I love perfect moments that make your soul smile. I recently came back from a short trip to Orange County, California. The difference from Utah to California is night and day, black and white, boring and fun....the list goes on! Both do have generally nice people, who are willing to help, whether it's with directions, or if you drop something in the grocery store, etc. But I love the colorful side of California. Don't get me wrong, it's big, busy, crowded, overpriced and when you get lost, you get some serious lost going on. You also get the smell of the Pacific Ocean miles from Huntington Beach. Half naked people walking down the street to the ocean; some esthetically pleasing, some not-so-much. Sand under foot in the In-N-Out ladies restroom, where you can tap dance like Fred Astaire, provided the occupant in the next stale doesn't mind.
My favorite moments are the ones that take you out of your comfort zone and make you grow. I got on about 2 different wrong highways. I was tired from my 10 hour drive and it was dark and late at night. I finally swallowed my pride, accepted that I hadn't known where I was for about 90 minutes (yes women do it too), and stopped at a gas station. There are eccentric individuals any time of the evening, but especially at 1:33am in California. I walked in, and asked for directions. These young 20 something group of kids were behind me and I instantly became cautious. They were dressed a bit thuggish, and we all know California's known for it's gangs. You'd be surprised, but being raised in the hood of OKC, OK., put me in gang territory many o' time. The young man and 2 young women were dressed in the same color and had tattoos all over them. I had reason to be aware. But I tell you what, they were the nicest group of youngsters. I pay attention when I do and do not feel safe around someone and I react accordingly. I felt safe around them and they showed me on my phone how to get to my destination, and repeated it several times until I got it down. So sweet and thoughtful!! Never judge a book by it's cover (I'm telling my self that last sentence).
The best grape I've ever tasted, were dark purple, about the size of a quarter and at my friends wedding reception in Mission Viejo. Yummers!! I had another friend let me stay with her family whilst I was visiting and they had an apricot tree in their backyard. Her mom, Sharon, made some of the best apricot jam I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. Her dad, Layne, made fabulous omelette's for everyone, including me. I felt comfortable, not just in the their home, but in all of California.
I remember seeing a boy about 14 years old, running with his surfboard toward the beach with a look of pure joy and excitement. I couldn't help but think that I want to offer that to my future children. The arts, culture, diversity, and the ocean are all so inviting and make for a more vibrant people. The good, the bad and the ugly of Cali was all part of the experience and felt like home to me. http://www.visitcalifornia.com/
-Swab
