When I moved out to Los Angeles, it was a Friday. Although I didn't plan it, the timing was perfect, my first full day spent in LA was a Saturday so I had a free day. I could run errands, and I could get together with friends…genius! I started my first morning bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, waking up at 7AM (my body clock was still on Midwest time). All I had to my name was all of my luggage, which was essentially just 60 lbs of shoes and a few outfits, and a bag of beef jerky.
I decided the early morning was the perfect time to run to the holy grail of essentials, Target, and pick up a few things to start my new life. Originally, I went to Target to find a desk… I left Target with a desk, several candles, a months supply of k-cups and food for the week. Score.
Walking outside I was over the moon excited. It was a sunny 65 degrees, there were bird chirping, I could see the Hollywood sign, I was finally where I've always dreamed of being. On the way to Target my phone wouldn't pick up service so I was left to fend for myself. I didn't even care. I'm in LA BABY!! It doesn't get better.
My day continued as I set up my new room, clothes were put away, furniture was rearranged and this girl was ready to take on the California life. I had made plans with a few friends for later in the evening and I could not have been more excited. I'm talking bursting at the seams, I just won Miss Wisconsin USA excited, plus some!
I began the evening with a friend from Chicago, Ashley, who happened to be spending a few weeks out in LA with her new modeling agency. The world fell in line, placing us both new to a city at the same time. It was such a blessing to have a little sense of home with me out here in la-la-land. Ashley and I are both a part of a Facebook group called "Girls Love Travel" which essentially connects gypsy souls from all over the world to share in their travel adventures and travel advice, it's amazing. I was introduced to the group by a flight attendant friend, Savanna, from my Altoona HS days. Just days before moving to LA, Savanna tagged me in a post from a woman in the group who was living in LA was looking for a group of ladies to get together with as she was new-ish to town and just hadn't "Found her people yet". TALK ABOUT PERFECT TIMING. Ashley and I knew this was the perfect first night adventure and took advantage. We met the lovely group of ladies at this fantastic lounge – PUMP…if you've watched Vanderpump Rules, you know the place! We sipped on a martini while making friends with some powerful ladies. All things we love!
The four of us spent a bit of time in Tate's apartment before heading downstairs to walk the streets of downtown and grab a bite to eat. Immediately when we got downstairs, I started to feel blah. I assumed it was from the lack of sleep I had gotten over the past week combined with the busy day I had prior to us meeting up, but shook it off! I'm in LA for the first night, there is no time for sickness, not today! We got to this great Chinese restaurant and I ordered a basic, teriyaki chicken. Before the food even arrived, I knew I wouldn't be able to eat it..what is going on?!? We wrapped up at dinner, I left my meal practically untouched, anyone who knows me knows that is so uncommon and slightly alarming. The crew was hoping to head out dancing and we headed upstairs to hangout before going to bust a move. As we arrived up to the apartment, I knew I couldn't stay. I was disappointed that this queasy feeling was going to ruin my first night in the city, but I knew that there would be many Saturday's to come and I needed to get home. Ashley and I ordered and Lyft and we were off.
From downtown to my apartment was about 25 minutes, I was sending positive vibes my own way, just a hop-skip-and-a-jump and I'd be in the comfort of my own room in my own bed. It was not 3 seconds into this thought that I was leaning out the window of this Lyft on the 101…puking…yuck! As it happened, many thoughts ran through my head. 1. Eww, this is horrifying. 2. What a memorable first day in Los Angeles. 3. Aren't California people mean? OMG this Lyft driver is going to give us a terrible review and charge us some outlandish amount for cleaning. To my pleasant surprise, the Lyft driver was super cool and understanding to the unfortunate situation. We were able to get him money for a carwash and I was able to get home with no other casualties.
This moment was a great lesson for me. Sometimes when all you want is to celebrate monumental life moments, you end up vomiting out a car window on the highway…but really, you can't control your life but you can embrace it, be thankful and find the humor in YOUR life. This could've been a terrible start to my new adventure, but instead it was a great story and a fantastic reminder of what matters. I am grateful for good friends who make sure you get home safe, even after they have to watch you throw up. I am grateful for kind people who make a new city seem less scary. I am grateful for going out and chasing my dream, even if the start of the journey went differently than I'd hoped.