So, I know it’s been almost two months since my last post, but I figured I would have a chance to sum up the amazing summer I have had out here in California towards the end of my journey. Thanks to photos, it makes it a little easier to share my stories and experiences.
It seems like it’s just been one, ginormous learning experience and all the change was exactly what I’ve been waiting for. As far as the reason I traveled to Los Angeles, to be an intern at TBWA\Chiat\Day, it was an unbelievably great time. Full of new knowledge I was able to gain about the advertising industry and the people I came across was just awesome! I made an effort to lunch w/ all sorts of people within the company from Creative Directors to Account Planners. Staying connected and networked was important to me, but listening to their stories and their own experiences in any agency were both enlightening and inspiring.
Of course, the other interns and I were always having a blast. Being dubbed the “Social Director” of the bunch, I’d always try to make plans for everyone to go out after work. Below is a photo a few of us at a bar in Venice. We’ve got interns representing the Media Arts Lab, Nissan, Mars, Energizer, Pepsi and Visa accounts. It’s safe to say I’ll miss each and every one of the them and hope that we’ll all keep in touch! A couple of us that got really close have already started making plans to visit each other at school in the Fall or Spring semesters!
- Chiat\\Day Interns
When I first found out I was making the move, I heard from friends and acquaintances that the people in LA were mean, cold and flaky. On top of that, other friends had asked me about what I was going to do about a social life. After hearing both, I still wasn’t too worried about it. Maybe it’s the personality I have, but I have attracted nothing but good vibes and great people during my time out here. Everyone was very friendly and willing to show me around the city. Maybe their intentions were elsewhere, but the time spent genuinely taking the time to go around Santa Monica, Venice, Hollywood or other areas were so much freaking fun!
The picture below of my friend Vrinda & I was taken at one of my new friend’s birthday party. His name is Justin and is also a Florida native. We met at a cafe in Venice and were discussing all the similarities we had! Floridans, both in the advertising industry and crazy about California to name a few! He was traveling to Costa Rica but thanks to facebook, we were able to get in touch when he got back and he invited my friends and I to his birthday festivities! This is also where he introduced me to Thursday night reggae concerts out by the Santa Monica Pier. All you need is a blanket, cooler full of cold drinks and great company and you have yourself a relaxing Thursday evening!
Thursday Nights at the Santa Monica Pier
Every Tuesday, I had taken a day off from interning and waitressing to volunteer at the Venice Beach Boys & Girls Club. Starting off at the end of May, it was just a lot of helping out getting prepared for the summer camps. The director was aware that I was minoring in marketing so every so often I’d help out their marketing director with some calls or events.
I was even more excited about volunteering when the summer classes started. The Boys & Girls Club does such an amazing job at providing cool activities, both outdoor and indoor, and trying to get the kids to be expressive and involved. In the mornings I’d stroll in and see if the office needed any help and then head down to the game room. Every hour the groups would change, all by age. Seeing how kids these days would always suprise me! Watching them dance, play and enjoying all the games was really cool to see and be a part of. A couple of weeks into it, I’d come in a few kids were run over screaming “SARAH!!!” and it was so cute and really made me feel special to be a part of their lives this summer.
First Half of my Day at the Teen Center
In the elevator one day, I saw signs for sailing classes and asked the director if they needed help with those classes, that I’d be more than happy to be the volunteer to go! So that’s what I did! After lunch, I’d drive over to Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Ray and assisted the group of instructors. Since I don’t have a sailing certification, I mainly kayaked, hung out on the beach or got to actually ride around and learn to sail the hobie catamarans! Time did not permit, but I would have been able to get certified if I had been out here a little longer! I got to kayak around and show the kids all the sting rays by the beach, play games and spot other cool sea creatures! Tuesdays were always good days!
Second Half of my Day: Sailing & KayakingWest Coast Sunset
One of my friends from back home, Ryan, came out to the West coast for a conference and introduced me to his friend Jonathan who is a California native. We’ve become good friends and hang out a bunch which requires me to do a lot of surfing spectating. A couple of the interns at Chiat surf too, so sometimes they’ll go for a quick dip after work. An amazing idea to me, because you don’t go back into the water after dark/sunset or else you’ll be shark bait (ooh ha ha)! That and the fact that it only takes you about five to ten minutes to even get to the beach versus thirty to forty. The next two pictures are things I will really miss when I go back. The beach and the sunset. Of course, there is both in Orlando, but it’s such a far drive and to catch a sunrise- you have to wake up early.
Night Surf at Venice Pier
Beautiful, yah?
Below was a couple of weeks ago when there was some huge swell that came from the Pacific. It was cool to see such huge waves in the states. Last and only time I’ve seen big waves were in Costa Rica last year. Further south by Laguna Beach, there was a body boarder who died at spot called ‘The Wedge” because the waves were so big. I think you can really feel the difference between the Florida and California beaches. Minus the obvious like the water temperature and what not, but the water out here feels more fierce and heavy. When I’m laying by the beach and listen to the waves crash, they sound a lot louder and stronger. Maybe I’m just crazy though, who knows?
