stupid shit i've googled

Whenever I am faced with an issue I just don't know how to solve, I turn to my most trusted advisor: Google. Here are some of my most embarrassing and telling recent Google searches.

GOOGLE KNOWS EVERYTHING/MY CAT HATES ME

• how are oven racks supposed to go in the oven
• firefox is running super slow
• does my cat have fleas
• removing fleas from cat
• what do flea bites look like
• echo park gangs
• buy coin wrappers
• is today a mail holiday
• how many americans are chain smokers
• getting something notarized
• los angeles pay parking tickets
• film industry jobs los angeles CA
  
  

CELEBRITY FACT FINDER

• tom cruise on oprah
• gwen stefani sons dyed hair
• the nightstalker
• olivia wilde silverlake
• jon benet ramsey
• oj simpson

SECRET INTERNET FATTY

• pizza hut coupon codes
• how much to tip delivery drivers
• one cup butter how many sticks
• freezing cookie dough
• how to steam milk for a latte
• pie recipes
• how do you pronounce pho
• how do you know when chicken goes bad
• food trucks los angeles

JUST PLAIN HUMILIATING

• wide ribcage 
• meals for one
• what is molly the drug
• making friends on meetup.com

...and now I will go bake a pie with a recipe I found NOT on google...but on Allrecipes.com

things that are making me happy this week

Taking a cue from my favorite podcast, here's a list of things that are making me happy this week. 

+ Parks and Recreation. It's the best show on TV and season 3 had it goin' onnn.
+ I'm finally going to see BRIDESMAIDS with Lorena tonight
+ Working on a screenplay idea with my coworker that's getting me excited
+ I'm feeling creative and motivated for the first time in weeks? Months?
+ Great music recommendations from Sarah (Wye Oak, Braids, Warpaint? Love 'em all)
+ Caramel lattes. Probably too many of them.
+ Lots of delicious food this week—tacos, pho, burgers and pie....
+ Phone dates with friends and family from home
+ I THINK I'M RID OF THE FLEAS?!

friday

New glasses (badly needed after wearing a $12 headache-inducing pair for 3 years) from this amazing shop

"Flowers to brighten my weekend" from one pretty adorable boyfriend (who can't keep a secret) 
I'm taking notes.

ode to my mama

Mother's Day this year corresponds with the period in my life when I need my mom the most -- and when I'm farthest away from her.

For so many reasons, my mom is the most inspirational person in my life. As long as I can remember, "My mom" has been the answer automatically penciled in on school questionnaires for "Your Hero," or "Person You Look Up To." She's an amazing and strong woman who tackles adversity head-on, and teaches me to do the same.

My mom gives of herself selflessly. She always stands up for what's right, and counsels her children to be the bigger person (advice I should, but don't always, take). She's also a built-in best friend who knows me better than I know myself. Whenever I need that reality check, I push the first entry in my iPhone "favorites" list.

My mom plays the role of "second mom" to more people than I can count on both hands. When I was younger, I was known for throwing epic tantrums whenever my mom held or paid attention to another child. These days I can realize that my mom is so special that it would be selfish to keep her all to myself. That's why she gets 50 birthday presents and funny handmade cards from her co-workers every time July 22 rolls around. It's why she's always booked for lunch dates and why we can't go anywhere in my hometown without someone stopping us to chat. She means a lot to a LOT of people.

Most importantly, my mom is always there when I need her. I can always call her -- even if it's past her bedtime (I know I woke her up when I'm greeted by a sleepy "What do you want?") or if I'm crying too hard to even say "Hello." My mom always knows how I feel and is ready with the advice I need to hear. And she can give it for hours straight. She's my very own personal therapist!

These are just a few of the reasons why I love my mom (I could fill a book), and why the 2000-mile distance between us feels like so much more. I can only hope that someday I'll be as wonderful a person as she is today.

and on the bright side...

+ I'm driving like an Angeleno...
+ ...and not getting lost as much anymore
+ Scored a half-price exterminator visit and free follow-up visit
+ I have a new regular library hangout and checked out my first book (Dispatches)
+ I'm doing work in a coffee shop with a forest room
+ I had my first fish taco at Best Fish Taco in Ensanada -- it was really good but I LOVED their shrimp taco. And I tried horchata, which was delicious. Two tacos + horchata was something like $5.50? Consider me a regular.
+ My job. I love it more every day, and the flexibility it allows me has been a lifesaver.
+ Received a chocolate frog in the mail from Nick and a care package from mama
+ Wisconsin friends are moving to LA in June! I think the count is at four people, including my best friend and her husband.

+ Started watching Doctor Who so I can relate to said best friend on a different level.
+ There are a few tentative friend visits on the horizon (Corey/Karly, Thy, Sarah...get out here!)
+ My LA big brother Spencer
+ The existence of yelp in general. I really need to sign up for an account so I can keep track of all the awesome finds I've experienced due to obsessively searching

growing pains

I've experienced many highs and lows since moving to Los Angeles in December -- and if I'm being honest with myself, mostly lows.

It's difficult to remember when I was last truly happy and it's even harder to imagine a future here. I don't have a full time job, I have very few friends in the area, my boyfriend is thousands of miles away, and various family members keep hinting (subtly and not-so) that I should move home.

I definitely am not ready to "give up" on my stint here, but I think I need to re-evaluate exactly what it is that makes me happy and figure out ways to get there. Because what I'm doing isn't working.

It's interesting how a person can go from being blissful to miserable in 6 months. Or really, in just one day.