Lost Girl In The City

I spent over an hour trying to find my way back home from Best Buy. Over an hour. I was lost in a sea of one way streets. Drivers here are much crazier than back home and you'd think that the 405 would've prepared me for this. It is a very scary thing to feel like you've stopped yourself at a red light only to be smack dab in the middle of an intersection/crosswalk. I don't know what red and light green x's mean in lieu of stoplights. I know it has something to do with Muni trains, but I'm this big helpless idiot every time I see a bus because I'm afraid they're going to take me out. And I've been warned consistently that if a bus hits you and they will they say, that they won't stop. They keep plugging along as though nothing happened.

As I'm writing, I'm watching Crazy Sexy Cancer on TLC. It has put me in such a depressed state and I can't bring myself to change the channel. You must tune in...at least once.

Grocery Store Gripe

So I don't know what it is about this town, but they just don't have any of the right groceries! For starters, Safeway was completely out of half gallons of milk. They didn't even have any in the back. How does that happen? They don't carry fat free versions of my muffins, nor do they carry small sugar free or fat free coffee creamers. To make matters worse, they don't have any fat free cheese on hand. Nor my weight watcher eclairs. It's like these people don't diet!

And the Target is just a joke when it comes to groceries. They don't have any freezer space so I can't get my Morningstar corndogs for half price. This has just got to change or I'm going to have to have my stuff shipped in from southern Cal.

So...I'm Here

I'm lying in bed on a Saturday night surrounded in half-opened boxes. I can't bring myself to unpack another one and I'm running out of space. I've only been up north for a week now and already my daily life is drastically different. No work, I sleep in everyday, and I haven't been out to a single bar.

I went to Orientation Thursday night. I was nervous to go it alone, but they had wine at the door so I was fine. Wine at school...ahh yes. I made a friend, Ami, who spent the night telling me how she lives with a woman who has a radio talk show. She's well-known in this area as a "sexpert" and is an author and phone sex operator on the side. I couldnt wait to google this woman and let me just say that the woman has a blog!! Google Virgie Tovar. You won't be let down. I promise.

Packing

I'm packing up my Redondo office today. It's very strange. My boss says to take "anything I think I might need." It feels more like stealing. And where do I really draw the line? Anything I forget I can just buy up in SF and fax them a bill to reimburse me.

For a girl who spent all of her free time as a child playing business, this is a dream come true. My mom says that instead of wanting toys, I used to ask for office supplies and filing cabinets. No, work isn't always fun, but the supplies are what get me through the day.

I.have.issues.

Plug In And Plug Up!

Saw the new place in person today. I LOVE IT. It is so much better in person. My bedroom is my favorite part. That and the winding staircase. Lots of "character" as Denise Lum would say. We signed the lease, paid the first months rent & security deposit and got the keys to 1901 Lincoln Way.

We were very sad to find out that The Dubliner doesnt open until late afternoon...that will have to change! It looks like our new favorite bar and we only have to stumble across the street to make it home after a long night :)

I'm definitely feeling better about the move and Ashley and I had a chance to drive around the neighborhood and find the closest grocery store.

There is one MAJOR issue...the nearest Target is in Daly City. That is NOT acceptable. We couldnt believe that there isnt a Target in San Francisco. So I'll be writing the city to do something about that...

Girl Finds Home

So I got the call today that we're getting the apartment! We didn't really have a Plan B so it was this place or nothing and I'd be the homeless girl in Golden Gate Park with a bed, dresser and 500 cardboard boxes. Pictures will soon follow - I have to fly out Wednesday to see it in person and sign the lease. It's a 2 bedroom one bathroom apartment in a 4 unit building and it has hardwood floors throughout.

There is an Irish Pub across from my bedroom window so my dad is already booking his monthly trips out...he couldn't be more excited about that feature.

The view from the other bedroom window:


Saturday night was my going away bash that Jen planned. Everyone met up at Summers in Manhattan Beach and it really couldn't have been a better night. All of my close friends were there, there were endless amounts of drinks, singing and dancing. I got a chance to say good-bye to everyone. And there were only a few tears (thanks to Jen's toast)!

Seven Days

In exactly one week, I'll be surrounded by boxes in San Francisco. One week. Yes, plans are still in effect even though my roommate and I still are apartmentless. I am very overwhelmed with this entire process and I have barely started to get things organized.

I'd much rather be having dinners & drinks with all of my friends instead of going through boxes and sorting things into piles. I dont want to call the moving company, or paint my china hutch, or cart remaining boxes up to Jen's garage. I'm not ready for this to be real yet.

On a happier note, mark this on your calendar: I've already booked my first flight home for a visit :) I get into LA at 3 on Sat, Sept 1st and I'm here until 11 am Tues, Sept 4th.

New York, New York

I planned on writing while I was in NY, but with Grandma & Grandpa's dial-up connection, I was forced to limit my internet fun (this also explains why I didnt comment anyone back).

And now for the highlights of the trip:

-Grandma's homemade lasagna, cookies, pies and more
-Keuka lake trip with the fam - especially the campfire and music by Andy & Abby
-Cousin's night at Maple Bowl...I'm the newest Hunter Hero according to Pro Buck Hunter - the arcade game. Be afraid. And then the bowling and karaoke to follow. Remember the Macarena? Oh yes.
-Sneaking ice cream with Mom & Mary minutes before having dinner with G & G. Yummm.
-Corning Glass Museum was also fun (until the last hour or so of waiting around) while Mom shopped.

It was somewhat bittersweet because as each vacation day passed, I knew that I was that much closer to having to move away. I've really been struggling with the thought of leaving everyone behind. As much as I agonized over having to share the tiny, creaky double bed with Mary, I knew that it'd be another year before I'd get to share a room with her and in 10 days I'll be seven hours away from her and miserable.

I'm already making plans for future visits home, but I know the first few months will be a struggle for me. I will miss everything about this place. And, of course, all of your beautiful faces.