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