We've been in Los Angeles for just about three months now! Time flies when you're busy! I'm still in an adjustment period, and I have my ups-and-downs, but in general, I'm happy with our new home and new life. Moving here didn't completely wipe the slate clean, and of course, I still have to find ways to cope with my anxiety and depression. But there's so much hope here, and the infrastructure that makes up my routine is a recipe for success. I'm not drinking (6 months!), and I have a loving boyfriend and a good job. But there are lots of fun perks to living here, also. For instance, we're constantly watching for celebrities. Now that we live in the Thirty Mile Zone, Mike is obsessed with movie stars, singers, famous people, pre-famous people, etc, etc. It was my idea to go on the TMZ Tour through Hollywood and Beverly Hills when Mike's friend, Shannon, came to visit for the weekend from Boston. But it was Mike who nearly jumped off the bus when the tour-guide thought she spotted Adam Levine in traffic. On another night, we were in Sur, a classy restaurant in WeHo when celebrity-owner Lisa Vanderpump came in to do a TV report. Mike says I nearly bumped into her as I got up from our table. And only a couple of weeks ago, Justin Beiber was pulled over by police in front of our apartment.
When Shannon was with us for that weekend, we had an excuse to do some touristy things, so we spent a hot Saturday at Universal Studios, which is conveniently located a block from our apartment. They've built an amusement park based on Universal films, so we experienced King Kong and Jurassic Park as if we were there. We also snapped a photo of the DeLorean from the Back to the Future movies.
Don't get me wrong, life isn't all glitz and glam now, but things are good. We're in the process of planning a trip back East so we can see some family and friends in New England. We're going to start in Connecticut and see my family, and then we'll spend a few days in MA/RI to see Mike's family, and then end up in Provincetown with our gay family before coming back to Studio City.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
A Big Move!
Certainly, a lot has happened. And of course, nothing ever turns out the way I think it will. I have to live life as it comes at me because it is useless to try to predict where I will end up. I'm in a new city with a new boyfriend at a job that is only a little more than a year old. I try to refrain from labelling certain events as good or bad because they only appear to fall into categories. However, I find myself grateful for most of the things that have happened recently.
Last April, I started working for Landmark, headquartered in Los Angeles, and I began to dream about eventually making my way to the West Coast. I was never in love with Atlanta, and I could see myself starting over (again) in another city. Until it actually happened, I was worried about the challenges another big move would pose. But, never for a second, did I think I couldn't do it, or that I couldn't make new friends in California. There is a confidence and a resilience that lives deep within me that keeps me going.
Last April, I started working for Landmark, headquartered in Los Angeles, and I began to dream about eventually making my way to the West Coast. I was never in love with Atlanta, and I could see myself starting over (again) in another city. Until it actually happened, I was worried about the challenges another big move would pose. But, never for a second, did I think I couldn't do it, or that I couldn't make new friends in California. There is a confidence and a resilience that lives deep within me that keeps me going.
Many times, I get in my own way of success, and I sabotage the results. I was drinking last year, and as a result, I created obstacles that almost kept me in Atlanta. I put an end to that on January 8th, when I began a new period of sobriety that has brought productivity, happiness, (and meetings) back into my life. Only a few days after I quit drinking, I was with friends at the Eagle when I was introduced to Mike. We immediately hit it off and started dating, putting an end to years of single-hood for both of us. He is one of the most considerate and thoughtful guys I've ever been romantically involved with. He listens carefully and does little favors for me that he knows improve my daily routine. He also has the prettiest blue eyes. In any case, he's a keeper, and he makes me very happy!
Mike and I visited Los Angeles as a couple in March, and we stayed at Erik's & Joey's in Studio City as we searched for our new home. Mike was sold on LA the day we arrived for our visit. He met my LA friends and co-workers, and we spent a week eating at the multitude of restaurants in the area and going out in West Hollywood. We found an apartment we liked and went back to Atlanta to get rid of our stuff and tie up loose ends. The details involved with moving are stressful enough, but on top of that I have two cats. I offered to give one away as a compromise to make the move go easier, but no one wants to adopt an adult cat, so I kept them together and made plans to bring them. Thank goodness, too, because I would have been an emotional mess without them both.
