Two weeks.

Disclaimer: this is written on my dad's iPad, so if there are a lot of typos, I am sorry.

Well, I made it to Cali in more or less one piece.

Its been just about two weeks since my best friend and I rolled into Corona, California in the dark after an equally exhausting, beautiful, happy, and frustrating three day road trip down the Oregon and Californian coast. Which for some unknown reason we decided to video tape, and if I ever figure out how to edit the clips(problems include knowing how and the new realizations that watching large amounts of home video makes me really, really, REALLY noxious. Fun stuff.) I, for other unknown reasons, will be posting them here. However, until then, I will settle with filling you all in on my past two weeks of Californian life.

Recap:

Sunday night the 25th arrived in California.
Monday evening the 26th best friend flew away back home.
Tuesday the 27th five million and one boxes were unloaded off of a massive semi and stacked floor to ceiling in my garage and throughout my house.
Wednesday through Friday afternoon the 28th-30th were spent swimming in a sea of packing paper, stacking dishes, moving boxes, and cutting through tape.
Friday evening the 30th dad bought us all brand new, shiny, and well functioning hybrid bikes.
Saturday the 31st it was off to Huntington Beach with all the rollerbladers, tourists, families, and clean surfers with perfectly trimmed beards(what is this?) for some quality family time bike riding followed by a four mile skate on my part.
Sunday the 1st, my first time at our new church where the people are impressively friendly. Like, really impressively friendly. Followed by a trip to Long Beach for lunch. Finally, a place that makes sense to me!
Monday through Friday the 2nd-6th were for job searching and the ever present battle of unpacking.

Evaluation:

If I said it was all sunshine and happiness, it would be a lie, but if I said it was all doom and gloom that would be a lie too. It's not easy leaving your home behind to go to a place you know nothing about and just plain and simple, do not understand. It's weird going from months of not seeing your parents to them being basically the only people you talk to. While everyone else is talking about rain and pumpkin spice lattes, I am laying on the ground complaining to my parents and pretty much dieing because its 99 and humid. And frankly Augustana, going somewhere where no one knows your name is overrated.

Life goes on. You're far away when heartbreak hits, when goodbyes become real, when accomplishments are achieved, and when memories are made. But it's not a bad thing. God put me here and for that I am thankful.

I am of the opinion that all things are solved by God. (Note: not with God, by God, by the grace of God. Often by God through us, but ultimately by God.) I am also of the opinion that most things can be solved by the magic of twinkle lights and Avett Brothers on the radio. God has a plan for me. I'm in that plan, and its full of magic.

My life is good. My parents love me and each other and God. There's an extremely nice pool in my backyard. Tonight, I officially got settled in my room, complete with a real closet, an old colorful crochet blanket, twinkle lights bordering my ceiling, and a great big beautiful window. Netflix and Pinterest are a honest blessing. Bike riding with my dad is happy. Skate shops are everywhere and always remind me of my favorite memories and my favorite people. Habitat for Humanity stores are full of hidden Treasure. My two besties are officially better than yours, we have group text. My dog got really attached to me that whole month we were homeless(staying at my sister's). Community groups start at church soon, and my parents informed me there is one in which the kids from Biola go(yay people my age! I might make friends!!). Finally, as a dear soul promised me, it's all an adventure.

So to finish off my two week anniversary, I am a lover of lists. Here are a few.

Things I miss:

Hats.

My sister. Staying at her house for a month was wonderful.

Things I hate:

Humidity

My demon light that is on some kind of timer which turns the light and fan on and off on its own accord whenever it feels like it, day and night. Along with the crappy switcher that goes with it and never works. (Help me.)

Conclusions I have come to:

California confuses me.

The girls here need more No Maintenance Mondays.

All of our art is of the Pacific Northwest.

Things I am extremely thankful for:

The Avett Brothers. (Seriously, who wants to fly here for my birthday and go see them with me??)

My parents. Thank goodness they are my friends because they're all I got.

My bible on my bedside table.

Bike rides.

My dog. He makes life considerably less lonely.

Big signs that say "All That Jazz".

Twinkle lights. Always and forever twinkle lights.

Happy Friday everybody.
Godspeed & sweet dreams.
Bek.