The Happiest Place on Earth!

Although I was not able to attend Stagecoach this past weekend, I did get the chance to go to Disneyland & California Adventure...for FREE! I felt like such a little kid. I was so stoked! I had no idea what to expect, since I hadn't been to Disney World in years. Disneyland is so much smaller than Disney World. It is  just like Magic Kingdom (but there were less characters walking around), Downtown Disney World is wayyyy better than Downtown Disneyland, & California Adventure is a theme park for pre-teens and teens. 

My friends and I started off at California Adventure because the line was significantly shorter to get in. Let me remind you, we decided to go  not only on a sunny California day, but a Saturday nonetheless. Not the smartest idea, but hey..when you work 40+ hours during the week, you don't have many options. I hadn't ridden a roller  coaster since high school, maybe? The first one up was California Screamin', which goes upside down. I'll admit I was nervous at first, but it was actually a blast. Afterwards, it was time to ride The Grizzly River Run. We got the Fast Pass for it before riding California Screamin', so we had an hour blocked off when we could skip ahead of the line and hop right on! This ride was just like The Penguin's Blizzard River at Six Flags, which was one of my favorites. We grabbed some lunch afterwards, then headed over to Disneyland. 

We used the Fast Pass a lot at Disneyland. It worked out pretty well for the most part. We rode Pirates of the Caribbean, Indian Jones Adventure, It's a Small World, Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Space Mountain (my favorite!), Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain (twice!), the Disneyland Train around the entire park, walked through Sleeping Beauty's Castle, went to Mickey's Toontown, ate at Redd Rocket's Pizza Port, ate lots of ice cream and chocolate, tried on the Mickey Mouse hats, & saw a few fireworks.

We were there nearly 13 hours. It was the BEST DAY EVER.

We're going back soon to devote the day to Mickey's Soundsational Parade, "Remember...Dreams Come True" Fireworks Spectacular, and Fantasmic!. 

Disneyland seriously is "The Happiest Place on Earth"!

Sam (friend #3), myself and Curtis (Sam's friend), who managed to make it into one picture.

I have realized, I'm not one for taking great photos while on thrill rides. My eyes were closed in every shot, while my mouth was wide open. 

105.1 Go Country!

Stagecoach was this past weekend. For those of you who don't know, Stagecoach is a three day country music festival in Indio, CA.  I had actually never heard of it before moving out here. A guy from Match mentioned it to me. Since I love country music I wanted to go, but quickly found out tickets had been sold out for months. So my sole mission for the past three weeks was to win tickets from the radio station, Go Country. The boys and I listened to country music all day, everyday.  I refused to miss a contest. I called. I texted. I was determined to win.

I didn't win.

The Questions

Why did you want to move? Why would you want to leave your family & friends to move someplace where you know basically no one? This a question I have heard numerous times. Well, here's the answer for you. I simply wanted to. I wanted an adventure. I wasn't happy with the place my life was at back in Kentucky. I didn't enjoy living back home after I had been on my own almost four years. I was a nanny part time & worked part time for my uncle. My girl friends were either in serious relationships or had a career path ahead of them. Some even had both, while I had neither. I was at a totally different place in my life. I didn't want a serious relationship. I didn't want a career. I wanted to take a road trip, learn photography, go sky diving, live close to the ocean, learn to surf, do kickboxing, live in Southern California. This was my chance to explore and actually live my life. I didn't have any responsibilities; nothing tying me down. So with a leap of faith, I went for it. 

When did you decide you wanted to be a live-in nanny? I had tossed around the idea of being a live-in nanny last fall. I knew this would be the only way I could move out, especially out of state. Although I never quite thought it would happen, I went with the idea and joined online nanny agencies. Nannies4Hire being the one that led me to the job I have now. I was browsing the site for different families in Southern California when I came across one that actually seemed like it would be a good fit. I messaged the family that night telling them I was interested in the job. Never actually believing I would get a response. The next morning I had a reply saying they read my profile and wanted to conduct a phone interview with me. That Thursday night I spoke with the family on the phone about the job and my experience with kids. That weekend they called my references. My initial message was sent on November 16th. I was offered the job one week later on November 23rd. Four and a half weeks later, I was on the road headed to California. It all happened so fast.

