JenY's adventures in California

Furniture! I have furniture! It’s more stuff to dust, but there’s just something about having shelves for books, and a coffee table to put my feet on that makes me feel like I actually live here. I’ve still got a wall of boxes to unpack, but I’ve got a three day weekend to do it.

I went to the DMV last week to change my license, so I’m now an official resident of California. I had to get printed. If I ever decide to commit a crime, my prints are on file. Weird…there goes my plan of robbing the In-N-Out Burger…kidding.

While I was at the DMV, I also had to take a written test. The first time I took my drivers test, 8 years ago, it was on a computer. I’ve suddenly gone back in time, because the clerk handed me a sheet of paper and one of those little pencils with no eraser, and I got a little section of counter to take my test. I only missed one question. Sweet! Then I had to pass the eye exam. My vision has apparently deteriorated quite a bit since my last vision test (also 8 years ago) since it’s now 20-40 in one eye and 20-70 in the other. Stay tuned for my next installment, JenY goes to the eye doctor. I’m sure it will be an experience, especially since I’ve never been to an eye doctor. I’m having visions of that episode of Friends where Monica has to hold Rachel’s head at the optometrist. Yikes!

American Idol is finally on, and they’re singing songs from the 21st Century tonight. So far, they’ve all picked really bad songs. Suds in the Bucket? Really? Paula is especially crazy- 40 million people in the Church of Mandisa? I’m pretty excited about this American Dreamz movie with Hugh Grant and Mandy Moore. It’s an American Idol spoof! I always love a good spoof- I don’t know that American Dreamz is going to be another Spinal Tap or Best in Show, but it should be worth a laugh.

I’m going to sign off now- it’s time for Chris Daughtry. See you next time.

So I think I've walked about 100 miles since my arrival in California. Not that I'm complaining- it's 70 degrees and sunny, so I can work on my tan while I'm walking. Multitasking at its finest.

I'm watching college basketball. I love this time of year- I'm always excited to watch the games, and I always secretly hope for the big upset. The Cinderella teams are always so excited. This year's team is Bradley- in honor of Natpot's roommate Webcam Katie. Go Braves!

I clipped coupons today for the first time in my life. You know those ads that come in the mail, and everyone but Miss School Teacher throws them away? I actually looked at mine today. There are some good deals in there. Sweet.

I watched American Idol last night, and I was sad to see Kevin go. He was cute, and preferable to Bucky...who is more in need of a makeover than anyone who has ever been on the show. I still think Paris and Mandise are my favorites for the year. The ladies have mad pipe action.

Well, I think that's it for today. I've been so busy running around that I just fall into bed and am asleep within minutes. I kind of like it that way.

I like to think of myself as a modern pioneer

Happy Monday morning! It's just past seven here, and the sun is out! I'd almost forgotten what spring is like, and in March!

Out of sheer boredom yesterday, I fiddled with my television for an hour, and I'm now able to watch three whole channels. Luckily, one of them is ABC, so I didn't miss Grey's Anatomy last night. I also had to watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and ten minutes into the show, I was bawling.

But my cable guy is coming tomorrow morning between 6 and 8am, so I should be in business and able to have contact with the outside television world. Now if only I had something to set my television on. My apartment is pretty ghetto fab right now. I broke down and bought an air mattress on Saturday, so I'm sitting on that while the tv sits on the floor in the corner. Not even a packing crate to be seen anywhere.

My furniture should be here by next Monday. I've never been so excited to have more things to dust, but I am looking forward to having something other than the floor to sit on.

I've got to get to work, and I have my first full staff meeting today. Should be interesting, and we're getting fed, so I'm excited.

Animated Creator...and just when I thought I'd found my calling in life

Is this what people do in the real world? Spend their days in meetings? I think that's how I'm going to be spending my days.

I usually try to read Chele in the morning, as a wake me up, but I didn't have time this morning. So when I got home from work, I took the her personality test. I am an animated creator. LOL...I sound like a cartoonist. Watch for me to create the next historically inaccurate Disney film. Coming soon to a theater near you...the story of Sally Hemmings, the slave who fell in love with Thomas Jefferson and lived happily ever after...or not. Don't hold your breath. I'm headed out to Tongue's party tonight, and then am going off on an adventure to discover a new Target tomorrow. Ooh, hot fun in the sun.

Everyone's Irish today!

Top of the morning to you! I hope all of JenY's faithful readers are wearing green today. I'm not yet sure how big St. Patty's Day is out here in California. Probably not as big as in St. Paul, but green beer is still green beer.

