Pretty Pralines

I don't know why but I've been a little nostalgic lately, and browsing throughout the net I came across something that made me remember our Savannah honey moon! PRALINES!! soft, nutty, delicious pralines. They were so good! especially the ones from River street. I found a recipe here that looks pretty good. Maybe I'll make myself a treat...

We always find an addiction everywhere we go. On our honeymoon they were pralines. In LA I would have to say it's been Wholefoods' Carob Malt Balls. We are completely addicted!!! and Mikey's not even allergic to chocolate. Seriously we drive to whole foods at least once a week to refill...sometimes we go JUST for malt balls!!

Today I have a terrible headache. I don't know whats going on with me. Maybe I'm dehydrated? Anyways, It's been a little while since i've blogged so I guess I should do a quick update:

Well, my lovely inlaws came to visit us for 5 WONDERFUL days. It was so nice to have them here with us. So I was busy, first trying to clear the mess of boxes from our living room before they got here, then taking them around LA, then being bummed about the HOLE they left behind. Other than that things are the same. I'm working a lot, Mikey's super busy with school.

I've been looking for tickets back home for the holidays and they've been crazy expensive. But then Saturday night the prices dropped from like $800 to $300 but by the time we went to pay they were gone. So I'm hoping it happens again and this time we will be ready.

I'm preparing a CARE PACKAGE for my loves back in Miami. Wanna see???

I asked Noah and Abby what they wanted...

Noah wanted angry birds....

Abby wanted shoes just like babbi and caco (Mikey and I) except pink...

Then I threw in a few favs....

And a ball for Luke of course....

Ok that was a long post and now I need to sleep. And for some reason my font color has changed to blue. But I am too lazy to fix it. Goodnight world!

Footloose

                    VS

So on Tuesday we saw a pre-screening of the new footloose...it was aight. Don't get me wrong, it was quite enjoyable. It's just that....well, it wasn't broken. Being a child from the 80's I saw the old one over and over again! It was a great movie and it still is!! this one was almost identical to the old one. I was kinda hoping Julianne hough would be able to show off her skills more. But it was good.

Later that night Mikey left his phone in a shopping cart in whole foods. It you have an iPhone, download the "find my iPhone" app. We were able to track down his phone with it and saw it was there, we went back but couldn't find it. It was in whole foods, someone found it and turned it in and he was able to get it in the morning.

ANyways, I am so excited it's friday. Last weekend was amazing! we went up to lake arrowhead. Will post pics soon.

Rocking chair

So I realize don't have any kids yet. But I ALWAYS look at baby stuff....plan a nursery in my head...put together cute little outfits...yes I know that's probably my biological clock screaming. Anyways, I never seemed to find a cute rocking chair to fit my day dreams. They are always so..fru fru or dated- and not my style. I came upon this one while looking for couches in the west elm website. Sooo my style! love it! thought i'd share...

hey there

So, i've been super busy. Working 5 days a week, 2 of which are 10 hour days. When I'm not working I'm trying to get this house in order. Our stuff finally arrived! No more blow up mattress! I'm very happy. So far the kitchen and dining room are done. I still have clothes to put away and things to find storage homes for. and some things i'm gonna toss. I'll try to update more often but it's getting harder by the day.

Just Another Monday

(taken this afternoon while I waited at a red light)

So in keeping with the positivity (or at least the attempt there of) I post these gorgeous bulbous flowers (I think they are amaryllis). We don't really have bulbous flowers in Florida (except cut ones at Whole Foods and what not) and I must admit they are exquisite. It made me really happy to see them (so much so I took a picture). 

So let me give you a quick update on my weekend.

Friday:

I had that interview. It was AMAZING. I was so happy to be in a REAL PT clinic with athletes and top of the line equipment. It was big and spacious, and had lots of windows!! (just like good ol Accelerated). I thought the interview went well. Unfortunately it's Monday and I haven't heard from them :/ 

Then we went to have dinner with Vivian in Ms. Cheryl's house (Ms. Cheryl is Vivian's good friend, Vivian is the lady we were staying with). We had "puerto rican" rice and beans, which turned out to be just regular rice and beans. 

