i miss this

Running + Huntington Beach = Happiness

Since moving to Long Beach, I don't run as much, and I love running. Living 3 blocks from the beach made it so easy. I'd throw my running shoes on after work and take a 3-5 mile run along the ocean almost everyday. Now, I'm lucky if I run 3 times per week, and we have a race coming up. Yikes. Where has my motivation gone?

For some reason, I never get sick of running along the beach. The sunsets and scenery always seem different. Familiar, but always changing. Running around our neighborhood in the LBC is interesting, but it feels more fixed and the same. Plus, I can only run in a few directions without fearing for my life. Okay, not really. Well, sort of really, but it just doesn't compare with running along the coast.

The good thing about all of this is that I get excited to exercise when I get to run in Huntington Beach. It's rarely a burden. All in all, running and Huntington Beach are a great combination. The best endorphin booster ever!

toddlers and tiaras?

Kent and I found ourselves watching this show the other day and while I was somewhat appalled at the mini glitz, I was glued to the program. Little girls in fancy dresses with hair pieces and caked on make up--who does that to their child at age 3? I know girls like to play dress up, but this might be overboard. Can beauty pageants at 5 years old be healthy?

Here's the thing, I really don't have a problem with pageants. If a girl wants to become Miss America, good for her. Everyone wants to accomplish something and if that's #1 on a young girl's list, great. At least she wants to do something with her life, and I actually think there are some positive aspects to pageants like developing good stage presence and confidence in the public eye. That being said, I think there are some severe drawbacks as well. The constant competition and all-consuming thoughts about body image. Not good. When a girl is older she can choose to be in a pageant, but these little girls are put there by their parents, more specifically their moms. My thoughts here, if the girl is having fun and enjoying what she is doing, that's fine, but when a 4 year old girl is stressed about receiving the next "Supreme Queen" or whatever it's called, that is wrong and mom needs to put her in ballet or on the local soccer team, normal little girl activities.

Anyway, I found this show interesting and I hope those girls realize pageants are just for fun. While crowns are rewarding, they're not everything.

the apple pan

If you're craving a burger and you want to feel like you're living in 1947, visit the Apple Pan in Santa Monica. Kent's mom told us about this place and it is delicious, and when I say delicious, I mean delicious in the most simplistic, all-American way. They serve burgers, fries and apple pie. It doesn't get more 1950s dineresque than that. The burger Kent and I order includes: a beef patty, cheddar cheese, a slab of lettuce, pickles and hickory bbq/ketchup sauce. I think that's it and it is so good. I just ate lunch, but I could go for a hamburger right about now.

The Menu.

The Burger.

The Experience.

If you're in the area and need a place to eat and some eating partners, Kent and I would be happy to you join you at the Apple Pan.

out-of-towners

We had our first overnight guests and it was so fun! My sister and her family decided to make the trek from Arizona to spend two days at Disneyland, and lucky for us, they made their pit stop in Long Beach. Kent and I were so happy to have them. It was great talking to Jeannine and John until midnight and it cracked me up seeing four of their five kids lined up in row, sleeping in the study. It amazed me that they all fit in there. I felt bad that our floor was so hard, but they had pads and kids seem to be able to sleep anywhere. It makes me think, when did I get so picky? I should be able to sleep on a hardwood floor and not complain.

Having nine people in our little house was doable and it was wonderful waking up to a house full of kids and family. Thanks for the visit, Nini and John!

a good man

Any idea who this baby is? It's not me and it's not Kent, but it is someone I love and respect. Here are a few hints: He built a car when he was 8 or 9, opened up a bicycle repair shop in his garage around the same time, put a jazz band together in high school, wanted to be a farmer or doctor when he grew up, graduated from Stanford Medical School, raised 10 children and started his own medical group. Any guesses?

If you guessed my dad, you're right! My dad, also know as J. Robert West or 'Bob', was born 80 years ago today. 80 years...and he is in great shape! I was born the year he turned 50, so I barely made my way into our family. I'm so glad they weren't too burned out to have one more child.

My dad is a wonderful, unique man who looks at life as an adventure and believes he can accomplish almost anything if he puts his mind to it. He's not one of those people who just thinks of things he wants to do, he actually does them. Built a car as a child? Graduated from medical school in 3 years? Who does that? Bob West does.

The older I get, the more I realize that my dad is a fascinating individual. Here are just a few things I love about him:

-His intelligence: He gets it. He's a smart man who has learning down to a science.

-His work ethic: He sticks with things until they're complete or until he understands them. He's still working. I doubt he'll ever retire.

-His devotion to my mom: My dad loves my mom more than anything. He can't survive without her.

-His role as a father: Loves and takes pride in all of his children. Supported and cared for each one of us completely. He helped build my self-esteem when I needed it most.

-His generosity: Always willing to give of his time and means.

-His solid spirituality: I have never questioned my dad's testimony. He is solid and does what is right.

-He's a dreamer: If he thinks of something, he makes it happen. He's a business man in a doctor's body. He has always made me feel that my dreams can become a reality. I love that about him.

-He's health conscious: He eats well (he's the one that made our family switch to non-fat milk when I was about 10--sorry Kent) and exercises daily. I think I love this about him because it has helped me realize that those two things can help you live a better life.

-His positive nature: My dad is always optimistic. Really. It is a rare occasion to see him upset. Most often, you hear him whistling around the house.

-He is nonjudgmental: He doesn't judge anyone and is quick to forgive.

-He doesn't fear opportunity: My dad will do just about anything he gets an idea to do, or sees necessary. For instance, my mom and dad went to a reception for Mitt Romney when he was trying to become the Republican nominee for president. At the reception in Orange County, my dad asked Mitt if he'd like to have another reception at our house in Redlands. (You have to remember, my dad and Mitt had never talked before, they weren't friends.) Guess what happened about a month later? A breakfast for Mitt Romney at our house. His candor used to be embarrassing at times, but now I find it inspiring.

I can't say enough about my dad. The older I become, the more I love and appreciate everything he has done for me, my family and others. I am a lucky girl and I look forward to sharing many more years with him, getting to know the fabulous Bob West.