Thinking Allowed: Seeing Stars

I have reached the point in my life where I experience culture shock coming to the place I grew up. Slowly, in an unnoticeable way, though I have unfortunately stopped growing physically, I have grown in other ways. This is a subtle change. Coming to California is like returning to see a long lost aunt who keeps pinching my cheeks and calling out to me "but look how much you’ve grown and changed!"

My first few days in Los angeles I was shocked by the noise, by the numerous strangers who start conversations with me, by the portion sizes in restaurants and life, by the role of movies and TV in California life, by the obvious jewishness everywhere, by the prevalence and ease of being a vegetarian, by the cars - the multitude of them all inching forward together in ire, by the passengers in the cars throwing garbage out the windows (I honestly naively thought that was a thing of the past), by the loud conversations in public places, and by the general grandioseness of life here. I miss the muted enthusiasm, attention to small pleasures and beauty and the silence of Japan. And I miss all the rules and efficiency. When did I become such a rule and efficiency loving person? Who would I be if I had never left the United States?

But then nostalgia set in and as the noise equalized in my head it was easy to see that California is loads of fun. Hiking in the hills here sends my neurons leaping about making aromatic connections they haven't felt in awhile. Watching a crew set up a movie primiere made us all wonder what had happened to common sense, but, it was also a little endearing and impressive. I feel an odd sort of envy and kinship with the strong men on muscle beach. Even if the UCLA gymnastics competition was so over the top I was worried I might have a seizure or panic attack I was impressed by the skill and the endless enthusiasm of both the gymnasts and the crowds. The libraries here are full of English books which feels like Christmas. The magnolias are blooming and the grass is photoshopped green. The kids are overjoyed to be loved by family. It is so warm and sunny Tova insisted I was lying when I called it winter. We eat berries by the handful for breakfast and sometimes for dinner. Thanks California. We will skip along hand in hand under your glittery glow for the next few weeks.