Heading into winter

This year, winter has meant sunny 70 degrees on the beach, open-toed shoes when going out at night, and the need for a cold frappacino rather than a hot coffee. Beginning tomorrow, I’ll be getting a taste of the winter I grew up knowing 22 years before moving to California. I sit in the Monterey, CA airport waiting to board my first of 3 planes that will eventually land me in the winterwonderland state of Maine. “I’ll see you in Portland” I said while blowing a kiss to my snowboard and gear as it passed under those rubber drapes, like the kind in a car wash.

LAX

After a 5 and a half flight from Washington D.C. To Los Angeles, I feel good about being back in California. I turn my iPhone on a recieve 2 e-mails. One regarding a going away party this Saturday and another about an apartment available back in Worcester. Totally bittersweet.

The plane ride was nice. I watched the cute, loveable dog movie Marley and Me, started reading Heroin Diaries, and drank coffee and cranberry juice.

I’ll be back soon

Mom brought me into Portland this morning for my flight back to California. We met up with Dad at Starbucks and said our gooodbyes.

The hardest part about leaving this time is not looking forward to the adios’ I’ll have to make this week out West.

Mothers Day

The reason I chose this week to come home was to spend Mothers Day with the greatest woman I know. Mom, Dad, and I spent the afternoon browsing through antique stores, buying fresh vegetables and flowers from nurserys, and ate seafood at The Clambake at Pine Point, ME.

I went for a run on the road my parent’s house is on and hung out with some animals.

Kristas

Mom and Dad brought Adam and I to dinner at Kristas in Cornish, ME. The restaurant has old rustic hardwood floors, beautiful country décor, and we sat outside on a screened in porch listening to the brook rushing by below. We ate the best New England food I’ve ever tasted. Mussels sauted in a Thai sauce, Tuscan quasadillas, and I had a scallop and shrimp pesto rissotto. Pretty amazing.

I also got to see and hear my first thunderstorm in 2 years.

Tree

Adam and I woke up hung over. Even though we couldn’t see straight and our legs were like jello, we climbed a tree and looked out over the city.

Portland

Adam and I made our way to Portland to meet up with Brandon. We watched the Celtics lose, drank lots and lots of beer, and crashed at Brandon’s way rad apartment that has bicycle and photo gear everywhere. Such a fun night.

Cheesecake

I baked a reese cheesecake. Adam made the Oreo crust, it was the best part.

Sunrise and mountains

I woke up to a sunrise. Dad, Adam, and I drove into the White Mountains and hiked across brooks, up a small mountain, through beech trees and came across snow and a mica mine! Beautiful.

The telling

I had kept it from them long enough.

“I’m moving back to New England!”

They were stoked, and totally thought it was a joke. We drank wine and went out for dinner. I love my cousin Leah (in picture) and can’t wait to hang out with her more once I’m back.

Hiking and barbecue

Adam and I hiked the Quabbin resovoir then grilled. Veggie burgers after a long walk are pretty much the best.