Shopping, Party of One?

I'm not good at being alone. I like to be surrounded by friends whenever possible. And although there are times I want to be alone, they usually don't last more than a few hours before I'm ready to be social again.

This has been the hardest part of the move to PA. In Memphis, I worked 60-80 hours a week at the theatre, and my coworkers were my friends. We were one big artsy fartsy family! And although I am making friends here, I haven't made those deep connections yet. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect this to happen overnight and I think I'm making friends at a normal pace, but I am spending a lot of time alone and find myself feeling depressed.

To try to be better about being alone I am making an attempt at doing something on my days off when I'm alone. For example, I'm off tomorrow so I'm planning to go on a little shopping trip (mostly window shopping) to one of the nearby "bigger" cities with better malls. The problem is that I hate the idea of going alone. Is it really worth driving an hour or more each way to maybe spend $30? And when I get there will I have any fun by myself and without a friend to help tell me what looks good and what's crap?!? I'm used to shopping with friends which is probably why I like shopping so much, so how will it be any fun without the friends part?

Adjusting

It's been over a month and I've made it this long! My favorite things about Pennsylvania so far:

1. The scenery- the leaves are changing, the mountains are beautiful, and the sunsets are incredible. And I can dee star here at night!

2. I'm still cooking! I've made my first pork roast, my first swordfish steak, and many of my standards- lasagna, tilapia, mexican pizza. I'm also eating more veggies, which is really good!

3. Hallmark- I actually really like working there, and I had forgotten how good I was at retail. I sometimes think I should have gone into sales with my ability to talk to anyone at any time!

4. The Shopping- Now I know I said it kinda sucked, and it kinda does, but there is one great thing about the shopping here- the stuff that sold out in Memphis is still on the shelves here and SUPER discounted cause it's already cold outside! Example- this dress was originally priced $89 in Memphis and sold out before I could even think about buying it. I get here and it's still on shelves and marked down to $46.75. I wait and last week I bought it for, drum roll please...$26.30! Oh, and I used a coupon so it was only $21.36!! WHAT?!? I know it's too cold to wear right now but the whole reason I wanted it was for my trip to Hawaii in December! PERFECT!

5. Sales Tax- That's right, I like the sales tax. Why? Because there is none on food or clothes!! Every time I buy clothes I feel like I get a deal at the register cause I forget about the lack of tax until I get there! It's great!

So things are looking up. I've met a lot of the theatre department now and the head of their stage management program asked me to come speak to his class so we're working on a time for that. Also, I'm waiting to hear about a time but I did get on email from the music dept telling me I was on the short list for the job there and will be getting an interview with the committee! Yay! Fingers still crossed on that one! And our book club met for the first time, though only 2 of us showed up. I haven't gotten a definite time for the next meeting so we'll see if that pans out or not!

Pennsylvania

is nice. That's my stock response right now, because it is in fact nice. Hubby's new job keeps him really busy (I married a workaholic) and it's definitely challenging him which is great. But for me, I'm bored. I got a part time job at Hallmark and am looking for something full time or at least another part time job that might be in my field, but there aren't a whole lot of theatre jobs in central PA. At least, not that I have become aware of yet. I have applied for a stage management job with the college of music and am very hopeful for that one.

I've become quite the housewife in the last few weeks. I clean up during the day and cook dinner so it' ready when he gets home. I've never really thought too much one way or the other about the "role of the woman" to cook and clean. I figure some women want to do those things and some don't. I really like the cooking part- it's the part of the day I look forward to the most right now. And I know the husband doesn't expect to have "dinner on the table" when he gets home, I just actually like to cook and am enjoying having the time and opportunity to do so!

As for the rest of Pennsylvania, I'm not 100% sold on it yet. And I think I will be but right now my day is spent mostly inside and I get bored easily. I have gotten out, don't get me wrong- I've explored the little town we live in, Bellefonte, and seen some of the Victorian homes in the area and I really like the quaint little downtown area- there's a lovely little coffee shop and little gift stores that are all really nice. The thing I am missing is the feeling that I have a life with friends and something outside the home. I joined a book club and we'll meet for the first time next week so I'm hoping that will help to open up my social scene a bit. And hopefully I'll get a job that will also help my social scene some and get me meeting new people.

I'm not depressed about being here and I'm not feeling dejected here, I just feel like I'm in a bit of a rut. This is the first time I've moved somewhere and it had nothing to do with me really. I am thrilled for the hubby and am so glad we are here, but now I'm ready for a reason for me to love it too, if that makes sense. I know it will happen, I've always been able to make friends in new places in the past and I am sure I will here as well.

To all my Memphis friends, I miss you guys like crazy!

And one other thing- the shopping here, not so great. I need to explore the downtown State College area more because there are a lot of boutique type stores down there but I have not found a favorite store yet. Even the Macy's is disappointing- way smaller than what I was used to in Memphis. My friends that know how much I love to shop understand why this is a concern. There is a Kohl's so I can still get Vera Wang. Thank Goodness!! At least I have Vera!!

Las Vegas, Part Deux!

I'm a little behind, but I thought I'd finish the story of our Las Vegas Weekend!

On Saturday, we went back to Fashion Show Mall for a while and while our guy friend got haircut, My best friend and I went into Neiman Marcus and gawked and designer dresses, and even tried a couple on! (We only tried on the under $400 ones for free we might do something stupid. Anyone who knows me knows my willpower and designer dresses don't go well together.) After walking through the Prada, Badgley Mishka, Gucci, and Versace areas I asked if they had a Vera Wang section, but alas I was out of luck. So, money was saved!

