Showing posts with label california. Show all posts
Showing posts with label california. Show all posts

getting schooled and missing CA

Tonight, I have the pleasure *sarcasm font* of taking a 6 hour online driver safety course to offset a speeding ticket I got back in February. It took me until after 5pm to start it, even though I paid for the course way earlier. I was doing everything to avoid it, really.

Do you ever do that, put something off because you know it won't be very enjoyable? *hand in the air*
I do it all the time.

Last week was a total whirlwind of travel, weddings, hair appointments, and fitting in time to see friends and family in the spare time I barely left for myself. It was really fantastic though. At least being home, around my wonderful network of friends and family, and being familiar with my surroundings.

While in California, I discovered I am super home sick. Like I teared up multiple times just thinking about all I had left behind in my move to Texas, even though I was currently enjoying it. It was hard for me to keep a positive attitude about the move when I was so immersed in the California I miss so much.  Especially when California is peacocking her gorgeous spring colors and sunny, mild weather. Guess who took the state flower, orange poppies, for granted most of her life, but misses them terribly now? Oh yeah, me.

I psycho-analyzed myself on these sad feelings. What? It's totally a thing. I figured that I am more homesick for CA now, because everything there is easy. It's easy to see friends, my family, and it's easy to get around without GPS squawking at me because I know where everything is. It's easy to find beautiful run and bike trails that I'm familiar with. Most of all, I feel confident in California.

In Texas, things aren't so easy. I know all of 3 friends who live within an hour of me. An hour!! I have practically no clientele built here in Austin. I mean, I haven't had a single return client, so currently there is no clientele to speak of.  Work is hard for me. I have posted a Groupon, advertised on Craigslist, and offer hair services to every person I meet, but haven't seen much return for my efforts. I have to babysit regularly in order to be able to pay my salon rent. That sucks, let me tell you. Though I know how to get around my neighborhood and generally how to get around Austin, I absolutely use my GPS all the time because everything is so new to me here. I have been running and biking on the same few routes because I don't know where else to go. I feel insecure in Texas.

Of course, Texas will feel like home and I'll become more confident while things become easier the longer we are here. I am a rational person, I understand this fact. However, I am also an instant gratification person. I want everything now. Maybe things would be different if I had come out here with a job in place that provided a workplace full of people to be my new social network and possible friends, but instead I work with a few girls at a small salon and we are all clamoring for every client that walks in.

So now,. rather than whine and complain, I'm trying to do something about my woes. To battle my move blues, that stem mostly from lack of close friends, I am joining more Meet Up groups, with the intention of actually attending the events so I can meet more people. I mean, I've been on Meet Up for a long time, but only attended a few events, hah. I also plan on joining a gym in the area so I can take group classes. Billy says I shouldn't look at the gym as a place to get fit, but as a place to network, make friends, and find clients. Sure, honey.

Have you ever made a big move, away from all of your family and friends? How did you cope, make friends, and find things to love about your new home? Share your insights, opinions, and ideas with me in a comment, or email me! hairbyadrian@gmail.com

A sweet farewell

My dear friend Danielle, who is a wonderful host and party planner, threw me a going away party last week. She invited a bunch of my friends, and encouraged everyone to bring a dessert to share, in the name of sending me off with a sweet farewell. Now, that's a girl who just gets me. 

I was determined to try all of the goodies my friends brought, and ended up on the biggest sugar rush, which meant I was speaking faster than my normally fast pace, and couldn't sit still for hours. It was fabulous. 

