Hanna, enjoying the sunset in Mission Beach

Sometimes I miss Midwest winters. I got a nice dose of reality when I went home to Chicago for a weekend visit during in October. I had to wear a winter jacket — the entire time. It was ridiculous. Recently my husband and I stayed at a condo on Mission beach. Spending most of my weekend in a bathing suit killed every ounce of nostalgia I carry for changing leaves and those thick white blankets of snow. I’ll take 70 degree weather and the beach over shoveling and frost bite any day.

Luis Puente

While my family and high school buddies were probably sipping hot coca and bundling up in heavy coats and boots back in Chicago, here in San Diego, I took a leisurely morning bike ride on the boardwalk, in shorts, flip-flops, and a tank top. I found this cowboy surfer, 23-year-old, Luis Puente, near Belmont Park. When I asked him what he does for a living he said, “Living life and working behind a bar.”

The next day while enjoying the sunset over the Pacific, I spotted 25-year-old German exchange student Hanna. She rode a long board and wore a one-shoulder sweater. She claims her biggest shock upon moving to SD was to learn that Americans aren’t as shallow as she thought they would be.

“Californians are very friendly and nice.”

She also told me that she has dated a few cute blond boys in San Diego. Good for you, Hanna! Her favorite Southern California activity thus far has been learning how to sail.