Nothing Like the Sun

Went on a Road Trip to San Diego with my Son on Sunday, April 4, 2009 and returned last night, April 8th. Overall, the trip was Perfect. 4 Days and 3 Nights of pure fun. The Ocean was as beautiful as ever, the weather was ideal (60-75f, Clear, Rained 1 night). Lots of happy people all around. The Drive was perfect and mello in the newly acquired 1992 Volvo 740 Station Wagon (music via our Ipods). This trip was a dream come true and could have only been made better if Alicia and Miriam were with us.

4-5
We started by heading to Venice Beach for Lunch/Dinner, which proved too crowed to enjoy, so off we went to Jerry Deli in Marina Del Rey. Food and Service was excellent. I had one of the Burgers ( I would give it a nine – not the best in the world but very good). We finished off with a piece of Chocolate Chees Cake – excellent. What can I say, its vacation time, a calories are kind of out the window. We then headed to the Honda Center in Anahiemto watch an NHL  Hockey Game – Ducks versus San Jose Sharks. Excellent game and huge crowd made for an exciting time. Ducks lost 3-2, oh well. We then headed to San Diego, Shelter Island to Car Camp. To Sleep at 10:30. The Volvo was very comfortable for both of us.

Venice Beach Crowds – Wooh!

1992 Volvo – The Ultimate Car Camper For Two

4-6
Up at around 8:00. Headed to Imperial Beach. Ran on Tijuana Estuary for 1 hour 05 minutes. Super nice out. Max has become a really good runner! We then when to a Greek food place on the beach there. Nice. Machaca Omelet for me and Giro for Max. Lots of Water. Then off we went to  UCSD tour. Decent campus, both max and I were impressed with the Size, Closeness to the ocean, Architecture, pretty woman, and the laid back energy. Lots of Bicycles. Really cool library.

Surfers Point, Imperial Beach

UCSD Library

Then we were off to Pacific and Mission Beach for some Bike Riding and Beach lounging. Very relaxing. For dinner, we went to Zocalos in old town. This place is latin gourmet all the way. I had chicken in a awesome pepper sauce, withveggies, Max had a sampler. We had a Caesar Salad, Calamari and Shrimp, Flan, and Coffees. Yes we were stuffed and satisfied through and through. This place rocks. When then went to Horton Plaza (Gas Light District) to watch a Movie (Fast and Furious 3), we both gave it a five. Fairly good action, but really bad acting and writing. Back to Shelter Island to Sleep on the Volvo about 11:00pm.

4-7
Up around 8:00am, yep we are definitely on holiday. Went to Supermarket and picked up breakfast/lunch and picnicked on Mission Beach.

Max at the Zoo

Then to the SD Zoo for the Day.  Nice as ever. Can’t say I’m a big fan of Zoo’s, but they are interesting and Max, the aspiring Vet, always loves anything animals. To Phils BBQ. Had Ribs and Chicken – another excellent, all in, dinner. Damn this place is great! Maybe the best ribs in the world. Yep, we are having fun! Back to Mission Beach for relaxation, biking, reading. Off to the Movies, Horton Plaza, to see Adventureland. Comedy. We rated it a 6. Funny at times, but serious dud time. Still, both movies provided some decent entertainment. We will look deeper for things to do at night on our next trip. Back to, you guessed it, Shelter Island for Sleep.

4-8
Up at 7:00. Rained last night. Really made the sleep deep. Comfortable. Started with some Starbucks coffee (typical each morning – what can I say, taste great and yep, it holiday!). We went to Cardiff beach, enjoyed a nice walk, then off to Dana Point to Bonjours French Cafe for Breakfast. I had Eggs Benedict, Max had Chicken Crapes – this place is excellent! Then continued to UCLA for a tour. Really big campus. Visited Library. BTW, both UC tours we made were on bikes – pleasant way to tour. Students seemed to be more stressed out. Hardly any bicycles. There was a group marching around protesting for pro American Indian Admission quota’s which of course, Max and I are against. Well, off we headed on to Bako, arrived around 4.

UCLA Library (Left)

San Diego Sunrise after a Night of Rain

Trip was especially nice as I was able to be with Max and create those wonderful life long memories I will hold dear when I’m like 100 (OK maybe 95).

Unity Church of Bakersfield

I enjoying going here.  Pleasant, loving, peaceful place.

Lesson was Guided by God

Trust in God – Put god first. To say “thank you God ” is to feel trust.  I am living my faith in every action, every decision I make. Go to god first. Get Direction. Take action.

Clean House – Clean out old beliefs that weaken my trust in god. Let Go. Surrender.