I had the nicest time seeing so many of my friends all together in one space, where I could share stories, laugh, and soak up their love before I leave for Texas. I know not everyone could be there, but it made it nice to say goodbye to so many all at one time.
 Danielle has two fluffy Maltese named Rabbit and Ludo, the non-looking guy on the right, struggling in Olivia's arms. Left from Olivia is Jeanette, myself, and Kate
 I've known these two lovelies since sophomore year of high school! Micaela on the left and I had 2 classes that year, and then were in color guard together. Michelle in the middle was my punk rock princess and fellow local-concert goer. Both are amazing friends to this day.
 Sarah, her daughter Cameryn, and husband Brandon. Sarah is my glue. She's been my bestie since 7th grade, that's a whopping 15 years! We've stayed close even when she was living in New Mexico, and I know she will always be a phone call away when I need to chat. She's also the girl I admire most when it comes to her kitchen and home-making prowess. This girl could give Martha Stewart a run for her money, but is so modest about it all.
 My sweet Nicole and her boyfriend Matt. Why yes, I did set them up on a blind date and they have been dating for almost 2 years now!! Nicole and I grew close through our mutual desire to be runners, and I am so glad we did. She's just as bubbly and chatty as I am, and I know I can always turn to her for a willing ear to listen to me, good or bad. Nicole is a lovely person through and through. I'm going to miss her sweet face!
 Selfie of myself, Jeanette, Ludo and Danielle. Jeanette just returned from two months of travelling, making her way through Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. I admire her gutsy adventurous spirit and willingness to drop everything to go experience life!
Sara, one of the funniest chicks I know. Also, she's hot, smart and has a huge heart. I always look forward to the times I get to see Sara, whether it's at a party or in the salon for her cuts.
 My San Francisco girls, Molly and Sara
 I met Molly through Danielle {D is my source for so many good friends, I swear!} and am so happy I did! Molly has an incredible eye for fashion, and is a go-to for style advice. She's also a badass runner chick!
 LOVE these girls. So much. Nicole, myself and Tiffany
 Tiffany moved to California from Virginia about 5 years ago, and we met at a salon soon after. She became my best friend quickly, and I have loved having her in my life these last few years. We have traveled around the country together for fitness shows, and if you can travel with my neurotic self, you are a very special person indeed. Tiffany absolutely is. She's kind, fiery, determined, and has so much strength of character she could choke out the Hulk in a battle of wills. I love this girl.
 Tiffany, her hubby Tom, myself and an awesome photobomb by Matt. Tom is a great photographer, a very neat guy, and can also stand me when we travel together. Love him!
 Blurry selfie of Danielle and I, but I love it! Great story about Danielle: she was a bride of mine two years ago! She came in for her trial, and we had an instant connection. I e-mailed her after the appointment, thanking her, and also saying I thought we should be friends because she is so cool and I had fun with her. She didn't think I was creepy at all, and soon we were on a double date, then a game night, then hanging out at her wedding. Yes, she even invited me! I  count her as one of my closest friends now. She's my incredible writing Jedi Master mentor, and the person most likely to be down for whatever new thing I want to try. And a rock star tour guide.
 Michelle and her hubby Tim live up in Napa, a few hours away, and still made the trip down for the party, and then again two days later for her final haircut. {click her name link for her blog, it's wonderful!}
I have a great story about Micaela from math class our sophomore year, but I think she really hates when I tell it. If you meet me in person, I'd happily recount the tale, but I'll save her the worry ;)
Kate, myself, Olivia and Danielle. Just more awesome ladies Danielle has introduced me to in the few years I have known her. I will be heading to Philadelphia in April for Olivia's wedding, and I can't wait to get my hands on her hair and even dabble on some makeup ;)

I missed a few friends who left before I busted out the camera, and I definitely felt the absence of other close friends who weren't there, but this was a wonderful evening for me!
Thank you Danielle, for being such a great friend, and for throwing this delightful going away party!

Big Sur Beautiful

It's currently late Thursday evening, and I am scratching my head wondering where the heck the week went. Um, wasn't it just Friday of last week?! 

To say my last week as a California resident has been a busy one is downplaying it. Had I just done my regular routine with all the extras of leaving, it would have been busy, but I added in 3 evenings of babysitting on top of the rest. Because I do that sort of thing. And who turns down easy, paid work? Not this girl.

This kind of busy is the best though, full of day trips and quality time spent in the company of my wonderful friends, all of whom I will miss very much when I no longer live here.

Tuesday, Danielle and I made a trip down the coast to visit the famed stretch of hwy 1 called Big Sur. We ate lunch at the most calming, serene restaurant called Nepenthe, enjoying our food on the back deck, which looked out over the ocean. The day started out with a hazy layer of clouds blurring the horizon, but as we sat and ate, we watched the clouds dissipate and the most radiant day break through. Toward the end of the meal, a turkey vulture began a lazy swoop overhead, showing off his impressive wing span and enjoying the warm breeze keeping him aloft. I totally stole Danielle's DSLR photos from Facebook, but will add my own phone pics to supplement. I brought my camera, but had a dead battery whomp whomp.
After lunch, we drove further south to Julia Pfeiffer Burns state park. There we hiked through giant Redwoods, explored the coastal cliffs, and saw stunning panoramic ocean views that included waterfalls and some of the prettiest deep green water I've ever seen this far north. Danielle's family has a cabin in Big Sur, which makes her the best tour guide I ever roped into driving me around. She's also really fun to hang out with, and incredibly easy to talk to. It made our long day very relaxing and just plain wonderful.
On the way back, we stopped at this funky little art gallery, where we checked out some...very naughty, yet artistic sculptures, that are exactly what your dirty mind thinks they are. I took photos and laughed inappropriately, as is my nature. After that, we headed into Carmel, and walked through the downtown area for a few minutes to stretch our legs before heading back to San Jose. 
Yup, we totally found a Tweedle Dee and Dumb cutout to stick our faces in. That's hands down the most attractive photo I've ever taken.

