California '06 - Part 2

..a continuation of the memoir I started, I leave off when i arrived in LA.

RAINY LA

I got in touch with D when and we met at a coffee and tea cafe. It was pouring down rain (though it was February). He ran from his apartment and was soaked. We laughed about it and then he led me through how to deal with the traffic and parking to get turned around and go see his apartment. We walked up the steps to see some of his friends carrying furniture out. He said, "oh, i didn't tell you... we're moving." I knew I'd picked a fine time to see him then. Nevertheless, he showed me where he was living (in transition), and then got on the phone to find a place for me to stay. His girlfriend was gracious enough to take me in for a couple nights before i headed north. I was excited to meet her.
So We hung out at his apartment for a little while and talked with his roommate about ipods and music we like, pop culture, etc. Then we got hungry and headed over to Chicken and Waffles. It's a popular chain in LA and I guess there's a movie about it. I hadn't heard about it but reveled as I took a bite of chicken and then dipped the next piece into maple syrup that had run over from my waffle. Good conversation, good friend.

Then he coordinated with his girl to have me over. Her roommate was super sweet and accomodating as well. Their apartment was adorable. Decorated with class and beauty. A working record player in the living room, and old fashioned tub in the bathroom. I had been coming down with a cold before i left and they were sympahetic to me as I coughed and sneezed all night. I knew that the California sun was bound to dry it all up.

DESTINATION DISNEY

The next morning I got up and got ready for my adventure. I was going to find Disneyland. Ever since I was seven and mom had given us the Disney channel as a renewing "Easter gift" did I always want to go to Disneyland. They would show little clips of what the grounds were like, the rides, etc. and the anticipation had built up all those years. We had gone to Disney World as a family once, and then as a senior with my class, but the desire for Disneyland had never dissipated.
The girls at the house told me it was a terrific day to go because it was a Tuesday and no one would be there. So I got in the car and headed out with directions in palm pilot. I started driving on 5 and the more I drove, the more I noticed that there WEREN'T any signs for Disneyland like they were saying I'd see.
I enjoyed the drive though, listening to shuffle and seeing the countryside.

HUNGRY ANYONE?

And country it was. Gorgeous land, no cities, all highway. I knew I was going the wrong way. I got out my camera and snapped some shots.
Then I spotted a sign for a national park, "Hungry Valley". It reminded me that i was hungry and that i should stop and eat sometime. So, I kept driving up 5 and finally pulled over to a truck-stop restaurant. It wasn't yet noon, so they were getting the buffet ready. I came in and had a seat. The waitress greeted me and thought it seemed peculiar that I was traveling alone. She continued to come over and talk to me during my meal while she rolled silverwear and prepared the dining room. I was satisfied with having my breakfast alone, but she seemed bored and wanted someone to talk to. The meal was great. I had fresh fruit, eggs, toast, and orange juice. I left the restuurant and went across to get gas and buy a pair of sunglasses. I asked the cashier what town I was in. He said, 'Lebec'. I laughed and said, "That's funny. My name's Becca and this is LeBec." Terribly ironic for me to pull over and finally turn around in a town called "The Bec".

I got on the road again and headed south. Passing by Hungry Valley again, I decided I was going to check this place out. I followed the signs down the deserted highway to the National Park. I drove in it and was astonished with the natual beauty of the land. This was a rec park where people came with their dirt bikes and 4-wheelers. I drove and drove down the winding paths, seemingly alone. There were trails along the way with signs showing their degree of difficulty.

I was so glad I took the wrong way to Disneyland because this place was so beautiful.


I drove a little further and then got a glimpse of some dirt bikers in action. I snapped some pictures of them and they showed off in front of me like I was from the newspaper. Satisfied with this unplanned jaunt NORTH of LA, I knew I still wanted to meet Mickey.
So I headed South again and called my mom on the way to say "Hi" and tell her about my trip thusfar. I started seeing the signs and followed them to the grand land of Disney.
I noticed how the roads widened a few miles before and how it suddenly seemed so much nicer. I later learned it is because Disney owns the stretch of highway before and after the grounds. Interesting.

MOUSELAND

I got a parking place and noticed that their was a lot of extra spaces. This really was a perfect day to go. The only thing I lacked was companionship. I knew it was odd to go to Disneland by myself, but I was there and I knew I wanted to do it. No one was able to go with me, so I was going to have fun anyway. And I did.

Highlights of my favorite things: Space Mountain (rode 4x), Toon Town, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the conversation I had with two ladies on the train.
Meeting Mickey and Minnie was fun. We're all just little children inside, aren't we? We never really grow up.



So my dream of going to Disneyland was fulfilled. Check!

Feeling Rather Grateful

I went to the library today and borrowed "Sixpence none the richer, the early years". Songs like Angeltread, Within a Room Somewhere, and Trust. Funny how the "early years" refer to the songs that were out when I was in high school. Still, whether someone considers them "old" or not, they are still great songs. So I came home and listened to it while taking a bath. I sat back and thought about all the things I'm grateful for. My mom was just handed a miracle from God in the form of a new kidney, (She feels GREAT!) I've got wonderful friends, an intelligent and loving boyfriend, a nice place to live (celebrating my first anniversary as a homeowner this weekend), and I truly love life. School started up again last week and I really like my professors. I've got an awesome mentor, Betsy, with whom I meet every week, a terrific job where I get to learn more about engineering and where they're flexible enough to let me take classes each semester. I just can't feel more blessed. Camp happened a couple weeks ago and I'm still thinking back upon the events that occured there, specifically, how God showed up. Church camp is a mission ground. Americans kids are just as hungry for the word of God and for an experience from Him as kids in other parts of the world. I wish that more emphasis was put upon the needs of those all around us when discussing the "mission field" rather than trips which require lots of cash and distant travel just to accomplish a "mission trip" in one's life.
If you'd like to work the mission field, come to camp with me next year. August 12-18th.

But I'm still grateful. Or Great-full.