the LA times: friday i flew into LAX on the fourth of july to two beaming faces- debbie and tien- who drove me to santa monica beach for a lunch picnic. they prepared sandwiches, salads, dip, fruit, dessert, and even wine. it was so much fun! also, growing up in a landlocked state, i'm ecstatic whenever i see the ocean. there were a lot of people there, but we managed to find a little spot for our towels. the sky was pretty overcast when we first arrived, but by the time we finished our meal, the clouds moved aside, allowing the sun to tan tien beautifully while burning me and debbie. for the record, i look like a craisin. the water, though very dirty, felt really good. i didn't go swimming in it, but i did let it splash my legs a few times before heading home. later, tien took me and deb to the fire station to meet some of the firemen whom she is friends with, and dropped off the dessert she had made for those poor guys who didn't get a day off on our nation's birth