Bweh, San Diego. Jk, I miss you.

As I looked out my window… I thought, “Shit. Let’s not start a blog like this.”

…yet here we are.

I started writing this in San Diego, but I’m making minor edits here at home. The last time I was in San Diego, I documented all of my days. This time, not so much. There was no project and no agenda. Earlier last week, Lamar asked me, “Do you have anything on your list that you want to do while you’re here?” I told him, “No, there was only one thing: to get out of Texas. And I’m out of Texas…that’s about it.”

It was great. One that almost made me miss my flight on purpose…but I actually almost missed my flight. It always feels like I’m an extension to the family, but with bonuses. I couldn’t ask for more, and if I did – shame on me. I’m really #thublessed. If I had to speak about today one day: well, I was able to wake up whenever (but hella early because WHAT GIVES, Daylight Savings). I was able to work a little, research where we should go for lunch, pop in a boutique store, get cultured by Old Town San Diego and peruse. No agenda, no project, no rush. Everything kind of fell into place. There was no grand adventure. It was nice. We ate dinner together, watched a movie and then all went to bed early. That’s what vacation is, right?

I posted a status that said something about me never leaving. But alas, I woke up, got dressed and boarded my flight. After trips, I get introspective. Sometimes it’s surface level, and sometimes it’s abstract. So, without further ado, some thoughts. This is mostly for me to remember later down the road, and an ode to Camp Damata 2.0…here it goes.

Minor Observations [and Lessons] from Camp:

• I texted my parent-friends the most on this trip. Ironically, not my [REAL] parents – but I missed them too.
• Parents are rock stars, truly.
• I can’t imagine if I had 3 other siblings. It’s too much work with just 1 sib RN, TBH.
• High schoolers are weird. But this gen is kind of next level weird. I’m not saying I wasn’t weird in high school. I guess I’m saying that high school is a weird time…
• Pigment is a cool ass store in North Park.
• I really love Texas, but I don’t look I’m from there. Note to Self: get more Texas-flag-themed shirts.
• California – San Diego – you’re very different than Texas. From sunshine tax to mountains & beaches in the backyard, you’re different. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over driving, seeing mountains in the distance and being in a constant state of awe.
• ALSO, you don’t know how to deal with rain, but neither do we…
• I look young, y’all. Even to Youths. *hair flip*
• Halloween here is REAL. I mean, it’s real everywhere, but we made a photobooth backdrop. #2legit2quit
• A Halloween-candy-eating-marathon is something that I succumbed to because of its accessibility. It was everywhere. I had M&M’s coming out of my jacket pocket. What’s self control?
• Who knows how to unclog a toilet? Shae. Not me.
• Apparently, the next Camp Damata is the Vegas edition…you can sign up with me, CAROLINE and HANNAH.
• Hauling your ass to your airplane gate 7 minutes before it leaves is not as easy as Home Alone [sorta] makes it look. TSA is unforgiving, always.
• OH. PS. EVERYONE. Never fly Spirit Airlines. It’s never worth it.

When you’re at Camp Damata, you better be in for the ride. And even if it’s brief, you feel everything.