Monday, September 19, 2011

I'm back!

After a couple months of silence I am back with a vengeance... My mom kept telling me to blog it will help your writing, blog its good for the soul, blog because I live vicariously through you. Well it wasn't until this past weekend that I really was convinced. You see, there is another blogger out there one I admire and have mentioned in past posts, Kate Nierengraten. She is the big sister of my best friend who is getting married in November. I was recently up in Chicago for the big bachelorette party when on the hangover Sunday Funday morning Kate made a small nod to my blogging. As small as her comment might have been it lit a fire under me and I decided to stop being lazy and start getting awesome.




Some of you may know my New Years resolution was to be more awesome. (Quick shout out to Barney from How I Met Your Mother) And so far I have succeed. I moved to California, got a job, got an apartment, had a wonderful relationship, learned about myself, grew professional, matured from a college girl to a young lady... I have also taken life tolls, been beat up a bit by 'the man' (not a person but big corp). I fell down but got up again. It hurt like hell but I'm still here.

My nan always told me to count my blessings and never take life for granted. Even when I was down, I am surprised and proud to say I did not fall apart.


Now, I'm back on my feet. I moved home to be closer to my family. I realized that fame and fortune were not what matters most to me. I love my family and friends and missing cornerstone in their lives made me feel like a terrible person. How could I preach my values when I did not abide by them?! So I took one hell of a road trip home with my sister, Gretchen! It was a blast and I would not want to do it with anyone but her! Talk about sister bonding time and what a fun story to tell later in life. I can already imagine us as old women talking about that one time on that crazy roadtrip.


I started a job, well actually it is an old job. I was an intern for an IndyCar racing team in 2009, helped with the Indy500 in 2010. I loved the people I worked with, treasured our friendships, kept in touch, followed my mentors' advice, low and behold here I am again! I could not be happier! And I cannot wait to share with you all about the crazy fun weekends at the race tracks.


So I guess this post is a toast in a way... Here is to new beginnings. More blogging. Old friends. New friends. New experiences and life in general! Here here!!


- Last couple days in L.A.













These next couple photos are of my sister and I roadtripping it from Orange County, California to Indianapolis, Indiana. We took 1-70 through the mountains. Started the trip by a stop in Vegas - Gretchen's first time! Then went through the desert to the Rocky Mountains. Stopped in Vail for lunch (the usual haha) and then caught a concert at the Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado. On the last couple days of the drive we saw her friend from camp in Kansas City and went for a ferryboat ride on the Mississippi River in St. Louis, MO. What a trip - amazing memories!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Flannel shirts and Barbecues


I did it. I am so sorry. I bought a flannel shirt.

I was in Plato's Closet in Indianapolis before I left and saw a cute green button down flannel shirt. I decided to buy it (and some jean shorts) because I knew it was a trend in California.

Problem is I had no idea it was such a big trend! Everyone wears flannel. It goes casual on the beach with jeans, keds sneakers, and a fedora while cruising down the boardwalk on your bike to LA chic where it is used as a layering piece under a hoodie and over a vintage tee.

The first time I wore my new flannel green and black shirt was my second weekend. I went up to LA to drive around and get the feel of the city. I was able to stop over by A.SweeT boutique on Beverly Drive to say hi to my friend Jen. (If you are ever in Beverly Hills check out this store it is so cool!)

I was feeling my LA street cred increase when I stopped into the Coffee Bean for a Chai Tea Latte. Afterward, I went back down to Newport. My friend, Mark, knew of some friends throwing a barbecue on their rooftop deck.

I was in! How neat of a first weekend out to go to a bbq on the beach. I felt like I should be in the 1960s and call it a Clambake as Moondoggie walked out of the ocean after he landed a neat-o wave.



Back to reality, I met up with the gang at Mark's. I made sure to grab some beer - never want to show up empty handed. Mark, his roommate Paris, her friend Kimmy, and I jumped on some beach cruisers and hit the boardwalk. When we showed up to the party we were the first one there. We helped ice down the beer, bring up the food, then the girls had the daunting task of lighting the grill.

It was spring break 2009 all over again! Shelby and I are trying to grill steaks on a charcoal grill and we have only ever used gas growing up. We found lighter fluid and lets just say that meat did not taste too good.

Luckily, the boys next door came over and helped us get it started. Yes, there was a house full of good looking surfer guys next door... pinch me. As one guy helped us as the others came in from the beach. I swear this started to turn into a teeny bopper TV show. Hair dripping wet, wetsuit half way off, abs I could wash my clothes on. (But egos to boot which lessens the hotness).

