while the boys are away, the girls will play

Today was my last day of uninterrupted freedom before the chaos that is sure to ensue from starting my internship, school and work. The day got off to an unpleasant start thanks to my sleepless night and headache that was brought on by my friendly neighbors and their excellent music selection. I love waking up to "Ice Cream Paint Job" and the splatter of vomit hitting the pavement below my window.

After a splash or two of cold water, I was wide awake and ready for a day of nothingness. As I laced up my tennis shoes and pulled on my UCLA hoodie, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of excitement for my mini-adventure around campus and Westwood Village. Four miles and two hours later, I arrived back at my apartment to my cell phone ringing and "Carrie VanZandt" (now Barcello, although I just can't bring myself to make the surname switch in my cell) illuminating my screen. Carrie, who has been an LA resident for quite some time now, and a friend since birth, wanted to grab some lunch and see my new digs. So while Carrie's husband Larry and my man Michael were off at work, Carrie and I enjoyed an afternoon of pizza, making fun of frat boys, Diddy Riese and catching up.

it's a travel blog, right?

Photo thanks to MarcelGermain. 

Being in college and having to work while also partaking in slave labor (AKA an internship) doesn't exactly give us the time or money we need to travel; but we can dream. And plan.

We are in the process of creating our "Where to go first and what is most practical" list, but in the meantime, here is to Kris Atomic and his blog entry "I want to go there." We do too.

settling in

Going away dinner in Porterville.

Going away lasagna. Thank you mom and Cathy.

The new apartment, furnished with bunk beds and blue chairs.

The view of our kitchen. Yes, it's as small as it looks, but fully functioning.

Farmer Michael barbequing.

A quick visit to LACMA for an assignment.

I am finally moved in and trying to settle in. Michael and I had to do most of the heavy lifting on move-in day because my dad has broken ribs and my mom has a bad back. Four hours of unpacking later, and painful separation anxiety (from all of the clothes and shoes I had to give up thanks to my new oh-so-tiny closet, I was all moved in. We celebrated at Michael's, where he tried his hand at barbequing and much to his surprise, was amazing at it. His roommates joined us all for a dinner of tri-tip, potatoes, rice, garlic bread, beer, wine and laughter and an amazing night. 

Monday was hectic, tying together the odds and ends before my mom left and bracing myself for the adventure I would partake in today: public transportation. I have to admit, I am very proud of myself that I am actually where I wanted to be. I spent hours and hours staring at BigBlueBus.com trying to figure out exactly where to get on and off and how to slide my card so I wouldn't look like a newbie. When the 8 pulled up, I was prepared with prepaid card in hand and was thrilled that I felt a little like I knew what I was doing. I swiped my card, sat down and breathed a sigh of relief; just to realize a few seconds later I was heading the wrong direction. 

So, much to my embarrassment, I pulled the cord, got off the bus, and walked across the street to try this whole thing again. While waiting for the bus this time around, I made friends with a very nice older woman who gave me the insider's scoop on the LA bus routes. I nodded my head and said, "Oh, that bus goes there?" with interest, when all I really wanted to know was, "Does this one go to UCLA?" It did. We boarded and she chatted with me for the my fifteen minute bus ride about what bus goes where, great spots to eat and how so had come to be a bus rider herself. Thank you woman on bus 8 around 10:20a. I appreciate it.

Now I'm back at my place organizing my closet, clothes and bathroom so that when school starts for me in two days, at least I'll be somewhat ready. 

Until then,

S

the first move

After months of waiting, I am only two days away from my move to L.A. Michael has already been down there for two months, working and going to school, but since my school doesn't start until Sept. 23, I've been stuck in Porterville. I will be starting out my junior (what should have been senior) year at UCLA in a few days majoring in Communications. This move has been a long time coming and I've working for years just to get to this point. And now it's here. Michael is heading up from L.A. with my dad today and the moving festivities will begin as soon as they get here. I've been packed for five days now (causing my mom probably even more anxiety - I've been living with her for the summer), just anxiously waiting for Sept. 19 to roll around. Two more days then it's off to L.A. and much to my distress, my shared studio on frat row.

-S