What is a live-in nanny? It's actually a pretty sweet job. I live with the family for free. I get paid a weekly salary, plus my groceries are paid for. All I have to do is watch their two boys during the day. I literally roll out of bed each morning and start work. I have my own bedroom and bathroom on the first floor of the house; separated from the rest of the house by a sliding door. The family is only on the first floor of the house during dinner. Afterwards, they go upstairs to the family room to hang out and watch TV, leaving me with the peace & quiet. I only work Monday through Friday from 7:30ish until 5 o'clock. The unique thing about this live-in nanny job is that the parents actually wanted me to start the daycare in their house. Why, you may ask? Well, while the parents will pay for all daycare expenses, they will also reduce my weekly pay each time I get a new kid. I will still be making more money though, so it's a win-win for all! Now, if I could only get some more kids in the daycare.

Where did you move to? I had never even heard of Placentia, CA before this job. I didn't even know how to pronounce it. It is not pronounced the same as placenta; although, many of you guys back home tend to say it that way. Placentia is located to the east of Fullerton & northeast of Anaheim. Anaheim is home to the Angels, the Ducks, and Disneyland! I live about 20 minutes from Disneyland, 30-40 minutes from the beach,  roughly an hour from L.A., two hours north of San Diego, and only four hours from Vegas. It's a great location. All the cities in Orange County tend to blend into each other. One minute I'm driving in Placentia, the next I am in Fullerton or Brea. 

What did your parents think of the move? At first, my parents were very hesitant to the idea of me moving across the country to live with a family I didn't know. Obviously they were worried something  could happen. They felt a little more at ease once I had talked to the family a few more times and my references had spoken with them, as well. My parents finally accepted the idea once they realized that I was going whether they liked it or not. Other members of my family were very surprised to hear I was moving to California, but were all very supportive.  They said I was the only one who had the guts to actually do it. Although for some reason, I didn't and still don't see my move as a very big deal. 

Do you like living in California? I absolutely love living out here. It is a bit different than Kentucky, but not necessarily in a bad way. I would say I'm doing pretty good for myself. I made three friends in three months (believe me, that's good for California...making girl friends out here is much harder than one would think). I don't just sit around the house. I am active. I do way more out here than I ever did back in Kentucky. The weather is great. The beach is nearby. There are plenty of opportunities here. I am very happy with my life. Although I do miss my friends and family back home, I have never regretted my decision to move...not once. 

No, the Family I Moved in with were not Serial Killers. I am Still Alive.

It's hard to believe that I packed up my car almost four months ago to road trip to California. To move to a state I had never been to before, to live with a family I had never met. 

In the past 119 days: 

