Don't Run the Red Lights

Today I ventured out on my own on the California streets. Scary, I know! I looked up the address of each stop I planned on making and looked at a google map for reference. I felt nerdy. But it was nice to find out that both of my stops were along the same main street - Contra Costa Blvd! I also noticed the the mall was along that same street, so hey, why not stop a visit the motherland? So I talked with my sister and asked her for what freeway exit I should take. FREEWAY??!! Yes. The freeway. *Que Jaws theme song music*
As my solo venture started, I stopped at Nob Hill (grocery store) to return the Redbox movie (New Moon - we had to see it again before we see Eclipse tonight!). I'd been to Nob Hill before and there is a REALLY easy back way from my sister's neighborhood. Then I made my way to the freeway.... As I got onto the 680 freeway, I felt exactly like Di and Cher from Clueless - I wanted to start freaking out and let go of the steering wheel. I knew I had to move over quickly because of exit lanes and connections to other freeways. I found the exit I needed and made my way over to Barnes and Noble to buy a lap desk (for my laptop when I'm sitting on my bed). Then made my way to the mall. Before I got out of my car, I remembered I had to fill my prescription because today is the last day that my medical insurance is effective. So I call my mom - hey, mom, will you pick up my prescription and mail it to me? Thanks! And then I call the pharmacy.... to make a long story short, the freaking insurance company had terminated my benefits THAT DAY!!! My prescription (which I get the generic pills) was going to be $57. Gah. I called my mom and told her and like the sweet, sweet lady that she is, she offered to pay for my pills this time. This was the first time I shed tears since arriving in California - over $47! Oh well. Mall time. I decided to torture myself and go in to H&M. Bad move. There were SO many things I wanted. Of course I had to touch them all. Love 'em and leave 'em. Then I saw sunglasses were on sale for 2 for $10. Wow! But then I thought... it's $10 and I have no job. No job means no money. Gah. I passed. On the way out I spotted a really cute purse. So I had to go touch the purse. And then leave. I went into Arie, looked a few things but didn't buy anything. Then went into Victoria's Secret. Soooooo many pretty, colorful bra's I wanted... And what is this?? A bra that adds two cups sizes?? Sign me up! But not for $48.... dang. I decided that I had enough rejection for one shopping trip and left. Made my stop at Bed, Bath and Beyond but couldn't find any rugs for my room. Then I drove back home. I had to remember one rule... don't run red lights. My brother in law told me that if you run a red light here, they take a picture of your license plate and send you a $391 ticket. EVERYONE breaks at a yellow light. I mean, NO ONE even chances it. It's soooo different than Utah. In Utah, everyone thinks that yellow means speed up (I admit - I thought that way too). Something else VERY different that I experienced was that bikers can ride in between cars. Even though I knew they could do this, still freaked me out when I saw one coming up behind me. But I made it home safely! No getting lost, no physical freakouts, and no running any red lights.
My good news for the day was that the pharmacist that I spoke to help me get my insurance mess straightened out and my prescription was only $10! Woo hoo!
No new happenings on the job front.... I have to remember to be patient. When I was laid off from Bach, it was over a month before I started my new job at Sallie Mae. So when I start slightly freaking out that no one has called, I remind myself to breathe. I am really hoping I get called for two jobs - NCAA and Wells Fargo. I really don't want to have to work in the city if I don't have to. I had to recruiting appointments with two different agencies in the city on Monday. My sister went with me and one of them was really good and the other one was sucky. But after riding around on BART (like Trax), I quickly realized how tiring and time consuming it would be to work in the city. So my fingers are crossed! I have to remember that I am following Heavenly Father's direction and he will put in my path what I need.
It's so weird to not have any friends (close friends - I have Timmy and Jared in East Palo Alto, like an hour away) here. I was so used to having friends always so close. But it's only been five days. I met talked to seven new people in church on Sunday - which is an accomplishment! Pretty sure I could have just stayed in my shell and not talked to anyone. The singles ward is planning a summer retreat to Santa Cruz on July 24 - sounds like fun! Making friends will be interesting.... but I gotta be patient! I don't want to be the weird girl.
So far, I am really liking it out here! Just gotta figure out to get my hair the way I want it... the humidity throws it off!

A Shoutout To My Provo Friends!

Saturday I had the privilege of attending a bachelorette party for my friend Sheri. I was good friends with Sheri when I lived in Orem/Provo. I got to some of my best girlfriends from when I lived down there (Sheri, Megan, Natalie and Amy - love you all!) and it was SO much fun to catch up and reminisce. After the party, I had to drive up to Salt Lake to meet some of my other girlfriends for dinner. That's sort of a drive, so I had time to think back on all the friends I have had over the years....

