los angeles

As I said earlier, I was a sub-nanny in LA for my awesome friend Anna while she celebrated her birthday in Europe.

view from street, south side

if it was dark, you could see everything all lit up

different day, view from street, north side

The first week, I took a little trip to the Getty Museum in Malibu.

inside courtyard

If I had one color to describe this trip, it would be blue.

Then, a trip to Santa Clarita.

Then, a trip to San Luis Obispo, with the nanny family.  The kids didn't have school on Monday and so their mom decided that she wanted to take a short trip up north to check our this little town.  We stayed in this hotel called Madonna Inn.  It is the love child of an architect who married an interior designer whose favorite color must have been pink.  EVERYTHING was pink: the walls, the soap, the key cards, etc etc.  And each room had a theme of some sort, like a safari room where everything was animal prints.  We stayed in a Sir/Knight room.

So it has a feel of an olde English home.

We ate at the restaurant that night and it was a yummy steak house with an explosion of pink.

huge pink flowers and cupids

the kids goofin in the huge pink cushioned chairs

surrounded by pink pink pink

The next day, we swam in the pool and then explored SLO.  It's a cute little college town that also caters to the tourism.  It has a gum wall alleyway like the one in Seattle.

me and the kids

It was a cute town and it made me miss my undergrad days.

Anna came home Tuesday night and we played when we didn't have the kids.

Wednesday, we went to Century Mall on Santa Monica to see "10 Years" and then talked about what it would be like at our 10 year high school reunion over Pinkberry.  

Here's what we were trying to figure out:

1. Who would be the one who was popular/a party-er in high school, but then went on to be a nobody?

2. Who would marry their high school sweetheart?

3. If you had the chance to "hook-up" with any guy from high school, who would you pick at the ten year reunion?

4. Who was the "one that got away," or the friend from high school you'd like to connect with?

Anna and I graduated from the same high school and same graduating class, so it was fun trying to remember the people we went to high school with and stories from those days.  I can't believe our reunion will only be in 5.5 years.

Thursday was the dad's birthday, so I made a cake and Anna made dinner.  

that kid just cracks me up.

Thursday night, Anna and I people-watched on 3rd Street Promenade and then saw "Premium Rush" (we like to watch movies...).  And then I wanted to pick up and move to New York.

Friday, we hit up the beach (which, if you couldn't tell, was a 5 second drive away from their house).  The water was awesome, even though I was afraid of getting eaten by a shark and we enjoyed ourselves even though Anna was afraid of all of the pigeons.  

I love the beach mostly because I love being warm. And so this day was perfect :)

you can see LA/Santa Monica in the distance

I was so so so so so sad to go and I can't wait to go visit Anna, again!!! 

that one time I graduated college

It's been awhile, but I'm a college grad! 'sup!
My family got into town Thursday afternoon and we ate at Which Wich, which is a sandwich place by the University Mall where you can choose from many different types of 'wiches!  It's yummy!  My sister and I also staked out the competition at Sweet Tooth Fairy (it's a tough place to beat...).
That afternoon, I had Commencement, so I waited in the hot sunshine to go inside, fidgeting with my stupid collar and worried that all of the water I was drinking would make me need to pee in the middle of the ceremony.  Our speaker was David Beck, a leader in the LDS Church.

Me ~ Mars (aka Margaret from my study abroad program) ~ Jenny

That night was my official graduation celebration dinner with the fam at Texas Roadhouse.  My family is so thoughtful and I'm so glad that they were able to come out to support me and celebrate with me!
Then, of course, we watched the Olympics.
Friday, we got up early to hike the Y.  Conquered that mountain.  Then we did the BYU thing: visiting the bookstore, eating at the Cougareat, etc.

That afternoon was my Convocation and I got to be a part of the ceremony as the musical number, so that was a great time!  I went early for sound checks and, while I was goofing with the tech guys, they showed me how the grand Steinway in the Marriott Center is signed on the inside board by John Steinway, himself! And a bunch of other legit pianists.

Here is a sample of the piece Justin and I played for our Convocation.

my comp's being funky, so I'll upload the full video soon.

Also because I was performing, I got to sit onstage, which was pretty cool.  

(third from bottom=that's me!!)

My parents treated me and my roommates to Bombay House that night. Yum!

