SIMPLER GIFTS

Monday, September 21, 2009

Pasadena
Day, part 2

After tea, we visited the
now-closed Pasadena Ambassador College campus. My parents attended this college
in the 1970s. It is at least partially owned by the private school, Maranatha,
where they opened classes in the newer dorms near the natatorium.
Walk with us through the
grounds of Ambassador. The campus still blooms colorful buds and leafy trees
over the large landscape, however some of the buildings are starting to look old
and--dare I say--dilapidated.

First,
the student center where the cafeteria sits, at which many a dance took
place.

Aunt Carrie and Katie
stroll, hand in hand, under the trellis arbor outside the old Student
Center.
The
recognizable fountain and pool outside the Auditorium. Remember the purple
hymnals?

Crystal
chandelier and gold.

Let's
enter the main auditorium. I remember seeing these plush yellow velvet chairs on
the Worldwide church broadcast during the Feast. "Welcome from Pasadena,
California."

Tony,
Katie and Carrie sitting as the brethren would have for
services.

The
lamb will lie down with the lion. This was the picture used by the Worldwide
Church of God, and here it is as a heavy doorknob on the double doors to the
auditorium.

If
you've ever been to the Auditorium, you never forget the elaborate colorful
carpets. As you descend the stars to the basement level, here is the flame burst
that catches your eye. I believe the Ambassador clubs and Young Ambassadors
chorus used this for their group photos.

Another
elaborate lighting design.

Katie
playing on the purple-carpeted stairs.

The
Hall of Administration building, an open concept floor plan awaits the inside.
Where the business aspect of college occured.
The birds are pointed toward Jerusalem.

Tony and Carrie in front of the
Auditorium.

The Mayfair dorm, where Mom
spent a semester.
Look at this old knotty
tropical-looking tree. What a trunk.
The landscaped hillside is
an aesthetically pleasing sight.
A magestic
stairway.
Carrie and Tony in the
shadows of the ivory building.
What is written on stone is
not necessarily what the organization of the church WCG believed in the
end.
The spiritual body, however, keeps this statement close to its
heart.
Beth, Katie, and Carrie on
a grand staircase.

In the courtyard which
opens up to fountains, which were dry when we visited.
Katie walked several acres
across the campus with us.
Here are the fountains,
dry, but the grounds are still landscaped. I remember several weddings
here.
Taking a closer
look.
The palm trees near Orange
Grove Boulevard, where the Rose Parade shuffles through in January. Also where
friends were married.
My eighth grade graduation
group photo was taken at this fountain--from Imperial schools. I attended there
the last year of Imperial's operation. The school has vanished, now a townhouse
complex.
A pretty staircase and
gardens.
The Science building. A
true sixties honeycomb design.
"And they shall beat their
swords into plowshares..."
Let's continue on the West
side of campus, on a shaded path.
A pine-needle scented
gazebo, bathed in sunlight.
1920s style artwork on the
exterior of the building.
Tudor-style
architecture.
Playing in the
grass.
You can see the poor
up-keep of this building--the old library?
A stylish mediterranean
building where elders would stay during conferences.

Another cool fountain where
Katie and Carrie dipped their hands.
In the sunkissed light,
Carrie gives a smile.
Let's continue down the
wide tiered stairways.
Katie at the bottom of the
pools.
Hanging onto a
boulder.
The view through the trees
of the San Gabriel mountains.
Walking on hot astro-turf,
headed to the car.
A small waterfall and a
shallow pool.

At another fountain on
campus.
There used to be koi
swimming in the streams. Here, we found one who is still
around.

Posted by Elizabeth at 2:10
PM

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

My family lived in Pasadena in the early 80s, (and I went to Imperial too.)
Lots of great memories in looking at your pictures! :-)
Thanks for
sharing!
~Dana

September
22, 2009 7:06 AM

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for your comment, Dana. I'm glad you enjoyed the photo tour.

September
23, 2009 10:22 AM

Post
a Comment

Newer
Post Older
Post Home

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

About Me

Elizabeth

Looking for inner beauty here, there and
everywhere and ways to appreciate the miracle of life.
View my complete
profile

Find me on Facebook

Huntington Beach sunset

Sierra & Surfboard

my niece Sierra

Yummy Gummy Tummies ala TJs

A Rose is a rose is a rose

A lovely rose along Manhattan
Beach Strand

Ayla in the Apple

Michaela, my niece

Archive

▼
2009
(31)

▼
September
(5)

2
Days 'til Downunder

Pasadena
Day, part 2

Where
I was born

Pasadena
Day, part 1

Cookout
with friends

►  August
(10)

A
Patio Room Renewed

J
& D in Town Part 2

J
& D in Town Part 1

Arachnophobia

Making
Faces

Clouds
in LA

Painting
'til Pumpkin Time

Patio
Furniture Painting Project

Grape
Vine Uses

I've
got a lovely bunch of coconuts

►  July
(16)

Playdate

J's
Company Luau Picnic

Bumble
Bee blues

Muffins
for Jessica

All
the World's A Stage

Summertime
Treats

Madame
French

Summer
Squash

Flora
Photog at the Park

Summer
Sprinklers

"Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate
the Positive"

Mmmm,
Melon in the Morning

Flashback
Frames

New
Glass Table

Ah
Poop. A Marvelous Ocassion.

Location,
Location, Location

Followers