#1. Our Friends

Finally. The long-awaited completion of "Jay and Karen's Top 20 Things We Miss About Los Angeles" post. Drum roll, please. (insert drum roll)...

Number One: OUR FRIENDS!

With each day that passes, it becomes more obvious that Karen, Lucas and I will be firmly entrenched in this strange Midwestern land for the foreseeable future. For example, we just bought a house, we have new license plates, went to the Minnesota State Fair, and corn on the cob seems to be part of every meal. All of this is new and all of this is good. We are excited about this new phase of our lives and it's been amazing to be surrounded by family, especially for Lucas who is obsessed with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The toughest thing about being here so far is being away from our friends back "home" in L.A.

We know that we will start to build new friendships out here, but it takes time. We had a decade out West to accumulate the greatest, most supportive, fun-loving, creative (and on and on and on...) true friends anyone could ask for. It's not like they have suddenly disappeared into the mist - we know we can visit them and they can visit us (seriously. you can visit us, really. It doesn't have to be in February), but it's sad to think they are not around the corner.

This post is a tribute. A tribute to our Los Angeles friends. Note: the pictures below, as a collection, represent our many friendships, but not everyone is included. Do not be offended if you do not find yourself in these images. You are still a friend.

 

Twenty photos in one post is not enough. There could be 40 more for the many friends not pictured here. We love you, L.A. friends. Our future friends in Minnesota have some huge shoes to fill. hope to see you soon. 

Love, Jay, Karen and Lucas

#2. The Erlichs

Karen, Lucas and Dara.

It is rare that you come across a family like the Erlichs. Dara has been my best friend since like 30 seconds after we met, and her family has been my family ever since. It is hard to imagine that 9 years ago I traveled out to LA on my own, away from my family, with no job and no idea what I was doing. One year earlier, I think Jay was in the same situation! We both wanted new experiences. I sometimes wonder what would have happened to me if the Erlichs didn’t take me in? They were what I needed in my new LA life…a really strong family who liked being together. I was invited over for homemade meals and holidays, they wanted to know about my family and friends in Minnesota, they talked to me about grad school and work and Jay and Lucas. They are a family who always had a watchful eye on me and my well-being. The great thing about them is when your in…you in! Jay even felt this during his interviewing process with Blake. Toni (Dara’s mom) would be emailing and leaving messages with her best thoughts and wishes! The Erlich family has been the Dean’s biggest champions! Lucas is so lucky to have 3 families that love him so much! Rueben, Toni, Dara, Darren, Ross, Remy and Cooper…you are all missed and appreciated and loved dearly!

(top to bottom, left to right): Remy, Toni, Rueben and Dara at lunch; Karen, Toni and Dara on Mothers Day; The Marbles: Darren, Dara and Remy; Lucas and Remy posing together on Mothers Day

We'll miss you, too, Cooper Marble!

#3. Elvira

Elvira has been gift to our family. She has watched Lucas in the babyroom since he was just over 4 months old. She is loving, kind, conscientious, and is a real partner in helping raise Lucas. She is interested in his development and has always gone above and beyond her responsibilities with him. We feel so lucky to have had her in our lives and in Lucas’. She is a natural and it will be very hard to find someone who is as natural as she is with all kids, but especially Lucas. I only wish we could have packed her up with us and brought her with us to Minnesota.

#4. The Baby Room

Then...

...and Now

Are you kidding me? I get to bring my baby to work with me? One of the greatest perks of being a teacher at the Willows has been access to the baby room where Lucas got to spend his days with his friends: Phoebe, Braydon, and Morgan(all of who are children to other teacher friends). Of course there are downsides to having your baby on campus(like when you see the light on in the room, knowing your kids is supposed to be napping), but all in all, I feel like the luckiest mom ever having had the opportunity to see Lucas throughout the day, everyday, while still having the chance to work doing something I love. It was the perfect set-up. I never had to be too far away and I never had to experience the anxiety I imagine most moms endure when they go back to work after maternity leave. I got to see him out on the yard, check in on him at lunchtime and essentially get to enjoy watching him have fun during the day. Lucas thrived at school. Not only did Lucas get to develop his social skills with the other babies, but he also had the unique opportunity of being around school-aged kids who interacted and played with the babies. It always made me smile to walk around the corner and see a fifth grade or a third grader playing peek-a-boo with him or having a group of second graders doing a dance performance to the babies. Lucas visited all the classrooms, enjoyed the after school classes where he got to play with farm animals and watch basketball games, and the 4^th grade students even threw Lucas a surprise 1^st birthday party. The best feeling leaving work everyday was when Lucas and I would pack up his things, walk outside, and have students of all ages run up to us to say goodbye to Lucas. They’d say, “Bye Lucas, see you tomorrow!” Now that’s a family and a really good example of community. More companies should figure this out, because it certainly makes working moms and dads more satisfied!

#6/#5. Crossroads/Willows

Who knew we would both stumble across amazing school communities during our time out West? Crossroads and the Willows were more than jobs for us – we came away with amazing work experiences, but more importantly, we made lifelong friendships there. Thanks to Crossroads for providing us with some of the best “date nights” of the early days of our relationship: bar and bat mitzvahs! Who can forget the many Alley Parties, “book club,” and the Channel Islands Trip? Jay would like to thank his friends and colleagues for consistently inspiring him to be a better educator. Thanks to the Willows for showing Karen how teaching should be done and allowing her to grow professionally by watching so many talented young teachers with unique styles and be part of a community where students’ voices are heard and their uniqueness embraced (by the way, there’ll be more about the Willows in a future post). Crossroads and the Willows are examples of schools we wish we had attended when we were young.

