There's a couple aquariums in the South Bay. They're rather small compared to maybe the Long Beach Aquarium or something of that space, but it's still fun to see the life that you can't usually see under the water.

The Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach is one of my favorites just for the casual visit. It's free to the public with a suggested donation, and the location – at the end of the Manhattan Beach pier, is unbeatable. It's perfect to go and visit at the end of the day and check it out before watching the sunset.

READ ON FOR PICTURES & INFO...

Between the last post, and this one, and the upcoming post (spoiler), it should really be called "Adventures with Brittney." Or something along those lines. But due to ease of search within the blog, and SEO obligations, it shall remain as boring as "Malibu: El Matador State Beach." So basic.

This was quite the adventure of highs and lows.

READ ABOUT THE BUGS...

You now have one week left to see, smell, and frolic (with limitations) in The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.

Britt and I went when there was still more acres to bloom, but even then it was so cool seeing fields of flowers in designated colors lining the ground. They're open through May 10th (this weekend!) and tickets cost $12, and an additional fee (I think it was $5 each) for the wagon ride (which I recommend – super fun!), plus if you want some sprinkle ice cream it's another expanse. Bring cash.

In addition to walking around the fields and seeing all the "Ranunculus" (I keep saying it as "redonkulous" but obviously that's not a word...) in bloom, there's also a sweet pea maze, and a small rose garden. 

You can't walk in-between the flowers and run through them, but there's pathways that you can go into that bring you within the field. 

READ MORE TO SEE PHOTOS...

Looking for something different and fun to do on a Friday or Saturday night? Go back in time to the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo.

Ever since I went to this place a year ago, I fell absolutely in love. It's a special experience to come here. And it was completely unexpected. I've lived in the South Bay my entire life and had no idea something like this existed here. All I knew was that it played old movies. But the experience is so much more than that.

READ MORE ABOUT WHY THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES...

There's certain go-to places I make sure friends see when they come to visit. The Korean Friendship Bell is one of them.  Aside from it's symbol of friendship, I love the park it sits in, the views, and the open area surrounding it.

READ WHY I LOVE THIS PLACE...

Last year, I had the fortunate discovery of finding out about "Whale of a Day" in Palos Verdes at the unfortunate timing of stumbling upon it right when it ended.

Ever since then, it's been in my calendar with a reminder set. I did not want to miss this festival.

So came this past Saturday. I recruited my friend Cody, who's girlfriend Michelle was working at the event and who's mom actually put the event together as I found out later, and made our way to a dirt parking lot for a mini shuttle ride over to the festival.

I planned to stay there for maybe two hours. I was there for four. Simply because there was that much to do and see.

Read on for a list of all the greatness that it really was...

After spending this last weekend finishing the last two books these collected quotes were used for, this quote stood out to me the most for where I am right now.

First off, I love that it's from a French book and it fittingly reminds me of my friend Amanda who not only provided this quote, but who is currently studying abroad in France (learn about the city she's staying in through the program's blog).

Second, I get really restless. And to solve this restlessness, I often look to changing my environment/surroundings. I was actually at dinner with my dad tonight and his relentless changing of cars (I think we counted nine or more within the last ten years?) seems to be the equivalent to my need to go on adventures and explore.

But I've realized lately that, while these things can be really fun and wonderful, and this urge to go and do as many things as possible pushes me to experience and have a continued curiosity for so many things – it can sometimes act as a temporary solution to this continued feeling. So instead, my focus should be – I think – finding peace and patience with where I am at in my life now, and focusing on things that have a long-term impact such as studying the gospel more, and serving more, than wondering where I'm going next.

Honestly, it's a hard balance for me – being so excited about exploring new places, finding fun events, and enjoying that time with friends and family; but also being completely ok with just resting and completely appreciating the now.

So those are my thoughts going into April.

And now for the

BIG REVEAL!

Read on to see how the books turned out and find out how to make your own.

Somehow, in the past three months, I was able to balance a full-time job, pass three classes, and have friends and adventures almost every weekend. It was definitely not easy, and there were moments of high anxiety and stress, but I made it through!

And now April's here.

And it's time to reflect.

ON REFLECTING...

Kind of random, but I think this is now one of my favorite things Los Angeles has to offer. Possibly because out of my whole life living here and being in Santa Monica quite a bit, I've only heard about it recently, and therefore it seems to me this sort of visibly hidden wonderful treasure if that makes any sense.

READ MORE ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE...

In case you're looking for something inspiring and funky to see this weekend, and you happen to be near or on the UCLA campus, go check out the World Share: Installations by Pascale Marthine Tayou at the Fowler Museum. Such a cool exhibit! The artist takes every day objects and materials and transforms them into something meaningful.

FOR MORE ON THIS EXHIBIT READ ON...

Hiking in Los Angeles in general is one of my favorite things. Everyone is friendly and looks at you and smiles or says "hi" as they pass. Usually, everyone's pretty busy or preoccupied with what they're doing to make an effort. But out in the wilderness of Los Angeles, paved trails and all, it's a different atmosphere.

One of my favorite trails in Palos Verdes is the Burma Road Trail. It starts at the southernmost end of Crenshaw Boulevard and offers the most spectacular views.

Aside from the views, the trail never gets boring, no matter how many times I've done it. There are so many trail options that I start to feel like Robert Frost at every turn, asking, "Which path should I take?"

READ ON FOR DETAILS & PHOTOS...

One of the best things to do in LA (that's free — aside from parking), is visiting the Getty Center.

READ ON TO FIND OUT WHY...

Anything about the above picture look familiar? Well, if you watch Friends, or have recently started binging on it through Netflix, you might realize that that is the one and only Central Perk coffee shop (decorated for Christmas because that's around the time I went). It was honestly my number one reason for going on the WB VIP Tour. But it turned out to be such a small part of the bigger fun that the tour had to offer.

READ ON FOR MY FAVORITE PART...

About two months ago, when I asked my friend April for one of her favorite quotes, she gave me, among others:

"But I'm always dreaming, even when I'm awake; it is never finished." –The Last Unicorn

And I thought, what is this poeticness? It just has a beautiful tone to it. And thus my dive into everything "The Last Unicorn." It wasn't long before I had the book and read it.

Then, by some weird coincidence of all things magical, there happened to be a movie tour as well. So, of course, April and I got tickets for that. Even better was it took place at the Art Theater in Long Beach, which was built in 1924 and made for this classy movie-going experience. I mean, really, I couldn't have imagined anything better.

READ ON FOR WHAT MY FAVORITE Q&A WAS...