Saturday: 

We went to brazilian church we haven't been to before, in Chino. It was nice, they were celebrating their 30 yr anniversary. We felt out of place. But they had a band! that was cool...anyways so we left right after service, went home, took a nap then our good friend Marcolinha came over and we took him to venice beach. It was freezing so we came home and Mikey started working on stuff for school and I started watching the Kennedy's series on Netflix. Then we ran around and got stuff for his shoot tomorrow.

Sunday:

Mikey had to shoot his third short film. So for the better part of the day he shot his movie and I helped. He had professional actors this time, it was kinda neat. My job was to hold up lights, give opinions on different shots and get the actors lunch (that's what I was doing when I took the picture above).

Monday:

Today was day two of the shoot, pretty much a repeat from yesterday. Then we did laundry and I finished the Kennedy series, very interesting! What an amazing family so plagued by tragedy. Reminded me of how the troubles I'm facing are really nothing. I am blessed.

Tomorrow I have work, thank God I have this part time to keep me somewhat busy and SANE! I would like it so much if I got a reply from the people from the interview. But God knows what's best.

Good Night everybody! XOXO

Culver City Famers Market

So I thought I'd post about something positive today. Like, for example, our neighborhood. I am LOVING our neighborhood. Even when we had car trouble, I dropped off the car at toyota, and walked home. Only took me 8 minutes. Isn't that nice?

This Tuesday was the first Tuesday I was able to finally go to the farmers market. Didn't buy anything cause I really didn't have time cause I had to pick Mikey up from school (having one car is awe-some). But I did have time to take these lovely pictures:

Literally on my street guys...

Sooo cool! that carrots still had dirt on them!!!

The had some samples out so you can have a taste before you buy. Theses grapes were oh so sweet!!

 No kidding these were the best smelling tomatoes EVER!

So there you have it. Not too shabby huh?

P.S. I have a job interview tomorrow! Cross your fingers!!!

No Bueno

Ok I just wanted to document this so I can look back and remember this. 

Monday I started that second part time. It was my first day- and it was my last. I got fiiirreed! haha just kidding. These people were totally sketchy doing some unethical, illegal stuff and asking me to do the same. Of course I refused and later wrote them an email telling them I will not be returning. So I am again looking for a second part time. So that's that.

Also, our car has an oil leak or something and we have to take it in tomorrow. Also we broke our garbage disposal on our first day in our new apartment. Also Mikey broke the lock on the door with his brute strength today. Also we have no money and my last pay check from my FL job bounced and they still haven't reimbursed me. Also I am still lost in this city and one wrong turn (which occurs often) is costly in the city with the worst traffic in the country. Alsoooooooo....ok I think that's it.

IS THE WORLD FALLING APART ALL AROUND ME!!!????

I know it could be worse, I am happy. I really don't mean to be a bummer- better days ahead. Just keep swimming right?! XOXO night everyone- gotta a day off tomorrow!! woot! woot! 

Settling In

Friends...it's been tough. These past two weeks have been a nightmare! But thank God it's OVER!

Here's what happened: in short I had accepted two part time jobs, one of them I started promptly, the other, the owner was on vacation and I would start when he got back. This guy came back and tried to change up the terms on me. Can you believe that?! When I had rejected great offers to work with him! Anyway, long story short, he finally agreed to our previously determined terms but by that time I had no desire to work for this guy anymore....

At the same time, the stupid apartment we were waiting for kept asking for more and more info only to tell us that they gave the apartment to someone else! All this happening at the same time while our bank account kept disappearing and Vivian (the lady we were staying with) was moving to a smaller two bedroom apt!

Needless to say I had several little meltdowns. But you know what I finally did? I got on my knees and I said "God, I don't know what I'm doing. Maybe you can take over from here." and you know what? He did! That same day we got the rejection from the apt Mikey remembered this other apt that he had seen, we called to see it and the next day we were told it was ours! and I emailed some jobs and got a second part time no problem! God is good!

