Organize!

This post is proof that I am a nerd.

I used to ask people on first dates (you know, to show that i was deep and had thoughtful questions) "What are you passionate about?" I got mixed responses, and they were often very telling about a person. In turn, most people would ask me the same question. Sometimes I had a response, other times I drew a blank. In general, though, I would say I'm passionate about the Gospel, about Living Life to its fullest, about Having No Regrets, about Telling People I like/love Them, about Being Full of Integrity....the list could go on and on.

This week, however, I think I could unequivocally say that I am passionate about Organizing.

When we first moved to Los Angeles, Seth and I went to the Container Store and went crazy organizing things. We got these awesome DVD binders that save us so much space--like three boxes worth of space.














And we got Slimline hangers (Thanks Jenny & Mel for the suggestion!). My collection of clothes has trimmed down considerably thanks to wonderful friends (cough. Julie. cough.) who can convince me to purge my "oldies" or "uglies" or "I just don't wear these". BUT, I still needed more closet space and these have done wonders. Seriously, more than twice as many clothes fit in my closet now.













I'll spare you the details of all the other space saving things we got--we seriously spent two hours at the store trying to decide the best way to organize shoes, bags, q-tips, socks.... (plug for awesome husband Seth who actually cares about these things with me, or at least fakes it really well).

I LOVE feeling organized. It's so empowering. I feel like I can go out and feel absolutely an unequivocally clean, neat, tidy, and germ-free (isn't it funny how if something is in a neat stack it doesn't seem germy?)

SOOOO, this week was possibly a dream week. I started my new job, and my bosses both LOVE organization. They have electronic file systems, so we scan documents in, file them electronically, and then except for a select few documents, we can just throw the document away. It is FANTASTIC.

Also, one of my bosses likes neat and tidy binders for the information we save, and the last admins weren't so good at tabs and organized binders, so I was tasked with re-doing all of the binders to look professional, neat, and tidy. Ohhh it was bliss!!! Seriously, to get paid to re-tab a binder to be color coordinated is like a working mecca for me! (especially when i don't have to buy the supplies!)

With another move this week, I've been really excited to organize some more of our "stuff" and purge even more. If you get a phone call soliciting advice about purging or organizing, don't be surprised! :) (or if you'd like to just offer advice here, I'm ready to hear it!)

Apartment Hunt

So the past few weeks Seth and I have been on an apartment hunt. We scour neighborhoods, call a million signs, drop by to see places, hear of places from our friends, you name it, we've done it! This weekend, we decided that our hunt was over and we signed a lease on a 2 bedroom apartment just a few blocks away from where we're living now. It's in what we like to think of as a military base (just because it has it's own grocery store, movie theater, gym, conference room, cafe, movie rental place, and it's all gated) but it looks similar to the Truman Show. They may or may not have filmed the Truman Show at our apartment--a million little "garden style" houses that all look exactly alike. [sigh]

So here's what I'm excited about! Hard wood floors, two stories, two bedrooms, garbage disposal (You'd be SHOCKED at how many places do not offer a garbage disposal!), granite counter tops, dish washer, patio, walk in closet, and new carpet on the stairs! We're really glad that we were able to get a 2 bedroom so that we can always have company. I'm even thinking of getting a pack and play so that we're a fully baby friendly household.

Here's our floor plan:


And now, for the first time ever, Seth and I get to decorate! We're going to have to buy furniture (aka, a bed, couch, desk, and dining room table) and paint and buy rugs and lamps--ahhh!! We're going to be on a budget. Any good tips? Where do you like to shop for furniture? What do you recommend we get/skip on? What is "worth it" and what is "not worth it"? Can't wait to hear from you!

Penelope

Sorry about the advertisement......it's worth waiting 30 seconds for the clip though!

So I've been meaning to post this for months. Seth and I think it's so funny. We often will just be talking in the car and all the sudden go into "Penelope" voice for 10 minutes at a time.
I'm sure we've all met "Penelope" in our lives, and probably at times we've individually felt like "Penelope". While I'm sure no one could ever top the actual Penelope, when I was in Denver for the convention, I met someone who came REALLY CLOSE. She was a friend of my coworker's and she seriously popped out of nowhere all week and would come and talk to us, telling us about all the parties she'd been invited to, how her job was just a little bit better, a little more stressful, a little more important, even a little bit more money....oh it was ridiculous. I laughed every time she came by, and the last time we saw her I think I accidentally said "Hi Penelope" instead of her real name (which was like Olive or something...)

Here's to penelope!!!

