Morgan- Post #8: Los Angeles, California

Friends,

Before arriving at the final destination of Los Angeles, Taylor and I made a trip to see the Hoover Dam. In a few of my environmental classes, I learned about the downstream and upstream effects of dams on wildlife populations and many of the potential consequences of a dam break. The professors always used the Hoover Dam as an example so it was neat to see the dam in person. I have uploaded the photos from our mini adventure below!

 Lake Mead National Recreation Area- the largest water reservoir in the United States!

Some of the monuments/dedications

 Dammmm(n)

Many of the plaques recognized those who died in the building of the dam. It seems crazy that the construction of the dam resulted in one hundred and twelve lives lost. While hydroelectric power is relatively clean power, dams interrupt fish migration and general ecosystem characteristics such as water salinity, and frequency and degree of flooding. The effects of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River have been recorded and even mentioned on a plaque at the site. While I recognize the need for power and progress, especially during the period during which the dam was built, I wonder if the benefits outweighed the costs and whether or not a project like this would pass today. Regardless, the Hoover Dam is considered an engineering marvel.

After visiting the dam, Taylor and I headed to Los Angeles. It took us around five hours to get there. We arrived at approximately 5:00 p.m., unloaded my belongings into the apartment, and headed to Whole Foods (Sol Foods?) for a quick bite to eat.

Throughout this experience, I never second guessed my choice to move to California. However, my confidence wavered during those last thirty minutes before reaching LA. It finally sank in that this wasn't just a vacation or adventure through the United States. There was a goal, a purpose, and no immediate return trip planned. I didn't know the girls I was going to live with, had never seen the apartment in person nor the neighborhood where I would be living, I didn't have the means to turn around should I hate it, and I felt my resolve a little shaken.

Once I started walking through the local area of Westwood, however, all of my doubts disappeared. There is so much going on in this neighborhood. Most of the surrounding apartments are filled with other UCLA students. There are local bars, movie theaters, restaurants, chain dining, and activities. The local transportation is phenomenal and every where I look, and all of the conversations I've had emanate the opportunity in this city.

The night I moved in, Taylor and I went to a local sushi restaurant called Tomodachi. I ordered the shrimp tempura and spicy California roll (because I had to have a real California roll in California), and Taylor ordered the Philadelphia roll and a miscellaneous roll with salmon that made me nauseous when I ate it. I really enjoyed the shrimp tempura, mostly because it has shrimp (#noms) and anything fried is amazing. Anyway, about three quarters of the way through our meal a man sits down and orders some sort of curry with rice and vegetables and I can't help but ask what he ordered. He not only told me the name of the dish (which I don't remember funny enough), but he offered me his first bite. It was an unexpected gesture of kindness from a complete stranger. I couldn't accept the offer-I felt like I was contaminating his food should I take a bite. Of course, in retrospect that's just silly, use your own fork and don't dig in a second time, Morgan. He went on to tell me some of his favorite spots, and to share a brief glimpse into his life. When the check came, the restaurant owner asked us if we enjoyed our meal, wrapped up our leftover food, rewrapped our food because he forgot napkins and it bothered him in the worst way that we would be personally responsible for finding our own napkins at home, and then crowned me his "special customer" whom he expects to see at the "sake party" on Saturday nights.

After leaving the restaurant, Taylor and I walked around the area to get an idea of what's around. All of the streets are lit up, either by lamps or white Christmas lights that adorn the trunks of palm trees. The temperature dropped to around sixty degrees and a slight wind picked up. It was just warm enough for shorts, but cold enough to wear a sweater. There is a plethora of local restaurants (many of the Asian variety), chain restaurants and cafes, as well as many local cafes. There are many more venues such as the Bruin movie theatre, a playhouse, hookah bars-you name it. Of course there are the essentials as well-Whole Foods (yay expensive groceries!), Ralphs (yay reasonably priced groceries!), Victoria's Secret (Woohoo, expensive lingerie!), City Target (Urbanized Target!), and CVS (in case I need pills!). Overall, I'm pleased with my many options for shopping, drinking, and exploring!

I am so happy to be here and so glad to have shared my cross-country experience with all of you. I plan to write one last entry to summarize my most recent LA experiences (which have been awesome!) I am considering writing a blog of my time as a graduate student in Los Angeles and taking it a bit more seriously (actually proofreading what I write before posting, organizing the post, intentionally attempting to have deep, inspiring thoughts)- so you will have to tell me if you would be interested in reading about what I'm doing here and where California takes me!

Until next time, friends!