The New 'Hood

I was lucky enough to be able to spend the past 2 weekends in LA...the first was spent trying desperately to find the right home for myself, and hanging out with my fabulous friends, LM/KA/PH (can't wait to live in the same city as you guys!)....and the second was then spent basking in my new apartment and neighborhood, and hanging out with another fab friend, DL. (and seeing KA some more, and running into friends AM/DP/JR...I think Santa Monica is going to end up being kind of a small world, based on my last 2 visits there...)

Much to the disappointment of pretty much everyone, I did not take any photos of the new apartment (not sure how that slipped my mind). I did, however, get some great key shots in my new 'hood...

The above picture is of my new block in Santa Monica...I kid you not. That is what I will be seeing every day. I'm a bit in awe.

My new favorite road....EVER. Literally just runs right up the coast of Cali...at points a few feet from the water's edge! I can leave my apartment and be on this in about 1-2 minutes. It's an incredible drive. Anyone who comes to visit me WILL be taking a ride on the PCH.

A short 5 blocks from my new apartment is the beach...5 blocks! I can't even believe I can pretty much walk out my door and feel the sand in my toes in a matter of minutes. Above, you can see me enjoying my new beach. Don't worry...I promise I won't always act like such a dork when I get there.

The above is again a view just a few blocks from me. Here's to catching lots more sunsets in the near future...I mean, how could I not? It would practically be a crime against nature for me to miss those when they're right in my backyard.

So to sum it up...I'm in love. I think I found the exact right spot for the next chapter in the Lindsay saga. It just feels 'right' being there. Good thing too...since my movers will be arriving to load up the truck with all of my possessions in less than 48 hours. Breathe in...breathe out....repeat.

Ode to My Chapel Hill Ladies

A person can't possibly make amazing friends in a year, right? Beautiful, smart, ambitious, fun, hilarious friends, who can be counted on for anything at any time? Not possible, right? WRONG.

I'd like to tell you about an unbelievable group of girls I have been fortunate enough to get to know in the past year, and have been nothing short of spectacular, and who I will now count as life-long friends.

I LOVE these girls. We have been through a lot together in a year, and have grown so close, and I will truly miss them every day after I move out of NC. They took me out for a going away dinner and drinks tonight, and I cried no short of 3 times in a few hours. (even though we'll still see each other multiple times this week) Why, you ask? Let me hit on a few of the highlights from our year in Chapel Hill...

1. Lady Gaga dance parties (way too many too count...and somehow still never enough)

2. Dressing up like the Stepford Wives and hitting the town in Charleston, SC

3. Hitting on hot fire fighters (multiple times in one night) while dressed up as said Stepford Wives (see photo below)

4. Midnight showing of SATC2 (one of the biggest nights of the year)...and we stayed awake for the whole thing! Just barely....but still.

5. Sneaking bottles of wine and Solo cups into the movie theater for SATC2, and for EVERY movie we go see (never gotten caught, thank you very much)

6. Tracking every second of the growth of sweet Hudson..."What size fruit is he the equivalent of this week?!" (and now watching him become a little gentleman)

7. "Icing" each other (even sometimes when we're on the same team!)

8. Swimming in our underwear, with the dogs, at 2:00am (it's hot in NC...what are we supposed to do?)

9. Dates at the dog park with our babies

10. Any time at the good ole T.H.G. (especially when the 'chos' are involved...mmmmmmm, queso)

11. Pouring beer on each other's faces while swimming at Alta (seemed hilarious at the time....kind of weird now)

12. Getting our "hair did" while sipping ice cold beers at our fave salon in the "big city"

13. Soooooooo much late-night Rock Band....we're pretty awesome at it

14. Always having someone (or multiple someones) at the ready to relax, drink some vino....and maybe watch some trashy TV ("Who is getting kicked off tonight?! I can't stand the suspense!")

15. Just plain hanging out. I could talk to any one of these girls, at any time, about any subject, and never tire of it. I know this one maybe doesn't sound quite as exciting....but it's the stuff that true friendships are made of. This is what I will miss dearly about these ladies.

To my Chapel Hill Ladies...I love you. I will miss you. You mean more to me than I can express here. But hopefully you are already well aware of these feelings.

Now start looking at those itineraries....and let's get those tickets booked...CH Ladies in LA. It's happening. Fo sho.

Survey Says...

