(Semi-Permanent) Cali <3

Can I get serious and kind of emotional on y’all for a second?  Ok I don’t know why I asked, I’m going to anyways.  It’ll be quick, swearsies.

We’ve been in Cali for almost 10 months now.

We’re both at jobs we love with great companies.  We’ve managed to meet some pretty awesome people out here, despite our recluse-like approach to society.  And the opportunities for traveling and incredible experiences (hello, paddle boarding) are unlike anything we could have dreamt of doing in NE Ohio.

Despite all of the challenges, stressors, and drastic changes we’ve been through, we’re thoroughly enjoying our new life on the West Coast and consider ourselves truly lucky to be here.

Now with all that being said, maybe you’ll want to punch me for being an ungrateful and insatiable bitch for saying this, but here it goes anyways…

It’s really hard living 2,000 miles away from home.  Knowing you can’t be by a friend’s side at the drop of a hat when they need you most.  Trusting a picture message from the dressing room of Macy’s when mom picks out her Mother of the Bride outfit.  Wanting to text your sister at 10pm only to remember it’s 1am her time (even though she’s most likely still up).  Accidentally catching prime time tv spoilers on Facebook when the show hasn’t aired here yet. 

Realizing life is short & your time with loved ones is limited, and made sparse by the fact that you do not own a private jet and can’t fly cross-country whenever you want.

Trust me, we knew we’d have tough times when we decided to take on this adventure.  We also knew we’d regret it for the rest of our lives if we didn’t take advantage of this opportunity.

And even during our time of severe penny pinching, we realize that if we need to go home, we can.  Plane tickets aren’t cheap, but how can you put a price on face-time with the people you love?

We know we won’t be here forever.  One day we’d like to actually OWN a home that actually has a YARD.  Neither of those are possibilities for us here in Orange County.  At least not realistically.  Unless we win the lottery or start robbing banks.  (We watched The Town last night.  Seems like an unlikely option.)

We’re going to be fine out here.  I have to keep reminding myself that.  As long as I keep looking out at the sunshine and this beautiful place we call home (for now), I think I can believe it.

And when you get pictures like this from back home … :

thanks, Jennifer :)

… While you’re at Santa Monica Pier enjoying the sunshine, sushi, and ice cream :

 

… It makes it kind of hard to regret any of it.

Yesterday Kate wrote about her friend, Katie, that took a leap of faith to chase her dreams to Nashville in hopes of becoming a singer.  Every single one of Katie’s songs are so heartfelt and resonate with me so deeply I seriously think we might be long-lost soul sisters.

After confessing my love for Chicago Summer Nights on Twitter, Katie replied right away.  Love that, btw.  Social media is pretty awesome.  After a few messages Katie suggested I listen to ’85 Degrees’, a song she wrote for her girlfriends that moved from Chicago to LA.  I mean, I couldn’t have really said it any better myself :

The weather is fine, and the beauty it would blow your mind…

But California’s not what I thought it would be,

Despite the sun always shining on me…

I thought by now my heart would grow

To love this place where it never snows,

Cause you know how the winters made me cry…

Things seem to be the same,

Maybe it’s cause the seasons don’t change…

Home is where the heart is, but I’ll take an extended vacation if it comes with January trips to the beach and outdoor runs year-round…