What's going on.

Last week Chinua and I signed a lease for an apartment in Santa Cruz, California. We'll be there for three months.

We signed it and got the keys to the apartment, unloaded a few suitcases and then immediately got back in the van and drove for two days to get to a wedding in Oregon.

We sat on grass and benches and picnic tables and talked to many old friends. We watched our kids playing together. It was such a beautiful weekend. I don't think I could have dreamed it up, especially on some of the lonelier nights in India.

I am simultaneously longing for my scooter in the jungle and all my stainless steel cups and bowls, and incredibly blessed to be sitting by the fire watching my children talk to the children of my friends. I am dreaming about the farmer's market in Santa Cruz, and about organic summer squash. I am trying to think of what to furnish the apartment with. (We have a few things, maybe it's enough.)

I don't know how to explain how the last few weeks have been. Maybe some of the above will explain it.

I think I'm going to take up jogging.

Meanwhile, check out this picture that my friend took at the wedding, is this ridiculously cute or what?

Comments

[Christine]

So happy for you to have a space of time for settling (sort of) and shopping at farmer's markets. On the jogging... I feel like every time I go I am "taking it up" again, as it were. It always feels good when I'm done- and sometimes even while I'm doing it! Hope you try it and find it invigorating.
.-= Christine´s last blog ..http://homemadeinchina.blogspot.com/2010/07/ricotta-to-rest-last-two-dishes-to-die.html" rel="nofollow">Ricotta to Rest- Last Two Dishes To Die For- =-.

[Paola]

That shot is priceless. Could hav ebeen published an any magazine how good it is.

[cat]

glad to see you back - congrats on having a place of your own to land for a bit. love the picture of all the little girls - it could totally have been a magazine shot! by the way, i'm loving my necklace (thank you!!) and have gotten compliments on it every time i've worn it - i love telling the story of its travels. :)

[Ali]

hello! my name is Ali, and I have enjoyed your blog heaps! we actually live in China, so it was always encouraging to read while you were in India doing similar things. Anyhow, i wanted to let you know that we are Santa Cruzians - and we have some friends & connections there, if you would like some ideas, or even help getting "settled" for three months! Santa Cruz is our hometown, and we LOVE it there! anyhow, please let me know if you would like any connections for anything in particular. email me! XOXO
.-= Ali´s last blog ..http://globalgal1040.blogspot.com/2010/06/ways-to-stay-cool-in-summer-heat.html" rel="nofollow">ways to stay cool in the summer heat =-.

[green girl in Wisconsin]

Those little girls are BEAUTIFUL!
Jogging!
I imagine it's a little culture shock still, all the different things you're getting used to.
.-= green girl in Wisconsin´s last blog ..http://melissawestemeier.blogspot.com/2010/07/freedom-to-hang.html" rel="nofollow">freedom to hang =-.

[#1mama]

Love the picture! They are all so sweet. Can I order my necklace now?

[April Alexander]

Oh my goodness, I can't believe how big and beautiful they all are! I remember them when they were little babies...how time flies!
.-= April Alexander´s last blog ..http://thequadshot.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html#3774085589661435106" rel="nofollow">Happy 4th of July- =-.

[Israel Jonson]

We might have some furniture you can have. What do you need?

[Frank Raymond]

Joggin'? You sound like my mama! LoL!
I'm gonna tell you like I tell her (but you probably already know):
"Get some running shoes that does not support the heels of your feet. Landing on your heels is very bad for your legs in the long run. You were made to run on the soles of your feet like children do....or you can just run barefooted!"

Thanks for the great posts Ms. Rae. You set a good example for people who want to "Cultivate Joy". Uhhm...What happened to your slogan?!
.-= Frank Raymond´s last blog ..http://www.sunraymond.com/?p=890" rel="nofollow">Living- Part 1- Co-Create =-.

[Sara]

Yay! So exciting. We love Santa Cruz and will be spending several weeks there in late September/early October for HoopCamp and visiting friends. Hoping to meet up with you there if you're still around...much love! xxoo
.-= Sara´s last blog ..http://www.happyjanssens.com/blog/2010/6/15/boulder-awaits.html" rel="nofollow">Boulder Awaits =-.

[Rachel Clancy]

It's crazy looking at that pic and recognizing the parents that I knew in the faces of their children! So beautiful! xo
.-= Rachel Clancy´s last blog ..http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JohnAndRachelClancy/~3/Ab-4WdVN7fI/" rel="nofollow">The Wee Birdies =-.

[Moroccomama]

Y'all are brave, girl, brave I say.
Reverse culture shock is such a wild trip, isn't it? One minute you're all "everything is so clean!" and the next minute you just feel so hollow because there is no real connection with anyone. I feel you, I really get it.
.-= Moroccomama´s last blog ..http://moroccomama.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/a-moroccan-tashelheet-wedding/" rel="nofollow">A Moroccan Tashelheet Wedding =-.

[Mountain]

So you are settling in for three months back in the states? I loved the oobleck pictures! What a mess and fun! Also, the wedding photo is lovely. Little girls and pretty dresses are always a joy.
.-= Mountain´s last blog ..http://iamnotamountain.blogspot.com/2010/07/it-is-finally-raining-hooray-hooray-i.html" rel="nofollow">Photos of an Evening Walk =-.

[Aoi]

My friend Ariana was at that wedding... what a small world.
.-= Aoi´s last blog ..http://shinhatsubai.typepad.com/shinhatsubai/2009/12/for-today-december-16.html" rel="nofollow">for today- december 16 =-.