Today was a good day

Do you ever wake up in the morning and just know amazing things are going to happen that day? Today was that kind of a day. I woke up this morning with a sense of peace. The morning only got better when I realized it was a pleasant 64 degrees outside!

I think all Tuesday's are going to be amazing. I love taking classes and truly enjoying them. I also think it is a gift to have professors that are so dedicated and passionate about what they do. I hope everyone can appreciate that. I am falling in love with one of my classes if you can't tell. So fun and inspiring.

I also had the pleasure of meeting some new people. I hoped that the start of school would bring on new friendships. And, it has. Just when I was starting to lose my faith in California ways/people, life slapped me in the face and said otherwise. A girl in one of my classes invited me to lunch to explain to me the ways of California. She gave me advice about the area and ideas of things to do in the area. So sweet. I felt like I was back in the South!

Now for my career... I have so much to do! Resume is about to get a severe face lift. I am ready to seriously start the job search. I recieved some inspiration this evening. Timing really is a very funny thing. I was starting to have doubts in myself and what I was capable of. Ludicrous. The world is mine! It is time to get back on track. It is time to reach for the stars again. Carpe diem folks.

Can we say Road Rage??

This story was to good not to blog about. So, driving in California is a lot different than driving in Louisiana. Aside from the millions more people and 5-9 lanes on the freeway, the people are just a tad bit different. Chelsea and I do a tally each day of how many times we are honked at or flipped off. 


Well, last night we went to the mall in Fullerton. The mall layout was very interesting. We were headed to eat at the Red Lobster and thought it was a four way stop. Guess what... It wasn't. We realized it in enough time to stop, but the lady got extremely perturbed and irate as she almost hit us. She sped up and got on the side of us and started throwing her arms up. So, Chelsea did what everyone would have done in her situation. After flipping this crazy woman off, the surprising thing occurs. The lady makes a VERY illegal U-Turn and follows us into the Red Lobster parking lot. At this point we are a little nervous. lol So, I got out my handy dandy stun gun and asked the lady if she had a problem. She continued to ask us where our manners were then sped off. 


Crazy. I have never seen anyone so upset about getting flipped off. People should not mess with us girls from the dirty South!! lol

And so it continues...

Well, I am still here. Still alive. Still well. ; ) I started school last week. When I say started, I really mean I went to all my classes. I really started school today. A little bit behind schedule, but hey! I have to adjust to the new place. I think this semester is going to be amazing. I am only enrolled in 12 hours. I have never taken less than 15. I am taking some pretty tough classes though, so that might make up for the lack of hours. My PR professor already is amazing. I am really looking forward to this writing class. Going to be very difficult, but I hope very rewarding in the end. All my other classes went well. Taking my first on-line course this semester. We shall see how that goes.

Aside from school, life is starting to normalize here a bit. I made some new friends in class. Also, this weekend Chelsea and I ventured to Fullerton in Orange County to reconnect with one of her really good friends from high school who is out here. We had a really great time. People here are definitely different. We didn't get the warm, hospitable welcome that we are so use to. Once we were there for a little while everyone warmed up to us and was extremely nice. I think it is a cultural thing here. I met this one really sweet girl and she tried to explain to me that there are so many people in this area, and really really different people at that. She explained that you never really know what you are going to get yourself into, so people are generally stand-offish at first. I can understand that, but it is soooooo different than what I am use too. Of course, everyone had a blast making fun of the "Ol Southern Accent." lol Apparently, my "hi's and bye's are a little different than they are use too. Oh, and they don't say y'all! I did learn a lot this weekend though. Several new terms like: jel = jealous, dramz = drama, rolled = busted by the cops or broken up (not toilet paper!!! HAHAH) and the list goes on and on. 

All in all it was a great weekend! We got to go to our first party out in Cali and made some incredible new friends. I would say... Sweet Success. Now, We need to host our Louisiana themed party and show them how it is really done!!!

ABC, Easy as 123....

I am officially a CSUN Matador! School started for me today. So cool. The campus has its own orange grove. Afternoon snack? I think, Yes! Beautiful campus. Got a little lost this morning. Parking. NIGHTMARE. (There you go Dad... My one negative thing!) lol Fashionably late for my first class which was hilarious by the way. Definitely going to be tough, but I am in love with my professor. Any professor that tells me to "tattoo that on your ass, its really important!" is ok in my book. I think I may have made 2 friends too. :) Met 2 girls in my class from Sydney, Australia. We all bonded when we found out we were on exchange. And, they don't have a car. So, I am totally their new best friend. lol Really looking forward to my next class. Must eat lunch now.

Until we meet again... 

When the Sun Comes Up Over Santa Monica Boulevard

Today was amazing. Chelsea and I welcomed Adam to the wonderful city of Los Angeles. And, then we played. We spent the day on the beach in Santa Monica. So much fun. Got to watch the surfers! So cool, and good looking. LOL Wish I wasn't terrified of the ocean. Surfing looks like the funnest workout ever.

Traffic is definitely not fun, but we are getting use to it. We have mastered avoiding the highways. You discover so much when you stay off the freeways. Today, we discovered the beautiful Laurel Canyon. Great drive, but talk about a windy road.

