Productivity...Excitement...Organization!

What a productive day!  Even if it wasn’t that productive, I feel like it was so I’m going to go with that. :)

Work definitely started off challenging and really continued to be for quite a bit of the day, but aside from the beginning, I was able to maintain my composure and move on with my day.  Assuming positive intent, is something I need to work on. 

I originally had plans to hit the gym after work but decided to listen to my body’s desire to just go home and I don’t regret the decision one bit.  Generally I like to make myself go, knowing that you never regret a workout but it was either go after work or go before work tomorrow and so I went with tomorrow.  It will mean waking up super early but especially after getting quite a bit done and it still being just after 9, I have no problem wrapping things up a bit and still getting to bed around 10.

The new roommate and I have agreed upon a place and now we’re just waiting to hear back from the company to confirm it’s still available and take the next steps! I’m so excited!  It also means, it’s time to prepare the letter to move out of my current place.  That will be on my agenda for tomorrow evening...

The apartment searching has had me very motivated to go through all of my stuff.  While I had laundry going this evening, I was also going through my closet, dresser and pile of shoes.  I recently went through a donated quite a bit of clothing so there wasn’t too much this time but I’m breaking away from several pairs of shoes I just don’t wear anymore.  (Note to self: you need black flats that aren’t Toms).  Seeing as I work in retail + the music industry, I’m pretty sure I can toss the majority of my “business casual” clothing that I never wear.  I would obviously keep a few because you do need them as staples for any interviews or gatherings that require such, but there’s button up shirts I don’t wear even during those times (partly due to a lack of comfort and confidence in them).  I would probably keep a couple on hand.  This is where the cheap side of me shows itself where I’m afraid to throw something out that I may “need” even though it isn’t currently serving me.  

There’s also years of papers that I’ve been moving since I was living in Boston.  The handheld shredder I bought from Target.com came in handy this weekend.  It’s also clearly a $20 product because it can’t take on the 5 pages it claims it can and the slot is only about 4” long.  It’s great for receipts but years and years of paperwork was quite the challenge to shred this weekend, but I did it anyway.

I’m so excited about the potential and possibilities of what’s ahead right now.  I’m also so proud of myself for making 2011 all about me and improving my life.  The clearer mindset and determination, is helping things fall into place.  I’m feeling super optimistic that I’m on the right path.

Now to end my evening with a little 20 minute yoga session.  Namaste.

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P.S. Does anyone know of any good dream interpretation books / websites? I had the strangest dream last night (woke up like it was a nightmare but I don't know it was.  Except I couldn't look a coworker in the face who was in it because things didn't end well for them)....

Travel

If we live truly, we shall see truly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Justine invited me to join her in the Trust30 Challenge and quite honestly, I have failed at the consistency of this challenge.  But I’m enjoying doing a post every couple of days, including today’s post which was fun and all about travel:

Not everyone wants to travel the world, but most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die.  Where is that place for you, and what will you do to make sure you get there? (Author: Chris Guillebeau)

Italy, South America, Africa, Sweden, Hawaii

I could keep adding to this list.  Quite honestly, it wouldn’t be very hard at all.  And most of the places on this list, wouldn’t be too hard for me to do.

Hawaii wouldn’t be a crazy long flight for me (obviously) though price will still be an issue...But I guess it seems like the easiest option to fill.

My family is from Sweden and we are VERY proud of it!  While I may technically only be about 25% Swedish, I have always felt more Swedish than I have anything else (and I’m 50% German!).

Italy is really just because I want the food and the wine!  I’m sure it’s just gorgeous as well, but could you imagine my ‘Foodie for a Day’ posts?  But really anywhere in Europe is on my list (including Paris again)!

I know my sister is going to hate that I’m putting this on here and in theory, I’ve now had 2 opportunities to go to Africa and have yet to actually go.  But price is an issue and my health was a major issue the first time around and a slight issue this time, though it was mostly time off work (due to a lack of vacation time saved up having just gone full time).  But I would still love to go.  And knowing my sister’s passion and connection to Africa, I know she’ll be back and I would love to go with her some day on one of her visits.

And last but not least on my short list is South America.  Notice I mentioned no place in particular here (or with Africa) because I would love to see as much as I possibly can!  I realize this would potentially mean several trips.  And I’m okay with that. :)

I also have interest in going on a yoga retreat, wherever that may lead me.  Whether it be to India or South America, I don’t care - maybe even both!  But there’s so much to experience and take in and collect from those kinds of trips.  One of my favorite yoga instructors, Gigi Yogini, recently announced her retreat.  She was talking a bit about it after class this week and it just sounded so amazing!  She tried to make it something that was more on the affordable side but with options that could make it more expensive if you so desired those additional perks.  Either way, I still think it falls out of my budget.  But I do hope to make it to one some day.

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The hunt is on!

It’s only 2 and I’m already exhausted!  I started my morning bright and early (not as early as I originally planned but that’s ok).  After some breakfast and a cup of coffee, I filled up my thermos with (more) coffee, dressed in my gym clothes and out the door I went for the ever-so-fun apartment hunting.

Now, unlike most people in this world, I have always enjoyed the process of moving.  There are many stressful and far-from-fun qualities about it, not to mention the moments when you stop and realize how much this is going to cost.  But I love looking at different places and imagining how your furniture may fit into the space.  And I love starting with a fresh, clean slate (literally).  And I love the process of going through your stuff and throwing out the crap you realize you don’t need anymore.  And if things go the way I want, selling some of the things you don’t need because they’re already in your new place and therefore, not needing to move it (because it becomes the new purchasers duty to move it).  You know people, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s the little things in life. :)

I saw 5 different places this morning is just over 1.5 hrs!  Personally, I don’t think that’s too shabby.  I took notes, took pictures of some places and just wandered around gathering thoughts.  I have a favorite and I don’t want to tell you about it yet because I don’t want to jinx it.  And I’m waiting to hear from my future roommate if she can agree that this is the place.  But I’m super excited! 

