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