As I write this, I am sitting on a plane heading to Los Angeles. I am the proud recipient of an upgrade, too, as I didn’t physically fit in my previous seat — so the steward kindly gave me a seat further up the cabin. I’ll probably be in my bedroom at the Hilton Anaheim [pictured right] when I actually get around to posting this, though.
[At this point I have now been in Los Angeles for a week, and I'm now moving to Pasadena]
I will be in Los Angeles for two weeks, mainly for a Microsoft conference, but also some sight- and friend-seeing — and then I’ll be hopping over to New Jersey, where I have rented an apartment for nine months. I’ll only be there for around 10 weeks, though, because I only have a 90-day visa.
My house in New Jersey is on the coast — it’s the last house before the ocean, in fact. I am on the first floor (or second floor in Americanized measurements), and there’s a wrap-around deck that looks out across the Atlantic.
Why am I going to America? Well, I’ve been ousted from my room at home. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but I live with my parents — but it’s a big estate, with a house next door, garages, a pool, and so on. I’m moving out of my room so that my side of the house can be renovated, and when I return I’ll be moving into the house next door. Going to America for three months seemed like the easiest solution, rather than sleeping in the guest room and having to set my computers up in the living room or something.
This isn’t a holiday, tho’. I’ll be working the entire time. The apartment in New Jersey is about 90 minutes from the Ziff Davis offices in New York — I won’t be commuting, but it’ll be useful to be within striking distance. I’m sure I’ll find some time to play, too. I might take up water sports, or something — jet skiing, perhaps — and I can rent a car on weekends and drive to Washington DC… or Baltimore… or New England.
I will also be updating this blog more often — with stories of my adventures, and with lots of pretty photos (I picked an ocean-front house for a reason!)
If you have any recommendations for things to see/do in and around LA and NYC, do let me know.
[A lot has happened in the last week. Will try to update the blog over the next few days.]
Sebastian's mother
Sep 18, 2011
Update on your room rennovation: the decorators have removed , a layer of wallpaper, a layer of cork tiles, a layer or wallpaper which was white with red checks, then ANOTHER layer of cork tiles and 2 layers of paint!
Candace
Sep 19, 2011
Looks like a great hotel room. I’d love to visit Jersey one day. I have a friend over there.
I hope you have some time for fun!!
Eleni
Sep 20, 2011
I hope America is treating you well so far. Can’t wait to see the photos!
I bet it’ll be nice to spend a good ten weeks in New Jersey. Enough time to see a good number of places. I hope you plan to see some shows in New York while you’re there. That’s one thing I miss about living in New Jersey. D.C. is a great city to visit, too…especially if you like museums and monuments. You’ll be there at the right time for fall colors in New England. Not that you don’t get fall colors in Old England, but still.
Apartment on the beach sounds fancy! Though it’ll probably be too cool most of the time for good beach weather. But it’ll be lovely, I’m sure.
sebastian
Sep 20, 2011
Yes, mum, I want photos of my room…!
Thanks, Candace
As long as it’s not as hot as LA, Eleni, I’ll be glad. I’m told it can be fairly warm into November/December… if I get lucky. Not intending to do much sitting on the beach, though. Maybe some strolling… maybe some jet-skiing…
Still need to work out what kind of weekend trips I’ll be taking. I should probably take some time off work and actually make a proper go of it.
The only show I really want to see is Book of Mormon, which I need to book waaay in advance… I should do that now, actually…
MentalSarcasm (ClassicCreative)
Sep 21, 2011
Have an awesome time! I’m off to Ohio and Kentucky in just under 2 weeks for a friend’s wedding, looking forward to having a week’s holiday from work more than anything else XD
Can’t think of anything off the top of my head for New York, there was a lovely restaurant in Little Italy where I had wild boar lasagne but I can’t remember the name of it DX
Hope the weather is kind to you!
Foggy Dew
Sep 25, 2011
Hey Seb, welcome to America. Yes, I know this is a bit late.
If you find yourself down in the D.C. area, look me up and we can go out and take some pictures.
Eleni
Sep 28, 2011
Yes, Book of Mormon! That’s the one I’d love to see, if I were anywhere near that area. I watched that clip from the Tonys over and over and over…
sebastian
Oct 6, 2011
I now have a request in for house seats for Book of Mormon, Eleni
I’ll let you know when I go see it.
Thanks, Foggy! I will be in DC at some point, but not sure when. Probably November. We can certainly go take some photos!