Foggy Mornings

Two to three times a week, I work early mornings (6am) at Red Bull. Where I live I have to drive down a hill and down a road that is surround by marsh in order to get anywhere... And this is what it looks like at 5:45 in the morning. It is absolutely beautiful - the fog is incredible. The mornings that I don't get up at 5, I wonder what that morning's sunrise looked like... It is pretty cool to be able to see how each day starts.

Today, I'm a little homesick again. I've already put in 30 hours of work in two and a half days and have a long night ahead of me. I'm incredibly exhausted. I've had a lot going on at iDA and have stayed there until atleast 7:30 at night... and last night I brought work home with me. My paychecks have definitely been worth it, it feels SO good to be paid :)

Working a lot has also made me lazy about calling people back. I haven't talked to a couple of my friends in a couple weeks - which will be the longest I have gone since being here... I miss them A LOT and look forward to them someday visiting... I found cheap tickets to Omaha for October - I might be purchasing one soon.

I'm homesick not only because I'm working so much, but because in two days, its the 4th of July and I will not be in Minnesota at the Lakes. I miss Minnesota summers, and going to the Lake all the time and seeing family - I'm REALLY sad that I'm not seeing family this weekend. Ahhh, July 31st can't come fast enough!

But, I am still excited for my 4th of July here in California - I'm headed down to San Diego to see Lindsay! yay! It is about time... I just realized that I haven't seen her since May 5th, 2007 - which is when we graduated from college! (Umm, still in disbelief that I graduated college over a year ago!)

Me and Abbi's other roomate Becca moves in today! She has been in Florida for the past month and is finally getting here! We are really excited to have her back... Once she gets all settled, we are throwing an apartment warming theme party - I'm really exciting... I'm rooting for a "Super Hero" theme.

I've really been enjoying my roomates (even though I hardly seen them!). I like coming home and having someone home and turning on Felicity and being goofy with them. Like last night - I came home loopy from working a really long day - and watched Felicity with Krystal & Molly. (Abbi, we missed you.) And this past weekend, we made dinner together a couple times - I'm loving the 5 people in one apartment. I would be sooo lonely without them! Some mornings when I work from home, me and Krystal hang out. Its fun. I love you roomies. :)

Last weekend, Me, Krystal and Abbi went to a TOMS get together... It was so... Different. (Allie, Kim, Trice & Carly - you were missed) Most of the new interns were there, they are all soo young, but seemed just as excited about TOMS as we were. Which is Great. Me, Abbi and Garett also ran into some of the them at the beach on Sunday. I would think I would run into them a lot more considering the intern house is right up the street from our apartment!

This is me at work (@IDA) ------------------------------------->

I'm taking a break to write this blog... I've been wanting to blog so bad over the past few days and really haven't had a good chance to do so.

This is the dog that visits us everyday at iDA. Her name is Silvie and she is a pitbull mix, she is such a good, friendly dog. I can't wait until Mallory moves in with us because she is bringing her dog with her! (Of course, I'm excited for her as well :)) But, to be honest. No dog beats Jewels. I really miss her. I'm kidnapping her the whole week I am home and bringing her to the Lake with me so we can spend some quality time together :)

The next picture is of the street that I park on everyday at IDA. I really love this area (Larchmont Villiage.) Its a real neighborhood feel, with fun shops, restaurants, pizza parlors, ice cream shops... I love going for walks when I get the chance. (We have to move our cars every two hours around here... Which is a pain, but also nice because it forces me to get out of the office and walk around... which I don't mind.)

I went to Bel Air Presb again on Sunday with Garett. I enjoyed it more than the first time. I sat next to an older woman who was sniffling the entire service. She later told me that the man that usually sits next to her had passed away the day prior - she told me this right before the sermon... Garett looked at me and I had tears in my eyes, I really just wanted to give her a hug and comfort her. Sitting next to her made me realize how important it is to go to a church with members that are her age - If Garett wouldn't have been there, I would have wanted to have lunch with her. But she of course was so welcoming, along with all the other 'older' members that sat around us. When we go to the 9 o'clock service, we are apart of the few young adults in the crowd, which I actually like. But, I think next Sunday, G and I are going to go to another church - I'm really wanting to find a Home church... Lindsay has found one in San Diego that I wish I could go to!

