you have not heard from me in a while because i have been super busy this weekend at trina and patricks wedding. it was so much fun!! i fortunately had met most everyone on thursday night at the bachelor party, then the rehearsal dinner was friday night, the wedding on saturday and the brunch on sunday. i was invited to the wedding, which was an honor anyway, i had met trina and patrick over christmas. i offered my photographic services to them (in lieu of being at a wedding and not really knowing anyone) and they accepted. i was to be the reception candid photographer. friday was fun, we got there around 4 at this beautiful house in simi valley (45 minute drive from LA) and hung out, then practiced the wedding and hung out more. saturday was the big day...the wedding. Trina was absolutely stunning...ill post a pic later, after i go through them. she looks like marilyn monroe or grace kelly, timeless and classic. the wedding was short and sweet and funny, definately not formal, but very casual and laid back. then the reception...lots of fun dancing and then broken up because we were in someones back yard.
now the photography....candid? reception? no...the "real" photographer didnt know to show up at 3 for family pics...so i took charge. do you know how hard it is to get 10 divas and a bride to hold still in one place at the same time? but good...sandy and i took some pictures. we organized them and shot...no time!! we didnt get to start with pics till almost 4...wedding was at 5....i felt so rushed!! but it was good...lots of good pics. the other photographer did show up, and he was really cool...super nice guy!! i was ordained the reception photographer from the get-go so i was there...supposed to be taking the bulk of the most important pics (i didnt realize i would be the only one) and then right before the first dance, my battery ran out!!! OH NO!!! first dance, father/daughter dance, cake cutting, flower toss, garder toss...none would be documented. dont worry, i handled it...got sandy to cover me for about 20 minutes while my battery recharged, and didnt miss anything but the father/daughter dance, but she got it on film.
i have almost 1000 pics from friday, and saturday...i didnt want to screw any up so i took a bunch just to make sure. I AM SO COOL!!!
after the wedding was the after wedding party at the hotel, lets just say i have never been to a party quite like it. dont worry, i didnt drink or do drugs or have random sex with strangers...but i did have fun. who needs drugs? or alcohol?
i met a lot of really cool people...jason (NY) jen (LA) zac!!! (DC) belton family (IN) becky and duke (IN) Kelly (LA) Vanessa (LA, originally from IL) Stacey!!! (IL) there are more, but those are the ones with the blog mention...most everyone i hung out with were people from the midwest. some live in LA, but most left on sunday or monday to go back home. there is a distinct difference from people that live in LA and those that dont, but everyone was very cool and friendly, warm and welcoming. it was definately a great time to come and meet everyone.
so far i am well liked...not that i had too much to worry about...i am likable.
i kind of have a job. i met Kristin, tiffs friend/boss, and 20 minutes from meeting me she looks at me and says "youre hired." apparently tiff talked me up, and kristin agreed...i didnt do anything to try to impress her except be myself...and i guess that was enough. there is really no work right now, but i am working on a commercial on thursday (my first PA job)...not a lot of money, but something at least. tomorrow i am going to see if i can find a serving job, and hopefully find a job for Joe.
there has been so much going on this weekend, i am sure i have not touched on everything, but that is the jist anyway. i am sure there will be more to come.
love you all and miss ya a little...
c.ALIce
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Live to Love
its weird being in a different city that you have never been in before and calling it home. i guess it would be easier to come home and just brush this off as vacation. but what would i have learned in that process. i like the city, there are some really cool spots that remind me of a mix between short vine and mt adams and hyde park...very urban outfitter-ish. that i like. its very carefree and peaceful...despite the fact it is in a city. i am sorta stressed out about the whole job situation...i feel very out of control. the last time i went to apply for a job was like 4 years ago...twice maybe in the last 10 years. and nothing that was super important. i am thinking about getting a job at urban outfitters on melrose...cool place to hang out i think...just a bit stressful....tell me again why i came here? remind me why i decided to turn my life upside down to come out of my comfort zone? was i so unhappy there? i feel lost at times because i know i am talented, yet unexpereinced, i know i am a great friend, yet shy away from people. one day i think i will get it...i dont think i will be famous, but i do want to be successful, just not sure yet in what. yesterday i was confident in being here, today i am getting more stressed and the guy (joe) is driving me crazy by just breathing. way too much time with one person (its not like israel with sisters and sa....hes a boy with a really abnoxious smoking habit and he says an expression i cant spell it..but sounds like a meow from a mafioso..ugh, if he says it ONE more time, i could smack him (i have that aggression boiling up in my stomach that i have a feeling is going to explode soon). i havent come to that point where i am missing people, but ya'll know me...may take me a little bit...only been a little over a week (though it has felt like months). breathe chrissi!! everything so far has worked out in my favor, and i think with all the prayers from the midwest and beyond, that God will take care of me. It was way too perfect of a trip and preparation of a trip to think in any way that i am not supposed to be here, just finding my niche. i should just take this time to re-evaluate. before life gets hectic with 5 jobs and no free time...to sit and breathe in the vacation. life is not about making money and paying bills...life is about living. i have to keep reminding myself that i work to live, not live to work...that people are incredible creatures worth time and consideration and that i dont want to be a selfish person in which my life revolves around how much money i have in my bank account. please continue to remind me of that...ill love you for it.
