My Place in the California Sun: Loving the beach life

I have a love/hate relationship with Newport Beach. I LOVE living near the beach and being able to surf, play volleyball, run/walk along the water and bike. I HATE the noise of traffic on PCH, that the houses don't have AC, the mosquitoes from living near a lagoon, sand being all over the house from the fun activities, and parking issues and traffic in summer. I LOVE that it's mild temperatures year round and that in summer you can surf and swim in the ocean without a wetsuit, that there are always people willing to play beach volleyball and that there are so many activities to do. I HATE that the food options are NOT diverse, and that you have to use a wetsuit the rest of the year, and that housing prices are ridiculously high, and that job opportunities are low and based off who you know.

This love/hate relationship has been going on since I moved down here 3 years ago in 2008. But this summer has made me really fall in love with the area. Maybe it's because I am finally pursuing a career that makes me happy, and that I actually have connections in the field. Maybe it's all the great friends we've met since being down here or the fact that I have been able to get back into competitive sports (triathlons and beach volleyball). Maybe it's just that I've finally started to explore my new home and become interested in checking out new spots. Whatever the reason I am glad I am finally starting to feel like Newport is home. I had this realization while driving home Tuesday night from a fun session of beach volleyball out in Corona del Mar, the sun was just setting off PCH, the air was warm and I was pooped, but so excited and stoked on life and the scenery that I was able to stop and enjoy and reflect on the show and how lucky I am to be living here during this moment in my life's journey........