The first 2 years living in LA, I learned a great lesson in being humble enough to bum rides off of people but not being pushy in asking. Now, I am happy to say that I have my own transportation. 2500 miles after leaving my parents house in Florida, I finally made it! I can't say I enjoy standing at the gas pump, watching the counter go up very rapidly (gas is $2.79 a gallon out here right now), but I have to say life feels different having a car. I just have to be wise about how much I actually drive.

At the same time that I am tyring to watch gas usage, I am getting involved with a local church in Hollywood. It's amazing to see the things that God is doing in this small, brand new church and that i get to be a part of it right from the beginning. Each week there is a group that meets at a coffee house to discuss random, but very relevant, topics. This last week was the first time that I went and it was a great experience. The discussion was on success and how we view it in our culture, and even as Christians. What defines our success and how do we go about acheiving it? It morphed into so much more than just about that and when everyone was ready to leave, I could hardly believe that it had been 2 1/2 hours! I know it may sound cheesey and a bit "cliche-ish" to say this, but afterwards, I felt alive. I felt energized to be sitting with new friends, discussing big ideas and how we view the world and how we view God. I must say that I wish there were more than one meeting a week, but I know that isn't really possible.

It goes to show me that I seem to thrive when I can be engaged in meaningful conversation. The kind of talks that challenge me and probe me to think more and contemplate what it is that I believe and why I view it that way. And then to be able to bounce those off of other people, to hear their perspective. To build solid relationships. Definitely one of my favorite pasttimes.