too much

Please do not think the lack of updates is because I have not been doing anything. Actually just the opposite is true. This past week I had orientation and registration, and I begin class on Monday. Beyond that, my thoughts and concerns have been back in Texas with my family and friends. Growing up on the coast you live with the possibility of taking a direct hit from a hurricane, but you never really think it is going to happen. Now I just have to wait to see what is left of the town I could not wait to get out of, but now would give anything to go back to.

living in the southland

While my days have been somewhat slow, I have had the opportunity to do a couple of “California” things. The first was last Thursday night when Aaron, Lindsay, and I were invited to watch the season premier of The OC at the apartment of one of Lindsay’s co-workers. It all seems pretty normal until you learn that her co-worker’s husband is the assistant editor of the show, with his name in the credits and everything. It turned out to be a really fun, low-key night, but we still thought we were something special. I mean, think about it, I now know someone who works with famous people everyday. Apparently that’s not really a big deal in the Los Angeles area though, considering one of the other girls who came over is married to a writer on One Tree Hill. Honestly, I really just enjoyed meeting some neat people that I felt like I could hang out with. It made me feel a little better about my new surroundings.

Then on Saturday, the three of us decided to have some more fun, this time in Malibu. Our plan was to spend a few hours on the beach and watch the sun set. Now the only other California beaches I’ve been to are Venice and Manhattan, but I have to say that Malibu is my favorite. It just felt really cozy and inviting with beautiful landscapes all around. For those who are like me and are only familiar with the Gulf Coast, there are a couple of things to note about the West Coast. Most notably, the Pacific Ocean is cold. I do not understand how people can swim in it without catching their death. This leads to the second observation, which is that the sea breeze coming off the Pacific is also quite chilly. I thought I was prepared for this with my extra long-sleeved shirt and light hooded jacket; however, my shorts and flip-flops were my downfall. As the sun began to set, the temperature quickly dropped into the lower 60s. We tried to tough it out, but ultimately decided we would be more comfortable watching from the car. While the early exit was slightly disappointing, it did afford us a little more light with which to view the amazing scenery as we headed back home through the mountains.

* Note: Aaron and Lindsay Weldon are great friends of mine from College Station. They too recently moved to Pasadena because Aaron is also attending Fuller, and through God’s amazing provision, we live in the same apartment complex.

weekend view

Here is the view from one of the beaches in Malibu. This is a beautiful section of the coast where the mountains stretch onto the beach.

I'll be posting more pictures in the coming days of my apartment and other views from the Pasadena area.

unsettled

I've been in Pasadena a week now, and things are beginning to shape up. I'm slowly getting my apartment the way I want it, procuring my basic necessities, and taking care of all of the tasks that come with moving and starting a new school. Andy and I were able to move in all of the things I brought with me and quickly make this small space livable. We explored much of the Pasadena area on our many shopping and recreational expeditions. However, since he has left my progress has slowed. Things are moving at this unhurried pace mainly by design. While working my way down each days "to do" list, I have to make sure I will still have things to do the next day. Efficiency is not a high priority considering orientation does not begin for another week and a half and classes another week after that. Also with gas prices as high as they are, I have limited myself to one outing in the car a day. This situation has left me an abundance of free time in which I can be preparing myself for my upcoming studies by researching classes or reading ahead. Instead I am usually on my computer or watching TV, which is why I am frequently upset.

Now one could speculate many reasons for my despondent attitude, such as home-sickness, boredom, or restlessness. All of these feelings are factors but only as part of a much larger whole. Mostly I am overcome by a sense of uselessness. My perceived inability to contribute to the humanitarian efforts that are taking place across the Gulf Coast is leaving me empty. I say perceived because I know that there are things that I can do here in California, but it is not as much as if I were still in Texas. I was not able to follow any of the news coverage last week as the situation in New Orleans developed so I am just now beginning to realize the extensiveness of the devastation. As I sit in my apartment with little to do, I often think about all of the things I could be doing if I were in Southeast Texas or even College Station. Today I even briefly considered hitching a ride with a caravan of volunteers leaving from the Los Angeles area heading to New Orleans. For now I just have to trust that there is a reason I am in Pasadena and focus on the ways in which I can contribute here.

happy birthday

Happy Birthday Ginger! I love you!