SoCal

Packed a suitcase. Departed with Mom. Southwest to LAX. Camry up the Grapevine. Arrived in Porterville. Stayed with Uncle Randy and Aunt Patti. Water skied on a single. Devoured FroYo. Played cards. Feasted at El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant. Welcomed fellow seminarian Emilio. Shopped at the Dollar Store. Attended Mass. Cooked Asian. Conserved water. Told stories. Swam in the lake. Said goodbye. Drove to Orange.

Celebrated Michael's Rite of Candidacy. Saw friends from Mount Angel. Continued to Oceanside. Slept overnight with cousin Anne. Played with her girls MJ and Dylan. Watched MJ's dance class. Enjoyed appetizers. Laughed over memories. Explained my year off. Waved au revoir.

Attended the priestly ordinations for three San Diegans. Offered congratulations. Partied at a Vietnamese reception. Returned to Orange with seminarian brothers. Slept soundly.

Met Michael's family and friends. Spent a sunny day at Disneyland. Rode Pirates of the Caribbean. Dropped down the Tower of Terror. Soared over California. Dined on hand-dipped corn dogs. Returned late. Experienced liturgy with the Norbertines. Watched How I Met Your Mother. Dirtied hands and face with spicy shrimp. Body boarded at Newport Beach. Shared dreams and discernment over tri-tip dinner for seminarians. Toured Christ Cathedral. Rode almost every attraction at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Fell 415 feet on the Lex Luthor Drop of Doom. Finished a BJ's Pizookie Platter. Experienced Korean Barbecue. Paddle boarded to a cove. Told first kiss stories. Savored Boba Tea and Brick Toast. Took the court for a seminarian-parishioner game of hoops. Slurped homemade Pho. Watched more How I Met Your Mother. Had three desserts on the last day.

Braved I-5 through L.A. in the afternoon. Said farewell but not goodbye. Flew to Oakland. Landed in Boise. Missed the SoCal beach and sunshine. Returned to reality. Gave thanks for friendship, rest, and recreation. God fills my life abundantly.