A year here, a year there

It’s that time of year again: time to move! During the two years that I’ve lived in California, I’ve lived in three different places, and now, I’m about to be on to my fourth. While some people long for the one place they can settle into and call home, I sort of like moving around every year. It gives you a chance to live in different parts of this grand city of Los Angeles, find new neighborhood restaurants and coffee shops and get to know all the nooks and crannies a little better. (Not to mention my two favorite words: re decorate!)

When I first moved here, I lived in a teeny tiny studio all by my lonesome in Pasadena. Then, as I made friends, I moved into a three bedroom house a few streets north with two other girls. The next move I made was to a one bedroom apartment in Manhattan Beach where for the past year I’ve tried desperately to make the horrendous brown carpet work with my thrift-store home furnishings. And now, I’m looking for a two bedroom in Santa Monica, a place where both my sister and I can call home, and I really couldn’t be more excited.

It’s weird when you think about moving in L.A. Because the city is so big, it seems like everyone just stays inside their little communities most of the time, only venturing out for special occasions like birthday parties and anniversary dinners. For this reason, there are favorite restaurants, shops, parks, bars and malls that I’ve abandoned over the years when I’ve moved that I’ve never gone back to simply because they’re too far away. It seems sad, and it makes me want to be more diligent about frequenting my favorite haunts. But then again, if I hadn’t abandoned them for the convenience of my new little community, I would never have found the new favorites that I’ve come to love even more.

I guess what I’m trying to say is there will always be another mall with a Forever 21, another restaurant with the best happy hour and another bar with the WSU game on every Saturday. There will always be another favorite. And with a year here and a year there, you have a chance to get to know and love each and every one.

It’s all so exciting! Wish me luck on my hunt! Santa Monica, here I come!

Have a great 4th of July weekend everyone! I’m off to some camping in San Diego!