Finale...

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by! Maybe it was because I was busy trying to plan an event every week. And I can't believe it's finally over nor can I believe I've kept my new year's resolution for a whole entire year! What an amazing accomplishment for myself. (I'm patting myself on the back right now.)

It's been an amazing year, with lots of changes, surprises, and growth. And I'm so happy I got to share so many fun moments and new feats with all of you! Now you ask, will I keep this up for next year? I'm not quite sure if I'm willing to plan an event-a-week two years in a row. It's tiring, as I'm sure you can imagine. If anything, maybe once a month. And maybe if they're monthly, they can be bigger and better. Who knows. All I know is a sense of relief muddled with a sense of sad nostalgia. I will miss the planning and social activities, and I probably won't even know what to do with myself. In any case, keep checking my page every once in a while. I already have a few activities in mind.

Here's to a great 2008 and an even better 2009! May 2009 bring you health, happiness, and love! See you all next year!

Blessings and cheers,
Rochelle

................to be continued.....................

Flavor of the Month: December Highlights

December is always filled with not only my birthday party extravaganzas, but holiday parties (which usually won over my events, I noticed.)

Anyway, here are just a few of the fun times we've had:


Nickelodeon Tree Trimming Party:






Animation Union Party:



Birthday Dinner w/ Deane at Opaque, Dining in the Dark:




Lunch at Le Grande Orange Cafe:



Birthday Party with Family at Knott's and Lucille's:










Ni Hao Kai-lan! White Elephant Christmas Party:



OMS (Taekwondo) Presentation and Potluck:




Random Moments Out on the Town:

REVIEW on WEEK 52: Skid Row Adventure

Feeling rejected at anytime is always horrible. Getting rejected at Christmastime is even worse.

Amy and I got down to the Kitchen at 8:25am. (I always seem to get lost around downtown, probably because one-way streets confuse me.) Anyway, we park about 5 blocks away, and as we're walking down 6th Street, looking for the Hippie Kitchen, we walk by several hundred homeless people, most in line waiting for the Mission to open. I was a little scared about being there, having not walked on Skid Row before, but at least I had a buddy with me. It's funny because I remember I wanted to go to Skid Row, most likely with a big man friend who could protect me, but that was a year ago and I gave up on the idea because all my friends and family warned me against taking a homeless person to a meal in exchange for an interview. So soup kitchen would be my next best bet.

I had called LA Catholic Worker a couple days ahead. The lady told me to come down - if it's just me and another person, she said, it would be fine. More than that, no because they have a large group already reserved. What she should have told me was that they were all packed and not to come down at all. We were denied by the man there, saying they had "too many volunteers" and to "come back when it's not the holiday season." Who denies help? If anything this will discourage me from ever going down there again because it was such a hassle to get there in the first place.

We were both disappointed. Thankfully I had the bubbly Amy beside me. Our hearts are there, she said. I agree. At least we tried. And since we were in the area we decided to walk down to Main St. where Cole's was. Cole's is a landmark restaurant known for their famous french dipped sandwiches. I'd been wanting to go since they recently renovated and reopened. The website said they opened at 9am. Perfect! I thought. So we went... and it was closed!!! Rejected again!!! What was up that day?? Next door a little cafe was open at least - Blu LA Cafe. We had super yummy hot cocoa. Mmm... so warm and sweet and chocolaty. Then we visited Sheri who lived just around the corner. So it wasn't for naught. It was just a trip not planned.

Will I go back on a Saturday to try again? I want to. Probably. Yes.

WEEK 52: Dec. 23rd - Volunteering at the Soup Kitchen

Christmas to me is all about giving and sharing the love with family and friends. But what about those who don't have the love of family and friends with whom to share? What about those who can't afford to put on a Christmas party for their families? I've always wanted to volunteer in a soup kitchen, and I love helping the less fortunate, so what a great opportunity to give back to the community. We'll see a side much different from the culture of glitz and glamor that we constantly see in L.A.

WHAT: Volunteering at the Soup Kitchen
WHEN: Tuesday, December 23rd from 7:45am - 12:45 pm
WHERE: Hospitality Kitchen (aka. Hippie Kitchen aka Skid Row)- 821 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles
_____________
For more info: http://lacatholicworker.org/visiting-and-volunteering/soup-kitchen
From LA Catholic Worker's website:

"We are always looking for new volunteers to help us prepare and serve meals at our kitchen. You should wear clothes that you wouldn’t mind spilling some beans on.

