"Turn left....now make a right...another left...wait...is this right? It SHOULD be around here somewhere!" Your car slows, accelerates, slows, accelerates...STOP!

Ahhh, looking for an apartment in Long Beach. The emotions that can arise from one little trip. Stress, anger, frustration, dismay, elation, relief, and happiness. It can give you a headache and then make you smile when you have found that perfect pad. The one place you can call home. The place that will be your soft place to fall and hide from the world.

I ended up helping my sister, who is moving to the LB, find an apartment. Location, location, location! “You want how much?!” “Do you accept dogs?” These questions were the most important in our search for a door that felt welcoming. It wasn’t easy, as I am sure many of you fellow past and present apartment seekers know. Gross old paint, mildewy tile, stained carpet were definitely spotted. But as we turned that one last corner, “for rent” welcomed us. It fit the price range but did it fit the dog test? YES! What a lucky couple of girls we were. We’re in! She got it!

So the next time you see a big red and white sign with “for rent” printed on it…take a look…it could be your diamond in the rough!

And with every journey there are ups and downs. The road to finding my sister's new pad was a high and now I have a low. I will be traveling back to my cow filled hometown for a funeral. Check back and read what my quirky journey will entail. I promise to keep it light and interesting.

Much love
~Juls~