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So how did a Kansan like me end up in So. Cal.? My decision to move to San Diego came as quite a shock to a lot
of people, including myself.
While in college I talked about going to Chicago or Kansas City. When it came close to graduation, I started thinking
toward graduate school. During my application process, I came to the realization that I really wanted to give the "real
world" a shot and not hide behind school anymore. My parents were, as always, very supportive of this change.
I know, I know, get on with it. So, shortly after deciding to not go to grad school, my friend Amanda Lammert and
I went to Village Inn. (For anyone unfamiliar with the V.I., it was a cheap, slow, slow, slow, little restaraunt open
late, so frequented regarless of the service.) I was kicking around the idea of going to KC, when she boldly said "Why
don't you just go to California. Don't take a small step to KC, just take a giant leap." This is when we decided
to do it together. Move across the country. I was so excited. The weird thing, I really never cared to live
in CA. But her suggestion just felt right.
My parents suprisingly took the news well, but they probably thought it wouldn't happen, just like grad school.
Well, as a month or so past, Amanda realized that the timming for the big move wouldn't be right for her. But I still
planned on going, I don't know why, but I did. That's when my college mate Kristen Mengelkoch, decided
to go to San Diego State University. I had planned on going to Los Angeles, but she suggested I go to SD with her.
Then we convinced my dear friend Vanessa Dragoo to go to SDSU as well.
And so it was. I lived at home in Lawrence for the summer after graduation, then met the two of them in sunny San
Diego.
Vanessa and I grew very close very quickly. She now feels like a sister to me. We had a blast together, hiking,
exploring beachs, collection so many shells and rocks we ran out of room to keep them. Of course all this happened after
Vanessa bought a car. My vehicle purchase happend about a month after hers. Untill we had transportation, we felt
trapped in a city with opportunity, but no way to get to it. But once we were mobile...look out!
Second phase of San Diego
When the lease ran out on the apartment, Kristen moved in with a classmate from SDSU, Vanessa moved to Texas (I thought
I would die when she left, she's the best!), and I moved to another apartment at which Larry would join me.
We have lived here for over a year now. I like it so much better than the last apartment. However, we both
are ready to move on from apartment living. But it suits us for the time being. The apartments are all set around
a courtyard that is beautifully landscaped. I felt like I was living in a jungle when I moved in.
We live about 10 min. from the beach, 5 min. from downtown, Balboa Park, the zoo. We are a block from the freeway,
so travel is pretty easy. We are just above the canyon from where Larry works (a resaraunt/arcade called Dave &
Busters), and about 10 min from my work.
It's a cool area of SD, called Normal Heights. We live off Adams Ave, which is called Antique Row. The streets
are lined with antique stores, and cool used bookstores. There are three street festivals on Adams, the best one is
in September. We can just walk across the freeway overpass to concerts, food, vendors, and just plain ol' fun.
A block away we frequent a diner called Antique Row Cafe. It truely rocks.
I love living here. I am glad I went with a crazy impulse to come to basically, paradise. Everyday I am blown
away at the shear beauty that surrounds me.
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| another glorious sunset at the cliffs |
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sitting on the edge of a cliff at sunset
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sunset cliffs
This is one of my favorite spots in San Diego. At Ocean Beach there
is a place calls Sunset Cliffs. After driving by million dollar homes, you reach a cliff with the most beaufiful view
of the ocean, a favorite spot for surfers at sunset.
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