Insomnia

So it's the middle of the night and I can't sleep. I should probably be using this time to finish one of my last three assignments, but that seems less than intelligent seeing as how it's already 'tomorrow'. So I figured I would update my little corner of the blogosphere with some pictures from the last few weeks. I've actually spent most of the past few weeks in Arizona but I had a lovely little staycation in the middle of my two trips when Dani Roz came to visit me! Go figure it was one of the few times we actually experienced weather here in sunny SoCal but we made the most of her trip!

A cloudy and cool Santa Monica 

The Grove

channeling my inner french girl

Can't take us anywhere (The Getty)

If you don't know, you should. (The Getty)

Los Angeles views on a cloudy day (The Getty)

Malibu views (The Getty Villa) 

The Getty Villa

Mediterranean feels (The Getty Villa)

Still can't take us anywhere (The Getty Villa)

Secret balcony only to be seen by the people the volunteer likes (The Getty Villa)

Picture 75 from the lovely man, I finally went to take my phone away (The Getty Villa)

Fall in Los Angeles (The Getty Villa)

Dani Roz is Malibu loving (Zuma Beach)

And I'm exploring with critters (Zuma Beach)

Zuma Beach and hundreds of Sea Gulls.

Zuma Beach

Best pastries and the smoothest mocha (DTLA Bottega Louie)

Griffith Park adventures

Griffith Observatory 

DTLA skyline 

Griffith Observatory

The headband shedevils (Rose Bowl)

Gold, gold, gold! ASU wins!

I live my life through pictures. This is not news. But I'm so glad I got to share some of LA's gems with one of my best friends! Now that it's almost 1am, I think I'm going to attempt some sleep.

xoxo my lovelies,

Cassie 

A week of chaos

When the talks of this project first started we had a few things we knew, for a fact, that would take place. Recruiting events and Big Ideas. Big Ideas is a conference held for a 100 select city managers and directors by the Alliance for Innovation.

This years Big Ideas was held November 1-3 in both West Hollywood and Santa Monica. AFI also had their annual board meeting and dinner before the conference and Travis and I were invited to attend the entire event. 

Wednesday and Thursday, Travis and I attended two graduate fairs. Wednesday was at UCLA and Thursday (Halloween) was at UC Riverside. UC Riverside had a pretty large group of students interested in the idea of public affairs and it was a successful day. We then headed back to Los Angeles to get ready for the Board dinner and Carnaval afterwards. We got VIP passes from the WeHo city manager before heading off to the Boulevard after dinner, some decked out for the party and others in their business casual attire.

The line leaders for our group for the night. A 6'3" BatGirl and Big Boy with the 3 lb burger led the way through the crowds!

A board member and a guest speaker run into Jesus on the Boulevard.

Rebecca ended up being a hit and everyone wanted a photo with her.

Met up with some of the girls after the Board. 

Amanda Bynes.

After a walk up and down the Boulevard, I called it a night. I had to be back in WeHo bright and early the next day for the Board meeting. After a few hours of observing, we headed across the street to another hotel to set up for the conference. It was a rough day with unexpected difficulties regarding travel, but it went off swimmingly! And let me just say, we had quite the view!

DTLA from the Panorama Room at the Andaz Hotel

Rooftop views, Andaz Hotel, WeHo

California Sunset

Closing remarks at Big Ideas!

In the midst of the conference I flew home to Phoenix for my last class. Dinner with the family was certainly welcome and it's the last class in person for this semester! I'll be back home at the end of the month for Thanksgiving! Until then, oodles of more LA adventures to come, including Disneyland this weekend!

Arizona State University California Center event space is NOW OPEN!

The California Center is the whole reason I'm living in Los Angeles. ASU procured office space at the corner of Lincoln and Arizona in Santa Monica and they wanted a student presence and to build relationships with some of the local governments. Enter Cassie and Travis. So in true LA fashion, we had a second grand opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony when our event space was completed. Dr. Crowe came to (re)open the office and Travis and I were invited to speak at the event. It was a lovely event put together by Kevin, the office and event manger for the space. David, my supervisor, and Alissa, the director of the CCIP flew in to be at the event as well.

Travis, my coworker and Dr. Swindell, the Director for the Center of Urban Innovation.

Kevin, the amazing office manager and event coordinator for CA.