"Because we're all looking for the complete definition of love,
if only we could open our encyclopedia brittanicas
and look up love and know,
but love isn't that easy"
- Beau Sia
Dear Readers,
My challenge started on August 1 to find out what "The Finest City" in America has to offer little, ol' me. I hope you enjoy reading my slice-of-life accounts of adventures.
Sincerely,
J.Bean
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August 1
Dear San Diego,
You are a beautiful city, Whenever I mention you, people have this instant brightness about them which prompts them to go on and on about how great the weather is or how you are a great place to know. There is nothing about the things that are said about you isn’t true, you know that, right?
So, do you want the good news or the bad news first? I don’t know how to put this but here goes. Something’s been on my mind and I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you that…well, the honeymoon is over. I’m sorry but whatever that was once there isn’t working for me. You’re full of the same old faces, same old things and truth be told, if you were an island, I’d probably be kicking trees down in an attempt to build a raft to sail away. I don’t think I’m afraid of commitment and I’ve come to know you over the course of, what, about 15 years…and yet, I feel like I’m in a rut, maybe I’m not personally growing, who knows.
It’s not you , it’s me.
I love you but I’m not in love with you.
I think I’ve lost that loving feeling…
Here’s the thing:
I don’t think I can just leave you without giving us another chance.
People say that a house is not a home without a heart… I’m taking this month to really get to know you, and hopefully in finding you, I’ll find that heart, beating with the pulse of what you have to offer, moving me to the point that love will be synonymous with San Diego.
I’ve been told that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. So I thought I’d try something new, at least to me. I’ve always heard that Saigon Restaurant is a pretty good Vietnamese restaurant. It just so happens to be my friend’s, Hollywood, birthday. So I ended up going to Saigon with Hollywood, my sister, and a few of her coworkers. As a self-proclaimed Asian food lover, I have to shamefully admit I’m not familiar with Vietnamese food. Saigon has over 300 items on their menu so my decision-making skills were definitely challenged. I ended up going for the safe bet and ordered a number 60-something, a broken rice dish served with grilled pork and an egg. If it sounds good, it’s because it was. Fried lobster and a sautéed catfish dish were two of the dishes shared by the table. Leaving the restaurant, I felt a sense of accomplishment of challenging the everyday thoughts of “I wonder..” or “maybe next time..” and that enormous portion of pork and rice.
My sister has known of my small fear of trying out new Asian restaurant. Case in point, when Hollywood and I first ventured out to our first Korean restaurant together in Fullerton. Hollywood thought it was a buffet but indeed, it was a sit-down restaurant and with all the small dishes of sauces coming on the table, and other side dishes, the unknown was overwhelming and unnerving. Come to think of it, it’s more of my fear of being ignorant (like the classic situation where people drink their finger bowl during a meal instead of using it to clean their fingers…yikes!) Anyway, with that said, going to a new Asian restaurant is a bit of a feat for myself.
San Diego, you have once again surprised me. This first, albeit, small step towards getting to know you had cast off the blinders most jaded folks have come to be accustomed to.
This looks like it’s going to be an interesting month.
Sincerely,
J.Bean
P.S
I know you expected me to end with something like
“Looks like the start of a beautiful friendship,” huh? Well, we’re gonna try to be full of surprises.