Lunch Breaks with a View

Lunch. 
I have one hour and I can spend it however I want.

I am very fortunate to work in a place that offers a view,

Downtown Long Beach.

I grew up in California Heights, a suburb of Long Beach,
and I have worked Downtown for seven years.
It's easy to get into the habit of seeing past what's around you,
to forget what is right at your very fingertips. 
I admit, for years, I was guilty of this.
But in the past few years, 
I have really taken to exploring this great city,
 seeing it with new eyes,
and my lunch break is just the time to do it.

Sure, I've been to the fancy restaurants, the hip eateries,
the community cafes... that is all good and fun,
but I'm talking more than food here.

I have often taken strolls past sweet storefronts
of historic buildings that are cracked with character, heart and glory.

I have parked along the bluffs along Ocean Blvd,
put my feet up and looked out to the great wide ocean. 

On a clear day, I can spot Catalina island off in the distance.
I daydream about being on one of those sailboats, 

out at sea, wind in my hair, rough sandpaper decking at my feet.

I've gone to the bay and
 just sat on the sand with my PB&J,
looking out at kayakers, sailors,  
and kiddos splashing around in their summer suits.

I've gone to the beach.
I speedily change into my bathing suit, bring my lunch, 

my large picnic blanket, and spread out across the warm sand.
And for a glorious 40 minutes, the sun kisses my skin,

my hair goes wild, my toes dig into the grainy sand,
all while the sound of seashells whistle in my ears.

Recently, I started taking long walks.

I change into my work out clothes and end up doing a solid 2 miles.

(I refuse to be one of those ladies who wears her sneakers 
with a skirt & panty hose on her lunch break walk.)

With music in my ears, 
I swish past people on the street,
and soak in the city.
It's brisk and refreshing

and it feels great.

I walk past high-rise buildings,
the Pike,

the Performing Arts Center,

the beach boardwalk, 

Shoreline Village, 





Rainbow Lagoon.

I walk past business people out to lunch.
I walk by tourists in their button down Hawaiian shirts and tan shorts.
I walk past homeless people napping on the grass in the park.
I walk past people just like me.
And I realize how lucky I am.
I work HERE.
As I turn the corner from Ocean onto Shoreline Drive,
 inevitably, every time, the wind picks up and blows my hair back
and I bask in the beautiful view of the marina,

of the Villa Rivera, 

the Queen Mary,

the lighthouse in Queens Way Bay

The sites to see are endless.

And while my eyes are surveying the beauty,
the gritty, and the in-between of this city,
my mind is getting a breather too.

I'm a big believer in letting the quiet in.
And this one hour of solitude,
where I have to please no one but myself,
is just what I need for a mid-day reboot. 

But solitude aside, 
getting to visit my cute baby boy is pretty awesome too.
Last week Kieran's Grammy & Grampy took him to the LB Aquarium,


K hangin' with the penguins! 

so I decided to walk over and meet 
them for some mid-day snuggles with K.

It was definitely the highlight of my work week,
and probably the best view of all.

I encourage all of you to take some time to get up,
get out, and enjoy the view around you,
by yourself, with friends, with family.

Happy short work week friends!
And Happy 4th of July! 

XOXO
Aimee