Taking a break from Los Angeles

UCLA student Lina Chung isn't just heading off to Rome to study abroad. She's calling a much-needed break from living in Los Angeles. "I have been a faithful girlfriend, devoted companion and childhood sweetheart – not to a man, but to this city, Los Angeles," she writes in the Daily Bruin. Sample:

Don’t get me wrong, Los Angeles. You’ve been good to me all these years. We’ve had some good times on the West side, driving down Sunset Boulevard or enjoying the ocean views along the PCH.

You’ve fed me and cared for me by taking me to a plethora of amazing restaurants – sushi, vegetarian gourmet, Cuban, and Korean barbecue – all within a convenient 5-mile radius....

But something changed. It’s not you, Los Angeles, it’s me. I’ve realized that after 20 years of being completely faithful to my city (ignoring the occasional weekend flings with Portland, Santa Barbara or San Francisco), I need to move on. I need to see what else is out there in the world.

Students in their underwear, again: Fewer Bruins turned out at the thrice-annual Undie Run (December's is the least attended) but more media than ever came, including four Los Angeles Times staffers. LAist re-runs photos from bigger years.