I know there is a lot that I wanted to write about, that I have forgotten. So, I hope to blog again this weekend.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

.......


I remembered something...

So, I got a text from Garett last Friday saying "I just met Brett Dennen, what a nice guy..."

Well! Turns out, Brett Dennen stopped by TOMS (and, they didn't call me immediately to come... ugh!) I guess he is now a big supporter of TOMS (please see my post in March where I talk about meeting Brett and giving him TOMS....). AND, Brett even BLOGGED about TOMS and has a picture up of the pair of shoes I gave him. See his post here... Brett & TOMS. I gave him the pair on the left - pretty cool huh!!

Oh, What a Difference a Bed Makes!

We finally have a bed. I finally have a mattress. And, Oh, what a difference. No back pain. Good deep sleep. Better work days. :) Even though, I have hit my head on the bunk bed (I keep forgetting that I am on the bottom) I have had two great nights of sleep and great days in result. This morning, I got up, showered, ate breakfast, read a couple chapters of my book and was out of the door by 8. I had a great drive into work this morning - I put in an old Jonny Lang CD... It was a great start to my morning.
If you have known me for any period of time, you would know that I Love to sleep. I could sleep until noon if you let me. But recently, I Love to wake up early. For an example: This weekend, I was up by 8. During the week, the lastest I get up is 6:45... and that is sleeping in for me. A year ago, it was miserable to get up at 8.
That is all. Thought I'd share :)

It's Hot.

Happy Sunday to everyone!

I actually took this with the camera on my phone... I'm working right now... Brynn is behind me :)

It's a hot one here today in SoCal (Southern California). It was hot yesterday as well and I got to spend it at Zuma Beach with Garett. It has been in the high 80s and the more inland you go, the hotter it gets - up to 100 is some places!

Zuma is my second favorite beach here in California. It usually isn't as packed as Santa Monica or Venice, plus it is away from LA - which it is always good to get away from LA every once in awhile.

I actually went in the water yesterday! It's my first time actually swimming in the Pacific since living here.

It was fun, but I really - do not like - at all - the salt water. The fresh water of Minnesota lakes is much more pleasant getting up the nose and swallowing than the salty Pacific :). Oh! But, I did get to see many groups of dolphins yesterday! They were swimming so close to the surfers, it was awesome!

This hot weather has made me resort to wearing dresses and shorts a lot. I'm definitely adjusting to the appropriate apparrel of SoCal - I can actually wear shorts and dresses to both jobs. I LOVE the culture of both of my jobs - very relaxed. I don't know what I would do if I had to dress up for work... bleck!

Do you like my new TOMS? ---->

They are the new web exclusives... I also have these in blue! (thank you garett)

Yesterday night, Garett and I also went to Saint Rocke to see our friend Ryan play. It was a lot of fun! We saw three different acts that were all very good - Chris Peirce and Kevin Misojon were after Ryan. It felt so good to relax and hear live music again. I must do that more. I'm planning on going down to San Diego in August to see Phil Wickham with Lindsey - I'm really excited to see him play!

I stopped by TOMS this past week, I brought over a couple cases of Red Bull. It was was definitely different - so many more new people; it really didn't feel like the same place. It's a very exciting time for TOMS because of the amount of growth. I just still wish I was there. It was fun to see some people that I haven't talked to or seen since being back. I really miss everyone... especially my usual 4 that I continue to miss... you know who you are.

This past week was very trying for me. I was definitely homesick for most of it. I worked a lot (probably too much), spent a lot of time driving, was sick of doing a lot of data entry, missed my family and missed my friends. I had a couple moments of doubting the reasons why I'm here. But, when I have amazing weekends like I've had this past weekend, I'm easily reminded: Location, Location, Location!