Ken and Chris (not pictured)

I've been friends with this kid for a LONG time. I don't like this picture of him cause he looks like a d-bag. But Ken is actually a really good friend. He's very blunt and lets you know how it is. He is very opinionated and I didn't like him at first for his reason but he slowly grew on me. I can't find a picture on computer of Chris. I know I have a physical picture but I don't know if he wants that shown... ha ha ha. Chris's nickname is Big Daddy Yum Yum. He gets a lot of girls but won't admit it. Just give it up Chris! Seriously!

Bekah

Bekah was really funny and has a lot of sass to her! Bekah wasn't a member of the church but she never tried to get me to drink or do things that I didn't want to do. We've lost touch but I heard that she had a baby - Congratulations!

(L -R) Amy, Megan, Natalie, Me and Sheri

I know that I am going to get some flack for this picture... but hey - it's the only one I could find of ALL of us together! I absolutely adore these girls. They made everything SO fun! Amy - she is such a sweetheart. Amy knows how to have fun! Megan - oh man, the trouble I could get into with this one! I love how she can just be herself and put it all out there. Natalie - Someone called her Pebbles when they saw her in the picture... ha! Natalie was always laughing and having a great time. She was (and still is) so funny! Sheri - If I had to pick one of the classiest girls out of all the friends I've had, it's Sheri. She is so sweet and so nice! She taught me how to make fun of Cam. Ha!

Cam

I think this picture truly depicts the friendship that Cam and I had! Many people said that we were like an old married couple - always arguing! But Cam and I had a great friendship. He was one of the only guy friends I had that I could really trust and talk to. Many people at church thought we were dating because we would always be around each other at church or activities... but quite the opposite!

Ross

Saucy Rossy. How I miss him! This kid is hands down the funniest guy I know. Ross was really easy to talk to and I felt really comfortable around him. He had this thing known as the "Ross Clap". Ross can clap REALLY loud. I found this out during the 2007 NBA finals when the Spurs (Ross's favorite NBA team) won. I hate the Spurs. And I hated that clap. But now when I try to clap really loud for the Jazz, I try to think of the Ross Clap.

Billy (aka Will, William)

When you'd get Billy, Ross and Cam together, you know you'd have a good time! Billy was a really funny guy. I think one of my favorite Billy moments is when some new girls came by his condo to give him cookies (they had gone thru the ward directory and picked out the cutest guys to give cookies to) and I was there. The girls asked Billy if he and I were dating... and before Billy could respond, I said "He wishes!"... I laughed, the girls laughed, Billy did not laugh. Billy always had the best BBQ's and hosted the best Superbowl games.

Ashley, Leah, Emily and me

I met these girls when I moved into Branbury my final year at UVU. Wow - if I only knew what I was in for! Ashley (Whenever I would talk to about her, I would call her Featherbone. Her last name is Featherstone and I had two roommates with the name of Ashley spring semester) - this girls is GORGEOUS! She is such a talented dancer too. Ashley is so sweet! Leah - oh goodness. Leah. She is one of those people that just emanates FUN! When you are around her, you know you're going to have a good time! Leah and I went through a lot in the eight months living together but I will always love this girl! We helped each other see a lot of truths. Emily - HA! This girl is just so funny. Emily is very blunt and you know where you stand with her! She's a great friend and a great listener when you just need to vent.

Jared, Eric and Timmy (not pictured)

The first time I ever hung out with Jared and Eric, I knew I was in for a good time. These guys are hilarious! Eric is really funny and really loud. Eric put me a in a headlock at a Jazz game one time. All because I told him he had a big head. Ha ha ha ha. Jared is a really really good guy. He's honest but know how to put things in the right light. I can't wait to hang out with this kid all the time in California! Timmy (not pictured) rubbed my feet by force one time. If you know me, I hate feet. Timmy also told me when I had the flu, that I should eat candy, it would make me feel better. False. It did not make me feel better. Timmy is a total Rico Suave. Just ask his harem.

To all my Provo friends I've had through out the years.... I have enjoyed all the memories and fun times!! I can't believe it's been two years since I have graduated.... bananas.... but school and Orem/Provo would have been a lot less fun without you all! Love you.

Sheesh

Went to work.
UPS afternoon pickup guy did not come yesterday afternoon and I did not know that.
Temp front desk worker did not take UPS overnight packages to drop box downstairs last night when she left since UPS afternoon pickup guy did not come.
Two of the four packages had to be to certain office TODAY. Nuts.
Took UPS packages to drop box downstairs.
Discovered elevator was broken, so had to use outside stairs to go up three flights to office door.
Called UPS Customer Service to find out why UPS afternoon pickup guy has not come for four business days in a row.
Conversation started calmly enough but raised my voice eventually.
What do you mean you can't tell me who my account representative is? This is customer service, right?
How many times do I have to tell you I don't have the power to make changes to our UPS account, it's all handled at corporate.
Hung up on non-cooperative customer service agent.
Could feel my blood pressure rising.
Bad words forming in my head.
It's only 7:45 a.m.
Oh boy.