Memorial day!!!

This memorial day weekend, we decided to reclaim our long weekend. :) We decided to drive down to LA on Friday. Accordingly, both of us left work early, packed quickly and left (with the kids) for LA by around 5 pm. Traffic (as expected) was a bit heavy initially, but eased up after a while. Long story short, we reached LA and checked into the hotel by 10:45 pm that night. We had packed plenty of food for the journey, so did not need to stop anywhere for food.

Next day, we all got ready and I dropped the missus and the kids to their favorite theme park and headed over to my classes. This weeks marketing case was a weird one - contact lenses for chicken. :( The information in the case, while not unexpected, highlighted once again the kind of world we live in - one where cruelty to Animals is somehow rationalized and acceptable to most of us. But, then I am digressing...

In the evening, picked up the folks and headed over to an Indian restaurant - "Lal Mirch". The place looked average at best from the outside and as we entered, I could detect some musty smell. We were all hungry and no other good choice nearby, I braced myself for the worst and we ordered the food. In a few mins, I got used/sensitized to the smell and it no longer bothered me. The food came quickly and to our surprise it was quite delicious. A bottle of kingfisher helped (perhaps) but then the kids did not complain either.... so it was good food. :)

The next day, we headed over to the Santa Monica beach. For $10, we got parking for the whole day, right at the beach. It was a beautiful day. We spent the whole day there (liberal doses of sunscreen). It was such a joy to hear the squeals of laughter from the kids. They would keep dragging us into the chilly waters... :) and we didn't mind. Over the years, I have watched kids in our generation become some nerdy that at the back of mind it bothered me. Kids with thick glasses, no social skills, watching dvds all the time, playing video games all the time.... ugh. Whatever happened to going out and running around and having some old fashioned fun. But, at the beach, the sight was completely different. Hundreds of families, with/without kids, just having an amazing time, kids running around having a blast, no one nagging them around - I felt strangely relieved. The future of outdoor fun and play was after all secure. :)

Later in the evening, we all headed back to the hotel and that's when the reality hit us. The kids were so tired (and cranky), then getting them to take a shower was a pain. Anyway, we got everyone cleaned up and around 9:30 we headed out for dinner, barely making it to "The Olive Garden" before they closed. Son, fell asleep right in the middle of dinner. :) But overall, quite enjoyable and relaxing day.

The next day, we headed home. Reached home at a decent time, unloaded the luggage etc and relaxed for a while before heading out for dinner. It was supposed to be relaxing but turned out to be my worst nightmare... topic for a later post. :(