....the dream apartment is MINE! All mine! I got the good news this afternoon - there were 6 or 7 other applications in on the same apartment, all submitted within 24 hours of each other. I guess I wasn't even the first one to submit, but they still picked me. According to the management guy I talked to, I was "by far the most stable-looking of all the candidates." That's kind of hilarious, isn't it? I mean, yes...on paper, I am very "stable"...but boy-oh-boy, wait until he meets me...he won't be expecting the spaz that I am!

I can't even express how happy, excited, bouncy, and relieved I am at getting that news today. I still have a lot of things to take care of before I move almost 3,000 miles and completely change my life. But having a place to call home nailed down (and such a BEAUTIFUL one at that) certainly lets me breath a sigh of relief. Aaaaahhhhhhhh.

And the added bonus-fun part...I'm still going back to LA for this coming weekend, but now I won't have to apartment hunt...I can just play instead! And my dear, dear, wonderful friend DL is accompanying me down there. He was (willingly) signed up to help me look at more apartments....but he's off the hook now. He might be helping me clean the new place a bit (sorry DL, but it's gotta happen), but other than that, LA is our oyster this weekend! And we'll be cruising around in a sweet Jeep Wrangler...icing on the cake.

The Apartment Hunt

So...the hunt is officially on. It started on Saturday this past weekend. There are a lot of stressful parts of a big move, but by far the biggest is finding an actual space to call home. It can be exciting too, but I'll be glad when it's over.

Here is the hunt zone:

Pretty amazing, isn't it? That is actually about to be my new home (not the actual Pier, but Santa Monica for sure)...it's a tad surreal at this point. I have to pinch myself approximately 2-3 times per day while thinking/daydreaming about it.

But back to my mission. After looking at some apartments this weekend, here are some of the more interesting things I saw:

1. An apartment that comes with every appliance included except a refrigerator (apparently this is actually common in the area...but what the heck?!)

2. An apartment with the washer/dryer IN the kitchen

3. An apartment with a "spacious balcony" (actual approximate dimensions = 2 ft. x 5 ft.)

4. An apartment complex, which was by far the most expensive one I looked at, that smelled like garbage just about everywhere

Don't worry...I saw lots of nice places too! And none of the 4 listed above are in the running for me! But those points were too interesting to not share.

The good news? I put in an application for an apartment early this morning (before flying off to Portland for the week). It's very spacious, just renovated, in the perfect location, and just gorgeous in general. The bad news? I don't know if anyone else has applied for it yet, and therefore whether or not I have a good chance of getting it. SO stressful! I'm hoping to hear about it in the next couple of days....keep your fingers crossed for me, please...and maybe your toes too. And maybe throw some salt over your shoulder. And rub a rabbit's foot. And go check your yards for a 4-leaf clover.

Badge of Honor

This is my badge of honor:


On average, I get to spend one week a month wearing this proudly. This week is one of those weeks. One of the major parts of my job is teaching the new hires to our company. It is a combination of interesting, challenging, tiring, exciting, motivating, and also (a lot of the time) just plain fun. The new hire training I conduct takes place at a very cool, and unique, place called the Q Center. It's located in St. Charles, IL...so yes...many times (but not all) when I say I'm off to Chicago for work, I'm not technically. It's easier that way though...no one has ever heard of St. Charles. Trust me...I'm saving all of us time that way.

I like to think of the Q Center as "consulting camp" - it's a giant compound that has conference rooms, hotel rooms, dining areas, fitness center, volleyball courts, tennis courts, bars, shops, a spa (yup), and even it's own nurses. Consultants from all different companies come here to attend trainings, and then don't technically have to leave at all - everything is right here on the grounds! Pretty amazing. And when you're a trainer, like me...you get top notch treatment. AND it's just like "Cheers"...I spend enough time here, that everyone (Q staff) really does know my name.

The only tricky part of being here as the trainer is that I often times feel like I'm the "grown up" here, with all the young'ins...the majority of the people I teach are straight out of college...makes me feel old. So I love it when I have other trainers from my company come visit me out here, a la this evening. The fabulous NC came to visit tonight, and it was wonderful. She's a "grown up" like me...and she's super cool...so it makes for a fun night when you have a partner in crime like that. (And adding a bit 'o wine to the mix never hurts)

Living the Glam Life

I have a quick Joy of Travel for you all, though the "joy" in this one is not sarcastic....a bit excessive? Absolutely. But definitely not a bad one.