There are so many opportunities out here - I must remember that. I have doubted my jobs too. I've doubted the real purpose of working where I'm working, but it's all a trial phase, which I need to also remember. I will be making enough money to support myself out here - which is such a good feeling. It is a good feeling because it means that if I really don't like what I am doing - I have some room to continue to look elsewhere.

I've recently started reading The Purpose Driven Life, which I have started many times but never committed myself to finishing... But, I think I'm actually going to finish it this time :). Last week, one of the chapters was "What your life's purpose." What a great question huh. It has really got me thinking about my life choices and whether or not I'm incorporating 'the passions of my heart' in what I am doing.

Those are hard questions because it also makes you really think about what your passions are, what you are good at, and how you can smash the two together to fulfill your purpose. Ah! All of this thinking about my 'purpose' has really made me bitter about my jobs - because, I'm not sure I am doing what really satisfies my passions. I know I must give it time.

These past 6 months, I have spent a lot of time thinking about my life, my purpose, my passions, my jobs, my faith, my... everything. It can be very exhausting!! But, I'm glad that I'm actually thinking about these things, since for most of my life I just lived... not really concerned with these things. I know that I must continue to pursue God and he will help lead me to these answers. I'll let you know if I ever figure any of this out ;)

I went to a new church this morning with Garett. It was a Presbyterian church, and more traditional than Mosaic, it reminded me a lot of Roseville Lutheran. I definitely enjoyed the more traditional service, the hymns, saying the Lord's prayer, the nacine creed... because we don't do that at Mosaic. As much as I enjoyed it, there was still something missing for me. I need to find the right church to get involved with, I'm not sure if Bel Air Pres or Mosaic are those places. I would prefer a smaller church, with a younger crowd, with more tradition than Mosaic, yet with the same style of worship... wow, I'm thinking that may be too many demands.

Anyhoooo. Have I talked about how I am coming home for 12 days?? (I think I have...) I'm REALLY excited. I can't wait.

Thats all for now. I'm excited for a new week. God Bless.

Movie in a Cemetary... ?

Happy Father's Day!

