I am happy to say, that the light at the end of the tunnel is almost blinding right now. Never before have I felt as blessed as I do right now. Mike and I both have jobs we really enjoy. I started working for a private golf country club in Newport Beach in March of '08. Now, I'm not really a country club kind of girl, so I wasn't sure about the job at first, but I found out that it's a totally different experience when you work for one. Here is an artist's rendering of the front of the clubhouse. It also has a lower level, but you can only see it if you are behind the clubhouse.
First of all, I can't believe how beautiful and grand it is, inside and out! I feel so lucky to be able to work every day in what is basically a huge mansion. It has two dining rooms, two banquet rooms, a "living room" with a terrace, a wine cellar with a huge oval table for catered wine tastings and special dinners, a board room, men's and ladies' card and locker rooms, a golf shop, and a state of the art fitness/dry spa center with a junior Olympic sized pool with a poolside cafe. I work in the Member Services desk, located just inside the main entrance, which basically means I'm suppose to know everything that is going on in the club that day (what, when and where) and take reservations for special events and the main dining room. I was also elected to be leader of our Employee Council, which has been a fun challenge. Not only is the clubhouse amazing, but the staff is as well! Everyone I work with is genuinely nice and considerate of others. Everyone is always helping everyone else out. I am also feeling validation for the first time. I've never worked anywhere where I felt my hard work was truly appreciated by management and appropriately rewarded. They are quick to praise, which is great for my communication style and they instill a desire to improve where I need to.
Mike is working as a sales trainer for Verizon Wireless' corporate office in Irvine and loving it. He is full of energy and has always been a good salesman. Plus, he can utilize his acting skills to teach people how to sell.
Our new jobs pay more money, so we are always able to pay our bills on time now without worrying about food and gas money afterward. In September, a couple of Mike's childhood friends from Sacramento, who moved down here soon after Mike and I got married, and us decided we would beat these difficult financial times by all pitching in to rent a four bedroom, two and a half bath craftsman home for a couple years. Now, I realize most married couples would think it would be crazy to move in with two single guys. A lot of friendships end after being roommates and I can tell you, we would think the same thing if one of our friends told us they were doing it. It's different with these guys, though. Mike has known them since they were nine years old and they've considered themselves family for quite some time. When Mike and I got married, they welcomed me with open arms and there is a respect level there that we don't have with most people. We all genuinely care about each other and respect our dynamic. It is a fun house with three levels, a computer nook, a den, a laundry room and a large backyard. Because we are splitting the rent and no longer need Public Storage, we are saving $600.00/month on top of our higher salaries. We like the house so much, we are hoping to save enough money for a down payment and buy it when our two year lease runs out. Who knows. We'll see. :) I will post pictures of the house later.
OK, so I feel blessed because we are finally enjoying our jobs and we are finally able to pay bills and save money. Additionally, I am finally feeling a positive change in our relationship with my parents! It took us a while, but our last few visits have been great! We never once felt uncomfortable or like we couldn't be ourselves and we could tell my parents felt the same way. This last Christmas, we had both immediate families together for the first time (minus Mike's stepdad, who had to work, and my Brother's family, who was in Oregon) at our house and it turned out to be the best Christmas we've had in a very long time. We all had a good time, the food was delicious, and one of our roommates made everyone a delicious breakfast on Christmas morning! There was peace and love in the air with a lot of laughter. What more could a girl ask for on Christmas? :)
Mike has also been busy working on his first independent film. We are still in the planning stages, but have almost everything we need to start filming! We are brimming with excitement over our upcoming project and can't wait to get the ball rolling. :)
A friend of ours is studying to be a high fashion photographer and asked me to pose for her a couple times. We had so much fun and I was fascinated by every detail from the lighting to the clothes. She is easy to work with, too. I think she'll go far. From what she tells me, more photo shoots are on the way and I can't wait! :) Her professor was impressed with me I guess and asked if I had prior experience, which I hadn't. He gave me a list of LA/Orange County modeling agencies he has worked with and suggested I try getting into commercial modeling. I am considering it. Krista would be willing to take some photos for my portfolio for free. I would need a variety of photographers to finish the portfolio, but plenty of other aspiring photographers are looking to enhance their portfolios as well. He says it shouldn't be that difficult to put one together. It sounds like fun! I guess we'll see. :) Here are some photos from the shoots:
So as I mentioned, I am feeling VERY blessed right now. My family, our expenses, our careers and our passion for creativity are all in check. I feel very lucky and I don't take any of it for granted. Now I just need to quit smoking!