I took the redeye from Denver to Chicago last night - with an arrival into O'Hare airport at about 1:30am CST. After a long weekend of fun, dancing, jam sessions, awesome ridiculousness, and very little sleep...it was a rough night. My wonderful job, however, does make my arrivals much easier by taking care of a car service for me. (which I'm always grateful for, but even more than normal when it's almost 2:00am and I can barely keep my eyes open) Meaning that I make one quick call after landing, and a lovely car magically appears 5-7 minutes later with my name on it. Usually it's a very nice town car....which more than gets the job done. But very early this morning, this is what I found waiting for me:

Yup. That's a stretch limo...just for yours truly. This isn't the first time this has happened, but it is more of a rare occurrence. I mean...what do you even say to that? I'm pretty sure that thing can comfortably seat 10-12 people. But no...it was sent for 1 (fairly small) person. If I hadn't been so incredibly exhausted, I probably would have strutted my way over to it (in my hot pink sweat pants), pretending like I was a rock star. Unfortunately, I was using all my power just to NOT curl up on the airport sidewalk and fall asleep. So it was pretty much lost on my tired self...let's be honest...they could have sent a Geo Metro and I wouldn't have known the difference. Aaahhhhhhh, such a shame.

On a Midnight Train to Georgia...

Okay, nothing about that title is true. I’m actually on a 5:45pm flight to Denver. That just doesn’t sound as good set to music though. (And it’s a Southwest flight…which means no assigned seats…which means a higher blood pressure for me. I’m too type-A for that garbage…just give me a freaking seat number ahead of time, please!)

In keeping with my theme of “The Summer of Lindsay” (I haven’t previously proclaimed this to you all, but I have to myself, and maybe 2 or 3 other people…so it’s legitimate), I am continuing my USA tour today by flying out to Denver! I’m kind of ridiculously excited about the trip. I get to spend 3 days in a fabulous city, get to see a whole bunch of people that I adore and never get to see frequently enough, and get to do some really fun and funny things that are technically for my job with some of said people. And 3 gentlemen in particular deserve a shout-out – MJ, EW, and NM (my gracious hosts). Thanks for letting me stay at the House of My-Jarv-Berg (did I get that right?). I hope you guys are ready for morning-Lindsay though…you’ve never met her before. She’s grumpy until she’s had coffee, she takes pretty much a full hour to wake up, her hair is always a mess, and she may or may not be wearing a bite plate that makes her talk with a bit of a lisp. Oh, and she is almost never in the mood to dance…which I know is shocking to those who know rest-of-the-day Lindsay.

Look out Denver…here I come! I’m ready to take you by storm.

Feelin' Hot, Hot, HOT

This is such an easy follow-up to my last post...things I will not miss about North Carolina #2 - the heat. My God...the HEAT! How do people seriously survive here? I can't even tell you how miserable it's been. And not just the heat...the humidity! Even the walls sweat all day.

When I take Lalo outside for her first morning potty run, at around 6:30 or 7:00am, it's already 85 degrees. Which is so lovely when I get back then to have my first cup of coffee and my pajamas are stuck to my back.

When I drive home at 11:45pm (which I just did), my car still reads 92 degrees. So much for trying to be a little 'green' and turning down the A/C a bit overnight....evening chill? Doesn't exist here.

And finally, the big fat cherry on top of this sweaty sundae...here's the beauty I got to lay eyes on this afternoon:

Um...109 degrees...really, North Carolina? Really?! Come on...give a girl a break. And that PLUS approximately 100% humidity all day? I rest my case. 'Nuff said.

Me and My Sweet, Sweet Blood

Things I will not miss about North Carolina #1 - the...freaking...bugs. Now, I know that I must have sweeter than average blood, because ever since I was a wee little one, I've always been the one in any group that gets bug bites. Even when no one can see any bugs. And everyone thinks I'm faking. Until I swell up, and proceed to scratch the bites until they bleed. Lovely imagery, right?

But I swear, North Carolina has more bugs than anywhere I've ever been. The biting ones are my biggest problem, but even ones that don't bite are everywhere. All shapes. All sizes. All Colors. All numbers of legs. Ew.

I am not exaggerating in the slightest (Girl Scout's honor) when I say that I am currently able to count 29 bug bites on myself (26 of which are on my legs)...all fairly sizeable. And I am THIS close to taping oven mitts on my hands to stop myself from scratching. I am under the impression/have the expectation that this will not be an issue for me in my new home. Come on, LA...don't let me and my desirable blood down.

