On My Way ...

For a brief period of time during my junior year in high school, I was given an opportunity to live and attend school in California with my aunt. I thought this was a great chance to try something new and exciting.

I can remember the weeks leading up to my departure where I would picture myself as one of the cool kids on Beverly Hills 90210. My friends would say things like "Don't forget about us when you get discovered!" I just knew my stay would be nothing short of amazing!

In my head, I envisioned a fun gathering spot for us crazy kids to go after school everyday like “The Peach Pit” and I was sure there would be bonfires on the beach at night and had already (mentally) signed up for surf lessons from a muscular, tanned, sandy haired instructor.

Of course that’s how I imagined it, but my reality wouldn’t even come close.

At 16, who really does research when given an opportunity to go to high school in California? That was a NO BRAINER! I jumped at the chance to leave New Jersey in the winter.

And although the “Internet” was available and I could have easily picked up a book to inquire about my future home, I thought I would be adventurous and free spirited. So without asking questions, my parents booked me a one way flight to Los Angeles. Because I was flying into LAX I was sure I would be living close enough to Hollywood to make my dreams a reality.

There it was, a winter day I boarded a plane out of New York by myself for an experience of a lifetime.

After about six agonizing iPod-less hours, my plane landed and it was a beautiful warm afternoon in the “City of Angels.” My aunt picked me up from the airport and thought it would be a great idea to walk around a local area known as “The La Brea Tar Pits.” Between me and you, after being on a plane for that many hours, the last thing I really wanted to do was sight-see dinosaur bones stuck in tar. But, as luck would have it, within the first five minutes I ran into Thaao Penghlis who played Tony DiMera from Days of Our Lives (my favorite SOAP OPERA!).

Of course, I was star struck and had to have my picture taken with him. It was at that very moment that I knew I was in love with Hollywood, dinosaur remains and all!

After my brief brush with fame, we hopped back into my aunt’s minivan and began our drive. When I saw her pop in an audio-book, I was a little confused because I was sure the ride wouldn’t be long enough to enjoy the whole thing, but I didn’t ask questions, I was too excited.

I intently looked out the window watching that great white HOLLYWOOD sign on the hills fade away, and as an hour became five hours and all the glitz and glamour I so long envisioned faded as well, I knew this wasn’t going to be at all what I expected.

As a matter of fact, those few hours in Los Angeles would be first and last time I ever got to admire the palm tree lined streets of LA to date.

My heart was set on Hollywood and I was crushed.