It’s funny when you look at apartments and all of the different things you have to think about.  

Safety is always a big one for me, even more so when I’m living alone.  Some of the places I looked it, I would have driven past if I was looking only for myself, including my favorite.  But based on different locations and the fact there will be someone else there, gives me an added sense of security.  

And when it comes to LA, the whole “do I need to buy/move a fridge” is a huge one!  I have a fridge so the buying aspect wouldn’t be there but I don’t want to move it.  My goal is to sell it, possibly even to the building owners if they would like to make it an “added” benefit of this apartment.  

And let’s not forget laundry, because who really wants to drive (or walk) their clothes down the street to a laundromat and have to waste a few hours there while you do your laundry?  Not me, that’s for sure.  Especially after having an apartment in New Jersey with my own washer and dryer in my unit! It was ah-maze-ing!

Parking is another big one!  My goal is to get gated parking but again, this is LA and if a place can require you your own parking spot, you really just need to be happy and call it a day.

Anyway, here are some pictures of a few places I saw (including the runner-up in my opinion):

Wish Me Luck

This may be a surprise to some, but I’ve mentioned the efforts I’m making to save money and reduce costs where I can.  One of the ways that most people do this is by not living alone (aka, they have a roommate).  Well, I’m breaking from my solo hibernation and I’ve found someone I’m going to try living with (assuming we find an apartment we both agree on).  

She’s a friend of a friend and super nice and friendly.  I hope things work out because I think she seems like someone I could get along with pretty well. 

Anyway, she went out looking at places on Thursday and tomorrow is my turn to check out a few additional places and see the ones she deemed worthy of my visit.  My notes are ready.  My phone will be charged and ready to take photos.  My route is planned and map printed.  All I need now, is luck finding the place we can agree and afford to call home for potentially the next year.  

Once that gets determined, notice will be given to my current place and unnecessary furniture (and maybe my fridge if I’m lucky!) will go for sale.  Boxes will be collected and organization, throwing out of unnecessary things and packing will ensue.  Oh and finding people to help move me.  Or just finding people to move me so I don’t have to risk hurting myself (further than I already am). 

Wish me luck.

Deep breaths.

Generally that's the goal. Source.

Livestrong

I had one post all typed up and ready to go and last minute, I decided to change it.  I had this fear that I would worry everyone too much, though I was ready to start taking bets on how much time would go by before my family started flooding my inbox with emails about how much I need to go to the doctor.  Let’s just say that after the chest pain I experienced today, the “make doctors appointments” that’s been on my To-Do list for the last several months, is getting moved up with top priority!

And while I don’t have cancer (at least I hope not), the whole thing got me into thinking about the overall health of not only myself, but everyone.  I’m a 24 year old who eats well and stays active and despite having a few health issues, I still consider myself a healthy human being.  Today I was reminded that despite my best efforts, I still need to make it to the doctor more often than I do and at least have a doctor on hand in LA as my go-to for days like today.

While it may seem like a long shot, all of this made me think of Livestrong, a company that fights to help people with cancer.  I just love companies that are based around helping others and their health.

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Foodie for a Day - Happy Sundae!

For anyone who doesn’t know, yesterday was National Chocolate Sundae Day!  I went over to Blayne & Heather’s last night just to hang out and after Heather shared about how she learned that on the radio today, we decided we needed to celebrate.  We headed over to Coldstone for some ice cream.  I went with one of their Signature concoctions, made up of chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup (it was sundae day for heavens sake!), peanut butter and peanut butter cups.  Boy was it delicious!  And despite Blayne’s pushing for me to get something bigger than a “like it” (aka, small), it was more than enough.  I’m learning to limit my sugar intake because I know just how terrible my body can (and will feel) after eating it, especially if you also mix in the whole lactose-intolerant aspect.  

It was delicious and thankfully my body didn’t hate me too much this morning.

I also would like to put it out there that I’m looking for a delicious (and fairly nutritious) dairy-free mac and cheese recipe!  I’ve done some “vegan” mac and cheese googling but haven’t really found anything.  I made an attempt at one recipe tonight (though slightly altered) and it was down the garbage disposal about as fast as it came out of the oven.  I couldn’t handle more than a couple of bites before I got nauseous by how much I didn’t like it.  I’ve heard great things about using “nutritional” yeast to make a “cheese” sauce but it did NOT work for me this evening.  I’d maybe considering throwing in a couple teaspoons of the yeast in a different sauce, but it would have to mostly be made out of a dairy-free cheese.  Blech!

Now I’m being lame and heading to bed as soon as I hit publish.  Mental and physical exhaustion suddenly hit my body about 45 minutes ago and I had to turn down a Netflix movie sesh with Justine for a little extra shut eye tonight.

G’night folks! 

Geekin' Out

To say I’m geekin’ out over here would be an understatement.  We know I’m a tech-nerd; I work at Apple, it’s almost a given.  And just like all of the other tech-nerds out there, any day Apple has an announcement (or the current WWDC event) you know I’m definitely excited to hear what’s going to be said.

I worked today but I didn’t get to-the-minute updates as to what was happening.  I was able to get a few snippets as my co-workers returned from breaks having checked out the numerous live feeds, but I knew what I really wanted (and needed) to do was watch the keynote.  And BOY AM I EXCITED!

“It just works.”

Oh yes, yes it does! 

It’s days like this that I can’t help but be proud and excited about the company that I work for and it’s future.  If you feel like geekin’ out or you’re interested in watching today’s WWDC Special Event Keynote, go here.

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