Puppy

I really really really really want this puppy. She's only 30 OZ and she's 5 inches tall. And she's potty trained! Isn't she adorable?

Hollywood sightings of Seth & Jane, or Jeth, or Sane, whichever you prefer

Last week Seth and I went to a taping of the Craig Fergusen show at CBS Studios (just down the street from us!) As luck would have it, we made it on TV...we're at the bottom right corner when they pan back to the warm-up guy! And no, i don't normally have nasty hair like that....



and...if it's not working go here

Seth and I are Stars! We've Made It!

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A Good Day! (Finally!)

Seth and I were so excited to have a good day today. It was good, in part, because we got out of the house 3 times (THREE TIMES, you say? Well, it's a big deal for us lately...) and we weren't just on our computers and phones all day hunting for jobs.

This morning Seth had an interview in downtown LA that we went to, and then phone interviews in the early afternoon, and then I had an interview in Century City later in the day. Everything looks promising and we should know by the end of the week if we've officially got jobs (yay!). All our interviews were really a boost of confidence, and we were so glad, especially because last night I prayed so hard that we would remember to be confident in our abilities and that our skills would show. I scored 85 WPM on an official typing test, and I wasn't even going as fast as I could because I was trying super hard to be accurate (which I guess paid off too). Seth spoke in some stellar Japanese during his phone interview to native Japanese speakers, and they were impressed with him, and really liked him! (My favorite part was when they asked him if he was "an LDS", and if he would be offended if they drank coffee in front of him at work. They're just such a considerate group of people!)

SOOOOOO, at the end of the "work day" today, Seth and I were feeling great. It's not like it's been awful or anything the other days, but by 5 or 6 we've kind of been bummed and mulling over what we should do. I was so glad that things started looking up for both of us and that Heavenly Father could answer our prayers so that we could feel better about everything!

THEN, to make the day even better, we got to go meet up with Mom's best friend from growing up Kathleen Nielsen. I just love her, she's so funny and fun. We went to Tito's Tacos in Culver City, which is where they used to take the Youth after going to the Temple. It's totally authentic Mexican food, so it was so fun to get together, enjoy a taco, and just chat for a few hours. Kathleen is so nice, we were so glad to get to spend time with her.

Anyway, sorry no pictures, some to come later!

MANY THANKS

Seth and I can't let any more time go by without thanking everyone for their help on our move. We had so many "Angels" who took care of us, from the time we decided to move, to packing up in DC, to staying with old roommates before we left, to driving across the country and staying with Amy & Wade & Kids (complete with a FUN trip to the Dairy!), in two hotels, with Mom and Dad (where we were treated like king and queen, complete with robes and steak dinner!) to the time we arrived in Los Angeles and were saved by the Johnsons, and for all the help unpacking. Thanks everyone!

I also would like to thank everyone for the countless ears of lended support as I called, cried, vented, sobbed, you name it! It is so nice to have validation and love from all our dear friends and family! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

Los Angeles Updates!

Well, we made it to Los Angeles a week ago today! The last week has had its stresses and it's had its triumphs, but looking back at everything, I'm glad that we're here in LA, in this beautiful home! We've met a lot of neighbors already, and they're all fantastic!
Last night Seth and I went out for our two month anniversary to Terroni's, an Italian restaurant that's just a block away. They have margharita pizza that's about the same as Pizzeria Paradisio--Meaning, not QUITE 2 Amys but enough to satisfy my craving. Then we walked another block down to The Grove (outdoor mall). It's so alive and fun at night, even if we were just window shopping. We even ran into our neighbor Alicia so we could feel like we were a real part of the community :)
We then went to PinkBerry, and got the YUMMIEST yogurt ever in the world. It's a plain tart frozen yogurt with whatever fruit you can imagine on top. It SERIOUSLY is just my favorite. They had similar yogurt at Sweet Green in Georgetown in DC, and it was my lunch on many occasions. PinkBerry is famous here, so I shouldn't compare it to DC, but I guess to me it's combining a taste of home with a new LA treat.
Today we're going to the beach as soon as seth finishes studying his Japanese. I think I can handle this lifestyle... :)
More Later!

Sigh....Going Private.

I knew it would come eventually, but everytime anyone else does it, I get really really really sad about it.

Sorry faithful googlereader bloggers. I might at some point make myself public again, but for now we just decided that we'll go private for awhile and see how it works out.

Friends, exes, family, stalkers, you know the drill. If you want to see the rest of our wedding pictures and our new adventures in Los Angeles, just leave a comment with email address (I won't publish if you don't want).

Catch you on the flip side!!!