Friday Favorites: California

A lot of people who don't live in California and/or have never been to California, often have a lot of judgment about the place. Much of it negative. While some is probably well-reasoned, most is just silly.

After living here for over a year, I can say that it is an absolutely wonderful place to be. Sure, there's traffic and there are a lot of people, but can you really tell me the cons outweigh the pros? Shows like The Real Housewives give California a bad name. Yes there are blondes, yes there are people who drive nice cars. But there are also people with 2001 Honda's, brunette hair they styled on their own, and jobs they work hard at to pay the bills. California isn't all glitz & glam... it's a real place just like Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, Maine, etc.

This past year has been one of the best years of my life. I have grown so much and I am in love with my California experience. I am so incredibly sad to leave. As I prepare to leave California next week, I figured I would jot down some of the things I'm going to miss. Really, I'm going to miss just about everything, but I figured I'd list some out (in no particular order). LONG POST ALERT :)

Feeling free

Breaking out of my comfort zone

Trying new things

Being fearless

Overcoming obstacles on my own

My apartment (and, for the past 6 months... living alone)

 My pools and apartment complex amenities

 

Awesome restaurants. Some of which

are right on the beach... like these:

 

Beachcomber

 

Ruby's on Huntington Pier

(This is my favorite breakfast spot. The Cliff in Laguna Beach)

My Office

I loved the people I sat near and the solitude. And this view from my desk:

Making new friends and deepening old and/or existing friendships

The ocean... The beach... The weather

The abundance of adventure and simply being adventurous

 

Danza del Sol Winery

 

Rock Harbor's Easter service @ The OC Fair Ampitheatre

 

Aaron Sorkin @ The Newport Beach Film Fesitval (& Something Borrowed!)

WB Studio Tour

 

Live show tapings (EXTRA, American Idol)

 

Whale/Dolphin Watching

 

Benefit @ W Hollywood. Meeting people from The Bachelor franchise & listening to good music (Cary Brothers!)

 

Lo Bosworth book signing!

 

Disney!

kayaking in the harbor

 The Getty! Such a gorgeous place.

The speed limits

Feeling at peace

Being independent

Having so much to do. Always.

My life here.