More Than Words Can Say
Date: Monday February 2, 2009Posted in: Blogging, Family, Friends, california, holidays, me, vacating
I am a person who is rarely at a loss for words. I am known as a chatterbox, as someone who has so many words tumbling out of her brain that her mouth sometimes cannot keep up. To remedy this I will throw out a “blah, blah, blah” to give my mouth a chance to catch up and to keep the story moving along. I also like to wave my arms around wildly in some sort of attempt to keep said story going.
I have spent the last four days cramming all sorts of awesome, along with a plethora of amazing and a dash of spectacular into what can only be described as the best solo vacation of my life.
I sit here struggling with how to put the whole experience into words. Have you ever experienced something similar? Where you are so overwhelmed with the greatness of what you have experienced that you cannot seem to find the right sentences to string together in order to give it any semblance of justice? And afraid that any attempt that you make to quantify it all will cheapen it somehow? Not reveal the glory of what it was?
This is what I have struggled with all day. I miss my family immensely, of course, but this trip was about me. For me. It delivered far more than I thought even possible. I came looking for some sun and to see a few friends. The sun did not disappoint; it shone big and bright and warmer than it usually does at this time of year. I left with new friends that I did not expect, with a better first meeting with online friends than I could have ever imagined, with a far deeper relationship with the friends I already knew in the flesh. My spirit is full to bursting and I do not want to pop that bubble of sigh.
The best thing I can do is give some anecdotes, pepper them with photos, and hope that the gyst of what I experienced comes across. If it does not, well, that is perfectly fine. My heart is beaming and my soul is full of sunshine. You will have to take my word for it.
I could ramble on about the first two days that I spent with Bethany and Brenda but they both have captured it all too well that anything I say would be a redundant repeat. I do have a photo of me with those two lovely ladies and their lovely girls.
That was taken on Snail Mountain in San Diego.
Friday afternoon we headed back to The OC and I was dropped off at casa Whoorl. Her little dude Wito was so enamored with me that he buzzed around from the time we got there until we headed out. I think he has a crush on me.
And head out we did. Leah had organized a meet up on behalf of Brandon being in town which Sarah (Whoorl) had told me about. This is one of those moments where I confess that while I had heard references to Leah and Brandon before I did not know either of them online. Upon looking them up I was wondering what rock I have been hiding under. Seriously.
Leah was (is) absolutely awesome and pandered to me while I chatted her ear off. She even let me capture the moment with her and Sarah.
Upon being introduced to Brandon he exclaimed, “Kerri and Chris stayed at your house!” Wait. What? Anyone who is “a gold star member of the Kerri Anne international web club” is a friend of mine. Also. Anyone who can throw the west side gang sign in the company of Eden Kennedy is pretty cool.
If you do not know who Eden is it is time to dig yourself out from under that rock you are under. One word: NaBloPoMo.
So. That dude on the left. You might remember him from this post. That would be one Danny Evans, aka Dad Gone Mad. Not only does he have a great blog and a book coming out, I managed to get him to join the team over at Work It! Mom. I thought it wise to get a photo of the three of us who write over there.
That one is for you, Nataly. The other photos from the night can be seen here.
The rest of the weekend was filled with more of that same brand of stellar; this was but a snippet.
Both Brenda and Sarah filled my days with long walks, beaches, sunshine and great conversation. The weekend that was is truly beyond description. All I can do is try to show a few pieces of what I captured.
Goodbye, California. I miss you already.
34 Comments
California, and we, were so happy to came to visit! Come again anytime. Safe travels home! I hope the sunshine stays in your heart for a long time. 
bethany actually’s last blog post..somewhere up in the air
Comment by bethany actually on February 2nd, 2009 @ 5:06 amWhy, it’s like BlogHer without the swag! Much cosier, and more manageable. Lucky you!
witchypoo’s last blog post..Carrot Cake-Better Than Mens?
Comment by witchypoo on February 2nd, 2009 @ 5:10 amsounds like a wonderful time! *sigh* I have been missing SoCal for the last 11 years. Hopefully someday we will go back. I wish I appreciated it more when we lived there.
Domestic Extraordinaire’s last blog post..It’s Tuesday again!
Comment by Domestic Extraordinaire on February 2nd, 2009 @ 6:01 amoh, Angella, sounds like it couldn’t have been more perfect.
ali’s last blog post..an Ali PSA. #872
Comment by ali on February 2nd, 2009 @ 6:39 amWait! DON’T GOOOOOOOOOOOO! I truly miss you already, Angella. (So does Wito.)
whoorl’s last blog post..Grace in Small Things: Part 13 of 365
Comment by whoorl on February 2nd, 2009 @ 7:15 amWow, sounds like the trip of a lifetime. I’m so glad you got to go.
Janssen’s last blog post..Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Comment by Janssen on February 2nd, 2009 @ 7:25 amSounds like it was a wonderful time! Love the pictures!
Sharon’s last blog post..A clumsy day
Comment by Sharon on February 2nd, 2009 @ 8:18 amIt sounds like it couldn’t have been any more perfect! So happy it was so great. And next year you are TOTALLY taking me with you.
Amanda Brown’s last blog post..Look Inside and See What’s On My Mind
Comment by Amanda Brown on February 2nd, 2009 @ 8:34 amWhat a fun time! I miss California. I miss sun! I hope you packed some extra sun in your suitcase.
Sizzle’s last blog post..R You Ready?
Comment by Sizzle on February 2nd, 2009 @ 8:44 amI’m happy that you did something so special for youself – the sun can do wonders for someone’s outlook on life! Looks like you had a blast and the ocean looks amazing.
