Adjustment

[tarigwaemir]

Haste Street, on the Feast of Ste. Jane Frances de Chantal

I am awfully unhappy at the moment, which I think is a combination of being exhausted and having my mother with me at all times of the day. Don't get me wrong; Mother and I get along really well. We squabble often but we're just as likely to have long heart-to-heart conversations. However, she does have this tendency to not leave me alone, especially if she has something on her mind (and since this move is a big change for both of us, she always has something on her mind). I'm also extremely tired out from a week and a half of shopping and sightseeing. -_- I would like to unwind by the usual method of reading fic or watching shows online, but my mother seems incapable of seeing me sit at the computer without starting up an incessant run of commentary. (Usually on my Internet addiction. If you've chatted with me in the past week and if I sounded inattentive or scatterbrained or simply not all there, I'm really sorry...it's probably because I was trying to tune out my mother's nagging at the same time.) I'm kind of looking forward to her leaving on Wednesday and feeling bad about it at the same time too.

All that being said, I think my mother is starting to like California, even if she's not too impressed by San Francisco. The gorgeous weather and the abundance of fresh produce helped immensely. She's also more or less getting used to Berkeley as well, although she's nervous about the safety of the area and hasn't stopped lecturing me on the importance of walking home early on brightly lit streets. Still, I think she's finally stopped bemoaning my decision.

As for me...well, I'm not in love with California yet because I'm kind of homesick for New York. But I'm sure this feeling will pass once I have a chance to accustom myself to the area on my own. (Probably what I really need to do is visit a few bookstores. That usually endears a new city to me right away.) I am tired and stressed out, which makes me wonder whether school, which starts on Monday, will come as a relief or will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, so to speak. I'm actually not all too enamoured of the constant bright sunlight (relentless is the word that comes to mind), and the dry air here is causing my skin to peel (have thus invested in moisturizer, which luckily works like a charm).

There's some blind_go administrivia I should take care of, but I think I'll have to put it off until tomorrow because I'm so tired. I haven't had a chance to write anything either, despite having about three fic commitments and the rest of the drabble requests to work on. Mostly I feel as if I haven't been able to hear myself think since I moved out here, which is probably why my mood's so lousy at the moment. Maybe I can spend next weekend at the library, before rotations start.

Yours &c.

Comments

[tsutanai.livejournal.com]

Sunglasses, moisturizer, and lots of water are musts here. (Srsly, getting sunglasses improved my opinion of socal much. At least at a gut level.)

At least complaining about California is a fun way to bond with people not from the state. For example, just tonight: waxing nostalgic about rain, and laughing at the Californians Who Can't Drive In It with the checkout clerk.

[troisroyaumes]

Hmm...maybe I should invest in a pair of sunglasses as well. ^_^

Apparently it rains up here in the winter. I don't actually mind it being sunny all the time, but the quality of the sun I do object to. Yeah, those sunglasses sound better and better all the time.

[issen4.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, that sounds... not very comfortable. And on top of the anticipation (?) of starting school, too.

Locating a good bookstore is a must! Bring your mother on your search--at least she can then grumble about something that you both care about.

[troisroyaumes]

Haha, well, she's leaving in a few days so by the time I can actually go bookstore-hopping, she'll probably have left already. That being said, I think there are a lot of bookstores in the area, which is a cheering thought.

[lucathia]

There are quite a few bookstores around Berkeley (lots of used bookstores too!). I liked going to Cody's when it used to be on Telegraph since I always passed the place on the way back to my apartment. It's a nice, cozy bookstore. I was sad that they moved.

I think Berkeley weather is pretty nice. It usually doesn't get too hot or too cold. As for the sunlight...I never noticed that much since I stayed inside most of the time (and my apartment was dark. I wish more sunlight came in...).

Berkeley can be dangerous at nights (well, like all places!). If you're ever out late, you should definitely try to stick to the larger streets and try to have someone walk with you. There's also BearWALK and the Night Safety Shuttle.

I hope you grow accustomed to Berkeley soon. I was pretty miserable when I first started at Berkeley too.

[troisroyaumes]

Yes, I've noticed the bookstores on Shattuck and Telegraph. I haven't had a chance to visit though...::mourns:: Hopefully that will change by this next weekend though. Where is Cody's now? I think I've heard of it before in a tour guide.

The weather is nice, much nicer than East coast weather. I'm just (unnecessarily) griping because I'm not fond of the sun glare. ^_^;;

Oh, thanks so much, I knew about the shuttle but didn't know about BearWALK. (So that's what the phone number on the back of the ID card is for!)

[lacewood]

*pats* Hope you have a good rest, and ahaha yeah, I can imagine what it'd be like to constantly be around someone who couldn't leave you alone (my grandmmother is like this, and it DRIVES ME INSANE)

I'm sure you'll adapt and things will get better!

[troisroyaumes]

Thanks! I think I am adapting slowly but surely. Hopefully once I'm less tired and cranky, the whole place will seem a lot more attractive. ^_^

[starlighter.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Congrats on the move, and I'm sure you'll be fine once you start :) Get lots of sleep beforehand! Take naps! Sleep for nine hours! Take long hot showers with wonderful smelling bath products! In general, those alone improve my outlook on life like nothing else. (Have become addicted to Lush products - their shampoo and conditioner + my hair == AAA++++)

I also tend to like just wandering by myself during the day around the area and visiting cafes, because I just feel at home in cafes; when I'm in a new country, I gravitate towards Starbucks like a moth to a lamp. (They had this great red tea latte in SF when I visited early this year; it just tastes Asian, and like home.)

I'm hoping, finances and time willing, to come visit you sometime next year? :) Am looking forward to seeing you tanned and happy and well-fed and settled.

[troisroyaumes]

Thanks! Naps sound like a very good idea right now (at least until rotations properly start). ^_^ There are a lot of cafés in the neighborhood around campus as well--including Peets and Tullys in addition to the ubiquitous Starbucks--although I have yet to figure out which ones to frequent. And ohh, the red tea latte sounds nice! I should hunt down the local Starbucks and see if they have them here too.

Yes, please visit me! :D It'll be so much fun, and hopefully I'll know all the good places to eat by then.

[jaebi-lit.livejournal.com]

Check out Moe's bookstore, four or five (or possibly more, it's been a while) blocks down Telegraph. It's a good used bookstore, although the Harvard Bookstore is currently my favorite in the States.

[troisroyaumes]

Ohhhh, I love the Harvard Bookstore. One of my regrets is that I only opened a Frequent Buyer's card there my senior year (too late to reap the benefits). I suppose I can use it when I go back and visit though.

I've seen Moe's on Telegraph, and I plan to go as soon as I'm able. XD Four stories of books! I'm looking forward to it already.