As the night went on we all grilled out, had some drinks, played some tunes, then it started to get chilly. Yes, it gets cold in California once that sun goes down.

Oh I almost forgot about my flannel. It was complimented on! (say what?!?) The hot surfer guys were all like, "hey nice flannel." Um, thanks?

As it got colder on the roof, one of them even asked if they could borrow it. I said no because then I would get cold plus it wouldn't fit them. He laughed. I was confused.

I haven't quite made up my mind about the flannel. I have yet to wear it again but it was very warm and comfortable. Thoughts?

Sunday, April 10, 2011

A week of firsts

First day of work - yahoo!

To quote Billy Madison, "Back to school. Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight. Ohhhh, back to school. Back to school. Back to school. Well, here goes nothing."

It really did feel like my first day of school because my mom dropped me off and picked me up. They took the car for the day and spent it leisurely on the beach. See below - tough life.

I know all of you AT girls are wondering what I wore. Army green wrap dress, gray cardigan, pearl earrings (duh), and neutral flats (ALL Ann Taylor).

Speaking from the future: I cannot tell you how much I love my job! I love all of the people and the environment. Not to mention my team is OUTSTANDING! Am I raving enough? :)

Another first - First night out!
Did not make it. I was so tired from work and the time change I ended up falling asleep in my going out clothes. Smooth move, right? On the upside, Sunday my roommate, Sherry, and I took the boat out. It was such a relaxing way to spend my first weekend in SoCal.

Another first - grocery shopping.
Wow who knew it was so hard?! I mean there are a million different types of the same thing. I never know what to get. I made a list but as you shop you get really hungry. To help me on my first journey I called Michelle, one of my best friends from grade school. She listened to me whine and groan, complain about people and their carts, and ask how you cook everything. Needless to say I am sure it was quite entertaining. I promised myself (and Michelle) that I will try to cook. After living at home, then living in the dorm, then living in the sorority house I have always had my meal cooked for me (and trust me I never took it for granted). I have never had to really dig in a recipe and cook for myself. Here goes nothing... stay tuned.

Family dinner and the Oscars

It is the night before my first offical day of work. I am so anxious, nervous, excited... I feel like I am an actress nominated at the Oscars (well not quite, but a little).

Speaking of Oscars, it was so neat to be so close to Hollywood on that night. I was able to watch it in the hotel room with my parents. After recieving several texts from friends about how cool it is to be near LA, I decided I am going next year. I have several ideas how:

1. Become an actress and get nominated (easy)
2. Become a seat warmer person (when a celeb has to pee I steal their spot and smile and clap)
3. Haven't figured out the third yet

Oh wait, pause, rewind, we had a wonderful dinner before the Oscars. Apparently I have family in Laguna. Who knew? They are my mom's cousins. It gets very confusing but they are part of the Shuba side (aka Mom's side) of the family. They are absolutely fabulous and I am so grateful to have them nearby.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Bookcase for shoes



I am defending my decision to have a bookcase of shoes.

A couple people commented, "why do you want a bookcase of shoes?" Well let me tell you:

1. Heels are pretty and can be used as decoration,
2. Did you see my closet? It is packed full.
3. I already have an under the bed shoe thing.
4. Again, shoes are pretty!

To quote a movie that I bought at a Blockbuster going-out-of-business sale, Head Over Heels:

"How much room do you need to sleep? But shoes, they need their space."

So true :)

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

IKEA

Oh IKEA let me count the ways I love you!

Honestly, I love IKEA. We do not have one in Indiana and the closest store is in Cinci so it is kind of an all day trip.

Alright, let's review: I have a room in California now I need to fill it. I grabbed my parents and we go to South Coast Plaza.

I walk in and am overwhelmed. Suddenly I am Zooey Deschanel (my favorite actress) in 500 Days of Summer... sadly, I am missing Joesph Gordon-Levitt.

See clip below to know how I felt:


"Honey I don't want to alarm you but there is a Chinese family in our bathroom"

So cute and clever, that movie :)

Back to IKEA... I was set on a bed because I am in love with Ashley Goehler's bed so I decided to steal it. A nicer way of looking at it is that we have twin beds (but they are actually a full and a queen... you do the math).

Once I had the bed I decided on the matching six door-dresser and TV stand. Plus, the matching bed side table. Now for the fun part, assembling it.

Side note: DO NOT GO TO IKEA ON A SATURDAY!!!!!

