I had a very interesting birthday yesterday.
First thing yesterday morning, I received a call from my nursing agency and was informed that my long awaited California nursing license had been issued! Yeah!! Starting next Monday I can start working and making some money.
I was also informed during that morning call that I needed to take another pee drug test. The pre-employment drug tests had to be current within 1 month of starting work, and because my nursing license was delayed I needed to take another drug test.
The drug testing lab was 7 miles away in Burbank California, and what an interesting, lovely drive. We passed by the Universal studio lot, Warner's Brother's Lot, and NBC's Lot. I couldn't believe how huge those lots are! And the mountainous backdrop was magnificent!!
I can't wait until I have enough money to spare to take the different studio tours.
As we drove past NBC studios, we saw a super long line of people who were waiting to attend the Jay Leno show. Here is a short video of that:
Next, I googled a Walmart location for mom and we drove to Van Nuys for that. I picked up a 5-cup Mr Coffee pot to brew my Gevalia coffee since I've run out of Tassimo discs. I don't know if I'm just spoiled on the taste of Tassimo, or maybe having having to use generic half and half from Ralph's Grocery store (they don't have the Land O' Lakes or Mayfield half and half I'm used to), but the coffee I brewed wasn't nearly as pleasing as I remember it to be. I guess I need to buy some Tassimo discs. Love that coffee!!
Then we went grocery shopping at Ralph's and I had a wonderful Birthday dinner in mind. We picked up needed items that we were low on; all of the fixin's for Thanksgiving dinner; and my Birthday dinner items; corn on the cob, potatoes and a masher to make real mashed potatoes with melted cheese on top; and two gigantic lobster tails.
I left the market with visions of my lovely Birthday dinner and a growling stomach. I had barely eaten earlier and was famished.
As we pulled out of the market's garage I double checked to see if my head lights were on because it seemed darker than usual outside. Then I got to the first traffic light and realized that there was no light! All of the traffic lights were out and the street was dark. Cars were backed up, and surprisingly were taking turns letting each other go.
The power was out on several city blocks!
When we pulled up to the garage door, it was stuck partially open. I guess the power went out when someone was trying to open it. We were informed by a man standing by the door that the maintainance guy was inside, opening it manually.
Once we got inside the garage, we had a single emergency light to use to unload groceries and the kids. Then we went on a 'Twilight Zone' walk inside the building, which was only lit up with 'exit' lights. It took a full 10 minutes to find the stairwell.
The stairwell was totally dark and we had to lug heavy bags of groceries up to the forth floor in pitch black darkness, which we tried to light with an iPhone light.
We made it to the fourth floor but couldn't find our apartment. Back and forth we walked, looking and looking. Poor 4-year old Jack was dragging a bag which held an 11 pound turkey, while he held the aluminum turkey roasting pan in the other hand.
Finally, a resident guided us to an unmarked door which connected the two apartment buildings. On the other side of that door we finally found our apartment.
We lit candles, unloaded the groceries and waited. For entertainment, we hung out on the balcony watching people walk the sidewalks in the dark. We kept hearing helicopters and sirens in the distance and I couldn't help but speculate on the possibility of increased crime and looting in the cover of darkness.
The kids fell asleep on the living room rug, all snug with pillows and blankets and I finally put them in their beds by 10pm.
Giving into my growling stomach, I began shoveling cereal into my mouth. My Birthday dinner would have to wait. Halfway through that bowl of cereal, the lights came on.
Mom went to bed and I stayed up celebrating the last two hours of my Birthday watching Ghost Hunters on TV and washing down a decent sized piece of cheese danish with a cold glass of milk.
Tonight we eat lobster!
Script Girrl
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