i'll get out of california...

So as I was running around my town this morning I realized there are somethings that I love about living in La Canada.

1. That I actually could be running outside in shorts and a tee on the 10th of january, soak in the sunshine, and not suffer from seasonal affectiveness disorder.

2. Pasadena. It's the perfect sized city and its simply gorgeous. I love being able to do laps around the Rose Bowl (saying my prayers that Notre Dame will soon be there !!) and being able to run into Old Town for some circus animal cookie frozen yogurt. I love the architecture, the library, the restaurants and the $2 movie theatre. I could go there everyday for a year and find something new.

3. I can't go anywhere without running into someone I know. It's a curse yes, especially days like today where I just am in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt with my hair up in a ponytail, but it really is a blessing--I feel like I'm part of a family. Think about it, why do we really want to be anonymous? Why don't we actually try to talk to the people we see on the streets, help us check out our groceries, and let us know when we've dropped something? It's kind of bizarre that anonymity is so acceptable in life.

4. I love the foothills and the mountains in the distance. It's a reminder that I really am so small, and that God is so much bigger than all of my worries. The fact that I can see snow capped mountains without having to deal with South Bend windchill and blizzards is a miracle.

5. Lastly, 1523 Alta Park Lane. It's my home. I remember the day I discovered this house online in Chicago, with my parents hovered over my shoulders. I wouldn't know at the time that the 20 screen sized pictures on the website would be of rooms that I would fill with my own memories. I love the family room that can fit all seven members of my family comfortably on our sectional as we watch movies, football, and play beatles rockband. I love that we have three fireplace in a house where it doesnt get below 30 degrees outside.

This is my last night in La Canada for a while so I thought it would be fitting to give it some loving. I remember the first nights I spent here I cried myself to sleep wishing I were anywhere else, but now I spend my last nights with bittersweet tears. It's tough saying good-bye. But it would be even more sad if I didn't feel any emotion at all. It's never really good-bye though, I'll be here all summer long, and will be so ready to become a little sunkissed beach bum. Before California falls of the face of the earth... when is that happening again??

yours,

kjerstin renee