Drive, Move, House

OMG! Was the drive, moreover haul of crap, up to Portland a long one. 10+ hours about worrying whether or not my futon was going to fall off my roof was exhausting. Not to mention the final trek up the “hills” to my new place. I don’t know whether hill is the right term though. It’s not like the small rolling hills of California of imagine, but a never ending steep climb like the streets of San Francisco. I’m just glad I made it though. My friends joked with me that knowing my luck I would end up breaking down in the middle of the freeway, cause multiple car accidents, have my things strewn all over the road, get to the side of the road to call for help only to realize I have no reception, and then get mauled by a bear coming out of the woods only to leave me barely alive but with many a broken bones and open wounds. Yes, that is exactly the type of thing that might normally occur to me – but I made it!

My new home. It looks a little bare now, but that's because I just moved in silly!

The walkway to the house.

The side porch leading to the apartment downstairs.

The living room.

The kitchen.

The dining room.

The sunroom/my new office with stairs to the basement/laundry.

The back stairs.

The yard next door.

The bathroom. Of course, the tiles match the oven.

A sneak peak into my rommate's room.

My new room - that's all I'm showing, but I must say I'm very excited about my new queen size bed.










Quote: I am not afraid...I was born to do this. – Joan of Arc
Song: Destiny by Zero 7

More Twifans Blogs from my Spring Break

Getting Shut Down at Bella's House 04.27.09

This is a photo from the set of Bella's house taken on Friday before they shot for the night. My fav. was after this shot some older guy was sprinkling leaves all over the yard to give it a more realistic look.

Since I didn't get any car photos on Saturday morning, I decided to swing back by Bella's house on my way to the border. It was about 8 am on Sunday morning and there were already local cops, crew members, and locals hanging around. I went over to get a few pics of the cars. If you look closely at Charlie’s car his license is a B.C. plate. Isn’t someone supposed to notice these things?

Going back to my car, with my camera in my pocket none the less, this 6’4” guy comes walking up next to me in between myself and the house with an umbrella. He was all like you can’t take pictures of Bella’s house. Did I mention my camera was in my pocket? And why would I want to? I already got pictures and that morning the house was covered on all sides with black screens only exposing the top foot or two of the house. I just think it was funny that I got an escort though. Like my short legs could outrun his or my arms could stretch around the umbrella to get a pic of the house like I’m Inspector Gadget or something. It was too early for evasive maneuvers anyway.

So my my escort mentioned how pictures of the house were already up online – duh! Why the black screens anyway? Like people wouldn't be able to guess where they set was since there were still trailers and road signs. It makes me wonder what they are going to do with the house after shooting ends soon. After all, aren’t they planning Eclipse for August? I wonder if they will transplant the house to another location or just build yet another.

More New Moon Set Photos 04.27.09

I had fun just seeing the locations. It makes it all the more real.
Jacob's house and garage. I like the goats the best though. American Pie 7 was filming just around the corner from this location in a park lodge.
I was a bit bummed that I missed the cliff diving scene shooting by a day. This was probably the easiest shoot to find.

I'm not sure how much this school will resemble the last. I didn't see much brick. I guess we'll see.

Michael Angarano With No Baggage 04.28.09

So meeting fellow Twilighters in Vancouver was great. I met these two girls, Lisa and Strother, from Virginia at Bella's house on Friday afternoon. They spent some major time in customs after they flew in and guess who was there too - Michael Angarano (Kristen's current bf) with NO baggage. He came to spend the weekend with Kristen after she had a long week of filiming. Did he really say at a different hotel though? Hmm. I guess it's good they're both over 18. And why stay at a different hotel? There's all this talk about major crowds outside Kristen's hotel but there were only around 10 at most during certain times of the day even after filming has been going on for over a month and sometimes there was just me. I don't think I look intimidating. I'm actually surprised more people weren't out there. It's WAY better than waiting next to the sets in almost freezing weather. I can say that for sure.

