My time as a resident of Orange County has come to an end. I'm already back in LA, currently in Atwater Village for an extended housesitting gig. I plan to find a small space in the East LA / Boyle Heights area after that. I reached my goal of completely paying off a big chunk of student loan debt, but I still have some progress to make on my federal (lower interest rate) loans.
While I can't say that I have particularly made a 180 on my opinion of my hometown, some internal peace has come as a result of Tustin Adventuring. It's not fair to say that there is NOTHING to do in Tustin. That wouldn't give credit to the many Tustin Adventures I have described in this blog as well as the ones I did not get to (which are many!).
I probably won't continue this blog since I'll be in Tustin only for work from now on. But thanks for tuning in! I'm glad I could share my experiences over the past eight months. Looking back, I guess I did do some pretty fun stuff.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Tutoring
I was recently hired by a Tustin-based tutoring company, which has been occupying much of my post-work free time. Hence, fewer opportunities to Tustin Adventure. I'm ok with it. It's not much but it is enough to pay for some gas or groceries during the week, so that's cool. And it's fun! I spend all day dealing with adults and doing mostly computer work, so it's very rewarding to work with students at the end of the day.
Laxmi Sweets and Spices
Another entry about FOOD!? Sure, why not?
I visited Laxmi Sweets and Spices with my sweetheart back in November during his visit to Tustin. Ever since have been dreaming about returning to this unassuming Indian market for lunch. This place is a total gem. The $8 lunch buffet gets you all you can eat fresh baked basked of Naan Bread (plain or garlic) along with numerous options of tasty vegetarian and meat entrees. I highly recommend the tikka masala chicken.
The dude who runs the shop makes all the food. Charming, afforable, friendly, and delicious. What more could you want?
Laxmi Sweets and Spices
638 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
$8 plus tax for lunch buffet
Less than 1 mile away
I visited Laxmi Sweets and Spices with my sweetheart back in November during his visit to Tustin. Ever since have been dreaming about returning to this unassuming Indian market for lunch. This place is a total gem. The $8 lunch buffet gets you all you can eat fresh baked basked of Naan Bread (plain or garlic) along with numerous options of tasty vegetarian and meat entrees. I highly recommend the tikka masala chicken.
The dude who runs the shop makes all the food. Charming, afforable, friendly, and delicious. What more could you want?
Laxmi Sweets and Spices
638 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
$8 plus tax for lunch buffet
Less than 1 mile away
Saturday, March 23, 2013
El Cholo Restaurant
El Cholo is a La Habra favorite. I can always count on delicious food, strong margaritas, and good conversation with my pal and mother of Baby M during our visits to El Cholo. I like visiting this place, and it's right around the corner from where she lives with her boyfriend and daughter, so everyone wins!
We met up with another friend of ours who braved the weeknight commute to OC for dinner a couple weeks ago. Always a treat to hang with others south of the Orange Curtain. Although visiting El Cholo is out of range of the 10 mile radius, and between two drinks and dinner I spent more than $15, but 'eff it. Rules be damned. Viva El Cholo!!
El Cholo
840 E Whittier Blvd
La Habra, CA 90631
Approximately 18 miles away
We met up with another friend of ours who braved the weeknight commute to OC for dinner a couple weeks ago. Always a treat to hang with others south of the Orange Curtain. Although visiting El Cholo is out of range of the 10 mile radius, and between two drinks and dinner I spent more than $15, but 'eff it. Rules be damned. Viva El Cholo!!
El Cholo
840 E Whittier Blvd
La Habra, CA 90631
Approximately 18 miles away
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Lazy Dog Cafe
Part of the reason that I work in the OC is because I like the place and the people with whom I work. This is an important factor in any person's life, as we all know. It only takes one Nosey-Nancy or Sour-Sally to turn a workplace into a stressful nightmare. Luckily, the folks I work with are pretty cool, so it was a bummer to say goodbye to one of my fellow employees last week as he moved on to bigger and better things.
To celebrate his career with the firm and give him our well wishes, we all went to lunch at the Lazy Dog Cafe in Orange. I had never been to this chain restaurant. This is the kind of place I would take my parents, which is not to say I was dissatisfied with the experience. Overall, it was nice. Safe, American food served quickly and without too much fuss. What's not to like? You can even bring your pup if you want to sit in their outdoor patio section.
Our group lunched out on the patio on a terrific March afternoon. Everyone got what they wanted since there was no shortage of menu options. And while it's sad to say goodbye to a cool work-mate, I had to pause and look down the table at the remainder of the nice and easygoing people I work with. I do feel very lucky in that regard.
Lazy Dog Cafe
1623 W Katella Ave
Orange, CA 92867
Approximately 7 miles away
Free because the Boss treated everyone to lunch
To celebrate his career with the firm and give him our well wishes, we all went to lunch at the Lazy Dog Cafe in Orange. I had never been to this chain restaurant. This is the kind of place I would take my parents, which is not to say I was dissatisfied with the experience. Overall, it was nice. Safe, American food served quickly and without too much fuss. What's not to like? You can even bring your pup if you want to sit in their outdoor patio section.
