Best Buy At "Best Buy" ?

My sister Pamela took a half day on Wednesday and we were able to go shopping and finish up our Christmas Shopping Lists. It was good to be home and do these simple things with family.

Our last stop was Best Buy... which, um... got me in trouble as I purchased over $500 worth of merchandise... for um, er .... okay, okay ... it was all for me!!! Sigggghhh.

I broke down and joined the world of technology as I purchased my starter iPod and accessories kit: iTouch iPod, docking station, case, and car adapter. Now friends will no longer make fun of me and my cumbersome 300 CD caseholder that I used to lug around. LoL.

The ride back to Pamela's house was comical, as she tried to maneuver out of the parking lot without the ability to see out of her rear window. We headed home tired, hungry but completely satisfied. We came out of our shopping spree with great deals .... and best buys.

Cruising to Catalina Island

[To the beginning tune of Gilligan's Island: Now sit right back and hear a tale... a tale of a fateful trip... that started on this Pacific voyage... across this tiny ship.]

On my last week-end in California, I headed to Catalina Island early Saturday morning to board the Catalina Express cruiser with my friend Kirsten. Santa Catalina Island or Catalina Island, as it is widely known, is one of seven "Channel Islands" that makes up California's Archipelago.

We shoved off from the landing in downtown Long Beach, located 30 min. outside of Los Angeles.

Onboard I remained topside, enjoying the wind against my face and my hair whipping about wildly...

...while Kirsten played it comfy and warm below.

A li'l over an hour later, we drew near and had our first glimpse of Catalina Island.As we entered Avalon Harbor we were greeted by a colorful sight of recreational boats moored sporadically; its owners relying on water taxis to take them to shore.

The Catalina Express pulled in and unloaded passengers eager for exploring.Catalina Island's population has over 3,000 residents spread over a 22 mile radius between the city of Avalon and the unincorporated town of Two Harbors. 85% of the locals, however, live within the resort-like charm of Avalon, and it was this place that Kirsten and I visited.

Looking across the way, we could see the Casino and more boats throughout. In the summer time, this area would be packed with even more boats and other sea traveling vessels.

Cobble-stoned streets led us to avenues of delightful little shops and restaurants. Original pottery and tiles from the Catalina Clay Products Co. that were made on the island from 1927-1937 were artfully embedded throughout Avalon.

Most of the boutiques had eye catching displays to tantalize the thriftiest of shoppers. We were fortunate to visit during the off-season as these streets would normally be filled with throngs of tourists. It was pleasant to shop and eat without the hassle of waiting in line or shoved by visitors walking past.

Bicycles and golf carts are popular modes of transportation on the island. A maximum of only 800 service and private vehicles are allowed on Catalina. The average wait time to get vehicle registration approved takes 12-15 years.

Needless to say, bike and golf cart rental companies do very well in Catalina. They are the first vendors you see when you step onto the island.

Even residential streets are lined with golf carts. Modes of transportation such as these were a practical solution to the vehicle limitation problem.
Kirsten and I hopped on a scenic bus tour of Avalon. During our tour we discovered that Catalina Island was owned by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. and his family from 1919-1975.

We passed by the Catalina Country Club, which catered to the Chicago Cubs when they came to Catalina Island for Spring Training from 1921-1951. The Chicago Cubs were also owned by Mr. Wrigley.

We passed the Art Deco structured dance pavilion named the "Casino". In Italian, it meant "a social gathering place". The Casino was never used as a gambling establishment. It was built by Mr. Wrigley in 1929, so that it would be a commercial draw for dancing and social gathering. Its upper level holds the largest circular ballroom dance floor in the world. The design was built with a circular floor plan with an astounding 180 ft diameter. Today, the Casino houses a movie theatre, live production theatre, ballroom dance hall, and a museum with original Art Deco murals pristinely preserved. Our tour took us up in the Catalina hills where houses that belonged to the Wrigley family were brought to our attention. One was the modern Mexican adobe home that belongs to the current family. It is pictured in the lower right hand corner. The other house sits by itself on a hill across the way. It was the Cape Cod mansion that belonged to William Wrigley, Jr. , his wife Ada, and son Phillip.

Here's a close-up pic of their summer palace, one of five homes that the Wrigley family owned at that time.

Here's a close-up pic of the backyard view of the modern home that belongs to Phillip's children.

...and a front yard view of the same house (see upper properties left to right).

From the hills, we had a great view of Avalon Harbor. It's hard to imagine that in the summer time there are even more boats moored there. Notably, there were Hollywood yachts of the rich and famous and fast boats teeming with paparazzi that followed them.

The famous fiction Western writer, Zane Grey, lived on Catalina Island. This is the house that he lived in when he wrote his famous Westerns. Today, the house serves as a local inn. Each room is named after one of his best-selling books.

On a hill above the center of town, and a mile from Mr. Grey's house, sits a small bell tower. Local legend has it that Mr. Wrigley's widow, Ada, quarreled with Mr. Grey and had the bell tower built so that it would toll every 15 min. to disturb the author when he was writing. (Note: Original Catalina Clay and Products Co. tiles on display in the lower right hand corner.)

After our scenic bus tour, Kirsten and I walked along the avenue of shops and restaurants. This gaily painted mural outside this restaurant caught my eye and thought it blended well with Kirsten's outerwear...

...as well as my contrast with this colorful fountain. Matching our outerwear with location landmarks is a "must-do" for the Martha Stewart-esque traveler. LoL!

