Back from Hollywood! Part 1 (Edited w/ PICTURES)

Okay, so this is a little late, as I got back from Hollywood last Wednesday, but I wanted to write about this, as I had to tell everyone the same stories over and over again, but I didn't have the time until now, because I had this stupid biology project. So, here's my post on the 'adventures' (as Abdul called them, which I thought was funny so I'm using it, satirically) I had on the Hollywood trip for Media Class over Spring Break.

First off, it was late Saturday night and I was leaving on the Hollywood Media trip that night at midnight (a lot of nights...). I took a shower, as I wouldn't be showering until the next day, a little later, and then had to start packing. Superbad was on TV, so I watched that too. And soon enough, the time had come: it was 11:30, I was all packed, hungry, because I forgot to eat dinner, and ready to go (don't worry - I brought a bag of chips, that I ate voraciously on the drive over). I was very excited, to say the least. After all, it was Spring Break! (WOOHOO *takes top off*) And I was going to Hollywood, California, with friends from school, and other cool Media kids, and touring major studios! It was gonna be awesome! I admit I was also a little anxious, but that was all lost as soon as we arrived in the CFHS parking lot, to find about 20 teenagers, with pillows and suitcases, and my fat, lovably sarcastic, Media teacher on the edge of the sidewalk. What a sight. We waited about 10 more minutes for the bus to arrive, and then another half an hour, because some theater kid, named Alex, thought we were leaving on Sunday night/Monday morning.

Once he got on the bus, we were off. Off to California!!!!! We were all singing that Phantom Planet song and I tried to get everyone to sing Tiny Dancer on a bus (just like Almost Famous), but no one would (yet they later all sang 'I'm on a Boat/Bus' in unison.... COME ON!). Nathan and I listened to a California playlist on my iPod (all songs mentioning/about California... even though they were usually criticizing California - Californication anyone?) and Abdul and Ricardo were talking photos on their digital cameras. We tried to talk for a long time, but after a couple hours, we decided we couldn't stay up all night, and tried to go to sleep. Nathan and I were sitting next to each other though and he told me to sleep on the floor, like Abdul was, so it would be more comfortable. I tried that for a little while, but Stan's foot was right in my face (see pic below),

and I was afraid someone would step on me (and evidently, Stan later stepped on Higgin's balls when he was asleep on the floor, so was I right or was I right?), so I moved to an empty seat and slept there. It wasn't the most comfortable bed, but I was pretty tired. We stopped in the middle of the night at some random rest stop for a bathroom break, which felt weird, for some reason, but exhilarating. We were really on this trip, and it was going to be quite the experience.

I woke up at about 6, as we were passing the beautiful Joshua Park, which I couldn't stop talking about to my new friend, Josh. For some reason, I don't remember seeing this, even though I've drove to California many times, but it was different seeing it in the wide windows of a bus. I guess I just loved the fact that it was completely pure - America hadn't trashed it with its buildings and factories and homes - not to mention the hills are just gorgeous. We talked for the rest of the drive, until finally, we had arrived in Los Angeles, and Bob's Big Boy for breakfast. We took a picture with Bob (see below),

had breakfast (I had strawberry french toast, with a side of hash browns - delicious - and it came out to $10 even - score!), and were excited to continue our journey. Another notable thing that happened that breakfast is that Abdul, Ricardo, Nathan, Eric and I ate with Alex, the kid who came late, and was a senior in drama. He turned out to be pretty cool, and we quickly all became friends. In fact, for the rest of the trip we hung out with Alex a lot, and the way Abdul, Ricardo and Nathan all huddled around him and listened to his smooth talk made me think that we were like his disciples in some way. Alex was really cool, and really good with people. I noticed that the way he talked with employees at stores, restaurants, etc. reminded me of the way my mom dealt with people, in that really friendly, schmoozy way, that I never am (or Nathan - he just stands there, looking angry). So, yeah, Alex had like a godly presence that captivated people in a way I hadn't seen before. I didn't always agree with his views and opinions on things like politics, but he's a really cool guy, and I'm glad I got the chance to meet him (in fact, we were all playing hacky sack with him today - he loves that).

Next, we were off to Universal Theme Park! I had already been here, for like the third time, last year, so I had already been to most things, but I still didn't mind reliving the roller coasters! First, we had to view these two shows (Firedraft and Cinemagic), as part of the group, a learning experience on how to make movies, but a highlight was that G. Stoltz got picked as one of the volunteers, but unfortunately got killed by this werewolf thing. Shame, shame. (On a side note, one bus ride, during the trip, G. Stoltz ripped a huge one, and it was literally the worst thing I had ever smelt... it just wouldn't go away - there was also this running joke where Abdul would fart and blame it on Ricardo). Then, Alex, Ricardo, Abdul, Nathan, Eric and I went on the Mummy roller coaster ride, which was awesome (and the photo of us on the ride at the end was the funniest thing I had ever seen - Ricardo and Abdul had never been on a roller coaster, so they were quivering in their seats). Ricardo and I wanted badly to go on the Jurassic Park ride next, only the coolest ride ever where you get wet and vertically drop down - it's sooooooo much fun!), but the rest of our crew said the line was too long. :P

After that, we drove back to the hotel.... and that's where I'll leave off for today, because I'm kind of sick of writing this. I'll pick up tomorrow.