I just lived through my very first earthquake. Since Maggie and Bryce, my lovely cousins, were deathly afraid I would die in an earthquake immediately upon moving to California, I wanted to let you all know I am not dead.
I was sitting on my couch sending out resumes to job openings with my roommate Kerrie who was doing the same thing. I suddenly felt the couch shaking. My first thought was that one of our many animals was sitting behind the couch and scratching which was shaking us too. Knowing that both the dogs are too big to get back there and the cats would have to be really strong to shake us that way, I said to Kerrie, "Is this an earthquake?"
Immediately, the shaking became much stronger and the whole house was moving. I could see the walls wobbly back and forth. The dogs came running out into the living room as Kerrie and I stupidly held onto the couch and rode it out. We did absolutely nothing to protect ourselves (doorways? would that help me? What?) and it was over almost before it started.
Kerrie and I looked at each other and laughed. I think we were just relieved that it was so minor in our house because we weren't sure it we would have been able to save ourselves! Nothing broke or anything here (Jeff would be proud because my first thought was for the TV). We just got a good shake. All the news stations are going crazy and the animals are still calming down, but otherwise it was pretty minor. The aftershocks are getting smaller, so nothing worse should happen and my little old house looks like it will hold up pretty well through quakes. Plus, the epicenter is 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles (we are north west of downtown) so the worst is far from us. I promise everyone I'll actually read up on earthquake safety so next time I won't just stare in shock amazement.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Crap! I live in LA!
My dear readers,
The reality that I live in a big, bustling city that couldn't care less about one more person joining their ranks is sinking in. Not that I'm regretting the decision, but it is very real now. I like this city--at least as a big change from where I have been. there are thigns to do, cool places to eat, and people from every walk of life all crowded in together. This makes for a much more interesting life than the beige existence I had in Montgomery. This feels like a big step upward in a lot of ways.
Granted, so far it hasn't been roses. For one thing, I don't have a job yet and have had more expenses than I'd like to admit. Of course, I think Jeff is going to have a job fairly soon, so the immense pressure is off of me for just a little while. Also, we're getting used to living with other people again. It helps that it is Andrew, a good friend of ours. He and Kerrie, our other roommate, see living together as more than just a convenience thing. We're seeing our lives as very communal, sharing food expenses, borrowing cars for long commutes, etc. It helps knowing there are people there looking out for you. AND (and this is a biggie), our stuff hasn't arrived yet. My back feels like it belongs to an 80-year-old from sleeping for more than a week on an air matress. Of course, I can partially blame my bed-hog of a dog for that. We won't be getting our stuff until sometime next week and I am stir crazy for a sofa! I guess that is a mild complaint, but it feels like it's my whole life right now!
The city is crazy, though. Everyone driving as fast as possible, in a hurry to get somewhere. But it is nice to know that I can go out in my sweats and a ponytail, no make-up, or get dressed to the nines in heels and jewelry, and be judged the same way by my fellow-passersby. No one really cares, and that's the truth.
I'm running out of time on my library computer here, so I'll write more when I have more to say. But suffice it to say, I'm a crazy LA chick--who is already making plans for the next step!
The reality that I live in a big, bustling city that couldn't care less about one more person joining their ranks is sinking in. Not that I'm regretting the decision, but it is very real now. I like this city--at least as a big change from where I have been. there are thigns to do, cool places to eat, and people from every walk of life all crowded in together. This makes for a much more interesting life than the beige existence I had in Montgomery. This feels like a big step upward in a lot of ways.
Granted, so far it hasn't been roses. For one thing, I don't have a job yet and have had more expenses than I'd like to admit. Of course, I think Jeff is going to have a job fairly soon, so the immense pressure is off of me for just a little while. Also, we're getting used to living with other people again. It helps that it is Andrew, a good friend of ours. He and Kerrie, our other roommate, see living together as more than just a convenience thing. We're seeing our lives as very communal, sharing food expenses, borrowing cars for long commutes, etc. It helps knowing there are people there looking out for you. AND (and this is a biggie), our stuff hasn't arrived yet. My back feels like it belongs to an 80-year-old from sleeping for more than a week on an air matress. Of course, I can partially blame my bed-hog of a dog for that. We won't be getting our stuff until sometime next week and I am stir crazy for a sofa! I guess that is a mild complaint, but it feels like it's my whole life right now!
The city is crazy, though. Everyone driving as fast as possible, in a hurry to get somewhere. But it is nice to know that I can go out in my sweats and a ponytail, no make-up, or get dressed to the nines in heels and jewelry, and be judged the same way by my fellow-passersby. No one really cares, and that's the truth.
I'm running out of time on my library computer here, so I'll write more when I have more to say. But suffice it to say, I'm a crazy LA chick--who is already making plans for the next step!
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