Leonardo D and Me

After living in Los Angeles for a year and a half, I FINALLY had a legit encounter with a celebrity. Daniel and I decided to go to dinner at this place called Goal in the West Hollywood/Beverly Hills area.  We had been there before to watch the Georgia/Auburn game, and had some fabulous wings. The Lakers were also playing, so it seemed like the perfect spot!

There were probably no more than ten people in the entire place, and only one (skanky) waitress.  Just as I started to regret our decision to go (because of skanky waitress), a group of guys walked in.  They sat in a booth right by the door and all had dark jackets and hats on.  The one facing me looked very familiar, and after a longer than normal stare in his direction, I realized I knew who it was.  I immediately got excited, and tried to convince Daniel that it was Leonardo Dicaprio.  Of course he didn't believe me at first, but then finally agreed!

This is the point when time stopped.  I felt my hands getting clammy and my heart was racing.  As I ate my wings and nachos, I was trying to figure out what I should do.  This would be the chance of a lifetime, something to tell the grandkids about.  I knew I had to take action!  (All the while, Daniel is watching the Lakers and is completely ignoring me talking to myself to get a game plan together)  

And then...they got up and walked out.  I wanted to run after them, but I didn't want to jeopardize my relationship with the man....that served me my wings and Daniel his nachos.  So Daniel did what any decent boyfriend would do and he ordered my favorite dessert...a chocolate chippy.  That helped some with the agony of losing out on a priceless opportunity.  But my disappointment didn't last long.  I thought they were waiting out front for their car, but what they were really doing is waiting for their take out order!  To pass the time, they decided to smoke and play backgammon (weird).  We paid and prepared to confront him outside.  

But...at the exact moment that we were going for the door handle, Leo walked back inside!  As he was eagerly walking to the back of the bar, I shouted "I'm a big fan...hate to be annoying...but would you mind taking a picture??"  He said "Right now?  I need to pay for my food."  AWKWARD.  Alas, I would not be moved.  I waited patiently by the door until he returned, walked outside and handed his food to his friend, and turned to be in the picture.  He did not touch me AT ALL, he did not smile AT ALL, and when we were finished I barely got out "congratulations on your award...you guys have a good night...i love you..." before he was in his Audi and off into the night.

Nevertheless, I had my picture.  I had my story.  I was giddy.

This was a new step in my relationship with Daniel.  It's not the first time we have seen someone famous together, but they have never been Leo status.  And I have never been so star struck.  Some guys I have dated would have been mortified and hidden in the bathroom.  At a minimum, they would have been mad at me for being so silly.  But I have to say, he was great about the whole thing actually. Didn't really get embarrassed, encouraged me to approach him, and even took the picture like a champ. 

Seeing Leo was really cool.  But seeing Daniel embracing my craziness was even cooler. 

What do you want to do?

I had a job interview a few days ago.  My time with Travelzoo ended in December, so back to the drawing board I go.  Since I have spent the last year interviewing people for a living, I am usually not stumped by questions that are asked in that type of exchange.  But in this interview, I was literally silenced when asked the question "Sarah, what do you want to do?"  I answered everything else with the utmost confidence and articulation,  even when it was a hard question.  But when directly confronted with the inquiry of what path I wanted to commit to for the rest of my career life, I could not answer.

So I said the following...

1.  I want to work for someone who appreciates me for who I am, not just what I do.

2.  I need to be with people, not cooped up behind a computer all day.

3.  I want to know that what I do matters.  That I am contributing in some way.  I also appreciate verbal acknowledgment of that.

4.  I need to make money.

That's what I said, folks.  I was pretty proud of that answer, because it was the truth.   I have learned that most hiring managers have one answer they are looking for, and if you don't give it, you could be dismissed from consideration.  This manager was no different.  But I had no idea what the rest should look like, and I wasn't going to act like I did.

I think it is okay to not know all the details.  My career journey has not been strategic.  I am not working towards some great achievement in corporate America.  My needs are pretty basic, and I will leave the rest up to God.

2 months later...

So it has been two months since my last post, but there is a good reason.  Nothing much exciting has happened since Minnie Driver.  Daniel and I went on a whale watching trip, and saw some fin whales. That was pretty surreal.  After that trip, we have both been obsessed with killer whales (not that we saw any that day).  I wish I could say that we haven't looked at hours of youtube videos on them, including half of the National Geographic collection, but I would be lying.  We both get so excited when we talk about them, so please feel free to ask us any questions you may have.  Nerd girl meets nerd boy=nerd love.

I have definitely settled into my job.  My boss was in France for one month studying French, so I had to run the show while she was gone.  I doubted myself in the beginning, but gradually began to gain confidence.  I think the biggest mistake I made was basing that confidence on the praise or criticism of the people above me.  I found myself freaking out if they were unhappy with me, and incredibly happy if they were showering me with accolades.  Thankfully, I had a very thought provoking conversation with a friend from New York that provided some peace and perspective.  

