Opening scene: Las Vegas, Nevada where 6 lb 4 oz Mia is born.
Fade out to Mia’s mom packing for California shortly thereafter, realizing Las Vegas is not the ideal place to raise her daughter– or even BE for that matter.
Cut To: Dad peaces out, leaving Mia and Mom for his 3rd, then 4th, 5th, later- 6th and eventually 7 wives-turned-divorcees. (Not all at the same time, obviously.)

In any case, the following scenes pave the way for an interesting childhood. Including scenes where my I am 5-years-old and flying alone to Vegas every other weekend to visit my father, where mom and I hop on a Harley Roadster and ride with 200k other Harley Davidson bikers to South Dakota, where I board a ship to set sail for three months and travel the world, and where my mom and I come back from a movie to realize our house has suffered from a devastating house-fire.

Like I said, Romantic Dramedy.

Where’d the romantic part play in, you ask? Good question.

Cut to: May 2010, Beverly Hills and Brentwood, California. Split screen-Guy and Girl meet on a dating site , and chat with each other each day during work. After a couple weeks, she finally decides to ask him if he wants to meet up after work for a drink- since they’re going in the same direction.

Fades to: 6PM, Girl ends up being early for this mysterious rendez-vous and gets in some shopping; scores 2 heels and an Apple product in under 30 minutes. She’s a pro.

Pan and Zoom to: Girl’s iPhone text message alert- “New text message from Jordan.”  The moment of truth…oddly enough, she wasn’t nervous. She picks up the phone and calls him, “it’s quicker than texting,” she rationalized. In actuality, she wanted to hear what he sounded like before meeting him. Is that so wrong?

Cut to: He’s standing on one side of the crosswalk, she’s on the other, they’re on the phone. “Walk” reads on the sign and before long she’s running to get him and turns them in the other direction- wait, why was she running? Excited? Already? He was cute and it was clear there was a connection from their earlier conversations.

Fade to: Guy and girl strolling the Santa Monica promenade after a few drinks (they forgot to eat dinner, as they were too involved in conversation), headed to watch the sunset when all of the sudden, they happen upon a 13,000-person audience gathered on the beach for a free Jack Johnson concert.

Before long, they’re laughing and running through crowds of people to find an ideal spot. She

First Date: Jack Johnson Concert

pulls out her phone to capture this moment- the best date she’s ever had. They kiss- it was bound to happen. It was perfect.

Fade to: 12AM… they’re finally parting ways for the evening. After all, she ended up falling asleep in his arms while listening to music- it was about that time.

It was the beginning of something very special <3

In any case, I decided that I had to take a quick break from the madness that has been my life to post an entry. Things have been really great lately, business is keeping me busy (hence the title) and the close of the semester has been harvesting quite a bit of stress. Regardless, my spirits are high and while my energy is low, I’m managing to stay sane!

I’m in the process now of changing career lanes. I’m still on the same road, with more or less the same emphasis, but I’m leaning more in the direction of Social Media representation as the means by which I pay the bills.

I’ve been reading a lot of white papers and case studies lately by companies like Burson-Marsteller, Cohn and Wolfe and InkFoundry. I’ve also been looking in to internships at the aforementioned as well.

So, such has been my life. Late nights researching social media, putting off laundry day until it can wait no longer, and balancing financial independence with my last year at Pepperdine. Life is great.

things happen to have been a house fire in which everything my family owned was destroyed. It’s been just a few days over 3 years since I learned some very valuable lessons about material possessions and appreciating the things I have.

My mother and I left for a movie, only to receive raving phone calls before the movie had time to even begin. There were sirens, people yelling and a rush of energy penetrating my ear as I slouched down in my seat to pick up the call.

While rushing through red lights and speeding around corners, my life was to be drastically altered. Everything I had known was up in flames. We pulled up at 8:11, the fire roaring ten feet above the roof and three fire department trucks surrounding the perimeter of our home.

They had brought my cat back to life and handed her to me. My mother told me to find an emergency vet that was open and I sped off in her car, too stunned to shed tears, too shocked to function properly. After $3k and 3 nights in an oxygen tank, the cat lived, and we were all safe. That was the most important part, but 90% of our belongings were either charred or too badly smoke-damaged to warrant saving- and at first, that was hard to get over.

For the next two weeks I lived out of a hotel, refusing to unpack my bag until I found a new apartment. Everything I owned could fit in my suitcase.

The weeks proceeding were…well, horrid. Filling out paperwork, dealing with insurance, claiming and labeling items by value, brushing the ashes from old pictures in an album and letting go of memoribilia I had brought back with me from my round-the-world travels just a few months prior.