It didn't make much sense to travel across the continent with lots of stuff, so we "let go" of our material things in Atlanta and flew to LAX with just a few pieces of luggage. As Mike slept on our one-way Delta flight, I watched some TV and tried not to worry about the cats who were flying as checked-baggage. Needless to say, all four of us arrived safely at our new home, Archstone Apartments in Studio City, a neighborhood of LA. Archstone is known for housing many pre-famous stars, such as, Ashley Simpson and Paris Hilton. Because so many celebs live and hang out in Studio City, we both look forward to our first celebrity sighting. As President Obama made his way to George Clooney's house for a fundraiser this passed weekend, we snapped photos of Marine One flying overhead.
I had to report to work immediately, so Mike had the fun jobs of receiving boxes we shipped from Atlanta and of putting our new Ikea furniture together. He put so much work into setting up our new home that it looks fabulous now! We're even starting to feel like real Angelenos now that we've been here for two weeks. Today is Mike's birthday, so we were out and about all weekend in West Hollywood to celebrate. And tonight, we're trying one of Studio City's most popular restaurants, Firefly.
Don't get me wrong; I miss my East Coast friends dearly. In fact, I made so many lasting friendships in Atlanta, that it will always be a special place. Mike makes an impression wherever he goes, so our final night in Atlanta was bittersweet. We said goodbye to friends who were moved to tears by Mike's leaving. I'm sure we'll make an appearance back in Atlanta some time soon, but for now, the West Coast is ours to explore!
Mike and I visited Los Angeles as a couple in March, and we stayed at Erik's & Joey's in Studio City as we searched for our new home. Mike was sold on LA the day we arrived for our visit. He met my LA friends and co-workers, and we spent a week eating at the multitude of restaurants in the area and going out in West Hollywood. We found an apartment we liked and went back to Atlanta to get rid of our stuff and tie up loose ends. The details involved with moving are stressful enough, but on top of that I have two cats. I offered to give one away as a compromise to make the move go easier, but no one wants to adopt an adult cat, so I kept them together and made plans to bring them. Thank goodness, too, because I would have been an emotional mess without them both.
It didn't make much sense to travel across the continent with lots of stuff, so we "let go" of our material things in Atlanta and flew to LAX with just a few pieces of luggage. As Mike slept on our one-way Delta flight, I watched some TV and tried not to worry about the cats who were flying as checked-baggage. Needless to say, all four of us arrived safely at our new home, Archstone Apartments in Studio City, a neighborhood of LA. Archstone is known for housing many pre-famous stars, such as, Ashley Simpson and Paris Hilton. Because so many celebs live and hang out in Studio City, we both look forward to our first celebrity sighting. As President Obama made his way to George Clooney's house for a fundraiser this passed weekend, we snapped photos of Marine One flying overhead.
I had to report to work immediately, so Mike had the fun jobs of receiving boxes we shipped from Atlanta and of putting our new Ikea furniture together. He put so much work into setting up our new home that it looks fabulous now! We're even starting to feel like real Angelenos now that we've been here for two weeks. Today is Mike's birthday, so we were out and about all weekend in West Hollywood to celebrate. And tonight, we're trying one of Studio City's most popular restaurants, Firefly.
Don't get me wrong; I miss my East Coast friends dearly. In fact, I made so many lasting friendships in Atlanta, that it will always be a special place. Mike makes an impression wherever he goes, so our final night in Atlanta was bittersweet. We said goodbye to friends who were moved to tears by Mike's leaving. I'm sure we'll make an appearance back in Atlanta some time soon, but for now, the West Coast is ours to explore!
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