Today is one of those days when I realize what I am missing out on by living here. I missed Mother's Day and now Father's Day... I will most likely miss Thanksgiving for the 2nd year in a row. What a downer to think about. You could say I'm a little 'home' sick today.
It's weird to say 'home' sick because technically California is now my home, right? I'm sure my family is thinking ... "No, Minnesota will always be your home." Which I guess is true. So maybe, I miss the 'home' feeling, because as much as I have been in California for 5 Months, this is all still very new to me and the 'home' feeling isn't really rooted here yet.
I do have the comfort of my roomates, and the comfort of knowing that I do actually know people here... I still need to continue building my 'community'. TOMS was very much a community, and that has been taken away from me. Trice, Carly, Kim, Allie - those girls are not here. I know I definitely took them for granted when they were here. Oh my goodness I pray they come back sometime, and sometime soon. I also know that I need to be building a community outside my comfort level. I've been 'planning' on getting more involved with Mosaic, or more involved in a church community. I have not yet done so. This weeks goal: Make that first step - join a bible study.
I also need to be investing more time in my roomates. Actually doing things together. Over this past week, we have started to watch Felicity. It's possibly one of the best shows ever made - While in college, I asked for all 4 seasons on dvd... what an amazing investment that was. When I lived in the Roundhouse with my 6 other soriority sisters, I got them all hooked on Felicity... we constantly had the show on... Watched all 4 seasons in about two weeks. Well, it is now the same way here at my apartment - we are now on the 2nd season. We are all addicted. It has been fun to bond over Felicity - if you know the show, you know what I am talking about...
But now that it will be the 3rd week of working for me, I think I will be able to have some kind of routine, plan for things - go out and actually Do things, other than going home and crashing on the couch to watch Felicity and do more work.
Yesterday was a perfect example of how I should be spending my days off. After uploading & editing pictures, I worked out (2 days in a row! about to make it 3!) and then went to the Getty over looks the entire city with Garett.
The Getty is set up in the hills above Santa Monica and The view is incredible and yesterday was a beautiful day. There is a lot of art, a garden, architecture tours, changing exhibits, etc... I got to see some paintings by Degas (who was one of my favorites in high school), Monet, Manet; photography by Andy Worhol and August Sander. I have forgotten how much I love to go to art galleries... Another goal for this week - go to another art gallery... There are SO many here, I'm just dumb for not going weekly! It also reminded my how much I miss painting and going out and taking photos, I have not been doing that as much as I would want to.
Where I work - Larchmont Village, in Hollywood - I see so many interesting and unique characters everyday that I'm going to try to take pictures atleast once a week on my lunch break. I really love that area. The good thing about having to drive a lot in LA, has been the discovery of new areas like Larchmont.
Anyways... So, after the Getty we went to a movie in a Cemetary! I had heard about this from my boss at iDA and she said it something that is put on every Saturday and Sunday during the summer in the Hollywood Cemetary where a lot of old famous actors and actresses are buried. Sounds a little weird to think about going to a movie in a cemetary - but It was Awesome. They usually play older movies from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s... and people bring blankets and pillows and picnics and wine and listen to a DJ at first, then they project the movie on the side of a wall in the Cemetary.
Last night, they showed 'My Man Godfrey.' We really enjoyed it! We really enjoyed the whole experience really. We got some food, and wine and plopped down - it was a beautiful night, and of course Garett starting chatting with our neighbors, and what do you know... the guy behind us was originally from Minnesota. I think he said from Hopkins? (Friday night, I met a guy at our hot tub who was from Wayzata!).
But anyways - the movie in the cemetary was a lot of fun! We plan on going more and bringing friends - it was a really great evening!
I'm really excited because I'm planning on coming home for 12 days in August. I have a friend's wedding (Katie Larson & Colin!) and then want to spend the rest of the time at the Lakes. I'm really excited!!
Well, I'm off to work out, then to a Red Bull bbq, then off to Mosaic! Should be fun!
I hope everyone had a great weekend :)

Driving here, Driving there

Finally! Pictures from the drive to California - I must say, that my Mom is to credit for most of these photos. I have around 200 hundred photos, a lot of them look the same - and some of them are extraordinary amazing. I haven't gotten to edit any of them in photoshop - but, I think they look good without being edited...


This past week was my first 'full' week of working and getting into the swing of things. It was definetly an interesting week - I spent too much time in bad traffic, put a lot of miles on my car, spent too much money on gas and food, and worked about 55 hours.

Sound miserable? It really wasn't. Other than the traffic part. By the end of the week I finally figured out good routes and good times to get to and from work... I will have to be waking up early - but, I don't mind that. Yes, I'm actually a morning person these days. Today for an example, I work up at 9:00am, on a Saturday, and felt horrible that I didn't get up earlier. I had wished I would had been up at 7! But, I guess I needed the sleep.

This past week I brought Garett to the airport Wednesday and Abbi to the airport on Thursday, both at 4:30 in the morning. Since I was already up, I decided to stay up, get ready and head to work. I was able to get to work at 6:45 - which was awesome because I was able to get to work in no traffic and worked with no one in the office for over two hours.

gonna go work out..... Will write more later... enjoy the photos.

(: California Resident :)

I know. I know. I know. I have not blogged in almost two months!! A lot has changed in the past month - I won't be able to recap everything - but, I will do my best to highlight the big details.

First off - The month of May was crazy awesome... crazy stressful, crazy sad, crazy exciting, crazy disappointing, crazy Amazingnessness... If that at all makes sense. It was definitely a month filled with Ups & Downs.