It was quickly that I learned to appreciate the things I did have and stopped dwelling on the things I was missing. I began to let go of the physical things and hold tight to those that really mattered. My goals, memories, friends, family and passions.

Sometimes I find myself staring at a flame. I catch myself in a trance, thinking about how something so small can affect us so greatly.

My ultimate goal is to incorporate my writing into a career that will allow me to travel, explore cultures unlike my own, visit historic landmarks and meet those who also value the excitement that ensues in the midst of a journey.

My feet are definitely itching to get back on the open road, vast skies and tumultuous waters.

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” ~Seneca

The cop looked at me, as I knelt down to inspect the faulty wheel, and said, “It’s locked.” He could tell I was confused and explained from afar- “There’s a wire around the perimeter that auto-locks the carts.”

Wheel locking mechanism

What? Seriously? And apparently it’s been around for a few years- at least. How did I not know of this previously?

Just as I was about to discount the cop’s outlandish comment, sure enough a Whole Foods employee walked over with a remote that gave my cart the ability to become mobile again.

Being that theft and homelessness is an overwhelming issue in the Venice and Santa Monica area, it’s smart for Whole Foods to invest in this kind of deterrent. I can’t help but wonder what the ROI is on an investment like this.

Sure enough, the USPS was the carrier. I’ve been checking my door every day because they were late in arriving, and when I checked today, June 16th, the DELIVERY CONFIRMATION number was available and it stated that my contacts had been delivered yesterday…except dun dun DUN! They had not.

So, like any disgruntled “customer” of USPS, I looked on their website for a phone number to call. I had to call my local branch, who didn’t even understand that when I gave him a “DELIVERY CONFIRMATION” number, it meant my packaged was supposed to have been “delivered.”

I told him I had not received my package, that the USPS website said it was delivered, and he replied with “Are you sure it was delivered?” Oh goodness. “No, that’s the problem, it WASN’T delivered. It SAYS it was delivered (I was speaking slowly this time) but I did not receive my package.” The gentleman sounded almost exactly like Cleveland Brown from Family Guy, that it was hard to take him seriously.

In any case, once the guy figured out that what I wanted was my package, He told me that I should call back tomorrow at 8 AM… as if I have nothing better to do than track down my own mail. So frustrating. My package was coming from less than 2 hours away!

I wish there was a way you could choose not to have USPS deliver a package when ordering online.  United States Postal Service is so unreliable!

Thanks United States Postal Service, yet again.

At 1:45 I headed out to meet a friend at the beach “See you in ten, then” I said. Little did I know the road ahead was full of road blocks- both metaphorically and literally. Calabasas has me trapped.  As I drove through Malibu Creek State Park, where the 40 minute detour left me, I thought to myself-

Why? Why am I living in a place that has very little to offer me, even less to motivate me and far less to entertain me?  The ever-so-present detour signs were the signs I needed to confirm my decision. The road I travel on a daily basis, reminding me of those deep within the countryside of the mid-west, now had signs telling me I needed to change it up a bit. Ok…so maybe I’m working the metaphor a little, but hey- it works!

I’d been thinking of moving back to LA for a while but had debated becoming one of the innumerable commuters.  Was it worth the 40 minute drive from home to school in order to be in  a more pleasant living situation? I don’t know why I even question it.

So, that’s it. My lease will be up in a few months and I’m headed back to the Westside!

A few days ago Anthony P. wrote in:

“Hey,

It’s the first time I’ve checked out your website. You’ve penned some great articles. If I could recommend a topic: Can you speak about the lifestyle in Malibu as compared to NY when you were over here? Perhaps the entertainers you see? Maybe talk to a celebrity on the street? I can already feel your eyes rolling, because you see them everyday. Still, for an easterner, it would be interesting. Let me know if you at all decide to pursue this.

-Anthony”

It’s been a couple years since my Bicoastal lifestyle so I wracked my brain for all the things I loved and despised about having a home base on either side of the continent.

There are a few things that differ dramatically depending on the coast.  The People, The Pace and The Culture.

New York and Los Angeles (especially Malibu) have obvious differences in pace.  Malibu, a city of the laidback and over-priveleged, promotes an entirely different (neither better nor worse) vibe than say… New York City.  New York’s  fast-paced, cemented city promotes a hustle and bustle you’d have to search high and low to find anything comparable in Los Angeles.

