Life as a twenty-two-year-old is crazy. Crazy fun, of course, but mostly just crazy. I wake up some mornings and have to remind myself where I am. Not because I am waking up in places other than my own bed, thank you very much-- simply because I still can't believe I'm in LA. I'm kind of doing it.
In all honesty, I don't really know what I'm doing. I keep thinking about something Steve Jobs said in his commencement speech to the 2005 graduating class at Stanford:
You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
Life can feel so overwhelming. Sometimes I just wake up and remind myself that all I have to do is meet the Universe halfway. I get up, I do my part, I don't half-ass things, and I hope that serendipity finds me somewhere in the middle.
I have been incredibly fortunate since moving to LA. Right place, right time, great people, experiences, lessons, and now even better opportunities. I received three jobs this week and I am... thrilled. Thrilled, thankful, and very, very lucky.
The first job?
A writing position for a dating and relationship advice website called RED FLAG 101! The site is geared towards discussing the red flags associated with dating. We all know those moments in relationships when we should silently turn around and run the other direction. But if you're like me, you don't. Partly because I like learning life lessons firsthand and partly because I am a naïve romantic. I don't regret that though--- it makes for better stories and better decisions in the future. (That's the idea at least).
I found the job on Craigslist about a month ago and forwarded along a link to my blog. The creator of the site, a guy by the name of Minor, checked out some of my posts and liked what he saw... and here we are! I'll be writing one to two mini articles a week which is totally doable. I spend my free time writing anyways so it will be so nice to have a focus. And boy oh BOY do I have material. I haven't decided if I am going to write under a pen name or not... perhaps I shall. I'll think about it.
Here's a link to the website! It does have some adult themes, so for all you timid, wholesome souls out there, be warned:
www.redflag101.com
Speaking of dating, I wanted to talk about something really quick. I want to address the whole OkCupid thing. Last post I talked about going on the website again after an earlier stint in the summer as a social/writing material experiment. I understand that by saying I was back on the website, you can come to three valid conclusions: (1) that I am looking for a boyfriend, (2) that I am looking around for options in general, and (3) that I think that online dating is legitimate.
These are all logical assumptions.
None of these are true.
Let me address this as best I can.
I'm not looking. I'm completely happy and very lucky with how everything has been going in my life. It's been refreshing and lovely and exciting. And thirdly, I personally only believe in real, natural, unexplicable attraction and good timing.
I posted my blog last week when my heart was in a bit of a funk. Part of it completely understands that it's not time for things like Like/Love. It's clearly time for me to put on my Work Barbie outfit and be serious about success right now. Which I LOVE! I am so excited that that part of my life is starting to open. So the other part of my heart, which is feeling a bit left out, is trying its hardest to pretend not to care.
What I am trying to say, rather ineloquently, is that I was trying my best to appear aloof. I don't carry vulnerabilities well, and apparently my defense mechanism came in the form of a flippant paragraph about online dating. The last thing I want is to be misrepresented, especially by myself. Silly.
Thank you for allowing me to clarify.
AAANNND We're back! Man that was a weird subplot twist. Where were we...
Ah yes, I believe I was talking about jobs?
My second job: as a tour guide for Goin' Hollywood Tours! Goin' Hollywood runs high school drama field trips to Hollywood and other performance-based destinations. The company is owned by Camp Bravo and that's actually how I learned about Bravo in the first place-- with my drama class way back when! There is nothing I love more than Camp Bravo and kids, so to be able to give back even more during the rest of the year is such an awesome opportunity. I have my first training trip at the beginning of November and I can't wait. It's only a weekend job from time to time and it's extremely flexible... so it won't conflict with my most exciting news...
I start work as a Publicity Assistant for the Screen Actor's Guild Awards next month!
I got the call Friday night and I have been on cloud nine ever since. I can't wait to get started. Everyone I met when I went into the office the other day was absolutely wonderful. There was a great energy there and I am so honored to be a part of it. My job will be to help monitor the publicity and buzz leading up to the SAG awards!
I am a happy happy girl. I start at the end of November... so just enough time for me to REALLY appreciate it after a whole month more of consolidating payday loans for nine hours a day. Time for me to use that degree in Film and Television I worked so hard for.
SPEAKING of that... Look what came in the mail the other day!
Yup, that's my diploma alright. And Frasier's tail. Yes, he's on the table because he thinks he runs the place. I'm so excited to get a frame for my diploma and hang it in my... wait. What the heck am I supposed to do with it? I don't have an office or a den. Hmph. Looks like it'll just have to sit above my $15 IKEA desk when I'm writing. If that's not motivational I don't know what is.
Monday and Tuesday morning I worked half days and then headed to Jackie's makeup school to be a model! I know, hilarious. After lots of hairspray and teasing and powdery makeup, I looked like this:
Yikes. This picture is BIZARRE. I look like I am sixty five with jowls and a lazy eye. Clearly I was intentionally trying to look the part. ...Clearly. It was a good experience though, until the teacher came around to analyze the makeup. She instructed my makeup artist, Hillie, that not only did one of my eyebrows need to be filled in, but also that my upper lip line is completely uneven on one side and needed more attention.
Thanks, teacher.
My mom drove out here on Wednesday! This picture was taken in front of Lululemon at the Americana shopping center in Glendale. We were wandering around, enjoying Honey Lavender ice cream (my favorite!) from LA Creamery, talking about life, when we stumbled upon this storefront window, after I had literally said the same quote to her. So of course, an obligatory picture was taken.
We had such a lovely weekend--- most of it spent looking for places for her when she moves out here at the end of the month. I am very excited to have my mum nearby again. I've been missing my cooking and movie watching buddy. We found her a little place in Toluca Lake about ten minutes away. Joy! But really, I'm most excited that Bob Hope's house is a block away from her new place. He's my hero.
Get a look at one of the applications she filled out:
If you can't read it, this is what it says:
- Have you ever been evicted for non-payment of rent or any other reason?
- Have you ever been convicted of any crime?
- Do you have any musical instruments?
Well at least they've got their priorities in order.
I also had the special opportunity to see my dear friend LAURA this weekend! Laura was my roommate freshman year at U of A. We hadn't seen each other in years! She was visiting from Texas, staying with her sweet friend Katie who also went to Arizona. We all met in Newport Beach at Fashion Island to do some catching up!
I introduced them to Pinkberry which of course was a huge hit. We wandered through stores laughing and chatting all the while. I seriously love Laura. She's like a sister, really. It was like we were never apart. We also stumbled into a pet store--- complete with my new favorite puppy...
A buggle! It's half English bulldog, half puggle (which is half pug, half beagle). Sounds like an American dog to me.
Woof. It's been a long week. And looky there... Monday is on the horizon. How'd that happen? I'm working another thirteen hour work day tomorrow... eight at SOS and five at LUSH. Oy.
Here's to another week of collecting more dots to connect. Someday.
Kisses.
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