Sunday, April 17, 2011

back from santa cruz

stevenson college at UCSC


at santa cruz diner


santa cruz bookshop


trees on ucsc campus


jacob and faith

Faith and I just returned from our quick trip to Santa Cruz. She'll be attending UCSC next year, and this weekend was the "Spring Spotlight" event for prospective students and their parents. She is super excited to know where she is going, and I'm so happy to think that she and Jacob will both be attending the same school. Yea! I just love knowing they each have a support system in each other.

We loved the central coast feel and enjoyed a gorgeous drive. Everything is so green and pretty at this time of year! The campus has tons of redwoods and we even saw deer wandering around. I so enjoyed having some time with my two older children, which is so rare these days. We went out for a few meals together and watched a movie.

The movie we saw was "Soul Surfer," about Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who got her arm bitten off by a shark when she was out surfing one day. I remember finding her story so inspiring when it happened, so I definitely wanted to see the movie. It was no "King's Speech," that's for sure, but interesting and inspiring nonetheless. Helen Hunt plays the mother. I love Helen Hunt, but she is looking so old now! I truly wonder why she doesn't go in for the botox and plastic surgery that all the other Hollywood stars are doing. Maybe I was feeling a little dicey just because she is only two years older than I.

One more day of break (today), then it is back to work. No complaints from me, though, because it is almost summer.

Update: oh my goodness, Faith read the post and said it sounds like I'm a real advocate of Botox and plastic surgery! No, that is not what I meant. I'm sorry if I offended any of you. I really like what the commenters have said below--all such good thoughts. What I meant about Helen Hunt is that I'm curious why she has made the decision she has made (to age naturally) when all the other Hollywood stars are resisting. I'm curious about the background of that and what her thoughts are on the topic. Also, I'm just in a stage right now where I have a lot of curiosity and questions about aging, staying sexy and feminine, and growing old gracefully, and staying healthy naturally . . . just so much stuff going on in my mind right now as I'm getting older.

Re-reading my post above, it does sound rather mean and critical of Helen Hun!. I don't mean it to be--I really like her.

6 comments:

Jennie C. said...

I love actresses that DON'T pretend to be young anymore. They're rare, but they're real, and I appreciate that. :-)

Maiz Connolly said...

I say, "Thank you, Helen Hunt, for showing the world what beautiful women really look like as they age!"

And it is SO nice that Faith and Jacob will have each other at college. Santa Cruz is such a fun town, I'm sure she's going to love it there!

XYZZ said...

Totally agree with the other posters! Our culture has a weird belief that youth = beauty. I would much rather look "old" than be pumped full of chemicals and implants...yuck!! Kudos to Helen Hunt and others like her.

Debs said...

Oh no! Leave Helen Hunt's wrinkly face alone! Actually, I think they should stop making films in high definition. I don't think it does any of these actors any favours. (Makes me feel better, though!)

stacief said...

I work at UCSC and I am so happy that you had a nice visit. I LOVE it there! Great education in a beautiful setting! Have you tried saturn cafe? (actually, I have not, but I think that it is vegan and you may like it!)

BenBirdy1 said...

I just laughed to read Stacief's comment--I was logging in to say exactly the same thing! I did ten years of teaching and graduate work at UCSC--also waiting tables at the Saturn. What a great, creative place that school is--so happy for you that your kids will be there.
xo