i like going back to sunny So.Cal – one time, Cal’s spring break coincided with Oscar Night. My high school buddy, Kevin, took me down to West Hollywood to check out some hot gay guys (“Men you won’t be able to touch” – gee, thanks Kevin). Sadly, I didn’t have a 21 and over driver’s licenses – so no club was willing to take chance on me, no matter how much schmoozing Kevin tried to lay on. We had a lucky break though – we found a huge crowd of vans outside of a bumpin’ club – complete with ared carpet and a line of limos. I saw a sign for Vainty Fair and I realized that this was the site of the publication’s After Oscar party….coool – we watched the fashionable chaos of blinking lights, stargazing, and splashy entrances, from across the street. We couldn’t see a thing. But it was a thrill being so close to the stars. Still, I’ve already had my brush with stars, growing up in LA (so.cal) – it just happens.
I remember as a skater, I spent a summer in Lake Arrowhead’s Skating Camp. One day, Molly Ringwald visited the rink. All the coaches, including my own – fell over there feet to help this beginner skater navigate through an advanced freestyle sessions. About half of my lesson was dedicated to helping Molly skate around the rink, without falling. She was a sweet girl and she wore glasses. She didn’t look a day over sixteen.
Another star gazing spot was at the Pickwick Ice Center in Burbank. One day, our freestyle session was cancled becaue Alyssa Milano rented out the space for her private skating session. I typically get pissed off when ths sort of thing happened – especially when it’s during the season and every practice session was needed to prepare for the next competition. Milano was in ice hockey and it looked like she and her entourage were preparing for a private pick-up game. My dad, being the outgoing guy, went up to her in the parking lot and asked if we could take pics with her. She agreed….my pissed of nature was replaced with the giddiness of starstrucked awe. She was also a nice girl and quite down to earth. She was also one hell of a hockey skater.
My last memorable job was as a sales assoicate for Victoria’s Secret. My first job to require a business suit. My mom was happy with the dress requirements because she thought it would prepare me for the business world…little did she know my first career would be in tech support 🙂 Anyways, I was at the register ringing up some underwear for a short, teenage-looking, girl. I then recoginzed her as Andrea Barber – “Kimmy” from Full House. She saw the light of recognition sparkle in my eyes and she smiled. Of course, I wanted to play it cool and I’m sure she didn’t need me to bring up her acting career in front of the other customers, so I kept my mouth shut. According to my co-workers, she came in often enough.
Yeah, I have plenty of memories of home…it’s tough though, because I don’t have my childhood house to visit. I don’t want to see it right now, because it hurts, knowing that it’s not in the family anymore. That some other kid could be making my bedroom into their own. Screw them.
I suppose I grew-up like a typical teenager – with plenty of hormones and attitude. My relationship with my parents improved greatly when I left home for college. I think it would be worse if I ever tried to move back home – simply because we’re all so short tempered and strong willed. My brother use to tell me tha I should pick my battles, that it’s ok to back down. I think I was so self-righteous because I felt that my parents had no way to empathize with being an American teenager growing up with Filipino expectations. I didn’t want to be demure and obedient- I thought that was so weak. Plus, I arrogantly thought I knew better about the “American” way of doing things, and that I should be treated as an adult, while growing up in my parent’s house. Gosh, I was such a pain the rear-end. My parents often told me I would eventually be grateful for the way they raised me. Maybe it’s pride, but I still disagree with them on that point. But, the realist in me points out that I turned out alright – being independent, with a job (financialy responsible), and maintaining a fierce loyalty to my family and my faith. In the end, they did a good job with me and I suppose, with my thick head – they needed a strict arm to keep me in line and to keep me from hurting myself.
Part of my own teenage experience makes me reluctant to think about starting a family….heck, a mini-me would drive me nuts! She would be such a brat and I can only imagine my heart breaking when she turns into a teenager – with her own code of survival and distrust for her parents.