California, in my opinion, is the most magical place. It's my home, my escape and my favorite adventure. There's just something about it's charm that you can't find anywhere else. The word "golden" has so much impact on me...it's the motto of my favorite state, it's a warm, happy feeling when you see it and it's my grandmothers maiden name. It was meant for me.
I was born in West Hills, CA where I spent most of my younger childhood years. I grew up in Oxnard which is about 60 ish miles north of LA. My first home in California, I remember, was in walking distance from the beach. I went to the beach with my parents all the time. It was literally our second home.
When my sister came along we had to move to a bigger place more inland of Oxnard. I loved it. I thought we had the best life ever. I made so many friends in my apartment complex and lived close to my grandma, which was a huge deal for me.
I think my love for California became really big when my dad told us we had to move to Utah for a job opportunity. I had family in both California and Utah at the time so I was always visiting, but I never liked it. I remember asking why and saying "I don't want to". But when you're nine, you don't have a choice. I was not happy about it, even back then I knew how lucky I was to live in such a wonderful place.
Ever since then, I always told myself and everyone I was going to go back to California. I never wanted to stay in Utah...even from the beginning. I spent 14 years in Utah before I finally made my own move back to California.
When I'm in California, I feel physical happiness. I feel like I'm living my best life. It might sound crazy, but this is ultimate my happy place. In May of 2014 I finally made the move back and it was everything I thought it would be. My cousin and I got an apartment in Encino in The Valley and it was perfect! I was right off Ventura Boulevard and right in the middle of everything. My first couple weeks I was like whoa, this state is like another world haha! It's so different from any other state I've lived in, but that's what makes it so charming! I instantly fell in love with it all over again.
Los Angeles is by far my favorite city. It's amazing and exciting! I try to do something new in LA whenever I'm in town. I have a list of places to visit that I'm hoping to get done in 2019! For some reason nothing really bothered me even though it was so chaotic. The traffic never pissed me off, the prices never upset me. I was just happy. I definitely think I'm smitten by this place. The absolute beauty of it brings me SO much joy.
I got a job at a little beer pub in Sherman Oaks that was so much fun! I made friends with celebrities and got to drink fun California beer all the time. I honestly had entirely too much fun living in Los Angeles. Then Rob came along and it got even better! We lived together in The Valley for about a year...then we moved to Utah and thus began a whole stupid cycle of moving haha. (Someone slap me if I EVER mention moving again).
I became obsessed with the lifestyle of Californians. I love the laid back vibe it brings and the people, in my opinion, are actually very nice. You always hear about busy cities being miserable. I think it's something that you need to be okay with and adapt to. California is anything but miserable. I will admit its tough. It has definitely tested me a couple times. But it's nothing I can't get over!
California will ALWAYS be my home. It holds a very special place in my heart. It has everything I need. Even though Rob and I don't have any family out there now, we have amazing friends and each other and we have so much fun with that! There is always something to do, new places to explore. Regardless of the unaffordable housing and the hours it takes to get somewhere, I would rather pay more for a palm tree outside my window and spend all day in traffic just to see the coast. We are working to get back to LA and I will never leave again, I've made one too many mistakes and dammit, I've learned my lesson!
Life takes you different ways all the time. That doesn't mean you have to always follow that path. If your heart is set on something, do it. Even if you move 5 times and shake your head at your own decisions. Life is too short to beat yourself up. Real happiness is hard to find...so once you have it, don't let go.
C A L I F O R N I A, here we come.
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