August 6, 2003

Another LA whirlwind—only this time when I go home it will be in Pasadena. Yes, not only did I find an apartment but it was exactly the neighborhood I longed to live in! When I was here in June, if you recall, this all started when I came to Pasadena because I wanted to buy dress shoes that looked like ballerina slippers. I exited the freeway at an area that I ended up driving around and falling in love with. I said “I am home.” I knew I loved it. Later I discovered it a bit more expensive to live in Pasadena anyway, but the area I loved was really expensive. So I realized I probably could not live right there but that was okay because I loved it here and the area was so nice. But leave it to God. Here is the story:

It started yesterday morning in Pasadena at the property management company that I had already filled out paperwork for and been approved by. I dragged Robin and Steve—and even Jenna wanted to come because—sick girl that she is—she LIKES apartment hunting!—to the office first thing. We stopped at Darrell and Terry’s and finally saw them. That was great. Then we went on—got lost—couldn’t find parking—got a parking ticket on the street (had no clue I was illegal—so I might ask for a review). At the management company, I was discouraged because they only had ONE immediate opening in Pasadena. The rent was $125 more than I wanted to pay. But I said I would look at it and also drive by the other one that would be available in a week—even though the thought of unloading that truck into storage was awful! So we went—first to the wrong address (east instead of west) and found it. It was not actually ready—was not cleaned yet or anything but they gave me a key anyway. I figure if something looks okay BEFORE it is cleaned that is reassuring! We pulled up to this small building in Pasadena. Across the street was a park. We went in and tried to find the apartment number—no surprise I am sure when I say it was 7. There were a lot of things I wanted. It had them all. First it was upstairs—I hate people over me and besides that, in really bad earthquakes the top is better because you fall in to the bottom! Seriously though the real reason I wanted top is that I hate noise. It had a fridge—most places here do NOT have one! It was HUGE (for a one bedroom apartment)! I mean that living room was massive (think dance space, ladies and gentlemen!). The bedroom was not huge but decently sized. There were good-sized closest and a large—carpeted—bathroom. It was a courtyard kind of setting—old building (I hate new and modern buildings). It even had two doors leading to two ways out—front steps and back steps—and it had an air conditioner. Not every place here has them since it is not that hot. Even the kitchen was big and ready for me to cook up a storm. But I was not sure about the rent—and besides that, it did not have washer and dryer hook ups. That mattered. So I went back to the property company to ask them some questions before looking at the other places that might be available later. I could not believe this was the ONLY place available now. As we looked we called some other numbers of places listed in the rental directory I have that sounded great. NOT ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE. So I asked them about the washer and dryer. The owner consented to let me bring my apartment sized one. They have it written in the lease that you may NOT bring those in—it is written in TWO places in their standard lease. He wrote a note saying I could!

I told them I had to go think about it and we would be back within an hour. We went to McDonald’s and figured up my bills. It was very hard for me because here you get paid 10 months out of the year and I am so confused about my salary and money anyway. But when we bottom-lined it, the fact was the increase on rent and utilities here STILL left me $5000 a year ahead of Tyler. Robin saw no reason I should not do it either and she would have told me. I get real antsy about money decisions but this one just looked good.

Earlier at Darrell and Terry’s we had prayed---standard procedure in that house! It was funny because I said I wanted a place by NOON! Darrell teased me and said how about when GOD wants me to have a place-OOPS! (-: But we prayed. At 11:50 I was walking out of the bank with my cashier’s check to pay for my new apartment!

The thing that clinched it was when we were leaving to go back to the company so I could ask about the washer/dryer and stuff. We drove out the opposite way of where we came in. So I pulled forward down the block to turn the corner. The next intersection, HALF A BLOCK AWAY, was the very neighborhood I LONGED to live in. I AM IN THE VERY NEIGHBORHOOD MY HEART DESIRED—and my rent is at LEAST $200 less than any apartment rent there. Yes the rent is high—this is LA, but to live where I do in this town and have a place as large as I do, I know I am not being ripped off for this market. I feel good about it. And another great thing is that the part of town it is on the side closest to the freeway I have to take to work—that means my work exit is five minutes from here—so I am 10 minutes from work—same as in Tyler! And last night we drove here from the church in 15 minutes—that was a bit fast but it is still great.

Anyway, I signed my lease and we unloaded the whole truck. That was NOT FUN! We were tired and cranky and hot but that is moving—we got it done. We had to leave the stuff in the center of the rooms so the cleaning people could come in. They pulled the lady off another job to come finish my place. So as of the first part of this writing, my possessions are piled on the floor of my apartment. I am not exactly longing to rifle through all of that! But the fact is, in the time we had and situation we had, to get it done as we did is amazing! Major wow! Major GOD!!!!

(Note: There is more to all of this, but I decided to post this and add the rest tomorrow)