My roommates then gave me a 224 send-off of a lifetime.  I miss those girls :(

Saturday, I drove from Provo, UT to Portland, OR with my dad. I didn't think it would be so hard to leave Provo, but that's because I was leaving my life for the past 4 years.  That mainly means leaving those great people I got to enjoy my time with during my stay in Utah.  I hope to see you guys soon and that we can stay in touch :)

YAY GRADUATIONNN!

sickest thing I've seen on SYTYCD

I'm catching up with SYTYCD and this is the coolest routine, like, EVER!
I'm seriously considering starting a tWitch Tuesday because I LOVE him.
http://youtu.be/cKw60liUDk0

this is kinda cool

http://www.jennyerikson.com/2012/09/21/so-i-went-to-mormon-church/

This just shows that you can't accuse the LDS Church for mistreating women.  We looovvee the women of this Church!

Santa Clarita Weekend Trip

Like I mentioned before, I was just in LA for a nanny job.  The lovely and talented Anna needed a sub, so I took the chance to visit California and to help her out, of course!  She sent me a text a few months back saying that her mom surprised her with a trip to Europe for her birthday (rough...) and she needed someone to sub-nanny her family while she was gone.  Make some extra cash while I'm unemployed AND get a couple of weeks in CA?  OK!
For the weekend between the two weeks, I decided to drive up to Santa Clarita to visit my family.  Con about LA: TRAFFIC.  I'm OK with driving there (I think Utah helped out with that...), but it's the fact that it took me 3.5 hours to go 30 miles is what really ticks me off.  But I got there and it was a nice weekend.   Early Saturday morning, my grandpa and I hiked about 5.2 miles in the mountains by his house.  The sign going into the park read something like this: "Park closed dusk to dawn. All people must be out of the park when dark.  Warning: due to fires and such, we have had an influx of wild animals like bears and mountain lions and they are most active during nighttime."  Yup.  Living on the edge. Another interesting thing about the hike is that it is an oil area, so oil runs like streams in areas where they used to have drills and wells.  That was so crazy to me!  The hike was beautiful and therapeutic.

view from the top of the valley

celebrated his 70th birthday this week, but this hike was a breeze. he's still got it.

at the top!

oil along the trail

I got to have some bonding time with my cousin, Claire, which was so fun!  I watched her horseback riding lesson after the hike and then we got ready to hit up Six Flags Magic Mountain! It was only her second time, so I felt honored to introduce her to some of the "big kid rides."  Between Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, and Great America in California, Magic Mountain is by far my favorite.  Seriously, I want to go to this place until I die.

waiting in line for my most favorite

Sunday morning was more horsey stuff with Claire and then we went to breakfast, just the two of us :)  Then I drove back to the Palisades so that I could get ready for my next trip with the nanny family to San Luis Obispo.

And here is a picture of my grandma's one-eyed cat named Penny, whom I call Winky:

The Ericksen's Guide to BBQ in the Portland Area

This experiment is headed by Dad Ericksen.  He loooovveeess his BBQ and so when he gets to choose where we eat, it's BBQ.  So we have tried a few places in Tualatin and East Portland that we thought were yummy.  This is ironic, since Portland is known for their vegan or vegetarian dietary habits (I will have to tell you about some yummy vegan places sometime).  Here it is! What you all have been waiting for!  The Ericksen's Guide to Eating BBQ in the Portland Area!!!  Duht duht duh duhhhhhhaaaa!

Russell Street BBQ~ 325 NE Russell Street, Portland, OR, 97212
Virginian BBQ

Pros: I am a big fan of pulled pork, so I tend to get it at places with BBQ options.  Russell's has really good pulled pork.  Also, my dad is most satisfied with the "meat-a-palooza" option here than anywhere else.  It's a lotta meat.  And I like the atmosphere.  They have lots of different pig figurines hanging out around the restaurant.  In other words, it's cute, but not overbearing-this-is-a-bbq-place-dangit.

Cons: It's popular, so it can be busy.  That can be a pro, though, except from the lack of waiting space/benches.  They don't take reservations, either.

Sam showing how it's done 

love my pulled pork and potato salad!

Podnah's Pit~1625 Killingsworth, Portland, OR

Texan BBQ

Pros: The atmosphere is fun and Portland-ish. It's in the heart of East Portland, so you can do other things, too, like grab dessert afterwards, and feel like a Portlander.  The meat platter does NOT skimp; I had to share mine with my mom and we still didn't finish.  My mom is a beef brisket fan and she really liked the beef brisket (as did I).

