The Bright Side

So far I'm struggling a little bit in my new life in Southern California.  This was an expected development; it is always a struggle to live somewhere new - to redefine "normal".  Most of this ambiguity is natural when moving to a totally new place (I've learned that much in my adventures), and for a few months it feels like just an abyss of - meh - interspersed with soul-wrenching hatred of everything that is unfamiliar.  When I got to Prague I told my flatmates that the culture shock was worse moving from Utah to Pennsylvania, than from Texas to Europe.  I maintain that to be true in moving from Texas to California.  Eastern Europe is easy (well, not easy, but at least new, exciting, and the abandoning of all things familiar is expected).  California is strange, alien, unwelcoming, and supposedly still part of my home country.  Don't get my wrong, people are nice enough (nicer than they were/are in Philly), but not normal by any definition I know.  And I don't like it here, not at all.

I do like my new job (mostly).  It really is a fabulous opportunity, but the change is slow-going and I feel exhausted just thinking of all the institutionalized bullshit that needs to be dealt with and changed.  I think about how I had 3 job offers, in 3 different states and I took the best opportunity in the worst location, and sometimes I think I should've just accepted either of the others and stayed in a comfortable environment.  I don't like California.  I never have.  I don't know if I ever will.  People I know have always talked about what a magical place it is, but I was never taken in with that kind of talk.  It feels crowded, fake, expensive, and difficult.

The bright side here is that I am finally close enough to visit The Huntington whenever I want, and one of the very first things I did was buy an annual membership.  I've already been twice with a goal of visiting at least once a month.  I am excited to be able to see the gardens during every season.  It is one of my very favorite places on the planet, and quite literally, the bright side of this relocation.  I'm sure you'll agree...

Rose Garden
There are a bazillion types of roses.  That is not an exaggeration.  (It is, actually, but really there are a lot of different roses.)

This is my new favorite; it's called 'Stainless Steel'  This photo looks a little more purple-y than the actual grey of natural light.















Shakespeare Garden:








North Vista:





Chinese Garden:
They've opened Phase II of the Chinese Garden since my last visit more than 5 years ago.  It is spectacular.












The Japanese Garden & Bonsai Court:
My favorite spot on the west coast.  I've loved it here since my first visit more than 15 years ago.





Wisteria




Trident Maple


Crepe Myrtle







Random daisies:




Abandoned flower wreath:


Subtropical Garden:






Ficus:


Ombu tree (native to Argentina)




Lilly Ponds:

This kid was giggling like crazy as the koi nibbled his fingers.














The goose was just hanging out by the water, and I couldn't really figure it out, but now (2 weeks later) there are little goslings running around.  So Cute.

Palm Garden:


Desert Garden:
I've never really been here when their are cacti in bloom.  There are some interesting flowers in here.







I love these cute little succulents.  So pretty in pink.






This tree was all scary spiny!


Zwartkop - my favorite plant in the desert garden.





At least the bright side is pretty bright!