On Finding Abandoned Places and Settling for Plan B

Today, I went on an adventure. My roommate suggested we go hiking so I took it as an opportunity to cross another thing off the bucket list and suggested we do a 4 mile loop ending at the abandoned LA zoo in Griffith Park. We decided to give it a shot so I looked up directions to a place that my maps app wouldn't find and I, my roommates, and a friend from church headed off on our adventure.

We found the place we were supposed to park relatively easy. After that, however, I got us lost, took us through the smallest amphitheater I've ever seen, up and around several peaks, across a bridge, and down through a well vegetated decline that I almost tumbled down several times.

I had looked up directions on modern hiker, which has some lovely, and lesser known hiking places. If you want to read what my hike was SUPPOSED to look like, you can see it here: http://modernhiker.com/2012/09/10/hiking-griffith-park-bee-rock-and-the-old-l-a-zoo/

Sometimes, I'm really horrible at following directions. And today was one of those days. Mostly because I didn't want to spend the whole hike looking at my phone for our next landmark. So, an hour in, we got to this:

*note: we started in the valley and ended up looking at down town from near the Griffith Observatory, which is on the other side of the mountains.

I checked my phone for our next landmark and realized we'd left it at least 30 minutes behind us so, a little disappointed, I decided I'd have to see the zoo another day.

We decided to go around the peak and we climbed farther up (much to the chagrin of my legs) and finally got here:

This is a picture of my car, in case you were wondering. At least we're on the right side of the mountains again, right? What I wouldn't have given for a zip line in this moment.

So we kept going. And at hour 2, exhausted, we realized the long trek uphill was fruitless and we had to double back to find a new route. It was also at hour 2 that I ran out of water.

Hour 2.5 found us at the top of a very steep incline that at least led us in the right direction, so we began our descent. My roommates made some cat jokes when I slipped, almost fell, and still landed on my feet.

Slightly after hour 3, we reached a high fence that had an opening so we went through it. I had given up hope of ever finding the zoo by this point. I just wanted civilization. But after we got through the fence, we came upon a lush green area and a peaceful walkway.

Then suddenly, I saw it.

We had stumbled upon it after all.

The cages were pathetically tiny and there was graffiti everywhere, but there was still something magical about it. I love zoos. I'm not sure what it is about them that I love, but I do. So even though this old, abandoned zoo infuriated me by how small the enclosures where, I still loved it.

After we explored it, we came out on the other side to a crowd of people and Shakespeare in the Park about to have their performance of Taming of the Shrew.

I feel like this would be a cooler story if we had stayed for the performance. But we were so exhausted and hungry that we just couldn't. That would be the perfect time to have a butler who had saved us a spot and set up a picnic for us while we were hiking. Ah well.

Thinking back on this adventure and what I could learn from it, I feel that I could draw a number of conclusions. But I think I'll go with this: I don't want to settle for plan B. Last week at our women's event at church, Pastor Nicole talked about not settling for a plan B life. So often, we set off on a journey that we think is pretty straightforward. Not easy, but at least we see our end goal. But then, we take a wrong turn, run out of water, and think that there is no way we could reach the destination this time. So we settle for an adequate option. I was fine to settle into this new hike that, while not exciting, still got me out of the apartment. But I was so quick to give up on my dream.

I'm grateful that God still knows my heart and I'm overwhelmed by how much He loves me. He knew that I wanted to find the zoo today and how much that would mean to me. He even added finding some Shakespeare as the cherry on top (because I WILL be going back this summer)!

So, even though I gave up on plan A, He never did. And I think that if He won't give up on plan A in something as simple as finding an abandoned zoo, He's not going to give up on the plans He has for our careers, our relationships, our happiness, and our futures. 

Small(ish) Victories

Yesterday, I had an experience that was nothing like I thought it would be.

For the first time in 22 years, I was done with school, with no immediate plans to return.

I had all the graduation festivities in May, but still had a History class to take. Not that I hadn't tried to take it. I had signed up for it during several different semesters and had attempted to test out of it a few weeks before my move to LA. Each of those endeavors had fallen through. So there I was, venturing into the working world with my mind (and stress level) still firmly connected to college.

Having already failed the test once, I was leery to commit to taking it a second time. If I failed this time, I'd have to wait 6 months for another shot. But finally, I committed to do it. I signed up for a time and studied day and night for a week and a half. And I passed by the small margin of 5 points.