i need to go grocery shopping, too expensive to eat out all the time....cant handle it.
tried to open a checking account today, they said i couldnt until i got a CA license...there are other banks though, so no sweat.
tell me please what to do with my life...why do some people have it so easy? they just know or fall into something...i am the jack of all trades but the master of none, which should make me more marketable right? but they dont know me...they dont know my talents and abilities, and somehow i have to expose myself to them and convince them i am a good candidate, though sometimes i am not sure myself...Goal in life in LA...learn to have confidence in myself...easier said than done i am afraid.
love you all dearly
c.ALIce
i need to go grocery shopping, too expensive to eat out all the time....cant handle it.
tried to open a checking account today, they said i couldnt until i got a CA license...there are other banks though, so no sweat.
tell me please what to do with my life...why do some people have it so easy? they just know or fall into something...i am the jack of all trades but the master of none, which should make me more marketable right? but they dont know me...they dont know my talents and abilities, and somehow i have to expose myself to them and convince them i am a good candidate, though sometimes i am not sure myself...Goal in life in LA...learn to have confidence in myself...easier said than done i am afraid.
love you all dearly
c.ALIce
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Los Angeles....call me home
Well I arrived in Los Angeles last night. Tiffany hosts kareoke on monday nights so we went there....it was actually pretty fun. i met a couple people, jeff, mike, cameron and justin....yeah i know..all guys, but i am not sure that tiffany has girlfriends. just kidding, i know she does...just happened that way.
Today we went to the mall to find Tiffany a black dress for Trinas wedding this weekend and to find Joe a job, because he has no money. all day in a mall trying to find a black dress...somewhat exhausting but fun. I dont know what people were talking about before i left about LA....they must have not been where i have been. the people are at times more friendly than in Cincinnati. they look at you and smile. the apartment is near Los Feliz, which is not far from Hollywood. We are very close to Burbank and Melrose. Its a pretty good neighborhood, its no Beverly Hills, but its not Compton either. The apartment is much bigger than i imagined. The freeways are not as crowded as i thought either...just like Cincinnati, depends on what time of day you decide to drive them. But so far my experiences have been great. i dont feel like i dont belong here. i actually feel quite at home. i have a list of things that i plan to accomplish while i am here, which is a start to getting to where i want to be. i dont know how long i will stay...at this point it still feels like some sort of surreal dream, but not a vacation, maybe a little one. i have put in some resumes and tiff has been trying to pull some strings for me. i have to be really careful with how much money i spend because i know it can run out fast...tomorrow we must go grocery shopping because i can not afford to eat out all the time....its expensive. so far gas is 2.45 a gallon for the unleaded....crazy..but its more expensive because they purify it so much to make it better for the environment...supposively. food is expensive, but its not like eating at mcdonalds with the dollar menu...we were at the mall and everything there is overpriced. tomorrow tiff and i are giong to melrose to go shopping at some really trendy stores (like shopping on short vine and mt adams....or cool stores like urban outfitters (though cheaper)). i decided i want to be a hippy....then i decided that i did not want to limit myself to one identity, when i am cute enough to pull so much more off. we went to a bunch of stores today that sell those bohemian style skirts, like the ones i got in israel, for WAY more than i spent in israel. gyspy skirts i guess you could call them too. they are fun...
tomorrow we are going to melrose, crunch and washington mutual...shop, workout and get a bank account. well thats the plan. thursday there are no real plans and friday i am the photographer (candid digital) for trina and patricks wedding and also on saturday. i am even in the program!!! i didnt realize that until today...kind of cool. i think i will try to get some business cards printed out...ya know...networking!!! its all about who you know here...it really is!!
ill come right back....gotta take the dogs for walk...