I spent a half hour on the phone with a boy last night. Well, it was Justin and he's my Sprint Customer care rep. I had to change my phone number (so be sure you get those digits!) and he was very helpful. I don't think he was overly pleased with me, because I was calling on the phone I wanted serviced, but I don't have another phone. Anyway, he gave me very detailed instructions on how to do it myself, and then transferred me to an automated system so I could renew my agreement. Unfortunately, he pressed the wrong button (perhaps intentionally...) and I had to renew my agreement in Spanish. JenY's Spanish is rusty, but apparently not as rusty as I thought, because I understood everything and successfully renewed my agreement. And the phone works, so that's really what's important.

So now it's off to free breakfast, and then another day at the office. Well, another day of running around trying to get everything taken care of so I can be at the office next week. I'm definitely getting my exercise this week. Happy St. Patty's Day!

Beware the Ides of March

Hello from sunny California! I'd almost forgotten what blue sky looks like. I've finally got a moment to breathe after a very packed couple of days. I've got an apartment, half of my clothes, a television and a sleeping bag to last me until next week, when the movers arrive with my furniture and stuff.

MomY and I had a very long road trip, but we managed not to annoy each other too much. She bought a box of Hot Tamales in the middle of Nebraska, and they lasted until Sacramento. We also ate at a lot of McDonald's. I have yet to find the McDonald's here, and I'm in no rush.

We hit a snowstorm in Cheyenne, and then quite a bit of traffic at Lake Tahoe. I guess we missed two feet of snow, but it still took us two hours to go thirty miles. Up and around and up more- we hit the summit at 7200 feet, and Sacramento is 9 (yes, 9) feet above sea level. So we had to go all the way up, and then all the way back down. I'm not making that drive again any time soon. Anyone who comes to visit and wants to go to Reno is on their own.

Tomorrow is my first day of work in the real world. My boss asked if 8 was too early for me to start. I said I thought I'd probably be early, as I'm definitely still on Central time. But I picked up my keys today, and have lots of fun meetings tomorrow, so I'm excited.

MomY flew home this afternoon, so I'm on my own. It's an interesting feeling- I'm nervous, but I'm feeling strangely independent today. Maybe because I managed to get to the airport and back without getting lost. Take that California freeway system. I still have to go to the DMV to become an official Californian, but I have faith that I will be successful in that endeavor as well.

Well, I've still got to set up my cable and internet, and then find something to eat for dinner that can be prepared using one pot and a pizza sheet, because that's all I have right now. DadY claims I'll have furniture by this time next week. If not, there's a brand new IKEA open about fifteen miles down the road.

One last, final last, Minnesota Blog

Well, it's 1:42 am, according to my clock, and I'm about ready to hit the sack for a good hour of sleep. I just wanted to get in one last Minnesota blog, as the next one will be from either the middle of nowhere, or more probably California.

Today was one very hectic, busy, and rather sad day for JenY. I did some packing this morning, and then went to lunch with the sistahs at Big Ten. I had to get one last gooey cheese bread in me before heading to the land of the health food...

After lunch, I made MS come and help me move around some furniture. She has adopted my plants, so I'm glad they found a good home. Then it was off to coffee/dessert with not-so-Vile Ryan, which I thoroughly enjoyed. His hair is definitely longer than mine. Oh well. For the first time, I found myself able to enjoy his company as a friend, and it wasn't hard. It was fun. I've recovered from my broken heart. Life is too short to do otherwise.

Then I rushed home for one final goodbye party. The "clean out the liquor cabinet" party did not really work so well. I did my best, and downed quite a bit of rum, but alas, the Captain got the better of me. We'll meet again, Captain Morgan, and someday, I'll be the victor. I got to say my goodbyes to Natpot and Katie, and Rednic and Miss School Teacher. Goodbyes have never been easy for JenY- so I consider a plus that I'm not an emotional wreck right now. It's hard to say goodbye to someone you've known your entire life, and to say goodbye to friends who know you better than you know yourself. My girls have always been close to me...and it's easier moving away knowing that the relationships I have are stronger than the miles between us.

So now it's late at night, I'm feeling nostalgic and a little maudlin, and I still have to count boxes and furniture. The movers are coming next week sometime- and DadY is supervising, so I'm in good hands. My car is full. I just hope there is room for MomY tomorrow. It's going to be a tight fit.

