Smiling = success

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend. Mine was pretty good, and it went by surprisingly fast. I slept in till 8, 8:30, which felt really good, and the whole weekend had beautiful sunny skies and warm rays of sunshine.

Saturday I... honestly forgot what I did! Let's see... ah, yes, went to Albertson's and bought food for the week, did laundry (finally), walked to the beach at about 4pm. I have a hard time taking people seriously. It's 71 degrees outside and people are wearing sweat pants, dark long sleeved shirts and/or sweaters. It's 71 degrees! Is this cold to Californians or something? Meanwhile, here I am, walking to the beach in my capris, tank top, flip flops and beach tote. I must look like a real tourist :). Ooh, and I bought a plant! A nice green fern. It'll bring more life and oxygen to this lonely place (sigh). My brother had a colleague who told him that he and his wife won't have kids until his wife is able to keep a plant alive. I don't think that's bad thinking. Since I'd like to be a mom someday, why not start by making sure I can take care of a plant? Piece of cake, right? We'll see in a few months. I will add that to my New Year's resolution: keep my plant alive.

Today was a little more productive. Had some eggs for breakfast, went to the beach around noon, people were sunbathing everywhere, there were sun umbrellas... it smelled like summer... and SUCCESS! I think from that point forward I've been smiling all day today. I sunbathed for about 45 minutes... it was warm, and there was a nice breeze, which made it not too hot, not too cold. Holy crap. I am reminded how people spend tons of money on weekend getaways at the beach. Guess what? I'm getting equal excitement out of this and not only does it cost me nothing, but it happens every weekend there's sunshine. Now, again, why didn't I come here sooner? :)

So then I ate lunch, watched TV for a bit... and decided to go check out new mattresses. I went to 3 stores, and there's a few I like... but basically they're $600 or more, and I'm a cheapo... but then again, it's Cali, so I expect to pay more (my last bed I bought 6-7 years ago, a double, for only $300 in SLC). There was one though that was so nice at this furniture store, where everything was 40-70% off. the bed was a posture pedic for $749 (originally about 1300), and I'm wondering if I should splurge on that one. They had nice bedroom sets too (dressers, bedside tables, etc on mega sale) and I might go back for that too.

So... that's the weekend. Oh, and something interesting today: on the beach, I heard French... and decided to go talk to them, a young guy and a girl. Why not make friends, especially French friends, I thought? so apparently they're 20 and 19 from Belgium, here to study English on a scholarship, they've been here since September, and leaving in two weeks. Nice kids. It was kinda fun to speak French again, there's no Frenchies my age in salt Lake, really... and it would be fun to embrace the culture again while I'm here. Well, at least I made the effort to go talk to them... something I usually don't do (kinda shy, you know...).

Today I'm grateful for a beautiful summer vacation day. I could have stayed all day at that beach. Sunbathe, walk, play volleyball, peoplewatch... but too bad there's a little something called skin cancer that prevents me from doing so, especially when you're going in the middle of the day.

Have a fabulous week!

Wow, over a week?

Well, I'd like to start off by wishing everyone out there a very happy new year! This is fantastic. The start of many, new wonderful things. I thought I'd make a list of resolutions, I'll bore you with them in just a little bit.

First I want to apologize that I haven't posted for a while... the boyfriend's been here and we spent an amazing week together, so I barely had time for that thing called the "Internet." He left last night back to SL, and he'll come back... who knows when. Valentine's day maybe? That'd be sweeeeeeet! I actually stayed at work until 6pm today (got there at 7:20) because... well, honestly I wanted to try and finish something, although it could wait until tomorrow. I usually leave work by 4:30, and at 5 everyone was getting ready to leave. "Geez, you're still here, Lilie? Go home!" "Well, honestly, I have no one to go home to..." and they all felt kinda bad for me. I felt bad for me. I miss ya already, babe :) but also, I knew traffic at 5pm on PCH would be horrible, so I thought what the hey, I might as well leave around 6pm. Well, traffic was worse at 6 than at 4:30... surprise there... I learned my lesson. 4:30 it is.

