Flowers and Chocolate!

The flowers came!


I love two toned roses! I'm so happy they came! And I think (hope!) these ones will hold up longer. They're so pretty and cheerful! Now I know why Sam always wants us to get him flowers for his room.

Also, pretty chocolates!

Job Hunting Update!

So yesterday I printed up my resume to take around, and today I did just that. Started at Taco Time and totally name dropped (For those of you who've never been in one, to me it's a mix between Del Taco and Taco Bell, but since it's Idaho Mexican food, it's worse)

Then I dropped by Gator Jacks, a Cajun themed restaurant (go ahead, guess how badly I'd like to work there) and they told me they'll probably be hiring a month or so into the semester if/when people realize they can't handle work with their school workload.

Then I stopped by Jimmy John's, a Freaky Fast Gormet Sandwich shop, where I have an interview at 10am on Thursday. I was supposed to print up an application, but I couldn't make it work so luckily they accepted the resume I had. Excited for another interview!

Then I went to Gringo's (another Mexican food place, but this one is a sit down restaurant, but I don't know if it's any better.) and it was sorta the same deal, supposed to apply online, but I couldn't get it to work, so I just gave them my application.

Stopped by Sammy's to see when Heather the Hiring Manage gets in this week, and I'll be going back Thursday at 8:30pm. I really want to work there, more than the Cajun place, it's closer to home, and I know I'd eat there, which is a factor, because every food place I've worked people have asked me my opinion of what's good, and I LOVE burgers and fries and shakes, so I'd be all to happy to give my opinion. I think it'd be perfect.

Then I made a quick stop to a place called JB's, which seems like a Marie Calendar's or an upscale Denny's. Dropped one off their, and the waitress said they'd get back to me if they started hiring.

So that was this morning. Not too exciting, but (I think) very productive. Going to go to Porter Park to read and draw once my new flowers arrive. I made a deal with a friend of mine that if I start reading and drawing more, he'll start practicing his trumpet again. Not really much incentive, but a deal is a deal. Ive got my Zentangle book that my Grandma gave me, and my Glenn Beck book. Once I finish it I'm allowing myself to read a Louis L'amour book. But not until, because then it's not reward. And with my currently very boring life, I need something to look forward to. Right now it's the Flowers, the book and my friend FINALLY coming up for the semester.

Uphill is painful

So today, for various reasons, I couldn't print up my resumes at the library. Instead I went to the Franz' and they graciously allowed me to use their printer.

It took me far longer than I excpected to, and hurt like nobody's business. I'm still not used to the thin air, or up hill bike rides.



My ankle kept hitting the pedal enough that it started to bleed. Not a lot, luckily not all over the Franz' white carpet.

When I showed up Sister Franz got me a wine glass of ice water and cold grapes. She is one of the nicest ladies I know. And her husband is pretty cool too. She even offered to let me nap on the couch, she could tell I was so tired. And her husband drove me home in his awesome truck.

And they gave me jam! Mixed berry jam!

Today

So haven't gotten a call back from the grocery, and they said if they didn't call, "sorry" meaning they didn't want someone for a second interview. In this case, that someone is...me. Nice. But I went back to the places I applied to, and two of them said the people who read the resumes is out on vacation, so I should go back next week. Say a prayer for me, please!

Went for a long walk, found some cool places I'd like to work. Going to get resumes and applications in, for sure. One place is a Cajun food place. So want to work there. I'm such a dork.

Also, The flowers Curtis sent me started to wilt, and when I called ProFlowers the guy was really nice, and when he went to process my order, the bouquet I had received wouldn't arrive until next Thursday. I told him I didn't care what kind of flowers I got as long as they were pretty. So the one he sent is two dozen roses, and because of a deal going on right now, it comes with another vase and chocolates. More flowers and chocolate? I'm very excited!

Laundry Day!

Did my first laundry run away from home!!! I'd be more proud if I didn't fall asleep after I put the wash in. I was there for two hours, just waiting. And as my first away from home laundry, its probably my third time actually doing my own laundry. Sad, I know, but my mom has a system in place that I worry about disrupting. But now I know I can do it all by myself. The only thing I forgot was to put in a dryer sheet. And that's no big deal.

Also, I have almost exactly enough hangers for all my clothes. Every laundry day I'll have one hanger left over, which is technically one to little, but since I'm wearing a shirt and capris, it's ok.

Breaking out the mac and cheese tonight! Yum!!!!

A little tired.

So settling down into my new apartment, getting a daily routine going until I get a job. Had a job interview today, and I think it went pretty well. It was a group interview and there were 12 people in my group, so I only got asked two questions. "What would people is you're greatest weakness?" and "If you got a job hear, what would you least like to do?". For the first one, I said opinionated, because it's true, and at some jobs superiors have called me out on it, so I said that while I try to say things tactfully, I like to know what I can do to improve, and I try to help others out by doing the same. Second question I said "clean the chicken fryer" because while I'm not accident prone, somehow I have managed to burn myself on that more than get cut on cans or knives or other blades and sharp objects. (not that I haven't cut myself on blades, knives or cans, I've just burnt myself on a chicken fryer more. Usually when I'm cleaning it the oil splashes, and hot oil hurts!) One girl was asked if "you were a car, what kind and color would you be and why?" and she said a blue VW Beetle. When I asked her, she said she meant the new kind. Apparently the usually ask guys that question, but they decided to ask a girl. Wish they'd asked me. I'd have picked a sleek black '67 Impala, because they're classic and always ready to rock if you treat them right. Oh well.