I was also been mentioned in some of Twifans creator Alison's blog:

We had made tons of "stalker" friends outside our hotel. Twilight fans are the nicest and dedicated fans I have ever encountered. I bet most people would say the same. Robert says "resourceful", Kristen says "physcotic" but whatever! My favorite friends I met were Kat...she has been blogging on her since I told her about Twifans! Go Kat. Stephanie and her wonderful Dad...yes the elusive Twi-Dad. He was an amazing stalker day and night. And the crazy Virginia gals, Lisa and Srother! I will tell of our tales of stalking as we go.

Most of them were foreign exchange students that didn't speak very good English but loved them some Twilight. This is when I met Kat. A California gal like me that had driven 16 hours straight to visit Vancouver before the Olympics? Come on Kat I wasn't buying that one. You were a true stalker extraordinaire. (lol! That's why I love Alison. Maybe I should invest in being a paparazzi though if this pharmacy thing doesn't work out.) Kat and I exchanged cell numbers and decided that 2 heads were better than one and we could help each other and that is exactly what we did the rest of the week.

So we found Bell's house and we hear filming starts for the first time that night. We are excited like kids going to summer camp. Kat, Srother, Lisa, Me, and my girls. We have water, snacks, and collapsible chairs. We are in for the long haul. We are determined and resourceful and cameras are ready. What we weren't ready for was the freezing tempatures and sneaky security people. And when I say sneaky I really mean complete douche bag but I will get to that!

Quote: Death is peaceful, easy. Life is harder. - Twilight (movie)

Song: Decode by Paramore

My First Blog for Twifans & My Very First Blog Ever

Ups and Downs but Ultimately Success in Vancouver! 04.26.09
So I was just in Vancouver randomly after checking out the Pacific Northwest for apartments as I'm moving in August. It was suggested by local friends that I visit before the 2010 Olympics. By the end of Thursday, I figured I'd try my luck and go by Sutton Place Hotel as mentioned in Life & Style magazine as to where the actors were staying. I, of course, was about 10 minutes too late for Taylor, but just in time to meet Alison and her daughters, Ashley and Savannah, from Twifans!We stayed over night during Fraturday's shooting - industry term because it's filming Friday 7 pm to Saturday 7 am - at Bella's house. It was almost freezing cold and being form CA, I wasn't too happy about 46 degree windy weather. We may have been dupped by a security guy named douche bag Ron to change where we were waiting for the actors to leave, but I ended up going back to our original stakeout at one end of Bella's street with two visitors from Virginia, Lisa and Strother. After the barriers removed a black SUV comes out and who rolls down the window but Ashley Greene. She could have totally kept driving, but was able to say hi even after the long night - what a sport!

On Thursday, as Rachelle and Ashley left their hotel for dinner a few hours after Taylor did I ran down the street to get a picture and what happens but a blurry mess as my camera batteries were low and there was no flash. Already missing Taylor I was totally bummed. I decided, however, to stick it out and get into the New Moon craze in full force. Again, Alison gave me the hook-up and we waited a bit in the Saturday dinner rush around the hotel to see Rachelle Lefevre pass by. We said hi and she stopped to talk with us. She said that at the first Bella's house overnight shoot she did about 13 hours of mainly stunt work and that she was beat. Yet, just like Ashley she was so gracious and more than willingly to take a quick pic for a fan. This definitely made up for the earlier camera malfunction, especially with her newly-dyed hair.

P.S. This is my first blog ever (I'm totally serious), so comments are welcome!

Quote: No one will surrender tonight, but I won't give in. I know what I want. - Bella, Twilight (movie)
Song: Spotlight by MuteMath

Previous Adventures in Vancouver, BC

Okay, so while I was on spring break in Portland, a friend reminded that New Moon was filming up in Vancouver, less than a day's drive away. I don't know what came over me. I just decided to take a little adventure since all of my friends already had been on spring break and went to places like Cabo San Lucas without me.

So I was totally surprised that I even made it into the country of Canada. I did not have my passport with me at all. I just figured the Canadians would be friendly. I was questioned at length at the border, especially since I had no reservations in VanCity and I was driving my parents' car. I wasn't let through until the Monty asked me "how do you know what's in this car?" It was almost midnight and all I could manage for a response because I was totally baffled was "my suitcase." That was enough to get him laughing and let me through. When I thought about it later, I guess he was implying that there could practically be drugs in my tires or something. lol

Capilano Suspension Bridge
First built in 1889, it is a simple suspension bridge that is 450 feet long and 230 feet above the Capilano River in North Vancouver. This is actually the world's longest foot suspension bridge.

