discoveries

well, I've been here a total of one week and it still barely feels real. I still find myself driving down the street, saying out loud to myself "I live in California?!?!" as if don't know. It is the weirdest thing being/living in a town that you really don't know where you want to go, eat, hang out, shop, drink your coffee or even steal free wi-fi.

I think I've decided these days are going to be a lot about trail and error. I am going to find a lot of strange things where I stay to myself I'm never doing that again and then other days I'll walk away thinking that was the coolest thing EVER!!

So with a little inspiration from Bridget Jones, I have decided to keep a list of each of the things I discover. Yesterday began the chain events. I decided to go to a park near by to read the Bohemian in which I circled every restaurant, concert, film, art gallery, etc. that interest me. As I was sitting there I observed 3 very interesting things. #1 The bravest child in the world. This little girl was tossing bread to about 25 squawking geese and ducks that were inches from her body. Those geese are scary and she just nonchalantly kept feeding them. #2 Then I saw this goose next to me that had a nub for a leg. It was bizarre. It kept digging its beak into the dirt, I don't know if that was helping it walk or if it attempting to eat dirt, b/c no one would throw him bread. Kinda sad...kinda funny.#3 Biscuet's clone. I wonder if his name was Biscuet too. I didn't ask.

Discoveries
parks:1
coffee shops:3
festivals: 0
random concerts:1
neighbors met:2
wrong turns: 53
tolls paid: 3 + a $25 ticket for running out of change (result of wrong turn)
successful parallel parking job:1
humiliating parking job: 27
books read: almost 1 (Bridget Jones Diary)
one legged goose: 1
a Biscuet clone:1
gum: about a pack day
Wrigley obsession: LifeSaver Sour Gummies

Moving in

I would like to start this post off with the inspirational quote of the month. For those of you who eagerly looked forward to my quotes in the past, I have decided to continue sharing them through my blog (I found my calendar in a box today!!)

"Be yourself. There is something that you can do better than any other. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that." -unknown

As for me, I felt that to be very appropriate. I keep going from one new thing to the next. It was a strange feeling when I flew into San Francisco and landed knowing that the next place I walked into was going to be my home. My apartment is slowly transforming into a cozy place. I have unpacked most of my life. Lance and Wall did take good care of me.

I want to leave you with a couple of pics. Each represent something very important I have learned from the past couple of days.


Never will I commute to San Francisco, unless it's by motorcycle.


Mom: The Golden Gate Bridge is still there.


Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to park a mini-van. Can't wait til the parallel!

Moving sales = great finds! Not real sure what kind of plant it is, but it is supossed to bloom real soon!

last week

Had I grown up california I think I could have been athletic. All you have to do is either roller blade, bike or skateboard and your in!

This is Marie, my trainer, and I dining at Trattoria Mollie's..Oprah's favorite lunch spot. We both order her recommended dish: Polpette alla Mollie a.ka. turkey meatballs (they had raisins in them..who would have every thought, but delicious! Then we attempted to hunt her down, but assume she had another lunch date elsewhere that day.

State Street in Santa Rosa. I just love the palm trees!

Malibu sunsets. Every night is picturesque!

Needless to say, I enjoyed photographing everything in sight. I think I will always be a tourist at heart! Hanging out the window with my camera...pretty soon I'll just attach it around my neck! I did something really brave this week. I went to dinner by myself..scray at first, but it was actually really fun! I went to the Sushi Marina and sat at the bar. I just hung out with everyone there and had soke for the first time.

I sell gum!

Well I'm actually here after a super long day of traveling. But the long day what heightened as I walked out the rental car place with the keys to a white seabring convertible. This guy looked at me and said its the only midsized car left....I wanted to leap over the counter and hug his neck. I mean...after this week, I'm gonna be a soccer mom for life sportin' the mini-van. So, of course, I took advantage of my wheels and cruised hwy1 for about 3 hrs yesterday.

As for the job, I am in my own organizational HEAVEN! I get to organize gum all day long. Each flavor and brand has a specific place and someone has to make sure it's not messy! Also there is a great color coded pattern for the gum. It seems like all those years making color coordinated note cards and organizing the frig really paid off!

I still have a ton to learn and there really is so much more to it than organizing. A lot is building relationships with store managers and getting more products on the shelves. And I get to be out in the field all day...good bye to cubicles!

The only bad thing is...my right ear feels like it is full of water from the airplane. It's kinda driving me crazy!

The Red Hat Society

I'm almost speechless. My dad didn't bat an eye as we watched my mother and all her girlfriends get into the limo dressed in full red hat society attire. I think if I was in middle school right now, I would be mortified. Instead, I think no matter how old you are a themed party in costume is always better!

Still Scared to Sit

How do you know that seat cover doesn't rotate in a circle?

Chicago Update

So a quick update.

Nice flight to Chicago. Meet cool people on the flight. Both who which gave me their name and #. What?!?! But one has potential for becoming the next steven speilberg. in which case I have is autograph...sweet.

Also I saw a crazy airport bathroom toliet. I took a pic but will post it later. It was laced with a permanent toliet cover that rotated when flushing...wierd. Also was told I was getting picked up in a limo(really pumped)..instead I arrived in real cool lincoln town car(a lil depressed) with techi men talking techi lingo that I thought worked for wrigleys...not so much. i sat there really confused until it was obvious we were not w/ the same company (after which I introduced myself and began small talk).

But meet other Wrigley's people and they are cool. Today was like school. Learned from 8-5 about comp software. Lot to learn to say the least. But got a cool laptop. no complaints. So far I think this is going to be awesome!

p.s. I work in the confectionery industry...not the gum industry..who knew?!?!

Peace

Well I hate good-byes, but I'm all about some closure. And my last month was full of closure activities. Today was the last day having the South as my homeland. Weird and sad, but true.

I had some quality bonding time with Cecil yesterday. Usually, he's begging my guy friends to fish with him...well yesterday his daughter went. "Caught about 40!!" And I am quite proud because I did catch some rather beautiful bass (at least 2 lbers!). But I think for every fish I caught I caught at least 3 trees. But Cecil was very patient and yanked it out for me! He almost caught a monster, but it got away...we are still talking about it. It was sad.

I kicked the day of with a tasty ham & cheese omelet at Waffle House with my favorite Nashville stars. Although our coffee looked like tea and we parted with tears, I made it through the day. A little shopping with Martha always easies the mind. And a surprise visit from Karen was a joy! It ended with a traditional steak dinner on the porch (great outside seating) with the rents.

Sorry, not a very eventful post and with no pic, but a short peace out for now. I'll keep everyone updated on my blog while in Chicago (like anyone really doubts that I might not update my blog). But I'll get to be one of the professional people who look like they are taking care of important business on their laptop...but really just be posting pictures of myself on my blog with one to many details to follow...but I love it!

Find your own spot

Who is this guy walking in MY spot?!?! You heard me I've been roping off that spot for 4 years and now some random guy just thinks he can set up his food, his tv, and his chairs on my turf..I don’t think so!

Ok so maybe it's no longer my spot....He just better do it right is all I have to say!

Yep I went to Auburn..again! I'm starting to feel like the kid that just won't go away! It was great to see faces one last time and walk in the sea of obnoxious orange and mooch off other peoples tailgate (for the first time). But Auburn feels different now! It's not my turf anymore, maybe it never really was...but I sure acted like it!

Two days until I fly out to Chicago and I'm ready. It's definitely time to move on. Don't worry a huge chunk of my heart will always be devoted to Auburn and Auburn football. I have already found an Auburn Fan Club in California that I will be the president of here shortly!