_maybeoneday

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:09:04 GMT

I've been updating here lately:
http://quintessentiallaura.blogspot.com/
Give me your email address if you can't access it.

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:21:57 GMT

I feel so out of touch with everyone :( Having a consistently random work schedule and being in a completely different time zone has me working hard to try to keep up with my friends and family. It's definitely a bummer and I need to try to find some ways to fix it. Maybe Skype or something? Suggestions?

Early Christmas

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:41:28 GMT

Andy bought me a car for Christmas!!!!
So stoked! It's a sporty little C43 AMG Mercedes.
Pretty much in love with it and my sweet boyfriend <3

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:37:01 GMT

It's nights like tonight where I feel more and more like San Diego is my home. For the longest time I felt like I was in limbo land being in school in Richmond, then moving back to Charlotte and then even out here for a bit. Everything was sort of temporary. Now, things have been steady and good. I'm definitely going to be out here for a while and I couldn't think of a better place to be. I know I made the right decision and I'm happy here.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:43:25 GMT

Am I the only one who can't believe it's November already? Wow, time really does fly. But I'm excited about the upcoming months! The holidays are here and I'm really not much of a holiday person but, this will be the first time I'll be spending major holidays (Thanksgiving AND Christmas) without my family so I guess I'm kind of getting into it now. Because I'm a retail manager, asking off around those two holidays are a big no-no. Those are the busiest times of the year and they need all hands on deck so to speak. So I will be working a lot and me and my parents decided it wasn't a good idea for them to come out here since I'll still be working most of the time they're here. Kind of bummed but not really. I'm more excited about cooking my own Thanksgiving dinner (sans turkey- sorry Andy) and having Andy and I spend the holidays together for once.

Speaking of holidays, it doesn't really feel like fall out here in San Diego. It's still in the mid 70's every day. Not that that's bad weather by any means, I just LOVE LOVE LOVE cool weather. I will miss the leaves changing and cold rainy days. But at the same time, it's also nice to be able to hang out on the beach during the day in November.

Andy and I are planning a trip to San Bernardino and Big Bear at the end of the month. It's a few hours north east of San Diego. We already decided we'll be staying in WigWams: http://www.wigwammotel.com/. How cool are those?! I love that we've really been able to travel a good bit. I was worried that by me taking a full time job where I don't have off Saturdays and Sundays, would really get in the way of us taking off to somewhere on a whim. However, it hasn't really been much of a problem.
We're going to San B because Andy's registering for a few downhill mountain bike races! He's really excited about the races. I guess a lot of the guys he rides with have done them and apparently Andy is a lot faster then most of them so he just wants to give it a shot and see what happens. Not to mention ride some new territory. I just think it's pretty hilarious that he's this nerdy software engineer during the week and an adventure downhill cyclist by weekend. It's kind of unsuspecting like Clark Kent and Superman. Either way, I'm really excited and can't wait! I hope he wins!

Laundry and the never ending battle with dog hair are in my future for tonight.

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:37:52 GMT

I've only been out here for a month so far, but I LOVE it here in San Diego so much. This place is seriously ridiculous. I'm so so so so so glad I moved out here.

I don't think I'll ever want to live back east again unless it's NY.

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:10:58 GMT

http://lauranca.blogspot.com/

I'm going to be writing about all the fun stuff I do in CA in there.

Euro trip round 2?

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:02:30 GMT

So as soon as I landed in San Diego on Friday, Andy had a question for me.

He was wondering if I would like to join him on a 60 day work trip around Europe. After much careful consideration (actually about 2 seconds) I said heck yeah!

He'll know more info on Monday but he would be traveling to places like Germany, Italy, UK, and maybe even Bahrain. They would be sending him in a few weeks but I can't wait to hear more!!

Oh yeah, and California is great too!!

CA

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:37:18 GMT

I'm moving to California today!!!!!!

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:13:03 GMT

I got back from my trip to Europe two days ago and had the most amazing time ever! I got to see six different cities in about 3 weeks and loved each and every one of them. I got to spend at least two full days in each city (sometimes more) which was great, it gave me enough time to explore a good amount and see all the highlights I wanted to. On the downside, while two days was enough to see the highlights, it always seemed like we had to leave just as I was getting acquainted with everything. I guess that just means I'll have to go back! Everyone keeps asking me which place was my favorite but I honestly can't pick one in particular.

It feels a little weird to be back but it is definitely nice to not be living out of a backpack anymore and to not be sleeping in an un-air conditioned room that smells like a locker room with a bunch of strangers. The whole hostel experience was totally new to me and I was expecting it to be like sleep-away camp (which it pretty much was). The conditions were minimal but for 20-25 euro a night, I could handle it, it's not like we were there that much each day anyway and I was so tired after each day I slept like a rock. It was awesome to talk to some of the other travelers, to see where they came from and where they were going. Just talking to some of them made me interested in going to a ton of other specific cities.

