California hasn't left me nostalgic. No big deal I suppose but it is a beautiful state where I was born and raised and I sort of wished it could stir up more emotion and heart. I think it was just too much coming from our quiet bush capital. Too much pollution, too much consumerism, too many ads, too much traffic, too much fire, too much bad politics, too much grime, too much road rage and life rage. Being in the US brought out the stern parent in me. I wanted to just grab the country by the ear (note I never have and would never do this to my own children) and talk some sense. In the land of the free I felt smothered. What is wrong with curbing personal freedom? Lets limit rights to advertise, rights to bear arms, rights to buying a fifth bag of chips, rights to honk unnecessarily. Maybe complete freedom isn't always in our best interests. Or maybe I am getting old.
Nostalgia aside we had a really great time. My children bonded with their cousins which was so nice to see. Tova can proudly say no in yet another language, though it doesn't seem to have the same impact now that she is back with Australian children. We got to spend time with so many amazing people we see too little of, we spent time at beaches on the other side of the pacific, learned about the dangers of tar pits, got a healthy dose of Summer and swimming pools, had cold juices after hot hikes, led cultured urban life in museums and at plays and readings, ate lots of frozen treats and burritos, and rather enjoyed the break from our normal busy lives.
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| Smog looks more attractive in black and white |
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| Conquering the knoll |
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| The picture doesn't do a good job showing how hot it was |
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| If only schoolwork were always like this |
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| Visiting an old friend - retired spaceships do make for great friends |
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| Jet power |
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