Oh, California.

After living in the great state of California for a number of years at this point, I have to fully admit that it has changed my Midwestern roots, more than even I like to admit. I now sit amidst my family on holidays, cringing when everyone says words like “Chicaaaaago” and “oh my gaaaaaaaaad” (although, my dear friend Clark has the most adorably THICK Chicago accent, that without it, she wouldn’t be the same). Anyway, as I embark upon a new personal challenge that starts tomorrow, I am reflecting a bit about just how much my mindset has changed over the past few years.

Thanks to Tina for capturing this LOVELY image.

     1.    The definition of “cold”.

February 5th, it was 75 degrees. At our friends’ Super Bowl party I was wearing shorts and a tank top. My Canadian hates when I tell him such things. He also hates when I complain about the “freezing cold mornings” that I endure at the bus stop en route to work. It's 40 degrees when I complain.

     2.    The new mission that begins tomorrow.

So, call me crazy, call me insane, and then call my friend Walker and ask her how the hell she got me to agree to this. As of tomorrow, I’m embarking upon the 21-Day Quantum Wellness Cleanse. Even as I type it, I can hear my adoring mother yelling over the phone, “A cleanse?!? We have GOT to get you out of CA!!!” (True story). I have very mixed feelings about this, I’m excited to feel the “clean” results, I’m scared to be without my beloved diet coke (and yes, WINE) and I’m nervous I won’t be able to hold out from eating steak or chicken for that long…BUT, I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it (I'll just keep telling myself that...)!!

3.    Prices.

This seems obvious, but it still blows my mind for some odd reason. Last weekend, I was literally jumping for joy when I saw ground turkey was on sale for $4.50. Now, my Canadian will (lovingly, of course) tell you this is because I love “sniffing out” a great deal; however, it’s also because it’s slightly close to the price of my trusty Woodman’s market back home where ground turkey is $2.50. Yes, I'm officially my mother. *sigh* I suppose the price of any type of meat won’t matter to me for the next 21 days…

I think that’s all for now. Little differences still astound me, but what’s the most interesting NON-difference between here and there is the fact that I have made incredible friends both near and far. Simply proving, it doesn’t matter where you are…good people are simply that.

xoxo