Sionara California

In precisely nine hours I will be on a Southwest flight to New Orleans, Louisiana.

You know, by now this moment is kind of a regular feeling for me. I have no idea what to expect this coming week but between Berkeley, Egypt, and DC I've come to revel in the feeling. I am confident that I need to leave the Golden State for some time but at heart, I know where my roots are and something tells me that I'll find my way back.

But, in Pryor family tradition, my California exit meant many a get together. Here's the run-down:

Friday: The sister and husband arrive from Pasadena. Original LP barbeques and fish and steak feast shared by cousin Kyle and adopted cousin Ben. The evening transitioned to the cousin's house where I redeemed my beer pong skills and excelled at flip cup. The lot of us soon abandoned the beer pong and headed out to the Encinitas bars one last time -- ran into old friends, laughed with family, and had an authentic Enc outing -- couldn't ask for more

Saturday: 10:30am a limo arrives at the Pryor condo to surprise my mother for her 50th birthday celebration. Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and Pryor fam gathered inside and headed to Temecula for a day of wine tasting. The weather was beautiful and the company was even better. In the evening, we all met up at the Scmuckle's for a little burger barbeque. The sister husband and I then escaped with the cousins to play more beer pong/flip cup. I was pooped by midnight.

Sunday: Evening dinner catered by the local dirty Mexican taco stand with everyone near and dear to the family. We dined on carnitas and watched the Lakers/Celtics game. This was officially night 1 of my send-off. I said goodbye to some friends and family and was given several words of encouragement. My sis and her husband also left this evening -- Jeff left by saying: "Damnit Laura! With your in Louisiana 25% of my social life is gone!" (hopefully the sis will loosen the reins soon)

Monday: Sushi happy hour with the nucleus of our mafia family. The sushi, beer and sake was excellent. I gave Kyle a map of the US and labeled it with the Mardi Gras date to encourage their anticpated road trip to the NOLA. I'm going to miss my cousins A LOT, but it's a different kind of feeling, because I know they'll be in my life whether I like it or not. Here are a few pics highlighting the final send off:

Me and Ben (the "adopted cousin" aka my arranged marriage)

Uncle Brian Says: "We can never leave any sake on the table! Finish it!"

Me and Kyle - Note the Schmuckle Painting truck in the background (Uncle Brian confessed he only gets his gas from Mexico these days, hopefully they don't take Kyle for a stowaway)

Honestly, and in the least cheesy way, I feel so lucky to have such a supportive and fun family. When I think about it, I'd be such a different person if it weren't for my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. In fact, I probably wouldn't be going to New Orleans tomorrow if it weren't for their lifetime encouragement.

So, in spirit of staying true to what I know, I'm going to refrain from speculating about the future because I like to go into things like this without any expectations -- I find that it keeps me positive. I'll be staying at Tulane University till Sunday morning and then I'll be in Phoenix for five weeks.

Thanks so much for all the FPZ love and enthusiasm - I always get a burst of energy when hearing about your adventures and reading your encouraging comments. Puma, I hope you're feeling better because if I remember correctly, today was your first day as a Summer Associate (let me know how it went?!). And Miss Fifi, I'm sure your Muir plans are coming together and I'm excited to see more about your SF adventures.

7:30am flight...time to sleep on it.