Visit to LA

Sam and I arrived in LA two hours behind schedule last Thursday. Since our flight was delayed two hours, the line for our rental car was an hour and a half, and traffic was bad - I missed my one and only interview. They were nice enough to go in on Friday (they normally don't) and interviewed me then. It was a stressful arrival and didn't stop there. As we were experience the awful California drivers, Sam turned to me and said, "We can't live here, I want to go home." Although sarcastic, I knew she was somewhat serious, because I felt the exact same.

Luckily, our wonderful host Timothy turned our interesting afternoon around. We grabbed a bite to eat, and after walking through the area where the Oscar's are held jumped on the subway, and headed to downtown Los Angeles. There was an Art Walk going on that we really enjoyed and then we hunted down the food trucks and got ice cream sundaes. (We might never fit in in LA - we love sweets and carbs too much!)

The next day we explored neighborhoods and I had my interview. It lasted two hours and actually went really well. Now if I can only figure out this California credential business…I will keep you updated on the job front. We found some locations we felt more comfortable in and experienced less of a culture shock than Hollywood, but are still not exactly sure what neighborhood we'll end up in. Friday evening Timothy introduced us to two of his incredible friends, Eliseo and Scott (aka Usher and Hugh Jackman). They welcomed us into their beautiful home and then took us out for a night in West Hollywood. It was quite the scene, Sam and I walked down the streets wide-eyed and in awe. They took us to a couple of clubs and introduced us to "WeHo" as they call it. Even if we could afford to live there, we couldn't keep up with the nightlife. In bed by 10 doesn't really work there...

The next day was my favorite because it was beach day! (This is the reason I can actually pick up and move to Los Angeles.) Before the beach, Timothy took us up Runyon Canyon. This is where EVERYBODY hikes, including the celebrities. Sam had to take a picture by the rocks spelling "LOVE". The beach wasn't the Hawaiian beach and unlike my sister, it isn't a quarter mile walk to get there, but the 30 minute drive was totally doable. It was so fun to be in the waves and lay on the sand, and I think Sam even enjoyed herself! We stopped and got ice cream, cupcakes, and cookies and it was amazing. Scott was so sweet to treat us and pamper us, the whole day really. That evening we met up with one of Sam's childhood best friends, Dan. We ate at a delicious restaurant and got to do some catching up. Sam and I were pretty exhausted and called it a night after that.

We left the next morning, but felt like we packed so much into our short trip. We had such a good host, who took care of us and showed us around. He was so sweet to give up his bedroom and stock his fridge. We love you Timothy, even though your driving is terrifying! We were excited to return home to Salt Lake, but are already missing friends, the beach, and some aspects of LA. This move will take some adjusting, but we are a step closer to this exciting adventure!

What's Next?

I swear this last year has been the fastest year of my life! I only have 10 days left of my first year of teaching, the three of us girls (Sam, Kenna, and myself) all graduated a couple of weeks ago, Taylor has been gone for nearly four months, and now we are preparing for our next adventure. We will be heading to Los Angeles, California in less than three months! We are so excited for the beautiful weather, the beach, some friends we rarely get to see, new turf, living on our own, for Sam to finally follow her dream, and our legal rights! (Odd how we can't get that last one here.) As excited as we are, it's going to be REALLY hard to leave this place we have grown to love.


Los Angeles



The three graduates

It's difficult to leave a first year teaching job that couldn't really get any better after just one year. When my logical side starts talking, I could almost kick myself! I have no idea if I'll find a teaching job in L.A. or if I'll enjoy it. My first year of teaching experience was incredible, my colleagues and students made it so easy to go to work and now I'm just up and leaving...yikes. I'm in the process of finding a job in L.A. but it's really challenging to do from here. I have to take a whole new set of tests to qualify for California (one of which I took today and won't know if I passed until mid June). Sam and I are going out in less than a month to look for a place, to live and maybe do some interviews. We are going all in and planning to move whether we have jobs or not. This is so unlike me, and Sam really, but we are going all in. We obviously won't stay if we can't afford to live and have to start stripping, but we are going to give it our best shot. I will take any good thoughts or energy in my direction on this job hunt!


It will also be such a challenge to leave our friends and family that are still here. We had to say goodbye to Taylor just a few months ago and now goodbye to everyone else. Especially our Kenna. There is a new dynamic in our home with the three of us girls and I feel like our relationship with Ken has just gotten better. Sam better step up her work out game, because Kenna is my biggest source of motivation to exercise. We have met so many friend over the last four years of living in SLC and it will be difficult to say goodbye to so many. (Side note: we will be having a going away get together in July.) Our family's are stuck with us no matter how far we go, but we sure will miss them. What will we do for Sunday dinner??? We wish we could take everyone with us, especially our nieces and nephews who will grow the most. Come visit us everyone!!!


We sure love Salt Lake and are proud to call it home. We love the restaurants we've discovered, the friendly people, the Capitol, walking places, the parks, the library, the nearby mountains, the sunsets, and all it's beauty. We know L.A. will hold a whole new atmosphere, but we are excited to see what life brings. You might want to get Sam's autograph before we leave, because the next time you see her it might be on the big screen.