I can't believe it's already been a month since I've moved to Los Angeles. Time is moving way too fast. Mostly this month I've just been settling in, getting used to the city and my job, but I have done some pretty cool things. But first I'll tell you a little bit about my internship:
So I technically work for Edelman, but they are partnered with Kindel Gagan, a public affairs office that works with the American Chemistry Council and the California Restaurant Association. So we work with them. The state of California is trying to place a ban on Styrofoam food containers, but this would hurt a lot of the small restaurants in the state who depend on Styrofoam due to its cheap cost and the way it keeps food insulated (And you can recycle it! And it's littered less often than plastic bags and other plastics! And it's only 95% air! I know way too much about Styrofoam. Don't even get me started.)
So we basically act as "foam advocates" (or Avengers of Foam, a name Chris came up with. We really liked the movie, OK?) and go around to smaller restaurants in the L.A. area collecting letters to send to their district leaders asking them to vote no on the bill. It's kind of like lobbying, but hey, I've always needed to work on my speaking and presentation skills, and no better way to train. We also get to have trainings with Edelman and come up with our own PR campaigns, so we get to have some variety. Also, a lot of these restaurants are ethnic, so I'm working not only on my persuasive skills, but my cultural negotiation tactics as well. All I know is that I need to brush up on my Spanish and Chinese asap. Bueno!
I really like the job so far. The other interns I work with are great, and the fact that it's all-expenses-paid doesn't hurt much either. I live in Arcadia, a really nice area where almost everyone is Asian. Literally, some of the signs aren't even in English. It's pretty awesome.
On the wall in the Edelman office
Cursory shot of my apartment
We usually eat at parks during lunch breaks, and these little creatures like to mooch off of us.
At the supermarket. Everything is Asian. And I love it.
And L.A. is beautiful! The weather's been wonderful and I love the palm trees mixed with the mountains. And the food is delicious, obviously. The people are a lot more friendly than I expected as well. Granted, we're mostly traveling to the poorer areas of the city (Compton, what's up?!) and not the ritzy areas, but I've been pleasantly surprised by how nice everyone is.
L.A. during the day
And at night.
Unless, of course, you get them mad on the road. Which is the one reason I wouldn't want to live here permanently, I think. The traffic can get insane. During rush hour it can take hours to get home. I hate it. I also understand this SNL skit so much more now.
Anyway, like I said, I haven't done too much yet. I'm waiting for some of my peeps to get out here to spend all the crazy money, but the other interns and I have had a good time getting to know the city and doing some fun stuff. Here's just a couple of things we've done so far:
We've been to two Dodger's games (including one all-you-can-eat session. So good but so gross) with at least two more to come. Got myself a Dodgers hat and everything!
All you can eat hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, peanuts, and drinks. Don't even say what you were thinking...
Celebrated Cinco de Mayo on Olvera Street, an area famous for its Hispanic markets and delicious food. They closed the street down for this day and there were a million booths set up. Bands were playing and I got free salsa and a purse. And ate some delicious tacos. We then ate at El Tepeyac, which you may have seen on Man vs Food:
Yes, it tasted as good as it looked.
I couldn't even finish half of that guacamole. That should tell you something about their portion sizes.
Last Saturday we went to Santa Monica Pier. It was too cold to lay out on the beach, but we walked around Muscle Beach and the pier and saw the beautiful ocean, the cool street performers, and the aquarium. There's also a mini fair and I wanted to ride the rollercoaster, but everyone else was too cheap so we didn't.
Chris, Darren, Christine and me
You could touch them! They feel really squishy.
Pinewood derby FHE. This is not a joke. The ward here is awesome. It's HUGE for a non-Utah singles ward and once again, everyone is way nicer than I expected from an LA ward. It helps that it's East LA, but still. I'm loving it so far. There's even an official dance committee. Like, that's a real calling. Also, I now have a 72-hour kit. If there's an emergency I am SO staying alive. For 3 days.
Really sophisticated.
One of these cars is not like the other.
NBA playoff game. Clippers vs Spurs. Clippers lost, obviously, but it was really cool to experience the Staples Center in a playoff environment. It got crazy at times! And we got free t-shirts. Win-win.
Sorry, it was a little dark.
Things still to come:
The Price is Right on Tuesday and The Conan O'Brien Show on June 5. So stoked.
Six Flags. Universal. Knotts Berry. DISNEYLAND.
Hollywood, studio tours, concerts, THE BEACH
Road trips to Sacramento and San Fran. Possibly San Diego.
Please come visit. Name what you wanna do and we'll do it. Also, I'll try and be better about updating this blog more constantly. Until next time.
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