So now I'm back in NC and was hoping to get in at least three more weeks of work in before I move to San Diego. I went to get my schedule and turns out they forgot when I was coming back (even though I wrote it down and everything) so they left me off the schedule until June 29 (my last day is July 2). A little frustrating that I'm not going to make any money before I move but at the same time it'll be nice because I have a big job ahead of me with moving.

I'm looking at flying out to CA mid July. So in the next month, I have to organize all my belongings, decide which ones I can't live without, which things I want to get rid of completely, and which things my parents will get the honor of storing away in their home for me. I'm just going to have to box everything up and ship it out there. Just thinking about it makes me want a beer.

I can't wait to be out there though! Andy is so excited for me to come, he even bought a new TV. This is a pretty big deal for a guy who hasn't had a TV in a year and who hasn't had cable TV in over 5 years. Not that I'm addicted to television, but it's definitely nice to have one. I'm excited about all the fun stuff we're going to do out there too. We went sea kayaking out in La Jolla one of the times I went to visit him and had an amazing time. Andy liked it so much he went out and got a sea kayak of his own. I'm looking forward to doing more of that. We also found a great place to take surf lessons (I mean it's California, I've got to learn how to surf). He's also training for a half marathon and can hopefully motivate me to enjoy running more. Apparently after only a week of training, he's up to 9 miles in 80 minutes. Probably not the pace I'll be at for a while but maybe one day. He might even get me to mountain bike with him.

On the job front, I will hopefully be transferring to the Anthropologie out in San Diego. It's only one mile from his place (along with Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Bloomingdales, Saks, and a ton of other dangerous stores!) and they'll probably only be using me part time. While that kind of sucks, it will give me time to look for other opportunities and most importantly: relax and hang out at the beach as much as possible!

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:30:27 GMT

I was drinking beer by the Berlin Wall yesterday and am having the most amazing time in Europe. This is my last night in Berlin and Willam is snoring so hard and I'm so excited to fly to Majorca tomorrow, I can't sleep. It's so nice to just wonder around a new city, see things you've only seen in art history books, and experience new culture. I wish I could have somehow majored in traveling during college because I would have without a doubt.

The total and complete freedom I have in my life right now is unbelievable.

"Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen"
-Benjamin Disraeli

Adventure!

Mon, 11 May 2009 01:55:17 GMT

I'm cashing in on my graduation present and going to Europe! I have a friend in London who is there for school and two other friends who have already planned a European adventure and so I'm tagging along with for a few weeks. Sooo,

May 25/26th- May 31st =London
May 31-June 3 = Berlin, Germany
June 4- June 5 = Palma de Mallorca, Spain (exotic island)
June 6- June 7= Barcelona, Spain
June 8- June 10 = Madrid, Spain
June 11- June 14 = Rome, Italy

Then I'm flying home (unfortunately), working two weeks and moving to San Diego!!!!! I haven't been this excited in FOREVER!

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:53:03 GMT

Stoked about going out with some girls from work tomorrow night to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!! Margaritas, guacamole, and tequilla. Can't wait!

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:55:05 GMT

It's nice when someone you're talking to on the phone who is 3,000 miles away, can easily read your mood just by the tone in your voice. It's even sweeter when they do and say anything, just to try and make you laugh.

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:32:39 GMT

My mom found this article in the Charlotte Observer and it just totally hit home for me. I'm sharing it because I feel like other people might appreciate it too.

by Lynne Hinton

I am stuck and being stuck is a new experience for me.

All my life I have always felt the freedom to pick up and move, quit whatever I didn't like and start over, search for alternate means of employment or places to live or communities to join.

I confess that I actually used to look down my nose at people when they talked about being stuck. I might have appeared to be sympathetic or supportive, but the truth is I always thought that if you didn't like where you were or what you're doing, then you should fix it.

I thought it was always possible to move or quit or change. And now, I have a newly acquired understanding and compassion for what it means to be stuck.

Nearing the age of 50- my husband retired, our financial portfolio diminished- I have to stay where I am, doing what I'm doing. And I have to admit I do not enjoy or find great meaning in life while being stuck.

I read once that Pablo Picasso said, "If I don't have red, I use blue."

That saying has become my mantra. I try to accept that the color I want isn't available at the moment. I try to learn how to paint with something else. I try to find another color, another means for joy and satisfaction in life.

I work on being patient, understanding that I don't have red and I try to find delight in blue. I try to look at it spiritually, understand that there are great lessons to be learned here, that this season of being stuck is required for my journey.

But no matter what the spiritual giants may tell you, it's not easy. It takes dedication and hard work.

It takes commitment to use a different color.

In my hard work, I am happy to report that I have found and cultivated a few resources that offer some assistance. I employ the tool of gratitude, finding reasons to be grateful. I count my blessings daily. I write them down. I say them out loud.

Of course, I hope that I will not stay stuck forever. This is not the life I intend to keep leading. I am optimistic that one day I will feel free and flowing, that I will be unstuck.

