Friendships Past and Present

I was stuck in horrible traffic last Friday and I started thinking about all the friends I was close to in High School and how i am not close to any of them now.  I suppose I went down this memory lane because my high school reunion is this year and I was reminiscing about old friendships.  It's funny how I was so fiercely loyal to these girls and they were to me, even when we really had little to nothing in common and just irritated each other sometimes.  I remember thinking that I was such an adult and could handle not only the intricacies of figuring myself out, but others as well. In all honesty I think it's taken a good decade to really get to know what I want out of life and who I am, and I am still discovering things.
It's just an interesting thing to think about.  I used to let people walk all over me sometimes in order to keep our friendship intact.  I wanted friends and I thought that I was a good one by doing that.  Reality check: Letting people walk all over you does not make you a good friend.  I remember one friend pointing out something that really made her mad, that I had done.  I was shocked, although what she said was true I just couldn't believe it.  I had let so many of her faults pass and would let things fester and not tell her about them. Lesson learned.  You just can't do things like that. Friendships are work, sometimes a lot of work.  And just because a friendship doesn't last, it is okay.  Not all of my friendships from high school ended with some big climatic fight.  Most of us just grew apart.  We grew up and grew into the women we are today.  I think it's great when I hear about people being friends since high school.  Although it's not my case, I hope that those people truly work on and cherish those friendships.  All of my friends no matter how far apart we have grown now, have taught me valuable lessons about people, life and myself.  So to all my girlfriends from my school days: Sabrina, Missy, Allie, Anna, Shannon, Lisa and Cambria; thank you for being a friend and allowing me to be yours in some of the most trying and exciting years of our lives.  I have also realized that quantity is not quality. I am grateful to all the friends I have today and happy to be part of their lives as they are of mine.

Another Ride on the 405

I get sweet satisfaction when I watch someone cut me off on the freeway, zoom in and out of traffic that is very clearly bogging up in front of us ( you can see the sea of break lights ), lose sight of them, only to pass them up a few minutes later.  Deep down inside I do an evil laugh.  Then I say to myself, "That's what you get!" It makes sitting in traffic fun. It's like a game, that no one knows I'm playing.
I also wonder why when sitting in traffic people blatantly stare at one another.  I mean googly eyes popping out just staring. And then when I catch them, they don't even look away.  Usually if I stare at someone it's because they're are picking their nose or something.  I saw a guy just going to town on a pimple on his face. It kind of made me want to gag. Sure we all get them, but yuck, no one wants to see you demolish it!
Other random thoughts while driving to work today:
*Men and women are sometimes so ridiculously different, but in the end it's a really good thing. I'd probably hate my bf if he were like me.
*The part I like about moving is taping and labeling boxes. I like writing the letters all neat and fancy. I don't know why. Sometimes I put a little design under the words.  My mom caught me doing this last night as I helped her pack and with laughter in her voice asked me what I was doing? I just smiled.
*Disneyland is awesome and I can't wait to go this weekend.  I seriously get excited like a 5 year old. It's incurable.
and last *How did I let my car get this disgusting? I'm embarrassed to be driving in this dirty car. Hmmm...could that be why people are staring? Maybe they are looking to see who would let their car get so gross. I should stare back and point to myself and say yes it's me. I'm disgusting. Until next time! Safe driving!

Going in a Different Direction

I have recently decided to take this blog in a different direction.  What is the reason you ask?  I know that all my followers (my family that reads this) will want to know. In fact I just know that is the question on everyone's mind these days.  Previously this blog was "Adventures in Apartment Life" and i got bored.  When I get bored I change things up and frankly the things that happen during my day are much more food for thought while sitting, parked on the 405 during my daily commute.  So welcome to the new stories of  "Parked on the Freeway."
My most recent thoughts:
*There are too many people in this sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles
*I know this by deductive reasoning.  It takes an hour to get to and from work. I work 12 miles from my home.  If I drive this same drive at 10pm at night, it takes me 20 to 25 minutes depending on my speed.
*The 405 is a breeding ground for anger and contempt.  I have to listen to soothing music so as to not let my mood match that of other drivers.
*The 405 is also a creator of wrinkles and back issues.  Sometimes I catch myself with my face scrunched up into some unrecognizable faces and my hands gripping the steering wheel watching people act crazy. Stress tends to build up in my back so I feel like I have eternally tight shoulders.  I turned my head the wrong way the other day and had a neck spasm that literally paralyzed me for a few seconds.  People say I should get this looked at...eh.
Nothing out of the ordinary right now, although I'm sure I'll have some interesting stories to post later. Although I did see a guy driving with a parrot on his shoulder. My thought: "Eww gross what if he poops!"

Various Updates and Events

I have not been able to update my blog in a while and apartment life is still just as strange as usual. What's new? I finally got a new screen door. That was interesting.  I was almost asleep and my manager decided to install it. I'm glad I knew what was going on otherwise I would have been freaked out.  It turns out the new one for some reason didn't fit so he put his daughters screen on mine. Odd. I'm happy to not have a gaping hole in my screen anymore.  The weather stripping however, falls off all the time. No biggie, I just stick it back on and it is VERY squeaky.  I'm thinking nails on a chalk board magnified times 20.  It's great. I'm the annoying neighbor with the squeaky door.  My neighbors continue to smoke weed, more than I know since I am not there all the time.  I actually work, unlike my neighbor and I don't think she is too concerned since I believe her parents pay her rent and she gets to do whatever she wants.  I am just speculating so I could be wrong.
My neighbors like to yell across the courtyard at each other which is really fun when it's past 11pm and I want to sleep, because you know, I work and am a busy woman, but I have to be understanding. Other people aren't busy and don't work, so I'm sure they don't even look at their clock and realize what time it is. I forgive them.  Hence, I finally bought earplugs. They are wonderful little foam joys. I sleep and only wake up if they fall out and the loudness of my surroundings infects my subconscious. Then I just plug my pink earplugs back in and go back to snore land. I also found joy in spray bleach as my bathroom now sparkles! Literally it does! I got so excited when I saw the beautiful white. :)As you can see my life is ultra excited. PB&J for lunch today. Until next time...