Cons: Street parking only.  Also a bit of a wait since it is popular.  

not my picture

the meat platter my mom and I had to share

Famous Dave's~three locations in the Portland area

Chain Restaurant, but I think they shoot for Texan BBQ

Pros: I super love their cornbread and potato salad.  They have lots of choices for sauces.  The decor is cute.  

Cons: My dad is a little disappointed about the wimpiness of the equivalent of the "meat-a-palooza," since there are only two meats you can have, unless you add $3.99 more per addition of type of meat.  

Pine Shed Ribs~17730 Pilkington Rd, Lake Oswego, OR
Pit BBQ
Pros: The menu said one side for my particular choice, but when I got my plate, I also got chips and a pickle! A pickle, I tell ya!  The cornbread was really good.  I got the pulled pork sandwich and it was also really good.  I hear their white mac n cheese is also good, but they were out.  They also claim on their menu that they only get meat from local vendors, if that suits your fancy.
Cons: Of course, my dad got the meat platter and he and my mom loved the almond smoked chicken.  However, the rest of the meats they complained were a little dry compared to the other places.  Also, we were unsettled by the fact that you have to order in one spot and then walk in the rain to another area to sit.  So, this place is probably more fun in the summer during a quick lunch time when you can just eat standing up outside or you don't have to get rained on going to the eating area.

We are still on our quest to discover good places to eat in Portland Metro area and this includes our BBQ spots.  Let us know if there are any good places you'd recommend to us, BBQ or not!

Michelle's Guide to the J. Paul Getty Museum

Location: off of the PCH in Santa Monica by West Sunset.
Price: free
Parking: at the museum, $15. Or you can drop off at the entrance
Duration: 1.5-3 hours

Located on the cliffs above the PCH and the California coast, this museum was created from the personal collection of J. Paul Getty. He was the richest man in America during his peak in the oil industry and he used his wealth to collect art and artifacts. When he died, he left it for the people of California.
Before you visit, you have to have a ticket printed out online. Good news: it's free! Bad news: parking is $15 (is the museum really "free"??).
You have to print the ticket first because you verify it at the gate. You get a certain time, but I called and they said that I could go up to an hour earlier. That's possibly for the off-season, though.
I was a TA for a classics class and took a few during my undergrad so I have found a love for Greek and Roman history and mythology. To my delight, I found that the collection at the Villa is Greek and Roman artifacts.
My favorite from the permanent collection is the Lansdowne Herakles statue on the first floor. I also liked the gold laurel victory crown/wreath from Olympian games a long time ago.

There also was a temporary exhibit inspired by the last days at Pompeii. They had a couple of casts of people that they found preserved by the debris from Vesuvius, which was cool. And I loved this painting:

The Destruction of Pompeii by John Martin

I'm a fast museum-er so know that you can spend more time if you want. They have guided tours that take 40 minutes, so you can easily spend a few hours if you take your time. If you're interested in Greek and Roman artifacts, spend an afternoon at the Getty Villa!

bumpin' birthday bash at the beach

For the next couple of weeks, I'm stepping in as a sub nanny for the kids Anna takes care of in Pacific Palisades, CA.  I have to admit, I enjoy this weather a bit more than the weather up in Anchorage ;)
Speaking of good times on the beach, a couple of months ago, my mom's side of the family had a reunion at our beach house.  I pretty much didn't have my phone with me much during that week and, being that my phone is also my camera, I was waiting to get pictures from others before I put up a post.  So the following pictures are from my uncle's gf, Megan.

horseback riding on the beach with the girls

 my sister, Syd~my grandma~my cousin, Nicole~my mom~Megan~Me~my cousin, Kimberly~my cousin, Claire

The next day, we ate at Grateful Bread, a cute little bakery/cafe in Pacific City

my cousin, Dan and my uncle Mike just crack me up

Then on full stomachs, we climbed the sand dunes in Pacific City

I chose this picture to prove how good my uncle Chris is at smizing

 my family as little dots as we climb all the way up

 the view from the top is worth the scramble

 my dad's in the back with Dan~action shot with sand of cousin Bart~Chris~Claire

 uncles Mike and Chris~Bart

top of the dunes

Now for my pictures!

view from my walk: 2000 year old ghost forest preserved by the sand and just discovered within the last 10 years 

feeding 16 people made meal times a fun time! 

family time with horseshoes and croquet

and, of course, fun on the beach 

we had a competition for who could find the most whole sand dollars. Nicole won!

I hope we don't have to wait for the next 70th birthday to see everyone again!