Happy 57th Birthday To Me!

For my birthday I went whale watching in Newport Beach, but before that I was fortunate enough to get called in for an interview for Peer Employment Training. Only a very few people are chosen for this. It's an intense two week program that once completed will qualify me for positions as a Peer Support Specialist which is like a therapist for people dealing with mental and addiction challenges. It is like a dream career for me since becoming an actual social worker/therapist is out of my reach due to financial reasons. Ultimately, it will be God who will lead me to where I should go with this, but so far He seems to have been opening every door in this direction and I have been following this path.

I had been very concerned about how successful I would be at my interview and doubtful that I would be accepted into the program but during this morning's Bible study the Lord spoke clearly to me with this verse:

"Now Go!
I will be with you as you speak,
and I will instruct you in what to say."
Exodus 4:12

After reading this all my fears abated and I went into my interview with confidence. I had a very positive interview and I believe I made a good impression. Robyn said she would be sending out emails tomorrow to those that had been accepted into the program.

After my interview I headed off to Newport Beach. I got there early and walked along the boardwalk and went in several of the shops. I was so enamored by all of the lovely soothing colors of the seashells and the aqua and blues of the decorations and artwork that I've decided that I will stick to my original plan of making my house over with a beach theme. I had hoped to do that when we moved in but the furniture we got  (for practically nothing) was of a more traditional style in olive greens, tans and dark browns. I bought traditional cherry wood tables to go with them and cherry wood colored bookcases so while the living room looks lovely it's anything but a beach theme in color, but I can always get a cover for the sofa or find throw pillows with a nautical theme to tie it in.

Anyway, I got off track...
Here's the boardwalk and some pictures of the inside of the stores. You can't see it from this picture but there's a ferris wheel on the right just after the Balboa Beach Treats sign. I've yet to go on it.

I love the seashells and the soothing aqua decor.

Aren't the lovely glass balls wonderful, and the coral designed bowl. 

After walking along the boardwalk I got in line and waited to board the boat. This was my 5th trip out with this company and so far all I've seen was dolphins and sea lions. Unfortunately, this trip was no different. It is on my bucket list to see a humpback whale. The captain informed us that on the 23rd they got to have an encounter with a humpback and a gray whale so he took us out beyond the shelf to deeper water to see if we could have any luck. Sad to say we didn't get any this time, but we did run into a pod of 100 dolphins feeding on anchovies which was fun to watch. I love the way they play along with the boat when it's traveling. They jump and frolic along the sides and in front of the bow. I didn't take any pictures though for fear of dropping my cell phone into the drink.

While I haven't had any luck that's not because the company hasn't tried and if you live in Southern California I highly recommend the adventure! Here's a link Davey's Locker Whale Watching. I didn't get to see this, but as I said it's my dream. Heck, I may have to go to Hawaii to see one and wouldn't that be a tragedy? NOT!

So after my nautical adventure I was starving and I headed for Ruby's Diner at the end of Balboa Pier. The pier was constructed in 1940. I don't think the diner had been there that long, but I could be mistaken about that. It was a lovely sunny day so I chose a spot where the umbrella was down and enjoyed the sunshine.

I ordered one of the western bacon cheeseburgers which came with endless fries, which I couldn't eat after stuffing myself on the burger. I also ordered an iced tea.

Once I finished stuffing myself I walked back down the pier and found a nice spot on the sand next to the lifeguard tower and watched the people playing in the water and listening to the soothing sound of the surf. The salty breeze was therapeutic and was lulling me into a state of intense peacefulness. After a while I laid down and read some of my book The Purpose Driven Life. Which is about how God has a purpose for our lives and how we can learn to discover what that is. I highly recommend it for any Christian to read. It will change your perspective and consequently your life!

Before I knew it, it was time to head back home. So I got on the freeway and was soon stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, but after my relaxing day it didn't vex me. It took me 2 1/2 hours to get home, but having a relaxing day at the beach made it all worthwhile.

Eric and I are going to go back on Wednesday and are taking our beach cruisers so we can ride along the coast.