Go Green! Go White!

Don't get me wrong, California weather is very enjoyable. These 100 degree days are exactly what I signed up for. I am also completely aware of what thoughts will soon fill my mind... longing for, pining for that good ole' Michigan fall weather. Cool days wearing hoodies, jeans and tennis shoes followed by crisp evenings. Evenings with no clouds to keep the warmth from the days sun below.

I began my assistantship last week. Though there will be the discomfort of unfamiliarity in my new job, I pray to catch on quickly to the way business is run at the Felix Event Center. During my tour I was brought on the roof, more for fun than for any actual training purpose. A magnificent view of the mountains as well as west campus at APU were achieved. Also, my first up close and personal encounter with a Black Widow spider on one of the many rungs of ladder scaled to actually get atop the building. You can imagine what it felt like up there wearing jeans and shoes, the smell of acres upon acres of burnt forrest in the air, the 105 degree afternoon sun beating down on my shoulders.

I do hope to have time and a few extra dimes to put together (gas money) for a trip north to see some fall colors and experience cooler Cali weather.

While out with Emily this weekend we ran into a women at the Old Navy outlet. "I'm looking for a small T-shirt with green and white," she remarked. My response, "Go Spartans!" "How did you know," she asked? Turns out this woman was a Michigan native as well, planning her trip to a favorite place you may know, Ingham County/East Lansing. How exciting to meet a Spartan fan so far away from home, one who was planning a trip to none other than the MSU vs. Uof M game to be held at Spartan Stadium this fall. I must admit, though I've only been here for a few weeks I was jealous of her trip to Michigan. Michigan during fall, Michigan during College football season, Michigan during the MSU vs. Uof M game....MSU TAILGATING!! Lucky. Have fun my Michigan friend, enough for me to live vicariously through you!

Rambles

Well, it smells like the biggest bonfire your nostrils have ever encountered outside. Smoke is drifting in for the night and hopefully will clear out by morning. I have to be to campus by 8am for work. It has been entirely too long since I've had to be up that early. Fortunately, God has given me an ample supply of coffee. If any of you have a spare Thermos... you should send it my way and give me the luxury of good coffee at work!

At this point I am not sure what I will actually be doing. I have a description of what my job theoretically entails. As Jimmy Cliff says, "Time will tell". It truly will. My mind is plagued with worry; I'm smarter than that though. Worrying will not get me anywhere, so why do I waste my time? I guess it's wired in my DNA...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all.

Sometimes when I write online I feel like it needs to be a masterpiece of my thoughts put together in a precisely and perfectly thought out paragraph... screw that! It's called a blog. To me that word = rambling ideas, dreams, thoughts, adventures, etc. and so on and so forth. I will attempt to keep my thoughts in a nice and easy to read format with some sort of cohesive line of purpose. Though keep in mind I'm not guaranteeing anything.

Love,

Christian

I live in California (amendment)

I spoke too soon. All I see out my window now is billowing smoke and aircraft after aircraft dropping water just over the NE crest of the foothills I live below. I'll keep you updated.

I live in California

Like a crop dusting plane swooping above the fields, these past two weeks have passed with amazing speed. Tomorrow will mark the second week of my life as a Californian and so far my time has felt more like a vacation than anything else. This week will change all of that.

Thursday, August 27th, I begin my Graduate Assistantship to the Felix Event Center Managers. I am charged and ready to begin these tasks and end my "vacation" days.

This also means classes will begin soon (Sept.

8th). After a three year hiatus from the college

scene I am ready to return to academia. Wish me luck! Fortunately, there are still days to be filled with fun and adventure before the full tilt of school and work begin.

Last weekend Emily and I went to Santa Monica, CA to check out the scene.

What an amazing city. So beautiful and unique, from the topography to the local citizens.

Along with the riptide, we also met a few students from my cohort.

From what I can tell this is going to be a great program with many different and interesting people. I'm excited to share my thoughts and learn from fellow classmates as well.

After getting our fair share of Vitamin D, we headed inland to the 3rd Street Promenade. My Dad and I had come to Santa Monica a few weeks earlier for the ocean and some dinner on the Promenade. Though we did not explore just how far this interesting street full of shops and culinary delights spans (many more blocks than we actually walked). Along with the familiar brand stores, Emily pointed out a few shops that hail from Spain (this excited her shopping bug). We'll have to go back sometime to actually search these shops...I wasn't feeling the shopping on Saturday ;)

It's been quite hazy as of late. Though yesterday the vail was finally drawn back and my morning coffee has gained a friend... the foothills of San Gabriel Mountains. It's hard for me to not feel sad that these land masses never see snow. I know, what a silly thought. They just scream with potential for a great mountain to shred on (maybe I will become a better snowboarder). The good news is these are "hills" compared to some of their snow-capped friends just a short drive to the North. But that's another adventure, another blog, another day... maybe by then I'll actually have a camera to document more of what I see on a daily basis. Until then, take care!

Thank you Sweden!

Do you love Dala horses? Skörpa? Meatballs? Even if you don't particularly fancy any of these, you must recognize the lovely country of Sweden for another great gift they've given the world. There is no sense in beating around the bush, I am of course speaking of Ikea! How could you NOT love this place? I've been to my fair share of Ikeas, possibly and probably more than most. I can now say I've been to 3 equally wonderful locations: Canton, MI - Covina, CA - (and my favorite) Kållered, Sweden. Notice how the Swedish Ikea looks just the same as those you've come to know and love here in the States...no frills, just the same maze of ever changing

products to be enjoyed by ALL.

I love their business idea:

"At IKEA our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them."

If you've been to Ikea you can attest to the reality of this idea implemented in each store. I was so extremely excited to find an Ikea store only 15 minutes away from my new, UNfurnished apartment. I spent $100 less than I had on the last bed I purchased 2 years ago and was able to furnish my bedroom. AMAZING! The prices are so reasonable that you get both form AND function. Thank you Sweden, thank you Ikea!