I want to keep it light and realistic at the same time. I want to talk about what it's really like out here for me so far and what has happened.
My mom and I arrived here on August 15, 2010. We were coming from Las Vegas, where we had stayed a few days to tour and have some fun. I was about to drive through the desert and there was a traffic jam up a majority of the time. I have never driven through a desert before and it was 110 degrees. You can't leave you AC in the car too long or the temp will go up, hence making your car overheat. I was sweating like a pig. I was cranky. My mother, who is usually calm, didn't complain once.
My roommate Rozen lives in a city of Orange County called Anaheim, Ca. He had just bought his first house and was very proud! So basically from the OC up to LA where I work it takes about 40-45 mins. It really only feels like you're in the car for 10 mins though. They have some of the best radio stations out here to put you in a good mood, so time goes by fast.
I noticed some ants in the room. I went out and got ant poison for them to take back to their home and kill the others. Then we went to bed. Keep in the back of your mind the ants as I write on...
Next day, my mom and I ran around town getting some necessities for my new home and I got into a car accident on a couple side streets. I blame my GPS (I call her the "ho") for getting me into it. My right front fender has a dent in it but it's hardly noticeable. In the end, because the damage was under $1,000, my premiums didn't go up and I have a $500 deductible. I am not anxious anytime soon to get it fixed because it really isn't that big of a deal. The car still drives fine with no problems at all.
Days later I dropped my mom off at the airport. It was just me now.
I went home that night to relax and went into my room...there were maybe 50 some ants in one corner of my room. I sprayed RAID all over them, then literally climbed the walls to kill the ones that were on the ceiling.
After that I decided to take a shower. I opened the shower and there were teeny tiny spiders and a big mama spider nearby. I sprayed RAID on them and washed them down the drain with the shower nozzle. Unfortunately, I had sprayed too much RAID in the tub that I inhaled too many of the RAID fumes, making myself dizzy. I went outside to breathe.
After I took a shower I went back into my room and more and more ants appeared. Rozen was gone so I called him crying. He told me to keep spraying. I must've used a whole can of RAID by the time the night was done! The next day he used to fogger. We haven't had must of a bug problem since! >:)
In between all this car and ant drama I met up with a couple people I had networked with before I left Minnesota (and both guys are coincidentally both from Minnesota as well). One was a videographer who couldn't help me at all but was kind enough to have a nice chat with me and share some laughs. I was grateful for this because it felt good to go out and talk with someone and have lunch with! The other guy was also cool, he used to work at a sports channel and knew of his wife's friend that works for a TV network out here for me to talk with. He texted me a few days ago saying he was going to be sending me the info soon.
I work for my traffic company in Los Angeles. It is a 24/7 office. My hours are very sporadic. One day I was working an early morning shift and the next I'm working a night shift. I like all my co-workers and my boss, they are kind, laid back and funny.
Today I met with the liquor team for LA/OC. They are the same company that I worked with back home for 5 1/2 years. I will hear back from them on Tuesday, but I feel pretty confident about it.
I also went to the gym tonight, it felt good after not having gone for 8 weeks! I am a little sore but I feel great!
In between all this time I look for jobs like crazy! Back home it used to take me an hour to do, here it takes me about 2-3 hours. There are more opportunities here than back home but obviously it is also more competitive! I also have been doing some demo sampling for another company in supermarkets from time to time that I am not too fond of anymore. I am still freelance writing as well.
Some fun things I have done is I went to Calabasas up in the San Fernando Valley and ate at this delicious cafe called Marmalade. I also did some shopping and stopped in at the Kardashian store called D-A-S-H. I didn't see one but the manager was talking to Kourtney on the other line when I came in!
I also went to Santa Barbara for some work related and a slight vacay getaway for a couple days. It's gorgeous up there with the mntns and driving along the highway next to the sea, scenery is just amazing!Besides getting a $50 parking ticket and almost hitting a pedestrian (I know I am off to a great start so far right?) I had a great time! I saw the wharf, a sea creature museum, the oldest fig tree, the oldest Mission and looked around a shopping area called State Street. It's kind of like shopping on Grand Ave back home but a little more upscale and with more shops.
I also went to Los Olivos to do some wine tasting near the Santa Ynez Mntns. The wineries and tastings are amazing! I learned a tip on how to save some money though: don't sample all 5 or 6 flights that the store or winery is offering. Pick out 2 that you really want to try and you won't have to pay a dime...then move onto the next one and do the same thing...and the one after...and the one after that...well you get the picture! After that I stopped at the local cafe and had a huge meal...gee I woner why?
I also went to an Angels-Indians game with my co-worker's friend. We lost but it was awesome to see Torii Hunter play! Stadium is pretty neat as well, not as neat as the Target Field though!
My next goal is to go to the Griffith Auditorium, it's a conservatory in the hills. I still have to see this Crystal Chapel in the OC as well. I also learned that President Nixon is buried in Fullerton, which is a city right near Anaheim, might have to check that out as well.
Write more soon,
<3, K
