It's official!

Ever since I arrived here, I've been trying my best to feel comfortable and to have some kind of a routine that will keep me going. As I probably mentioned before, this move wasn't the easiest thing for me (comfort zone bla bla blah), so I did my best to keep busy and take care of everything I need to in order to start living here. Well, I got an apartment in about a week, I started going to lab on my third day here, I got a cell phone, a band account, and This week I got the official social security card. Just two things were still missing - My own car and a credit card. I'm eligible for a credit card and I just need to apply, I'll do it first thing next week. The car thing turned out to be a longer process. 

See, the state of California requires you to have a local driver's license in order to buy a car. I know people that got around it, and there's no real problem with it (to my understanding, postdocs on J1 visas are not defined residents..). but having a local ID and license is just more comfortable. So I did my written test about 10 days ago and took the road test a couple of days ago. Now, I've been driving for about 14 years already,which makes it a bit weird to be tested for my driving again. It was kind of funny though.. the tester was a nice woman, roughly my age, who just wanted to get it over with.. I did fine, and got my license (I'd be pissed if I hadn't passed the test). So now - I need to find a car.. I have a budget, I know what I want, but I need to find it, test drive it and pay for it.. and I'm taking my time.. 

For the test, I rented a car (and I went alone, which didn't bother anyone.. I was sure they wouldn't like it). That was the first time I realized, having a car here is not 100% necessary but it's very convenient. especially since I want to travel around.

Oh, and I'm really starting to like Los Angeles. I had to go downtown a couple of times, to see a friend. She showed me around and I guess you shouldn't always trust your first impression. And along with that, after I got a TV and bought a streamer, I started listening to Pandora again (it's restricted to north America, wasn't available back home). Music plays a big part in my life (i.e., I can't stand silence) so its nice to have shuffling music in the background. That's when I started listening to Elliot Smith again.. and He sings about LA alot.. he even has a song about the renowned Rose Parade and Alameda St. But he's too depressing.. but Beck is also from LA (and he's a musical genius ) so I listen to him more and more..