I made sure to buy sunscreen & after sun hydrating lotion too.
I wore this on the way there.
Jeff was kind enough to take me the airport on his day off. We had quite a bit of spare time, so we decided to stop & have breakfast.
I met up with my boss at the airport & we ran into one of our patients there, who works for Southwest! She informed us that we were sitting next to Noah, who was a five year old boy that was the recipient of a Disneyland trip from the Make A Wish foundation.
Our patient had Noah sit on the staff desk, so everyone could see him & made an announcement to all in our gate to introduce Noah. He was elated. She explained that part of Noah's experience would include meeting the pilot & co-pilot & taking a picture with them in the cockpit, as well as getting a welcome announcement over the intercom before our flight. It was really neat to see.
My boss & I, getting ready for takeoff. I was so excited!
We flew into John Wayne & Uber'd to the Marriot. It was a block from the performing arts center where Cal-Jam was held! My room was very nice.
I changed into my swimsuit & packed my beach bag right away. I was ready!
The view from my balcony.
We headed to Huntington Beach from the Cal-Jam pre-party! First stop: Bruxie's!
I had the pulled pork waffle. It was good, as was the first. ;)
I then headed to Duke's & hung out with some great peeps! I met up with a friend, Dana, that I met from the FB page of one of the chiropractic training groups I belong to. It was so fun to meet her in person! We had so much fun!
My doc, Dr. Darci & I met up with some good friends, Dr. Marissa & her mom, "Mama Bass". (Dr. Marissa is opening a practice in Los Angeles)
I ate tiny boxes of cereal.
First thing I did was buy a sweet vintage tee.
Cal Jam was a blast. Before it started, they played concert footage of AC/DC & had a light show.
The speakers had some really interesting things to say! I learned some pretty cool things.
While listening to a talk about nutrition, I ate trail mix. I still feel a little guilty about that.
We goofed around a bunch.
The cover band played Tom Petty, Aerosmith, AC/DC & more. It was so fun!
Really good speech about being wary of prescription drugs & their side effects.
I ate at super hippie restaurants. This particular restaurant was vegetarian.
The avocado tacos were pretty good. You can't really go wrong with avocado.
"Cuz' I'm T-N-T!"
"Leave this profession better than you found it." Love it!
The buildings around there were super cool looking.
I decided to attend the gala the day of, but didn't have anything to wear that was dressy enough, so my boss gifted me with this gorgeous gown.
The gown was incredible. I felt so regal.
I ate steak at the gala. I thought the picture of the cow on my name card was funny.
I sat next to Magda & David, who came to Cal-Jam all the way from London! They were so cute! I had a blast hanging out with them.
It was so fun to meet new people & everyone looked so great!
I love her!
This speaker blew my mind. She spoke about the importance of serving & taking care of our veterans & showed a video about this guy that joined the army after 9/11 & went to Afghanistan to serve. His duty was to find IEDs. He was traveling in a humvee with three of his "best friends", when they hit an IED. His three friends were killed & in the fire, he lost three of his fingers, both of his ears & a third of his skin. As soon as the video ended, he walked onto the stage in full uniform. I couldn't help but cry when I saw him. He talked about how he suffered incredible physical & emotional pain & how the speaker, his chiropractor, helped him to heal.
After SSGT Shilo Harris spoke, I waited in line for an hour & a half to meet him & buy his book. It was so worth it. He was so kind & sincere. I could feel his strength. He emanated light.
This pose was his idea. Ha.
He signed my book. It was one of the big highlights of my trip.
T
I ate these tacos. They were super yummy.
Thankful Thursday: the military, freedom, running water, the comforts of home, smiles from strangers, hugs from my Ryan, sunshine, talents, being a U.S. resident, freedom to choose, fuzzy blankets, the Atonement, the Resurrection.
Weekly Obsessions:
His book.
Read it! This book is so incredible. It takes you into his experiences in the middle east: the unrest, the injustice, the brotherhood in his platoon...it will break you heart. But it has such an honest, human perspective, that I can't put it down.
This quote.
I am trying so hard to surround myself with those that sincerely want to be their best & love others.
...and this quote.
With last Sunday being Palm Sunday (I wish we celebrated it in the church!) & this upcoming Sunday being Easter/general conference, I have felt such an overwhelming sense of what the Atonement is all about. I had the opportunity to teach gospel doctrine for the first time & received an overwhelming sense of the love that my Savior has for me. It was an incredible experience.
...this one too...
This makes me sad because I always text back, but am slow to kneel when I pray. *announcer voice* Let me now apply...THE ATONEMENT!
My love affair with Ben & Jerry.
The solid caramel in the middle makes it.
I love this!
Having a positive outlook works wonders for me!
This song.
I love this guy's voice. It brings me back...
This one.
I love Portuguese!
This song.
Makes me want to cruise with the windows down!
This song.
I heard it on the radio today. I forgot how much I love her.
Random:
My doc & I got to meet Misty May-Treanor at Cal-Jam. (She's a gold medalist!) I was on a conference call this morning & this was in the presentation. My doc is famous! :)
Our new hire, Tricia, & I went to Starbucks on our lunch & she was sweet enough to buy me this salted caramel dessert bar. It was so fun to hang out & chat!
...ha! Gotta love this!
Have a great week's end, everyone!
XOXO,
