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Published: January 10th 2014
The flight from Portland to Ontario, California was only a couple harmless hours. The weather change was wonderful. Although it's winter in California, it's still extremely beautiful and contrary to the chilly thoughts of locals the weather is perfect. It's probably around 10-15 degrees, but when you lay in the sun it feels like a nice summer day. I for one, cannot complain. Funny how for us Canadians it's sandal weather but sweater weather for them. I love the look of palm trees lining the streets and the sun dominating the cloudless sky. My moms cousin, Friederike, her husband Jeff, and son Joey live 1.5 hours from Los Angeles in a town called Redlands. Redlands looks somewhat like a desert, very dry, but has character to it as well. (There is a huge R in one of the mountains) Orange trees, although they are not native to California, thrive in California. The von schwerin-high's even have an orange tree in there backyard, as well as a lemon tree! Doesn't get much better than fresh orange juice.
I met Joey for the first time, who is 2 years younger than I am but one of the brightest 16 year olds I
know. He somehow knows absolutely everything about basketball, rap, and multiple historical events. Joey goes to a highschool that has no hallways or lockers, all the classrooms are outdoors in portables. (I thought that was neat) Since we are so close in age, Joey and I have a lot in common, and it's really cool to see he comparisons of our lives. On the first night we watched some of the series "the walking dead" that my sisters are obsessed with. It's an intriguing show and really sucks you into spending multiple hours infront of the tv. I fell asleep right away with Bella guarding my bed.
Dec 2- Joey went off to school early so Friedrike and I walked their friendly dog Bella and I got to get a better feel of redlands. We went to a popular grocery store, trader joes, then did a driving tour of downtown redlands. We ended up at a really nice restaurant called Caprice for lunch. When Joey got home from school him and I went to the YMCA and then to a taco stand which is really common in south California since they are so close to Mexico.
Dec 3-
Friedrike shares the same love for yoga as I do so we went and checked out a place called Breath and participated in a calming yoga class. Later on that day we headed to California State Long Beach University where Jeff teaches as a full time German professor. Jeff has an interesting love for horror movies and was part of a panel that discussed the topic of "grotesque". The presentation was very interesting and had a lot of points I typically wouldn't have thought about regularly if it wasn't brought up. I love diving into new worlds and points of view. Before the presentation we went through a museum that was all about horror movies and had costumes and sculptures of creatures that would have given me night mares if I were a few years younger. Although I am not the biggest fan of horror, it was neat to discover more about it.
Dec 4 - Friederike is a professor of german as well, but she works at Pamona College. Friederike had a meeting with a student and a colleague so I tagged along for the lunch date at Sagehen (also pamonas mascot). Since they all spoke German to
each other, I got to read my book! After we all headed to the German and Russian building where both G and R students were doing presentations on their bachelors thesis. All the students seem to be excelling in their topics and are interested and invested in the ideas they presented about. Friederike had a meeting to go to, so I walked downtown Claremont and looking through some shops and explored the cute little town. As I was heading back to meet Friederike, Santa was there in a sleigh with a real reindeer!
Dec 5 - Since Saturday is Joeys day off, we had a very lazy day. Watched a lot of walking dead, workaholics, and ate chili!
Dec 6 - Friederike and I went to the Kimberly Crest Museum this morning and explored the massive house built around the 1890's. One of the families who lived in this house had been the makers of Kleenex! The house was given to Redlands and is now a place many people go for fancy photos, tours and simply just a place to enjoy visiting. Later that day Joey, Jeff and I drove into Las Angeles to see a Raptors (Toronto
team) vs Lakers basketball game. Canada won of course, simply because we rock. The staples stadium is humongous. Our seats were pretty high up, but we got a great view of the game still. There are always celebrity sightings at the games, particularly Jack Nicolson, who has never missed a game. The people sitting beside us had such strong emotions towards the game and constantly voiced their opinions. "Happy whistle" I have to admit, the hecklers are one of my favourite parts.
Dec 7 - I went and explored downtown Redlands today while Joey was in school. There was a wonderful Muffin Top Café where I enjoyed a great cup of coffee. I found a little spot that I could sit and read in the sun, but in order to do so I needed to buy something from the juice shop. I asked for the cheapest thing on the menu and got a shot of wheatgrass with ginger which was very strong. The smell reminds me of my childhood with my sisters and mom sitting on our front lawn having a picnic or playing a game. Once Joey got home we went to the YMCA and I did my
first ever pilates class which I have to admit was boring. Joey joined me for the killer ab class after which was more of my style of working out. Joey and I made cookies when we got back for the Christmas party the neighbours next door were hosting.