We then made our way to the Forum Shops at Caesers Palace. I drooled in the windows at La Perla, Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Harry Winston (WOW!) and we watched the free (thank God we didn't pay for this) fountain show where the statues "come to life". It was some of the WORST animatronics and lighting I've ever seen. I mean, I know it was free, but come on! This is Vegas!! I expected spectacle and impressive technical elements. Not so much. Chuck E. Cheese as this show beat!

We then went to the Burger Bar for lunch at Mandalay Bay (YUM!!) and checked out the lion habitat at MGM Grand. I love those lions! I want one, but I know that's just crazy talk...

That night we saw another show- the Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand. I knew this was going to be a Vegas Naked girls show which I was fine with, but I was a little disappointed. SOme of it was really great, the girls were pretty and danced well but I thought I would be more impressed by it. I thought it would be more seductive than it was or something. I can't quite figure out what it was missing. I guess some of it was just that the theatrics weren't as impressive as the night before at Ka, who knows...

After the show we made our way doen the strip to see the volcano explode at the Mirage (Very cool, and also free) and then we made it to the 11:30 performance of the Sirens of TI at Treasure Island. Now, I saw this show when I was there for my honeymoon, so I knew exaclty what to expect. I told my friends to be ready for some major Las Vegas cheese, but I think they were surprised at just how cheesy this show was! I mean, some of the lyrics include "You take a whole lot of sugar and little bit of honey and you shake it, shake it up!" It's NSync dancing meets pirates...go figure, but it was still fun.

We definitely made the most of our last night in town staying out at the casinos until 4am! We didn't win big unfortunately but we had a great time. We slept for about 4 hours before getting up and heading to the airport Sunday morning. We flew over and got a great view of the Grand Canyon on the way home so that was pretty cool as well.

We had such a fun trip and the 3 of us are already talking about making another group trip somewhere. Maybe Atlantic City?!? Who knows!!

AFter getting back to Memphis Sunday night I met up with the hubby and we headed straight to the Ostrander Awards where he was nominated for best lighting design for "Oklahoma!" Neither of us really expected him to win but we were pleasantly surprised when he did! It was a great night and a great chance to say goodbye to so many people at once. The theatre community in Memphis is definitely a part of our family and our history so we were very glad we were there.

More on Vegas

Now that things have calmed down and we are settling into our new home (posts forthcoming) I thought I'd update you on Vegas! I went with my two best friends from college and it was so great to be able to spend some time with them before the big move!

We arrived Thursday night and made it to our hotel (the Encore) in one piece. After putting our things down we went in search of food and ate at ZoozaCrackers in the Wynn. Wynn and Encore are "sister" properties and are connected by a shopping area. Having been to Vegas before I got to experience some of the sights and sounds but staying on the strip was a bit crazy! I mostly got caught up in taking pictures of all the designer stores- Hermes, Chanel - it was CRAZY!!!

On Friday we went to the Fashion Show Mall since one of my friends lost some of his luggage in the cargo hold. His suitcase "came open" and shorts, sandals, and shirts were lost. Boo! We hit Macy's and he got some replacement stuff. Next stop was lunch at the Mirage- California Pizza Kitchen- YUM! I had never been there before even though it's a chain and it was really good pizza!

After a bit of gambling we went back to the hotel and got changed for a Cirque show that night- Ka. I already saw Ka when I was there for my honeymoon but it was still so amazing the second time around. I'm pretty sure I could wath this show a million times and not tire of it. Everything about it is beautiful- the story, the set, costumes, lights, and the performances! I felt like a bit of a theatre dork, but oh well! I can't put into words exactly how this show makes me feel about theatre. It makes me want to do it forever and not because of the spectacle but just because of the magic they can create. If you ever have the chance to see it, GO! Run, do not walk!! Truly Beautiful!

After the show we hopped on the Deuce (the double decker bus on the strip) and went to the Bellagio to watch the fountains. There are some great free things on the strip and this is one of them. There are also some pretty lame free things on the strip, but I digress...

I'll put Saturday and Sunday into another post because I am tired and think I'm going to bed a bit early tonight. The hubby started his new job today and he had a long but good first day. I woke up early with him and made him breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast and orange juice) to get him going. Now we both must sleep!

Vegas Baby!!

Well I survived my second trip to Vegas! I want to write all about it, but will save that for when I am settled and not in the middle of the move. Here are the quick facts:

1. No one got hitched.

2. No one got divorced.

3. No one went to jail.

So depending on how you look at it, it was a very successful trip to Sin City or a total failure!!

Success!

The yard sale is over!! HOORAY!!!!

And I think it was quite successful! We sold quite a lot and what didn't sell went straight to goodwill. I am very proud of the amount of clothes that I sold or gave away. Everything I've been keeping for 3-5 years thinking I would one day fit into again I just got rid of. Downsizing was the goal and we certainly did that. There are fewer things in the house to box up and I am glad for that!

It would not have been so successful had it not been for the help of our good friends who donated quite a lot to the sale to help us gain funds for the move. It is so wonderful to know that we have friends out there that want to help! I will certainly miss being close to them when I'm up in Pennsylvania. I know we will make new friends, but it will be weird to not have them just down the street for a shopping trip or a movie.

So now it's time to continue packing. I'm going to start boxing up clothes today and try to leave only what I will need for Vegas and the work week out. Tonight is my last night of work at the hotel (thank goodness) and I will be home every evening packing away! I've made a list of what needs to be done- changing address (done), canceling utilities, canceling the internet, reserve the moving truck (done), and re-connecting everything at the new place. There's more on the list and I am sure the list will keep growing. For now it's one step at a time!!