c.ALIce
Today we went to the mall to find Tiffany a black dress for Trinas wedding this weekend and to find Joe a job, because he has no money. all day in a mall trying to find a black dress...somewhat exhausting but fun. I dont know what people were talking about before i left about LA....they must have not been where i have been. the people are at times more friendly than in Cincinnati. they look at you and smile. the apartment is near Los Feliz, which is not far from Hollywood. We are very close to Burbank and Melrose. Its a pretty good neighborhood, its no Beverly Hills, but its not Compton either. The apartment is much bigger than i imagined. The freeways are not as crowded as i thought either...just like Cincinnati, depends on what time of day you decide to drive them. But so far my experiences have been great. i dont feel like i dont belong here. i actually feel quite at home. i have a list of things that i plan to accomplish while i am here, which is a start to getting to where i want to be. i dont know how long i will stay...at this point it still feels like some sort of surreal dream, but not a vacation, maybe a little one. i have put in some resumes and tiff has been trying to pull some strings for me. i have to be really careful with how much money i spend because i know it can run out fast...tomorrow we must go grocery shopping because i can not afford to eat out all the time....its expensive. so far gas is 2.45 a gallon for the unleaded....crazy..but its more expensive because they purify it so much to make it better for the environment...supposively. food is expensive, but its not like eating at mcdonalds with the dollar menu...we were at the mall and everything there is overpriced. tomorrow tiff and i are giong to melrose to go shopping at some really trendy stores (like shopping on short vine and mt adams....or cool stores like urban outfitters (though cheaper)). i decided i want to be a hippy....then i decided that i did not want to limit myself to one identity, when i am cute enough to pull so much more off. we went to a bunch of stores today that sell those bohemian style skirts, like the ones i got in israel, for WAY more than i spent in israel. gyspy skirts i guess you could call them too. they are fun...
tomorrow we are going to melrose, crunch and washington mutual...shop, workout and get a bank account. well thats the plan. thursday there are no real plans and friday i am the photographer (candid digital) for trina and patricks wedding and also on saturday. i am even in the program!!! i didnt realize that until today...kind of cool. i think i will try to get some business cards printed out...ya know...networking!!! its all about who you know here...it really is!!
ill come right back....gotta take the dogs for walk...
c.ALIce
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Tempe, Arizona and beyond
we stayed in houston until friday morning.early afternoon. i stayed with christian on thursday night. i know christian from russia (when i went on a mission trip in 2000). that was great, i hung out with her and her husband and mike and lang (i knew them from other visits). we sat around and told stories and laughed alot...which is inevitable with christian and me. i picked up joe from his friends house on friday morning and we started our trek to phoenix arizona. about 3 am, my handy travel partner couldnt drive anymore..poor tired lil guy...and we stopped in new mexico to figure out if i was going to drive MORE, or if we were going to sleep in the car or get a hotel. i have this tradition to buy a lottery ticket in every state i travel through and new mexico was not an exception...we WON 15 dollars, which pretty much made the decision to stay in hotel (cause we couldnt cash it in till at least after 7am..and it was only 3am!) we got into tempe arizona on saturday afternoon around 1:30pm. brandon is in tempe...i used to work with him at encore cafe. tempe is a really cool city. it is a college town and very hippy-ish, which i love. people were really cool and laid back. ARIZONA IS HOT. it was like 112* thats crazy hot!!! we went to some bars (some cool, some not)....dont worry, i didnt tie one on..i am not a big drinker.
the best part about the trip up to this point was that people were so great. everyone i met and stayed with was super hospitable. i felt like i knew them for long time, even though i had only just met most of them (i mean other than my friends).
write more later
c.ALIce
the best part about the trip up to this point was that people were so great. everyone i met and stayed with was super hospitable. i felt like i knew them for long time, even though i had only just met most of them (i mean other than my friends).
write more later
c.ALIce
Thursday, May 19, 2005
GRACELAND
unfortunately it was dark...but graceland nonetheless. with heartbreak hotel...lonely street, all located on elvis presley boulevard....people signed the wall the surrounded his house...lotsa love for the KING!!
roadtrp033
this is the kemah boardwalk where we had lunch at joes crab shack....its kinda cool...like a mini permanant festival, beautiful day!
houston
today i spent the whole day in houston. i am trying to keep this updated as possible for those that want to be updated. i went to the pool and i went to the kemah boardwalk to see lots of sail boats. tomorrow i am excited because i get to spend time with christian, my friend from russia. i finally got a hold of her so that is great because my travel buddy is planning on going to some bars and i would much rather hang out with her than to be on drunk duty.
we are leaving here on friday afternoon and driving to phoenix. i am not sure that we will drive straight through like we did from morehead to houston...cause 18 hours straight is BRUTAL!! i think we might have to break down and get a hotel room...hopefully with 2 beds.
