I woke up on the morning of November 9th, 2016 to an intense whirlwind of conflict. Ready and excited to fly back home for a 3-week trip to California & Oregon with my beloved, yet flabbergasted in the worst way possible to discover that the unthinkable had happened in the US presidential elections. I thought – my God, I don’t want to go to a place filled with people who voted for Trump! Yes, there was drama.

After a few hours of deep confusion and disbelief I decided that I was going to make it an amazing trip despite the horrendous news, and just concentrate on spending some precious time with my loved ones, being back at home by the ocean, and eating Mexican food. I do have priorities after all.

Shortly into our trip, I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that I could pretty much avoid getting into any conversations about the election results because nobody else wanted to talk about it either! Were people shamed into silence? Or just too damn tired after witnessing such a drawn-out and hideous parade of entitlement and hairspray?

I didn’t experience any blatant confrontations with the backward sort of folk who find Trump appealing. Not that they’re not around, but like in most everyday situations…you attract what you are and what you believe in, and hallelujah for that.

Still, I felt a bit guilty after indulging myself in naive avoidance and denial by totally devoting myself to Southern Californian Santa Ana days spent cruising the boardwalk and stuffing my face with Mexican food and margaritas.

Eventually, the conversations I did get into were surprisingly constructive, with people who are adamant about protecting those who will be most affected by a Trump administration. Just look in the direction of the people who were the victims of his hateful rhetoric and that is where the positive action needs to go to. One friend of mine now volunteers at the local Islamic center in her town to show her love and solidarity. My Aunt is helping a young girl with undocumented parents apply for college. We need more of this.

My hope is that this sense of community and the desire to get involved spreads like roots and branches of a magnificant tree like this one in Balboa Park, San Diego. We’ll all see – the world is watching and waiting.

Happy New Year everyone!! All the very best to you all. xoxo