Home Improvement

I had a strange burst of energy after work last night.  After a little snack and some home-made hot chocolate I decided that my studio need some revamping.  I honestly don't know what got into me.  Maybe it is because I have been feeling better after a bout of the flu, but I was happy for the burst of creative energy.  I decided to free up room in the main room by moving my dresser into the closet.  I honestly thought it would take no more than 30 minutes to an hour.  Oh how wrong I was.  As with any home improvement project there are often unexpected kinks that throw a wrench in the works. I could not easily get the closet doors off so I decided to try to get the dresser in there anyhow.  I removed all my clothes and purses, the drawers from the dresser and pushed and pulled the dresser into place.  The only problem is that I would not be able to open the drawers with the closet drawers there.  They HAD to come off.  After about 30 minutes of maneuvering, pulling every which way, looking at how they were attached with my trusty flashlight I got one door off.  Then I ran into a snag and realized the inside door was stuck on a track that is screwed to the floor.  However, I am sans screwdriver and only own a hammer.  I sat on the floor next to the closet door and had no idea how to solve the problem.  Ask a neighbor to borrow one?  Give up? Tiredness set in....my apartment was a disaster with clothes everywhere, the contents of my closet in piles, dresser drawers stacked up, and one closet door leaned up against my bed.  I was sweaty and stinky and really ready to just rip that track right out of the floor...because i have super human strength, but realized it would ruin the floor.
I began to mentally go through things that could be used to unscrew the track and free the one last closet door in my way to success.  Wine key!!!! Energy level back! I grab the wine key and began to mess with the screw. Success! Now I wiggled the second door free!  By the way I seriously think there was 50 years worth of dust on the tops of those disgustingly heavy doors.  Eww. I had visions of tripping over piles of clothes and being pinned under the door. Seriously they are heavy.  The worst thing that happened was that I ran my ankle into part of my bed frame and wanted to pass out it hurt so bad.  
So after an hour and a half I successfully created a larger seating/living area and stuffed all my belongings and shoes into the closet and storage closet.  Closet doors successfully hidden under bed with all the hardware for putting them back up should I move. SUCCESS!!! Now I just need a really cool beaded or cloth curtain to cover up the door and make it look very chic.  And the best part is that I did it all by myself with just my raw strength and a wine key.  :D

Recent Happenings

Now that I am becoming a seasoned apartment tenant there are a few things that I would like for my next apartment.  The list is below.
Windows-other than my bathroom window and sliding glass door I do believe it is absolutely necessary to have another window(that opens...none of those decorative windows) because there has to be airflow....my apartment gets ridiculously hot and I'd prefer not to be so hot.  It just isn't comfortable. Well, maybe I can look at it like I am on an important assignment in a foreign country and that's just how hot it is all the time. :0)
Gas Stove-Electric stoves heat up very quick and I haven't quite figured out how NOT to destroy everything I cook on the stove.  I was successful with making rice the other day, but my sauteed zucchini was almost a goner.
Counter Space-I have enough counter space to set my drying dishes...and that's about it.  This has led me to be quite creative.  Items in mid-prep stage can go on desk chairs, tops of microwaves, dresser...being that it's only a few feet from my kitchen.
Lower Rent-I know, I know...my rent is already very decent for the area I live, but hey a girl can dream can't she?
A Roomate-(possibly) This would solve the lower rent problem and the extreme quiet that I am still not quite used to.  There are still many perks to living by myself that I quite enjoy, but there are moments where I miss being around the activity that my family brought.  Of course then I visit my mom a lot and almost look forward going back to my little quiet box. Of course no one beats her cooking and I haven't even tried because I'm afraid my place would catch on fire with all that cooking going on.
Outgoing Tenants-My neighbors are very quiet and I assume this is because most of the places are studios and therefore full of single people, but I have only spoken with 2 of my neighbors and they are very nice.  I ran into the guy that parks next to me and tried to have some small talk and he was almost scared to chat.  I am scary though...well, I must've looked it that day because he clearly was not wanting to carry on a conversation.  I thought smiling and saying hello to someone was a good thing. Oh well. Guess I was wrong. 
I still haven't braved the pool although I really wanted to the other day.  It's in the middle of everything and I feel like I'd be swimming in a fish bowl.  I think I'll just take a trip to my grandma's and swim around people that know me.
Overall, things are evening out and I'm getting used to my little place.  In a few months I'm going to start decorating more. And hopefully I will have my wine tasting party like I have been wanting to! I am SO looking forward to that! Good things are coming! I can feel it!

 

Ode to Ramen Noodles

When I am craving something good to eat,
and have very little change left to my name.
I open the cupboard,
What do I see?
Top Ramen noodles waiting patiently!
I heat up the water on my miniature stove,
Anticipating dinner in under 5 minutes.
The bubbles appear with vim and vigor.
I crunch on some noodles before
soaking them in their hot water bath.
Soften and boil, plump and cook.
Separating from their noodle nest.
Time for seasonings,
turn water to soup.
Carefully pouring into a bowl,
noodles sloshing as I carefully sit to indulge.
Ramen noodles I love for they are cheap to eat
and fill my grumbling belly until the next day!

*I really do enjoy ramen noodles.  I've learned to enjoy the simple things in life!