It's a big step for me. I've never spent more than a month outside of Minnesota, and I'm a little nervous. My nerves are balanced by my excitement, and at the moment, my goosebumps. I really should put on a sweatshirt. As I am generally not one for making big, life changing choices, this is major. I'm scared, I'm excited, and perhaps still a little buzzed, but I've managed to avoid a breakdown. So I'm the victor in this battle- whether or not I'll win the war remains to be seen. But I'm the eternal optimist, and I've got enough confidence to always bet on myself. Things are looking good for the long run, and JenY is about to get bigger and better.

I'll leave with a few of my favorite memories from my 23+ years in Minnesota

-My tenth grade locker block, which I credit with cementing my friendship with Rednic.
-Sitting on the basketball bench with Miss School Teacher

-TPC

- My sad and pathetic chase after Aaron Peirsol
-The day our high school swimming pool was a lovely shade of green, and had foam on it
- Roadtripping to Michigan with Bethmania and Super Sarah into enemy territory..watching my beloved Golden Gophers lose. I still maintain that Ann Arbor is a whore.
- Learning to knit
- Hanging out in the darkroom with KenBecky during our yearbook "class"
-Baby Smellen, perhaps the cutest thing ever!
-Valley Fair scavenger hunt with Natpot

And finally, Sunday nights with my maids and DH and Grey's Anatomy. Super fun...especially when followed by Monday nights spent discussing DH and GA at knitting.

This is JenY, signing off from Minneapolis. Ich liebe Dich, and Auf Wiedersehen.

Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting.

I can't believe how much has happened since my last blog. Let's see...

On Tuesday, our broomball team lost. It wasn't particularly pretty. So another year goes by that I have to beg for an intramural t-shirt. I think everyone was really hoping we could win one this year.

On Wednesday, I met up with Brandacious and Evil Hot Helen, and Baby Smellen. Baby Smellen was celebrating her 5 month birthday. She's huge. At least forty pounds. Or maybe that was just my imagination. Baby Smellen is perhaps the cutest baby ever. So I said my goodbyes to the knitters. I'm very mad that Chele could not come. I'm considering stalking into her office tomorrow, because I'm not leaving without saying goodbye. Plus, that would really be an entertaining time.

I went home to see Mom and DadY, and saw King Louie this morning. I hadn't been to his new nursing home yet, and he took me all around and showed me the birdcage and all his postcards and pictures. He looked better than he's looked in a long time, so that was good. I said my goodbyes to him, and promised to send him a postcard.

I've just returned from dinner with my friend Becky. We went to eat here, and it was delicious. I had clucks and fries. It makes me laugh just to say "clucks and fries." I haven't seen Becky for quite awhile, so I'm glad we met up.

So now I'm watching March Madness, and trying to finish organizing everything. I'm never moving again. Ever. You will all have to come visit me in 20 years when I'm still living in the same apartment. Hopefully there will be room for you. I seem to accumulate stuff at a rapid rate.

I've got a big day lined up tomorrow. I'm headed to one last luncheon at Big Ten with the sistahs (the "h" is for hot!) and then have to pack my car. Then I've got one more goodbye gathering (that's 3 parties, 2 dinners, one lunch a breakfast, and a possible office stalking, if you're keeping track) I'm dropping MS off at the airport at 4am on Saturday, then am picking up MomY, and we're hitting the road. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Yesterday was a sad day for Minnesota. RIP Kirby Puckett. Kirby was one of my heroes growing up- I remember being allowed to stay up late to watch the 1987 World Series, and watching the 1991 World Series. I even still have all his baseball cards. So Kirby, wherever you are- touch em all, and thanks for bringing excitement and joy to this little girl's life.

I had my official going away party at the pool last night. I did not cry, which I'm pretty excited about. Bethmania and Super Sarah really know how to throw a party. Mmm, Buca. There was even a cake. Bethmania tells me I'm lucky it said "Good Luck", as the woman who wrote on the cake misunderstood what Bethmania wanted, and the cake almost said, "Get Lucky" Either way, I appreciate the sentiment. It was good to see everyone, and now I'm starting to get the feeling that I won't be seeing all of these people on a regular basis. It's a scary thought. Eek...why am I moving all the way across the country? One of my former co-workers, Pirate Greg, did tell me to make sure I didn't walk into the ocean. Best thing anyone said to me all night. I laughed, and then laughed some more.

Tonight I'm cooking dinner- chicken parmesan. It's idiot proof, which is good, because I think I qualify as an idiot in the kitchen. I've gotten the recipe from Miss School Teacher, so it's written in clear, simple instructions, that a fifth grader could follow.

