I think I just might be the worse blogger. I started a blog just after I moved here to share the things I don't understand about LA. Although I have many things to update all of you on, I hate to let a good blog go to waste, so I'm going to finish the blog I started months ago.
I thought it would be fun to share the perplexities of this city, the great Los Angeles. Don't get me wrong, life is going well, but there are so many things that perplex me about this city and I thought you might enjoy hearing them.
Just in case you are curious about my life. I am settled in a Vineyard church, I bought a 2005 Honda Civic, my roommate is great, my commute is only 20 minutes, and I'm getting paid more than ever. God has really blessed me and has been answering prayers. Now here's the list you've been waiting for.
1. Where did all the Walmarts go?
For some odd reason, there are very few Walmarts in Los Angeles and I happen to live down the street from a three story one. Google maps lists 6 Walmarts in all of LA, a city covering over 400 square miles. I visited the 3 story Walmart a few weeks ago, and I will never go back. It is so hard to find what you are looking for when you have to go up and down escalators all the time. You have to use the elevator to take your shopping cart between floors. Talk about planning ahead of time.
I'm not sure why LA can't support more of the giant superstores, but it seems that it may be due to the neighborhood structure. LA is made up of many neighborhoods that feel like small towns. Each neighborhood is completely different, but when you are driving around they blend together smoothly.
2. Why is there a parking lane?
Even though parking can be very hard to find in this city, there is definitely not a lack of parking spots. Almost all of the streets have parking "spaces" next to the curb that also act as a driving lane. Typically parking is restricted during rush hour but is free game at all other times. It is so frustrating, because if you don't pay attention you'll end up getting stuck behind a parked car. Even the busiest streets allow parking along the curb, so you don't dare get into the far right lane.
3. Where are all the natives?
Most of the people that I've met in Los Angeles are not natives to the city but moved here for a job or school. Granted, the company I work for is very international. One of the women in the mechanical department went to high school in Leavenworth Kansas and graduated from Kansas State...small world. I've met many people that moved to LA to pursue acting, producing, or publishing. Surprising heh!
4. Does anyone work around here?
It is very common to go out to lunch and find people riding their bikes around the beach cities. They ride along like they don't have a care in the world, and I suppose they may not. People say its probably due to all of the aspiring actors waitressing at night. Hey, I've even caught a little bit of that fever. My company took about 60 (out of 150) of us to work near the beach a few months ago to celebrate a successful job in the Gulf (no, not of Mexico). They told us to take a leisurely lunch, so we took them seriously and hung out at the restaurant from 12pm to 3pm.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Traffic, traffic, and more traffic
After two full weeks, I am almost used to LA...except for the driving. I only live 5 miles from work, yet I feel that I am driving all the time. I might think "I'll go over to such and such town" and it will take me 30 minutes to get there. Last weekend I went "driving" in search of a cool coffee shop and ended up in my car for an hour and a half without finding one. I know with search engines like Google things shouldn't be so hard, but if I don't write it down I may never find it. Downtown Lawrence is so unique with awesome coffee shops on literally every corner, but here all you find is Starbucks and Coffee Bean.
So, I found a roommate. My friend Chris Lemmon introduced us and she is really cool. She lives in a house in a "not so good" part of town, but the house is really quaint and the neighborhood is nice. Rent is a lot cheaper than most places and it is only 7 miles from work. I am probably moving there September 1st (my birthday). Though there are a lot of apartments here, there are a lot of neighborhoods with houses for rent. I've had plenty of friends in Phoenix live in "questionable" areas, so I feel completely fine with the decision.
After a full week of researching cars, I finally ventured out this weekend and did some test driving. I've never experienced car salesmen, but a few this weekend took the cake for sleaziness. First I spoke to a man at a Toyota dealership who had a strong accent. I couldn't understand a thing he said, and I thought, "how did I end up with this man?" Yesterday I test drove a Honda Civic and the woman working with me said, "this car gets 40 miles per gallon." Are you kidding? Only hybrids get 40 miles per gallon, though a civic might get close to that on the highway. She said it so seriously, and I corrected her. Each dealer tried to get me to buy the car on the spot, but I decided to look a little more. It reminds me that I need to do more research and know what I want before I go.
