I ended up leaving Saturday morning around 3:30, in hopes to make it through the desert before it got too hot just in case my car had issues. Everything went great, and I got here just before 9:00. We unloaded my car & everything is pretty much settled in except we need to hang a couple things and buy some small stuff. I really like the new place. We have space, we have doors! (We lived in a studio apt. in Pasadena). We took a walk through the apt. complex and everyone said Hi, some people knowing Ivan by name already and asking if he'd be home tomorrow to help them with their IPod, or this other girl asking me how I was functioning because Ivan had talked to them about how I was driving down at like 3 a.m. I told Ivan, 'well aren't you Mr. Social' (because he had said this about me when I was making friends last weekend before he got here) and he said, "I haven't done anything! Everyone is just so friendly!" We agree that it's because he's black and everyone wants to have their one black friend, so when they see him they're like hey! because it is a mostly white area, hahahaha Really though, it's just nice to be around people who say Hi, and even actually talk to you.
Last night we were headed to Blockbuster and I was looking out the car window and saw nothing! It was great. If you haven't been to Southern California you might not understand this, but there is hardly anywhere, at least within 2.5 hours of a city where you see nothing (as it is around any big city really). It is just city after city along the freeway. Really, yesterday I'd say it took me a good 2 hours before there was just desert. I'm just like, wow, I don't feel claustrophobic. I can breathe, there is space here. Again, you don't notice the absence of something until you are around it again...I had no idea I was claustrophobic! haha
Also, who know I'd have to go to Arizona to see some freakin' rain! Honestly people, I don't know when the last time I saw rain was, I mean literally, I think it's rained maybe 2 times this entire school year in Pasadena. I swear to God, and I might be stretching it there because I don't even remember when that was. (To be fair, we lived in a cave-like aot so I might have missed a few times :) Not to mention, a thunderstorm. If it didn't storm while I was home last summer, then it truly has been 2 years since I heard thunder or saw lightning, and I MISS it!! So, guess what happened last night? I storm went by, it looked like it was going to be right here but it wasn't. But I did hear a little thunder, saw lightning, and saw the sky change to dark blue instead of this always-light blue/smog crap that I've had for the past 2 years. Didn't think someone would complain about near perfect-sunny days right? Well I am. I like some change! And, apparently this is monsoon season in AZ! So the weather forecast has a storm on there for everyday for the next like 2 weeks, but it's totally sunny & everything until it happens. Kinda like Florida, it rains and then the sun comes out & you never knew what happened. So, yesterday as the sky was getting dark & it was getting windy, I assumed it would be cooler outside because that's what happens at home.. oh no. It was still 100. haha And Ivan said the rain isn't cold, it's warm too! We don't have our cable hooked up yet, so literally I've just been looking out the windows; we had 1 window in our last apartment, and that was just the balcony door! Here we have 8 windows!! It's amazing! haha
So that's that. I will leave again tomorrow morning to come home! YAY! I'm excited for a visit. I told Ivan our neighbors are gonna be like, what the heck is up with your girlfriend? I was the first one they met, was here for 1 day, and then left for a week, I come back with more stuff, stay for 2 days, and leave again for 3 weeks! haha Oh well. I'm sure Ivan will have made us a bunch of friends by the time I get back.
Here's a link to my stuffed car & the place: share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9IZMWbVw5Y-Y
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Peace Out Californi-I-A!!
***I wrote this Friday, the night before I left, but it didn't post until today (Sunday)***
Well...last weekend we moved almost everything to AZ. Ivan's been down there all week starting his new job with University of Phoenix as an academic counselor. He likes it. In fact he's out with a co-worker right now...he used to be a Harlem Globetrotter...kinda interesting I guess :)So, today was my last day of work (THANK GOD!), I got my car checked out, packed everything--which my car is absolutely ridiculously full...if it's not in there right now it's getting tossed! I cleaned everything...and got a mani & pedi, so I am ready to roll first thing in the a,m.
What am I going to miss about CA...mostly Ryan Seacrest in the morning on KIISFM...really, that would be almost a good reason for me to stay here. I love me some Ryan in the morning and I'm trying not to think about how I won't have him anymore...I just can't wrap my head around it :) I will miss saying that I live in CA, and in the "L.A. area." haha I'll miss having access to the beach, hollywood & all the other wonderful things L.A. has to offer...even if I didn't do it all that often. I'll miss some people too...those of you here reading this going, hey, what about us?! Haha, thanks for some good times :) California has been wonderful and we got to do so many things, it was a 2 year long vacation with a little work thrown in the mix. But, oddly enough, I am ready to get back to reality!
