If you’re going to book a spur-of-the-moment vacation with three friends when frost has just begun to cover the hood of your Corolla, what better place to journey than California? Nevermind that it’s, oh, 3,000 miles from where I’m sitting at this moment in Maryland. They have these incredible things called planes, I’ve found . . . and I’ve booked myself a seat on one. For a vacation that will begin in a little more than two weeks.

Yeah, I guess I really am that impulsive!

Of course, had I not made it to England to visit Stacy in the spring, I don’t know if I would have been able to imagine traveling across the country without giving myself time to ponder how it will all happen. But as it stands? That London weekend was absolutely the shake I needed to wake up and start thinking about progress again. Looking back, I’m sure I’ll pinpoint it as a very serious turning point in my life.

But California is going to be about sun, sass, laughter and pictures. I’m less concerned with making it to certain destinations as I am about the journey! I’ve been to California several times, mostly as a kid, and spent time in L.A. with my family eight years ago. I’ll appreciate many things at 24 that I couldn’t at 16, so I’m really looking forward to seeing it all with a fresh set of eyes! And I want to make the most of our time in San Diego and Los Angeles. So being the serious planner and organizer that I am, I’ve begun my rapid-fire Google searches!

Well, let me correct that — I’ve gone straight to my greatest source of all things travel: my dad. Immediate recommendations include Santa Monica Pier, shopping on Rodeo Drive, Disneyland in Anaheim and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Dad has maps pulled from his vast collection for me and, between them and the GPS, we should be able to get anywhere we need to go — which, for me, also includes Griffith Observatory and Venice Beach Boardwalk (should I dig out my old rollerblades for the day?). While I know it won’t be hot, I’m hopeful that we’ll get some serious sun and temperatures in the 70s! Am I just being optimistic? Does anyone have any must-see attractions to add? I’m all eyes!

I’m sure our five days out west will fly by and fill themselves quickly, but I’m going to try and make a concentrated effort to just stay in the moment, enjoy my time with friends and, as I remind myself a hundred times a day, be here now. It’s easy for me to obsess and panic and wade through about fifty emotions a day, and I seriously can wear myself out by lunchtime! I’m through agonizing over things beyond my control. I’m awesome — and my own happiness? Totally within my control. Since “my thoughts create my world,” those thoughts are now going to be completely tuned to California! Let the dreaming continue . . .