one year

Well it was a whole entire year ago that I was starting my job. It is pretty hard to believe all I've done and experienced and enjoyed and conquered in the last year.

I can't believe that I get to work with a group of people that care about each other, laugh together and serve God together. And now I get to work with my favorite boy everyday too, which is pretty darn cool.

Outside of work, it was about a year ago I was feeling overwhelmed by a brand new group of church friends ... now those friends are the ones that are there to celebrate things like birthdays with each other, pray about life-changes, and pull each other through mini-breakdowns (thanks Brittany!).

I've even been able to keep in touch with my dear friends from across the country--some have even come all the way out to the ocean to visit me.

I never thought I would live in L.A., live by the beach, work for a church, and be blessed with living six blocks from such an amazing guy.

Overall? Year one in L.A. was a major success.

Sorry for the interruption.

There is no need to call us.

We are aware that this TV station is temporarily unavailable and we will have this channel back as quickly as possible.

Thanks channel that airs Seinfeld each night at 10 p.m. I am glad I didn't immediately run to my phone and wait on hold to tell you that my syndicated TV is off the air. You really saved me from an embarrassing situation!

Shh.

Okay. So I live in a super quiet building and I know I'm spoiled ... really spoiled recently as my neighbors moved out (the two 50-something men that have been "roommates" for over 25 years and own a car together ...) and the annoying people across the hall are on their way out (Thank God.).

Maybe that's why I'm going INSANE what with the roofers across the street and the chainsaw next door. Seriously WHAT in that backyard could possibly need TWO DAYS and counting of constant chainsaw-ing?

hhheeellpppp mmeeeee

I can (soon) see (?)

I had my annual eye exam today and I think I am going to finally get Lasik done next year. The doc told me I was probably a good candidate since my eyes are healthy and haven't changed/gotten worse for more than two years. Through my current vision insurance, I get a discount through a Lasik chain called TLC Vision--and wouldn't you know that my randomly chosen eye care professional works with the chain to do pre-op and post-op care. She said no one she has seen has had any problems and with their laser Lasik, you basically have a very very low chance of side effects now.

Why next year? Well I can actually use pre-taxed money through my work's Flexible Benefits program to do it--so a 30% savings right off the bat. Plus the savings through my insurance. And a reputable place. ... Seems like a win-win-win! :)

I am basically blind without my glasses so it would be AMAZING to see when I wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning, see in the ocean without fear of contacts falling out ...

Here's to clearer vision in 2009!

Uhh yeah so about THIS.

I don't so much, how you say, pay insanely high rent to tromp through the freezing rain from train to bus to car and back again for a week-and-counting. ...

I'm going to have to request a discount on my high cost of living if this intends to continue on much longer.

Only in Southern California do people experience a third world culture for "the first time ever" at .... where else? the Hilton. Of course.

SANTA MONICA - World Women Trade Fair Hosts Expo that Celebrates World Culture. For the first-time ever, the folks who live in Santa Monica and surrounding areas, will get a taste of third-world culture at the International Handcrafted Gifts and Home Textile Expo to be held on January 20 and 21 at the Santa Monica Doubletree Hilton. The mission of the World Women Trade Fair is to provide economic opportunities to women living in third-world countries and to assist them to gradually build a broad-based market. In addition, the World Women Trade Fair offers U.S. market-orientation training which is a component of their Global Market Access Initiative offering skills training and information to access global markets. At the Expo, World Women Trade Fair will have 50 vendors from over 20 countries represented. A vendor from Uzbekistan will present suzane silk decorative embroidery that dates back to the Temurid Empire period of the 14th and 15th centuries. Afghanistan, Bolivia, Nepal, Kenya, Mexico, Vietnam and South Africa. Products for sale range from intricately-beaded jewelry and dolls to handcrafted wood models and elaborately-woven baskets. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Santa Monica Double Tree Hilton Santa Monica, 1707 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA. Admission: Free. worldwomentradefair.com or Call: 661-456-2286.

North Dakota Fun Fact of the Day

Sheep raised in North Dakota produce more than 800,000 pounds of wool each year. That is enough wool to knit more than 600,000 sweaters.

So for all of you warm people out there in TV land ... you're welcome.