Eruptions.

In some ways I feel like I'm living the dorm life with 3 males in the apartment currently, lol:) We love having Andrew here and I personally am so grateful. The summer is a bit stagnant because we can do the same things year round, so having his friend here helps the time pass.

Over the course of a few weeks Chynna has gotten to talk with a variety of people at her job. It seems there is a common thread from all who have opened up to her..... "the people are different here." They are welcoming but not "friendly." Whether you're in SoCal one year or 17, the feelings are the same......

It is a very lonely place to live and perhaps why there is so much emphasis on "being the best." It's almost unheard for a kid my son's age to have a summer job because of all the activities they are a part of. It is common place to take lessons, be trained and/or go to summer school for self improvement and pay exorbitant amounts of money to do so. This is "livin the dream....."

While shopping at Target in Manhattan Beach, I noticed they don't use plastic bags anymore, only paper. When I asked why, the cashier went into a dissertation of her disgust with decisions being made. Taking a plastic bag on the beach can now render you a fine. When I said I'm from the East Coast and this sounds pretty typical of the West, she said, "it is. Welcome to California."

My trip back to the East Coast brought a lot into focus for me. At Christmas 2013, my goal was to spend time with family. This time, it was about the future and where we are heading. I now know anything is possible and time has once again accelerated.

Life is erupting much like the geyser at UCLA today. Giving you a window into the west......