Drop, Duck, Cover. . .

Don’t worry, if there’s ever an earthquake in southern California I am officially prepared. After seven hours of orientation yesterday with at least 2.5 of that time spent on being prepared in an emergency situation. In case your wondering, in the event of an earthquake 1) Don’t go running outdoors 2)DONT stand in a door jam- the door will shut on you and more than likely smash your fingers (this is news to me cause I was always told that standing in one is a safe place to be. I guess I’ve been lied to for the past 20 years) 3)Back away from any windows and things that may or not fall on you. . .blah, blah, blah.
I can tell you right now that if a severe earthquake ever hits Los Angeles all of this knowledge won’t matter. I’m the first one to admit that in the event of an emergency, I will freak out, have a panic attack, and more than likely break out into hysterics. Forget about thinking straight and using common sense. Though BU has prepared us with the staples, including a giant jar of peanut butter (not to be used for making PB&Js we’ve been told), several cans of tuna and spam, and two giant bottles of water. My question is, what in the hell are we supposed to mix the tuna with? And I don’t think in any type of situation will I ever even consider opening a can of spam, let alone placing a bite of that spiced canned pork substance anywhere near my face. Now don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love peanut butter. . .but how’s a girl gonna survive off of that? Hopefully, I will never need to find out.
Best part about the entire orientation is when we were taught about directions including which way north, east, south and west are. Now I actually considered this to be slightly helpful because despite having a father and mother who both have a great sense of direction, I apparently lack one (as learned on the first night in LA). One thinks they have it all figured out. Downtown LA is east of PL. Beverly Hills, Century City, and Santa Monica are all west of PL. While most of the studios and the valley are north through the mountains. But then you start driving the streets of West Hollywood and get all confused, that is after you finally find your way out of PL. Thank the lord for my new BFF, Lulu. Lulu is my somewhat dependable Garmin GPS system. Some what dependable meaning that on my way to 9000 Sunset Blvd this morning, Lulu decided to be a bit of a whore and not find the correct address which led to me to utilizing the map app on my blackberry.
Driving in LA is nothing like driving in Boston. Try making a left turn onto a street, it will take about 20 minutes to do it. I guess Los Angeles doesn’t believe in left turning lanes and green turning arrows. Traffic is crazy, but everyone knows that. It’s led the girl who absolutely hates using her horn (me) to become well acquainted with the lovely sound of a blaring, ugly tone. For part of the orientation we were taught about driving. I felt like I was 16 again, sitting in the smelly, boring Top Driver classroom watching outdated movies about drunk driving. Apparently it’s not common sense that when one is switching lanes, they should turn their head and look into their blind spot.
So after 7 hours of learning about earthquakes and common sense, I finally felt like I was ready to take on the roads and weather of LA.
Speaking of earthquakes, everyone should take a moment and pray for those affected by the one in Haiti.

We're Definitely Not in Kansas Anymore

Unreal. That’s all I have to say about the past 36 hours. Well, also that LA and I are a match made in heaven so far. My nerves are gone for now (I have my first interview at Syndicate PR tomorrow morning and the jitters will be back) and I feel dumb for being so nervous. I can say that so far my experience has been utterly amazing and I haven’t even ventured out beyond about a two mile radius from the Park LaBrea complex.

Park LaBrea is unlike anything I have ever experienced it my entire life. I’m sitting here racking my scattered brain for something to compare it to and I’m coming up empty. The complex is arranged in a circular pattern (complete with its own roundabouts that Dublin, OH would be proud of) with sets of highrise apartment buildings surrounded by smaller condos. EVERYTHING LOOKS THE SAME. Upon arriving into this sprawling 32 acres (if I remember correctly) the cab driver got lost numerous times. When the Enterprise dude came to get me, he proceeded to get lost finding his way out. AND THESE PEOPLE LIVE HERE. So imagine, to my little surprise, what happens when my roommates and I walk to dinner last night and proceed to get utterly lost.

The evening started out well. We left about 10 minutes before dinner and actually made it out of PL (I’m using these initials from now on to refer to Park LaBrea) and only arrived to Buddha’s Belly (which has fantastic eggrolls, btw) about 15 minutes late. We leave dinner with a big group of people- only 1 of us had the smarts to bring a map of the complex with us- and think we’re making a short cut by using a side gate instead of walking around to the main entrance. BIG NO NO. This is where it all went wrong. The 3 of us split off because our apt. building is in a completely different direction than the others. This was mistake #2 as none of us had a map. This dumb decision led to 3 girls wondering around for about 45 minutes, ultimately proving that we have no sense of direction and that one must always carry a map.

Best part of the night is when we decided to stop wondering around and stand on the corner waiting for our 4th roomie to come find us and show the way home (which turned out to be on the complete opposite side of the complex). During this wait, a man got out of his car, opened his trunk and proceeded to put a sailors hat on top of his head. He then got back in and drove off. At this moment in time, I finally understood how Dorothy felt the moment she landed in OZ. Lesson learned, always carry a map of said apt. complex with you. And if you think you should go in one direction, chances are you destination is in the complete opposite. At least, according to my warped sense of direction.

So that was my first night in Los Angeles, definitely learned a few things that I will not forget during my stay at PL. Now my first day was full of lessons too. But those are for next time. . .

Buckle Up. . .It's Gonna Be A Bumpy Ride

Los Angeles. What comes to my mind when I think of this city? Glamour, Celebrities, Parties, Paparazzi, Rodeo Drive- essentially all of the images straight out of a scene of Entourage (which just happens to be one of my favorite shows). Today, I move to this insane city for the next four months. Hence, where this blog comes to play.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the blog. I subscribe to a ridiculous amount and read them incessantly. I love reading about food, hockey, fashion, entertainment, public relations, football, you name it. Since I harbor this love, I’ve decided to actually try writing one and see how it goes. Now I’ve never been an insanely good writer, but I’ve learned throughout my years of school to come to enjoy the blank page. My hope for this blog is to provide a little entertainment about my time in LA, perhaps a little insight into what it’s like to be a twenty something living in the midst of excess. I love being entertained and that’s what I want this blog to be.

Now a little about me:

I’m junior at Boston University- currently spending a semester “abroad” in L.A.

I’m a public relations major with a minor in French.

I’m a magazine addict- I read fashion, food, sports, news, anything I can get my hands on.

That said, I LOVE reading. . .I spend a ridiculous amount of money on books.

Oddly enough, I’m not a fan of libraries- there’s something about that old and used book smell that I can’t handle.

I love to cook and bake. If I ever need to drop out of school, I’m opening a Pâtisserie.

I am a MAJOR hockey fan. It’s in my blood. GO PENS!!!

I have moved 16 times in my life. Sometimes just 1 block down the street, other times from one state to another.

I’ve spent 16 years of my life in Western PA, and will never in my life live in PA again.

I love shoes. So much so, that I devoted an entire suitcase to bring to LA.

I have a wedding obsession. It’s not normal how excited I get when new wedding magazines hit the stands. My fav: Martha Stewart Weddings.

As I sit on the plane writing this, I still don’t think the next few months has hit me yet. It probably won’t until I get out of the airport and drive towards Park LeBrea (my LA home). The nerves didn’t hit me until about 4 am, east coast time, as I stood in the shower thinking about everything I couldn’t forget (good thing I was thinking this because I almost forgot my credit card and my running shoes). BOOM, the nerves came and suddenly I felt my feet getting very cold. They’re still there, like tiny Mexican jumping beans in the pit of my stomach. But there’s no looking back now, we’re crossing over the mountains and I must embark on what it sure to be a wild ride.