Motley Mondays: 34 Days Until Florida

It's pretty insane to me that there are so time left before my husband and I move to Florida. I think I'll dedicate today's post about things in Florida I look forward to most:

5. Year round ice cream weather. You know what rocks more than summer? 8 months of it.

4. Central air. Goes well with those 8 months of summer.

3. Going to tourist attractions casually. Universal Studios? SeaWorld? Disney World? Major beaches? Oh yeah, you mean those things we do on weekends.

2. Lower cost of living. In Chicago, I can find a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment (without central air, without washer and dryer in unit, without parking included) for $1,500. In Florida, I used to live in a 4 bedroom 3 bath apartment (with central air, with washer and dryer in unit, with parking included) for less than $900. Yeah, that's just an example of the savings, not including the exorbitant taxes paid here in Chicago.

1. Friends and Family. Yes, I am moving away from my parents. I am indeed sad about this. Also, I just spent 20 years with them. My sister, her kids, my husbands family, and both our friends are in Florida, and we will live no more than 30 minutes away. That's pretty amazing.

That's why we put on sunscreen, Katniss.

Florida, I'll see you soon.

When Did I Start Respecting Cosplayers?

The answer is always, silly. It doesn't matter if you have a $500 outfit or $5. Store bought or hand-made. You've chosen to so something few others have the courage (or audacity...) to do. So here is a list of my top three reasons I respect cosplayers.

1. You let your freak flag fly: You love Sailor Moon. You decided to dress up as her despite the fact you are not a spot on resemblance of her, but you do it anyways (for better or worse). You have fun and tell anyone who doesn't like it STFU.
2. You put in work: Unlike most everyone else, you didn't come in a clever t-shirt and backpack. No, you decided to be theatrical. Slaved making it or making the money to buy it. You did your hair, your make up, and put thought into poses.
3. You put up with shit: Maybe people are heckling you for not being "the perfect" cosplayer. Maybe people are stalking your ass through the convention hall and forcing themselves on you. Either way, you deal with it. Not only that, it's fucking hot in those crowds.

So, I was happy to discover that Syfy will be premiering a new show called Heroes Of Cosplay. Most people I recognized their names instantly, and I'm excited to see a glimpse into their wicked cool process. These people are obviously on the high end of Cosplay. Could I ever achieve their greatness? Theoretically,with some sewing lessons, down time, make-up, and cash I could get close. Will I try it? Yes.

MegaCon 2014, here I come.

When Did I Start A Count Down?

104.

That's how many days I have until I move to Florida.

I've been pretty wrapped up in everyday things that keeping an updated blog has been too much. No excuses, it was my bad. So let's just skip the groveling for forgiveness and go right to the list of new things going on!

• Today I'm at work (yes I know it's Sunday) and if you didn't know, I no longer have Mondays off anymore. Hooray.
• I saw the first episode of Siberia (NBC). So far, they have peaked my interest.
• I rescued a bird that was in the parking lot of my job. A tired, hot, and bleeding cockatiel. $700 of medical bills and a Petsmart visit later, she's all mine and much healthier. Have a look my pretty girl. Her name is Ursula. 
  
• I watched Man of Steel. Now, a lot of people have grievances about the film, but for me as a whole I found it made me fall in love with a character I've never liked in the DC universe. Also Henry Cavill....
  
• I continue my obsession with Benedict Cumberbatch after seeing Star Trek Into Darkness by watch all his European interviews. My favorite was on the Graham Norton show on BBC. He was there with Chris Pine and the Cumberbitches were there full force. That man Khan have me any day. GET IT!?
  
• James left Chicago May the 4th (be with you). It's been 58 days since then, and I'm trying to stay positive and upbeat, so I dance to this. Katy Perry saves my sanity.

So that's essentially what's been going on on my end. What's been up with you guys?

When Did I Start Becoming Honest?

Alright, I'm going to be straight with you (hard for me, I know). Everything have been very busy lately. The end of the month/beginning of the month in my line of work is a blur of paperwork, phone calls, emails, and issues. Not only that, there were some personal matters that had been going on for the past week. I ask you humbly for your forgiveness.

This is what's been going on lately:

1. I made one of these: http://about.me/adelamorales
2. I declared on myself a baking challenge for when I move to Florida. (Details tomorrow)
3. I discovered how adorable Pembroke Welsh Corgis are.
4. I have a wedding to go to this Saturday for a co-worker.

Yes, that wedding is THIS Saturday, and my dress is yet to arrive. Not only that, but between now and then I need to cut my hair, buy shoes, and do my nails. It's so tough being me I'll have you know.

When Did I Apply For An Apartment?

Okay, so I haven't applied just yet, but I do know everything I need to so I can apply. I want to do it by next weekend, because everyone is telling me there is a waiting list for 1 Bedroom apartments (of course). I really would like to know in advance (like at least 2 months) where I will be living in Florida, and planning for the space I will have. Lately I've been getting home and falling asleep (my bad) and I haven't been able to update James on that plan, so hopefully tonight I can.

Giving you that "Beauty Stare Down".

ALSO, after work today I am doing my nails THEN going home and recoloring my hair blond. So today is going to be busy all the way through. Waiting for Saturday and then my (lonely) 2 day weekend. Wish me luck everyone!

When Did I Start Dreading Laundry?

Laundry isn't a lot of fun, I think we can all agree on that. I used to gripe all the time about doing it when I lived in Florida, but I had no idea what I was talking about. Now I live in Chicago, and I know what really hating laundry feels like.

