California Dreamin'...

Our first week back in the US proved quite a doozy as we packed our schedules and emptied our wallets.  With limited time to shop for a home and 2 cars before Ken’s start date, we hit the ground running.  We arrived last Sunday afternoon, and 3 hours after going through customs and immigration, our realtor picked us up at our hotel to begin the house search.  Thankfully, we arrived prepared.  I had researched potential homes and came with a wish list while Ken took care of mortgage preapprovals.  Although half  of the places were no longer available, my first choice remained.  As we walked around the rooms and toured it from top to bottom, we knew that this home felt like a fit for us.  Located in a vibrant neighborhood with cafés and shops within walking distance, it seemed as if we found a bit of the European lifestyle we loved waiting for us in this pocket of LA.  We wasted no time to put in a bid which was eventually accepted, and we are now in the paperwork and inspection process.  We didn’t stop there, though, as we each need a car to traverse this enormous city.  Once again, homework paid off allowing us to find and purchase our cars within the first 3 days in town.  To top the week off, we accepted an invitation for a Screen Actor’s Guild screening of Les Miserables followed by a Q&A with director Tom Hooper and moderated by director Ron Howard.  What a way to start our lives in this fast paced entertainment capital!