Seasons Change

My Boston friends tell me the air is getting crispier and Fall is in the air. Really? Hmmm....

I just don't know how to tell the change of the seasons here. It's still beautiful and sunny with a constant gentle breeze. But Fall? No way. How will I know what to do? Do I start wearing orange? Do I buy a pumpkin pin and wear it on my shirt? Without the trees turning colors, and Green Mountain's Pumpkin Spice coffee, I'm afraid my season compass is off kilter.

Someone call me and let me know when it's time to start shopping for Christmas, otherwise I may be on the beach and never know it's coming!


P.S. I saw a lemon tree today. It was so exciting...I don't think I've seen one before.

Country Club

Yep, I'm joining a country club. Actually, I'm starting one...but it's not what you think.

The thing about LA is that the whole world is here. So far I've had both a French guy and a Russian lady ask me for directions and I've heard about 10 different languages. I've even driven through Little Ethiopia. I knew this would be one of things I would like most. It's really fun for me. I love it!

So, I'm starting a country club (so far it's just me and Lisa, but we'll invite others too). We are going to learn about a different culture each month and then go find the authentic ethnic area in LA that represents that country and have dinner. I guess it's like book club without the book.

If you have any suggestions as to what our first country should be, let me know!

Fashionista

OK, you can stop laughing now. Fashionista may be a little too over-the-top, but even still it turns out I may be a trendsetter here in L.A. No, really, stop laughing.

One of my biggest fears in moving here was that no one over a size 2 would even talk to me. Much to my surprise everyone has been really nice…even chatty with me. Sometimes too chatty. When I moved to New England, one of the things I had to do was toughen up a little. Now I need to soften up a little. People here will talk to a tree (I’m serious…I saw someone talk to a tree) and they’ll talk to me too.

So far I’ve met Morales, the guy who works at the car wash. Shaunda*** (there was more to her name I just can’t remember); who was so nice she offered me a job at the mall. And Omar and Mattie, the couple who bought my car dolly and then proceeded to move my stuff in the storage room for the next hour.

But the ones I’m most proud of was this super diva who stopped me at the Getty to ask me “Who is the maker of your bag?” It was a proud moment…not where did you get it…but who is the maker. She literally cringed when I told her I got it in Chinatown in New York. Oops…you can take the girl out of Texas, but not the Texas out of the girl.

And then there was the model type woman who was following me all around a jewelry store wanting to see what I was picking out because “I had good style”. Ahh, yes…perhaps I’ll make it here in LA after all.

Move over Dunkin' Donuts...Randy is in town!

Oddities everywhere...

The Getty

Much to my dismay, L.A. has been freakishly hot for the past week. So when the weather returned to normal, I hopped out of bed and made a run for the The Getty. I've been dying to go there. I tried when I visited in Feb, but was turned away due to parking issues. I got over my fear of rejection and finally got to go yesterday.

I didn't even get to see half of it. It's HUGE!

The gardens were beautiful, the art amazing.

It really is a great way to spend the day.

Here are a few pictures...

Now by gardens, I'm not talking roses and pansies.

I'm talking cactus gardens. As it turns out, I moved to the desert. I must have slept through the class where we learned this in school, because it has taken me completely by surprise. I see flowers I've never seen before, I'm noticing the subtle differences in colors and I may even be able to skip a day between washing my hair (I love dry weather!). Here are some of my desert flowers I'm growing to love...

Berried Treasure

OK, I admit it. I've been on the Dunkin website at least twice since I've been here. I miss it. I mean REALLY miss it. I looked on the store locator -- not a D&D for at least 50 miles. It won't let you search past 50. ugh!

I'm still making peace with the loss of iced coffee, but move over Dunkin' there's a lady in town. PINKBERRY. Need I say more? It really is all the rave -- and for good reason. So here's a deal that can't be beat. Come visit me, and I'll buy you a pinkberry!

http://www.pinkberry.com/html/pbmain.php

Happy Labor Day!

Hey all you workers out there, kick up your heels -- it's LABOR DAY!!! Go ahead, pour yourself a fruity drink and enjoy the day.

As for me, everyday is a holiday when you are unemployed. Just kidding. I've actually been working very hard. I've been here 6 days, have had two interviews and have another one tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on the outcome, but so far I'm encouraged. One job sounds perfect (with one red flag -- do we words "on call 24/7" sound like a red flag to you?). It's as a Director of Housing a.k.a Residential Life Coordinator for an Arts Academy in town. I think I would love it, but am unsure about this whole on call thing. I just don't know.

But for you my friends, get off the computer and do something fun...it's YOUR day!!!

Now entering Cyberspace

As if moving coast to coast wasn't a big enough change...I have decided to enter Cyberspace. Since my new venture into LA is guaranteed to offer new stories, new pics and, dare I say, embarrasing moments I thought I'd try blogging as a way to keep up with everyone.

Here a few pics from the trip. It really was a great trip. I have a new appreciation for truck drivers...especially those who drive through the desert! The Grand Canyon was AMAZING!! I honestly don't know how to describe it. The pictures just don't do it justice.