Dec 8 - Friederike and I tried a new yoga place that had hot yoga! It was a really intense class where some of the people were doing handstand kind of moods and completely impressed me with the amount of strength they had to be able to do these moves. Joey and I took their dog Bella to the dog park later. I love dogs.
Dec 9 - I explored more of the major stores in Redlands, including petco, barns and noble (a huge book store), and world market. Canada seems to be lacking in a few departments! Friederike picked me up on the way to Pamona college for a Christmas party. The Russian and German departments got together to host a party for faculty and students. I helped out by making sandwiches and little finger food snacks. A lot of the people I met that night were extremely interesting,
as well as extremely interested in what I was doing. A few of the students could speak more than 3 languages, where I can only speak English and the made up piglatten my friend Bailey and I would speak to each other in. I shouldn't be jealous since I know I am perfectly able to learn another language, I just need to stop wasting time and invest myself into learning! One day I'll be able to communicate with you in german, Oma.
Dec 10 - Joey's good friend Jeremy came with Friederike and I on a drive up to Crestline Mountain briefly to see what there is to see! There was even patches of snow here and there. The look out gave you a really good view of the part of South California they lived in. The bare land creates such a different view of the world than the mountains in Calgary. I went to the YMCA for a few hours and swam, then ate from Cuca's Mexican Hut! Once Joey got home from school we took a drive around town and checked out Joeys high school and public schools. I found it strange that there are no hall
ways in his high school, all outdoor portables! Later that night we went downtown to look through the stalls since it was Redlands Market Night. Even though I rarely buy anything, I love looking through my options! I got a healthy snack, a roasted corn on the cob! Later Joey and I had an hour conversation with a man over religion. Since I'm completely open to any ideas over religion I listened attentively and then had a wonderful debate and questionnaire. Joey is very bright boy and had many good points and perspectives as well.
Dec 11 - Joey and I hopped on a train and headed in Los Angeles! We looked around the big city, but since its mostly business buildings, bars, and other expensive stores we decided to go to Hollywood. Unfortunately the sign wasn't lit up, but the city lights, street performers, flashy stores, and night life made up for it. Over the years Joey has made friends with Fernando, a famous homeless man. Fernando simply holds up funny signs, and in doing so has made enough money to have more expensive clothes than mine and a nice apartment in LA, not too shabby. Joey and
I enjoyed some pizza at an older restaurant and gave our leftovers to thankful homeless people. Hollywood is known for celebrity sightings, (my cousin Meno saw Selena Gomez on his first day in California!) but Joey and I weren't so lucky. We saw one girl with cameras following her, but had no idea who she was. Some of the street performers are really talented in singing, dancing, doing basketball tricks. One day I think Ill try to either be homeless for a day and see how much money I get, or maybe find some sort of talent that's performable. (tying a cherry stem in a knot with your tongue isn't really a street performing act) I bet LA is a lot different in the summer, I'll have to come back and experience the warm Cali life.
Dec 12 - Friedrike and I went to Inner Evolution and participated in another yoga class that was extremely relaxing. Later we made delish Red Velvet pancakes 😊 That afternoon Joey and I went to Sky Town which is probably the most fun place a 18 year old can go in Redlands. Its a huge bouncy centre. Joey and I were probably the
oldest ones there, but probably also had the most fun. There was a trampoline and basketball nets so kids can try out tricks and dunks, a wall you can run at and bounce off of into a foam pit, and a bouncy dodgeball game. My personal favourite was the battle beam where you hit your opponent with a foam stick and try and knock them off into a foam pit. There was also a rockclimbing place, and abunch of little trampolines. To say the least, I had a blast! On the way home we stopped at a chocolate factory and got some sweets to enjoy before I had to leave for my flight. Good Bye California!
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Brigitte von Schwerin
non-member comment
Redlands California
Hi , Liebe Charlotte.You look great in the white blouse fromEdmonton We are glad you liked your stay with Friederike and her family.Fresh Orange juice is goooood.We are so happy that you met interesting Students and People at the Univercity.Wow is the word for your wonderful TRIP.Love, Oma and Opa.