Notes from me to you

is california starting feel like home? maybe...

hi friends.... :) forgive the choppiness of these blogs. it seems there's always so much to say and so little time to write. but i'll do my best. life is good... and here's the latest..

work: getting better. getting used to the crazyily-lack-of-structure-and-sense system.. ;) and still enjoying the co-workers. i've also had some wonderful, wonderful patients.. a blessing, indeed! i've been working a lot in order to get my shifts in so that i can have a bunch of days off, because mom is soon to be on her way to LA.

exploring: have been to a few new places nearby. went on a lovely date with a lovely guy to a phenomenal mom and pop italian restaurant nearby. we had a great time but i could hardly eat my meal i was so enthralled with the garlic/olive oil dip for the bread.. mmm.. and the great smile across the table! ;0) also went to cafe buna.. had this tasty, tasty omelette with rice, beans, plantains, avocado. yum.

got a couple great phone messages that cheered my heart! one from the youth group with whom i volunteered in Woodbury. i got involved with the high school group last year when i traveled with them, as their nurse, on a mission trip to mexico. as we were driving cross country, i had everyone sing songs about each of the states through which we were driving. :) dorky but oh-so-true. i guess they didn't hate it too much because they called me, earlier this week, as they were crossing into Oklahoma and sang for "ooohhk-lahoma where the winds..." it was beautiful. i felt the love, people.. you rock! hope the trip is going well... praying that the border-crossing was less eventful than last year.

i also got an awesome message from lindsey about her and the boys and dollar burgers! loved it! dollar on, my friends... dollar on!

and.. remember my new neighbor who just moved in? i came home from work the other day and there was a beautiful bottle of wine and a cork screw (in a velvet case) on my doorstep! she'd written on the label, "welcome to LA, Laura." how sweet?

i was working nights this past weekend so i hadn't really a chance to stop by and thank her, but when i got home yesterday i rang her bell to see if she was in and it turned out that she was. her friend anya was over, as well. three hours and several (and by several i mean more than 2 and less than 4) very tasty bottles of red wine, and we were all instant friends! i'm pretty sure I self-disclosed more than necessary (but what's new, right?! she might as well know the laura everyone else does!), she'd made us some crazy amazing grilled mini-pizza (and i exaggerate not when i say amazing! chicken, cilantro, crushed pepper, mozzarella, almonds, etc.. she said she's like an "italian mama.." loves to cook for people!! who's a happy neighbor?)..

the three of us sat and talked and drank and laughed.. it was great! her mom was a travel nurse in Hawaii who kept renewing her contract there, so she pretty much grew up on the island and surfed every day of her life. sweet.. and guess who's gonna learn to surf???? :) she recommended a hair stylist for me and told me about a place that will pick up, wash, dry, fold, and deliver your laundry. hmmmm..... tempting. anyway, she's awesome.. thoughtful, fun, down-to-earth.. just the kind of neighbors i need.

i also met another traveler on our floor.. a fun, hip, sweet woman and she happens to live just down the hall from us.. i sense an apartment outing coming on...

well, that all i've got friends. i continue to be thankful for this experience, for all whom i've met, and all of your prayers, love, and support! hope all is well with everyone.

love to you..

laura