It's been awhile since I've put up an actual entry.  Mostly this is due to my extreme distraction with visitng and moving to Los Angeles.  I've been here in Los Angeles since Friday night.  I've gone on all kinds of adventures and for once can say that I have achieved one of my New Year's Resolutions.  While I may not actually write on every page of my journal this year (mostly due to the fact that I keep losing them and have to start over), and while I haven't yet achieved my health-related goal (three guesses), I have achieved the other goal of mine, even if by complete coincidence.  That last goal has been written about here before:  beaches, sunshine, and mai tais.  I'm happy.  I'm enjoying life.  Because not only am I in a place that has all three of these coveted items, but I have someone quite adorable, fun, and smile-inducing to share them with.  Very few things in this world are quite as enjoyable when experienced alone as they are when experienced with someone else (especially a loved one).

The highlights of my visit thus far (though not necessarily in any order):
- A guy named Stephen bought drinks for me and the girl sitting next to me on the plane (Barbie-doll look-alike named Stacey)
- Disneyland (a few pictures pending)
- The roller coaster at Disneyland
- The quest for lovely frozen goodness at Disneyland (frozen lemonade existed somewhere, but we couldn't find it)
- Fireworks at Disneyland (gorgeous, quite romantic)
- Margaritas made by Steven
- Debating the specifics of the separation of church and state
- gaming with friends (with a slight hangover)
- watching baby Kelly (did I spell that right?) use the dog as a walking aide (soooo adorable)
- learning how Ken makes panoramas
- being added to the guild (I'm now an Angel)
- leveling up my priestess to level 12 in under three days
- Getting a job
- Getting a job with benefits (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance)
- Discovering there's a Coco's here (they have great breakfasts, and surprisingly good coffee)
- Meeting Steven's coworkers, including an accountant, a VERY pregnant lady, and his cousin Rob (and I'm awful with names, so forgive me if I got that one wrong).  There was also another person who loves talking about Kurt Cobain, which is actually a very interesting topic considering where I'm from.  I could write long expositions about that guy, but since someone else has already written his biography, it's probably not necessary.
- Eating dinner with more friends (organic beef ribs, far more carnivorous than I'm accustomed to, but very delicious)
- Meeting several puppies (okay, so none of them are really puppies anymore, but they're too cute not to call them puppies)
- Meeting several cats too (Gracie, Artemis, Earl Grey, and another one whose name just slipped from my memory)
- Meeting an albino snake who was quite affectionate for a snake and who really liked my frog ring
- Getting lost while driving alone in L.A., but then finding may way around again.
- Pizza and Coldstone with Steven
- Card games with Steven
- Shopping on the Promenade with Steven, visiting the Mac store and Sephora
- Taking a nice long walk through L.A.
- Discovering about a thousand things to do here that I haven't had time to do yet.
- Experiencing sunshine
- Experiencing warm weather, even at night

I go back tonight for a couple of weeks, then I drive down here the first Saturday of September.  Steven is flying up to help me with the drive.  I miss him already, but Izzie will be happy I'm home again, and even happier when Steven arrives.