This list is not really in order, except for #1, of course. My older brother and younger sister both live in LA as do my parents. It is not an easy decision to move away from my family, particularly given how tight-knit we are. But, as I keep telling everyone, this is just a year away!
- My family and friends
- Jacaranda trees– If you haven’t seen them blooming in the spring, you are missing out.
- Children’s Book World– A gem of a bookstore that is a block from our house. When the kids were younger they went to story time there on Saturday mornings, now we shop for Harry Potter books there.
- Sawtelle Blvd– Also known as little Osaka, this street is full of incredible eats and stores and reminds me of my life in Japan.
- Driving up PCH– Because, umm, it is awesome.
- Blooming jasmine– The smell of these flowers in our neighborhood always stop me and my daughter in our tracks.
- Amazon.com– All the glory that comes with this powerhouse, from Amazon Fresh, to Prime, to Mozart in the Jungle, my relationship with this company is a daily habit and it will be a strange thing not to use it.
- Rose Parade- a family tradition growing up made more meaningful by my father now being the mayor of Pasadena–so we got to ride in the parade last year
- Speaking English- I know that feeling of exhaustion of being surrounded by a language you don’t quite understand, or only get snippets of. Strong incentive to continue to study Italian.
- Valet parking– We are probably not even going to have a car in Italy, but in LA, I always felt so happy to know I could show up and not have to hunt for a spot.