Good weekend

Jam-packed past couple of days.

On Saturday I got to spend the entire day with Adam and his friends Julie and Josh. It felt effortless to be around Adam. Like I didnt have to try so hard. I didnt have to start from the beginning, to explain myself, like I must do with everyone I meet here. That's fine, telling my story over and over again, but it was like resting for once. Julie and Josh took us up the Pacific Coast Highway, which was beautiful of course. We got out at a few lesser-known beach spots and enjoyed the day as it moved from overcast to sunny. There was a seal sleeping on one of the beaches, and I saw some whales out in the water! I'm psyched to spend more time along the shore.
I tried fish tacos for the first time and was PLEASANTLY surprised. Well, to be fair, they came with avocado slices and cilantro... so how could they have been bad? Anyway, I liked them. We also went to Malibu Creek State Park for a few hours. The three of them are rock climbers so Julie and Josh lead us around to some good climbing spots. We hiked along some trails and scrambled over some boulders. It was an adventure. I loved it. It reminded me of how life was when I was young and running wild through the Maine woods.

Sunday was church at Pacific Crossroads Church. I enjoyed it, but I dont know if it is ultimately where I will wind up. The pastor was great though. He gave a thought-provoking message about David and Goliath. The people where were very friendly though. I met 6 people that day and I didnt have to even try.. I greeted a woman (about my age) during the "turn to someone you dont know and say hi" bit, and she asked if i had been coming to the church for a while. I told her that I had just moved into town... then we had to sit back down. She waited for me after the service, introduced some of her friends, invited me to a couple different small groups... another woman put me in her prayer journal on the spot. And I wrote on my welcome card that I could use prayer and thus was contacted by a couple people from the church today- welcoming me, telling me about a ministry that I checked a box for, telling me that the church is praying for me.. just awesome.
Nadine took Kate, Kate's sister, Kate's friend Allison, and me to her country club for brunch, which was yum. Apparently Dr Phil goes there too (we didnt see him yesterday though). Nadine is watching Dr Phil as I type, actually. Then, I went to check out the neighborhood around UCLA and to get some groceries at Trader Joe's. Wow, if Kearah and Adam do decide on UCLA, they are all of 2 miles away. Or at least the school is. No more on that though. Anyhow, that area is pretty lively. Trader Joe's was buzzing, but it was nothing like Market Basket on a Sunday afternoon! Then home again... to watch the Academy Awards with Nadine. We ordered out to Maria's.. I had this wonderful minestrone soup with chickpeas. I was extremely inspired watching the Oscars. There were so many "normal" non-star people who were nominated and even who won. You could tell by listening to them that they were truly humbled. And I knew that from that moment, the moment they actually won, onward... life would never be the same for them. It made me want to do something great. I feel like i can do amazing things. Not sure what, yet, but I wont give up. Those people, even the stars, had to try and try and try. Had to work themselves up to where they are now. I know that God will reward my heart's desire. I know that I didnt come up with these dreams that I have. I guess that's why I just havent been afraid. Weary, yeah, a bit... it's a lot of work to move so far away. But all things considered, I've had a supernatural amount of strength, patience, fearlessness, and motivation throughout the past few weeks.

I thought about minor league baseball today for 8 hours (at work). Yesterday I heard "Your Love" playing in Trader Joe's and it made me think of LaLacheur Park in Lowell. One of the guys on the 2009 Spinners had that song play everytime he went up to bat.

Today I missed McCoy Stadium very badly. And I missed Victor, and Jason. In particular.