So we've been moving and helping Vivian move and we just got internet today! The movers got our stuff from Florida on Friday and it should be here by the end of the week!

Our apartment is so charming! one bedroom, hardwood floors, with an old cozy feel to it. On a great street where we can walk to lovely shops and restaurants and TRADER JOES (which i'm in love with). AAAANNNDD every Tuesday there's a farmer's market on MY street!!!!

Today Mikey and I took our first walk in our neighborhood. Isn't it charming? I know the picture is kinda dark but this is our starbucks-so chique!

And this is in front of our movie theater- that we can walk to!

Still Lost

Yesterday was one of those days. To start off I was stuck in traffic and ended up LATE to my first day of work. And not just a few minutes late, a whole half an hour!! How embarrassing! Then I got a $68 parking ticket. I parked in a meter and paid...except it was street cleaning day and you couldn't park there for certain hours!?! what the heck is that?! street cleaning???!!! Then my first patient a sweet (NOT) little old lady who didn't want to do anything. Then I got on the expressway to pick Mikey up in the wrong direction!!! Adding who knows how much time to my traffic stay. And to top it off, the lovely lady from the apartment we've been wanting to get, calls me and informs me that she has many application and that we are not first in line for the apartment because our application is not complete. When we sent in the application weeks ago and the thing isn't even available to view yet! No we have not seen this stupid place!! I guess cause they are requiring letters of employment from both of my part time jobs.

Everything is so difficult here. Then today I get a call from one of my part times letting me know that he would like me full-time. Now what? oh yeah and lets not forget I got my period today. Need to get my life in order!!!!!

On a happier, lighter note. Today is Brazil's Independence Day!!! Happy birthday to the country of my origin, from which I am proud to have come from!!! 

Feeling like the New Kid

So tomorrow, I start working again! Mixed emotions- Happy and thankful I have a job and soon to have some income coming in again, and at the same time kinda nervous. It's been a month since I last worked. Do I still know what I'm doing? Is Physical Therapy done differently here in California? What will the patients here think of me? Will I look like a total jerk?

All to be answered shortly. Tomorrow I will start my Tuesday and Thursday job from 9-3. And on Friday I will start my Monday, Wednesday, Friday job. It's like 2 first days of school. Two clinics to learn how everything is done and where everything is. Two sets of paperwork to figure out.  ai ai ai.

Having said that, I remember it's LABOR DAY! lol I should be thankful that I am able and ready to labor. And I am! Hope everyone had a good holiday!!! Today we passed by downtown LA for the first time. Here's a pic from the Walt Disney Concert Hall we took today. Isn't it beautiful?

Being Vegan in LA

I haven't started working yet and our bank account is dwindling away as we speak, we haven't really had time to explore all our options. Having said that, I found this new website called quarrygirl.com that is completely dedicated to vegan restaurants in the LA area! Seriously this is like heaven. Not that we didn't have vegan options in Florida, we did- and they were delicious, but they were only a handful. People would look at me, stunned as if I was from another planet when they found out I was vegan. "No meat, really? No cheese??!!" they would ask in shock, and then proceed to taunt me with ideas of a juicy burger. Didn't phase me, still doesn't.

But here! in LA, I feel like it's completely normal! I mean check out this site if you have some time it's amazing (try to get past the meat is murder on the banner- a little much)! loads of restaurant, from fancy to fast food, from brunch to bakeries!!!! Can't wait to explore them all. And of course report back on them!!!

My very first earthquake!!

Now I know I already did my post for today but I had to record this! Don't ask me why I'm so excited about this but- today at about 2pm, I experienced my very first earthquake! Luckily no one was hurt and there doesn't seem to be any damage. 

