Things I'll miss about SLO #7

Wandering through downtown. In the mornings the streets are quiet, the sun is low, and the sidewalks have yet to be filled with college students and visitors. You can stroll past the mission and down by the creek, and then over to one of the million coffee shops that live here. 

Now for something I will NOT miss:

Bubblegum Alley. Gross.

The trolley

The other day, on a whim, we pretended we were tourists and rode the trolley to downtown. You can see the excitement on our faces. 

Things I'll miss about SLO #6

Pepe Delgado's nachos and margaritas. Ryan and Jenny introduced us to this place, and since then we've brought friend after friend. You can get a huge plate of amazing nachos for 2 people for $10. Can't beat that.

David's idea of packing

Things I'll miss about SLO #5

Hot wings and beer at Spikes. 

Nate tried the buffalo balls. Melissa was disgusted.

Leaving San Luis Obispo

I feel things deeply. I try to embrace the emotion of life because without it- the emotion- events pass without being fully experienced. So, though I am good at change, and my soul needs change, I am unable to let it happen without nostalgia and tears.

There was the time my family dropped me off at college. We unloaded my things, had lunch and laughed relaxedly, but all the while I felt the gravity of the situation. I was on my own. I was excited, I was scared, I didn't know what to do about all of the cute boys everywhere, and I was irrationally afraid of being unable to make friends and having to eat dinner alone. When it was time for my family to leave I said goodbye and gave long hugs. The minute they walked out of my dorm room I turned, laid down on my new bed, and cried with my head in my pillow. I heard a knock on the door, and hurriedly I wiped the tears away. It was my dad, returning to hand me a stuffed animal I had forgotten. I smiled and pretended I was fine, but it seemed he knew I'd been crying. I remember the look on his face, and my longing to follow him down the stairs and into the car. Though I was beyond excited for college and the new experiences it would bring, a part of me needed to mourn the life that had passed.

I have been here for 6 years, a quarter of my life, and many of my most meaningful experiences are connected to San Luis Obispo. It was here that I made life-long friends, realized my gifts and interests, held my first job, met my husband and was married in the sand. And though I am looking toward the future with big, happy eyes, I cannot leave this place without feeling sad about what I am leaving behind. So when people ask, "How are you feeling? Are you excited or are you sad?" The answer is, "Yes." And I am about due for a good, long cry.

My dad

My dad is the most generous, supportive person I know. Growing up I wanted to be just like him, going so far as to choose the same favorite color and number, like the same sports, and take pride in our similar handwriting. Through every dream- from wanting to be a marine biologist to a sportscaster to an international development worker- he has stood by me and encouraged me along my path. He never questioned my goals or the way I was shaping my life, and instead said he was proud of who I was becoming. I am so thankful for this love.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you. 

$3 massages

(Super cool Lao massage outfits.)

Yesterday I got a massage, and it made me long to be back in Lao where the massages are $3 and you can get one everyday. I think I would be a different person- a much happier, more peaceful person.

The boy who gave me the massage is a student at the youth group, and he giggled when I told him David had been there the week before. In Chinese he asked his parents if they remembered a tall blond guy coming in, and they laughed and his dad held up his hands about 2 feet apart in reference to David's big feet. Then the boy said something surprising: "David is so loud and talks so much, and you are so quiet. How, what... how is it like to talk to each other?" So quiet, huh? Then it was my turn to giggle, and I assured him it worked out fine.

Things I'll miss about SLO #4

Ladies Bible study. For the past 4 years this group of girls has been a source of encouragement to me. Though the members have sometimes changed, the group has stayed the same. We have lived life together, praying for each other and sharing in each other's excitement and pain. Through them, I was introduced to 2 amazing books: Ragamuffin Gospel and Gift from the Sea. From boiling water spilling on my crotch (a story for another day...) to clothes exchanges to red wine exploding all over Kerry's new white walls, we share some of my fondest/most painful memories. I will miss you girls. I'm thankful for you.

Anna Joy

The lovely Anna Joy graduated yesterday. I've never known someone so deserving of her middle name. In 6 years she finished her degree, lived in Kenya, traveled to India, and completed her teaching credential. She has just one quarter of student teaching left, and then she'll be ready to go back to Kenya or wherever else to train and encourage primary school teachers. What a way to use your gifts and schooling to serve others. To celebrate, we had a Greek potluck at the park and took turns toasting to Anna. 

We are so proud of you! 

The "summer of Lindsay"

It's hard to believe it has been 2 years since we graduated college. One month later we were married on the beach. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the excitement of that time- the "summer of Lindsay" as my family called it. The planning, the uncertainty, the dreams. Then other times I remember how the uncertainty felt like it would make me crazy, and I was anxious for time to pass and for life to become normal.

Life has different seasons, and I'm learning to embrace them.

Last day of work

I made it through 2 years! For someone with full-time work and cubicle issues, this was an accomplishment. Really, for a while I thought I was allergic to my cubicle. To celebrate my big day, we had dinner at Buona Tavola, candy from Ralphs, and watched the Secret Garden movie (or part of it, because I fell asleep before 9). I also got a text message all the way from Uganda saying congratulations on my last day. I felt very special.

Birthday girl

Sisters! Happy (belated) birthday to my wildest and craziest sister, Leslie! We love you and your zest for life. And your sheepdog, Dixie. Oh, and Scott too. You guys are great.

(Notice Jen's creepy eye. My family loves the sly eye sneak.)

If it seems like I'm always saying happy birthday to a sister, it's because I am. I have a lot of them.

Things I'll miss about SLO #3

My coworkers. I have been incredibly blessed to work with such intelligent, talented, considerate people. They are amazing. For the past 2 years they have ignored the fact that I'm the youngest in the office and they treat me like I'm smart and funny. I can't believe I'm leaving them.

There are many memories I hold dear: Sada sneaking animals into the office (Penny the lamb and Perry the hamster), traveling to Lao with Janet, complaining about Dave not bringing donuts on Monday mornings, throwing objects over the cubicle walls, department "meetings" at the Cliffs, the constant giggles coming from Carrie and me while we chat through gmail, Stapler Mystery 2009. I love you people. You're all crazy, but I love you.

Big Sur

This place is a treasure. I can't believe I grew up in California but didn't go here until I was 23. In just 6 hours we explored sandy bluffs, witnessed the fighting of huge elephant seals, watched kite boarders lifted into the air, searched for zebras near Hearst Castle, drove past monasteries and hot springs, and danced in the abandoned fields. Not a bad day. I will miss you, California. I hope I can come back to you some day soon.