Wow, it's been a whole week since I updated. This will be quick, with more to come in a day or so.
California sure is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live here. Ohh, wait a minute...
My job isn't at all what I expected it to be. Nothing I do relates to mechanical engineering. It's more industrial engineering or manufacturing engineering. My boss said he'd help me get into something more suitable, but I'm not sure I believe him. I have a feeling I will have to find a better position myself. Network, network, network.
I'm spending money at unprecedented rates and magnitudes. It's sickening, but there's nothing to be done about it.
My company offers discounts on nearly everything imaginable. Half price tickets to Knott's Berry Farm! Big discounts on Disneyland! Even movie tickets can be had at the employee store for less than box office prices.
I swam in the Pacific on Saturday for the first time. Very fun. Very tiring. Very painful (more than once I found myself bouncing off the sandy ocean floor while attempting to body surf a big wave). Still, very fun.
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Thursday I’ll pick up the keys to my apartment. Actually, it’s a condo that I’m renting, so I don’t know whether to call it an apartment or a condo. Anyway, it’s six blocks from the ocean. You’re jealous. Actually, don’t get jealous, get on a plane and visit; there’s plenty of room for friends!
Walking on the pier when it’s dark out is…surreal. You’re on this lighted walkway, but all around is just inky blackness. The absence of lights out on the ocean makes it look like the pier is just floating in outer space or something. Freaks me out completely. I’m doing it again tomorrow night.
My first day on the job went well. In reality, it was less of a day at work and more of an orientation and welcome to the company. You wouldn’t believe the security protocols we had to learn. Northrop really makes it easy to get started, though. They have tons of programs for newbies to help us meet people. There’s a happy hour this Wednesday, plus there are numerous social clubs involving everything from bowling to skiing. Maybe I can start a Christian club. Met another new hire who said she’s interested in checking out the local music scene, so we exchanged numbers. I'm also thinking of organizing a dinner party or movie night for the other people that started today.
I’m still not used to this amazing weather. It’s 75F and sunny every day. Fantastic! I need to remember to move back to the Midwest before I get used to this permanently.
Yes, for the most part, I enjoy being here. The people are friendly and the experiences are great. However, I still wish I could be around my family and friends back home. I know it’s impossible to have it both ways so I guess it’ll just have to be this way for a while. I want to come back, though. Someday…
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After considering some sixty apartments suggested by the relocation agency, I have pared the field to three choices. I’m choosing the one I like the least because it offers a month-to-month lease. It’s still a very nice place, though. It’s part of a system of buildings that surround Mediterranean landscaped grounds complete with streams, waterfalls, swimming pools, and a bunch of other stuff that doesn’t really matter to me but makes the place look really freaking awesome. The people that live there are mostly young professionals like myself, so there will be opportunities to meet people.
The month-to-month lease really sealed the deal. I’ve made friends with a professor of marketing at Pepperdine University and he says that the housing market will become less competitive in the winter months. So, with a thirty days notice, I’ll be able to leave this current place and pounce on any good deals that might cross my path. I think having that sort of freedom is wise, at least for a while.
I haven’t had much time to do anything fun yet. I wanted to ride some roller coasters this week, but I wanted to get the apartment stuff finished first. Maybe next week. I can’t wait to go to Knott’s Berry Farm and ride their new invert, Silver Bullet. That thing looks sickening. It’s going to be lame not having any friends to go with, though.
Speaking of friend-type-people, a local girl from Navigators invited me to her church on Sunday. We’re going to get coffee before hand, too. Praise God for other Christians willing to help out a newbie. Without them, I’d be lost out here. Hmm, maybe she likes roller coasters…
Well, I’ve got nothing to do for about five hours. Maybe I could just drive to Knott’s to see how far it is. Trouble is, I don’t know how to get to the highway without going through places I’ve been warned to avoid. I really don’t feel like getting shot.
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This time, I'm writing from Kinko's where they offer computer use for $0.25/min. I hope I can write this off as a relocation expense.
So far, finding an apartment has been difficult. Most of the places I've visited are kinda scummy. A good majority were left unlocked. After calling the number, I was told to just go up and open the door. I think that's just creepy. Two places were OK, though. That's two out of fifty considered! One of those places had a nice landlady who looked at my map and showed me all the bad areas. She also suggested that I don't rent at a large complex. I think I agree, but I may not have a choice. Why doesn't God make things like this easier?
On a positive note, the food here is fantastic and not too expensive, either. Last night, I had catfish tacos at a place called Sangria. They had a spanish band with women doing authentic spanish dance. Good stuff. I can't wait to show this stuff to people who visit.
Alright, I'm up to $6 on the counter. Gotta go...
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I'm in California. Not sure what to think about that. Everything is very nice here, but it's kinda lame without any friends or family to share it with. Miss you all a lot.
Gotta go, I'm on a library computer and I have limited time. Never have I wanted a laptop so much...
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The current slogan for the Chicago White Sox is, "win or die trying." I take this to mean that, for every game lost, the Sox sacrificed the lives of their players in the unsuccessful struggle for victory. As I write this, the Sox have lost 36 games this season. This translates into no less than 324 deceased ball players. Now, I know for a fact that no one has died, so the Sox must not be men of their word and are just into stupid sayings.
Another reason why I hate the Sox is the fans. Instead of supporting their own team, they walk around in "Cubs Suck" apparel and make disparaging remarks about the north-side fans. Cubs fans don't do this. I think this is the real reason why I've always liked the Cubs; they just seem more friendly and logical.
So there you have it. Chicago White Sox: Low on intelligence, high on belligerence.
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