Meet Janette from Hastings who moved to LA 14years ago to pursue love.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
Well, it took a long time to find a bloke who had a good name and came from SoCal (I met one from SoCal, but his last name was Humpalot – another one with a nice last name, but he was from Detroit).
No, I didn’t really want to move, but I had to choose – and I chose to go to the USA, since my husband works for the US Forces, and his time in Europe was up.
What do you miss most from home?
My mum, my friends and family – and of course, chocolate and being able to travel to other countries easily!
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
I was really scared! I would drive from home (Lancaster) to work (Torrance) in one lane, doing the speed limit and not venture off the beaten track. I thought everything that was happening on Fox News was happening outside my door…..then, eventually, I discovered the joys of Waze.
When we moved over, the company I worked for in Germany had one tiny subsidiary and just happened to have a position for me. It was only six inches on the map, but found out after moving that it was 85 miles – I was thinking, 45 mins, tops! (remember – I was living in Germany at the time). Well, little did I know the perils of the 405 freeway. It’s two hours on a good day. I must admit though, driving along the Angeles Forest Hwy some mornings, I feel like I’m close to heaven. Of course I hate the guns and the violence and the politics and that some days it feels more like the DSA (Divided States of America), but I try and do my little bit to make it a better place….for you and me.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus Hastings?
The biggest difference that I like (of course) is the weather. That keeps me sane. I love it. When I first moved over I started wondering what was wrong with me. So many Americans would say “oh, we must meet – I’ll call you” and they never did. I started to wonder if I should start showering more, but then realised that’s how a lot of people are. I tried to volunteer at an old people’s home near my work, in Redondo Beach, but they shooed me out, saying they had enough people. I was very sad. I knew what it was like to be lonely and I thought it must be awful to be old and lonely and you can’t get out. I thought it could have been a win-win. Then someone told me I should volunteer at the animal shelter and my life hasn’t been the same since. I ended up adopting two of the litter I fostered and they are my heart and soul – and have met some really great people that do animal rescue.
Oh, did I venture off the question? The other big difference is the food here. I love it – so much variety and so many fantastic places to go and eat!
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
There are so many – I have to say, if I had to pick one, it would be Geoffrey’s in Malibu. That truly is a gem. Wonderful experience, right from the first phone call, to the valet, to the people at the front desk, to the server – and then great food and magnificent views. What can be better than that? Afterwards, you can go and walk on the private beach below. I totally recommend if for a special date or just to hang out with friends.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
I would say, if it is in your heart, then do it. You only live once. You don’t have to stay here forever.
I don’t know if I will stay here forever, but I’m enjoying life, a day at a time.
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Try not to get jaded. Do something good for someone else every day and be grateful for all that you have. We all have so much and it makes you appreciate life more. Sounds corny maybe, but it’s true.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
Funny you should ask. After I had been here a few years, I discovered there was a local theatre. I did a few shows there and met some great people. Then I auditioned for an acapella sextet in Santa Monica (Swing Shift) and met more lovely people. Then I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to start a group up where I live, which, somehow I did. We have so much fun. The group is called “JUST US”. We are a vocal show group – our genre is jazz/swing, with a splash of Broadway and a sprinkling of classic pop. We have performed all over the place, including the LA Convention Center when I became an American citizen four years ago. It had never been done before – so whenever I think something is impossible, I think of that and realize that nothing is impossible.
We have a fantastic Christmas Show that we perform at the Terranea Resort each year. This year we will be performing it at the Mayflower Club, the British Social Club in North Hollywood on Sunday 16 December. We will also be performing at the 94th Aerosquadron in Van Nuys this coming Saturday (see flyer). Website is www.JustUs4.com, FB: JustUs4singers.