I was standing in the kitchen when I heard this noise and a big shake like a truck had run into the building, then that was followed by about 3 seconds of shaking and it was over. That was it :)

Here's the story in the news: 

Magnitude-4.3 Quake Hits Near Newhall

Date NIght Outfit

So I LOVE the polyvore outfits! Seeing how people place things together is SO inspiring. HOwever,  love even more to see how they translate into real life. So yesterday for date night I was inspired by the above outfit I saw on Pinterest, and here is my real life outfit:

I had a striped shirt but I felt it was a little too casual so I swapped it for a flowy leopard print and my flats were purple (yellow would have been too matchy-matchy, plus I don't have yellow flats lol). Oh and the only accessory I had was my MK watch that I LOOOOVE. It goes with EVERYTHING.

    Here is a close up so you can better appreciate how lovely it is. Definitely my new fav accessory! I wear it casually with cute shorts or jeans, or with a dress to church. So versatile! 

Cheap Date Night

Last night Mikey and I went to a movie screening of Contagion! It was so cool! I felt so VIP to be watching a movie before it comes out in theaters! and the best part-it was all free (I guess there are some perks)! we just strolled in, there was a USC table by the entrance we gave them our names, they gave us tickets and then they checked inside my purse (i'm guessing for recording devices). It was very nice, the movie was pretty good too, although I did have nightmares last night- I guess not very good for a hypochondriac like me.

The theater was the one at The Grove. I love this place. It's so beautiful and there's always beautiful music playing while you stroll along. Here are some pics so you see what I mean:

This is the movie theater:

There's a beautiful fountain and lots of little restaurants all around and of course fabulous shops.

You see the tracks on the floor? there's a beautiful trolley that rolls around during the day time.

This is a three story Barnes & Noble we walked into to browse around! Three stories!

Oh yeah and this grove is attached to a Farmers Market! Very cute!

Updates

License update: So I took the California Physical Therapy Law Exam on Thursday. I def didn't put as much time in as I should have and I was sure I failed. But Saturday night I checked and I passed!! Thank God!! One more step He has gotten us through and now I am just waiting for my California license to arrive.

Job update: I had multiple offers but I am deciding on perhaps accepting two part time positions that will give us a little more money, and more flexibility with travel: i.e. to FLORIDA. Today I turned down two decent full time positions which was pretty scary. Then one of them wrote me back with a ridiculous counter offer (way more than I was expecting). But I think I am sticking with my decision. My happiness is more important than money.

Weekend update: This weekend, Vivian (the sweet friend we are staying with) was out of town on a women's retreat so we were left alone at the house. So on Sat we went to a church called Azure Hills by Loma Linda to meet with a cousin of a friend of ours (Ham's cousin for those of you who know him). We met up with them (her and her father, which BTW looks identical to Ham's dad) then ate at her house, they were very kind to feed us (we haven't been eating too many home cooked meals). THen she took us to a youth thing at a doctors house. THis place had seven pools! that's right SEVEN. Anyways, we didn't know anyone and felt pretty out of place so we went home and I cooked us our first California meal. It consisted of: rice, roasted and slightly smashed garlic potatoes and lime chipotle chicken fingers I found at the store (vegan of course). Then Sunday we went apartment hunting. A lot of people don't work on Sundays so... not much success. Then we drove back home along the pacific coast highway which was beautiful, then we made a turn at Malibu canyon road which tools us between the most beautiful mountains, it was breath taking.

Today update: Mikey had his drum class this morning and now he's in a tutorial for film editing, er or something of that nature. Which means I am chilling on campus pretending I'm a student so that when he's done we can go apartment hunting (you see we only have one car and we are staying at least 40 minutes from USC- which means with traffic, and there's ALWAYS traffic it would take him at least 2 hours to pick me up). Hopefully we find a good place, yesterday we saw a 1bedroom for 1425 but there was a 2 bedroom listed for 1395 that we didn't get to see. Hopefully we can today, it would be great to have a guest room for our visitors- wishful thinking. The place is probably a dump. Will keep you posted.

Change it up?

Seriously thinking about doing this to my hair....I love!!! and so low maintenance!