So now I'm living by myself again, and the apartment DOES feel super empty. It was nice to have company. However, I like to look at the bright side. Now I have time for this blog, I can finally do laundry, I'm going to clean my dining room table that's full of junk, enjoy a beautiful 71 degree weekend in a few days to do whatever the heck I want, maybe walk on the beach (I walked 1h and 45 minutes on the beach by the way last weekend... and got a nice v-neck tan line on my collarbone. Yay! It was only 60 degrees yet capris and a t-shirt felt just fine). I'm also going to start looking at beds because I can't sleep on an aerobed forever (it pinched me the other night! Owie!), dressers, shelves, things of that nature... because my stuff is still just all over the floor. I hate disorganization!

Watched a few fun movies over the week, such as "The day the Earth stood still" with Keanu (not bad, slightly predictable in my mind), "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler - of which I believe the Guinea pig should win best supporting actor, cuz his eyes are just out of those funny eye popping animal greeting cards, and "The curious case of Benjamin Button" - with Brad Pitt, which was SO good in my mind, although it made me cry... I definitely recommend it. Something I'm not proud of... about 3 days after watching it, I had an epiphany thinking about the movie in the shower. "Sweetie, I just realized what the huge clock meant!" "OMG." Good times. I definitely recommend the movie :). Oh, I also saw "Seven pounds" with Will Smith... and I was absolutely BAWLING (ok, I tend to cry un peu beaucoup). Because it's from the director of "The pursuit of Happyness," I thought it would be a feel good movie. I won't spoil it... but basically, it was just really sad.

So, work is... work, boss lady leaving on Friday, and after that I'm pretty much on my own, a little scary, but boss lady's boss will be there to help, but she's got other fish to fry so I can't bug her every 5 minutes. Gotta start working by myself now :)

New Year's resolutions. Here goes.

1. Gained 8 lbs in December (gasp!) Would like to lose those again, and some more. (wow, did you know that the first one would be weight-related? Of course you did, I'm a chick)
2. Go back to the wheat-free dairy free diet
3. Get in shape (walk to the beach, use the gym @ work, do sit-ups on the yoga ball, get a kickboxing and/or pilates DVD)
4. Smile all day long
5. Go to bed at 10PM on weekdays (ha!)
6. Be responsible financially (I's got bills now!)
7. Try to join a casual volleyball team in the spring
8. Limit consumption of chocolate (sigh)
9. Stop eating brownies and cookies at work! (maybe that explains the need for resolution # 1...)
10. Keep loving your family & friends
11. Get a new PC so that I can play Counter-Strike Source in my spare time... and also because I'm sick of this POS
12. Make L.A. County my new home for this year and take advantage of this beautiful area
13. Be the best I can be - at work, at home, with people.

I think that'll do it for now. I guess we'll see next year if I've accomplished all that.

Today I'm grateful for not running out gas in the middle of traffic in LA. Something interesting? Hmmm... I tasted green tea frozen yogurt... and it was... indeed, interesting.

Good night everybody! Glad to be back on the blog :)

Last night in Cali

Hi everyone,

Well, the boyfriend finally made it last night... with a 5 hour delay. Meaning, we didn't get home till 1am, and we were so excited to see each other (it's been... 3 weeks?) that we talked a bit, and basically I got about 4 hours of sleep last night as I had to go to work around 7ish.

It rained all day today but started to clear up a few hours before sunset, so when I got off work I thought I'd show him the beach nearby - and it was extremely windy and a little cold, but I just loved that ocean breeze and the ocean was churning. Dinner equaled improvisation with the leftovers I had to cook before it went bad and my man liked it (yay! Got a picky eater, you know...) and we were both exhausted so we're going to bed soon. I'm just packing up because... we're driving to Vegas tomorrow! I'm getting off work at 2 and then here we come. Hopefully we can arrive early enough to go to the Paris and get a crepe for dinner or something. That'd be sweeeeeeeeet. 

Well, it's almost Christmas... and I'm grateful and excited to see a bunch of family and friends, as well as New Year's Eve - I'm seeing a few cousins I haven't seen in a few years. Something unusual today - My man volunteered to clean up after dinner while I pack. What a thoughtful, unexpected and delightful surprise. Also, be sure to check out the one day photo project - I haven't posted my pics yet but I see that Dr. Mookie Love did, and I know many more will follow. Good night!

