Oh hi, Ojai.

14 Feb

2013.  Back in business.  First things first, a very heartfelt thanks to all the Dubu fans who (ever so gently) checked in, inquiring as to when they would get more Dubu.  Two things: (a) You really know how to make a grown woman cry, and (b) You had me at hello.  Point is, eight months is far too long to keep you hanging and I do apologize.  Never again, people.

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Ojai Valley Inn

So for my first post-hiatus post, I’ll recount a recent weekend in Ojai, as it was healing, joyful and beautiful — a pretty accurate snapshot of the emotional space I am trying to occupy in my path of grieving, coping and…well…living.

For MLK weekend this past month, the Husband and I decided to whisk ourselves away for an overnighter and see what Ojai had to offer.  Or more precisely, what this place had to offer.  Okay, hi.  Got it.  It’s pretty amazing.  What made the weekend especially memorable was not the Mira Sorvino sightings (not once, but twice), but instead, the fantastic Farmers’ Market the town of Ojai had to offer. (Sundays, 9am-1pm, 300 E. Matilija Street).

We love, love, love Farmers’ Markets.  Love the people, love the food, love the smells, love the sights (so much love).  Not sure if it was because the glorious sun was peeking out after a week of intermittent rain (“STORMWATCH 2013″ lol), but somehow the individual stalls selling artisan wares, organic cheeses, and mouth-watering mini-pies all looked especially perfect that day.  And to top it off, the adorable bluegrass band in the corner sat on bales of hay looking ridiculously quaint, surrounded by giggling children chasing bubbles, or something to that effect.  Probably a puppy or two thrown in there as well.  And a rainbow.  You get what I’m saying.

 

After about an hour drive north on the 101, we arrived hungry and ready to eat.  We hunted and gathered as only urban dwellers can do, and came up with a pretty nice spread. We decided to eat in the herb garden (yes, the herb garden) at our Southern California Luxurious Resort.  

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The rest of the weekend was filled with the usual Ojai-ian things we were sent by a divine power to do – lounge by the pool, lounge while getting a massage, lounge while lazily riding bikes, lounge while playing cards by the fire, lounge while watching the sunset, lounge while pretending to participate in an evening stretch and yoga class…you get the point.  34 hours later (2 hours at the Camarillo Premium Outlets, who can resist?), our minds both contemplative and serene, we arrived home, ready to take on what the year will bring.

In the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “We shall overcome.”

*This (and all future posts) is dedicated to my loving sister Bona Lisa Kim (August 6, 1984 – July 19, 2012).  You were always my biggest fan.  Happy Valentine’s Day, Bobo.*

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7 Responses to “Oh hi, Ojai.”

  1. mrsjekl February 14, 2013 at 1:10 am #

    And happy Valentine’s Day to everyone that loves Bona.

  2. Sarah February 14, 2013 at 3:30 am #

    So sweet….love u and love dubu…glad you’re back. And now I wanna go to Ojai.

  3. Suzy February 14, 2013 at 7:23 am #

    Dubu is back !!! Love you, love dubu and love Bona. Looks like one day I will love Ojai too!

  4. Diana Y. Paul February 14, 2013 at 10:19 am #

    I am so glad you are back bloggin. Have to admit I have been peeking in on your site, waiting for a new post. We are in LA every other month or so now and will definitely try out the Ojai resort you raved about!

  5. Chitra Agrawal (@ABCDsofCooking) February 15, 2013 at 6:57 am #

    Glad you’re back Mia and was so excited to see the update in my inbox! What a sweet tribute to Bona. Love you!

  6. Dave February 15, 2013 at 10:06 am #

    Great post Mia!
    That sums up Ojai. But how was the golf? Haha
    Looking forward to more Dubi adventures!

  7. Anonymous February 17, 2013 at 9:31 am #

    Yay, so glad you’re back! nice tribute to Bobo, glad the Ojai was good for you and the Husband’s souls….love you

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