If you have never been to IKEA. The idea is to have cheap furniture mass produced from Sweden and the customer assembles it at home. They have everything from furniture to mattresses to bedding to kitchen appliances to decoration to rugs.. seriously! The one on South Coast Plaza even has TWO food courts and a daycare center (P.S. Fro-yo only one dollar).

We opted for the home delivery because my little Civic could not carry everything. The only problem with this is the delivery time is not specific so you end up waiting in 4 hour time periods. It was worth it though!

Once the delivery arrived it was building time. We were able to get everything completed in two days. This was necessary because mom and dad were flying home soon and I had to start work. I actually enjoyed building everything. It made me feel accomplished.

This is what my room looks like all said and done. However, I did end up buying a floor to ceiling bookcase for my shoes.







Oh heck, let's enjoy another super adorable clip of Zooey and Joesph:

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Roommates

Once we were all settled in the hotel it was time to look for a roommate.

Yes, ladies and gentleman, I moved out to California WITHOUT a roommate (Again I pose, Am I nuts?)

I have heard good and bad reviews about Craigslist so I started sending out generic emails like this:

Hi!
I saw your place on craigslist. I am looking for a place to live. I am from the Midwest, Indianapolis to be exact. I just received a full-time job in Irvine-so no worries about a roomie not making rent. I am 23 years old, fun, reliable, friendly, outgoing, straight, non-smoker, socially drink, and I do not use drugs. I enjoy spending time with friends but am very respectful of not bringing the party home.

I am looking for all female roommates, no kids, non-smokers, no drug use.

Can you tell me more about the place? Address? Pics of the room? More about you? Other roommates?

Thanks!
Adair

Responses:
CRAZIES
-Must be 420 friendly
-Must be able to live with couple, heck no I do not wait to be your solution
-Must be willing to live with pregnant woman and husband, hello mistress/nanny
-Must be comfortable with different lifestyle... I don't even wanna know
-And the average post just to hit on women

Tips:
-Make a 'must-have' list
-Make a 'no way in hell' list and stick to it!
-Budget your money before searching, I found out my max and was looking for anything below it because that would mean more 'fun' money
-Take a look at how long your commute will be to work, in California traffic is SO bad they tell it by time not miles. For example, yes it is only 20 miles North on the 405 but it is about 30 minutes. It takes me an hour to get to LA on a good day, on a bad day three hours.
-Shop around, do not commit to anyone
-Imagine yourself in the room
-Make sure it is in a safe neighborhood
-Go eat lunch at a local deli or coffee shop to get the mood of the neighborhood
-Make sure you can live with your roommate, no you do not have to be best friends but make sure you both value the same things. ex. cleanliness.

While in my roommate search, I posted a profile on roommates.com, which I heard from friends was a safe bet. I did not prefer this site because you had to pay for service and people did not always get back to you. Not to mention, the pickins were slim!

So off I went to find a place to live. I started in Huntington Beach. Surf City. I thought, heck, this would be a sweet place to live! I had been there before when I was younger for a surf competition. My mom and I arrived early so we parked (in the all day lot-opps) and went to have lunch at a pier resturant. I ordered shrimp tacos - needed that seafood fix being so close to the ocean) and my mom ordered some kind of soup that was fabulous as well. Like I said, it was kind of chilly outside.


After a couple photo opps, see below:


It was time to meet the potential roomies. They has a house about three blocks from the pier. It was a nice house, did not have a home vibe. The ladies were very nice and seemed like great people. Unfortunaltey it was not for me when I found out they wanted cash and one had lost her job the week prior- can you say red flags?

Defeated I went back to the car. On to the next one. The next one was not near the beach but a nicer house and room. About $1000 a month which was the max of my budget. It was a nice house but there was one woman who had a kid and it was just not right for me.

Luckily, weeks prior to my move my dad was searching online and found a house on a lake. I started emailing back and forth with the owner, Sherry. She was very nice and was renting out a room. I had a great feeling about this and so did my parents.

Once my dad flew in from Indy we all went to check it out. It was perfect! Right then and there I was in. Ta-da no longer homeless! It was a great situation because it is safe, close to work, month to month etc. I do want to move closer to the water when I have a good group of girls to share a house with.

I was so happy! My parents and I celebrated with a dinner at Habana in Costa Mesa. This restaurant is an Ahlers' family favorite. It is a little Cuban restaurant with AMAZING food! I recommend sitting outside in their candle lit patio. Order Ropa Veija or the Halibut if it is in season. In fact, the first night my dad and I talked it up so much, once my mom tasted it she asked if we could come back again the next night.


After dinner, we went back to the hotel and started compiling a LENGTHY list of everything I would need. Tomorrow we would go to IKEA :)