Same Old, Same Old!!

Days 2 & 3

September 30^th & October 1, 2011

My first two days in San Diego have been full of the same old things I used to do…and I LOVE it! I’m staying with one of my best friends in the world, Lulu, and her family and could not have asked for better hosts. The night I arrived, she met me at the train station with two kids excited to see their “auntie dani.” (Train ride was uneventful and comfortable by the way)

I got to spend all day Friday with just me and the kiddos (plus 2 cousins) and we filled our day with walking the dog, playing foursquare, making mud soup, swimming at the pool, and chasing the escape artist dog around the neighborhood about 3 times. It was a blast!

At night, we went to the Farmer’s Market in my old neighborhood and tried lots of FRESH food—oh how I miss the food here! Amongst things I did NOT try was live sea urchin! On the way home, we hit my favorite gelato ice cream place (it was even better than I had remembered it) and got the kids some Halloween costumes. At home, the kiddos watched some tv while Lulu and I caught up on some much needed gossip, wine tasting, and farmer’s market goodies—it was a perfect night!

The next day, I woke up to a snuggly little girl in my bed : ) so after some good snuggle time, we got up and I set out for a run. Both I, and my legs, forgot how hilly it is here! Then, it was time to take the kids off to a class while Lulu and I ate breakfast on the beach and had a nice morning walk on the sand. What better way to start the day?!

After picking up the kids, packed up and headed to my favorite beach (technically bay) spot and spent the afternoon with friends and family on a perfect San Diego picnic on the beach day (all of them are, really). Luckily, the stingrays were sleeping, as it was daytime, so the kids could play in the water : )

The next stop was Temecula (wine country) to stay with another friend and we hit my favorite pizza place on the way. We spent the night playing board games with the kiddos and catching up with old friends. Fun times!!

It’s amazing how I could be away from a place for so long and yet feel so at home the second I see it from the plane. This place just fits me—everything about it screams me—the weather, the outdoor lifestyle, the people, the culture, speaking Spanish everywhere (missed that!), my FANTASTIC friends, the food, EVERYTHING! I love the sense of calm and peace it brings me to be here and it was the perfect first catalyst of a stop for the rest of my journey. Thanks, San Diego!