cali ain't so bad

Now that I've shared the things I'll be missing in Texas, I figured I need to share what I'm looking forward to in Cali. It's only fair.

10. Trader Joes - The Joe's was something I took for granted while living in Cali and learned to really miss when I didn't have it accessible to me right down the street. And now that I have spent the last few years being brainwashed that eating anything that you can't pick off a bush/tree, uproot from the ground, or collect seeds from has the capability of impacting your salvation, I think I'm now in a place to appreciate The Joes THAT much more!
**After writing this, it was brought to my knowledge that Trader Joe's will be coming to Austin. Of course it would.


9. H&M - Superficial? Yes. Dallas has the closest H&M to Austin...3 hours away. I heart me some H&M, but not enough to drive 3 hours. For In N Out and Del Taco, of course, but not for clothes. And you can't order online in the US. What's up with that???

8. Weather - Hands down, Southern California has the best weather anyone could ask for. I enjoy the sun on my skin, a warm breeze, and the occassional heat wave...but having survived a record breaking heat wave of triple digit temperatures for 90 days straight PLUS also tying the record for hottest day ever at 112 degrees, I think I have got my fill of toastie days. Granted, now in my mind a "toastie day" is any day with temps above 100. Cali does well in abiding by my rule that when the sun is not out then temperatures need to be below 80.

7. House vs. Apt - First off, let me state that living in an apartment with the BFF and other amazing roomies the last few years has been such a FUN adventure. It was a place of abundant laughter, crazy stories, and deep convo's. Loved it! But, living back in a house...for free...with a pool and jacuzzi...not gonna lie, I will thoroughly enjoy it. No upstairs neighbors throwing furniture or partaking in midnight luging. No downstairs neighbors complaining about the racket upstairs that time when we dedicated ourselves to Jillian's 6 Week Abs. What's a girl gotta do to get rock hard abs?? Which still have yet to show themselves.

6. Food - As you may recall, this is one of my favorite hobbies. So of course it would be my reason to move anywhere. In N Out, Del Taco, Todai...I plan on hitting all those up within the first 5 hours of my entry into the state.

5. Beach - This was also another one that I took advantage of my accessibility to. I didn't think I would really miss the beach when I moved to Texas. Until I visited a Texas beach. Double ew. I suddenly missed youth group bonfires cooking hot dogs and smores, Ruby's on the peer, and sunsets in the ocean. Newport, Huntington, Balboa, I'm comin' for ya.

4. Japanese Stores - In Austin there is one Japanese store that is about two-thirds the size of my cat's litterbox. It's a precious little thing and definitely held the essentials of Japanese living, but it just didn't comletely fulfill all of this half Asian's Japanese needs. Having Marukai, Mitsuwa, and several other smaller Japanese stores within a 20 mile radius back home is just every half Japanese-American's dream.

3. Mama's Cooking - I know everyone thinks their mom is the best cook, but my mom really is. :) Her Japanese dishes are mouth-watering and requested by many for different events. She cooks with precision, purpose, and doesn't waste ANY bit of food. I'll probably exceed the weight limit of the 747 heading to Japan come fall, but it's all good.

2. Friends - Most of my closest girl friends have decided to migrate across the nation and world, but there are still a couple in Cali that I am ecstatic to spend time with for a few months. These girls provide a sisterhood you just can't find anywhere else. And though we are each in several different locations across the globe, our bond is closer now than ever.

1. Family - It's been a LONG time since I lived at home with both my parents, but I'm pretty excited about it. I love my mom and pop. They exhibit the appropriate amount of quirky, nutty-ness, compassion, love, fun, and generosity. My dad's fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants and adventurous spirit is balanced by my mother's practicality and level-headedness. I can't be more grateful for it. I have a few cousins who are like siblings to me that I can't wait to spend time with as well. My family can be a circus sometimes, but never without love mixed in it!