The Life of Bon: Beach it up

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Beach it up

Is there anyone in the world who doesn't like to visit California?

Here's the thing about California.  The state is pretty much perfect.  Yes, the traffic is miserable and the economy's got some serious issues but the weather! the beach! the endless sunshine!

I've always been kind of confused by Californians and how weirdly defensive they are of their state.  Have you ever noticed that?  Like they don't want anyone else to enjoy it.  They don't share very well and anytime I tell a born and raised Californian how much I love their state I feel like they get mad at me.  Like I have no right to love their state or I am trying to steal something away from them.  Listen California peeps- your state is gorgeous.  The weather is perfect all year round.  Every time I go there I love it and I want to stay longer.  What do you expect?

My best friend and her family live in California for going on two years now.  She's got three little children and they are pretty much living in paradise.  They go to the beach constantly and spend even our dreaded months of January and February soaking in the sun.  It ain't fair, I tell you!  It ain't fair!

The plan was for Greg and I to go out over my spring break to visit Geoff and Akasha for three or four days.  Then Greg decided to be in a show that is opening this week which means he would be spending eight hours a day in rehearsal.

So I went anyway.  I kind of hate leaving Greg, but I also hate sitting at home with nothing to do on my days off.  I've got itchy feet syndrome.  So a visit to Akasha it was!

Of course, it was almost ruined by the car accident (here) but we recovered well and were able to spend a few awesome days at the beach.  We almost forgot that the accident ever happened! (Except for the pictures where Akasha was on the phone.  There were constant insurance people to talk to and lawyers and yada yada yada.  Accidents are messy and very inconvenient.)  Akasha tried to teach me how to use my camera a little bit, I got terrifically sunburned, and we ate popsicles to our hearts' content!

Akasha might be the easiest person in this world to get along with.  We were best friends in high school and I am starting to suspect that she was one of the few people who could put up with my bossy attitude.  Whatever it was, I consider myself beyond lucky that she decided to be my friend and has continued to be my friend all these years.  I adore her.  

The only person in the world who might be easier to get along with than Akasha is her husband, Geoff.  Together they are seriously the perfect couple- down for anything, totally nice, and never annoyed or frustrated.  Even with the accident, it still felt like a total vacation- three days of stress free living and beach going.  (And with three kids!  Stress free!  I seriously don't know how she does it!)


^^ Getting friendly with an insurance agent.







^^ This was the day I didn't think I needed sunscreen.  Yes, because it's not sunny at all, is it?

^^ Another insurance agent.  Aspen waiting patiently for someone to take her to the bathroom.






^^ Don't we look like a happy little modern family?  Sorry, Geoff, I guess I took your spot.

I guess that means spring break is officially over.  Boo.  Six weeks of work and I'm off for the summer.  Man, this teacher gig is rough!

14 comments:

  1. I think Cali is pretty close to perfection too and that's why I don't ever want to live anywhere else. What Californians are you talking to that gets mad if others love it? I personally only have a problem when people don't!!!! Glad the vacation went on well despite the accident and that everyone is ok.

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  2. glad you had fun in the golden state. I will let you love it and not make you feel bad. Always wear sunscreen even on a cloudy day. So many sunburns!

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  3. So glad to hear you all are okay!

    P.S. Born and raised Californian right here and I would be the first to welcome you any time! :) I always want to share its perfect-ness with anyone and everyone who wants to visit.

    P.P.S. Here's a random side-note (or more like a pet peeve?) that I just feel like throwing out there: some Californians (myself included) cringe when people call it "Cali". It's just weird sounding, you know? Like, people don't go around calling Louisiana "Loui" or Massachusetts "Massa" so why should California have a shortened name? It's probably the only time I get "defensive" in regards to our perfect state ;)

    ...And I used way too many quotation marks.

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  4. Anonymous7:35 AM

    I'm from California and you are more than welcome to love my state, and visit anytime you want! :)

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  5. I have never been to Cali....my husband has a lot of family in Florida...but I am pushing for California next spring!! Looks like a fun trip!

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  6. I've lived in Southern California all my life, and I LOVE it, I'm always glad other people like it. Victoria Talia is right, most Californians don't say Cali. In fact, when I hear it, it's usually tourists. If you want to sound like a local, we say SoCal for the southern part of the state, and NorCal for the northern. If you've never been to NorCal, you should! It's very different in weather and culture than SoCal, but equally awesome. When giant redwood forests meet the sea, it's a beautiful thing.

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  7. I am SO jealous! I've been to California twice, but it's both been for conferences. So basically all I saw was a hotel, a church, and a conference center. For each one I spent one afternoon at the beach - which is NOT enough! One of these days I'll go to California and actually see California.

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  8. Hahaha... So true about Californians!!! :) You look fantastic.

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  9. Anonymous3:00 PM

    ... the comment under the last pic : )

    I'd say I'm jealous but I was actually on the beach yesterday too, we got a nice Easter weather here in Rio. Oh well maybe next time.

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  10. That little girl is way too cute!! I love her.

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  11. For some reason, I just have no interest in visiting California? I think about all the people and the traffic and I just wouldn't want to deal with it. Oh, and I totally thought this said you were going to go to California and then visit ALASKA.

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  12. Sounds like your BFF needs to write a blog on parenting because the gal has 3 kids and looks so relaxed and adorable. The up close pic of you is awesome.

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  13. The beach always looks so inviting if only I didn't like the feel of sand on my body.......................lol
    My mum tells us how when I was only a little baby and they went to the beach I would scream bloody murder if sand got on my body.........lol

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  14. Oh gosh, what I wouldn't give for a day on the beach right about now! Just perfect :)
    xo TJ

    http://www.hislittlelady.com

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