She is an artist, and doesn't have a traditional 40 hour a week job.  She often is concerned about money.  However, her statement to me was that in any role she has ever had, she "works for God".  And if God places her in a job that ends, He will somehow provide the next step.  Her sole responsibility was to work as if God was giving her performance review.  Wow.  What a thought.  I feel like I have always heard similar messages from my parents, but nothing that ever resonated as much.  From that day on, I have tried to look at it the same way.  God provided this job, and He will provide another one if this one ends.  All I can do is my best, and nothing more.  The rest is up to Him.  Although we think the employer has control over us, they do not.  What a fresh idea.

Another topic that has been on my mind a lot lately is the importance of transparency.  How often do we hide things about ourselves that we do not think will be received well?  Whether that be our belief system, our innermost struggles, or parts of our past (just to name a few), I think it is something that is all too common.  What is keeping us from understanding who we really are, and showing that to others?  The good and the bad.  I have been guilty of this in my life, but I believe true happiness requires one to be transparent.  To be honest and raw.  I think it is normal to still worry what people will think of you if you show them something new.  It is normal to care if what you tell them will change your dynamic.  But you must try, because there is freedom in transparency.  Freedom from inner voices that are telling you to be someone different.  There is freedom from darkness when you step into the light.

March Madness

After almost seven months of living in Los Angeles/Sarah’s life quest for celebrity spotting, the fruits of my labor have been minimal.  Few people even know who Lesley Jordan and that Emily girl from the Bachelor are, and yet, they have been the only sightings I have been able to boast about.  Needless to say, I had grown weary.  I saw more famous, fabulous people in New York in one month than I have here in over half a year.  I must admit that on many occasions driving through the neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, I have slowed almost to a stop just to get a good look at the faces of runners that clearly live in the area.  No such luck…until Thursday night.  Don’t get too excited, it was only Minnie Driver.  But it was really cool to walk out the door of my office, and see her standing there talking on the phone.  Of course I was wearing gym clothes that I’ve had since middle school.  Almost immediately, she noticed me noticing her and turned quickly to the corner of the building so she could continue her call in peace.  I’m assuming the fact that I stopped dead in my tracks, mouth wide open, had something to do with that. 

Surprise, surprise.  I am moving again.  I believe this is the twelfth apartment I have had since I graduated college.  Moving has definitely become an art form, and I have mastered a 48 hour turn around time from start to finish.  However, this time may be a tad tricky.  We actually have to be out of this place by the 23^rd, and I can’t move into my new apartment until April 1.  So I find myself calling upon the good graces of the people of Los Angeles (aka Daniel’s friends and family) to let me store my stuff and couch hop.  Thankfully, I will be in Austin and Charleston for some of that time, so I hope to not be too much of a burden.  I am finding myself very ready to settle down…finally.  Moving around has been great, and I have enjoyed each place I’ve lived for different reasons.  But I think it is time to gather all my things (that are hoarded in my parents and grandparents’ attics) and make a home.  I don’t know where that will be, but it is high time I lay down some roots.

Coffee or Crack?? You decide.

For anyone who shares my coffee addiction, this post is for you.

Sometimes it amazes me how far I've come with coffee.  From hating the smell of it on my mother's breath every morning as a child, to requiring (and I do mean requiring) at least three cups a day, it has been quite the journey.  While I thought I knew what a quality cup of coffee was (Dunkin Donuts, medium, cream and sugar-$1.95), I had no idea what I was missing out on until meeting the king of the coffee grounds himself, otherwise known as Daniel.

Previously, I thought anything other than Folgers half caff was pushing it.  A Keurig cup was reserved for special holidays only, and Starbucks was so 2002.  And then, one magical day, my eyes were opened to the endless possibilities of a coffee grinder.  Never in my life had I smelled fresh ground beans brewing from my four cup pot, but never again did I want to go without them.  There is something about the smell and taste, that just "makes life better" (That's for you Regions people).  Maybe Regions Bank should adopt the coffee bean as their brand symbol, instead of the beach cruiser bike.

Since living in Los Angeles, I have also been introduced to Peets coffee.  At first, I thought it looked and tasted like motor oil.  But after a few very late nights and early mornings in the office, it has seriously become my greatest companion.  A small cup of Peets and you won't blink for at least two hours.  This is the big leagues...what real women drink...and will put "hair on your chest", as my dad says.

There are a few things I would like to acknowledge about my experiences at my local Peets.  For one, the employees are always pleasant, helpful and look genuinely glad to see you.  They don't mind taking your order while you are on the phone, and this is a welcome change from the place across the street from my office.  They do not lock their bathrooms, and have multiple stalls so you are not forming a line in front of about three tables of people who would rather not watch you squeeze your legs together.  

