February 29, 2012

Hello from the West Coast!

So I endured the direct 16 hour flight to the West Coast I was dreading, and have to say it wasn't all that bad. Traveling with another Stoli winner was a good deal considering she spotted an empty seat in front of her that only had another one next to it AND was on the isle. Great news considering I'm constantly drinking water and constantly... yeah.

All was fine except for the guy sitting next to me who seemed to be convinced we were flying "together." Not sure what made him think he was responsible for me. Maybe it was the fact that we were both lame enough to pre-order a specific type of meal (I can't stand plane food). It got to the point where I was so nervous he'd help me take my sweater off; no doubt I looked psycho yanking it off me like it was on fire to avoid any help. Clearly nothing too exciting happened...

Highlights of the Trip: 
  • The Stoli team welcoming us with a limo to the W Hotel in Westwood. We entered the hotel with a camera rolling on us, and all I can say is if I look half human in that clip I'll be satisfied. 
  • Finding Trader Joes AND Wholefoods right next to the hotel. That was enough to make me feel at home. 
  • Seeing old friends which is always a great feeling.
  • Meeting new friends who I got along and felt comfortable with almost instantly.
  • Being part of the live audience at the shooting of "Two and a Half Men." 
  • Shaking Ashton Kutcher's hand...
  • Partying at the Abbey, which for those of you who don't know is probably one of the most fun gay bars you'll ever go to. So my friend and I decided to stand by the stage where one of the male dancers was going wild, at which point he looked right at me, bent over to grab my neck and pulled me in to give a nice long and slow lick up the side of my face. Is that normal? I thought he was going to tell me something.... evidently, I don't go out much. I tried looking at the bright side - I knew it would be the most action I'd be getting there. Not sure why I still get surprised when the most random things happen to me. I guess I can cross "getting my face licked by a stranger" off my list now. 
  • One of the most invigorating, calming yet powerful yoga classes I've ever had, and I've tried a lot. I truly enjoyed that class, it wasn't even hot yoga yet I was sweating buckets and the stretching was just what my body needed. 
  • Shaking Ashton Kutcher's hand...
  • Lunch at Urth Cafe where my obsession for broccoli soup began and where I had the best vegan oatmeal cookie. Mmmm. Just the kind of casual healthy place I wish we'd find more of in the Middle East.
  • The Kandy Masquerade Playboy Party which deserves it's own post.
  • Shaking Ashton Kutcher's hand! Sorry.. I can't help it. I'm holding myself back from describing the texture of it.... (it's soft). 

It wasn't my first time in LA but it's always been a different experience each time. I definitely want to spend at least a week there this summer - five days isn't enough if you account for jet lag ruining a couple of them for you. All in all a great and exciting trip. When I signed on to work with Stoli this memory was definitely not something I thought I'd have. Glad I took the opportunity! On to the next adventure xx




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