A Perfect Storm

I was finally moved, today, to create a blog about my adventures during my short tenure in Los Angeles.  Mind you, I've been sitting on the idea of this blog for weeks now.  I've even communicated to friends and former co-workers that it was already in existence.  You know how it goes, though.  It takes just the right mix of free time, creativity and inspiration to actually bring something like this blog to fruition.  I don't want to short-change anyone who might be interested in keeping up with my travels by starting strong and losing interest, but I figure that outcome is far better than never starting a blog at all.

To begin briefly, I quit my job at an Austin law firm in February 2010, and it was one of the scariest things I have done in my life.  I am very much more of a planner than a "fly by the seat of my pants" adventurer.  Even though I had been planning this move for several months through long discussions with my boyfriend, friends and parents, I still felt a sense of brashness when it came to the follow through.  Although I was no longer fulfilled by my job, giving my official notice of departure was heart-wrenching.

At the beginning of March, I finally started the process of packing.  It was very boring, and I won't go into details, other than to say it involved a massive amount of uncertainty and second-guessing on my part.   Also, it must be said that if it weren't for my dear friends, Becky, Lindsay and Kristen, packing me up and getting out of my apartment would have never happened.

Here, you can see that I started out enthusiastic because I thought that it would take no time to pack everything inside my postage stamp-sized apartment in Austin.

Taken within the first few hours of Operation Move Out.

However, my willing attitude quickly dissolved into frustration, whining and other less than desirable qualities, as the challenge ahead of me materialized.  Amazingly, Becky, Lindsay and Kristen rallied and worked with, around and despite me.  Thankfully, to my knowledge, no photos of my dismal behavior exist.  Girls, please don't prove me wrong!

I had many farewells to make in Austin, and I still feel so loved by the effort that my friends made to say goodbye to me.  I think I had more to drink during my last week in Austin than I've had so far this year!  I started to list special thanks to people who spearheaded farewell happy hours, dinners, lunches, heart-to-hearts, etc., but that list is waaay too long.  I miss everyone so much now, and I can't wait to see you in the fall when we get back to Austin.

Paisley and Kai

Once the majority of my belongings were put into storage, I had to move my dogs, Paisley and Kai, in with my mom.

With Gracie in Galveston

I was very happy to get to see my family for an entire week (no weekend/back-to-work time constraints!) and to have the support of my mom while I was wrapping up the last of my loose ends in Texas. 

We even had time to take a family vacation!  With my mom and my sister, Gracie, I spent a weekend in Galveston.  It got pretty cold, but we enjoyed ourselves.  I was so glad because we also got to celebrate Mardi Gras with some of my extended family that weekend.

Walking to a Mardi Gras parade with my family

I spent time visiting with more family while I was in Beaumont, and I took my car to have it fully repaired/checked out/updated for the long road trip I was about to make.

 Dinner with family (Dad and Aleah pictured)

At the end of that week I had to part ways with my sweet pups, and that was one of the hardest goodbyes I had to make (the only one that made me cry).  Many people that know me well are surprised that I left my dogs in Texas because, while I have a running joke that I will end up as a "crazy, old dog lady," I apparently already embody that persona. ;)  It is hard to be apart from them because they really are like children to me.  However, there a myriad of reasons that they are better off staying put in Texas for six months, rather than making this move with me.  I am very lucky that my mom offered to puppysit for so long, so that I could go on this journey!  Gracie and mom send me frequent updates on things they are doing and how they are adjusting.

All of that takes us to beginning the Beaumont to Los Angeles road trip, which I will save for my next post.

XO