Microwave Popcorn Fraud

Did. You. Know. that you do not, I repeat, DO NOT. Need to buy expensive microwave popcorn?? I just recently learned that the fancy bag we buy at the grocery store are not special, and not necessary. All you need is a simple, standard brown paper lunch bag, corn and if you want a little oil. Yup that's it. I tried it out myself, sans oil, and it came out perfect. If you love popcorn it will save you beaucoup bucks. Here's how to do it:

Buy yourself a pack of brown paper lunch bags (usually ~$1.99), and some yellow popping corn. place about 1/2 cup or kernels in bag, fold down at top twice. Place in microwave, pop till the popping slows down to less than 2 pops in 10 seconds.

California bikes

Everyone in California, especially by Mikey's school, seems to have a beautiful retro bike. They are so cute!! And they all sit neatly in rows! rows and rows of beautiful bikes! I admit i am seriously coveting these:

I have visions of myself riding my bike to the local groceries store and putting my items in the front basket and riding home is a spring dress, hair floating in the wind... Anyways. I have also been a little obsessed lately with this bike/stroller combo. How NEAT!

Look at all the things this thing can do!

Things that are different in California

1. It gets cold at night.

2. The water at the beach is deathly cold.

3. When you buy a new car you don't need a temporary plate, just the name of the dealer.

4. Lots more buggers. That's right I said buggers (must be the pollution)

5. which brings me to SMOG. A lovely mixture of fog and pollution which sits along the horizon. At first I thought it was mountains far away covered by fog. Nope.

6. traffic lights to enter the highway.

7.Terrible traffic even on Saturdays in the middle of the afternoon.

8.Trader Joe's- this is a good one. Still haven't explored but can't wait.

9. Most freeways don't have tolls.

10. Bad AT&T reception. Sometimes I look down at my phone and instead of being in 3G it's on Edge. Mikey tells me its all older "cell phone technology".

I like the idea of documenting the little different things that we notice but then forget about. Will post these little things as I notice them. We haven't really explored much but hopefully will do so once things calm down a little.

Lazy Sunday

Hello everyone, I am feeling a little better and am ready to blog now I think. I think I'll start off by letting everyone know that my lovely friend is having a giveaway in her blog. Highly suggest you run over and check it out. I am in love with her blog. In a short time she's done beautiful things with it and I'm obsessed. I guess cause, yes it's gorgeous, but also cause I can keep up with what she's doing and I miss her so :( Anyways... go check it out!!!!

Down in the Dumps

Sorry for the long hiatus. I just haven't felt like doing anything lately. I've been a little (maybe not a little) sad lately. Just missing everyone and I didn't want to depress anyone with my rants. I wish I was stronger and the kind of person who moves from town to town and does incredibly courageous things. But i'm not and it's been hard.

Today I had 3 interviews for a job. All at tiny little PT clinics which made me miss my old job. It was wonderful there, big and spacious with beautiful views and all the latest equipment. These places were like little caves of darkness and doom. lol Mikey took me to rodeo Dr and asked me what I thought and I just shrugged my shoulders!!! Something is definitely wrong with me!!! But on the up side, I haven't cried today! Yet.

Los Angeles is a funny city with cold beaches and foggy weather. But this time is bringing me closer to my maker, and closer to my husband. We have so much to be thankful for. Hopefully in the coming weeks i'll lighten up a little but for now i'm trying to keep my head above water.

Last Day of Familiarity

So these past few days have been dedicated to finishing packing and being on our way. We were supposed to leave today but, because of one thing or another (car tires mainly) we will be beginning our journey tomorrow.

Not excited, but ready. Goodnight.

Whirlwind Weekend!

So this weekend was my birthday and our last weekend in good ol South Florida. It was amazing. I feel so loved and so BLESSED. Which is making this move so much harder but yet so much easier. Harder because I am going to miss everyone terribly, but easier in that no matter where I am, I know I have the love of my friends and family with me. Genuine relationships, transcend distance. I have felt the hand of God guiding us and I know this is for the best. And I wish so much that in two years we can come back and go back to how things are right now. But I know that nothing stays the same, but I hope that it'll be BETTER.

I am trying to come to terms with this move and look at things more positively. PLus I think I'm out of tears. But I think my tears now are just because I'm gonna miss that daily contact with my peeps, and not because I'm devastated that we're moving. That's fair, no? Anyways, here are some pics from this weekend and from today. We started overhauling the place and shrinking everything into boxes.

