What Goes Around

OK, not really.  We arrived down in Southern California yesterday.  As we drove over the Grapevine, there was a 10 mile back-up on the other side because of a wreck.  Horrible.  So I turned the news on to hear about what they said the problem was.  It is then that I heard the live coverage of the riots in Anaheim.  It sounded crazy.  As we continued our drive we continued to listen to it and I felt more and more uneasy about being in California.  And as we drove along, cars zipped in and out at speeds of at lest 80 mph.  It feels like I am in a different country.  Riots, accidents, crazy drivers....  Where am I?  We go back to India next week.  I guess this week is preparing me for India.  If I remember right, I said that same thing the last time we were in California on our way back to India. 

Today is the last day at my parents' house before we head back to India.  It is always sad to say these two year good-byes.  It is a weird feeling to think  of not seeing someone for two years.  I will miss not being able to see my parents, not being at the holiday gatherings, not being here for birthdays, not being here for helping when my parents need it (not that they are getting old or anything), and I will miss just seeing them. We have been able to have lots of fun together during the last two weeks.  We have seen lots of pretty places, gone swimming, visited the snow, eaten lots of home cooked food, played games, and just hung out.  I will have to hold on to these memories until we can make more.  Thankfully I have a few pictures to look at. Good-bye Mom and Dad!  Thanks for taking care of us.

I've been to some beautiful places in my life.  I have visited the Alps, which is extremely lovely and refreshing.  I have been to the Rift Valley, which is amazingly majestic.  But the most beautiful place on earth, in my opinion, is Northwest America (Oregon and Washington).  I have lived in Portland for several years of my life and think that it is the prettiest city on earth.  On this trip I flew into Seattle and it must be the 2nd prettiest city.  The lush green vegetation all around, the beautiful mountains, and the lakes and rivers that dot the states makes this area THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE ON EARTH! Here are some photos for those of you who haven't been here.  I didn't take them because my photography skills just don't do it justice.