Anywhere But Here

The term wanderlust is defined as the desire to wander or travel with the core word wander meaning to move about aimlessly or to travel over. I have never had the desire to travel aimlessly or even travel extensively with an aim and a purpose in mind, but I have wanted to leave and go anywhere but here.

I am a California girl, born and raised. Lest you think my feelings regarding my home state veer towards the negative, I assure you that is not the case. Many people call the “Golden State” their home for a reason and there are many pros to calling this state home.

However…

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to live somewhere else. At my truest core, I am a fall and winter person. I love cold weather and always thrive amongst lower temperatures. When it does actually deign to rain here in Southern California, I am at my most happiest. When the Fahrenheit scale starts climbing above 85 degrees every day from July through the beginning of October, I am here physically but, in my mind, I am elsewhere dreaming of cable knit cardigans.

I never thought when I was younger that at this point in my life, I would still be in California. I thought I would definitely have some snow packed winters under my belt by now. Flannel sheets? Check. Wood for my fireplace? Check. Snow boots, snow tires, snow shovel and a carrot for the nose of the snowman we are making in the front yard? Check. Check all the winter boxes please and thank you.

Why am I still here under the glaring sunlight of California’s rays you ask? Why haven’t I fulfilled my dream of drinking hot chocolate whilst actually roasting chestnuts on an open fire? (I’ve always wanted to do that by the way).

Because life inevitably happens. I have a family and my husband has a great job that he enjoys. While he is on board with my dream of truly having a white Christmas one day, right now I have to vicariously live through other people and their magical winter wonderlands (thanks Instagram!) When the song says “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…”, I really am!

Until I can make my cold weather loving dream a reality, I will don my sunglasses and put on my sunscreen to go take my kids to see Santa. Right now, an iced Frappuccino sounds better than a caffe americano. The weather at this time of year can vary but most days the short-sleeved shirt wins over a long-sleeved shirt. It is what it is.

But someday! Someday the change in temperature will usher in Autumn and I will be there for it. Someday the crunching of leaves underfoot will make me smile. Someday the first snowfall of the season will be celebrated. Someday I will wake up to a winter wonderland.

Someday. Someday. Someday.