mission 2006
december 31, 2006
to usher out 2006, tgilw + i decided to have a brunch at the mission inn in riverside with fishpimp and dkb (dirty korean boy). we were going to have dim sum but my allergies to dim sum is pretty high now and besides, this would be much more fun.
for those of you who don't know, mission inn is a BEAUTIFUL historic hotel located in downtown riverside. and for those of you who were not aware, UCRiverside is my alma mater. and you would think that i would be so familiar with mission inn but the truth was back then in school, i didn't even get a chance to visit it. well, it's been 16 years since i graduated (damn, that's depressing) and i have not made the drive out to riverside ever since graduation so it was quite a bittersweet homecoming for me. i drove along the exact same freeway, saw the same street names, freeway exits and to be honest, in 16 years the drive isn't really that different. i would have thought it would be different but i hear the city itself near the campus is totally different. i suspect i will need to return soon to pay my alma mater a visit and perhaps get some photo opps then.
being that it's the last day of the year, what better way than to splurge on a nice brunch with friends and walk around this gorgeous hotel that has an interesting history. we got a chance to not only sample their popular brunch but also toured around the property ducking into the nooks and crannies of the place. i cannot express how many times i turned the corner and oohed and aahed at the things i saw. the attention to detail to the hotel is amazing. we actually ventured into places that were not for people to wander into but we did so anyway without anyone seeing us at all. and some areas were just plain creepy. brrr. they even have a museum on the premises displaying some asian artifacts and other things.
i'm one of those chicks who really really really love historic homes and structures like that. i just love really old things. but it's hard to find at times when living in the modernity also known as los angeles. that's why i'm probably drawn to old towns with their mom and pop shops etc. and to see the intricate detail of the architecture is amazing. anyway....here are some photos from the mission inn. hope you enjoy them because i certainly did. i can't wait to return back and just sit there and knit or read and take in all the beauty and serenity of it. i bet there are still a ton of things i haven't even seen or explored yet at the mission inn. and plus, it will give me a reason to visit my alma mater too while i'm there. :p
currently listening to: morrissey, hairdresser on fire