But for now, I must stay where I am, doing what I am doing, blooming where I am planted, and trying out a shade I would not typically use.

After all, the portrait of our lives, I keep telling myself, needs more than just one color.

And even if I prefer to paint with red, I now accept there also has to be a little blue.

09

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:30:24 GMT

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:46:19 GMT

I had a great night tonight.

But I can not wait to move to California.

Izzie is nesting on my bed right now, TOTALLY going to miss her so bad. Might have to get my own little puppy dog soon!

relocation

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:31:57 GMT

I'm moving to San Diego in a few months. Going to see what the west coast has to offer me.

Also, I'm totally getting a convertible.

My vacation from my vacation

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:10:55 GMT

Andy bought me a ticket for a fun filled week, few weeks, month, however long I want to stay, to California.

I'm meeting him in San Francisco and hanging out there for a few days, going to Napa Valley for one night for some wine tasting, and then driving down the Pacific Coast Highway down to San Diego. We are also planning on stopping in Monterey on the way. Then I'll be hanging out in San Diego until I want to come home. I might just come back after the recession is over.

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:32:09 GMT

How NY went:
http://quintessentiallaura.blogspot.com/

NY NY NY!!!!

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:28:45 GMT

2 WEEKS UNTIL MY BIG INTERVIEW!!!!!!

I have been debating about the perfect interview outfit. I didn't want to wear a suit but after consulting numerous professionals who have worked in NY, the consensus is that a suit is a MUST for an interview up there. Went shopping today with my mom and found the PERFECT black suit at Banana Republic that doesn't make me feel like too much of a dude.
The jacket is nice and fitted and is a tad longer which is great because I can't wear things that fall right at my waist. The pants have a nice wide leg cut that I feel fits me well since I'm kind of curvy on the bottom. I got amazing pair of Anyi Lu shoes that cost almost as much as a pair of Manolo's but are guaranteed to be soooo much more comfortable (http://www.anyilu.com/about.html). You can tell by the pictures, they are really flexible and there's no stiff leather like on most shoes that end up digging into your heels and other parts of your feet and making them hurt. All I need now is a fabulous shirt/blouse/cardigan/sweater to go underneath my suit and I'll have the perfect outfit!

This is why I love Sarah:

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:09:52 GMT

"Go find you a financial analyst and tell him you want a venti lifestyle"

Holy crap

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:29:24 GMT

I'm graduating in 11 days.

I'm going to California in 12 days.

Everything is changing and I'm so ready

NETWORKING

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:38:33 GMT

I MADE IT TO THE FINAL ROUND OF INTERVIEWS!!!!

I'll be in New York on January 23 to try and nail this job so I can live my dream of working in the fashion industry (NOT on the retail side of things) AND move to NY!!!

(I also knew of two other girls in the department who applied for the position, both VERY qualified. Neither of them got invited to the next round)

Here's how it all started:
Late October the head of the Fashion Merchandising department came into one of my classes and told everyone about this great job opportunity with Ann Taylor. They offer a Merchant Development Program in NY which lasts 6 months. Afterwards you end up as an Assistant Buyer for one of their three Ann Taylor divisions. Right up my alley. So I get the contact info, send the woman my resume and tell my parents about it. They happen to have a neighbor who has a relative who is a Merchandise Planner for the Ann Taylor Factory division. I get her contact info and call her up one day, talk a little about the company, what she does, etc. She gives me the contact info of one of the girls that is currently in the MDP. I email her and get some inside scoop about the program, which she says is awesome. I hear back from the HR woman and had a phone interview the other week. I prepared as much as possible and think I did well. The program doesn't start until August 09 which would actually be kind of great because I would go home for a while, live with the parents, work full time, and save lots of money.

Anyway, life is good. Driving down to NC tomorrow to spend the rest of the week and weekend with my family. Can't wait to eat some GOOD FOOOOOOOOOOOD!

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:07:43 GMT

So I hear back on Friday about my interview. I hope I make it to the second round which consists of another phone interview and then finally in January, a face to face interview in NY! I found out 2 other girls in my department applied and interviewed for it which makes me nervous. Stiff competition but more later.

On the other hand, Andy just found out his friend/boss's sister is a recruiter for Macy's in SAN FRANCISCO! Definitely going to pursue that as well because I just spent the last 30 minutes checking out San Fran on the internet and it looks amazing. Plus Macy's has an awesome merchant training program for buyers.

Andy bought me a ticket to San Diego so I will be out there starting the day after graduation (14th) and coming back Dec. 22nd. Ellen is coming with for the first four days!!!! SOOOO EXCITED!!!

Anthropologie appreciation started Sunday. Among other things, I bought a $188 Anna Sui black and white floral shift dress for $12!!! But now I am flat broke with 2 more weeks of employee appreciation going on. What a cruel world.

This week rules. Well at least it did until I found out how much stuff is due the week I get back from Thanksgiving. It's so hard to care about school work right now.

Off to class!