I'm off to run some errands now, and to get more boxes.

I was the big winner of the Oscar pool last night. I correctly picked 6 of the 8 categories. Best Original Song, and Movie of the Year got me. Oh well...I enjoyed the Three 6 Mafia. I had no idea it was so hard to be a pimp. And they were excited...injected some life into the otherwise pretty boring ceremony.

My favorite two parts of the show- Ben Stiller's green unitard, and Will Ferrell and Steve Carell's makeup presentation. I always like to see people sacrifice dignity to get a laugh.

I also decided last night I would like to be adopted by the Clooney family. All of them are successful. George, Nick, Rosemary, Jose Ferrer, Miguel Ferrer, Debby Boone. Who wouldn't want to be in George Clooney's family?

It's time to go and build a fort of boxes, and to do more packing. Then it's off to the pool for a shindig.

JenY's new spring line

I thought it was time to change things up in the template department. I'm going to test drive this little green number for awhile and see if I like it.

In case you needed proof that I am blonde, here's a good one for you. When I came home Friday night, I left my phone in my car. Since I did not so much go anywhere yesterday, I didn't notice that I didn't have my phone until I went to the grocery store at noon today. I often wonder what life was like for the 20something before cell phones. I guess now I know. I missed three calls, and I apologize to anyone who was trying to get a hold of me. Whoops. Phone is now safely back in my possession.

Tomorrow starts the first of the going away parties. I've decided that going away parties are like funerals. They're more for those who are staying (or still alive) than for the departed. But I am looking forward to them. I'm moving real far away, and I would guess that I will never see some of these people again. I'm sure there will be a lot of tears- I'm a little bit of a watering pot, and if someone else starts to cry, then it's all over. Chele, you're on notice... if you start to cry, I'm going to punch you.

Well, today was another exciting day of sorting and packing. I did most of the stuff in my room yesterday, and today I tackled my desk and file cabinet. Good fun all around...I'm pitching stuff left and right. It goes completely against everything I've ever known, and I find myself almost unable to throw out a Valentine's card from MS that's three years old. At last count, I had two hundred blue pens. I really like blue pens. My name's JenY, and I'm a packrat. I am finding all sorts of stuff I'd given up on, so I guess it all balances out.

I'm going to continue packing tonight while I'm watching the Oscars. I'm a little sad that Grey's Anatomy isn't on tonight, but I guess the Oscars will be ok. I've actually seen some of the nominated movies this year, so that's a bonus for me. Bethmania, Super Sarah and I have a pool running on the winners. As I am an excellent picker, I predict victory for JenY. Stayed tuned for results.

Happy Birthday Miss School Teacher!

Today is Miss School Teacher's Birthday. Happy Birthday! I'm a little jealous that she's 24. I'm anxious to turn 24, I don't like being 23. I like even numbers better. Don't ask...it's an OCD thing.

Other famous people born today include Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Herschel Walker, Jessica Biel, and Alexander Graham-Bell. So Miss School Teacher, you have a track legend, a football star, an actress, and a dead inventor blowing out candles today. You're in good company.

I'm curious as to whether Miss School Teacher brought treats to share with her class. Hopefully cupcakes. Yum! I hope there is birthday cake for tonight. Delicious. And after reading those last couple of sentences, I think maybe it's time to eat some lunch.

On my jaunt to buy her birthday present, I ventured into Marshall Fields, where I could not find a salesperson to save my life. Every time I found one, there was a woman in front of me asking an obscure question that required the salesperson to go into the bowels of the store, never to be seen again. I just wanted to ask a question that required a yes or no answer. I must have spent half an hour in the basement looking for someone to answer my question.

While I was shopping, Rednic called. While we were having our daily noontime chat, she got another phone call from our favorite bartender Mark. He wanted to know if we were coming in to see him soon. As Mark is a very nice looking young man, I think we'll go see him before too long. And no, I don't think it's strange that Mark has Rednic's phone number.

So we're headed to Miss School Teacher's for dinner, then we're going out. It should be an interesting night. Miss School Teacher's friend Mr. Motorcycle is going to come, and he's always a fun time.

This afternoon, I think I'm going to build a fort with my boxes. I've packed 11 so far, and have many more to go.

Happy ten days of JenY! Only ten more days of being Minnesotan! Bethmania has been appointed chief party planner, which is good, because I'm going a little crazy. Don't ever attempt a cross country move in two weeks while ill. It blows. Hardcore.

I've got a lot of packing to do...why do I have so much stuff? Five frying pans? Really?