Our soup kitchen, known commonly on the street as "The Hippie Kitchen" is located in the central city ghetto of L.A.’s Skid Row. With over ten thousand homeless, poor and marginally employed residents, this area, with it’s numerous street encampments and rescue missions, has been dubiously nominated "the homeless capital of the nation."
______________
I almost decided to take this last week off as sort of a "Holiday" week, but I want my 2008 Weekly Planning to go out with a bang! by doing something truly great for the community. I really hope you can make it out and share in the season of sharing joy with the world.

REVIEW on WEEK 51: Holiday Cookie Exchange

I love Christmastime. It comes only once a year so I like to have a little party where friends come together and we listen to Christmas songs (if no carolers come around), light the ceramic Christmas tree (if we can't get a real tree) and hang stockings (even if we don't have a fireplace.) But what a way to celebrate, especially since I prepared so many cookies. Everyone came together and helped put the cookies on their sheets, or decorate. Deane cooked us a yummy dinner - spaghetti and meatballs - red sauce and white sauce - and salad! Yummy!

Here are the Recipes I followed. (I had help from my mom, brother, and Deane. Thank you!):

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chunks -
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-Cookies-with-Chocolate-Chunks/Detail.aspx
Swirled Mint Cookies -
http://www.cooksrecipes.com/cookie/swirled-mint-cookes-recipe.html
Chocolate Mint Cookies -
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Mint-Cookies-I/Detail.aspx
Whipped Shortbread Cookies -
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Whipped-Shortbread-Cookies/Photo-Gallery.aspx
Chocolate Coconut Macadamia Cookies
(my aunt's recipe)

Others brought chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chocolate cookies, sugar cookies decorated with sprinkles and frosting, and chocolate coffee cookies. We also had gingerbread and pumpkin egg nog, cider, and wine.

---- STATISTICS -----
People attended: 5
Time alloted: 2.5 hours

----- RATING ----- (out of 5 stars)

Overall Experience: 4.0

I am going to bring these cookies to three potlucks I have this week! Everyone loves cookies!

WEEK 51: Dec. 15th - Holiday Cookie Exchange

Holidays are here!!!! Time to make your houses all warm and toasty by baking sweets in the oven! Bring a pie, cookies, or brownies, and we'll exchange them so we can all leave with dozens of different kinds of goodies! Note that I made this event on a Monday, so you have all of Sunday to bake to your heart's content. (Unless Sunday works better for you. Let me know and I may change it to Sunday evening.)

WHAT: Holiday Cookie Exchange
WHEN: Monday, December 15th from 7:00 - 11:00 PM
WHERE: My Apt.

What's great about something like this - especially at harsh economic times like this - is that you can give these as gifts. I will have some cellophane and ribbon for you all to use if you'd like to make little goody bags for friends as Christmas present this year. Great for office gifts!!!

Now for the fun part!:

Please let me know what you will bring. If you're bringing cookies (which I suggest) please make at least 4 dozen. I will be baking my famous apple pie and will have sugar cookies for you to decorate and a gingerbread house for us to construct. Yum, my sweet tooth is rotting already! :)

P.S. If anyone has a favorite Christmas movie to share, please bring that along.

REVIEW on WEEK 50: Freeway Series

I've been volunteering every Thursday for the duration of the performance, alternating between the box office and the concessions/bar. And I'm proud to say that I can now open a bottle of wine without any help. (But I still can't drink much. Inhaling the fumes alone gets me tipsy.) I also helped with the house lights. Anything to do to help, I'm willing. Now I hope I can get at least one of my plays in a show next year. But I'm sure I'll be able to assist the producers on many levels of production.

As far as the "Freeway" series goes, my two favorite one acts are: "The Looney Bin" and "Life is Like a Perfect Cupcake." These two are about twenty minutes each, much longer than some of the others. But the entire performance is nicely woven together. The more I watch it, the more I enjoy it. I stay afterwards to mingle with the audience and fellow members of Write Act. So many nice, fun people. I'm having a blast learning about theatre.

Several friends have made it down. Thanks for the support!

---- STATISTICS -----
People attended: 5
Time alloted: 2.5 hours

----- RATING ----- (out of 5 stars)

Overall Experience: 4.0

WEEK 50: December 11th - Freeway Series

As you know, I am now part of a Theatre Company in Hollywood - Write Act Repertory. This is now my second month into it. As an associate member, I have to put in a certain number of volunteer hours, pay dues, and attend meetings. So I am volunteering every Thursday night till December 18th. I'd love if you could make it... keep me company while I'm at the box office or at the bar/concession stand. And meet some of the other company members, too. Fun times promised ahead!!!