I became a live-in nanny. I started Kickboxing (met friend #1). I joined Match.com-went on 23 dates with 15 different guys (I am still single). I have been to Fashion Island, Irvine Spectrum, The Grove, The Block at Orange, South Coast Plaza (all huge shopping centers), The Lab (a smaller shopping center), Brea Mall, Downtown Disneyland. Basically every shopping center has a movie theater, which I find odd. Valet parking is offered everywhere. I have tried almost every frozen yogurt place: Yogurtland, Cherry On Top, Pinkberry, Golden Spoon, Villa Melt. Yogurtland has my vote for the best. I went on a Sea Lion and Celebrity's Houses mini cruise. I have been to Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach. All of which are cool spots and offer different things. I went to San Diego. I went to Downtown Long Beach. I went out on Main Street in Huntington Beach for St. Patrick's Day. I went out in the Gaslamp District in San Diego. I also have been out to Heroes, Roscoe's, The Continental Room, Slide Bar, The Back Alley, The Tuscany Club, and Bourbon Street in DTF. Quit with your dirty minds...it stands for Downtown Fullerton. I babysat for two random families while they were in town for vacation. I met a guy who thought I was from Kansas, not Kentucky. I saw the Hollywood Sign and went to Hollywood Blvd. I drove on Rodeo Drive and drove past Kat Von D's tattoo shop. I went to DASH. I discovered Nordstrom's Rack (great place for shoe shopping). I had Jamba Juice, as well as, In-N-Out which is apparently a California staple. (Steak-n-Shake is better.) I tried Bruxie, a restaurant that serves everything on waffles. I had chicken and waffles. Delicious. I had Del Taco and Pita Pit. I have been to Yardhouse and BJ's (it's a restaurant). I went to Scoop on Cookies and Farrell's Ice Cream. Needless to say, I gained ten pounds. I took 15 hours of CPR, First Aid, and Preventative Health & Safety Classes through the RedCross. I got a background check and LiveScan fingerprinted. I officially own a Licensed Small Family Daycare in the Family's house where I nanny. I have flyers, business cards and a website to promote my business. I have been to the movies more times than I can count; once by myself.  I saw Titanic in 3D. The first time I had actually seen the entire movie. I have had three visitors from Kentucky (Kelsi, Stacie and Danielle). I went to an Anaheim Ducks hockey game. I went to the San Diego Zoo. I took the boys to the Santa Ana Zoo. I also took them to the La Habra Children's Museum. I saw the Kissing Statue at the port in Downtown San Diego. I rode the Ferris wheel at the Spectrum. I went to a concert. I drove across the Coronado Bridge. I parallel parked for the first time (it was perfect). I ran The Color Run 5K. I took a photography class.  I went to church. I did a Boot Camp for a month (met friend #3).  Friend #2 is the sister of the mom I nanny for. I "lost" my car in the parking structure at the Spectrum. I am doing Yoga for a month. I am still kickboxing. I found out "Cute Kickboxing Instructor" has a girlfriend of almost three years.  I am learning to eat healthier and actually enjoy working out. I have lost five pounds. I like to drink green tea and eat fruit. Yes, my fish Gryffin is still alive (he is over two and a half years old). I am obsessed with buying Groupons and Living Social Deals. I currently have these still to use: Bikram Yoga-25 classes, an Intro Sewing Class, a Beginner Horseback Riding Lesson, a Month of CrossFit, 12 Personal Training Sessions, a Facial and Foot Scrub, an Hour Massage, a Pedicure and Manicure, Three Oil Changes for my Car, Two Car Washes, another Hour Massage, and a Ticket for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. My job makes me feel like Super Nanny. I am still officially a Kentucky resident, since my car did not pass the SMOG test; however, this will be changing soon. I have realized people in California don't shop at Walmart for groceries. Super Walmart's are few and far between. Costco or Ralph's is the place to go...even for a Redbox. However, I prefer Sprout's for grocery shopping or Trader Joe's. People here don't know what an expressway is or what I am saying when I tell them I am from Louisville. They say receipt not ticket. Every guy I have met has told me that people in California are stuck up and mean; however, I have found the opposite to be true. The only mean person I have encountered is a lady who stole my parking spot at the Spectrum. In case you haven't noticed, I visit the Spectrum quite often. Mainly when I am bored. It even has a pet shop and sometimes there is a band playing. California strawberries are way better than any I've had in Kentucky. Jarrito is also a pretty bomb drink that apparently isn't sold in the Midwest. People don't pull into your driveway when they pick you up or stop by for a visit. Parking on the street is the way to go. I have learned that traffic does suck in California, but Carpool lanes are amazing (when you have more than one person in your car), motorcyclists like to "split lanes" and going South on the "Freeway" is always a better choice during rush hour. People here act like a 20 minute drive is just as far as an hour and they don't know how to drive in the rain. Lastly, Californians need a geography lesson. No one knows where Kentucky is on the map. 

My Sweet Parallel Parking Job

Me & Stace

Me & Sam (Friend #3)

Newport Beach