Work is going well, but slow. I had hoped to have some jobs by now to get the juices going, but all I've been working on is a parking garage and all the design is done. Most of our jobs are large and take months or years to design, so I understand that they haven't put me on one yet. I will most likely help different people out and try to pick up new knowledge along the way. I'm sure it will take a few months before I feel a part of the team. People at work are pretty cool, but they are pretty focused on the job and after hour social events seem to be limited. People rarely go out to lunch, at least not in large groups like I'm used to. I find that relationship building is slow and difficult. I've always thought of work as a "mission field", but that definition is starting to evolve. I see work now more as my responsibility to cultivate the earth. I've had a lot of time to listen to podcasts while doing busy work to the point where I am sick of my iPod.
So, I found a roommate. My friend Chris Lemmon introduced us and she is really cool. She lives in a house in a "not so good" part of town, but the house is really quaint and the neighborhood is nice. Rent is a lot cheaper than most places and it is only 7 miles from work. I am probably moving there September 1st (my birthday). Though there are a lot of apartments here, there are a lot of neighborhoods with houses for rent. I've had plenty of friends in Phoenix live in "questionable" areas, so I feel completely fine with the decision.
After a full week of researching cars, I finally ventured out this weekend and did some test driving. I've never experienced car salesmen, but a few this weekend took the cake for sleaziness. First I spoke to a man at a Toyota dealership who had a strong accent. I couldn't understand a thing he said, and I thought, "how did I end up with this man?" Yesterday I test drove a Honda Civic and the woman working with me said, "this car gets 40 miles per gallon." Are you kidding? Only hybrids get 40 miles per gallon, though a civic might get close to that on the highway. She said it so seriously, and I corrected her. Each dealer tried to get me to buy the car on the spot, but I decided to look a little more. It reminds me that I need to do more research and know what I want before I go.
Work is going well, but slow. I had hoped to have some jobs by now to get the juices going, but all I've been working on is a parking garage and all the design is done. Most of our jobs are large and take months or years to design, so I understand that they haven't put me on one yet. I will most likely help different people out and try to pick up new knowledge along the way. I'm sure it will take a few months before I feel a part of the team. People at work are pretty cool, but they are pretty focused on the job and after hour social events seem to be limited. People rarely go out to lunch, at least not in large groups like I'm used to. I find that relationship building is slow and difficult. I've always thought of work as a "mission field", but that definition is starting to evolve. I see work now more as my responsibility to cultivate the earth. I've had a lot of time to listen to podcasts while doing busy work to the point where I am sick of my iPod.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Trader Joe's on every corner and Starbucks at work
I've been in LA for less than a week, and I'm already feeling like a native...ok, not really. I have traveled throughout the city a bit but covered no more than 60 miles any given trip. I visited Manhattan beach, downtownish, Hollywood, North Hollywood, and Culver City.
I arrived in LA on Friday August 1st and everything went well, but I failed to anticipate how to handle three HEAVY suit cases and a carry on. I found the apartment, bought groceries, unpacked and called my new LA friends.
On Saturday, I went to Manhattan Beach with a new friend Naomi who I met through Amanda, a Lawrence Native. In the afternoon we drove close to downtown and looked at a few houses that Naomi was considering. I was considering living with Naomi, but the drive is too far. We ate dinner at an amazing Italian restaurant called Masa.
Sunday I went to church in Hollywood and was rear ended on the way. Yes, I was rear ended my third day here! There was no damage to the car, but my body was a little stiff. I've had better luck since then and have learned how to drive in LA...no sudden stops, PAY ATTENTION, commit, be defensive. Driving on the streets is not too different from Lawrence except there are sooo many "23rd Streets."
