Sleepwalking in Time: Santa Barbara

Drove up to Santa Barbara to visit Justin and to see Santa Barbara. We thought it'd be the good thing to do, to kind of return the favour and also to see UCSB and how he lived in SB.

I thought that Santa Barbara was really a quaint little town. Bustling where its supposed to be bustling, quiet where its supposed to be quiet. Its really different from LA where there is lotsa hustle and bustle almost all the time, whether in Westwood, or Hollywood etc etc. It seems really more relaxed in SB, plus the air smells fresher too.

This is the second time in the space of the week where I kinda experienced apartment living, with Singaporeans. Food wasn't like the meal plan that I have here in LA living on campus, they usually cooked. They live about a 10min bus ride from school, ordinarily a luxury for living in Pasir Ris me, but the convenience of Hilgard from school is unbeatable. Living in an apartment with 4 other Singaporeans, must be an interesting experience. Although I wouldn't know if it was for the better or the worse. I'm thankful though, living in Hilgard, knowing Americans and other international students have made it easier for me to hang out, and look for fun stuff to do!

There's this vast space in SB that Justin spoke about, and that I finally kind of realised that was lacking at home. There's this freedom to think, to live, and to go out and just be overwhelmed by the grander aspects of life. Looking off the coastline from the top of a mountain, or just staring at the vast expanse of the ocean, somehow it just fills you with a sense that there is so much out there, something you cannot find back at home.

Visited UCSB, downtown SB, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Missions, and St Mary's Seminary on top of the mountain. Got quite alot of stuff done in a short space of time. But lets not kid you, amidst all the quiet serenity that I have described, SB is a party town at night. People thronging the streets, jacked up, going house partyhopping and all. I don't know if that's a good balance, but it sure makes for an exciting life if you indulge in it.