I don’t have to make you aware of one of the most major differences between the Northeastern and Southwestern regions of our country and for me this was the biggest issue. The weather.  Aside from this years particularly rainy season (see Our Rainy Season post) you can’t beat the Los Angeles climate. It’s almost always a beach day, bikers speed down Pacific Coast Highway and lonely wives chit-chat in every corner Starbucks.

Contrary to Anthony’s belief I don’t see celebs on a daily basis (unless you count Angelyne, eek!).

Angelyne

But with great weather and constant sunshine, pop icons are definitely more noticeable that the bundled celebs you frequently miss when walking down 5th Ave.

On occasion you’ll see Pam Anderson and her golden retriever running the hills of Pepperdine University. She’s been a fan of the baseball team for quite a few years.

The team has, on more than one occasion, been invited to events at her Malibu home.

And more often than not, you’ll see masses of Paprazi surrounding Malibu’s Nobu or Taverna Tony’s.

Britney's car bombarded by Paparazi

Overall, there are a couple things I miss about the East Coast.  The pizza, the culture and the ease of access to a multitude of states in a matter of hours.

There’s something about the city, a true melting pot of cultures.  One minute you’re in Little Italy, one train and you’re in Greenwich.

The flying back and forth, sleeping with your head on the seat-back tray while your legs go numb and getting in late on Sunday night before a hectic Monday get old very fast. Not to mention it’s a pretty pricey lifestyle.

Great to visit, not a place I’d set up fort for too long.

Have you relocated from one coast to the other? Lived on both coasts for work or school? Feel free to share your comments here! I’d love to hear about your experiences.

Mexico was a blast, it was time for a bit of relaxation and adventure.  I spent a night camping on the beach, a few in a rooftop Palapa and numerous days off-roading through endless cacti infested deserts.

On the Pacific side of the continent’s Southernmost point we spotted Leaping Manta Ray.  These Manta Ray are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They leap out of the water and slap back down
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2QTOz8kDZg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1]

I also made my way back to visit Cuco y Pilar’s at Rancho Pilar where I witnessed a lot of growth in the area.  A family of Canadians has begun constructing a huge house at the top of the hill overlooking the beach where I camp.  It’s sad to see the land develop, it was kind of nice having a remote camping spot with friendly neighbors.

On our way up the Eastern Coast of Baja California Sur, I stopped to explore a huge cave we saw at the bottom of a dry river bed.  Filled with cows and lined with cacti, the cave was an amazing sight.

The New Year has begun and I feel refreshed.

Happy New Year.

I get back from Vegas just in time to spend christmas eve in beautiful California.  I just recently got a christmas tree and finished decorating my house, it’s the first time i’ve gone by myself to get a tree and had my own place to decorate. Pretty cool if you ask me

Shortly after christmas I’ll be hopping on a plane, en route to Cabo San Lucas. Wil and I will be making a pit-stop in Guadalajara for Breakfast on the way there which is going to be a lot of fun.  I’ve never been to Guadalajara so the 4 hour layover will surely be filled with exciting experiences.  Then, I hop back on the plane for La Paz, Mexico.  La Paz is a very small, quaint town with an airport, tequila bars and very cool homes you can explore.

On our 1 hour drive south to Cabo San Lucas, we’ll be making another pit-stop at to pay a visit to our crazy friends, Cuco and Pilar.  Cuco, a car-tire sandal maker (called Huaraches), is quite a character and Pilar is quiet but very sweet and insightful.  Last year they had puppies living on their ranch and they were just adorable.  For pictures from the last trip, check out Wil Fernandez’ website here.  Pilar is the woman on the far right sitting in the Cacti. I really had an amazing time last year in mexico, it doesn’t hurt that the weather is beautiful this time of year and I’m always in good company.

A majority of our trip will be spent in Cabo, but we plan on visiting a town just north of Cabo called Todos Santos. The town is known for its artsy feel and has one of the best italian restaurants.  Another stop on our Tour de Baja is La Candelaria.  La Candelaria is a well-hidden, well-preserved village with a population of around 80.  La Candelaria is full of suprises; dry river beds with wild dogs, steep, curvy and dusty roads, palm tree farms and best of all- Lorena.   Lorena H. is an American woman from Portland who (for reasons unknown) moved to Mexico, married and started teaching pottery in the small village. Lorena grows all of her own fruits and vegetables while her husband makes roofs from palm frawns (and really enjoys a good tequila).

The weather in Cabo right now is 85 degrees and clear skies.  I could not be more excited.  I’ll be doing a lot of travel writing and relaxing… not to mention getting a beautiful tan!

Enjoy the Holidays and Happy New Year!