All apologies for not returning sooner with an update, but here it goes.
This Friday will officially mark six months of our living in the lovely city of Cypress. Moving in was chaotic as expected. Even though we didn't have to move Austin to a new school, the move to a new home was very difficult for his precious 4-year-old mind. He didn't understand why we had to leave so quickly, so we simply told him that we needed a bigger house for our large family. Thankfully he's not at an age where he can ask more details, unlike the other kids who are active in my life like my cousin Yvette's children or my best friend Luz's children. Getting a bigger house with more room eventually provided enough of an explanation for Austin. But before then, he refused to go to school, he wasn't eating properly, and would not sleep alone in his room for some nights. Right now he's completely fine and comfortable. But I do find it bittersweet sometimes when he suddenly wants to sit at our front door sill. There is no porch, our front door just has a big step from the driveway. We don't have a screen door attached to the front door, so he has to sit on the bottom sill. I know what that is--he misses the front porch from the Norwalk house.
As for all other adjustments, we've been great and much more comfortable. The neighborhood is pleasant with no obstructive views in front or behind our house. We have a great view of the Los Alamitos Race Track lights when they're on. Disneyland fireworks are heard in the distance a bit better than where we were in Norwalk. You can even get a glimmer of a view from my parents master suite windows. If the temperature got above 90 degrees here, we really couldn't tell with the ever present ocean breeze that flows over from Seal Beach. Plus, the backyard pool has been an excellent source of containment and exercise. We've already had a couple of gatherings with friends and family, good times were had by all. Sales tax is cheaper here, stores aren't as cramped at the right time of day, and there seems to be a park every square mile in this town. The walk score for this house is not as great as the Norwalk house, but it is manageable. On occasion, we will venture a little further into Orange County for a restaurant or entertainment outing. My brother complained at first of not yet being comfortable with where we are because he wasn't too familiar with this neighborhood at first. His own personal travels have been accustomed to Central Orange County. Even though this is considered North OC, he usually just passed it on the freeway. But time and exploring easily fixes that. Even though I'm not driving my own car yet, I am always up for going places I'm not familiar with. GPS can a be a wonderful thing.
Louis and I are progressing in our studies. He's looking for work in the area, even though he's still holding the security officer job in Long Beach. While we are now closer to the Long Beach entertainment center where he usually works, it would help a bit more to be on this side of the 605. I managed to land a seasonal gig with AEG in their Merchandising area at Angels Stadium. I work for the Angels Team Store, positioned with the Stands Team. That position puts me at various kiosk-type stands throughout the stadium, so I'm not in the primary Team Store at the Home Plate area as often. Lately I've been a mainstay at the Red Jacket brand store which is at 3rd base. I'm really enjoying it because we mainly sell the retro themed team apparel, so it's different and a bit of a challenge to sell. But we've been having great sales records, so I guess we're doing something right. It's also got a great location right next to one of the Grandstands where the aroma of grilled bratwursts and cheeseburgers waft into our door. If you stand at the right spot inside the store, you can see the nightly Disneyland fireworks during night games perfectly flying above the Anavia Apartments just across the parking lot. And although we don't have a TV inside that store to keep up with the game, we can step outside our door and watch the monitors placed above the Grandstand with the fans. There's also the chance at meeting friends and family of the players. Recently Albert Pujols' son and Mike Trout's mother came in to shop, and it was certainly a pleasure to help them. The only area I wish we had more access is of course to the player areas on our off times. But if we head to the time clock at the end of our shift at just the right time, we'll pass a player or two heading out to his car through the warehouse tunnel. So far I've spotted or greeted Jered Weaver, Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Chris Iannetta, and Hank Conger. Such handsome gentlemen!
This job with AEG is also providing an opportunity to work at larger events at Angel Stadium, and other AEG affiliated venues such as Staples Center and L.A. Live. Next weekend, Angel Stadium is hosting Kenny Chesney, so AEG associates will be helping to sell his concert merchandise. I'm excited to be a part of that, I'm sure it'll be a fun experience. Even though I can't honestly call myself much of a current country music fan, I can adjust to the surroundings. Working for the company for such a short time has really been a great experience, and I look forward to staying with AEG as long as possible. The management and my co-workers are wonderful people to work with. And even though I'm working in the retail division, I'm sure with the right connections and opportunities, I can find my way into the Entertainment division and apply my studies there in the future.
Before I sign off this time, I'm going to try my best to make this blog more interesting with topics other than my modest life. Keeping it as the average "Hey how are you?" theme only limits my audience to those who know me personally. So in an effort to expand my writing skills as my studies progress, I'm going to try to focus on various topics. If updates don't come as fast as you'd like, bear with me and just stay tuned. I do have an active toddler and busy home life, ya know. ;)
Nos' vemos!
