Just got back from the premiere of Life to Life Production's short film "Sometimes It's Funny" by Church in the Valley!  It was great and I'll post a couple more pictures later.  It was a lot of fun and great being a part of it! I had a small but extremely entertaining role as the goth stage manager.  I've had several people confirm now that I should never dye my hair black, lol...  More to come!

Took me a little longer, but finally writing the blog for my sister's visit here to Southern California from Oregon.  We had a great time together, and I'm really glad she visited.  We weren't close growing up at all, and have really been one of those cases where siblings become closer after adulthood.  We were just too different in most ways (and completely the same in the other areas).  I can see that part of the 2009 changes that God promised at the beginning of the year, was the growing of my friendship with my sister.  Praise God!

First, of course, was the road trip.  It was about 17 hour drive from my family's place in Oregon down to where I live in Southern California.  We pulled about 7 hours of it the first day and stayed at my Grandpa's place after returning him home.  He bought with my aunt & uncle this amazing two story house that they like to use to entertain and host people with.  Then, next morning after doing some last minute sales-tax-free (Oregon doesn't have it) shopping, we hit the road for home around noon.  Yes, you heard me right, noon.  We didn't get home (because of stopping for gas, food, breaks, etc) until around 2 am.  Good thing we were going to the late 11 am church service on Sunday the following day ;)

Here's our, "Thelma & Louise" picture from the road trip as my sister dubbed it...

To experience more of my life here in Southern California, of course I had to take her out dancing! 

First event was at my normal Sunday dance, which had their monthly competition.  I ended up placing 4th, which my sister so kindly captured in her phone picture below.

However, the fun event was the Swingin' The Blues 1-year anniversary later that week.  First, there was the Advance class before the dancing taught by Michael Kielbasa.  He's an amazing dancer and one of my favorite leads.  I always learn a lot in his classes.  I've been friends with/known him for about 5 years (approx since I took a year break in there somewhere) and he constantly seeks to improve himself and dancing.  Definitely a good motivator and example as a dancer!

This photo is from last night, since the above pics are so small. This is the talented Michael.

Good times with my sister and friends at the Swingin' The Blues Anniversary... Check out my albums for more pictures, since I can't begin to choose what to post.

Our next adventure was getting to tour Paramount Studios.  My friend from church works there and got us in free.  Afterwards, Mindy played tour guide and we went around Walk of Fame to check out stars and then Mann's theater with the hand-signed cement.  More pictures in my albums, but few posted below.

Sis and I posing "Hollywood" style on the tour tram with our sunglasses

The beautiful Paramount studios grand entrance gates with waterfall.

Our Paramount host Mindy! :D

One of my favorite "stars" Patrick Steward - "Live long and prosper!"

My dancing king - Patrick Swayze R.I.P

In front of the group signatures for Star Trek cast!

Now, doing our tour earlier in the day at Paramount Studios, they'd been setting up for some guest filming of a episode of "24".

Due to Mindy's security clearance, we could get back on to watch from afar the filming.  However, a very kind security guard talked to a sound guy and we got to listen in!  We had a great time with Bill, and learned more about the technical behind the scenes.  Great guy!

The security guard below, who I bonded with over Star Trek.  He'd worked all the series except for the original and some of the movies.  Die-hard Trekkie me loved hearing all his hilarious behind-the-scenes stories of some of the casts' antics.

We also got to meet one of the actors in the scene, who had a bit part.  He'll be in episode 10 this season for anyone wondering.  Was funny, he had to do an eastern accent, but he's actually italian.  The first take, he actually sounded Irish instead of eastern.  Which we all thought was hilarious, considering he was an italian, attempting an eastern accent, and ended up sound Irish.  He did better on the later takes and did a great job.

It was really fun being on set and seeing more of the behind the scenes leg work.  I've done extensive actor training up in Portland while growing up, but never did any major filming.  Only some extra work, etc, because there weren't any roles for kids my age up there.  I still act on the drama team with my church, so it's not all going to waste.  We have our 3rd short-movie premiere this Sat, very exciting!!!  Still, watching it made me really miss acting on a higher scale.  Maybe one day...

Our last adventure was to the beautiful San Diego.  We went to Sea Port Village, which is an awesome plaza area with tons of little shops and great harbor view. This was one of my favorite places, and for any couples out there it'd make an ideal date place!

Overall, we had a fabulous time together and she had a blast visiting!

As most of you know from an earlier blog, I drove up to OR a couple weeks ago to visit the family.  The trip was mainly to spend time with my Grandpa.  A healthy 87-year old physically who still loves to tend his garden of dahlias.  I drove up from Southern California and picked him up in Medford.

Below, my grandpa enjoying the view on the backporch of his house in Medford.

Grandpa showing off his dahlias, his pride and joys.

Driving the rest of the way up to near Portland, my grandpa and I stayed at my sister's house.  Below are some family hangout pics.  Usually over food, because I forget the camera other times unless special occasions or trips, lol...

Going out to dinner with family: dad, sister Melinda, mom, Grandpa & I

My sister cooked us dinner at her house.

My daddy and I - you can see where I get my coloring from :)

My momma - who loves being a blonde now! She actually has dark hair like my sister :D

I also got to meet for the first time a distant relative - my grandpa's cousin's daughter Linda... I have no idea how that translate in relation to me, I always get confused with that stuff...

My grandpa and Linda

I also got to catch up for a little bit with my old private saxophone teacher Mr. Wimmer.  He's like a second grandpa and was good to see him!

Our next outing consisted of going to the beach my with grandpa and nephew Kyle.  Lots of fun at Newport beach in Oregon!

My grandpa got a "feather in his cap" ;)

Playing around with my 5'9" nephew (only 12!!) Kyle - got him in a headlock :D

We toured a lighthouse, which had a great view and rooms still set with all the decorations and belongings from the 1800s.  Supposedly it was haunted, nothing exciting ;)

We had lunch at this diner, where my nephew and Grandpa loved to be goofballs.  Kyle and His Great-Grandpa - the two comedians :D

We ended going to this little bay area that's by the infamous Moe's Restaurant.  Amazing food and one of my favorite places to go.  Saw a beautiful sunset and then had dinner with my old-friend Andy who I've known forever.

I was freezing by this time...

My nephew and grandpa "trying" to set upright the washed up tree...

Beautiful Oregon coast sunset

Wrapping the day up with delicious seafood!  Sorry, no food pictures D.Y.

Our next adventure was to the Portland Japanese Garden, very beautiful!

We ended our adventures exploring the beauty of Oregon by going to The Portland Rose Garden.  I absolutely love roses, so it was incredible to be there with TONS of roses inbloom.  I took lots of pictures, but I'll spare you and just show a couple :)

From the Rose Garden, there was a beautiful view of downtown Portland with Mt. St. Helens in the background.  My grandpa shows off the view ;)

I had a wonderful time and glad that I had the trip to treasure with my grandpa.  I hope you all enjoy your grandparents and how they enrich our lives with their love and support!

Cool, just finished checking my 300+ blog feed (sorry if I didn't comment on EVERYONE'S blog).  Wrapping things up, I noticed I've passed the 100,000 visitors mark!  I'm currently at 100,005 as I'm writing this.  Wow, some pretty bored people out there to come to my page, lol..

Hoping to do my OR trip & Sister Visit blogs after lunch.  Yes, you're ALL waiting, with MUCH anticipation... [rolls her eyes]