i feel like i am in some sorta weird dream. i am travelling with a guy i barely know and staying with people i dont know that well, but i am in control of the trip and make the final decisions in regards to the plans...and going to cool places but seems like a big daze. i think maybe once i get to los Angeles i will wake up and it wont seem like a really twisted vacation.
started the "finding gods will for your life" book and i dont really remember what i read but i remember a cool aspect of it that i will go into later, once i actually think it through for myself.
love you all....time for bed...actually i am going to get my camera and try to get some pictures on here for you to see.
love you!!!
c.ALIce
we are leaving here on friday afternoon and driving to phoenix. i am not sure that we will drive straight through like we did from morehead to houston...cause 18 hours straight is BRUTAL!! i think we might have to break down and get a hotel room...hopefully with 2 beds.
i feel like i am in some sorta weird dream. i am travelling with a guy i barely know and staying with people i dont know that well, but i am in control of the trip and make the final decisions in regards to the plans...and going to cool places but seems like a big daze. i think maybe once i get to los Angeles i will wake up and it wont seem like a really twisted vacation.
started the "finding gods will for your life" book and i dont really remember what i read but i remember a cool aspect of it that i will go into later, once i actually think it through for myself.
love you all....time for bed...actually i am going to get my camera and try to get some pictures on here for you to see.
love you!!!
c.ALIce
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
half way there
it has been an interesting trip, but fun nonetheless. we started out by making our way down to lexington, yes i know...such a far drive. i got to spend some time with stephanie which is always a pleasure. she is beautiful and great and i am extremely blessed to have her in my life. my travel partner is a chimney smoker...its bad when the smoker in the car is getting a headache from the other smoker. i have been driving most of the time because frankly he makes me nervous, just playing, though at first i was because he had never driven an SUV. On Tuesday morning we went to visit my parents. I figured it was the right thing to do since i was only an hour away anyway. I think they really appreciated it. Then we were off again. we drove all night to get to Houston this morning at 8am (9am Ohio time...yeah forgot about those time zones)...but so far the best part of the trip was going to GRACELAND...the palace of the king of rock and roll!! unfortunately we got there at like 11PM so it was closed, but we got some pics, though not good ones. it was the thrill. maybe could've been planned better to get there earlier, but it was sorta a last minute idea for the sake of a billboard...elvis lives!
joe sleeps alot. maybe i am just not a sleeper...he slept in the car for like 4 hours, now he is still sleeping. i am hungry, i wish he would wake up, but he needs his sleep i guess, growing boy and all. he is pretty funny. we dont talk much which is actually nice because i am sick of talking. i have been thinking alot...which can be good and bad. the trip seems more like a weird vacation than a permanent move. it will be nice to go there, spend some time, live a little in LA culture, but right now, i dont think i will stay long...long as in years, but definately 8 months to a year. but you never know, i might love it there and stay a really long time. but right now, just feels like a twisted vacation.
so now we are in houston, gonna piddle around town for a bit today then i think tonight i might get my first lesson in poker with the boys. tomorrow we are staying here too. i still havent been able to get in touch with christian so i am currently staying with joe's friend roger. hopefully i can stay with her tomorrow (cause i have a feeling joe will be way hungover on friday). Then we are off to Phoenix. Not so sure about the Grand Canyon, but we will see.
Plans changed a lot since the trip was last finalized...no dana, no little rock, added graceland...but it is better that way, no deadlines or obligations.
we will most likely get into LA on Wednesday or Thursday, and bright and early monday morning i am either going job hunting or going to the beach!!!
well its like 90 degrees in houston, so i might go to the pool while i wait for joe to wake up.
love everyone
c.ALIce
joe sleeps alot. maybe i am just not a sleeper...he slept in the car for like 4 hours, now he is still sleeping. i am hungry, i wish he would wake up, but he needs his sleep i guess, growing boy and all. he is pretty funny. we dont talk much which is actually nice because i am sick of talking. i have been thinking alot...which can be good and bad. the trip seems more like a weird vacation than a permanent move. it will be nice to go there, spend some time, live a little in LA culture, but right now, i dont think i will stay long...long as in years, but definately 8 months to a year. but you never know, i might love it there and stay a really long time. but right now, just feels like a twisted vacation.
so now we are in houston, gonna piddle around town for a bit today then i think tonight i might get my first lesson in poker with the boys. tomorrow we are staying here too. i still havent been able to get in touch with christian so i am currently staying with joe's friend roger. hopefully i can stay with her tomorrow (cause i have a feeling joe will be way hungover on friday). Then we are off to Phoenix. Not so sure about the Grand Canyon, but we will see.
