just chillin' in california this morning. done all the usual things...day at the beach (where it's never hot when i come), checked out sarah and erik's college group and said hi to old friends, ate some avocado egg rolls at BJ's, shopped 'til i dropped, and met up with the family for a bit. did some new things...first ever tailgate/college football game for USC vs. Cal, nearly blew away in my beach chair at Port Hueneme, swam "laps" at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center.

it feels comfortable here. not home by any means, but, nevertheless, comfortable. i am always assured that i can make any place my home if i set my mind to it whenever i travel away from home. i do prefer my home with my things, my bed, my clothes, my routine, my organization, etc. but, i always want to remember that, first of all, home is merely a paradigm and wherever i go, i can create a home around me and, second of all, this earth is not my home for the long-term--i will always be hoping in my heart for my heavenly home and never quite fully satisfied with any home until i reach my eternal home.

i think i shall now take a stroll around the farm, try to get a tan, and ponder life. really, i think i have horrible luck. whenever i go any where (except mexico), i always manage to go when there is no sun or i am devoid of opportunity to tan my pale washington skin. i mean, who goes to costa rica in the rainy season and expects a tan? who goes to california in november and expects to get color? ahh, silly me.