Salutations from sunny Southern Utah....

So... I am here in Southern Utah after a long stay, and am finally writing a blog to say hello, sorry I've been gone, life's been busy sort of, but more than that, I've felt uninspired to write anything well, inspired (not to say that my writings are that, they're more like journal entries really, lol) Speaking of journals, I never really wrote in those religiously growing up, so it would make sense that I don't blog regularly either. Anyhoo, enough of that, I wanted to write a small post to say hello, I hope you're all well out there.

I've been spending my last couple of weeks hanging with family and enjoying Utah (though now that the HOT HOT weather has sunk in down here, I recall very vividly why I left the desert in the first place). Methinks I'm a California girl, I enjoy the sun, but not so much that it burns me on a regular basis or makes me feel like I'm in the Sahara desert. Because it's so expensive we haven't really had my sister's AC on much and so have tried to keep cool with fans and a spray bottle (makes me have great sympathy for the pioneers who hung it out here without either, and they were wearing long dresses, and warmer clothing, goodness me!!)

I wouldn't say I've accomplished a great deal of things while I've been here (unless of course, colon cleanses count, which really, I doubt you want me to regale you on that experience, HAHA!) I've babysat. I've gone to movies. Del Taco. Red Box. Wow, I sound really ambitious don't I? LOL! I haven't felt too well to be honest though, so I've started a new health regimen down here which has been good though and helpful (ha, I just realized, how odd that I say "down here" when in reality Southern Utah is north of where I live, lol). It must be habit, since I spent the majority of my life in northern Utah. Anyway, onwards and upwards I say, there is much I wish to accomplish this summer, and its definitely more ambitious than Del Taco and Red Box DVD runs, lol!

Next week I am going up to SLC for a few days, hopefully I'll get a chance to meet both my new nieces (who look absolutely adorable in their pictures) and reconnect with a few old friends before flying back to L.A. and quickly cleaning up my apartment and making it pretty before my boyfriend arrives from England for a two week stay. Yes, Pete is coming, and I am so excited to see him! We are planning on going all around L.A. and then possibly driving to Utah so he can meet some of my family (which should be lots of fun, and very interesting, considering I have a "big" family) Poor Pete, I hope he won't be too intimidated, he just has one sister, and no nieces or nephews, and I have 23? (the number changes frequently so its hard to keep track, oh, and that's nieces and nephews, not how many siblings I have, haha). Pete is a good sport though, he's very gracious and has good manners, plus he's very funny and charming, so I think they'll be impressed.

Alright well, I shall bid you adieu for now. I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of summer!

England Trip Part 5 The Lake District

Well dearies, this is the finale to my trip to England, and my favorite part, (drum rolls please) ............the Lake District, former home of children’s author Beatrix Potter and a premiere holiday destination for Brits and International people alike (like moi). I have to admit, I was SOOO looking forward to seeing the Lake District as I’d already saved up dozens of photos of this ethereally beautiful place in a folder on my hard drive. Being there in person I can tell you that my daydreams didn’t even do it justice. The Lake District really is magical, and I can say with certainty it’s definitely the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.

When I arrived in England Pete asked me the top places I wanted to see in England. I told him my #1 destination was the Lake District. He told me he wanted to make my dreams come true, and he did. What a sweetie!

We had driven up to Manchester to meet his parents and I knew at some point we would make it up to the Lake District, which was about an hour and a half away from his parent’s house. But the trip up north to the Lakes was shrouded in mystery. During dinner the night before we went to the Lakes Pete was acting rather mysterious. Pete's dad suggested we stay at his uncle’s “chalet” by the Lakes when we arrived to which Pete declared that it was DEFINITELY not a chalet and basically that I shouldn’t get my hopes up about where we were staying. But Pete’s dad has a smirk on his face and I had a feeling something was up.

Pete has often warned me he is the King of Surprises, and I can definitely confirm that he is. The morning we left for the Lakes he drilled it in further that where we would be staying that night would probably be really cold, cramped, and we might not even be able to take showers there, haha. I felt like he was playing it up since he knew what a time I was having adjusting to the cold English climate. Despite this I tried to be a good sport, and it was worth it.

My whole Lake District experience felt reminiscent of the film "Somewhere in Time", because it really feels like you are traveling back in time. The Lake District is a beautiful oasis of nature surrounded by lush green hills and open pastures, old stone cottages and fences, small, cozy villages with cobblestone streets, and of course, lakes, as expected. We had a fun drive to the Lakes cracking jokes, singing random songs, and taking random pictures of the gorgeous country Landscape. As we drove along the narrow two-lane country road to my mouth was agape at the glorious splendor surrounding us. Here are some of the snaps I took along the way.

Can you see the sheep in the distance? I want to live in the countryside here! It's heaven!

Ode to Green hills! Beautiful!


I actually took this pic while we were driving, I was pleased with myself for catching an in focus image. Not shabby ey?! Lake Windermere was so lovely!

And reaching our "shabby" accommodations for the night....

As you can see Pete led me to believe we'd be staying somewhere rubbish, but far from it! We stayed at Lyzzick Hall Hotel, which was a beautiful, comfortable, lovely hotel, with AMAZING views from the window. It was so beautiful it actually brought tears to my eyes, and was the most romantic gesture anyone has ever done for me.

That night we had fun going to the nearby town of Keswick for some authentic fish and chips. I was surprised at myself, I'm definitely not a seafood person and was skeptical, but it was SOOO good!

The next day we had fun touring around Keswick and Lake Windermere some more. Here are some pics of us goofing around at the hotel, and then through the Lakes.

Me and my Pete.

Pete being the sexy beast that he is, hehe.

Keswick (pronounced Kes-ick)

Lake Windermere. Other worldly beautiful.

A cool structure across Lake Windermere.

An amazing place and fantastic trip. I can't wait to see England in the summer!