Meghan Cain's Blog (6)

A white expanse of pillow soft cotton is all I can see for miles and miles. This endless layer of fluff is blinding - I can hardly stand to glance down at it with naked eyes. To help, I throw on my pair of $6 sunglasses from Target, not caring what the other passengers think. Although it's tempting to try and break through the multilayer airplane window, I could probably barely fit my head through the elongated oval, let alone count on the "sturdy" looking cloud bed to break my fall. A few more… Continue

Week #5 Huge bundles of sea grass sway back and forth with every swell that enters the cove. It’s like I’m in a different world – no talking, no cell phones, no computers, and completely void of noise except for the constant snapping that comes from biting shrimp. Although the Garibaldi, a brilliant orange, medium sized fish that happens to be the state fish of California, definitely catches my eye, for some reason the immense amount of sea floor foliage is the most enticing part of my first-ti… Continue

Week #4 With my duffel bag slung over my shoulder, I concentrate on maintaining perfect posture despite the extra weight of gym shoes & clothes, a beach towel, swimsuit, goggles, and all my shower stuff. Although a backpack would be much more practical, I insist on lugging around this navy blue Wal-Mart duffel with a creaky, plastic shoulder strap attached and a broken side pocket. All my energy focuses on keeping my head up and back flat as a board while my muscles adamantly protest. "Exc… Continue

Week #3 You know that little homesick bug I recently mentioned? Between eight hour days at the office, my new found insistence and craving to lap swim almost every day, and taking late night runs to In N' Out with my roommates and friends, I can hardly even feel the bites filled with the longing to be back in my normal life. Occasionally, however, they itch a little bit - forcing me to remember the familiar, caring faces of family and friends and the chillaxing days in town, sitting on the benc… Continue

Week #2 A layer of fog-like mist nestles up against the beachside cliffs as the waves gently crash onto shore. Laura, one of my semi-roommates, Arthur, Pepe and I lay on the beach, snoozing, reading and soaking up the half hearted sun. Although the "marine layer" is preventing the sun from gleaming fully down at us, the UV rays still manage to get through - as proof by my joke of tan. I didn't get sunburned and that's all I care about but to say I got a tan isn't exactly true - especially compa… Continue

Week #1 I walk down the escalator into the San Diego International Airport terminal, scanning the eager family and crying friends of arriving and departing travelers alike. I don't see any Brazilian looking men accompanied by English women. As calmly as I can, I stroll over to baggage claim, anticipating the arrival of my two large suitcases on the carousel. After I manage to lug my baggage across the walkway to a chair, I frantically scan the crowd for the umpteenth time, searching for two mem… Continue