Our group lunched out on the patio on a terrific March afternoon. Everyone got what they wanted since there was no shortage of menu options. And while it's sad to say goodbye to a cool work-mate, I had to pause and look down the table at the remainder of the nice and easygoing people I work with. I do feel very lucky in that regard.
Lazy Dog Cafe
1623 W Katella Ave
Orange, CA 92867
Approximately 7 miles away
Free because the Boss treated everyone to lunch
Friday, March 1, 2013
Muth Interpretive Center
There's plenty to be smug about in February in Southern California. Enough facebook comments and blog posts are dedicated to the Wow-Look-At-Us-We're-Wearing-Sandals-in-February topic, so instead I'll just say it was delightful weather to visit the Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach last week.
I took a long walk around the trails on the hillside near the center, even venturing down the bluffs where I have to admit, I got a little uncomfortable. Literally no one was around. Not a soul. Just me and the storks and the quiet splashes from the estuary. I don't know why I got a little freaked out, but I trusted my primitive cavegirl instincts and high-tailed back up to the walking paths.
Maybe it is not incorrect to characterize hiking around Upper Newport Bay as a primal experience. One does get a sense of what the area might look like without all the buildings and development. I stopped and read all the available signage about the usage, construction, and preservation of the estuary, dating back to tribal settlements of Native Americans.
The actual center is very cute and informative. Not much too it, but it is a nice place to stop in, drink some water, use the restroom, and read a little more about the estuary.
Here are some photos from my visit!
All in all, worth the trip out to Newport. I only wish I had brought my bike to explore the walking paths a little more. Maybe next visit!
Muth Interpretive Center
Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Approximately 10 miles away
Free!
I took a long walk around the trails on the hillside near the center, even venturing down the bluffs where I have to admit, I got a little uncomfortable. Literally no one was around. Not a soul. Just me and the storks and the quiet splashes from the estuary. I don't know why I got a little freaked out, but I trusted my primitive cavegirl instincts and high-tailed back up to the walking paths.
Maybe it is not incorrect to characterize hiking around Upper Newport Bay as a primal experience. One does get a sense of what the area might look like without all the buildings and development. I stopped and read all the available signage about the usage, construction, and preservation of the estuary, dating back to tribal settlements of Native Americans.
The actual center is very cute and informative. Not much too it, but it is a nice place to stop in, drink some water, use the restroom, and read a little more about the estuary.
Here are some photos from my visit!
 |
| Upper Newport Bay Estuary |
 |
| Bug's eye view |
 |
| Inside the Muth Interpretive Center |
 |
| The lonely estuary |
 |
 |
| Watch out, gopher! |
 |
| Learning about the estuary |
All in all, worth the trip out to Newport. I only wish I had brought my bike to explore the walking paths a little more. Maybe next visit!
Muth Interpretive Center
Upper Newport Bay
2301 University Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Approximately 10 miles away
Free!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Bobby D's
My brother lives in San Diego and frequently makes trips up to Orange County to go to Disneyland. We all get cabin fever, and for him it's a relief to get out of the house and spend an afternoon at the happiest place on earth. Most of the time I wish I could join him, but right now my efforts are focused on paying of my student loans and Disneyland is hella expensive.
When he does come up to OC, however, we usually grab lunch or at least an afternoon coffee before he heads up to the park in Anaheim. This day in particular we met at Bobby D's Mexican Food in Orange. I personally wouldn't have gone all the way up to North Orange for Mexican food, but he wanted to check it out on a recommendation from a friend.
We met up for a late lunch on a Friday. He had the carnitas burrito and I had the 1/2 carnitas enchilada plate. I saw that they serve bottled beer but I was not in the mood for some suds that afternoon. All in all, a good experience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. Nothing against Bobby D's. Maybe if I was running errands, or lived closer to the neighborhood I would have a more glowing review. I would reccomend it if you find yourself hungry, thirsty, and nearby.
Bobby D's
2139 N Tustin St
Ste 1
Orange, CA 92865
~$5 for 1/2 enchilada plate
Approximately 7 miles away
When he does come up to OC, however, we usually grab lunch or at least an afternoon coffee before he heads up to the park in Anaheim. This day in particular we met at Bobby D's Mexican Food in Orange. I personally wouldn't have gone all the way up to North Orange for Mexican food, but he wanted to check it out on a recommendation from a friend.
We met up for a late lunch on a Friday. He had the carnitas burrito and I had the 1/2 carnitas enchilada plate. I saw that they serve bottled beer but I was not in the mood for some suds that afternoon. All in all, a good experience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. Nothing against Bobby D's. Maybe if I was running errands, or lived closer to the neighborhood I would have a more glowing review. I would reccomend it if you find yourself hungry, thirsty, and nearby.
Bobby D's
2139 N Tustin St
Ste 1
Orange, CA 92865
~$5 for 1/2 enchilada plate
Approximately 7 miles away
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