WHAT: Freeway Series - Of All Places
WHEN: Thursday, December 11th at 8:00 PM
WHERE: Write Act Rep - 6128 Yucca Street, Hollywood, CA 90028

I can get you in for half price! Cost: $10
It goes to support our theatre company, and hopefully something I write myself one day! One reason I chose to become an associate member is because the company seems to foster growth. Since I'm new to this theatre business, I plan on learning all aspects of theatre, from lighting to production, to fund-raising and acting. I am there as a writer, but who knows what else I may become involved with. Costuming would be fun, too! I used to want to be a fashion designer, remember???

For more info about the theater company: http://www.writeactrep.org/

About the Freeway series:
(from https://www.plays411.net/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=1775)
Write Act Repertory begins its 2008 Freeway Series of original one acts with …Of All Places

This production explores the intricate and haunting dynamics of life in the city.

This innovative production showcases the distinctive voices of Los Angeles writers and the diverse talent of Write Act Rep artists, creating a provocative and impassioned evening. Directed by Bennett Cohon, this celebration of new work will have a limited engagement at the Write Act Repertory Theatre from November 15th to December 20th. ...Of All Places journeys through the familiar settings of any big city and reveals a glimpse into the lives of the people all around us. Their stories are charming, funny, difficult, haunting, and ultimately beautiful. They can be found in the coffee shop down the street, the apartment above you, the park where you picnic – a second later, a moment sooner.

With each vignette, the production explores what happens when people are willing to cross barriers, when artists choose to create bridges, and the freeways of Los Angeles lead us to each other. Writers include Hindi Brooks, Richard Hirsch, Jim McGinn, EM Lewis, Dan Roth and Herman Poppe. Directed by Bennett Cohon.

REVIEW on WEEK 49: My Quarter Birthday Party!

I almost changed this location to another one at the last minute, but I'm so glad I kept it here. For one, I didn't want to keep confusing people since I changed the date once already. But I had my doubts. Why? 1.) They are still undergoing construction, 2.) the menu doesn't look professional, 3.) it didn't seem like anyone knew this place existed. Was it just in my head?

All night people kept telling me how awesome they thought the place was and where I had heard of it. Thanks, Daily Candy! - They had sent an email out a while ago, when it was still called "The Birdcage." I saw that they had four different rooms in which you could party. I chose the VIP room, which was a pretty cool lounge spot. The menu needs a makeover, but the food can speak for itself (though I will write on its behalf right now.) Superb quality for the price. I sampled people's dishes - fries, quesadillas, pumpkin soup, lamb, and stuffed shrimp. I didn't have a complaint about any of it. And the wait staff was incredible. Only two of them, but they managed to place people's orders on separate tabs - and not mess up! Everything went smoothly, as I had hoped. A tiny road bump, but that's to be expected.

Great vibe, atmosphere, staff, and food! I will definitely be going back soon myself. Armin, the owner, helped me plan this, and I can't give him enough kudos for all his help. Shoshana was so sweet, too! She got me a delicious fruit tart from Porto's! (and trick candles! hehe!) So yummy! Deane was sweet enough to indulge me like a princess! Amy made me a cute sock doll look-alike. I tried to make my rounds to everyone who came, chatting with them and making sure they were enjoying themselves. So, THANK YOU all who made it. For those who couldn't - you owe me! Just kidding. I know this time of year is hard for people to make it out. Holiday parties and all. But at least I know who my real friends are... haha, again, just kidding. But seriously, I had an amazing night... I'm used to lengthier bday parties, which may be my only complaint. We had to rush it to go to another party that night. Plus, the whole time I really wasn't thinking it was a party to celebrate my birth. I think because this year Thanksgiving happened so late that I'm still thinking I have another week or so before my actual birthday (which is, btw, on Tuesday the 9th. Mark your calendars!!!!)

---- STATISTICS -----
People attended: 20-30
Time alloted: 3.5 hours

----- RATING ----- (out of 5 stars)

Overall Experience: 4.5


----------------------
Deane and I left early (meaning by 10pm) to attend Henry and Andrea's Krampus Party. This party is special for us because this is where we met a full year ago. I'm so happy that handsome man came up to me and started a conversation with me. :) I can't believe it's been a whole year of knowing him already. But it was a special party for both of us, and Deane and I both look up to Hank and Andrea. They're where we want to be in the near future - director and architect. Cool people there. More upscale than me, but it's something for which to strive.

Cheers, babe!