Done!

I have arrived back in Rochester, New York.   It's 40 and raining here.  Don't get me wrong - I love winter, and the changing of the seasons.  But, it sure would be nice to be back in that California sun! 

Kelly and I arrived on Thursday.  We were testing Friday for our TCRG exams.  Luckily we each only had the one section to complete because the sun and 80 degree weather was calling our names.  

Friday morning we woke up and practiced our behinds off - went and ate lunch at Whole Foods and scored some new cute clothes at the boutique in the strip mall called Varga.   I finally got myself a pair of Toms (yay) which I'm chomping at the bit to bust out despite my love for ugg boots, and everything bundled up and cozy.   After lounging at the pool for a bit we decided we should head inside and focus.  Kelly was up first.  I walked her down to the room when it was her time and then took a jaunt across the street to grab a coffee (my time slot wasn't for another few hours).   I got myself so nervous and worked up just sitting in the room waiting for her to get back and tell me that it had gone completely how we practiced and planned!   I feel like you never really know!  Then it was my turn, I got all ready to go inevitably too early.  Had to sit there panicking while watching Mr & Mrs Smith on the tv in the room...   Kelly yelled at me several times to stop checking the time (I did the same to her just hours before).   We headed down there - BLAST!  The girl who had to teach both sections just went in, and I was only 15 minutes early!  So I waited....and waited... and waited.  Finally she came out!  Yes, it's my turn! Finally!!!  Nope, the examiners needed to order their dinner... another 15 minutes passes..  I see kids exiting the rooms!   Now, I'm really starting to panic!  Did they forget about me!????   Nope, sure enough one of my Panelists came out to collect me and bring me into the room.  She asked if I'd been waiting long - HA!  

I'll leave the details of what happened in that examination room out, however I do feel confident that I did well this round.  Until I know for sure I'll have that lingering doubt, but we'll see!

So, let's talk about the snaps above.  Saturday morning Kelly and I woke up pretty early and went out seeking the Hollywood Hills.  We hiked in Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles.  It was amazingly beautiful, and by 9:30-10 in the morning it was already into the 70's!   We had awesome views of LA and took some incredible snaps of the Hollywood sign. 

Then we ventured over to Rodeo Drive, in Beverly Hills...    We peaked into Harry Winston and starred at the outside of designer stores like Chanel...  we totally stood out like sore thumbs! 

After Rodeo Drive we hit the beach - Santa Monica Pier.  Had lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp (I promised Kelly I'd give Forest Gump another go, yes yes I know it's unAmerican, she already told me. But, I've only seen parts).   We walked the pier - we saw some pretty interesting people, like the belly dancer photographed above.  Luckily Kelly got this awesome shot. 

To the beach we went!  I stuck my feet in the Pacific Ocean for the first time EVER! :) 

Then we shopped a bit on the promenade.   Literally two of the best days of my life!  

Back to the hotel we go - into the Hot tub!   Once we got hungry enough we went out to Manhattan Beach for dinner.   

I think that we're going to plan a Cali weekend every year!