I will always think of myself as more Californian than “Washatonian (my version of a person living in Seattle).” For the first 29 years of my life, I grew up with the smells of Eucalyptus trees, watching surfers ride the Pacific waves at Hermosa and Redondo Beach, the roller bladers in costume at Venice Beach, the In-and-Out Burger joints, the stucco homes with red-tile roofs, and the old Mission churches with the euphoric music. I later moved to Seattle to escape relatives and therefore resided in constant dribble rain for 20 years. I now live in Maryland and return to California every few years to recharge my soul and to soak in the healing rays. I am currently writing a children’s book with the theme of finding the small joys in life to overcome adversity.