This simple but touching memorial donated by the local VFW was a joy to discover. The inscription on the memorial marker read: "THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED TO VETERANS - MEN AND WOMEN - WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN HARM'S WAY IN ALL BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

We had to hurry back to catch the last ferry off the island. Normally, the Catalina Express runs late on Saturday, but it was making its last run at 4pm. The raising of 2 red flags signaled a pending storm of gale force winds coming our way!

On the way back, dark clouds gathered as rain and gale forced winds caused 6 ft swells to rise and surge against our boat. The Catalina Express rocked and heaved, and its crew walked around reassuring passengers and handing out vomit bags. Sounds of babies crying and people retching filled the air for the next hour. What did 2 Navy Officers do during this commotion? We just shook our heads and laughed silently. I mean, sheesh.... we've survived wild fires and earthquakes.... gale force winds had nothing on 'em!

[To the ending tune of Gilligan's Island: The tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the "Catalina Express" would be lost... the "Catalina Express" would be lost.]

Little Miss Photogenic

Congratulations to my niece Yasmine (in above photo with 1 of her trophies), who did grrrreat in her first beauty pageant. Over 900 applicants from all over the U.S. submitted their entries to compete in this pageant, but only 189 girls were selected. The pageant held four age-category competitions, and Yasmine's was "Miss Junior Pre-Teen". Out of the 45 contestants in the "Miss Junior Pre-Teen" group, Yasmine walked away "3rd Runner Up" and was awarded "Most Photogenic". She won two trophies for the aforementioned, and an all expense paid trip to Orlando, Florida along with the chance to sign up with John Casablancas Modeling Agency. Sadly, I couldn't be there in person on her big night, but I was there in spirit across several state lines. While I'm not a big proponent of beauty pageants in general, I am a big proponent of my niece's happiness.... and from the voicemail that she left me right after the pageant, I can attest that she was very, very happy indeed. Here's Yassy and her mom below (my sister Mely) proudly holding up her 2 trophies.

Side Note: Above pic stolen from my sister Pamela's blog. Sisters, afterall, share and share alike... kinda like the sweater I never saw again after I left for college. (hint hint)

The Amazing Race

Today my desert posse, the COT (a.k.a. circle of trust), surprised me with a going away game invented just for yours truly. It was the Mojave version of the Amazing Race, the reality tv show, in which people go from place to place based on clues they received in hopes of obtaining the ultimate prize.

Here's how it began: I was walking out the door with Kirsten (whom I've been staying with since I moved out of my house) on our way to meet our friend Thida for lunch, when she turns to me and tells me that I will be traveling alone. What? My mind was quickly confused. She explained that since I was always subjecting (bullying?) the COT to play games at our various get togethers, then it was high time that I had my turn... "I" had to play "their game" for once.

Instructions were given to me on colored construction paper. 1) Bring camera. 2) Take Pictures. 3) Wait for clue. 4) Go to next clue-inclined location.

Clue #1 was written on colored construction paper: A place where I ordered food for our MSC Officers Association meeting... mnnnnnn.

Happy to play, but still befuddled that this was happening to me, I jumped in my SUV and headed out to where I thought was the right place.

YES!! I guessed it right! They know I love ordering from China Inn.

Suzanne was there patiently waiting for me. She gave me a verbal clue for Clue #2: "I wonder where I can order a smoothie...."

I climbed into my SUV again and headed to Wonder Garden Cafe. It's a great health food cafe. They make the BEST organic smoothies!

At Wonder Garden, Kirsten was there smiling impishly as she handed me Clue #3 on blue construction paper: A place where I often eat with the girlz for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Aha! I knew this one through and through. I headed to Joshua Tree in my SUV, and braked at Crossroads Cafe; a favorite hangout where the girlz and I often eat n'commiserate.

At Crossroads, Dawn was there with a big grin on her face as she handed me Clue #4, which she had jotted on a butterfly notecard.

The clue hinted a place that was dark and where we've sat and watched many stars - including Brad Pitt.

I knew exactly where to go. I climbed back into my SUV and off I went. Destination: Cinema 6.

Sure enough, the Herreras' were there waiting for me: Jen, Max, Matea, & Josh. I LOVE THIS FAMILY! I consider them "my second family". Matea and Josh are my surrogate niece and nephew. The three of us have had so many outings together. We have so much fun that we sometimes forget the time, enough so that Max has to call me and ask when I plan to return the children. LoL.

They handed me Clue #5 on purple construction paper (don't you just love Jen's scrapbooking talents?): A place where we shared our first Open Mike Night over Chai Tea Delight.

Open Mike Night? Hellloooooo: Water Canyon Coffee Co!!!

When I arrived there, the COT were there waiting for me with big smiles. I made it! I found them! Yippeee... but the race wasn't over.

We headed over to Applebees for my going away luncheon!

Thank you, my precious COT (and junior COTs), for devising and/or participating in this crazy game that I will always remember. It was a creative way to say good-bye to me. A special memory that I will always treaure. Special thanks to Jen and Kirsten for coordinating the Amazing Race... and succeeding with carrying it out without my prior knowledge. I was totally surprised... and deeply touched. As I finish out this week, I'll try my darnedest not to be a blubbering mess by week's end. I love ya, guys!

Whimsical Holiday Hats

Who said Naval Officers can't have fun? This went out on
a Holiday E-Card to the Surgeon General and all of Navy
Medicine. We made hats out of holiday wrapping paper -
and yes, that would be a fake parrot on my shoulder.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!