and it's all nice.

Today, Dan took me to Santa Barbara for a guide through his perspective. I am currently really tired yet somehow awake enough to feel the need to write about it. I'll be sure to tuck myself in once I complete every thought.

The Drive Up:
Elliott Smith, Interpol.
I tend to get really pensive on drives/trips because I get caught up in the absorption of my surroundings.
Conversations about: contrasting relationship patterns, landmarks, seafood seafood.
Once I saw the ocean on the 101, I just felt overwhelmingly, although internally, giddy and happy.
I felt this same way my first (only other) trip to the town.

First Stop:
Westmont.
Seeing these amazing homes thinking, 'Are these really that big?'
Walk into the art building and meet some guy whose name escapes me and Nicholas.
Dan talks to him for longer than I expect.
I feel very unsure of how to occupy myself so I look through magazines/directions for the solar press.

Second Stop:
Belmont Beach.
So nice and so expensive seeming.
I can see what Diana meant by a place to go for thinking and clearing the mind.

Third Stop:
Dan's church.
As we decide to get lunch, he realizes he forgot his glasses in Nicholas' office.
Head back to Westmont.
Pass his church that looks interesting to me so he stops to show me inside.
It's unlike any other church I've ever actually physically walked into.
I was blown away and fascinated by the beauty, detail, calmness.
I probably could have sat in there for longer because I felt so quiet and at ease.
Head back to Westmont for the glasses.

Fourth Stop:
State street.
Have lunch at Lettuce Be Frank, suuuuch a good veggie sandwich.
Walk down to the record store.
After much deliberation, I spend 30 dollars on Figure 8 on record.
Then grab a coffee.
Walk back to the car.

Fifth Stop.
UCSB.
Belle and Sebastian.
The main purpose was to check out the housing I was given.
Still under construction... disappointing but I get over it.
I mean, put some pictures up online already, the floor plans are NOT good enough.

Sixth Stop.
The pier.
We park and walk to the end, sit on the log.
Two pelicans are perched really close to us.
One looks sick and proceeds to poop on several occasions.
Lots of foreign tourists are noticed.
We talk about him moving to New York.
I tell him how I don't know why he'd start only to stop.
Long story short, looks like a long distance relationship is in the works.
I don't know what that will entail but I'm willing to give it a shot.
Everything happens for a reason.
"Now, don't get all crazy on me", he says at the end.
Whatever that means, Imma let that one just make me laugh.
Walk back to the car due to his fear of being pooped on.

The Drive Home:
Conversations about: similarities NY/SB for the two of us, mutual friends, high school perceptions, Kim's party and how I almost didn't go, how I initially caught his eye, myspace messaging, getting along with this friends, the Chris compliment, life after UCSB, life after Westmont, his excitement for NY and the fate of him coming back where I am, the wanting of a family, how my parents met, their lives in Iran, the Middle East, the US involvement in the Middle East, how his parents met, how they grew up, his grandparents.


Then we went to Lollicup to meet the gang. Then his house for Conan episodes where I soaked into the couch and fell asleep with my eyes open. Not completely, but I was tired and how am I still awake for this right now? I'm just so content and satisfied right now. I have nothing to be worried about. I have this bright and exciting move/adventure ahead of me, amazingly wonderful friends, and a lovely boyfriend who makes me happy. I could not ask for anything more.