The last few weeks of the TOMS internship was truly great. The interns all went to Disneyland as apart of our "Last Hurrah." It was a much needed vacation together and great last laughs. The whole day was a hoot, It couldn't have been better.

The interns also got to go to Blake's yacht, then headed to his girlfriend Maggie's house for some bachi-ball (sp?). It was our last night to hang out with Blake before he left for Ethiopia for a couple weeks. The next night, the interns & fulltimers had a black&white party at Justin and Hajime's.

Our last friday at TOMS was hilarious and emotional. Hammer (our intern director) rented one of those blow up jumping gym things, and put it in the middle of the office! (see picture) The festivities started around 2:00. There was a slide show of pictures of all of us interns then we played games (including beer pong), jumped in the blown up cage, screen printed t-shirts, listened to music and hung out... When it started to approach 5:00, alot of us (ME) got really emotional. I couldn't believe that the internship was over!! I was going to have to say Goodbye to a lot of the other interns who were going to be going home.

That weekend was then filled with hanging out with everyone as much as possible, packing/cleaning and saying Goodbyes. Four of my favorite people (Trice, Carly, Kim and Allie) all went home, and I'm not sure when I will see them again. It was awful saying goodbye - these people have become a huge part of my life, become my family and have become people I will always have Love for. They are all Amazing individuals and I'm so blessed to have had them in my life... (Yes... I have tears in my eyes right now...*sniff*)

I must also talk about my job-status with TOMS... I applied and interviewed for a position that I really wanted... doing something that would have Loved... And as you probably know, didn't get it. I was so bummed, heartbroken and disappointed. I worked my butt off over the four months of interning with TOMS, but ultimately it came down to experience... which now, I am completely fine with. The interview process was interesting - I had to interview with Garett!! Which, we still haven't really talked about - the whole interview was a blur and I tried to ignore the fact that he was there! But, I think we both handled it well.

By not getting the job with TOMS, it made me remind myself that God has his plan for my life and everything happens for a reason. Could I have done more to show my interest and my ideas for TOMS.. Yes, of course. But, I'm glad I didn't because doors have been opened and opportunities have arised that would not have, if I would have gotten a job with TOMS. (more about my jobs later)

Anyways -- After the last weekend with the interns, I flew back home to Minnesota for literally 3 days. I had to go through a lot of stuff that I had at my house, and either give it away or toss it... Then pack up everything else in my little Honda for my cross country road trip.

I also spent my birthday in Minnesota, golfing with my dad, eating with my parents and then picked up Garett at the airport & showed him around Minneapolis/St. Paul. One of his friends from high school was getting married in Minnesota and coincidentally flew in on my birthday. It was crazy weird to have him in Minnesota! I showed him around as much as I could considering I saw him for barely 12 hours. I dropped him off the next morning at his friend's fiance's house, then started on my way to California.

My trip included stopping in Nebraska for one of my sorority sister's wedding. What an AWESOME weekend. I haven't spent a good amount of time with those girls since October! It felt so good to be with people I have known for years... And, it was also great to be with them after so many good changes had been made in my life - they all could tell a difference - they could tell I was happy.

The wedding was beautiful... Taryn looked amazing... And, all of us girls danced a lot, drank a lot, ate a lot and cried a lot. The weekend could not have been better. I MISS them all so much - they are some of my true best friends and it makes me sad to think that it will always be this way - Going months without seeing them! But, I guess that is life and we are all growing up and making our own life decisions... which is very exciting.

It's also crazy to think that I am actually old enough to get married... I am SO not ready to get married. I hope to get married in the somewhat near future... But, seeing Taryn & Brad get married after I have know them over the past 4 years, was Crazy to me. As much as I am happy for them - I'm so glad it wasn't me! ... Just because, I've gotta learn how to take care of myself first, thats enough responsability I can handle right now. :)

I also took over 700 photos that weekend... I loved it!

