Home, Sweet Home aka HOLLYWOOD (kind of)

7/1/2015

Minneapolis, MN

<----- Just curious. Earlier this year, I moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I know, but we thought this was about California?

It's been a weird year. I graduated college in December of 2014, as promised on the home page. Yay congrats cheers kudos!

January 2015 = Minneapolis. I was lucky to get a job directly post-college. The job is in sales, however prior to hitting the desk, I had to undergo a series of training programs headquartered in Minneapolis. At the end of the lovely Minnesotan six months, I got relocated to sunny California. After multiple days of weather that slaps you in the face and takes your breath away (not in a good way), I was more than fine with the placement. Eternal summer or deadly winter?

They didn't have to twist my arm too much.

Los Angeles, CA

So this transition.

Being from Texas, the proudest state in the US (yes I can say that, it's my blog), moving to California really hasn't been as big of a change as I thought. I get asked most frequently, what's stood out the most to you so far?

That California is just as proud as Texas. And in the USA, they are probably the two most self-aware of their status.

I moved from one proud state to the other.

Things I've encountered:

"Oh you're right off the boat!" I'm really not sure what this one means in that I definitely drove here, though it seems to be the general reaction when I tell people I just moved to the area. Considering that Los Angeles has the largest port in the United States, and Long Beach follows in second place just a few miles (aka 17 hours), I guess I can get it. It makes me feel cool and foreign. Or weird.
Top-of-the-line Mexican food. This one goes without saying. Tex-mex will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart but man. This stuff makes me question it sometimes. And anyone who really knows me will know that is saying a lot. It's a big deal.
There is everything in the world to do here. Literally. It is the most culturally-diverse, activity driven city I have ever experienced. It's both exciting and crazy intimidating. Being new is difficult all on its own, and having a list of 100 item to-do lists per person I speak with can be very overwhelming. I have literally started writing them down as they fly at me. At this rate I'll be done with the list in 2050.

I'm fortunate enough to live a couple blocks from the UCLA campus, which means that everything I could possibly need is within walking distance. And coming from someone who spends about 8 hours on the road M-F, that's a huge thing. I bought a bike and have put some serious miles on it already. Part of being (adopted) Californian. My condo with my wonderful roommate, Jessica, is 4 miles from the ocean. Santa Monica and Venice are accessible. It's a safe ride, and I've already taken advantage of it multiple times.

Side note: Pictured below, you may notice some gold detailing on my arm. These are called flash-tattoos, and I am absolutely obsessed.

Real talk

You win some, you lose some. Moving causes weak friendships to dissolve, and strong ones to become stronger. Going from college with my close friends, to Minneapolis with new friends through my training program, to Los Angeles with absolutely no one has taught me more than anything else in my 22 years.
You instantly learn who will be there for you no matter what, and you learn that being alone is ok. You also learn (QUICKLY), that some friendships aren't meant to stand the test of time, and you lose commonalities with certain souls. And that is completely natural and normal. [Telling myself this trying to teach it to myself.]
I'm probably the world's worst at being alone. I fight it, I hate it, I can't stand it. But when you don't have a choice, it makes for a quick, steep learning-curve. So from here, my tips for anyone going through a move, heart-break, or any type of life change are as follows.

1. You are enough, and although you may feel completely alone you never are. I have family and friends all across the country, and they are all there for me even if they physically can't be. There have been multiple times I have picked up the phone and taken an hour of their time, and they're happy to do it. Lean on those who stay in your life, even when they're not with you.
2. Learn to let go. As I mentioned in the column to the left, not all relationships will follow you into each chapter of your life. If they did, they wouldn't be new chapters and you wouldn't grow. No one likes stagnant come on people. Change is good! And so is switching up your life partners.
3. Sometimes silence can be the loudest. When I'm alone, my thoughts consume my brain. It can be extremely frustrating and exhausting. However, lately I've learned to take the time to evaluate myself. My thoughts and inner-being have a great time when they can run free and digest the changes happening all around me. Embracing the sound of the new and the quieting of the old has been my biggest stress factor. I daily meditate and work to train my mind to be calm and appreciate each moment for what it is.

M. Kaitlin

Pictures taken at Leo Carrillo State Park near Malibu.
Read about it here.

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