You Know You’re at the Airport Early When Starbucks Isn’t Even Open Yet

I promised a post from San Diego and this is me delivering that promise…from the airport on my way home! This was such a whirlwind of a weekend, which I knew it would be. As I leave sunny, warm California for grey, cold, snowy midwest I’m reflecting on the following observations I made this weekend:

1.     Cabs are EXPENSIVE. I’m pretty sure I spent more money on 4 cab rides (lasting no more than 10 minutes each) than I did on dinner Friday night, breakfast Saturday morning, and dinner Saturday night combined. And each of the meals cost at least $10. Also, not one of my cab drivers was a native born American. I have no intentions of stereotyping or being racist, but I couldn’t help but notice this. With the unemployment rate so high, why aren’t more people cab drivers? Considering how much money I paid for my rides, I’m sure you could make a decent living driving cabs. I should tell my unemployed clients to look into it…actually, never mind. Most of them don’t have drivers’ licenses.

2.     The sky was so blue and the sun so bright. I felt like I was in a Pirates of the Carribbean movie.

3.     Even though I was by myself, I noticed that I didn’t feel lonely. I felt like I had more time than I would have had I been with someone else. I was able to do what I wanted, go where I wanted, when I wanted. And I saw a lot in a short amount of time. And I had no plans. Yesterday I was at Balboa Park, literally about to call a cab, when I noticed a trolley loading for a free ride around the park. The park is 1200 acres (bigger than Central Park) so there was no way I would be able to walk all the way around. So I closed my phone and jumped on the trolley. Totally worth it.

4.     On a similar note, I ate a late lunch/early dinner at a nice, delicious seafood restaurant right on the bay. My first time eating in a restaurant all by myself! It was interesting because I was surrounded by couples and I noticed several people on their phones or Blackberries surfing the internet and talking every once in awhile to their significant others. Made me wonder: am I anymore by myself than any of these people?

So it was a great trip. Except for a small period of time walking home from the restaurant last night (when I realized I really didn’t know where I was and ended up in a rental car parking lot near the airport waiting for a cab), I was happy by myself. Actually, I didn’t really notice I was by myself. I was too enthralled in the beauty around me. My prayer is that I take this home with me. That, although outside is grey, cold, and snowy, I am enthralled with the beauty and glory of God around me. Whether that be in my relationships, my job, my family, etc. I want to be so engrossed in the Lord that, while I’m aware of myself and who I am, I am okay by myself. I need community, absolutely, but I’m not always going to be surrounded by community. At the end of the day, it’s me. Me and God.

Getting off the plane on Friday, I literally had to contain my excitement, until I got to my room, where I jumped up and down and squealed in delight. I definitely googled ‘counseling jobs in San Diego’ Friday night. Just doing a little bit of dreaming. I’ve always said I could never live in a place that didn’t have seasons or snow. But I think I could get used to it…we’ll see, who knows. I have no plans. 

J