Inspired by San Diego

I've been meaning to write since I got back from San Diego. I was inspired more than once while I was there, but the Rodeway Inn wireless wasn't working right! even though the 'desi' desk person said he had turned it on. Fancy driving 6hours only to find that the hotel you're staying at is run by a desi:) we're everywhere! there's no getting away.

San Diego was gorgeous. I would move there in a heartbeat if it weren't for silly little things like H1Bs and Green Cards! I would move there even though gas was $3.39-$3.99 a gallon.

Brad and I drove the whole way there and back and had many a slap happy moment. On the way to San Diego from AZ, there's an 80mi stretch through the mountains with a sign that says 'strong winds-drive carefully'. Along this stretch, there are radiator water stops almost every mile, and every sign just points to one of many rocks in the mountains. Brad and I were very tempted to stop and see if there really was any water, but we really wanted to get to our hotel. We decided we'd stop on the way back, but apparently you only need radiator water one way:)

So we get there, check in and head out to the Gas Lamp Quarter. It's basically about 16 blocks of area downtown that's hoppin' until the wee hours. Clubs, bars, restaurants with cuisines from all over the world... We were too tired to party the night away, so we just ate at TGIFs, drank some MaiTais and Martinis, walked around the quarter and came back. The quarter is named after the gas lamps that used to line the streets way back in the day. But today they are pretty much all electric.

We went to La Jolla beach the next morning and I was in bliss. The blue ocean that I missed so much after I left Boston was more than I could have ever asked for on this trip. It made every waiting moment worthwhile.

I walked along the beach in solitude, stopping occasionally to pick up a colored rock. The waves followed their pattern of washing up more rocks and seaweed, and leaving wavy black lines on the sands as they receded. I continued walking...my feet cushioned by the soft mud.
The shore was busy. Kids running around, effortlessly trying to collect mud to make sand castles that the waves would eventually wash away...couples growing old together as they walked hand in hand...surfers, snorkellers and much much more. But despite all that chaos and commotion, I was in bliss. I felt a sense of solitude. Not one that was making me claustrophobic or sad. But one that brought with it a sense of accomplishment and contentment. I walked around capturing the moment with my camera. Even to this second I can smell the salty air and feel the cool pacific ocean at my feet. The grains of sand between my toes and the kids yelling and laughing....

But I had to snap out of it, just like I had to right now. We had to get back to the hotel, shower and get ready for Nina and Pete's wedding - the real reason we were in San Diego to start with. Nina and Pete are both Hall Directors at the UA.

The wedding was perfect. It was my 1st American wedding.
The ceremony was outdoors right by the ocean. The weather was perfect, Nina looked so beautiful, the roses were fresh, the reception was fun, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies that Nina's mom baked...couldn't have had a better '1st American wedding' experience.

We had brunch at Nina's aunt's house the next morning, watched them open presents and then drove presents home to Tucson. We made a few stops along the way for gas, randomly bought a ton of pottery at the Gila Bend gas station and finally got home.

I was tired and the thought of being at work at 7am was not helpful...But I closed my eyes and thought of the ocean, took a deep breath and smelt the air and that was it. I was out like a light and up and about in the morning.

More's happened since the trip, but this blog is already getting longer than usual, so I'll end by saying very quickly that dad left to go back to Dubai. It was great seeing him after 2yrs! and to see him in his new role as grandpa:) I miss him a ton and wanted to use this space to say 'Happy Fathers' Day Dad'! You are the best and I am grateful:)

waiting now for mom to come in 2 weeks:)