ORLANDO:

1. Separate laundry.
2. Walk 20 steps to Laundry Room by your kitchen.
3. Throw in a load and sit in the living room watching TV.
4. Throw load into dryer. Sit in living room again.
5. Take clean cloths 20 steps back to bedroom.
6. Repeat.

CHICAGO:

1. Separate laundry. Stuff into 3 or 4 laundry bags.
2. Struggle to take 3 or 4 laundry bags down 3 flights of stairs.
3. Load everything into the car, and drive to laundromat.
4. Fight for limited parking at laundromat.
5. Fight for limited washers/dryers in laundromat.
6. Fight for EXTREMELY limited washers/dryers in laundromat.
7. During the whole ordeal, sit in a hot building with 10 loud kids running around.
8. Pack clean cloths into laundry bags.
9. Drive home.
10. Take laundry up 3 flights of stairs.

You can imagine my IMMENSE joy having to do this every 2 weeks now that James is in Florida. I'm not ashamed my husband does the laundry while I work, I think it's fair. So now I have to go with my parents to do it, and that is a new layer of suck...

I miss in-unit laundry almost as much as my husband.

When Did I Start Using LinkedIn?

So I've been working in my current company for **drum-roll** 3 years now! But as you know, I'm moving by the end of the year. This means the ever dreaded job hunt is afoot!

I've had my LinkedIn Account for a while now, kept it updated and what not, and now I'm finally going to be able to use the darn thing. I know that I've been raving about becoming a baker, which is still my dream, but I know the field I am in well enough to excel beyond many others. I'm comfortable with the position, and I feel I am doing an overall great job. I figure, why leave the field?

Also, the Orlando/Oviedo/Winter Springs area is high in rental communities, which is ideal for the kind of work I do. I used to live in a Concord community, loved it, and want to work/live in that sort of place.

How about you? Do you use LinkedIn? Is it helpful when you've looked for a job? What field are you in as opposed to what you are dreaming of being in? Interested in your responses.

When Did I Start Interior Decorating?

So I was a little bored and decided to pick out the colors I'd like to see in my apartment. I love all of them, and can already see different pieces in my head. Of course there is forever to go until I move, but these are colors I'd what no matter when or where I'd move.

I wanted the bedroom to have more neutral romantic earth tones, then transition to the bathroom and have more vibrant earth tones. I was going for a beach paradise in the living room where we will have our entertainment and office space. Then the kitchen/dining area I wanted a feel of warmth and calm, so my inspiration was Arizona sunsets.

I feel all these colors will also make our 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment feel much more open and fresh. Can't you just see it now?

So now my next project is making out a budget for James and I for our future apartment, from the rent to utilities to pets. I like being a busy body when it suites me.

When Did I Need A New Game Plan?

So here is the skinny on what the new "Game Plan" is.

1. Since the Navy denied James, he got a job with his fathers networking company. Meaning he's moving to Florida as of Saturday.
2. I will stay up here in Chicago while working and saving money like he will be down in Florida.
3. James will apartment hunt while down there.
4. I will work on obtaining my National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) Certification through The National Apartment Association. Makes me more employable.
5. Hopefully by September, funds and appointments are made to move into our own place. Also I'd hopefully have a job lined up.

It's a simple 5 Step plan when it comes down to it, and Step 1 begins this Saturday.Of course, I am a little down in this situation considering we spent 1 whole year trying to get into the Navy. It really is their loss, since James is so smart and dedicated. I'm also a bit sad since our 1 year wedding anniversary is on the 18th of May, and we won't be together.

But I'm still very optimistic! James has secured a job in his desired career field, which is what we wanted all along. I'll still be moving to Florida like I wanted, and better yet to Orlando where I have family and friends. So all the goals we had set for September are still on track.

I want to thank all you readers out there who have been going along for this crazy ride I call my life. Knowing you all care what happens in my day to day means a lot to me.

Yumiko and I enjoying the spring weather.

When Did I Start Missing Florida?

You may not know this, but I despise heat and humidity. I get miserably cranky in that weather. I also lived in it for 8 years. So you can imagine I spent a little of that time whining and complaining anytime I was pulled away from Central Cooling Systems.

Right now I'm living in Illinois, and it's snowing like a MO FO. We're expecting 7-10 inches today.

I think after 4 years of living in Chicago, I've built an appreciation for Florida, and here's why:

1. No Snow Storms of any kind. A freak flurry, maybe, but anything but inches of snow.
2. No frozen pipes. Just this morning I was without any kind of water for more than an hour.
3. Never without A/C. Here in Chicago, where every building is about 50 years or over, we don't have Central Cooling Systems. We have these dinky little window A/C units that aren't worth a damn. In the magical land of Florida, most buildings are new and have Central Cooling, most importantly, apartments.
4. No crazy city traffic. I have a slight phobia of being in a car, so traffic drives me nuts. I used to think Florida was bad. NEVER. AGAIN.
5. Real beaches. Chicago says they have a "beach". It's a rocky sand strip in front of a devastatingly polluted lake. PEOPLE REALLY SWIM THERE! It's so gross...
6. Close to family and friends. I didn't appreciate that it took me less than an hour drive to visit any friend I wanted. Took me 15 minutes to go see my sister and her kids. Now I'm lucky if I see them once a year.

I could probably go on, but I digress. I simply was NOT built for these temperatures. I was also not build to accept being miles away from loved ones. So, hopefully, once this Navy business is sorted out with my husband, I can move to Pensacola, FL soon after my husband does for his A school.