Huge Swells at Heavens
The things to do out in Los Angeles are ALWAYS endless. Regardless of the day of the week or time of the day, you can rest assure that there is always something to do. The piers seem to be really big on concerts and music. Below is at Hermosa Pier waiting to see Rebelution play. The crowd was young and it made me kind of jealous. I wish I could have had cool things like this to do when I was in high school or middle school! There’s also the Santa Monica Pier concerts and festivals of all sorts are very common through the beaches and city.
@ Hermosa Pier Sunset Concert Series
This weekend, where my best friend, Christine, and her best friend, Casey, came to town to visit is the weekend I had been looking forward to ALL SUMMER! It was close to not happening, but everything happens for a reason! My other friend Nick, also came to town for a conference and I was more than happy to have him join us and see a lot of the city that I had waited to visit when my friends arrived.
Let the Best Weekend EVER Begin!
We had the chance to see the pier for my friend Vrinda’s last night in LA. She goes to Penn State and is from India, which is where she was headed to for the last bit of her summer. It was perfect. While I was interning, the girls shopped and my friend Nick and Jonathan did a bit of surfing and “bro”-ed out their own day. We checked out a friend’s art show and met lots of interesting people! Like this guy! According to him, we are “hot bitches”. Psh, we didn’t argue! haha! It was a long, tiring evening and everyone was still pretty worn out from the night before, but a good night it was!
I'll Miss Random Guys Like This.. or Not!
I won’t lie. I loved making new friendships, but I did miss a handful of friends while I’ve been out in Cali. I talked to them as often as I could and we would keep each other updated, but it was so nice having the girls out for a few days. My favorite part was just sharing the good times I’ve been having here with them.
Playing at Manhattan Beach
As a waitress, I’d get a lot of good suggestions of places I need to visit before I traveled back East. One was Abalona Cove, a “free aquarium” as one guest put it. He talked about a short hike, mini coves and tide pools that show you more sea life than any aqaurium could. Well, on the way there we also saw more photo opps in a ten mile span than I’ve seen in three months! They say the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) is a stunning drive and they’re right!
The View North from Palos Verdes, behind me
So we got to the cove, hiked down a bit and got to walk along the shoreline ’til we got close to the tide pools. Unfortunately, we took too much time at the beach and missed the low tide. However, we did see SOME pools and it was neat seeing some of the crabs and critters. We just got stuck at the cove below because the only way across it was to swim. With phones and cameras- that just wasn’t happening. So we made the best of the situation and just jumped in! It was a tid bit nippy, but really refreshing. I totally felt like a little kid again. I didn’t have a care in the world and felt so free!
Cave Exploring at Abalone Cove
After the coves we rushed home for a REALLY QUICK RINSE and then headed out to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the LA Galaxy vs. Barcelona soccer game. Definitely glad I went but felt like I was robbed of the experience. Barcelona wasn’t as aggressive as they usually are and it made me think the game was rigged. It was fun to go to regardless but I guess I’ll have to go overseas to see a game of futbol!
@ The Rose Bowl: LA Galaxy vs. Barcelona
I couldn’t leave LA without seeing the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign or all the bums trying to make some flow by pretending their some movie character. I’m glad I can say I saw it, but the cove or some of the other stuff we did was way more cooler to do then looking at old Hollywood stuff.
Crusing through Hollywood
Between the hike to the Griffith Observatory or the Cove, I’m not sure which was my favorite. The hike was a blast and definitely something gorgeous to have witnessed a sunset like that! Full of laughs, grunts and a parking ticket later- it’s safe to say everyone really not only had fun but appreciated the trip up!
Griffith Observatory
Hiking Up to the Observatory
Rocky Style
Jonathan & I Enjoying the View
Sunset @ Griffith Observatory
The trip to Napa was an unexpected one but incredibly AWESOME! It was weird seeing rain clouds for the first time in three months, but the vineyards and scenery were gorgeous! A contact of mine from when I interned in the golf industry is based in California and had invited me to come up with him while he tried some wine to add to his collection at a recently purchased golf course of his. We talked directly to the owners and wine makers themselves and it was just so awesome watching them talk about wine with such passion and love. We flew into Oakland, did a quick drive close to San Francisco and I got to see Alacatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. We quickly toured a few vineyards, but I wasn’t complaining! I’m waiting to see how much info about wine I retained the next time I go out to eat!
Alcatraz
Golden Gate Bridge
Kelham Vineyards
Flora SpringsJohn Komes, the Owner, Pouring Me a Glass of his Own Wine!
Sparkling Wine Tasting at Mumm Napa
Robert Mondavi Vineyard Entrance
Robert Mondavi's Grapes
Robert Mondavi Vineyard Entrance
There’s not a doubt in my mind that I will move back to California. All that’s left is finishing school, getting some traveling done and continuing to live my life! I look forward to it and can’t wait to see what’s in store.
–Sarah