I have, however, had some heated moments at the coffee prep station.  Why is that people feel the need to dominate the entire area, especially around 8 am on a workday?  There are two thermos' of half and half people!  Plenty of room for us all.  Quite often, the line to sugar is longer than the line to order coffee.  And speaking of sugar, people often appear to be judging me for the amount that I use.  Occasionally, this makes me so insecure that I body block them and hover over my cup so as not to reveal how many pours, I mean sprinkles, I actually put in.  Nevertheless, I will continue going to Peets...Peets, my grinder of good coffee, my early morning key to happiness, my friend.

2012 was a doozie!

Since it has been almost three months since I have posted something, I clearly have a few things to catch up on.  I will start with December.  I was able to be in the south for two and a half weeks around Christmas.  It was such a blessing to be home for so long, and I am thankful that I confirmed a job before leaving so I could really enjoy the time.  I was able to help out some family, be with friends I hadn’t seen in a while and eat some great food.  I think about the year I had in 2012 and all the crazy things that happened.   Quitting a job for a new one only to get laid off four months later, interning at 29 years old, turning 30 in an amazing way, deciding to move to Los Angeles knowing only one person, being sent off from New York in style, and then meeting and falling in love with the man of my dreams.  It was quite a year and it reminds me of how quickly things can change.   If you would’ve told me last Christmas what the next twelve months would look like, I really wouldn’t believe it.  So, without further adieu, allow me to present my top ten moments of 2012....

10. Riding a mechanical bull for the first time, for 45 seconds, with a church group.  Boom!

9. Seeing Joan Rivers do stand up on Valentines Day, which happens to be the best way to spend it     when you are single

8. Interning at the music agency and temping with the music management company

7. Getting pooped on by bird on the way to church, where I was responsible for the nursery

6. Attending my first ever Brennan's turtle races, and almost being fined $10 for pointing at the turtles

5. My part in Arrested Development, featured as a masseuse

4. Making the cross country drive to LA with my dad

3. Turning 30 in the Bahamas with Meredith

2. Going away parties/brunches in New York

1. The day I met Daniel

Highlights so far for 2013 include the following...

1.  Spending New Years Eve in San Francisco

2.  The 17 mile drive in Pebble Beach

3.  Taking up salsa lessons again

4.  Starting my first real job in LA, with the greatest boss in the world

5.  Getting to eat at Craft during restaurant week in honor of the five month anniversary

6.  My first Valentines Day with Daniel, and all of his sweet and thoughtful gestures to celebrate

7.  Making new friends here and finally feeling like I am building a support system

8.  Skyping with my MCOCYP girls to continue the tradition of our book club

9.  Upcoming trips to Austin, Charleston and Atlanta

10. Day trip to Santa Barbara to tour vineyards, Los Olivos, and Solvang

Culver City Apartment Living

Have I mentioned that I live next door to a concert pianist, who is also a piano teacher of children?  Now, some of these children are actually really good.  I would dare say even better than him.  But some….some should never be allowed to touch those keys again.  It seems that it is this particular type of player who is practicing every time I am home.  I also keep my window open most of the time, so you can imagine the kind of agony one has to endure for at least an hour per child.  Every Monday night he has his jazz band over for practice, and I swear there are at least twelve pieces involved.  They rock the roof off until about 10:00, which must be the agreed upon quitting time decided on by the other neighbors.  So far, he has been mindful of this treaty.  It is this very same neighbor who I have caught, on more than one occasion, in our back drive way performing some sort of martial art exercise/dance/ritual while I am attempting to back my car out.  We don’t speak.  Sometimes I wave.  He just continues on with his movements un-phased, not acknowledging that someone is about to run over him.   A true artist.

Secondly, have I addressed the parking situation yet?  As some of you know, parking anywhere in the Los Angeles area is a challenge, and a parking spot is certainly a commodity.  I actually have one, behind the building, and I park right beside a black Porsche.  The only issue is that the owner of this Porsche is slightly over protective of this car…actually, borderline insane with it.  Upon my move in, I was instructed to park as close to the wall as I possibly could, far away from the vehicle  (which is fully covered in a tarp each and every night anyway).  The spot is already tight (definitely for a compact and what I drive is definitely not compact), so it has been a challenge to accommodate such a request.   Lets just say that I now have multiple scratches on my back right bumper that were not there two months ago.  But I must maintain good relations with the neighbors.  I must.  He also never drives it anywhere, but he does move it every morning, tarp removed, to a spot on the street right in front of the building.  For the life of me, I cannot figure out what his motivation is for doing this.  To show it off?  To give it air?  A change of scenery?  I have no idea and I find it odd.  Nevertheless, I park to please.