Skip to main content

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

I'm pretty sure that I have mentioned this before...but I am obsessed with the Academy Awards. Ever since that day in the fourth grade when my mother told me to go get dressed up in my Sunday best, we were watching the Academy Awards, I haven't missed a show.  In fact, I've been kind of tempted to find a way to fly into the states on February 24th so I can find a television that will broadcast the show in English for this year's show.  Once Jon Stewart was announced as the host, that seed of an idea turned into a full blown obsession. (I have a huge crush on this man, mostly because I find it incredibly attractive how much he loves his family.  And I have always loved a guy who could make me laugh, have you met my husband?)

Alas, the reality of my current living and financial situation--teacher in a developing nation--I had to give up the dream of seeing the awards live.  It won't even stream in on my computer, the detested "This Program is Not Available At Your Location" will be sure to pop up.  So what is a girl to do?

She travels to Hollywood during Christmas time, that's what she does.
    
Dave's mother, brother, and sister-in-law, agreed to pick us up in LA when we came to visit for the Christmas holidays.  After our plane touched down and our luggage was all accounted for, they took us on a whirlwind tour of the Hollywood hotspots.  We first went to the Chinese Theatre where all the greats cemented their hands and feet in cement.  It's true--I couldn't stop myself from being a complete tourist and had to take pictures of Jimmy Stewart's, Dean Martin's, and Clint Eastwood's squares.  We then walked down the sidewalks with the Hollywood star's of fame.  Alfred Hitchcock's star was the highlight for me.  We watched street performers (I might have had to dance with a couple and there might be video but that is in someone else's hands), and cruised through Bel Air.  And of course, we made a stop at the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards.  Touristy?  Yes.  Fun?  Absolutely.

As much fun as Hollywood was, we had an even better time with Dave's mom, brother, sister-in-law, and grandmother.  The California Richert Clan took us to Santa Barbara to show us around Heather's ol' college town.  We went on amazing hikes, visited Cambria for the Main Street Grill, and played a lot of Nerts (best. card. game. ever).  It was wonderful time and made us even more excited for them to visit us in Ecuador.  

Our states-side visit really was amazing, and we loved every minute of it.  It was a difficult thing for me to get back on the plane if I'm going to be completely honest.  And yes, right now I'm missing the luxuries of home; I'll just have to catch snip-its of Jon on YouTube and once again curb my coffee addiction.  But Ecuador has luxuries all of its own, why don't you all come and experience them? :) 

Popular posts from this blog

Hello? Is Anyone Out There?

I know, I know...the blog has been deathly silent for the past five (has it really been five?) months. That is partly due to that fact that life in Ecuador is just that, life. No longer caught by surprise by that man peeing on the street corner, or the countless iguanas crossing the road. I hate to say it, but it's all become part of the expected. Even our vacations are becoming a bit repetitive. I could tell you about how I went paragliding over Thanksgiving, but I'm pretty sure I have a post about that. I could wax elegantly about school life, but let me check....yep, got those too. Not wanting to repeat myself over and over, I've let the blog lapse a bit. There has been no new news to report. That is, until now. This overseas living and teaching tends to have its own rhythms. In November, the wave of decision comes crashing in. Will you stay and renew your contract? Or, will you throw caution to the wind and try your luck with somewhere else. For those who ch...

A Little Pick-Me-Up

So it is raining here in beautiful Guayaquil.  Again.  When I say rain, I don't mean just a little sprinkle, a soft and constant pitter patter, or a gentle mist.  Oh no, I mean a savage downpour that pounds on the windows, roofs, and streets.  Yesterday we had a rainstorm that flooded the streets...and our apartment (yeah--we live on the second floor of our building). The clouds started to roll in on our way home from spanish lessons,  it had been a beautiful sunny afternoon with not a cloud in the sky.  Dave and I made it into our apartment right when the first big drops started to land.  Right in the nick of time, right?  Yeah, that's what we thought.   Five minutes after arriving home, it sounded like rocks were being thrown on every surface of our building.  Curious about this sudden weather change, I started to walk to our front balcony door to watch the storm.  I didn't make it too far before I stepped into what has been come to be known as Lake Richert.  The water wa...

Años Viejos, Pyromaniacs, and Fireworks...Oh My

I have to admit, it has been quite awhile since I have actually been awake to ring in the new year and say goodbye to the old.  Dave and I have always been a bit more concerned about the eight hours of sleep necessary to enjoy life rather than seeing the ball drop.  But this year...is different.   It is 12:58 and the neighbor's hired band just started, there are rapid fire explosives (aka fireworks) going off in three minute intervals, and the car alarms throughout our block seem to be answering the loving call of said fireworks.  There will be no eight hours to start off the year for the Richert's this time. Nothing about our experiences in Ecuador could be classified as typical, and New Year's Eve is proving to be no exception.  The evening started out quite and low key, dinner at home with a movie.  There were the occasional firework, but that isn't anything atypical.  I was even contemplating continuing the tradition of snuggling into bed by 10:30.   Before I called...