So this was it. I opened my eyes to a new year, a new life, new opportunities. I was filled with excitement. In just 2 days I was going to Atlanta to interview for an internship at Americasmart. It was a goal I had set for myself when I started the fashion program at MTSU.
I was a bit nervous but I knew I could land it. The interview went amazingly well. All my dreams were so close in sight! I had told them that I was leaving town for a vacation on the 7th and she said that I should hear something either way by then. All that was left was the waiting game. So Jan 7th rolled around, I was so stoked. Trae was taking me to California, this was the first time that I had 
been anywhere out west! Even with all the excitement about going to LA, I still wondered about the results of my interview the previous week. As we checked things off our list preparing to leave for the airport my phone rings! It was Americasmart calling to tell me that I got the internship and I would be starting in July! I couldn't believe it! It was the best day ever! A wonderful way to start my first trip to the west coast! And we were off nonstop flight Nashville to CALIFOR
NIA! It was the longest flight I had been on but Southwest was the best! We landed that evening and as I stepped foot on to the soil of California I could feel the possibilities and dreams run through my veins...was I really here!! It was so surreal! After we got settled in, it was time to start to meet the fam..first on the list was his twin! Whom I specifically remember saying "Wait! How long have you known my brother? and he already brought you out to LA! He must really like you! Which I was very flattered! So we kicked it for awhile until Trae was ready to go back, because unlike myself he had to work the next day. I got up the next morning to start my adventure across the 
new city I was in. Trae went to work and I drove to Corona to meet one of my friends I went to college with. Her mom owned a boutique there. I had my first experience with IN-n-OUT burger which omgeeeee is amazing by the way! It was a successful day and I made it around town without getting lost! That night we went to dinne
r with his mom, younger brother and sister (who are twins also) <--YES they are! Dinner was delish and the family was great! But we were exhausted, and I had more plans on my agenda to go explore the next day with my Aunt. I got up and drove Trae to work and made my way to the city...I can't even describe the way I felt
seeing the "city of angels" for the first time before my eyes, it was an unforgettable sunny day, the weather was perfect, and the city just shined before me! As I made my way to the Santa Monica Pier where I was scheduled to meet my Aunt, I could start to smell the ocean and then there it was! We had a lovely lunch at this great little sushi restaurant down by the pier, and then she drove me up PCH through Malibu.
(Pacific Coast Highway) We stopped and went shopping at the cute little boutiques in Malibu and then the day was gone. It was time to head back to Chino Hills. Little did I know it would be 2 1/2 hours before I would make back due to traffic! LOL yes I knew about this but I totally forgot about it! But it was OK because Trae had to work late that day...when I got back to the hotel he was there waiting for me. That night we drove to downtown LA and Hollywood so I could see the city...and it was just as fascinating to me as it was on TV. That night when we got back, thinking about everything I had experienced in those 4 days, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of jealousy that he got to grow up there...It was simply an amazing unforgettable experience that marked me for life! He was the one that would forever hold that spot in my heart, soul, and mind..:XOXO TMarie:.