What am I looking forward to...some space!!! Room in the new apartment, room outside the apartment that has grass, yes grass, room on the roads!!! Everything will be cheaper!!! And...so far, people are nicer/friendlier/normal! People driving regular cars, carrying regular purses, wearing regular clothes, and caring about regular stuff!!! hahaAlrighty, come visit in AZ!
Well...last weekend we moved almost everything to AZ. Ivan's been down there all week starting his new job with University of Phoenix as an academic counselor. He likes it. In fact he's out with a co-worker right now...he used to be a Harlem Globetrotter...kinda interesting I guess :)So, today was my last day of work (THANK GOD!), I got my car checked out, packed everything--which my car is absolutely ridiculously full...if it's not in there right now it's getting tossed! I cleaned everything...and got a mani & pedi, so I am ready to roll first thing in the a,m.
What am I going to miss about CA...mostly Ryan Seacrest in the morning on KIISFM...really, that would be almost a good reason for me to stay here. I love me some Ryan in the morning and I'm trying not to think about how I won't have him anymore...I just can't wrap my head around it :) I will miss saying that I live in CA, and in the "L.A. area." haha I'll miss having access to the beach, hollywood & all the other wonderful things L.A. has to offer...even if I didn't do it all that often. I'll miss some people too...those of you here reading this going, hey, what about us?! Haha, thanks for some good times :) California has been wonderful and we got to do so many things, it was a 2 year long vacation with a little work thrown in the mix. But, oddly enough, I am ready to get back to reality!
What am I looking forward to...some space!!! Room in the new apartment, room outside the apartment that has grass, yes grass, room on the roads!!! Everything will be cheaper!!! And...so far, people are nicer/friendlier/normal! People driving regular cars, carrying regular purses, wearing regular clothes, and caring about regular stuff!!! hahaAlrighty, come visit in AZ!
Monday, July 16, 2007
AZ is a dream!
We moved almost all of our stuff to AZ over the weekend. I rented an SUV (it was a Ford Edge, it's their new thing that's bigger than an Escape but smaller than the Explorer), we actually most of the stuff into that & Ivan's car. Everything went well except Ivan blew a tire in the middle of the desert! Luckily my company provides AAA for me so they came to the rescue, although by the time they got there Ivan had fixed the problem himself.
As I was unloading my car I saw the leasing agent (Russell)who had signed us up & everything, and he's around our age, maybe even a bit younger, so I told him he should help me unpack. Well, he had like 5 friends coming over so they all unloaded my entire car in like less than 5 minutes. I was so happy! I got them a 30 pack for it. They enjoyed it, I saw him the next morning and he's like, "I'm still drunk!" So everyone won. Plus then Ivan didn't have to do much when he got there after his ordeal.
Can I just say, I was only in Surprise for about 18 hours, 8 of which I was sleeping, and I'm already happier there than I have been in 2 years of California! Now don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed Cali, but I am so ready to go.
First of all, the fact that Russell & his friends helped me, is amazing. I wouldn't even have said anything like that to our leasing agent, and if I had, I'm sure he would have been like "Well we have a cart you can use." Not even understanding I was joking, although joking around paid off huge with Russell. I still am not comfortable around our leasing office people here...the guy is all metro-sexual and I feel like a slob if I'm ever around him! They're a little snobby too. And I've always felt like I didn't belong here. Anyway, on top of that, Russell's friends were supernice. I also, within being there about 30 minutes had already met my downstairs neighbor. In 2 years here I've never known my neighbors names, and in this particular building, you don't even see them!! In fact, I am startled in the hallway if I happen to see someone!
So then, I go to the grocery store to get the guys their beer...and the cart kid says Hi How are you doing? Seems pretty simple right? Well try living in the L.A. area where people don't even look at other people, or even smile, let along actually say hello & ask how you are! Really.