After the wedding and saying by Goodbyes to them (ALSO very tear-ful), I drove to Denver to pick up my mom. We then continued the rest of the drive to California. We stopped in Vail for the first night, then near the Nevada/California border the second night. I drove the whole way! I can now say, I have driven ALL the way from Minnesota to California... Since I drove, I made my mom take a lot of the photos.... and I actually took some photos while driving :)

We made it safe in about a day and a half. It really wasn't that bad of a drive, other than through Utah... That was miserable! What a Boring state.

I'm now living with 3 of the other TOMS interns, Krystal, Becca and of course Abbi - and one other who is a friend of a friend of Krystal's. We live in a two bedroom (we lived 15 to a 4 bedroom condo... We know we can handle a two bedroom :)) Me, Abbi and Becca will be sharing the master bedroom that includes our own bathroom. Me and Abbi are planning on getting another bunkbed :) But right now, since Becca hasn't moved in yet, we are sleeping on the floor. Haha. We don't feel like buying anything until Becca gets all settled in. But, our apartment complex is pretty new, has a pool and work out room and (this is the best part... ) TWO walking blocks from my favorite beach!! It isn't in the ideal location, as far as getting around in LA... but its a nice "retreat" feeling, because its in a good neighborhood and of course.... near the beach.

I now have two jobs! When I first got moved here... I didn't have anything lined up other than a couple interviews. My friend Brandon from Nebraska hooked me up with a one-weekend temp job at Red Bull, helping with an event... which eventually tunred into a permanent part-time position! I will be working in Consumer Affairs 15 - 20 hours a week. I really enjoy working there. It has allowed me to meet more cool people out here, including a girl from Alexandria, Minnesota!

Then ... I went in for an interview at International Design Awards, which is within a marketing firm, The Farmani Group. The interview was more like a first day! I had spoken to Jamie, my boss, prior to coming in and she said she liked my job/internship background, that I had a Bachelors in Journalism and that I was from the Midwest. So, my full-time job is as a Marketing Assistant for iDA. I'm really excited about this position because it is for a small company, and I have the opportunity to make the job into what I want it... and if it proves to be successfull, I stay on. The opportunities are endless!

I will probably talk more about my jobs later, but I can say that I will be working A LOT - most days will start at 6am and go until 7pm. But, I'm young, living in expensive California and really enjoying working hard and still making time to have fun!

Red Bull is right down the street from TOMS in Santa Monica, and iDA is in West Hollywoood. I love that I work and live in 3 completely different places. It allows me to see much more of LA, which I am still loving....

This past weekend I went to a TOMS event at an art gallery, that Garett put together, which was of course amazing and successful. -------->
Those are my 3 fav TOMS men; Pete Ferrier, Zac and Garett. It was really great to see Pete, Zac, Peyton and to be around TOMS again... but it was still a little weird. I'm still going to continue going to TOMS events and supporting Garett and my TOMS family, I love that company where it has brought me. I have met some of the most amazing people through that company and learned so much about myself over the 4 months, that there is no way that I can't Not continue to support them.

God has continued his sense of humor when playing out my life. He has continued to be OVERflowing with LOVE and grace. I am thankful Everyday. Even when I am stuck in traffic on the 405 interstate. I am reminded of his Greatness day I have here. I have had a couple moments that consisted of thoughts such as, "WHAT AM I DOING HERE?!" and almost panicked, but, he has proven to me that when I just let go - let things play out - let his plan for me play out - Things work out! I couldn't be happier. I know that it is going to be hard to live out here. I will be making a lot of sacrifices, as far as quality of living, not seeing family & friends in MN and NE - but, it is worth it to work hard and live here. Because, I Thrive here. And of course, just becuase I live here now - does not mean this is permanent, or forever.

I think I've gotten myself all caught up :) I PROMISE it won't be another two months until my next post.


Also... I am PUBLICLY apologizing to my friend Lindsey - She has finally moved out here to California, and I have yet to call her or See her!! SOON!!!!!!!!!!! and I'm praying for you dear :)