Trying to get steady on the bridge. You can't see, but I'm holding tight to the sides.

Those look so comfy. I wish I have a pair on my front porch some day.

I have to go back across it to get home?!












Holy crow! That's a long way down. Not a big fan of heights, but I did it.








Far below the bridge.






Some marshes at Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam






MOTHER OF PEARL! Why wasn't my flash working?! I swear this is Rachelle Lefevre a.k.a. Victoria from Twilight. She was off to dinner with Ashley Greene, who was taking pictures with exchange students from Brazil.
Too early and too cold, but Selena was SO gracious. While I was awaiting Twilight stars to come out of their hotel, Selena Gomez comes walking out at about 7. I asked her if I could get a picture. She asked me if I was sure because it was morning - like she could look bad! I was about to take the picture myself when her driver/bodyguard asked if he could. Afterwards, Selena and even her mom thanked me! Totally crazy right? Selena thanking me. No. Thank you Selena. You are the cutest thing ever!

It was still too early in the season to see the roses. Bummer.

Burrard Inlet

Totem poles. Obviously.

The view from Stanley Park. It reminds me of the Golden Gate bridge.

The lumberjack's tree.

Waiting out RPattz at his hotel. (I'm a total creeper. ) I never did see him though.

I love the contract.

Yes. I was at the replica of Bella's house. Bella from Twilight - a movie about love between a vampire and a human girl. I can hear the judgment, but I was never into anything as a kid. Not Barbies, not Hello Kitty. This is my thing. Just let it be.

You can read more about my Twilight Adventures in the next blogs.

Bikes periodically take over downtown traffic during rush hor to promote going green and using public transport. Drivers were pretty pissed, especially since there were hundreds of bikes and it took at least 10 minutes for everyone to pass by. It was kinda cool though. Some people were even in costumes.

In the middle of the Burrard Inlet. It's sensible, but I giggle a little every time I see this picture.

An original steam clock in GasTown which is part of downtown Vancouver.

A Japanese garden in the middle of the city.

There are drug stores on every corner - literally, just like coffee shops.






So I was hanging out with some newly made friends in a seating area next to the lobby of their hotel. All of the sudden John Corbett with his two German sheperds walks right by. I say "hi John" and he looks at me, then I asked "can I get a picture with you?" His response: "I don't do that sort of thing." WOW.

Honestly - What was I supposed to say to that? I was all "okay" as I lowered my head. About 10 minutes later, he walks back in. So awkward. I immediately look away. He then asked "do you still want that picture?" I said yes and then he asked if I was staying at the hotel. I, of course, wasn't, but my friends said "yes we are." I understand where he was coming from because there must have been a lot of people hanging around the front of the hotel for Twilight stars, but I can imagine he was harassed all that much. He led me to the side and asked me what I was doing in Vancouver, etc before I got my picture. I thanked him and then my friends went back to the seating area. I still can't believe that happened though. He is a movie star after all and I think he knows that. It's not even like I screamed his name and was running after him. I stayed put in my seat when I first asked him. I think he also realized that he was kind of an asshole before and that's why he took the picture with me later. He was staying at the hotel with Bo Derek. Ironically enough I would have rather gotten a picture with her even before the encounter. I hope that he was just having a bad day. I have a hard time grasping that he might actually just be like that.

After filming stunts for 13 hours in the middle of the night (see next blog), she was more than willing to take a picture with her newly dyed hair (after the cliff diving scenes, of course). And my camera was fully functional this time. : ) She was so sweet! I even got the chance to chat with her for a little bit.

What a way to end a trip! (...especially after the whole John Corbett fiasco.)

Waiting at the border to get back into the States, despite not having a passport with me....but they eventually let me in. At first, the officer was going to have me pull to the side and go into the building to prove my residency, but there were too many cars already. While I sat at her station we were just chit chatting away. I was talking about good ol' Stockton and how it was ranked America's Most Miserable City. The officer was from Sacramento and to her it seemed like I knew the area, so she let me go with a warning. ;)

Quote: But if you really want to live, why not try and make yourself? - Incubus

Song: Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn