We had a late start on July 28th. But we were only about 4 hours away from our final destination - so it was ok. We got up late, were slower moving, had breakfast, and left the hotel in Kingman, AZ around 10:00am (AZ time).
As we continued to drive through Arizona I began to see more palm trees which excited me. We drove over the Colorado River (which was gorgeous) and then right after we passed into California.
There was an inspection station where all vehicles had to stop about a mile into California. They asked us where we were coming from, we said Virgina. Then they asked if we were carrying any fruits, vegetables, plants of animals. We said no and then they let us through. We continued on and went over mountains and in valleys.
Around 2:00pm (CA time) we stopped to grab some lunch and I got final directions to the house I am staying in. It is in a new subdivision and doesn't show up on maps or GPS'. After eating, we continued on and arrived at my new home around 3:00pm (CA time).
We started unpacking and it was a little overwhelming. I'm still continuing to find places for everything. I have my own room (a little bigger than my room back in VA) and my own bath room. Also, my closest is much bigger than VA! So I have more room for things. They have wireless in the house and so I now have access to the internet 24/7 - YIPPEE!
I met the whole family I am staying with and they are all extremely generous and nice. They are welcoming me with open arms and it really is a blessing. God was very good to bless me with this incredible family to stay with! I am very excited to be living here and things are going great so far.
I am going to be looking into jobs. There are a couple families close by that were looking for babysitters so the family I am staying with is going to check with them to see if they still need someone or not. If not, I will continue searching for a job. I called the talent promotional company I have been in contact with about working with to help in getting signed to an agency for acting. I have an appointment to meet with them tomorrow at 12:30pm (CA time). That is about all that is going on right now. I'm still getting settled in but so far I am loving it! My dad will be catching his plane to fly home early Sunday morning, then I will be on my own so to speak.
So long for now, Stephanie
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Kingman, AZ
After what felt like another short nights sleep (but a little longer than the night before) we got up and began driving again on July 27th, leaving Amarillo, TX. I made a point to try and take more pictures this day as well.
We continued on in Texas, then crossed over into New Mexico. Everything was dry and brown looking all the way through New Mexico. There were a lot of ranches lining all of I-40 though both Texas and New Mexico. We did see some neat hills and mountain. After awhile everything looked the same and I didn't want to continually take pictures of the same things.
According to my GPS we would have arrived at our final destination around 11:00pm that night. We decided just to get a hotel that night. We thought of making a detour to the Grand Canyon but in the end I decided I would rather just get to a hotel early and relax.
After a good dinner, we got a hotel in Kingman, AZ at around 8:00pm (AZ time). The room had wireless so we unpacked my laptop and plugged it up. I took a shower and relaxed. Then got on facebook and loaded all of the pictures I had taken so far so that my family and friends could see them. Then I hit the hay around 11:30pm (AZ time).
We continued on in Texas, then crossed over into New Mexico. Everything was dry and brown looking all the way through New Mexico. There were a lot of ranches lining all of I-40 though both Texas and New Mexico. We did see some neat hills and mountain. After awhile everything looked the same and I didn't want to continually take pictures of the same things.
According to my GPS we would have arrived at our final destination around 11:00pm that night. We decided just to get a hotel that night. We thought of making a detour to the Grand Canyon but in the end I decided I would rather just get to a hotel early and relax.
After a good dinner, we got a hotel in Kingman, AZ at around 8:00pm (AZ time). The room had wireless so we unpacked my laptop and plugged it up. I took a shower and relaxed. Then got on facebook and loaded all of the pictures I had taken so far so that my family and friends could see them. Then I hit the hay around 11:30pm (AZ time).
Amarillo, TX
After what felt like a very short night's sleep and a quick breakfast we begin driving again on July 26th. We left our hotel in Dickson, TN around 8:30/9:00am (Dickson time). I took a lot more pictures on this day since my dad drove a lot of the way and it was daylight outside.
We drove through Memphis, but I never got a picture of a Graceland sign because I never saw one. I saw a couple of billboards for Graceland but never a sign directing where to go. We passed milage signs to Jackson and immediately I thought of the song "Jackson" by Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash. We drove over the Tennessee River/Kentucky Lake.
We crossed over the Mississippi River as we passed the Arkansas state line. Arkansas was very green and pretty with lots of water and swaps around.
We passed into Oklahoma and everything began to look dryer and not so colorful. We drove over Lake Eufaula which was very large and pretty. The sun was out and the sky was very blue with clouds. We drove through Checotah which is the hometown of Carrie Underwood. I didn't know it was in Oklahoma. There was even a sign saying it was her hometown and that she was the American Idol winner - unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it. Driving at 70/75 MPH everything comes and goes so fast, if you don't know it's coming you miss it. We saw an Air Force Base and passed through Oklahoma City. I got pictures of those. We also passed through Canadian Valley, OK (which I thought was a cool name) and Yukon, OK (which is the home/hometown of Garth Brooks).
We passed into Texas and hit a short but heavy rainfall. I got some pictures of city lights in the distance at night that looks really cool. After about 14 hours of driving, we stopped for the night in Amarillo, TX - which of course reminded me of the country song "Amarillo Sky" by Jason Aldean. And I made a point of correcting my dad every time he pronounced it wrong, thanks in part to my knowing how to pronounce it because of the song.
We drove through Memphis, but I never got a picture of a Graceland sign because I never saw one. I saw a couple of billboards for Graceland but never a sign directing where to go. We passed milage signs to Jackson and immediately I thought of the song "Jackson" by Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash. We drove over the Tennessee River/Kentucky Lake.
We crossed over the Mississippi River as we passed the Arkansas state line. Arkansas was very green and pretty with lots of water and swaps around.
We passed into Oklahoma and everything began to look dryer and not so colorful. We drove over Lake Eufaula which was very large and pretty. The sun was out and the sky was very blue with clouds. We drove through Checotah which is the hometown of Carrie Underwood. I didn't know it was in Oklahoma. There was even a sign saying it was her hometown and that she was the American Idol winner - unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it. Driving at 70/75 MPH everything comes and goes so fast, if you don't know it's coming you miss it. We saw an Air Force Base and passed through Oklahoma City. I got pictures of those. We also passed through Canadian Valley, OK (which I thought was a cool name) and Yukon, OK (which is the home/hometown of Garth Brooks).
We passed into Texas and hit a short but heavy rainfall. I got some pictures of city lights in the distance at night that looks really cool. After about 14 hours of driving, we stopped for the night in Amarillo, TX - which of course reminded me of the country song "Amarillo Sky" by Jason Aldean. And I made a point of correcting my dad every time he pronounced it wrong, thanks in part to my knowing how to pronounce it because of the song.
Dickson, TN
Me and my dad wanted to try to leave around lunch time on Saturday, July 25th to begin our journey across country...we left around 5:00pm (dinner time). HAHA. It wasn't bad though - it just took a LONG time to finish packing the remaining belongings and load the car. You should have seen my Xterra...PACKED! To the top of the roof, from the second seat to the very back of the car. We even had to put to bags in the rack up on top of my roof because we didn't have any more room in the car. I should have taken a picture but alas I did not, but I'm sure you can just imagine what it looked like.
Anyways, we left around 5:00pm (VA time). We wanted to drive as much as we could and we were feeling ok so we ended up driving about 9 hours until we stopped for the night. We got a hotel in Dickson, TN - which is in between Nashville and Memphis - at around 1:00am (Dickson time) but to my body which was still an ahead it felt like 2:00am.
We saw some great sights along the way. I got to see Nashville at night, all lit up. It was beautiful. I never got that good of a picture though because it was dark when we passed. I drove most of the way so I missed taking some pictures too. One thing I thought was so neat but never got a picture of was "Music Highway". We drove I-40 and there were signs that said Music Highway with music notes on it. It was so cool. Music Highway was from Nashville to Memphis on I-40. Makes sense though, right? Something else I missed taking a picture of was a sign that announced "Welcome to Carlisle" - a town in Tennessee. I thought my sisters and fellow Twilight fans would enjoy it - but I wasn't able to get it.
All in all, it was a good first day - or should I say night?
Anyways, we left around 5:00pm (VA time). We wanted to drive as much as we could and we were feeling ok so we ended up driving about 9 hours until we stopped for the night. We got a hotel in Dickson, TN - which is in between Nashville and Memphis - at around 1:00am (Dickson time) but to my body which was still an ahead it felt like 2:00am.
We saw some great sights along the way. I got to see Nashville at night, all lit up. It was beautiful. I never got that good of a picture though because it was dark when we passed. I drove most of the way so I missed taking some pictures too. One thing I thought was so neat but never got a picture of was "Music Highway". We drove I-40 and there were signs that said Music Highway with music notes on it. It was so cool. Music Highway was from Nashville to Memphis on I-40. Makes sense though, right? Something else I missed taking a picture of was a sign that announced "Welcome to Carlisle" - a town in Tennessee. I thought my sisters and fellow Twilight fans would enjoy it - but I wasn't able to get it.
All in all, it was a good first day - or should I say night?
Friday, July 17, 2009
1 Week Left
The time is coming closer and closer, faster and faster...Only one more week until I pack up the car and begin driving out west. For those of you who hadn't heard - I will be heading out on July 25th. Only one week away.
My room is still a COMPLETE wreck. Because I have been busy the last couple of weeks packing up things that I'm not taking with me. Soon I will have to begin packing up what I will be taking with me. I have slowly begun taking things down from my dressers and walls. It makes the room look odd. But then again what can you expect?
I have been in contact with the family I will be staying with out in California and they are really great. They have given me a really good deal and are ready to accept me into their family. They have been extremely generous and I know I am in good hands. I can't wait to get out there and meet them all face to face. God really has blessed me with this living arrangement and I can't thank Him enough!
It is now officially my birthday (since it is about 10 after midnight on the east coast) and it is my last one before the move. Anyways I need to go catch some shut eye, but I will update again soon.
Stephanie
My room is still a COMPLETE wreck. Because I have been busy the last couple of weeks packing up things that I'm not taking with me. Soon I will have to begin packing up what I will be taking with me. I have slowly begun taking things down from my dressers and walls. It makes the room look odd. But then again what can you expect?
I have been in contact with the family I will be staying with out in California and they are really great. They have given me a really good deal and are ready to accept me into their family. They have been extremely generous and I know I am in good hands. I can't wait to get out there and meet them all face to face. God really has blessed me with this living arrangement and I can't thank Him enough!
It is now officially my birthday (since it is about 10 after midnight on the east coast) and it is my last one before the move. Anyways I need to go catch some shut eye, but I will update again soon.
Stephanie
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Last Week of July
I will be starting my drive out west the last week of July. I'm not sure the exact day yet but that is the week. The family member who travels with me will be flying back on August 2nd.
A big answer to prayer is that I received confirmation yesterday that I have living arrangements in order. That was my biggest concern - the one thing I was still waiting on. And probably the most important. I can breathe a sigh of relief now that it is set up. I will be living with a cousin (and her family) of a lady from my church.
The big move is only a couple weeks away and I am very excited! It will be a LONG trip but fun nonetheless. I am busy trying to finish figuring out what all I need to take and will have to begin boxing things up before long. But I am looking forward to it all!
Stephanie
A big answer to prayer is that I received confirmation yesterday that I have living arrangements in order. That was my biggest concern - the one thing I was still waiting on. And probably the most important. I can breathe a sigh of relief now that it is set up. I will be living with a cousin (and her family) of a lady from my church.
The big move is only a couple weeks away and I am very excited! It will be a LONG trip but fun nonetheless. I am busy trying to finish figuring out what all I need to take and will have to begin boxing things up before long. But I am looking forward to it all!
Stephanie
Friday, July 3, 2009
Moving to California
Hey everyone - welcome to my blog! You probably know this but my name is Stephanie and I am an aspiring actress.
I created this blog as a way for my friends and family to stay up to date with me and my life as I move. Now you may ask, why am I moving? I am moving to the CrAzY state of California to pursue acting. I have loved acting my whole life and have wanted to be a professional actress ever since I can remember. I will be making the big move this month.
I have a lot of friends and family who I want to keep in touch with on my journey to Hollywood and pursuing my dreams. I have personal ways to stay in contact with many of them but a blog will be very helpful. As opposed to sending out a lengthy e-mail to everyone (that would take FOREVER) I have decided to have this blog. That way I can post an entry and everyone can see it. It will save A LOT of time.
I hope all of you will keep checking back to learn what I am up to. I will let you know all about my process in getting the move finalized, actually moving, my first impressions of Cali, and my life in California as I embark on the crazy business of entertainment. Stay tuned...
Stephanie
I created this blog as a way for my friends and family to stay up to date with me and my life as I move. Now you may ask, why am I moving? I am moving to the CrAzY state of California to pursue acting. I have loved acting my whole life and have wanted to be a professional actress ever since I can remember. I will be making the big move this month.
I have a lot of friends and family who I want to keep in touch with on my journey to Hollywood and pursuing my dreams. I have personal ways to stay in contact with many of them but a blog will be very helpful. As opposed to sending out a lengthy e-mail to everyone (that would take FOREVER) I have decided to have this blog. That way I can post an entry and everyone can see it. It will save A LOT of time.
I hope all of you will keep checking back to learn what I am up to. I will let you know all about my process in getting the move finalized, actually moving, my first impressions of Cali, and my life in California as I embark on the crazy business of entertainment. Stay tuned...
Stephanie
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