So I think the interview went well. I'll find out Thursday or Friday and I'll definitely let all you guys know what happens. I'll probably text before I blog about it though. Thanks for all your prayers, and please keep them coming, I need all the help I can get!

After work I hung out around the apartment, got to Skype Ammon, which was fun while it lasted. Charlotte came in at the end of the conversation and said they'd been looking all over for Ammon and they needed to go. He was in his room the whole time. How hard were they looking? Texted back and forth with Rachel a little, which was nice, since we don't talk a whole lot normally.

Then I napped for a little bit after that, and some how had my hands under me, my palms on the back pockets of my pants, which have buttons to keep them shut (No idea why, I only bought them because I liked how they looked on me better than the other pair I tried on) and I woke up to this ache in my hands, from where the buttons had been pressing into my hands really hard. A few minutes after I woke up the doorbell rang which was weird, because one roommate is out of state, and the other was babysitting, and when I opened the door it was a fed ex guy (who liked my firefly shirt) with a box from ProFlowers!



My friend back home sent them to me as a house warming gift. It was a nice surprise. After the flowers came I went down to Down East Basics to exchange a shirt and I (being the bargain hunter and bored girl I am) hunted in the other racks for clothes. I ended up getting a slouchy knit jacket that I really like, and is really warm. It's dark red, yellow and blue and is missing a few buttons, but I can just use the ones that are there and move them around, or get new ones if I find a Joannes. It was 25% off, and really warm. Thank you everyone I texted for fashion advice. I tried on two others, but one looked like a bathrobe and after Jim Gaffigan's ideas about robes ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At97qw6H7_s ) it sorta ruined it for me. Super cute, but I couldn't wear it without thinking about this. The other one, I'm pretty sure was a dress, since it buttoned up all the way and didn't have a collar.

So here's my laptop camera shots of the jacket I got:



Terrible lighting, but if I get any pictures of me wearing it this fall, I'll put them up. I think it's cute and comfy, just need jeans and boots to pull off the winter look.



If I look flustered or like I'm blushing, keep in mind that wall mart is about two miles (so I was told) from my apartment and I biked there, then took the photos so some family back home can see them. I was HOT. And a little dizzy from lack of water (don't worry, I was already drinking water when I took these, I just didn't want to rush it and feel worse) and probably food (dinner is next on my itinerary.

So this is a long post, congrats if you read all the way to the bottom. If you sent me your address I'll mail you a prize!

Well...Moving in

So I'm officially in my new apartment! Nearly settled in my room, just wishing I had more drawers, or a better shelf. As it is, I'm trying not to have a cluttered desk (so I can actually use it for school work instead of as an extra shelf. Bed is made, window sill is set up. Just need my roommate to clear out her part of the closet and then I can move my desk around and have a little more moving room.

Being on my own is scary. And until I get a job I'm not going to have a lot to do.

I want chocolate. Dang it. I should have gotten some while I was at the store.

Last day

I've got a pain in my cheekbones, like I've been smiling too much...

It's because I've been holding in my tears for a week.

Anyway, BBQ and Cream Soda taste test party and one last bike ride with Curtis and then sleep and moving day tomorrow. Packing up this week my mom was a great help. I feel like she judges me for what I keep or give up, which is good, because I get rid of more stuff that I'd get rid of eventually anyway. I'm just that self conscious. And for moving boxes around last night, Curtis was such a help too. Organizing, giving feedback, it was very helpful.

I did cry some talking to my mom this morning, and then when I said good bye to my two best friends, and I've been tearing up on and off this evening. I'm probably going to cry some more tonight and bawl a ton tomorrow and when my parents drop me off for real.

I love living down here, and I know I need to move out and grow up. I just wish it didn't feel like this.

Deadlines

I hate deadlines to things I dread. Countdowns just make everything worse. I don't know why people like count downs for other people's events. "So, Laura, when are you leaving?" "How long you still in town for?" "When's your last day?". Oh my gosh! Please drop it! If I wanted to talk about it I'd probably bring it up myself.

I guess other people think there's absolutely no reason to not want to move out. Forget about the fact that I've never lived outside my home.

I don't want to leave behind my friends and family. This whole summer I've barely seen my best friend, so thankfully I'm going to see her and another friend tomorrow. Last day in California. Let's see if I can get through it without crying. I've done well so far. I'm not looking forward to the crying I'll go through when I get to La Jolla. I hate crying. I don't know anyone who likes it, but most people seem to be able to accept when they do cry. Anyway, back to moving out.

I'll be living with five other girls. I know their names, but nothing else about them. I barely get by living with my two sisters and mom without going insane. Five girls? I honestly have no clue how to handle it. I have a friend who says not to room with people you want to continue liking, so I guess it's good I have no friends I'm rooming with. Shopping for my own food and doing laundry consistently is going to be a new change too.

I hope I can do well at college. Not just in school, but in surviving being on my own. I'll need a job, while I'm up there and when I get back when I'm off-track.

I don't want to grow up. I want to just magicaly be "up" already. Processes are long and tedious and stressful.

And the Countdown is on

I packed almost a whole box today. Just sheets, bath stuff and my Rooibos. And a teddy bear my best friend got me. That HAS to go with me. Clothes and books are next on the list, and then hopefully I can actually take a few days to relax with friends and family. Or procrastinate by blogging and be stressed out.

Still waiting to hear back from some teachers, but I don't think they're going to care that I need their class this semester and have a little pity on a girl from a California Community College. Oh well. Maybe I could just try to crash the class. We'll see.....