Plans changed a lot since the trip was last finalized...no dana, no little rock, added graceland...but it is better that way, no deadlines or obligations.
we will most likely get into LA on Wednesday or Thursday, and bright and early monday morning i am either going job hunting or going to the beach!!!
well its like 90 degrees in houston, so i might go to the pool while i wait for joe to wake up.
love everyone
c.ALIce
Monday, May 09, 2005
this time next week
i know that i have fretted frequently about my trip. well here goes again. i am broke!! seems like just when i get ahead then some weird bill comes up and drags me back down. i am needless to say a little stressed out. if only money didnt rule the world! i am tired of fretting about it and just go and get it over with. i will be on the road this time next week. it should be interesting to say the least. i know that it will all come together in the end, and if i am supposed to go then everything will work out, but i also dont think that it is going to keep me from going by any means. i dunno...there is just so much to do before i go and i am so tired of working and painting and cleaning and packing. but it has to be done i guess.
i am excited though. scared still, but that will probably not change until i get into some type of routine there. tiffany has been very encouraging through it all and giving me lots of pep talks and affirming me that everything will be ok. i guess i just like to be stressed out.
c.ALIce
i am excited though. scared still, but that will probably not change until i get into some type of routine there. tiffany has been very encouraging through it all and giving me lots of pep talks and affirming me that everything will be ok. i guess i just like to be stressed out.
c.ALIce
Sunday, May 01, 2005
2 weeks
i feel like i am in the middle of a divorce, though honestly i have no idea what that really feels like. i am torn into so many directions and i feel so clueless. there is this history in our family where whenever someone decides that they want to go away, dad gets sick. cheryl goes to college, dad has to have 5-bypass heart surgery. carol goes to seminary, dad has a massive heart attack. now, i am planning on leaving for california and he goes into the hospital tomorrow for angiogram, which determines whether or not he gets slints, another bypass, a pacemaker or if he will just wait it out. figures huh? certain things are going well, and now they are getting weird because he is pulling away because he realizes that i am leaving, or so i figure. my sisters are becoming very dependant...or rather, they want me to spend all my free time with them. i have been able to hang out with friends lately and i realize how much i will miss their smiles and impact/influence they have in my life. grass isnt always greener on the other side, this i know, but the experience of jumping the fence is what makes home feel like home..ya know?
i have had a very lonely day for some reason. maybe its because i am tired and pmsing...just kind of moaped about the house with no real agenda and got absolutely nothing accomplished. i dont want to settle, but i am so comfortable here. i am glad that people finally started to become supportive of the decision, though i know it will be hard and hearts will break, and feel the hurt/emptiness.
i see relationships in my life that arent worth the effort. i see the people that dont care or respect me as i deserve. and i also see those people that love me unconditionally and just want the best for me. the ones that i rely on for strength (even though they would never know about it). the ones that say they will miss me, some will, some wont, frankly because i wont be gone from them because i am always there in spirit.
kind of feels like i am about to die or something. its not like i am never coming home. ill be back, though i am not sure when. i will miss blue ice cream. gap outlet. metropolis. margaritas. hugs. kisses. talks. star gazing and long walks. you really realize what you will miss, when you will no longer have it. its like now i have taken so much for granted. there is so much more that i wish i could've done. more time to spend. more focus on people instead of things. to love more deeply and not to hide so much. to respect more people and gain more respect. life is not over, i still have more lessons to learn, and this will only make me grow as a person. just growing pains all around i guess.
love you all!!
c.ALIce
i have had a very lonely day for some reason. maybe its because i am tired and pmsing...just kind of moaped about the house with no real agenda and got absolutely nothing accomplished. i dont want to settle, but i am so comfortable here. i am glad that people finally started to become supportive of the decision, though i know it will be hard and hearts will break, and feel the hurt/emptiness.
i see relationships in my life that arent worth the effort. i see the people that dont care or respect me as i deserve. and i also see those people that love me unconditionally and just want the best for me. the ones that i rely on for strength (even though they would never know about it). the ones that say they will miss me, some will, some wont, frankly because i wont be gone from them because i am always there in spirit.
kind of feels like i am about to die or something. its not like i am never coming home. ill be back, though i am not sure when. i will miss blue ice cream. gap outlet. metropolis. margaritas. hugs. kisses. talks. star gazing and long walks. you really realize what you will miss, when you will no longer have it. its like now i have taken so much for granted. there is so much more that i wish i could've done. more time to spend. more focus on people instead of things. to love more deeply and not to hide so much. to respect more people and gain more respect. life is not over, i still have more lessons to learn, and this will only make me grow as a person. just growing pains all around i guess.
love you all!!
c.ALIce
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