The next morning Ivan & I went to the store again to get groceries. There were normal people at the store! What I mean by that is that people weren't freakin' shopping in their stilettos with a full face of makeup and some designer outfit. Again, I was like, wow, I fit in here! haha And as we're checking out the bagboy was making conversation...here they barely spit out paper or plastic. It gets better, the food is cheaper! I hadn't even thought about that fact until she rang up the total and I was like what?? Here in Pasadena it would have been at least $30 more, easy. We leave from getting our super cheap groceries to get gas...$2.68 a gallon!!!!! Can you believe it? It's like, this place is perfect.
The other big thing was how clear the roads were. It was amazing, I had space in every lane available. I loved it.
Unforunately I had to come back to Pasadena to finish work this week. I did not want to do that! Not after seeing how wonderful AZ will hopefully be. I'm sure a complaint or two will pop up, but all I can say is I was ridiculously happy with my first day there and I can't wait to go back!
Yeah it was a little warm, but not unbearable. And our steps lead straight down to the pool!! Friday can't come fast enough!
On a somewhat related note--- I was calling home last week to make appointments for a physical and with the dentist and stuff like that, and I can't tell you nice the people on the phone were. And the thing is, it was just normal I think, I'm just so used to people leaving the nice out of their voice here!! Haha. I was talking to Ivan's aunt who lives out here too and she said the same thing, there is just no people like the Midwest people!! Don't take it for granted guys!!
As I was unloading my car I saw the leasing agent (Russell)who had signed us up & everything, and he's around our age, maybe even a bit younger, so I told him he should help me unpack. Well, he had like 5 friends coming over so they all unloaded my entire car in like less than 5 minutes. I was so happy! I got them a 30 pack for it. They enjoyed it, I saw him the next morning and he's like, "I'm still drunk!" So everyone won. Plus then Ivan didn't have to do much when he got there after his ordeal.
Can I just say, I was only in Surprise for about 18 hours, 8 of which I was sleeping, and I'm already happier there than I have been in 2 years of California! Now don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed Cali, but I am so ready to go.
First of all, the fact that Russell & his friends helped me, is amazing. I wouldn't even have said anything like that to our leasing agent, and if I had, I'm sure he would have been like "Well we have a cart you can use." Not even understanding I was joking, although joking around paid off huge with Russell. I still am not comfortable around our leasing office people here...the guy is all metro-sexual and I feel like a slob if I'm ever around him! They're a little snobby too. And I've always felt like I didn't belong here. Anyway, on top of that, Russell's friends were supernice. I also, within being there about 30 minutes had already met my downstairs neighbor. In 2 years here I've never known my neighbors names, and in this particular building, you don't even see them!! In fact, I am startled in the hallway if I happen to see someone!
So then, I go to the grocery store to get the guys their beer...and the cart kid says Hi How are you doing? Seems pretty simple right? Well try living in the L.A. area where people don't even look at other people, or even smile, let along actually say hello & ask how you are! Really.
The next morning Ivan & I went to the store again to get groceries. There were normal people at the store! What I mean by that is that people weren't freakin' shopping in their stilettos with a full face of makeup and some designer outfit. Again, I was like, wow, I fit in here! haha And as we're checking out the bagboy was making conversation...here they barely spit out paper or plastic. It gets better, the food is cheaper! I hadn't even thought about that fact until she rang up the total and I was like what?? Here in Pasadena it would have been at least $30 more, easy. We leave from getting our super cheap groceries to get gas...$2.68 a gallon!!!!! Can you believe it? It's like, this place is perfect.
The other big thing was how clear the roads were. It was amazing, I had space in every lane available. I loved it.
Unforunately I had to come back to Pasadena to finish work this week. I did not want to do that! Not after seeing how wonderful AZ will hopefully be. I'm sure a complaint or two will pop up, but all I can say is I was ridiculously happy with my first day there and I can't wait to go back!
Yeah it was a little warm, but not unbearable. And our steps lead straight down to the pool!! Friday can't come fast enough!
On a somewhat related note--- I was calling home last week to make appointments for a physical and with the dentist and stuff like that, and I can't tell you nice the people on the phone were. And the thing is, it was just normal I think, I'm just so used to people leaving the nice out of their voice here!! Haha. I was talking to Ivan's aunt who lives out here too and she said the same thing, there is just no people like the Midwest people!! Don't take it for granted guys!!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Yippy Skippy!