Help Others – Figure out ways to help others. Boy scouts seem an immediate path.

Take responsibility for my own spritual will being and growth. I know the truth.

Live in tune with the spiritual laws thats governs us all, all of creation.

The only power I have is how I use my thoughts and feelings. Freedom to Choice.

God’s will is the outcome.

Went to Buddist Meditation at Unity, basically quite time for 20 Minutes.  I could do this at home. 10 minutes each day and evening, building to 20 minutes. Goal would be to extend time, and have special times for extended mediatations. Was in a room with noises. I really need a quite space to meditate, little distractions. Buddha – Awakening; Dharma – Teaching, Sanga – Being with others.

University Baptist

I like this place. Lots of love and encouragment. Christ teachings. I enjoy Chris’s sermons. Today was about Jonah and his running from god.

1. God is trying to get my attention.

2. What patterns of escape have I allowed to creep into my like?

3. Why do I not simply surrender?

The last week has been filled with activities, lots of love and discussion. It was Easter week, and Maxwell, Miriam, Angeline, and I where taking a break from work and school. So happy to enjoy our time together. Saturday to Wednesday, Max, Miri, and I went to LA and visited La Brea Tar Pits (lots of old bones and tar in Wilshire district LA), the Getty Villa (beautiful setting on Malibu coast, lots of herbs, water, and art), and toured Hollywood Blvd.). Stayed at the Motel 6 near the Airport. We enjoyed ourselves and the weather was awesome.  On the same days, Angeline visited her son Jacob, and friend Jill and others at Santa Rosa to talk and plan for Jacob and Jill’s wedding. Angeline and I then,  Wednesday to Sunday, went to see Wicked at the Pantages in LA, visited her sister (Mary, nice person) in Dana Point (found great french place for breakfast called Bonjour), then to San Diego to talk, sail San Diego Bay (sail was awesome with Angeline and Chris, so much joy – perfect day – blue sky, breeze, great discussion and smiles), ride motorcycle to Julian (riding was OK, would not ride Harley again – rough ride, low performance), run (imperial beach) and yoga (found perfect place to do Yoga on beach), and eat at nice restaurants (smoothies to ribs), visiting her son Chris and friend Hillary (very loving caring people). Stayed at Hillary’s parents (Paul and Cindy) house (nice cottage in back) in Encinitas (view was great – green, lush surroundings).  Angeline and I are enjoying the love we have for each other – she is so easy, fun, and interesting to be with. We all enjoyed ourselves, the weather was perfect. Lots of Love. Living in California, being with those I love so dearly, Living and active life in Joy, God’s presence felt. Wow! Next time, I would like to spend more time taking walks on Beach with Angeline.

At the house. Had a relaxing yest. and evening. finished a spec. at work. Visited Angeline, talking about Easter vacation plans – we have so much in common. Thinking Cambria or San Diego. Picked up Miri from Deana and Phils. I love Miri so much. She is doing well. Looks great. We Watched Lost Season 2, episode. Still figuring out what I should be doing versus what I am. on the tele. The whole Idea of planning is so important to me. Spending time doing what I want. Letting into my life that which brings me joy, letting out that which does not. Time to change habit of my life to joyful. Work and courage seem to be the theme. Have Max this weekend. He’s doing fine. Very well in school. He played Vid’s and I watching tele, while Miri doing exercise/dance vids. All very well, however, I need to assert my thought. All is OK, however, I need Ideal. Take steps to that end. Max is now at paint ball. Getting ready to take miri back to D&P’s. Angeline and I will go for hike. Likely Mill Creek. Also have taxes to prepare with Mike Sharp at 11:00. Just getting on with Journaling, here. This blog is helping me sorting thoughts. God Bless.

Another beautiful day – Sunny, cool, birds singing, Angeline in my life. Completed Engineering Specifications for Flow Back and Steam Injection this am. Took Dog for run in hills around neighborhood. Very enjoyable. I always feel so peaceful after a run. Currently reading Report to Greco and Depth Psychology and the New Ethic. Good mind stuff. To Lunch at Stockdale High, where she teaches English literature, with Angeline. Will have pastrami sandwich, bbq chips, and Caesar salad from Sequoia Sandwich shop. We share. One of Angelines and I favorite. Then to work at Chevron in Bako. Wrap up work for week. Thinking about what I will be writing for my new book.  God bless us all.

Here in Bakersfield, at home. Thinking. Life is beautiful. Looking a birds, cat, fish – all very happy. I feel peaceful. Let in that which serves me, Let out that which does not. Living today joyfully.