The Joys of Travel - Part 1

Unfortunately, I have to label this one "Part 1" because there will inevitably be sooooo many more of these to follow. (flying in and out of LAX airport is ALWAYS a treat) I know, I know...I chose a job where travel is part of the game, so I can't complain all the time, right? And I need to make sure that I state very clearly that "I love my job. Very much." And no, I'm not just putting that in there because my boss reads my blog :) But travel can certainly be tough...very tough...and stressful, and annoying, and infuriating, and exhausting, yada yada yada. The gosh darn airlines and airports make it incredibly hard not to moan sometimes! I swear they do ridiculous things to me on purpose.

Yesterday's story really isn't even one of my best, but I figured I'd share anyway. My itinerary was one of my (seemingly) easier ones - direct flight from Philadelphia back to Raleigh/Durham. Well, I had to drive first from Reading, PA to Philly - approximate drive time = 1 hour, 30 minutes (and that was with no traffic). Printed boarding pass ahead of time, check. Only carry-on luggage, check. Quick cruise through the "Experienced Traveler" (understatement of the year) security line, check. Walk directly to gate because I was cutting it close on time, check. Oooooohhhhhhhh....US Airways overbooked the flight by 12 people...and halt.

I'm not even exaggerating when I say that somewhere between 15-20% of all my flights end up overbooked. Really, airlines?! You can figure out how to get wireless internet service on a plane that's 35,000 feet in the air, but you can't match the number of seats on the plane to an equal number of bodies? Ugh.

So just short of 1 hour later, there were finally enough volunteers to give up their seats that we could board. Board the plane, pull out of gate, get in line to take-off....currently #2 for departure...and another plane has power failure AS it's trying to take-off (thanks to our pilot for the happy update)....and halt again. Runway is shutdown so that they can take all the passengers off that plane right there. Congratulations flight to Raleigh...you just got bumped from #2 for departure to #23. Get comfy...it's gonna be awhile.

Nerd Alert!

I am not even a little bit embarrassed to admit that this is my new prized possession:


Yes...don't adjust your screens...it's a book. Books have always made me happy, and this one makes me particularly happy. And giddy. And want to jump up and down. It feels like I'm one legitimate step closer! Somehow, having a book on any topic always makes me feel like more of an expert, and as if I know what I'm talking about. I don't even necessarily have to have read it...just holding it proudly in my hands ups my worth.

I have, however, started reading this one already (maybe "devouring" is a more appropriate word). Here are some of the more interesting things I've hit so far:

1. In the latest survey of FBI crime statistics, which ranked violent crime levels of the 300 largest metropolitan areas in the US, Los Angeles didn't even make the top 70. (GOOD)
2. The Los Angeles metropolitan are reliably ranks at or near the top of ozone pollution lists. (BAD)
3. LA has an average of 291 sunny days a year. (Out of 365?! VERY GOOD)
4. The city flower is the Bird of Paradise. (No idea what that is, but sounds GOOD)
5. There's a whole section on how to be prepared in the event of an earthquake (not that uncommon), which includes such nuggets as "Strap your water heater to the wall." (BAD)
6. There are more than 100 public golf courses in the greater Los Angeles area. (For this girl, who has just recently decided to take golf back up....GOOD)

Aaaahhhh...so much knowledge to be had. I think it's perfectly fitting that I'm overjoyed about a new book, seeing as how one of the criteria for my new apartment (wherever that will be) is close proximity to a library. No, I'm not joking. I'm just an LA-bound nerd...and proud of it.

12 is the Magic Number

That's right folks...after much moaning and whining, and procrastinating, and also many unsuccessful attempts at the Bewitched nose jiggle (I'm able to believe in magic when it can help me out), I have 12 whole boxes packed up and ready to move across the country!

Now, I'm not sure if 12 sounds like a lot to people, but to me it's a huge feat. Going from a giant stack of flattened boxes (and way too many minutes, maybe hours, of just staring at them in disgust) to the image above? Almost magical.

Obviously I'm trying to pack logically as I go, and keep out the things I might need in the next couple of weeks (on the days I'm actually home anyway) and pack the rest...BUT, who's to say I'm not going to be inspired to bake cupcakes and need my awesome covered pan? Or what if I get the urge to look at my 21st birthday photo album? Or what if I just really want to drink coffee out of a Christmas mug?! Theoretically, I now cannot do those things until I get to LA. So of course I realllllllly want to. Darn.