I walked out of the testing center as an official college graduate. Being the dramatic person that I am, my immediate reaction was to cry and exclaim how bright the sunshine was and how the birds were singing louder and how the air smelled sweeter. But that wasn't really true.. I stepped out onto a crowded city street during a bizarre thunderstorm. So I just cried happy tears, called my mom, and then went home to make deviled eggs for our church picnic.

My life didn't change drastically. I didn't have a keener sense of smell. And I didn't stand up straighter as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Instead, I simply felt proud of myself because I had accomplished something I told myself I was going to accomplish.

Sometimes, that's what life is about. It isn't about the dramatic flair of sunshine or exclaiming that your life is immediately changed. Instead, it is those victories that you work long and hard at (and fail at once or twice). It's the times when you give yourself a high five for succeeding before deciding what you want to accomplish next.

Lazy Weekend Double Feature

I haven't blogged or completed anything on my list in a few weeks, which makes me sad. But the reason for it makes me happy. I am working in development at TNT. Which has been intense and hard,  but also amazing and full of growth.

After a crazy couple weeks, I'm happy to announce that I completed not one, but two things over the weekend!!

First, I spent all of Friday watching Game of Thrones and am now officially caught up! Check. Also tears... Oceans of tears.

And secondly, I went to see Blue Velvet at Cinespia (the Hollywood Forever Cemetery Screening).

Honestly, neither item was life changing, or really impactful at all. But, I did learn from this weekend that not everything has to be. Sometimes, it's okay to veg on the couch on your day off or to go see a movie that you hate in the cemetery with your friends... Just because you want to.

I need days like those because I have some big decisions and adventures coming up very soon in my life. I'll tell you more about these decisions when I can, but for now... I love you all! Go have some fun with your Wednesday.

Beach Bonfire: Adventure #7

Yesterday was by far the best time I've ever had at a beach.

A group from my church went to the beach to celebrate someone's birthday. For some peoole it was an all day thing. They got there at 6:30am and stayed until we left at 10pm. I was not that ambitious, however, and getting up before six on my day off did not sound appealing. Instead, I got there after lunch, spread out my towel, slathered sunscreen on myself, and plopped down to read my book. I've been trying to finish Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates since before graduation and (success!!) I got to the end while slowly roasting under the hot July sun.

Beautiful, right?? I thought so... and I even remembered to put a second round of sunscreen on my face and shoulders!

I think the hardest thing for me yesterday was talking to people. When I'm in big groups, I tend to not interact a lot. This was no different, and, other than the time I spent playing in the waves with my friends, I sat on my towel for most of the day, talking to the few people that I knew. Finally, as more and more people started showing up, I realized that I shouldn't be rude. I got up, started talking, dancing, and having fun and (surprise!) I made some great new friends!

So... remember that time I said that talking to people was the hardest part of the day?

WRONG!!!

This was the worst part of the day... In my remembering to put sunscreen on my face and shoulders, I forgot to put it everywhere else.

OUCH!

However, I'll be okay because I don't have to sit in an office chair until Monday, and I have an endless supply of aloe and ibuprofen.

In the end... my beach bonfire adventure was a lovely and successful start to my 101 things in 1001 days adventure!

101 things in 1001 days: A Journey In Identity Capital

4/13/15 EDIT: I recently was watching a TedTalk from Meg Jay, the author of The Defining Decade. Here's a link to it: Why 30 Is Not The New 20. In all honesty, I'd completely forgotten that I'd started this list. I've become caught up in all the things that I'm doing for work and church (all of which is great!). But as I was watching this talk, I realized that I'd stopped consciously working towards these fun, hard, and sometimes seemingly superfluous goals that I've written down.

In this talk, Meg encourages 20-somethings to "Forget about having an identity crisis and start getting some identity capital. Do something that adds value to who you are and do something that's an investment in who you might want to be next.” I really like the idea of investing in identity capital. Even if it's something as silly as finishing a book of Sudoku puzzles. They're all things that will become part of who I am as a person. Also - having a list like this is a great conversation piece.

Decaying Sanctity

A painter’s misused canvas, 

the wall against the alley is brightly colored with graffiti.

The bricks behind the layers of paint fit together

like an intricate puzzle. Stretching high and wide above the street.

The stained glass window that

once depicted the crucifixion of Christ

is stained with bird droppings.

As if no one cares, small pieces of that window are broken,

leaving holes in the sacrifice of the Lord.

The spires of this once-populated church strain to touch the clouds,

crying out to the surrounding world that this building still exists.

The boards across the large oak doors in front

contradict the cry of the steeple

by reminding the world that this building

is desolate and decaying.