place to visit.  I later wandered down to a waterfront park where I ran into a resident who decided to feed the birds.  It amazed me how quick those birds were to find the food.  It started with a single duck and then the geese were quick to the show; then the seagulls.  It’s amazing what a little bread can do for the birds. It was an amazing treat to get photos off.

Art Mural in Burbank, CA

Driving on the 134 Freeway at Sunset - Burbank, CA

Being photobombed by my BFF!!

After DC, it was off to my old stomping grounds of Los Angeles, CA for a quick personal visit. Call me weird but I actually find driving in LA traffic as therapeutic in a strange way. Had a impromptu lunch with my old bosses in Beverly Hills while I was there and got filled in on all the glamorous entertainment business work I’ve missed since I moved away. It’s amazing what changes happen in a few months time but I guess that’s life.  The highlight of my LA visit has to be seeing my BFF.  He’s my baby; the only creature on this earth that cries with joy when he sees me - His name is Buddy and he’s a German Shepherd dog. I just wish I could see him more often.  I’m so grateful the ex still allows me to spend time with him and I try to make every minute I have with him count. The funny thing about Buddy is that he’s gotten camera shy over the years.  As a puppy he would plop in front of the camera and practically beg to have his photo taken.  These days, it’s not quite the same.  I tried to get him to take a selfie with me the other day and he refused and walked away.  He then proceeded to photobomb all of my selfies (pictured).  I couldn’t help but laugh.  Love him so much.  Was planning to get down into the jewelry district while I was in LA to shop for some beads this go-around but I didn’t quite make it there. Maybe next time....   

Anyway, that’s where I’ve been all week. Gearing up for next week.  Will hopefully be sitting down some time soon and making some jewelry.  I have earrings on the brain so stay tuned!     

Let me Reintroduce Myself......

Narita, Japan 5/11/2015

Los Angeles, California 8/16

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 7/2/2015

Seattle,  Washington 8/22/2015

Let me Reintroduce Myself.....

So it’s no secret that I’ve been quiet for quite some time.  I haven’t forgotten about my etsy shop but life just happened since my last post.  I’m back and will try my best to keep up with updates here though my schedule is often hectic and unpredictable.  

So a little bit about me now.  Those who have known me for a very long time have witnessed a complete transformation in my life.  I’m no longer living in Los Angeles, though I miss it.  I have relocated to Dallas Texas for my work.  For 12 years I had worked full time in entertainment in Los Angeles, but decided to try my hand at something completely new and am now working in travel.  I travel quite frequently and I plan on sharing some of my adventures here. I’ve really taken the plunge into photography lately.  Nothing fancy.  Just iPhone stuff but I enjoy it.  As you can already see, I’ve posted above a few photos I’ve taken along the way during my travels. Anyway these last couple of years haven’t been without many growing pains.  I’m currently in the process of relearning who I am.  One of the biggest and hardest challenges has been recognizing vulnerability in my life. I realize when you don’t know who you are, you can and will fall for just about anything.  It hasn’t been easy and I’m thankful that I realized my need for change when I did.

God certainly has had his hand on my journey thus far.  I see it everyday and I am truly grateful that I’m able to experience the things I have and continue to walk in faith.  Life is far from perfect but I know with each passing day I’m becoming stronger and the puzzle pieces of life will come together when the time is right. There is no point in rushing things prematurely. Until then I intend to enjoy the journey.

Needless to say because I have had a lot of new things on my plate I haven’t had a real chance to be creative on my bead board.  For months I sat trying to come up with new designs.  Several weeks ago I got really excited because I had a breakthrough and now this is the first step in shifting thing around here.  I hope to have my new pieces up in my etsy shop soon so stay tuned.  Still a lot of good ones in the store for sale. Don’t forget to check out my shop at www.LuvAlisa.com.

Thank you for allowing me to share what I’ve been up to.  Hope you have a chance to drop by my shop soon.  

Alisa