Luck is When Preparation Meets Opportunity

I love that line. It's from one of my favorite movies, Little Black Book. Girl doesn't end up with the guy (in this case, both guys) but somehow still gets the happy ending she deserves. It's not your typical love story, precisely why it's up there on my list along with crazy twisted Wicker Park.

Since my life's basically on hold right now, I can't do anything else but wait. Unlike most people, I actually enjoy waiting - provided that I'm actually waiting for something and not wasting my time on unworthy ambiguities. So while the rest of my batchmates are scurrying around Makati after graduation, scattering their resumes like confetti and collecting pre-employment exams and interviews like trophies, I'm sitting pretty with my laptop on my work desk perusing the pages of the world wide web. Yes, I'm researching. Couldn't shake the student out of me just yet.

So far, I've already combed through every relevant job listing ad I can get my cyber hands on. This is so I'd have a general idea on what kinds of positions I can apply for when I get to LA. Based on the info I've gathered, my gameplan is to score an internship job with one of Fortune 500 companies based in California (fingers crossed) and then, get a part-time job on the side. I have already come up with a list of my target companies, their addresses, websites, industry information, job openings and even the distance of their offices from our LA home. I'm OC like that.

But before anything else, I need to establish my California resident status by applying for a state ID and a driver's license. This has to be done within 10 days from my arrival date. So, that's the first thing I need to do. I even downloaded a copy of the California Driver Handbook to study for the written test. Haha! I'm such a geek. I'm pretty smug about the driving test though. I personally believe that if you're able to drive in the Philippines, you can drive anywhere. The daily battles with our friendly bus and jeepney drivers have taught me well.

I've located nearby commercial establishments, tourist spots, churches and schools via Google Earth, official LA City websites, LA bloggers and travel sites. I've studied the local transportation system which includes bus and train routes. My sister doesn't own a car and I don't have money to buy one just yet so I'd have to commute. It'll be a while before I'll be able cruise down Sunset Boulevard in a kick-ass convertible. Give me a few months to work on that. ;]

After going through all of that, I must say that I'm still not quite done, yet alone satisfied, with my LA info hunt. Still on my wish list is finding a personal blog written by a Pinay who moved to LA in her early 20s. I want to know how it is from a primary source. The closest I got to this was coincidentally reconnecting with a good friend from way back who migrated to LA three years ago. Yay, serendipity! She found me through Multiply. I had no idea she lives in LA now, and she didn't know I was migrating. I just saw her location status and voila! My saving grace. I felt like dancing on the spot in front of my laptop. I feel so relieved. I have a friend!!! Yeh hoe!

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Time to shed that infamous Pinoy mantra, "Bahala na si Batman". I'm taking a hold on my life.

** Sidenote: Since One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl just ended and the new seasons won't be out til September, I decided to finally give in and watch The Hills. Ditzy much? Haha... Hey, it still qualifies as research! ;]