First Sunday in new "Chez Moi"

Hi everybody,

Well, it's been a fun weekend, and the first one really in my new home. Today I slept in, cleaned the apartment a bit, did some gift wrapping, walked to the bank to get cash to break into quarters to do laundry, went back to Kohl's because this candle I thought said "Noel" on it actually said "Believe," so I went back to exchange it and got one more Christmas present. I also found out that next to the Kohls' there's a BBB and a Whole Foods. Now, if there were a Trader Joes in the same complex... I'd visit that shopping mall everyday. But hey, there's one within walking distance instead! I could deal with that :)

So I've been trying to get pictures for the one day photo project, and I warn you, I really don't have that many... Right now I'm waiting for the boyfriend's airplane to get here... yay! (that's my exciting thought of the day) But it's been delayed almost 2 hours already (rrrrr), so maybe I'll take some pics of the 405 or something driving there... HA! Nah, I don't want to bore you with that.

So I didn't go to the beach today... :( but I'm still grateful for that view from my window, the warmth from the sun's rays in the living room (yet another beautiful day with 65ish degree weather), finally finding a parking spot at Kohl's about a mile away from the store (needed the exercise), and that I get some company tonight through next weekend... Christmas & the bf are coming!! 

Nothing really unsual today, except the neighbors had been quiet this whole week and now they're blasting their radio (sigh). Oh well. As long as they they stop by the time I go to bed, they do whatever they want. It's a free country.

So, work this week: Monday, go have lunch with a sales manager at what looks like a yummy organic Mexican grill, work as hard as I can (have to cram a week's worth into 2 days), and Tuesday go to work at 7 so can leave by 2 to start driving to Vegas. Wednesday morning, drive from Vegas to Salt Lake (hoping for good weather, or at least non-icy roads). Good night and hope you all have a fantastic week!

I know you're all jealous...

So I've been to the beach today - in a t-shirt and rolled-up jeans. And I wasn't too cold. What do I want to say to most of you? Nanner nanner na-nner! Sorry, for the Frenchies: nananananè-reu! So, I'm being kinda mean, because Salt Lake, Denver, Vegas, Seattle, Paris I'm sure, and even parts of California are snowed in, and I have friends & family in all of those places. Hope you may find your warm weather soon!!

So yesterday I got off work at 3:30 are drove straight to Oceanside. The 405 was of course a total mess. It took me an hour and 15 minutes just to go 20 miles. The rest in Orange County was surprisingly ok. I met up with the parents, they have a timeshare a half block from the beach... it was fun! Went to a seafood dinner, slept in this morning, walked on the beach to the pier, visited a 2.9 million dollar amazing contemporary condo (open house), then drove back home. I spent an hour and a half at Kohl's doing Christmas shopping (I think I'm done now). It sucks. I've been so busy with the move that I was only able to do Christmas shopping this weekend. I'm really hoping to be more organized next year. I usually have about 75% of my shopping done on black Friday, but this year I drove for 11 hours that day so could not do so. And every weekend was spent apartment shopping. Rrrrrr... Anyway, hope to make it up to you all by just wishing you a merry Christmas and hope that you will find your happiness, whether it be a Wii fit, a day with Tokio Hotel, a diamond bracelet, laughing and drinking hot chocolate with your loved ones, Megan Fox for a night, a BMW, Chanel No. 5, j'veux un scooteur!, or whatever else you want or need, hope your wishes come true and you remember that the true meaning of Christmas is about giving, love, friendship, and happiness (well, that's my opinion at least).

So today I'm grateful that as I got home from Oceanside, my apartment was bright and warm from the sunlight coming in, and something unusual? The guy selling the open house used to live in Murray. I decided not to buy the house though when he said that he went to Olympus High... LoL, just joking. I graduated YEARS ago, I don't care about the rivalry :) Good night everyone! Here's some pics of Oceanside so that you can all envy me:

Just passing by...

Well, hi...

It's been a while, I thought I'd update everyone on the move. Mom & SD Came over tonight from Oceanside, we had dinner at my new place (brie en croute w/ a sort of apple strudel for dessert, yum..!) and mom left me the laptop for tonight. Thanks, mom!

So I cleaned the apartment Sunday morning, Mom & SD arrived around 2pm, we got everything inside (so much stuff!) and then we went to the furniture store where I saw my dream couch. Remember how I needed 36'' of clearing and my door's only 31''? I thought I would get that futon since it would fit, but guess what... it turns out my dream couch is only 30'' tall without the legs, so we just unscrewed the legs and got it delivered right away! And now I couldn't love my couch more, it is soooo comfy, plus, I got it under $500, and it's an official Ashley's couch. It's a nice breath of fresh air considering the mess everywhere else.  Now, I'm not really a messy person, but there's stuff EVERYWHERE and for a few moments it gets really depressing. So I thought I would show you everything:

Day 1, empty apartment before I bring stuff in:

Now, after I start moving stuff in:

This is the best TV reception I could get: snowy channels.

