Things I miss about So-Cal!

In my late-night, emotional state of mind, things tend to rise from the surface of my heart that I don't dare write about in the daytime. So, as it is past Midnight now (California time), I have the urge to bare my soul...at least this bit.

I miss Southern California like crazy!
I miss being able to take my Disneyland Annual Pass & ride Magic Mountain any time I want.
I miss driving 10 minutes to the ocean, trespassing on someone's private beach for a night of star-gazing to lift dry spirits.
I miss living in a place where every restaurant has a patio & you can sit outside to eat under colorful umbrellas.
I miss the weather.
I miss how close it is to Phoenix.
I miss driving down the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) on a beautiful, sunny day (heck! Any day would do!) to clear away thoughts.
I actually miss the plastic surgeon commercials on the radio, even "the Fish", So-Cal's Christian Station!
I miss driving over 75mph on the freeway with the flow of traffic.
I miss the comfort of knowing how to get anywhere in Orange County without using my GPS, "Heather".
I miss Orange with the 2 Starbucks across the street from each other on the Square & "The Filling Station" down the street.
I miss Irvine, where everyone drives a luxury car & there's no Wal-Mart.
I miss Good Shepherd Chapel at CUI.
I miss CUI.
I miss the $1 Theater ($1.50 on the weekends)
I miss the smell of Eucalyptus trees in the summer air. The smell that always reminds me of long walks on Campus with a beloved roommate, talking about our lives during the prayer time at "Shout".
I miss shopping at the best places, even though I wasn't able to afford anything!
I miss Golden Spoon.
I miss a life of free cable, utilities & water.
I miss driving back & worth between OC & PHX during breaks, waking up at 4am to beat the traffic.
I miss being content & comfortable in a place that I know. A place that knows me.

I miss a time when friends were just friends & life was easier. I miss being around the people I love the most. I miss feeling like the world was still an adventure waiting to unveil itself to me. Something exciting that I haven't experienced before. Something mysterious. Something dangerous.

Life is a lot harder now. It's not as exciting as I thought it would be.

Am I losing my spirit? My passion? My life?

Someone once told me, "Danger is adventure. Don't be afraid to live dangerously because then you live adventurously." Or something like that...Something about not being afraid of fear or danger or whatever...

Anyways, he's right.

Maybe I've become too scared to be dangerous, to live wildly. My life is so full of responsibility now, I feel like to live in the fear of the unknown would be irresponsible.

Where has that edge gone?

Yes, I miss So-Cal, but most of all, I miss living.