Not used to driving

I can not believe that I am going to admit this to the world but it is just way to funny. This week while driving to work, I was talking to my mom on the phone. I got to work, got out of my car and went into work. When it was time to go home, I could not find my keys, I was looking everywhere. I thought, oh no...I probably locked them inside my car. When I went out to look I saw my car on and running. Yep, you guessed it...my car was on and running from 9am to 7pm. What makes it even better is that the doors were unlocked so anyone could have just taken off with the car. Nobody did thank goodness but my gas tank was full in the morning and empty by the time I got back into the car.
What makes this story even better is that Doug had a similar experience this week. He left the keys in his bike while he was in class and his battery died. Yet, another miracle that someone did not take off with his bike.
What were we thinking???? This whole driving thing is just something that we are not used to.

Can't Deny

Apparently the reports of my makeover are greatly exaggerated. I'm not going to lie, I've made some huge strides and efforst. Last week I went business casual probably four of the five days. I was feeling pretty good about it. Yesterday I went with a t-shirt and some guy remarked-you're a t-shirt guy aren't you? I've seen some of the shirts you wear and they're awesome. He might have been referring to this one or this one. I couldn't tell. Anyway, I realized that despite my best efforts, everyone saw me for what I really was- a t-shirt sporting flip-flop wearer masquerading as a responsible professional. I wasn't fooling anybody with  my attempts at professionalism. I guess I should probably reconsider some of my career aspirations. Just a reminder that being awesome is embracing who you really are and running with it.

MBA Wives

If any of you watch the show Army Wives (yes I admit...I do) you will understand what I am talking about. The wives all have a bond because for the time being, although family is important, the army comes first. Since Doug has started the MBA program at UCLA, his mind seems to be only on school. Studying, networking, where he will get his internship, etc. I understand and I am fine with it but sometimes I miss our old life. My saving grace has been the other women in my same situation. We are all members of the church, all just moved here to start a new life, most of us live in the same complex, and our husbands always seem to be busy. We have learned already to help each other out when needed and take care of important things like each others birthdays. So, we have decided to call ourselves the MBA Wives and really, I am enjoying our new found friendships.

Appreciation #17

My appreciation this week goes to my sister-in-law, Melissa Finck. I have been very fortunate to be able to get along with all of my sister-in-laws, I am truly blessed. Melissa is so much like my own sister that I often refer to her that way. She has been a member of this family for over ten years and I have to say that my brother James sure did well for himself. Melissa has taught me so much about having a positive attitude. When life tries to knock you down, she will tell you to get back up and find the positive lesson out of the situation. She is one of the smartest and most ambitious people I know (yes, James I am sure that you have helped with this matter). I look forward to out talks and mostly our walks whenever we get together. My favorite part about her is her laugh, it always puts a smile on my face. I love you Melissa, thanks for always being there for me.

Reassertion

There have been accusations (I'm looking at you Jeff and Carl) that being out west has made me soft. That by virtue of having constant sunshine, living nearby pristine beaches, and taking two months of vacation I've somehow lost the edge of awesomeness I've possessed. I submit to you the following exhibits in my defense. First, I've doubled my Halo ranking. That doesn't come without significant dedication, personal sacrifice, and unwavering focus. It's a goal I've long held and now have conquered. Second, the new websites I've discovered. I won't link to them on here. Let's just say if you google fail you can go with results 1 and 3. I warn you, if you start with these you might not be able to stop. Third, the newest member of our family:

When we first moved my plan was to take the bus to school each day (it is neither yellow nor short but a public bus line). That worked for the first two weeks during orientation. The first day of actual classes two buses passed by full. I figured it was an aberration. It happened again the next day. Friday I got my motorcycle license and Monday purchased this beast. I kind of felt bad for the deal I got. He was obviously barely treading water financially and trying to raise some cash. He was looking for a life line. Instead I stuck it to him. I think I'm doing all right not going soft.
There are some other things going on in life. Since we've been asked to give our time and resources in support of Prop 8 it's been a hot topic around here. My co-workers in NY disagreed on politics but we were able to discuss things civilly. Though I didn't take up their positions I knew where they stood and why. It's unfortunate more conversations can't go like that. Like with most political topics, extremists lead the causes, tempers flare, and perspectives are lost.
Along the same lines the stock market has been on fire. I leave work and stop monitoring it daily and it acts all unruly like it runs the joint. I'm just hoping it recovers in time for my job search next year.
Oh, I've been in school also. The classes are okay but it's like recruiting bootcamp. My suits are the wrong colors or shades. Fortunately I'm a tall male with a good handshake. The lady said that should be enough. Tomorrow night is our first career night with all the big banks. I need to bring my A+ game. Good thing I haven't gone soft.

Sometimes they surprise you

There is something about Conference weekends that I just love. I usually feel uplifted and refreshed by all the talks and council. Also, it is a great time to get together with people you love. This year we had brunch in between sessions on Sunday and we had quite the spread. That was not the amazing part. While all of us ladies sat on the couches, the men were in the kitchen cooking. Just when you least expect it, they will surprise you.

Fall

Yeah, it is Fall time and I so wish this is what I was doing:

This can't be Doug Hall.

For those of you that know Doug you know that he loves to wear funny (he thinks that they are SO funny) shirts, shorts, and flip flops. He was lucky enough to wear that very same favorite outfit to work everyday in NYC. He did go crazy once and buy some designer jeans but at a discount of course. I always looked forward to Sundays because the man could sure clean up nicely. So, you could imagine my surprise when he told me that we had to go shopping and we were buying dress shirts and pants....even new dress shoes. I was even more surprised to wake up and see him leaving the house wearing this to school. Wow, my man is hot....all of you would be so proud. It also might have something to do with him losing 25 pounds.

Venice Beach

I love the fact that Venice Beach is about three miles away from us. We went there on Saturday with our friends Heather and Bryan and had a great time. We ate greasy food and ice cream....yum. We also:

Watched the muscle builders

And watched the performers.

NYC Friends

Even though things have been crazy, we have still managed to enjoy ourselves. One of my favorite things has been meeting up again with friends that we met in NYC that now live here.

We visited the Franklin's a couple weeks ago and enjoyed dinner at their beautiful home. They moved here two years ago and Nate attend UCLA doing the same MBA program that Doug is doing. They were super helpful in getting us situated here in LA.


We also met up with Kristina and her soon to be husband last week. There are getting married next week and they are just adorable together.


That is it for now:)

Busy, Busy

We have not been meaning to avoid our blog for so long but we have just been to busy. When I used to hear people say this I would think, come on....how busy could you really be?? The answer....very. Doug has officially started school and he is enjoying the challenge. He will have to write about it some time (it has been four months sense his last post, I think that all of you should give him a hard time). I started my new job that I am very excited about. Check them at here. It is a company named Motivfilms and they are much like the company that I worked for in NYC. They do more graphics and production, but there is also an editing department. I switched roles a bit, instead of the editing side, I am working with the production. I decided to put my planning and organizing skills to the test. It has been a week and a half and so far so good. Being a new job, I am working some pretty long hours. Doug called me last night at 9pm wondering what he should do for dinner, he is feeling very lost. That is the update for now, we hope to mention all the fun stuff that we are doing soon;)