Shine bright like a Diamond

Hello world! It has officially been 2 weeks since I became a West (best?) Coast dweller and I wanted to provide you all with a progress report. Progress report: I FREAKING LOVE IT. Sunshine, 70 degrees, and clear blue skies on a daily basis allows for a girl to easily get used to her surroundings. Oh and I finally live on the same coast as man! The best one I know :) I have started to become accustom to the slower more steady pace of life here as well. The best part of my day is not only being able to smell the sea air from the doorstep of the house, but being able to walk 3 blocks and spend time with my toes in the sand and my mind fixed on the sound of the waves crashing into the shore.  Another new sound here: helicopters and fighter jets...and a lot of them. I am staying on Coronado island until I find a little place of my own. Coronado island is home to 3 military bases- 1 of which is a major naval air base. Throughout the day the sound of fighter jets (some going at the speed of sound I am told) is constant. But the overwhelming amount of helicopters riding low over sea and sand is fascinating. Remember, we are 10 miles from the Mexican border- so the culture is already showing itself to be a bit different here. Another difference...I drive a car!! And actually, don't use it all too often (as beautiful and speedy as she is) because everyone gets around via bike here. Not just any bike folks, yes real beach cruisers, just like out of your favorite throw back episode of 90210. Riding around at night along the water is literally a dream come true. Besides all of these small, yet amazing cultural changes- there is 1 thing that I could not be more grateful for. And that is the accepting and open arms I have received from the community here. I say community, but can already tell that this group is more like a family. I of course wanted to share my observations of this group thus far because I seemed to have jumped right in feet 1st. It is funny to me how within this group, everyone seems to have their assigned roles and just knows what to do, automatically, without direction or a request. We all gather for meals, if a few are down for the count, the others are there to cook, clean, make them laugh, or just BE there. Fun seems to be the only thing that everyone has together and I am shocked at the level of support and respect each individual has for one another. I am so excited to be apart of this community and hope that I am able to give it as much as it has already given :) Cooking is one of the only means of support I know how to provide (besides of course a little motherly love) so you may start seeing some of the new recipes I experiment with here. When cooking for so many hungry people, a girl has to learn how to get creative on a budget! Until then...I will keep you abreast of my new cultural happenings. Missing you all on the east coast; I hope you are staying bundled up and warm- I'm headed out to the beach now (ok, I know that was rude ;))

xoxo

- AA

The BIG Day

Folks- it’s time….and damn it feels so good. I wrote this post Friday on the plane in route to my new home: San Diego!! Yes you heard right- girl in the big city is headed west- to become a Cali chica. To start, I could not be more excited, grateful, overwhelmed with joy and purely just blissful for the opportunity to be with the man I love and have a fresh start in a new world. The past 6 months have been difficult to say the least- it goes without saying that others have certainly been through much more trying times in life (myself included)- but I would be lying if I didn’t say that this time in my life was one of the toughest yet. As I close that chapter and begin to open the next, it was worth every tear, moment of fear, angry conversation, or confused outlook because it delivered me to exactly where I belong. This place: in a calm paradise. What I know of my new land so far is that the sun shines almost constantly, the dial on the pace meter is turned down ever so slightly and that the Mexican food is better than maybe even the real thing 10 minutes over the border. I of course had to keep this big news a secret the entire time because today is when I finally put in my 2 weeks notice from my job in NYC. Over the past few months I have slowly told family and friends of my exciting news- this is a big decision I had made for my life and this is what my plan was going to be. It was refreshing to feel confident in my choice and to know that those who supported me did so with all the love in their hearts, and those that did not were simply unable to not because of me, but because of their own feelings and would come around eventually. As I step away from the big city and towards the beach I am walking slowly with a smile on my face and new hope in my heart. Will I miss the big place? Yes of course! Do I know that it will always be there for me if I need to come back (along with my unique New York family I will be blessed to have forever)? Yes of course…but I am confident that this once city slicker with Bahamian blood will soon settle into the west coast lifestyle. And that is why I would like to set a few goals here as I make my move over the next 2 weeks:

1. Be open minded
2. Stay positive; no matter what
3. Listen more, think less
4. Accept all, judge none
5. Use FaceTime more then text

I’d like to be realistic about what I want and imagine this post as a written “vision board” for this chapter in my life. And if there were a 5.5 on the list- it would be to consistently blog about my new adventures, new friends, new findings, and new lifestyle. To close this little bad boy up and keep my barn door open for the posts to come- I want to say thank you for an amazing 2.5 years NYC. Thank you to my stepmom who has continued to love and support me no matter what. Listening to every complaint, fear, anxiety, and crazy idea- and for getting me to work EVERY SINGLE morning with an upbeat phone call and advice wiser and more insightful than I will ever receive. I will miss our morning ritual desperately but know we will turn it into an afternoon ritual over video. A special thanks to my NYC family, I love you dearly and want to thank you for making me laugh until I almost peed, endless wine nights, ridiculous Jingle Jogs, boozy brunches, Dive75 candy/beer runs, church Sundays, and for supporting me through my 16 Handles fro-yo addiction. To my man in uniform- thank you for always loving and supporting me literally…no matter what. I have never felt so accepted and loved but 1 person and am so excited for us to finally live on the same coast and enjoy our lives together. I can’t wait to support you through this amazing journey and be side be side every step of the way. And finally, a special thanks to my roommate who made me stay out until 4 AM labor day evening of 2011- had it not been for that I would not be on a plane with my entire summer clothing collection in tote and man in uniform waiting for me at the receiving end. I love you for your carefree attitude, desire to have fun at every moment, and essentially just your bad ass go getter lmfao attitude ☺

Take a chance- I beg you- you have no idea where it might lead you. And I can promise you that EVERYTHING happens for a reason.

Xoxo - AA

PS- working on a new signature- surfs up won’t work so back to the drawing board on that one. New background and design to come soon as well ☺