My job is AMAZING. That is where the Starbucks comes in. Although I am not a big fan of the company, I immensely enjoy the automatic coffee machine at work. All you do is decide the size and brew, press a button, and fresh coffee is poured into your cup. No more burned coffee! The jobs we do out of this office are mind boggling. This week I started helping out with a project in the middle east that is a resort complex...kind of like Dubai. Supposedly we do a lot of museums and will be designing the MEP for the Guggenheim Museum in Dubai. My supervisors are very focused and have already given me an assimilation plan for the next 6 months. I have a lot to learn and some amazing opportunities. Supposedly they are going to fly me out to the Midwest for a "school." Maybe I can have friends visit me!
Tuesday I visited a bible study in North Hollywood and met two aspiring actors. They were actually really cool! I am amazed by the people I've met here. A new friend is a model and her boyfriend designs jeans. They are both friends with the guy who films Rob Bell videos. I have not met any musicians yet though, so Lawrence has LA beat! :)
Yesterday I visited my favorite favorite hippy/natural/organic/granola grocery store called Trader Joe's that is only located near the coasts. If you've ever been there, you'd know what I mean and if not, I am sorry!
Tonight I had dinner with a friend of Karen Armstrong's (from Vintage) daughter. She is really cool and their house is close to a cute neighborhood called Culver City. We enjoyed an amazing dinner with a glass of wine.
I can't believe tomorrow is Friday! This weekend I will be car shopping and apartment hunting.
I arrived in LA on Friday August 1st and everything went well, but I failed to anticipate how to handle three HEAVY suit cases and a carry on. I found the apartment, bought groceries, unpacked and called my new LA friends.
On Saturday, I went to Manhattan Beach with a new friend Naomi who I met through Amanda, a Lawrence Native. In the afternoon we drove close to downtown and looked at a few houses that Naomi was considering. I was considering living with Naomi, but the drive is too far. We ate dinner at an amazing Italian restaurant called Masa.
Sunday I went to church in Hollywood and was rear ended on the way. Yes, I was rear ended my third day here! There was no damage to the car, but my body was a little stiff. I've had better luck since then and have learned how to drive in LA...no sudden stops, PAY ATTENTION, commit, be defensive. Driving on the streets is not too different from Lawrence except there are sooo many "23rd Streets."
My job is AMAZING. That is where the Starbucks comes in. Although I am not a big fan of the company, I immensely enjoy the automatic coffee machine at work. All you do is decide the size and brew, press a button, and fresh coffee is poured into your cup. No more burned coffee! The jobs we do out of this office are mind boggling. This week I started helping out with a project in the middle east that is a resort complex...kind of like Dubai. Supposedly we do a lot of museums and will be designing the MEP for the Guggenheim Museum in Dubai. My supervisors are very focused and have already given me an assimilation plan for the next 6 months. I have a lot to learn and some amazing opportunities. Supposedly they are going to fly me out to the Midwest for a "school." Maybe I can have friends visit me!
Tuesday I visited a bible study in North Hollywood and met two aspiring actors. They were actually really cool! I am amazed by the people I've met here. A new friend is a model and her boyfriend designs jeans. They are both friends with the guy who films Rob Bell videos. I have not met any musicians yet though, so Lawrence has LA beat! :)
Yesterday I visited my favorite favorite hippy/natural/organic/granola grocery store called Trader Joe's that is only located near the coasts. If you've ever been there, you'd know what I mean and if not, I am sorry!
Tonight I had dinner with a friend of Karen Armstrong's (from Vintage) daughter. She is really cool and their house is close to a cute neighborhood called Culver City. We enjoyed an amazing dinner with a glass of wine.
I can't believe tomorrow is Friday! This weekend I will be car shopping and apartment hunting.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
I'm going to Disney World
Ok, so I didn't win the Super Bowl, but I won something quite close and to celebrate I'm going to Disney World...or at least Disney Land. My teammates and I won the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) 2008 Student Design Project Competition, Architectural Design. Now mind you, we didn't enter to win, because we expected some Architecture students to show us engineers up. Most engineering students enter one of two other categories that deal with heating and cooling design, so we figured we had a chance. There were only four teams who entered the Architectural Design Section and made it to regionals...in other words, it looks like the odds were on our side.