Official word today that Ivan got the job and his start date is July 16th!! We already knew it was going to be a nice increase for him, but after his initial training, there is another raise! He gets full benefits and another raise in 7-9 months (a big one!) It couldn't be better. The whole time we've been in California he's worked way too hard for way too little money, not to mention he's had to work at least 1 day of the weekend this whole time, we'll finally have a real weekend together! We'll be like the rest of the world! He'll be working normal hours too; the first year here he worked nights (BLAH!)
And, we got the apartment we wanted. And, it's available the 15th, so we can move our stuff straight into the apt. instead of moving to storage and then from storage to the apt. a few weeks later. Ivan won't have to stay in a hotel for a few weeks! Everything has worked out so wonderfully and so smoothly. It was the first job he applied for, only job he interviewed for, the job he actually wanted, a giant increase in pay, and his Masters will be F-R-E-E!
You all know that my company provides our housing right? Well, the apt. we found is under my housing allowance-- get this-- this apt. is $1150 CHEAPER a month, and double in size than where we live now!!!! Isn't that crazy?! Yes, we're living in a super-overpriced place right now, but it also shows you how ridiculously expensive it is to live in CA! And how cheap AZ is. YAY!
**Here's the part where I plug 'the secret.' Could it be "luck"? I guess, if you believe in luck. Could it be coincidence that every single thing has worked out as we needed it to...maybe. Could it be the power of positive thinking and knowing that what we want and need will happen? We think so! Just saying...whether you believe that 'the secret' is God or the universe, the law of attraction, or just positive thinking, doesn't matter. Putting your faith in something, and being confident of the results has certainly been proving well for us...we've learned to not doubt anything and simply state what we need to happen. We try not to even say things like "what if" or make other plans. Normally you'd apply for a lot of jobs... why do that if you know you'll get the one you want? We went ahead and got the lease for the day we hoped Ivan would start...and he got that day... All I'm saying is this, in the secret it says to act as though you already have what you want, plan for it, etc, don't doubt it, and it will happen...that's what we've been doing & everything has worked exactly that way.**
And, we got the apartment we wanted. And, it's available the 15th, so we can move our stuff straight into the apt. instead of moving to storage and then from storage to the apt. a few weeks later. Ivan won't have to stay in a hotel for a few weeks! Everything has worked out so wonderfully and so smoothly. It was the first job he applied for, only job he interviewed for, the job he actually wanted, a giant increase in pay, and his Masters will be F-R-E-E!
You all know that my company provides our housing right? Well, the apt. we found is under my housing allowance-- get this-- this apt. is $1150 CHEAPER a month, and double in size than where we live now!!!! Isn't that crazy?! Yes, we're living in a super-overpriced place right now, but it also shows you how ridiculously expensive it is to live in CA! And how cheap AZ is. YAY!
**Here's the part where I plug 'the secret.' Could it be "luck"? I guess, if you believe in luck. Could it be coincidence that every single thing has worked out as we needed it to...maybe. Could it be the power of positive thinking and knowing that what we want and need will happen? We think so! Just saying...whether you believe that 'the secret' is God or the universe, the law of attraction, or just positive thinking, doesn't matter. Putting your faith in something, and being confident of the results has certainly been proving well for us...we've learned to not doubt anything and simply state what we need to happen. We try not to even say things like "what if" or make other plans. Normally you'd apply for a lot of jobs... why do that if you know you'll get the one you want? We went ahead and got the lease for the day we hoped Ivan would start...and he got that day... All I'm saying is this, in the secret it says to act as though you already have what you want, plan for it, etc, don't doubt it, and it will happen...that's what we've been doing & everything has worked exactly that way.**
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Hey
Hey all :) Not much new here. The background check for Ivan is done, we got a copy in the mail, so tomorrow he'll be calling UofP just to make sure he really officially got the job, and see if they've established a start date yet. It will either be July 16th or August 6th. If it's the July date he'll have to go stay in a hotel for a couple weeks because the apartment won't be ready until July 31st. But it would be good because at least he'd be working and making money, one less plane ticket to buy, and we wouldn't have to pay for storing our cars either, they'd be at the hotel with him. But the August date is good so he can come home for a visit too. We'll see...it's out of his hands.
Only 3 weeks til I'm home! Yay! I need a break from work, and I need outta this place. I'm just so ready to leave that I'm just waiting and waiting. But it's going fast.
