The last time I wrote, I was sitting in my one bedroom, suburban apartment with the windows open so I could hear the birds chirping. My dishwasher was winding down and I had a side list going of all the grocery store items that kept popping in my head.
Now, I am sitting in my one bedroom, urban apartment with the windows open but sounds are less birdie and more conversations and car horns. I don't have a dishwasher and I don't keep a grocery list because Whole Foods is a stones throw away.
There are things I miss about my little hometown, some major differences from the big city life. Like:
- People in LA walk around in their gym attire, all day long, as if their life is one giant workout.
- The movies lie. People don't wear cowboy boots here all the time. Just me. Fantastic.
- TV lies. The chinese theatre, where all the movie stars imprint their hands, isn't glamorous at all. It's a nasty place where your booty gets grabbed and college students are trying to make their over-priced rent.
- In Temecula, my apartment occasionally got a whiff of a clean cut lawn or a smoldering fire. In LA, my apartment gets whiffs of car smog or the mary jane. (I wish I was kidding. Don't tell my mom.)
- You only see your neighbors on the weekends, and even that has been an occasional "walking" conversation about where to eat and shop.
- You can walk everywhere. I think we've driven maybe twice this week.
- If you smile walking down the street, you're weird and probably a murderer.
- Sidewalk arrests are normal. Don't worry.
- The food selection is to-die-for. For example we ate at Hole in the Wall the other night. That was the name of the place. And it was one of the best burgers I've ever eaten.
- Beach people are different from the city people. Don't mix them up.
- I was born to live in this city.
I have met some amazing and interesting people, and though it seems like everyone is skeptical of everyone here in LA, I think there's some good friendships in there somewhere.
I really think this city will shape me, for the better. I think it is going to affect (in a good way) every part of my life: my marriage, my (future) children, my worship leading, my philosophy, my theology, and the way I see the world.
It's only been 2 weeks and I have been both stunned and surprised at my new life. It's not all glam and glitter, that ended the night I ugly-cried over not finding and apartment, but it's good. It's very, very good.
Thanks for sticking with me on this journey and I promise not every post will be consumed with LA-isms. #maybe
**PS. NAKED: The Truth about Marriage series is coming up, have you asked your anonymous question yet?! Do it!