Seeing this little wonder that is only a few hours from where I have lived my whole life is already making me nostalgic, and I haven't even officially left yet. I will absolutely miss the stunning beauty of California. I know Texas is beautiful also, it's just in a different way. At least I have photos, memories, and many chances to return for visits!

Holy ish, it's really happening

Yes, my friends, it has finally happened. Mr. B, my hubby, has been applying for optical management positions throughout Texas since last December {a few posts: here, here, and here}. 

At first, we got our hopes all tangled up in each application, only to be very disappointed, yet relieved, when he didn't get the position. Recently, a brand new store in Cedar Park, about 20 minutes from downtown Austin, started taking applications. Of course, Billy applied. I didn't think too much about it, and didn't even do my typical house hunting spree online, even though this is the ideal location for us. He had a phone interview last Monday, and thought it went well, but again, we didn't get our hopes up. 

On Friday, I went for a run in Santa Cruz, and came back to a text from Billy letting me know he is the new optical manager for the Cedar Park store. I am not gonna lie, I totally shot back a text that said in all caps "are you f*#$@*^ kidding me?!" I had to go by his store and stare at him in disbelief, wondering if he was going to get a call back saying "Oops, just kidding! We hired someone else." We are shell shocked. It's hard to find that excitement I had about moving to Texas last Spring now that it's actually happening. 

So my vacation to Dallas and Austin this week "just to check out the area" has now turned into a house hunting trip. The warehouse opens in mid-November, but Billy will have to move out there earlier, though the date is TBD just yet. I have weddings and salon clients booked through November, so I don't plan on heading out there until late November. 

So wish us luck as we house hunt {both for rentals and to check out the buying market} this week, and then as I freak out and pack my entire over-stuffed apartment up, sell furniture, freak out some more, get in all the California stuff that I have yet to do in my 28 years, and soak up all the things I love about my home state. 

I love you California

On the heels of the post I wrote last night, I thought it was fitting that I happened to see this commercial today! Thanks Hulu for having all sorts of ads to interrupt my viewing of the Client List, which is set in Sugar Land ;)
and then this one:

Faire Virgin

Oh loves, I got to experience something incredibly fun this past weekend {in addition to my first ever duathlon}! I visited the Renaissance Faire for the first time! 
The Northern California faire is about an hour south of San Jose, so I tagged along with some friends who were faire enthusiasts. I even came prepared in a borrowed costume so I wouldn't look so out of place. 
My friends Anne and Danielle dressed up also!
We strolled through the faire, checking out the vendors, and watching some fun shows. I was very temped to buy a metal work crown thing, but even I can't shell out $80 for a costume piece! 
Oh, and there were giant turkey legs and lots of mead and ale!! I hate to admit that I ended up eating a grilled chicken pita and a root beer float, not very authentic but tasty. 

I tried to get a picture with Queen Elizabeth, but she shunned me. Maybe she knew it was my first time to the faire, and I had to earn my photo with her? That's alright, next year! I did get a photo of the grim reaper from the Danse Macabre group, death was scary!
Danielle got her hair braided while the rest of the group watched the manly men in tights show. I was super interested to see how the faire braiders did their work, so I tagged along. I have to look up the 5 strand Dutch braid now. I just love being inspired!
Some costumed faire participants heading to the joust {totally missed that part, I was so worn out by that point}
Look, I found one of those face in holes things! 

All in all, I loved the faire and I am so happy I finally got to experience it first hand. I would love to go back again in the future, and I think I might have to get my own costume, something with short sleeves so I am not roasting like I was this time around in my heavy leather bodice and tons of fabric. 

Have you ever been to the Renaissance faire? What did you think?
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