Wish me luck, still no job. Hopefully, I will hear something soon.

Welcome Home!

My apartment is AMAZING. I love it. The management is great and everyone is friendly. We have a great location. Only minutes from Ventura Blvd and the 101. Encino really is a cool place to live. We found out that the area we are living in is predominantly Jewish. I have lots to learn. Everyone has mezuzahs on their doors in our building. I think Chelsea and I are going to hang a cross. Represent the Christian Catholics! : )

Chelsea and I got acquainted with one another very well while moving in. She is wonderful. Hilarious to say the least. She and I have already had the best time together. I think I can speak for us both when I say, we are ready to make new friends though. lol

It was extremely sad to see my family off on Sunday morning. So much so, I deliberately took the wrong exit and almost made them miss there flight. They think it was on accident. (O.K. it really was an accident.)  Dad is always craving attention. It is not enough he is a Saltaformaggio with a One-Way ticket from LAX to NOLA, but he also has to check his new 40 cal! Californians do not like guns, but he thought it was necessary for the road trip. TSA had a time searching him. lol

First week has been great. Lots of shopping for apartment things and getting familiar with the area. Chelsea and I have taken a few adventures into town. We had a very interesting experience at the Hummus Bar & Grill. We did not know we were having our first Persian experience. I think they thought we were crazy. But, I learned I like Falafel Balls!!! New rule... RESEARCH menus before we venture into restaurants.

U- What?!?!? U-Haul

Dad and I loaded the U-Haul and hit the road around 3:30 PM on Sunday. We were both excited (delirious) and scared at the same time. If you haven't ever had the luxurious experience of driving/riding in a U-Haul, it is definitely interesting. And, a bumpy ride to say the least.

We made it to Katy, Texas the first night. Which was mighty expensive. Only Texas could get away with charging me $9.50 for using their interstate. What a rip off!!! lol Needless to say, I was not very happy about that. After sharing the most glorious pizza ever (Pizza Hut Super Supreme), Dad and I crashed.

We woke up bright and early the next morning feeling rested and refreshed and started again. Only 5 of the 30 hours complete at this time. Dad only managed to take out one flower bush while pulling out of the hotel. lol At this point, we were on a mission. We did not leave on time or make our first goal the night before, so we were playing catch up.

Dad named us "the Road Warriors!" lol We were so determined to make up some time, we stopped at a grocery store and said we weren't stopping for lunch or dinner. Only turkey/ham sandwiches for us. I don't think either of us remembered U-Hauls only get about 10 miles to the gallon, so we were stopping ever few hours for gas!

We stopped at about 9:30 PM for dinner in El Paso. (Yea, that turkey/ham sandwich plan didn't last long.) At this point, he and I changed our game plan. Not only were we trying to catch up with my roommate who was 8 hours ahead of us, but we also had to catch up with my mom and sister who had flown in late Monday evening. We decided we were going to do the unthinkable. Drive all the way from El Paso to Encino, California. Yes, ridiculous. And 18 hours of DRIVING.

I was so excited, I decided I was going to take the initial leg of the trip. Oh, I had no idea what was in store for me. I had the lovely experience of going through the Arizona check point, which is the biggest joke by the way. Basically asked me if I was U-Hauling mexicans. lol Didn't search me or anything! Crazy.

The funniest part of the whole trip was only a few hours away... LOL I got very comfortable around 2 o'clock in the morning. I had been driving for about 4 hours at this point and decided to prop my left foot up on the dash. Sounds weird, but was incredibly comfortable... Until my toes started to fall asleep. At this point, I attempted to take my foot down. In the process, I accidentally engaged the emergency brake. LOL The extremely loud, obnoxious alarm woke my Dad. We were both frantic at this point. Thank God no one was on the road, because the U-Haul and my car on the transit behind was flying from one side of the road to the other. Comical to say the least. Dad was ready to revoke my license.

There wasn't really much excitement from the Road Warriors after we made it to Arizona. We FINALLY made it to California!! And, in RECORD TIME. There was absolutely nothing between El Paso and Encino except desert. But, it was a beautiful ride. There is something incredible about the vastness of nothing. Truly amazing experience. And, Dad nor I was wanting to kill each other. Surprisingly.

Bon Voyage.

My last week in Louisiana was absolutely amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I got to spend with my friends and family. Wednesday night, several of my friends celebrated my departure at Mellow Mushroom. What a night. I had the time of my life. What a way to be sent off! Thank you to everyone for being so loving and supportive. I am truly surrounded by the most amazing individuals. Great times. Great time. :)

Last Friday, my family and I ventured to Emporia, Kansas for my cousin Mickey Saltaformaggio's wedding. Guess what we found in Kansas. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! :) Rolling hills, and thats about it. We had a great time, but unfortunately had to get up extremely early on Sunday to catch an early flight. After receiving about 2 1/2 hours of sleep, Dad and I were still determined to hit the open road. We landed in New Orleans about 12:30 and were out of Baton Rouge before 3:30. The days that followed were interesting to say the least...