Currently I am somewhere over Nebraska on a Northwest flight from Detroit to Los Angeles to visit my good friend Maria. It has been some time since last I saw her - back towards the last week in September in a company of old friends, and some more recent ones.
There's a genuinely warm connection I feel towards Maria. We had dated in the past - my rollercoaster of a sophomore year in college - sharing some intimate moments, and the long standing sense I have of her is that she is likely the most unconditionally caring person on this planet. And the care that she offers to others is so beautiful and inviting - an almost unmatchable model to follow.
From the time that this flight lands, to the time that I must board a flight back to Detroit, is a total of approximately 40 hours. Why I would spend 12 hours travelling to see her for 40 hours should provide a sense of how compellingly wonderful a woman she is. I think even she was surprised that I would make such a trip.
This trip as well marks the first time I will step foot in the great state of California. Los Angeles to be specific. The farthest west I have been until today was a brief trip with the company to Las Vegas a little over two years ago. I am excited about seeing a new place as it presents new types of people, new thoughts, and growth opportunity.
A side bonus of this trip is that on account of all my flying this year and the status I have attained with the airlines, I find myself in first class. The meal was wonderful - a nice selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, some puffed rice and a dish that resembles couscous, and for dessert - a 'make-it-yourself' ice cream sunday. I was thinking about holding off, as I am working on my weight, but this is the first first-class flight I have been on that has served them. So I figured I'd indulge myself and take it off Sunday back at the hotel gym.
A feeling of eurphoria has befallen me - definitely something to do with the newness of making my first trip to the west coast, the anticipation of seeing Maria, and how good I have been to my body and my mind this week. I am thankful that though it has been a difficult year for me to find my groove mentally, I am at a point where my potential has been exercised into a more kinetic form.
Posted by brian at December 14, 2001 06:20 PM