I started class last week. It's so weird to have 5 week long classes because it's like you don't even get a chance to get sick of it you know? Just as soon as it starts it's over. I have taken online classes before, but this is a little different than an online class at Heartland or ICC, because even your texts are online. It takes a little bit of organization you know? To think, ok yeah I saw that, but where was it, and then kinda search back through the different links. But they have everything set up really well. My academic counselor has been great, set up a time on my first day to "walk me to class." So he just went through everything and showed me how to use the library and other online services. The class itself is just an intro to human services and online education. So each week the instructor posts 3 discussion questions-- this week they were just things like why are you pursuing this degree, what are the pros & cons of online learning, what challenges do you face as an adult learner. Answering those questions are part of your class credit, and you also have to respond to I think 2-4 other posts for participation credit, and that has to occur over the course of 4 different days to count for 'attendance.' On Mondays, the last day of the class week, a written assignment is always due. This week it was just something to help you get around the website. From now on it will be papers! Ah, writing papers again! It will take some adjusting I think, I'm so used to just writing blogs and I love that, but to have to write properly will be different.
The interesting thing about the online classes is that you know the people in your class are from all over the country, could be from all over the world, and have very different circumstances. Most of the people in my class are moms, some working and some stay at home, there is a girl who is serving in Iraq right now, and a few people around my age just heading back to school. Some people you can tell have been out of school for a long time, and I'm amazed at the grammar people use!!! Seems like common sense mistakes and drives me crazy! I don't have great grammar but I know the basics...and some of these people just don't! That makes me feel a little better though! haha
Well not much else. Oh, I am contemplating whether to do another season with Team In Training this fall doing a triathlon or do the 'Hike for Discovery' program they have. Which is just like TNT, but they train for hiking trips-- to Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, a place in Hawaii, and the Grand Canyon (which is the one I want to do). I figure I can do a triathlon anywhere but the hiking that I could do in AZ would be pretty cool, so if I do one I'm leaning towards the hiking trip. Plus, it's something I would have more of an interest in contiuning after the hike than running!! I just need to see how much money they ask you to raise for that. Plus since I have my Africa trip to save for I just want to make sure I'd have enough for both!
Alrighty, gotta go
Only 3 weeks til I'm home! Yay! I need a break from work, and I need outta this place. I'm just so ready to leave that I'm just waiting and waiting. But it's going fast.
I started class last week. It's so weird to have 5 week long classes because it's like you don't even get a chance to get sick of it you know? Just as soon as it starts it's over. I have taken online classes before, but this is a little different than an online class at Heartland or ICC, because even your texts are online. It takes a little bit of organization you know? To think, ok yeah I saw that, but where was it, and then kinda search back through the different links. But they have everything set up really well. My academic counselor has been great, set up a time on my first day to "walk me to class." So he just went through everything and showed me how to use the library and other online services. The class itself is just an intro to human services and online education. So each week the instructor posts 3 discussion questions-- this week they were just things like why are you pursuing this degree, what are the pros & cons of online learning, what challenges do you face as an adult learner. Answering those questions are part of your class credit, and you also have to respond to I think 2-4 other posts for participation credit, and that has to occur over the course of 4 different days to count for 'attendance.' On Mondays, the last day of the class week, a written assignment is always due. This week it was just something to help you get around the website. From now on it will be papers! Ah, writing papers again! It will take some adjusting I think, I'm so used to just writing blogs and I love that, but to have to write properly will be different.
The interesting thing about the online classes is that you know the people in your class are from all over the country, could be from all over the world, and have very different circumstances. Most of the people in my class are moms, some working and some stay at home, there is a girl who is serving in Iraq right now, and a few people around my age just heading back to school. Some people you can tell have been out of school for a long time, and I'm amazed at the grammar people use!!! Seems like common sense mistakes and drives me crazy! I don't have great grammar but I know the basics...and some of these people just don't! That makes me feel a little better though! haha
Well not much else. Oh, I am contemplating whether to do another season with Team In Training this fall doing a triathlon or do the 'Hike for Discovery' program they have. Which is just like TNT, but they train for hiking trips-- to Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, a place in Hawaii, and the Grand Canyon (which is the one I want to do). I figure I can do a triathlon anywhere but the hiking that I could do in AZ would be pretty cool, so if I do one I'm leaning towards the hiking trip. Plus, it's something I would have more of an interest in contiuning after the hike than running!! I just need to see how much money they ask you to raise for that. Plus since I have my Africa trip to save for I just want to make sure I'd have enough for both!
Alrighty, gotta go
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