And four hours later...

So, I have been putting off this one last item of my move from a year ago that would completely erase my legal connection to the state of Iowa. I held off registering my car in the state of California just because I did not want to pay the registration fees for bringing my car into a new state. Since I had already had my tags from Iowa, I just did not do it.

With August rolling around, the notice came that my registration tags would shortly be expiring. I was debating about transferring the registration for several weeks, especially when I viewed the costs of registering my car in CA versus IA and of course, IA came out on the shorter end. I figured I would take care of the details once I settled into my apartment and could get online.

According to California law, as soon as I start working in the state of CA, I now become a legal resident of the state and therefore must register my car. I thought maybe I could get away with registering in IA since I am now a student and I was all ready to do that. Then one morning as I was waking up and the fog of sleep began to leave my mind, I realized that I could not, legally, register my car in Iowa. Why? Because I no longer had a residence there. My parents sold the house. So I had to register it here.

I went to the DMV today. I thought I was already to go through the details. I had the registration form filled out. I had my car smog checked. I had my current registration card. And my current driver's license. I get there. I get my number. I had to wait just over an hour. So I get to the window, hand the lady all the forms, and I was missing one item. I had to have a DMV personnel inspect my car before I could register my car. So i went out, got my car in the lane (and the parking lot was a nightmare!) and had the DMV inspect my car. I thought I was done. But no, I had to go back into the station, get another number, and finishing my registration.

Needless to say, I spent over four hours at the DMV to register my car which no longer sports the IA plates and now displays the white plates of California. But at least I will not get pulled over for expired tags and I am becoming more and more a Cali-girl.

A quick update.

I have finally arrived...I am in Pasadena. My parents and I drove down from Modesto yesterday and pulled up in front of my apartment building around 2:00 p.m. I LOVE MY APARTMENT! It is a bit smaller than I expected but it will be perfect for just me for the next year or two years. It is a total mess at the moment as my stuff was just plopped into the room but for the moment I have dishes, silverware, glasses, a bed, and towels. I have the basics until I get the rest taken care of.

So what is next? I need to settle in. I have a job interview on Monday for a work study position. I need to wrap up a few loose ends to get the basics. I do not have internet at the apartment so I may be absent for a few days but I am working on that bit of work. I hope to get registered fully into my classes and begin the reading that I know will hit me once school starts. I will need to find a church home and just relax and enjoy this new journey that God has lead me on.

I write again in the future.

The Moon.

The lesser light
that rules by
the dark of night
with its round eye
that blinks and winks
playing peek-a-boo
with the cloak of stars
now smiles down
upon me.

Blue Escape.

calm, blue waters
ripples with the
gentle breeze...
with its inviting whispers
calls me to
envelope myself
int is
refreshing depths.

Willow Tree.

branches that hang down
in gentle tears
hiding the beauty
of hidden space
that two lovers seek.
waving gently as the wind whirls
dancing upon the windy notes
whispering its secret;
this hidden space,
calling me to
invade this quiet domain
to share this secret
while the branches sway --
enclosing safely
around me.

Just an update.

WOW! The past month has flown by with a velocity I did not know time had. It is already August. My mind is running at full speed, faster than i can truly comprehend. I have so much to get done in such a short amount of time that I am stalling on some items. But the whole purpose in my move to the eternal land of sunshine is approaching fast.

Yes, I am still moving to Pasadena. Yes, I am still planning on attending seminary this fall. In fact, I recently received my class schedule for the next two years, and it will be hectic and intense. But I know that I am going to enjoy the next journey of my life. My apartment is ready and I can move in anytime. I have been in contact with my community coordinators. I have even had a job interview for a work study position. Everything keeps moving forward.

My mind is in a whirlwind of all the things yet to be accomplished. The address changes, the packing, the unpacking, the settling in, meeting new people, finding a new church home...I still have lots to do. But I hope to write a little bit more so y'all can keep up with me.

I will write more later.