After the parents bring all my other crap:

My new couch!!! Sorry it's blurry...

Things are starting to get put together:

So my apartment is finally looking like a fun place to live. I'm using my computer desk as a TV stand right now, which is a little tacky but it works. My aerobed is fairly comfy, it'll do until I can find a bed. Work has been a roller coaster - I feel overwhelmed some days, but others, like today, felt really good because I'm finally starting to do things on my own. 

So tomorrow after work (I'm hoping to leave around 2pm) I will leave for Oceanside and spend the night with the parents, and Saturday too. I've never been to Oceanside and hear it's really pretty. For those who don't know, it's about an half hour to an hour north of San Diego. It'll probably be a 1.5 to 2 hour drive for me, depending on traffic. This Cali traffic is pretty bad, but bearable. Honestly, I was driving along PCH and saw the ocean as I left work, and said to myself, "wow, I live here. I live here!" So it's a happy moment. 

So today I'm grateful that I have internet for a night and can read $teve's blog, among other updated blogs, that I'm going to sleep better tonight because I think the bedroom heat vent is now working (the vent in the living room has heat coming about 3x stronger than my bedroom, leaving my room around only 60 degrees at night), that I had some company tonight, and that I went for a stroll on the beach right after sunset and it was beautiful (although cold - about 50 degrees). I've been seeing something funny on the way to work: A restaurant names Versailles, but it's Cuban food. That's just classic.

Well, hope everyone's having a great week, happy holidays if I don't blog before Christmas (I'm not getting internet installed until the 29th unfortunately), and may you all think of things you're grateful for, and the little silly things that get you through the day. Later!

2nd post... must be a boring Saturday

Hi everyone, well, I'm posting twice in one day, but mostly because I forgot to upload these pictures from this afternoon. I've got some beautiful ones of the beach, my footprints, etc. I did go back to see the Pier lighting, and it was... fine, just a pier lighting! I was walking alone in the dark and felt 100% safe. Manhattan Beach is a really cute & clean walking town, and I'll probably go every once in a while. I went into a decoration/ bath store to wait for the ceremony and I checked out some of their stuff - and found real liquid "savon de Marseille". I thought that was kind of cool! Can't find that stuff in Utah!

Here are some pictures. I think this is my best shot:

Lots of seagulls:

And then this picture, I couldn't believe it, someone stole my idea for a restaurant's name! When I was younger, I wanted to open a restaurant with crepes (first thing I really learned to make) and was gonna name it La Creperie (not the Bohemian bistro & bar though). Oh well! What on earth is a Bohemian bistro anyway? Good night! 

It's about time...

Hi everyone,

Well, I thought it would be about time I have a blog. For those of you who don't know, I've had the pleasure of accepting a killer job by LAX with the company I've been with for six years... I start on Monday, December 1st, and couldn't be more excited.

My mom and I drove all day Friday (10 hour drive), visited 9 apartments today (pictures will show up eventually) and plan to see a few more tomorrow. I'm glad that she's here with me because I've never really rented before, so she's there to show me what's cool and not :) We saw some laughable places, mediocre ones, decent ones, and awesome ones... even with a small ocean view. I'd be splurging on that one, but I really like it... and can probably do it. We'll see what tomorrow brings... and I've got a few days, even weeks to make a decision.

So, there's a few reasons for this blog:

a) I hope that you will go to it if you ever wonder what is happening to Good ol' Lilie.

b) I want to try and post two things each time, and encourage you to do the same with your own life and/or blog: 1. What are you grateful for today, and 2. What's something interesting and unusual and/or fun that happened to you today. 

So here goes. I'm grateful that even though I've had a cold all day, I was still able to make to 9 apartments, take 170 pictures, and my mom was there to make me feel better and make me laugh all day. Something unusual? I walked on a beautiful beach and pier in a short sleeve t-shirt, in November. As in, almost December, so almost winter. That's right, be jealous.

Anyway, this was pretty simple and painless, right? I encourage all of you to think of good things that happened to you. As Dr. Love would say, "No need to thank me, just pay it forward." :)