Latest news is: I need a job before anyone will rent me their apartment. So we are going to Cali and hopefully staying with a friend or finding an extended stay facility, so I can find a job, so we can then find an apartment. Meanwhile I have bubble wrap coming out of my ears!!

I am Jobless

Today was my last day at work and I am heartbroken. Got a constant feeling of..."something not good" in the pit of my stomach. Gonna miss the Accelerated girls...

Tomorrow is my bday. and Sunday we will have a pool party. Hope that will lift my spirits. Happy Weekend peeps.

Bday!

Still no word from the apartment people. Today I plan on sending some resumes in (even to places that are not hiring, as long as they are in the area. They may not be aware that they need another PT. A fabulous one! named REBECA. ok anyways..)

With all this craziness, I almost forgot that my Bday is this SAturday! I will be having a little pool party as always, this time at my sister's house. I'm excited! What do I want for my bday you ask??? Oh a place to live would be nice...maybe a job....or maybe my family and friends could all move to California? along with my boss and co-workers...Not gonna happen???

I guess what I really want is to just spend some time with my family and closest friends. We really can't afford to be buying gifts right now anyways with all our moving expenses and me not having a job and all...But don't you worry. As soon as we get settled I'm buying myself a belated bday gift ;P

California PT license

I got a letter from the Board of Physical Therapy of California stating that I can work in California under the direct supervision of another licensed PT until I get my license! Which is great news and means I don't have to wait until I have a license to find a job!!! SO I got on that as soon as I found out. I am on "faxing resume mode". After sending about 4 last night, I actually got 2 responses today! good sign right?? I hope so! I also paid for the Laws exam I have to take to complete my application, now I wait for a letter in the mail so I can schedule to take the test. Confession: I have not started studying.

We still don't have a place to live but there are two main candidates we are trying to get (none from the previous posts). We have sent applications but these people want to know that I have a job lined up in California! anyways I will post picture once we definitely have a place.

Still haven't packed. Mikey is still not fully registered for classes -except for one elective: drums. hmmm...I don't think the apartment people will like that either...

Updates

Hey everyone! Hope everyone had an awesome weekend. I think I did everything I wanted to do this weekend! Spent lots of time with my family, saw a movie, went to the beach as u can see above!!! It was lovely!

Yesterday I was taken on a roller coaster ride. Just kinda started to feel...I guess kinda out of control. I came to the realization that in a week I wont have a job, we have no place to live in Cali, and Mikey still isn't registered for classes....

Things have changed a little. Will update soon. Stay posted!!!

The Loft

So Loft=No storage. Mikey probably thinks I'm obsessed with closets but the truth is, it is a hassle! every. day. My closet is tiny, so everyday i'm shoving everything in, pulling something out and pulling out 3 other pieces with it. Dreading laundry day cause there's not enough room for all my clothes- not that I have a lot, I don't! So I was hoping with the move I would get a little bigger closet. This loft looks so cute, despite being tiny and having NO storage! It's in a really great area. But I just don't know if that is worth the daily struggle...

Check out how cute!

The kitchen actually has a fridge AND a dishwasher??!! wow.

Is this where the bed goes??

But look how cute the street is...

Apartment searching

Wow this apt searching thing has been SO HARD. Today Mikey was on his way to this little one bedroom we liked (that was more of a studio) when he decided to stop and see 2 more apts. Of course he saw a really, really nice one and we got all excited only to find out they had another application that was already being processed. And now he doesn't like the little one bedroom apt anymore!!

Needless to say, we are both really upset right now. Today is his last day there and he is scrambling to see apts. Here are two options:

First one up: Not too shabby, like the fireplace...No fridge (yes alot of times there is NO FRIDGE, go figure)





Now this next one looks really great except I don't really like the building. But I LOVE the hardwood floors! and the kitchen! but again...no fridge.





He's looking at a loft as we speak. I'll keep you posted and let you know which one we picked. If we pick one....