TUWABVB’s last blog post..8 out of 25 Things About Me (That May or May Not Interest You)
Comment by TUWABVB on February 2nd, 2009 @ 8:47 amI’m so sad I missed you. 
Rebecca (Bearca)’s last blog post..update
Comment by Rebecca (Bearca) on February 2nd, 2009 @ 9:16 amSame time! Same place! Next year!
SAJ’s last blog post..Shiny Happy Weekend
Comment by SAJ on February 2nd, 2009 @ 9:59 amI’m glad you had such a good time. Great photos! I love the one of the waves.
hillary’s last blog post..Baby I Wanna Let My Hair Down
Comment by hillary on February 2nd, 2009 @ 10:20 amBeautiful photos! Looks like you had a great time!
Kaleigha’s last blog post..Weekend Update sans Tina and Jimmy…
Comment by Kaleigha on February 2nd, 2009 @ 11:06 amI am so glad you had such an awesome time! You deserved it!
Kristabella’s last blog post..I Swear This Won’t Become A House Blog
Comment by Kristabella on February 2nd, 2009 @ 11:50 ami totally agree w/brenda, same time, same place next year. the second annual desperate bloggers international gold club – con. (the name still needs work, though…)
Comment by brandon on February 2nd, 2009 @ 12:18 pmOh, you better believe there will be a Second Annual Desperate Bloggers Convention (We can totally work on the name). You and Danny can fight over who is President/Vice President. Sarah can be the Secretary and I’ll be the Treasurer, since I am an accountant and all 
Whoa, that’s a whole lot of bloggy goodness in one post!
That pic of you on the beach? STUNNING.
Camels & Chocolate’s last blog post..Retroblogging Lake Louise
Comment by Camels & Chocolate on February 2nd, 2009 @ 1:11 pmgreat! so happy you had a wonderful trip!
you are so beautiful!
bridge’s last blog post..Sun
Comment by bridge on February 2nd, 2009 @ 1:40 pmSo glad you had an amazing time! With amazing women. And those ones of the opposite sex.
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Celebrities!
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on February 2nd, 2009 @ 2:11 pmOh warm sunshine! How wonderful!
Your pictures as usual are super. Glad you enjoyed yourself.
Kristin’s last blog post..11 Months.
Comment by Kristin on February 2nd, 2009 @ 2:11 pmNo need to wonder anymore why the masses flock there, is there? HA! I know you know… I’m just sayin’. It’s so wonderful and beautiful there. I fell in love with San Diego when we were there in 2000.
I’m loving hearing and seeing all about your trip!
Elaine’s last blog post..Not Me Monday, 3rd Edition
Comment by Elaine on February 2nd, 2009 @ 7:25 pmAnd now I totally have that Extreme song in my head. Which is wholly appropriate, I think. So much awesomeness in one place makes my heart happy. And a little drunk, too. Which reminds me, Chris and I are totally crashing the party next year. ; )
Kerri Anne’s last blog post..Because My Brain Is Exhausted: Before And After Photos. Sort Of.
Comment by Kerri Anne on February 2nd, 2009 @ 7:42 pmLooks pretty shweeeet!
ELizabeth’s last blog post..The BIG news
Comment by ELizabeth on February 2nd, 2009 @ 8:44 pmAwww, Angella! Looks like an amazing trip. So glad you had such a fun “selfish” vacation. (And I mean that in the *best* way possible!)
metalia’s last blog post..Everything you’ve always wanted to know about Jury Duty: A (thinly-veiled, fake) Q & A
Comment by metalia on February 2nd, 2009 @ 10:13 pmSo glad it was all you needed and more!
Sometimes well all need to get away.
monstergirlee’s last blog post..Dr Cason’s Friday Photo Challenge – on Saturday
Comment by monstergirlee on February 3rd, 2009 @ 9:54 am[...] to the sunshine. Less than a week later I was on the plane and headed for what turned out to be the best solo vacation of my life. I honestly do not think that those four days could have been any better than they [...]
Comment by Have You Taken Separate Vacations? | Committed: The Ties that Bond | Work It, Mom! on February 3rd, 2009 @ 6:21 pmTotally rethinking my decision not to tag along with HB there at the end of the month…
slynnro’s last blog post..This is not part of the Snuggie Lifestyle.
Comment by slynnro on February 3rd, 2009 @ 6:41 pmAhh how cool! After spending some time on your blog (trying to figure out where in the heck you lived in the Great White North and enjoying your posts) I am delighted to hear you live in the Okanagan! I grew up in Vernon and then Armstrong and I agree, winters sucks but great place to live. Am now living in Chilliwack where there is not as much snow but oh so much rain. Found you via Secret Agent’s blog. Lucky you heading to CA, I could use some SUN about now!
Comment by Amy on February 3rd, 2009 @ 7:14 pm[...] much as I loved my solo trip to California (and, of course, the Desperate Bloggers), once I was en route back to my Homeland all I wanted to [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Here And There on February 4th, 2009 @ 12:05 am[...] fly to another country to attend a conference in order to meet these friends, or that I would take a solo vacation to do more of the same, I would have thought you to be [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Like A Talk Show, But Without The Drama on February 12th, 2009 @ 12:06 am
Wow, what an amazing time you have had! I can’t believe everything you have done and all the people you have met. It’s like a whole new world! I totally get your point about how hard it must be to explain and describe it all … but you’ve done well! Love the pics too.
Hannah’s last blog post..Hahei 2009
Comment by Hannah on February 2nd, 2009 @ 1:34 am