Before I get going on what LA means to me, maybe I should start off with the hospital I was at. I said it before but these ladies mean so much to me. From their humor to their kindness, I felt like they were not only my co-workers but my friends. They knew just what to say to bring back my confidence and encourage me. I had quite the roller coaster of deliveries but I always knew that these girls had my back and were willing to help no matter what situation I was in. Of course it was hard leaving them, they all wanted me to stay, and quite honestly I could've. I always told them that although I'm not extended now, this isn't goodbye because I would love to come back and see them again.
Carol and Ana- "the trio"
As you all got to see from my many posts, my brother and I had an awesome time. I decided to take an assignment in LA because I wanted to enjoy time with him and I wasn't really sure that this opportunity would happen again. I had been to visit many times but never really saw myself living there, I'm not signing a lease yet but I could totally see myself going back. We are closer than we have ever been and I truly consider him one of my best friends. Leaving him last week was one of the hardest things I have had to do in a while, neither of us were willing to talk about it so it only felt real when my GPS said I had 6 hours on the 10 to get to Arizona. For those of you that know me well, I'm not one for goodbyes. I consider myself somewhat of a strong person and rarely a cryer but when someone or something is leaving or left behind it's full on waterworks. This made it difficult to even give hugs!
Dinner with all of my friends before I left
Craig and I stuffed our face at Korean BBQ before I left
Although this blog might have turned into more of a "day in the social life of Hadley", it's hard to give you a play by play of what happens in the hospital and still comply with HIPPA laws. That being said, traveling isn't about what we learn in the hospital (you can get that experience anywhere), it's what you learn about yourself and life along the journey. I titled this blog after an Alan Jackson song, because these lyrics really resonate with me when I think about my time in LA. It can be a wild city, one that's caught up in the "Hollywood" lifestyle and stuck on how you look, but it can also be the opposite. Here are some of the things that I hope to take away from my time in LA:
1. Be YOU. In a city of millions of people one might think it's easy to "stand out" for what you wear or how you look, but honestly there are so many different styles, looks, and ways of life that it doesn't matter about any of them. I learned that I needed to do what made ME happy. It's a city where you must gain confidence and embrace yourself; a city of who you know, not what you know. I obviously am not in "the industry" but I did learn that if you work hard enough, you can do anything you dreamed of in all aspects of life.
2. Friends and family are most important. Obviously it was nice to have my brother out there, and for most of my stay Jillian. Without them I would've been completely lost. I am so thankful that Craig introduced me to so many of his friends and that they accepted me as one of their own. Craig, being a guy, obviously had more guy friends which in turn led me to hang out with them most of the time. I will say that it is a hard place to meet "quality" girl friends, however I am thankful for the friends that I did have out there and it made me appreciate my friends in other places even more. I was so happy to see my Charlotte friends over the wedding weekend, and I can't wait for the adventures that Katherine and I have in store for us! Of course, I also realize that my family means so much to me. It was hard going from a quick trip home to having to plan out time off to fly back; California doesn't make for a quick weekend back to Indiana! My parents and family have supported Craig and I 110% on whatever crazy idea we have thrown their way and I am so thankful for that. I have come to really appreciate the special moments and memories that will last forever (even if I'm the only one with the memory).
3. LOVE. We all have a different story, and sometimes we forget that. Love became a big part of my time in LA for many reasons. First, LA is a catch all city. People come from all over the world to get to experience this culture. That being said, I worked with many Asians and Hispanics as coworkers and as patients. I loved hearing their stories about traveling the world, their culture, and their family. Some of them have the most amazing stories to tell. A part of the city (WeHo- West Hollywood) is known for the LGBT community. This neighborhood is known to be the safest but was probably the cleanest and definitely the most vibrant. I'm sure that we all know someone of the LGBT community that has maybe struggled or been judged for it, well this is a neighborhood that fully embraces that. Personalities soar and people are themselves.. who are we to judge, because I guarantee we don't really know their story (watch Bridegroom if you need a change of heart). Lastly, I learned that I need to find what makes me happy and feel loved. We are all at different points in life, but I have learned to love living in the moment and enjoying today for what it is knowing that "Mr. Right" will eventually come my way, probably when I'm least expecting it. No matter what our circumstance, we can all learn to love a little more!!
So here I am, moving on to my next journey in Phoenix, Arizona with my sorority sister, Katherine. I am excited to get some "girl time" and see a new city. So far I have met some great people and enjoyed what the desert has to offer. We have spent several hours by the pool but mostly inside enjoying the AC. I officially start my first night on the floor tonight and can't wait to tell y'all about it!!
Thanks for reading y'all!!
xoxo
Hadley
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