9-5 Heaven

So I think I survived my first week of my new job. I say I think, because I'm not quite convinced that I didn't die in a terrible accident on my way there on Monday and then proceed straight to work-heaven.

I know this sounds like an exaggeration, but it's not: this is the Best. Job. Ever.

The benefits are great, the views are stunning (see figure 1, which is also my office) there's an employee gym with lockers and showers and towel service and massages(!), and a tasty cafe, and if all of that weren't enough, I am so excited about the work I'm going to be doing and everyone I've met so far is super super nice. And goodlooking. And smart.

I keep getting worried that this might be a dream or I'm being punk'd. Any minute Justin Beiber is going to jump out from behind my cubicle wall and say "gotcha! Ha, you don't actually get to work here! You work at Wendy's now!" at which point I would probably cry a little, but also nod knowingly and say, "I saw that coming, Biebs".

Now, per usual, I'm not going to directly identify where I work, but suffice it to say, it is the employment equivalent of winning the lottery or finding out you have super powers. Or a lifetime supply of chocolates and cheese. If you're familiar with LA at all you will also be able to tell where the location is from the photos.

I am so so blessed.

And a tiny bit terrified that I will need to work really, really hard in order to not screw it up. My first day I spent so much time in the morning trying to prepare, and look the part, and be perfect, and when I finally got there it was a really humbling experience to realize that the people at this great place already think I'm good enough to work there.

I'm trying hard to prove them right.

Back.

That's right. I'm back. So much has happened since I decided to end this blog. I moved out of my tiny studio in Venice and into a four bedroom house with 3 other girls, a quirky dog, and a Los Angeles address. I got sad. I bought a car. I tried to leave the state. I started a new blog. I gave up my new blog. I met new people. My parents moved away. I reconnected with old people. I had crushes. I had drama. I bought a bed. I quit my job. I found a new job. I started running. I stopped caring. I painted. I staycationed. I watched too much tv. I learned to play poker. I took a dance class. I got happier.

And here I am now. I went through this phase where I felt like the life I was living wasn't enough and somehow I needed to BE more significant, and I didn't want to write about being me anymore because it felt lame, and played out. I'm almost 25. People around me have kids, and mortgages, and husbands, and promotions, and graduate degrees. I don't have those things, but I'm okay with that, because I have friends, and plans, and love, and light and that's all I really need. And when you think about it, there's something remarkable about taking those things and allowing yourself to be satisfied with them and cherishing the present while charging full speed ahead into the future.

Things have changed a lot for me. Tomorrow is the first day of my brand new job. I am nervous and excited. My shiny new pumps are set out beside my shiny new pens and my shiny new coffee mug. It feels like the first day of school.

Things have also stayed the same for me. Today I went to the beach, and the farmers market, and talked to strangers and ate street food.

So for everyone who cared to read my blog before, I'm back. Still me. Still the same. I'm just wearing shiny new pumps and pencil skirts now, and living in a big house in a beach suburb instead of a shoebox in a beach city. I'm also laughing, learning, and making mistakes, and usually that's kind of fun to watch.

So here's to figuring it out.

Love and Let Go.

2011 was a wonderful year for me. I experienced so many new things, in particular, living alone, exploring a new city, and I couldn't be happier with the little niche that I carved out for myself in Venice. 

Having said that, it's time for a new chapter. It's 2012, and the changes keep coming. I bought a new car, I'm trying out some new hobbies, pursuing some new goals, and part of this new growth involves moving out of Venice. It's hard, and it feels kind of like a break up. I keep reminding myself though that every time I've gone through a break up, I've experienced a little bit of relief. Relief, because everything happens for a reason, and the hope that nothing good can begin with out something else coming to an end. Relief at the idea that this experience has changed you somehow for the better.

This week I'm moving in a with a great group of girlfriends in LA, and I am so very excited. Excited for roommates, excited for having a full kitchen, excited for living in a neighborhood where people aren't digging through your garbage at 3AM. I am hopeful for new beginnings. Of course I'll miss Venice: the boardwalk, the beach, the farmer's market (that's a tough one to leave. I wish I could just live at a farmers market),  and my sweet studio that's so tiny I have to go in the bathroom to change my mind. 

The final change that I'm going through, is that this blog is coming to an end. I started it as a way to document my life in Venice, and it's been a great place to share my experiences, trials, and accomplishments, but since my time in Venice is ending, this blog has run it's course. Now before all ten of my followers freak out (that means you, Mom) I'm starting a new blog! It's a shorter format, but I'll be able to update it more often. Don't worry, I'm not abandoning the blogosphere. I'll post the link as soon as it's live. 

So farewell for now. Here's to 2012 and new beginnings. It's time to lose sight of the shore again.