Alright, finally settled in as California's newest resident.

The move here is a new chapter in my life. It's a very new experience living out here again. I was born and raised in Southern California until I was eight years old, and have returned to visit family almost every single year (often more than once). The Jensen-Alvarado Ranch, home of my ancestors and founders of Riverside, lies just five miles from my new home.

I officially live in Fontana, CA, a suburb on the main city's eastern side. Although considered a 'suburb,' it feels anything but just that. Fast-paced freeways accompany my commute to school, crowded shopping centers and malls line the city, and the ethnically mixed population (whites are 30% of this area) makes me feel about as far away from the green, quiet rolling hills I've surrounded myself with the past 15 years.

My new house!

I still miss Tennessee a great deal and deep inside feel that it won't be long before I return. However, this new environment provides me with the environment for me to maximize my full potential as a potential immigration attorney.

The demographics of the area perhaps get me most excited about my future. Spanish is the main language here, and I use it about 50% of my day running errands and/or talking to neighbors. For someone who wants to use Spanish in his career, this makes me full of excitement knowing that I can use my interest in daily life.

I've been taking a 'mock course' at the law school that is offered for no credit. Called 'legal writing,' I spend my Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights getting verbally and intellectually abused. We have studied two cases just this week and required to read/write about two hours of material each day. Not bad thus far, but I cannot imagine taking five of these classes (which I will in about three weeks).

I'll post tonight or tomorrow about my conversation with the border patrol in El Paso and the hopeless situation on the Mexican side of the border.