11 days ago I left my job. It all came so fast; I can't believe that it's been a week an a half already. I've now shifted from being pre-occupied with work stress to transitioning into moving out of my apartment and preparing for my 4-month-long journey. I'm also trying to see/enjoy as much of LA as I can before I leave, because I don't know where my life will take me after I get my Master's next year.
Right now I'm sitting at my desk in my room. On my birthday. You know how some people really try to downplay their birthday as if it's no big deal? Well, that's not me. I've been celebrating since Friday (my bday falling on a Monday isn't very convenient). So far, 25 people have posted on my wall and I'm really feeling the love. I'm just euphoric, in a comfortable sense. I love it. (Although, there is a kind of loneliness associated being with the center of attention, even when everyone is focused on you.)
My last day of work was April 20. That night, I went out to celebrate with Felix (who was also celebrating finishing a paper) and his friend Sam, who went to DC with him, and her roommate Anka. We went to BrewCo. Felix stayed at Sam's for the night, leaving me alone in the apartment at 2am. The next morning, I woke up with the spring's early sun and headed to traffic court. They couldn't do anything about my violation, so I had to return a week later to sort it out. I then headed home, where I was greeted with good news: My UK visa had been approved! Also, the autographs
from my ANTM appearance arrived in the mail! I received my paycheck for my flash mob! And finally, MY NEW CAMERA ARRIVED. Wow, unemployment is turning out to be the best thing ever.
That Friday, I stayed away from West LA, because President Obama was visiting, and frankly, whenever the president's in town, every single street within 5 miles is fucked up for hours. I thus spent the day hanging out with Brian, going first to Pie n Burger in Pasadena, then hung out at my apartment before Michelle joined us for a vegetarian Mexican dinner.
Saturday, my third day of unemployment, was a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. I picked up Steffen and Christoph in Westwood before heading to Silver Lake to meet Michelle, and Lawrence ended up driving us there. We stopped at Jack in the Box, where we helped a man find his way to a funeral, and Del Taco (although there were several Del Taco locations closer to the park!). Joshua Tree was at first unimpressive, with a 3-mile hike leading us to a grove of palm trees. But, we then went to Split Rock, where we hiked behind to a massive field of undulating rock formations. It was very cool. Then we climbed Ryan Mountain (while playing "marry, kill, fuck" and getting "The Climb" stuck in our head), where we took in panoramic views of the verdant springtime desert below us. Our final stop in the park was a great vista point where we took in an amazing sunset. It suddenly became chilly, so we rushed back into the city, to Chili's, in fact. My mom had locked herself out of the house.
The next week was spent hanging out with friends, or going out with family. I drove from West LA back to Glassell to celebrate Easter at Tita Fanny's and at Tita Cris's. Dinner at Morton's Santa Ana for kuya Ferdie's birthday. What an amazing meal. I met up with Chris on Monday night after his work. He seemed really stressed and overwhelmed with all the work he has. I could tell that he's not himself (was I like that while working?). We went to Burbank (Lowe's) then got vegan shakes at Sage Organic, then had drinks back at my house. It was great to catch up. On Tuesday (April 26) I had lunch with my mom in Pasadena, because she got off work early (feeling ill). I then drove to downtown to scope out locations for Saturday's Amazing Race. I returned to West LA with some groceries from Trader Joe's, and I watched The IT Crowd and Weeds.
Wednesday, I stayed on the westside. The weather was really warm/hot and brilliantly sunny. It feels like summer. I went to Aaahs and hung around Santa Monica in the afternoon (again planning my Amazing Race). Then I met up with Ruben for dinner at Tara's. He can't make it to my weekend celebrations as he'll be in Vegas. Felix's friend Andy came over and we drank, played beer hockey and fuck the dealer (fick dich Felix). Sam came over later, bringing scones and staying the night.
Thursday, April 28: I went back to court. They didn't have my ticket in their system, so now I just have to check every 2 weeks to see if there's anything for me to do. (winning?) Met Felix and Andy in downtown afterwards; we had dim sum at Empress Pavilion, then explored Union Station, Olvera Street, and little Tokyo. I bought ramen for my still-ill mom.
On Friday, I made a run to Target to buy supplies for the race, then I went for a hike in Eaton Canyon (Altadena) with Fernand. The hike was much more intense than I thought it would be. It was all climbing over rocks and hopping across the rapidly flowing creek. I cut my legs twice, and Fernand fell completely in the water at one point. But the waterfall is really pretty. After that, we went to happy hour at the Yard House. Michelle M was there, then Vincent came, and Kim Y. and Omri, who had just learned that she was accepted to Berkeley! (Go Bears!) We then walked to Barney's Beanery; Alex M. met us there, bringing with him Joan, and then Brian showed up.
Saturday: MY AMAZING RACE DAY. I assembled the clues and it was great. Full recap to come later.
Music of the moment: The Girlfriend Season - Live While You're Young; New Order - Blue Monday; The Starting Line - Best of Me ("We got older, but we're still young / we never grew out of this feeling that we won't give up")
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