I'll start with an update and then get to the meaning of the title I chose for this post.
As you probably guessed, a lot has been happening here in Los Angeles. I've determined I have adjusted to pacific time because I can sleep until noon on my days off (although, I try not to sleep that late.. it doesn't always work on the weekends). I've been adjusting well. I've learned the area around me pretty well. There's three grocery stores within walking distance, at least thirty restaurants, a bunch of stores, and three theaters (all which show only one movie at a time). Today, Smurfs 2 premiered at one of them. They had the blue carpet out and everything. Having the grocery stores within in walking distance is very convenient. I try to shop just a little at a time. I don't really get what I don't need. One of my favorite things about grocery shopping is here is looking at the labels of fruits and vegetables and seeing that they were grown from not too far from here, meaning they're nice and fresh. Mangos are on sale this week, so naturally I bought a couple. The last few days, I've made a good salad for dinner. Fresh romaine lettuce, with fresh cucumber, fresh carrots, and then either chicken cooked in lemon pepper marinade or ground turkey cooked in enchilada sauce with onions.
Today, I ventured out to Santa Monica and went to the movies with another intern from the Academy. We saw the To Do List, which is rather funny, but also rather inappropriate. We meant to see The Way, Way Back, but I thought the theater was where the stores were, but I was wrong. Then we made a change of plans. It was fun, and I took the bus, which is better than trying to find parking or pay for parking. (I also didn't want to lose my prime parking spot outside my apartment.)
The other night, my roommates and went to Chipotle (that's the third time in the last two weeks), and then we went to a party up the street, followed by a trip down the street in the opposite direction to Fat Sal's which has the weirdest sandwich combinations, but is pretty good (definitely something you do not want to eat often. My sandwich had a burger, fries, bacon, cheese, chili, a fried egg, and some sauces on it.. like I said, something you do NOT want to eat often .. or really more than once a summer). After that adventure, we came back and just went to bed.
A week and a half ago, I started at the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. I have this week, and then I move onto the next show which is still being determined (could be Jimmy Kimmel or Big Brother or both or something else). It's not as fun as Shark Tank, but it's still pretty fun. It's nice to be able to see how different shows are run, especially one that doesn't have a daily deadline. Ferguson is funny (no, I haven't met him or the guests). I get to go in the control room and in the edit room. Both environments are very different. The control room has about fifteen people in it, whereas the edit room has five. In the control room, I get to see how the director calls the shots of what's on when and how important it is to continuously pay attention and follow the action. You can't get caught up watching the show, which is something I'm learning not to do. Throughout the day, I get to sit in on production meetings.
One of the coolest things about this leg of the internship is watching the rehearsals when there's bands performing. I got to see the Goo Goo Dolls live right in front of me. Sara Bareilles too. This week, I get to live out a childhood dream.. the Backstreet Boys are performing, and I'll get to see them live. They were the first cd I ever bought. Eight-year-old me is freaking out. Twenty-year-old me is staying calm (hopefully).
I also get to talk to some amazing people who have been in the business for a while, and they are more than willing to share their stories and give me advice of what not to do and what to do. Some of these people have worked on amazing shows including awards shows like the Oscars.
The other nice thing about this show is that they have their own interns, so I'm not the only college kid there. When there's down time, I get to hang out with them.
Now to the meaning behind the title. In 19 days, I will turn 21. It'll be weird not sharing this birthday in person with Sam and Jeffrey. I always wanted to be with them on this birthday because we only turn 21 once. It would be nice if they could come here or if I could go there, but that isn't very reasonable. So I told them that we'll skype or facetime for our first legal drink. Instead of dwelling on not being able to spend my 21st with my other two-thirds, I'm taking advantage of actually planning my birthday/birthday weekend because I guess that's one thing about being a multiple.. you always decide together what you're going to do on your birthday. This year, I want to videochat with Sam and Jeffrey, go to my internship, then get dinner to go from somewhere and eat on the beach at sunset, and then go to a bar in the Westwood area (where my apartment is). On Saturday, with roommates and interns, go to Disneyland and Disney Adventure Park all day because what better way to spend the Saturday after your birthday at the happiest place on earth? (Also, I'm trying for my goal from early high school of go to every Disney park in the world.. might as well check off the United States first). Ideally, Sunday would be a good hike day or a good sleep day.
On another note, I finally started watching Doctor Who, and I must say, it's really good. I'm glad I started watching now while I don't have to worry about homework and other schoolwork.
Massachusetts ave 
Peace.love.happiness.
~Lisa
