Home

They say you can’t go home again. They’re wrong! As soon as I set foot on California soil, I started taking in the smells, sights and sounds of home. I was only there for four days, but I managed to get in some pretty nostalgic stuff:

1. Eating a Cuban meal with my mom and brother. 
2. Driving through Inglewood and Manhattan Beach to visit the house my parents rented when I was born. It’s been a few years since I’d gone to that part of town.
3. Smelling the one-of-a-kind smell of the jacaranda trees. They spill lavender flowers all over Los Angeles. I miss them terribly.
4. Helping mom clear the table. It’s funny how the little things catch you by surprise.
5. Joking with my brothers and cousins. We talk on Facebook and via Skype, but nothing’s like the lazy conversations that happen when you’re face to face.
6. Going back to my grad school campus, eating at the little lunch counter where I grabbed food between classes. I’d had such a hard time dealing with my writer’s block that I never liked going to campus after I’d finished my coursework.
7. Returning books to the library, which now (unexpectedly) no longer requires a student ID card to access. I hate that universities lock up their libraries. Nice to know this one changed its tune.
8. In my old Claremont stomping grounds, I made my way (in a daze, just after the defense) to Rhino Records, the big indie record store. Happy to see it’s still there. It still smells just the same inside. And little hand made zines and band flyers are just where they were. I don’t think I’ve been there in 10 years.
9. Driving my old car, Sheila! I sold it to my aunt, who had planned on giving it to her son to drive. He hasn’t gotten his license yet, so it was available to use. Driving Sheila around felt natural. I knew all her quirks. She got me everywhere on time.
10. Going out to Long Beach to visit friends at my old bar. Reminding myself that it is so good to become a regular someplace, to be able to go in by yourself and see familiar faces. That Cheers kind of thing. Only a little on the divey side. But that’s how I always liked it. Cheap drinks and friendly faces. I even managed to play matchmaker at some point in the evening. I’m a woman of many skills.
11. My friends recently had a baby so I went shopping at Lil Devil’s boutique on 4th Street in Long Beach. Still a great store! I bought little Addison a pair of pink and white striped tights and a t-shirt. I wanted to buy the little plastic plate/cup/fork set with a Dia de los Muertos theme, but she’s only a few months old. Dia de los Muertos for babies!? These, dear readers, are my people. The baby liked being held by me and even smiled and laughed when I shook her little hands. Being a baby comedian is, I have always said, the most fulfilling of jobs.
12. These same friends also have a dog we used to dogsit all the time. I was looking so forward to seeing that dog! And I was rewarded. She jumped circles around me, licked my hand constantly, and made that chuffling sound that big dogs make when they know they shouldn’t bark but they want to celebrate. Her celebration upon seeing me was something I will never forget. Watching a big boxer do big happy twirly jumps is pretty amazing for any reason!
13. The radio stations played good songs. I hadn’t heard Snoop, Dre, or even Tupac on the radio in a year! I can’t seem to find a good station in Philly. But I never drive anywhere, so experimenting with new stations isn’t part of my regular routine. I should work on that.
14. I stayed at a friend’s apartment in Seal Beach one night. Two seconds after I put down my stuff, I walked the two blocks to the beach, stuck my toes in the sand and stared at the ocean for a good while. Happy sunshine on my face. I bought a coconut paleta (ice cream bar) and ate it on the sand. Literally and figuratively a happy, Sandy moment.
15. There was a bit of June gloom, but it wore off by late afternoons. Perfect weather the entire time. I even got to spend time with mom and the family in the backyard, soaking up sun with margaritas in hand.

It’s only been a year, but I feel like I’ve been gone longer! I’ve never moved out of California, so it’s been a hell of a year for me. I missed my mom most of all, so I’m glad we got in a lot of girl time. Mani-pedis, shopping, and gossiping late into the night. You know, I hate when people shorten words like “mani-pedis” but the alternative is “manicures and pedicures,” which just sounds clumsy.

Anyway, my trip home was a success. The dissertation is done. No big changes needed, so it will get turned in very soon. And I get to go by “Dr” now, but I think I’m only going to allow students to use it. Seems kinda pretentious to expect it from anyone else, don’t you think? I mean, do people still put it on their checks and use it to make restaurant reservations? Maybe I’ll use it with snooty people who cast dark glances at my tattooed arms. “Hi, I’m Dr. F, nice ta meetcha!”