tiff of the 'burbs.

For those of you who actually read my posts (LOL WHY?! I’M SO EFFING WEIRD!), you may have read that I am planning on moving to LA in January, if not sooner. This all depends on when I get a job/internship, which I am frantically searching and applying for. After going through a list of pro’s and con’s about the whole thing, I came up with 4 main reasons why it’s a good idea:

1. I can live with my grandpa (who isn’t strict and will give me my own key) in Hollywood RENT-FREE with a DRIVEWAY. No rent. Driveway. In Hollywood. Ideally, I’d like to live on my own, but seeing as I am swimming in debt, it would be wise to live in that house until I save up a good amount of dinero to get my own apartment without having to pull out more loans.
2. Job opportunities. More health nonprofit organizations and hospitals.
3. I don’t have to be on campus in Long Beach during my second semester because I’ll be working on my graduate case studies.
4. THE MAIN REASON: I’m in my 20s living in the same suburb I’ve lived in all my life (minus 6 months in San Diego, but that doesn’t really count). Although comfortable, I don’t feel like I am thriving and living out my 20s the best way I can. Will moving to LA change that? Maybe yes, maybe no. All I know is that I want a new environment, to meet new people, and live in a city before I have to settle down.

I think those four reasons are good enough for me to say “why the heck not?”. I really, really, really pray that this plan works in my favor. And for those of you readers who only have to say “omgahhh I hate LA, blah, blah, blah”…shut up.

• Internship has been getting a little busier. One of the other interns is on vacation abroad for 3 weeks (oh, the perils of being a presumably wealthy girl from West LA), so more responsibilities have been added to my plate, including grant research, which is new to me. I’m not really complaining though; that just means more learning and experience.
• Also in regards to my internship, I’m really glad I get to go to a bunch of coalition meetings and network with different organizations, all which share a common passion —healthcare (specifically for kids ages 0-5). It’s motivating and inspiring to be surrounded by people who have also worked hard & “made it happen” in regards to their projects/organizations.
• Job hunting. I really wish this position was for longer than the summer, but at least this gives me an opportunity to try other things. Hopefully other PAID things.
• Catching up with good friends. This has been somewhat of a challenge, but since schedules don’t always match up for a dinner/lunch, I’ve been trying to improvise hangouts and integrate all kinds of things. For example, running, hiking, meeting up at the gym, coffee (somewhere I’m already working at), whatever.
• Working hard and playing hard (as hard as possible, at least). I enjoy going out. I enjoy dancing. I also enjoy drinking. I’m not a “party girl”, but I’m in my 20’s and I am responsible about it. Sue me.

I may complain about a lot of things (being in debt, tuition rates, looking for a job, struggling to make significant progress at the gym, etc.), but I am actually happy. There’s a lot of things that aren’t perfect about my life, but I am enjoying my 20s (more about this in an upcoming post).

Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions about what books I should look into and read :) Very much appreciated! I knew I could count on you, Tumblr.

Fiction, preferably.

What should Tiffany read?

Want to know who your real friends are? Change. Take up different interests. Do something out of character. Do things people don’t expect of you. Fuck up.

Turn around, and see who still has your back. That’s who your real friends are.