the last hurrah

It feels like today is sort of a "last stand" of everything before I travel to California in the morning. Last chance to get everything done, pack, and make sure the house is secure before peacing out for 2 whole weeks. Funny enough, I was more stressed yesterday than I am today. Today I'm just sitting peacefully in the Glen Ellyn Starbucks, editing, surfing the internet (ours at the house is out because of the storm... silly storm), and watching the people that walk in and out.

I think California is going to be good... it's the first CA trip since we've been married that has almost no plans or obligations, just time to relax, re-discover all of our old haunts, and catch up with friends we haven't seen in a long time. It's good and dangerous at the same time -- I've been feeling so California homesick lately, I'm counting on this trip to remind me that I belong in the Midwest and it's a good thing, hopefully not the other way around.

Midwest pros: beautifully green, living in an adorable town, within driving distance of my parents, cost of living = way low (way awesome), plugged into an awesome church we love

Southern California pros: old close friends I love, familiar places, feeling at home with the vibe and style of the community, close to amazing places I miss frequenting: Monterey/Carmel, Sacramento, Hume, San Fran, Yosemete

(I'm not going to go through the cons... let's focus on the positive!) Midwestern life outweighs California is the way of sense, and the fact that God has called us here. I'm sure it's just a phase-of-life slump that I'm in, but it's hard not to look at a frustrating time here and not want to escape back to somewhere that's familiar. I really shouldn't have a run-away mentality, I need to stick this out. I'm not always going to feel disconnected here, or be the only one without children or pregnant (it's true, seriously), or be the only one who goes be bed after 9pm... it will change. Eventually. I just need to be patient.

Places I'd like to visit while in SoCal: Newport/Balboa, Santa Monica, Clementine Cafe, Wahoo's Fish Taco, Han's Ice Cream, Yogurtland, Long Beach, Portfolio Coffeehouse, Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles (Joel's never been - GASP!)

Bon Voyage!