Tell them what they've won Bob...
First Place: $1,500 Plus a representative from the team will receive free transportation, two nights lodging and $100 expenses for attendance at the ASHRAE 2009 winter meeting in Chicago, IL where the award will be presented.
Now that's not bad! I suppose one of us can go to Chicago for the meeting!
Tell them what they've won Bob...
First Place: $1,500 Plus a representative from the team will receive free transportation, two nights lodging and $100 expenses for attendance at the ASHRAE 2009 winter meeting in Chicago, IL where the award will be presented.
Now that's not bad! I suppose one of us can go to Chicago for the meeting!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
I'm moving!
So, in case you didn't know, I am moving on August 1st to Los Angeles. Yes, I don't believe it either! I am flying to LAX on Aug. 1st, renting a car for a month, and settling in at an amazing furnished temporary apartment. I will start my job on August 4th. I am excited to work full time, but this time it feels like serious business! I have worked two internships and experienced full time work, but I feel that much is expected of me this time. Before I was just a student and I could always say, "I don't know." Now I feel like I "should know," though there is much still to learn. Otherwise, why would they hire me? I hope to "settle in" quickly. I have made a few contacts in the west LA area, I know of a few churches to try, and I have been invited to a bible study.
Graduation was on May 18, so you might ask, "what am I doing in the meantime?" A lot of nothing...but staying busy. Basically, I am trying to stay busy. I am packing and organizing my stuff into "Leave at home" "LA later" and "LA now." I spend almost everyday at Signs of Life, and they've actually asked me if I'm taking up residence (There are many like me at Signs). Occasionally I see friends, so it is a great place to hang out. While there I usually read the Word, read books, check my email, look for apartments, and check on things for my move. I go to a lot of "bible studies" and hang out with friends often. Both of my roommates have moved out and the apartment is almost empty, so I spend time out as much as possible.
I would love to hang out with all of you from Lawrence! My schedule is very open, so just let me know when you want to hang out. My computer charger is down, so please call or text.
If you'd like to pray for me, here are a few prayer requests that I'm seeking God for:
Graduation Day with friends from Senior Design
Graduation was on May 18, so you might ask, "what am I doing in the meantime?" A lot of nothing...but staying busy. Basically, I am trying to stay busy. I am packing and organizing my stuff into "Leave at home" "LA later" and "LA now." I spend almost everyday at Signs of Life, and they've actually asked me if I'm taking up residence (There are many like me at Signs). Occasionally I see friends, so it is a great place to hang out. While there I usually read the Word, read books, check my email, look for apartments, and check on things for my move. I go to a lot of "bible studies" and hang out with friends often. Both of my roommates have moved out and the apartment is almost empty, so I spend time out as much as possible.
I would love to hang out with all of you from Lawrence! My schedule is very open, so just let me know when you want to hang out. My computer charger is down, so please call or text.
If you'd like to pray for me, here are a few prayer requests that I'm seeking God for:
- I would find a church and community
- I would find the Christian (I hope) roommate that God wants me to have...and quickly
- God would provide reasonable rent and a car
- I would have everything I need for my job
- I would truly learn to give my life and resources away...the last thing I want to do is hoard what I have
Here are some photographs that show what I've been up to this summer.
*Thank you friends for letting me borrow the photos!
Graduation Day with friends from Senior Design
Walking down the hill with two of my favorite ARCE friends
My friend Lisa and I at a Luau night
My friends Megan and Nobu at Encore after church
4th of July at Clinton Lake
4th of July...we watched the fireworks on an air mattress.
We are laying on the mattress looking up at the camera.
We are laying on the mattress looking up at the camera.
My friend Joanna and I after an art reception at Pachamama's
I had a few friends over to make home made sushi
Rolling up and cutting sushi
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