Culture Shock

Wow is this place different. There are so many little nuances that you never see in the midwest. Like people smoking pot outdoors. For the entire world to see! And a lady getting out of her car in stopped traffic, grabbing a wildflower growing at the side of the road, putting it in her hair, and getting back in her car.

There is a sort of European way of life out here. People don't work themselves to death. They enjoy life, and want to experience the happiness of their lives without working 10 hour days. They'll work maybe a five hour day, take a long lunch, go home and smoke up.

There is also an ideal of getting quality goods and products out here. Nothing is half-assed. Food tastes better out here. People want to provide and get something in return. I found that in the midwest, there is a sort of mediocrity to many ideas and ways of life. Not out here. It's quality here. Portion size is not gargantuan. Coffee is roasted with the utmost pride. People take great pains to make things worth while for the whole community. I dig that.

Tonight was the first HSU function I attended with Rob. It was at the beautiful Redwood State Park (hello?! SO Gorgeous!). HSU catered a Meet and Greet for all new faculty and their families. We met some very cool people, like Jamie and his wife Molly, who originally hail from Freeport, Illinois (!) but spent the last two years in Belfast, Ireland. Jamie is a new professor of green construction management. This means he is very into renewable energy sources and learning how to make the Earth a more healthy and sound place through safe construction practices. Very cool. They brought their beautiful Lab mix Bengal. We commented on how proud we were, after living in Cincinnati for four years. And the BBQ was quite California, with your choice of hamburger, hot dog, or vegie burger. Since we're living in such a Earth/health conscious state now, Rob and I have decided to become vegetarians, whose only meat source is fish. We've been doing quite well (and happy to say I've been doing pilates and back in the size 10's again!).

HSU also brings some very cool entertainment to campus. This year, Ani DiFranco is coming for a concert, as well as Garrison Keilor and the Prairie Home Companion. Bill Cosby is coming, and since Rob is a faculty member, we get to see these and so much more for chump change! I'm sooooo excited!

Well, I'm tired. Off to bed. More soon!