#7. The Weather

Though it’s a bit obvious, we had to include this on our list. Come February, we might regret not placing this in the #1 spot. Goodbye sunshine, hello seasons!

#8. Westlake Village Inn

This countdown would not be complete if we didn’t include the site of our August 17^th, 2007 wedding. Considering we both have families far away, this location felt like Mr. Rogers neighborhood, including European style accommodations, centrally located pool, golf coarse, dining and, of course, our unforgettable/personal ceremony and party. This place is romantic and special and we have visited annually to reminisce about our day! Memories include: a live rendition of the Minnesota Rouser, a sweaty Geoff Agnor getting his groove on with Bonnie Rolig on the dance floor, and of course our “Reverend” and good friend Billy Dumone for conducting a meaningful and unforgettable marriage ceremony.

#9. Big Sur and the Central Coast

So...California is unique for many reasons, but one thing Jay and I love about our life here is how you can travel in any direction 2 hours and get a different climate and terrain. Our favorite direction has been traveling North to Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, Mill Valley, and San Fran. We mini-mooned here for 3 nights after our wedding which is exactly the kind of energy we were hoping for...relaxing, beautiful, quiet, and rustic. For those of you who have taken this road trip, you know why this destination has made our top 20 list. The scenery is the most breath taking that I've seen. Jay and I talk seriously about needing to make our way back to this part of California for our 5 year anniversary. So even though the pictures for this post are from Google, Big Sur really does look this way in person.

#10. The San Vicente Median Strip

Over the course of the last eight years living in Brentwood, Jay and Karen(more Jay than Karen) have logged many miles running the San Vicente median strip. We've clocked the mileage several times to know how close we were to our training goals. Depending on our starting location and route, it is about 3.5 miles from our apartment to the beach...round trip 7-8 miles. It's the perfect run...a little cushion from the grass, other bikers, runners, weight lifters, yogis, and martial artists along the way for inspiration, a little decline, and therefore the dreaded incline, beautiful homes to lust over, and of course the perfect coastal weather for a good workout.

#11. The Farmers Market on San Vicente

While sitting on the couch in our now close-to-empty apartment, Karen turned to me and said, "How sad and devastating it's going to be not having the farmers market anymore." That could be an exaggeration, but it's certainly true that the San Vicente farmers market has become part of our routine out here, especially since Lucas has been in the picture. Almost every Sunday morning without fail we throw Lucas in the stroller, hit up our Starbucks, stop off at the Whole Foods magazine stand and stroll through the rows of fruit and vegetables to stock up for the week. Karen has made great use of it all, priding herself in the fact that she provides Lucas with the freshest, most organic food around. If only we could guess what he was in the mood for this week...


The Farmers market is really great for people watching and some of the worst plastic surgery you've ever seen is on display there. Pretty sure we won't see that in St. Paul.

#12. Mani/Pedis

For 9 years, I have been thoroughly enjoying my weekly mani/pedis. I realized very soon after I moved from Minnesota to the valley that having your nails groomed was a MUST! I know Jay will agree that this HAD to make our top 20 list, especially since he has had a handful of pedicures(although in my mind not frequently enough). Not that I can't get this done in Minnesota, but where else will they cost $20. Now that's a bargain! Thank you Lovely Nails!

#13. The 18th Street Coffee House

There's a little independently-owned coffee shop on the corner of 18th and Broadway in Santa Monica that has been a part of our lives as long as we've been on the westside. Jay spent many mornings rapping with his colleagues after their morning swim in the Crossroads pool. We will never forget the many great employees there, especially Miguel and our favorite barista, simply known as "The Barista."

I will always fondly remember the tile mosaic tables, double mochas, garlic bagels toasted with hummus, the amazing murals on the walls, aspiring writers hammering away on their laptops, the no cell phone rule, cash only, and the free coffee cards.

"18th Street" is an old-school coffee house and proud of it. Please be open when we come back in September.

#14. Bay Cities Italian Deli

For those of you who live out here and have enjoyed their food, you know what I'm talking about. Pretty much every weekend, Karen and I order our sandwiches on-line and then hit up the hot counter for meatballs and macaroni and cheese. When we visit friends, we have been known to show up with some Bay Cities Tuscan tapenade, manchego cheese, and the special Bay Cities Italian bread. The lines are long, but it's worth the wait.

The service at this place is pretty amazing, too. It's like a well-oiled machine in there. It kind of reminds me of Giammalvo's Market in New Bedford. We are already excited about the sandwiches from there we'll eat on the plane.

#15. 11722 Kiowa Avenue, Apartment 7

Though we have often been heard saying how much we can't wait to get out of our apartment and finally move into a house, you can't say we haven't had our share of great memories in our humble little apartment on Kiowa Ave. Jay is actually Karen's third roommate in this apartment (after she lived with Dara Marble and Matthew Arnold), so she's put in a solid 8 years in here. We hate our kitchen, but we actually were successful in creating a Thanksgiving dinner a few years back (with the help of Karen's mom). We've painted the place a few times, added furniture, fought with landlords, hosted some good parties i.e. Jay's 33rd "Larry Bird" birthday party, and successfully kept Lucas alive here for 17 months!