Do I look cute?

Today, my eyes saw more things that any of us would see anywhere vs seeing so much difference:

• a boy's soccer game, on a nice pitch. Complete with proud mom cheering on the sidelines. Boys in nice uniforms - one of which was sponsored by a home construction company with a logo that looks very much like Home Depot's.
• a tween decked *out*. Her hair was perfect. She had on tight, cobalt blue jeans and a yellow, one-shoulder top with matching yellow, blue and white sneakers. A perfect yellow barette in her hair. Her whole being was asking "do I look cute?" And boy did she.
• an 8-weeks-ish puppy chasing three little girls, getting caught in their legs, and running to catch up when falling behind. The little girls making sure they didn't get too far ahead.
• Beyonce.

Ok, obviously I didn't see Beyonce. But I walked to a place near my apartment called "Ocean Beach Club." Indeed, it has a huge deck overlooking the ocean and access to the beach. It has a large building under construction that might be apartments one day; when I asked a security guard about it, he said "it's under renovation." Por lo menos (at the very least!) In spite of the unfinished building, it has this elaborate and fancy set of 5 different swimming pools. They had Beyonce pumping through their sound system (Halo). The funny thing was that there were no people there - it is huge; the pools are gorgeous; the view is great. Is this a good find or some weird money laundering set up that is empty because it's all a sham? I have to check in with Precious. I think it could go either way. The good news is: I can *walk* to the ocean from my apartment. That was a good discovery.

Some high schools graduated kids today or yesterday. Lots of celebrations occurred in the streets today. Pickup trucks piled with kids, blowing vuvuzela-like horns and cheering. One truck unloaded kids at a house that had chairs set up outside, and a ready graduation party waiting for them. The proud graduate was in uniform, and was handed a microphone. He addressed the crowd, and they cheered for him. What awaits this young man?

Another wonderful scene was in the school yard at the Baptist school across from my apartment. A circle of maybe 50 children, and a young man in the middle, shouting "in," "out," and some other instructions. There were lines dug into the sand, indicating the boundaries for the game. Based on whether the kids jumped at the right time in the right direction, they stayed in the game or were weeded out. There was cheering, laughing, hilarity all around. Lots of wiggling, bouncing children. A bunch of people (like me) on the outside of the fence, watching with smiles.

This is my first weekend, and I had some shudders this morning from previous moves. Weekends can be tough - too new to know anyone; every last chore or errand involves figuring new things out. I remember almost dissolving into tears in a grocery store on a very cold day in Boston in early 2010 when I couldn't find where the chicken was. Sometimes there are just too many new things at once.

To steady myself, I made a list this morning of things to do. I did some of those things. Turns out I had a lovely day - being quiet, reading, walking, making eggs for the first time in my apartment (in a wok, which I strangely have. But no frying pan.) I really needed a rest day. My girl video called me - from Teton National Park where she is camping with friends. The way tech has changed communication is *,mind blowing.*

I gave some leftover food to Sam, our security guy, and finally met the cleaning lady. She and I couldn't understand each other at all, but it was good to exchange smiles.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful sister.

xo