As I looked across the landscape of my life, searching for something meaningful, entertaining and concise to start my Toastmaster career with, no matter which corner of my existence I chose to examine, one theme seemed to permeate all the topics I considered. Hopefully I’ve grabbed your attention enough to have you perched on the edges of your seats wondering what this universal topic that makes this man tick could possibly be? The answer my friends is New Jersey.

Born and raised in the Garden State, I am a product of two New Jersey residents. Who were also products of New Jersey residents. Who, oddly enough, were also products of New Jersey residents, who immigrated from Italy in the early 1900s. New Jersey represents a place where I will always feel at home. I will proudly identify myself as from Union, or as a Jersey-boy or girl would self identify “from Exit 138.” For me, New Jersey is synonymous with family.

Many of my personality quirks, I contend, can be traced to the Atlantic Coast. I tend to speak quickly and read the newspaper with more vigor than some of my left coast friends. Pizza and cheese steaks are among my favorite foods. Both seem coolly received here in California, but can spark riots on the East side should someone challenge your favorite steak or slice shop. I’ve also been characterized as high energy to boarder line anxious by my laid back West Coast compadres. All of these I attribute to 27 years of hard East Coast Living.

I am an avid sports fan. Growing up just 30 minutes from New York City, I was well within the reach of New York's media market. Growing up I was exposed to year round coverage of the Yankees, Mets, and Phillies, Jets, Giants and Eagles, Nets, Knicks and Sixers, and those other teams from that sport they used to play on ice. Practically every station on the AM radio dial featured another commentator explaining why his or her team would be going all the way this season or lambasting the management for their latest blunder. And on any given day, at least one contest could be found on television providing the ultimate and original “reality television programming.” Even better, I can remember going to baseball games in the summer with my family. Due to our proximity to so many baseball cities, we were able to take day trips and visit 3 or more parks each year. To my father’s dismay, however, I eventually grew to love the Boston Red Sox which still breaks his true blue New York Yankee heart.

New Jersey was the starting point for my cross country trip. My fiancé is pursuing her PhD. Last fall, we packed our apartments in Philadelphia and headed to New Jersey where we started our journey west. I will never forget pulling out of my parent’s driveway, car sagging under the weight of our camping gear. We drove through the town I had grew up, a town that was so comforting and familiar, heading towards the highway which would skirt us on our way to the unknown.

An anthropologist performed a study which sought to explore the transition of people from the East Coast to different areas. One of the findings was an East Coast native had an easier time adjusting to living in Europe than the West Coast. I am not sure my experience is in agreement with these findings, but then again, I haven't had the chance to live in Europe. What I have began learning though is not how to adapt *to* living in California but rather how to adapt *myself for* living in California.

I mentioned earlier the important role family plays in my life. The ways I connect with my family has changed drastically in the past nine months. Where I used to be able to drive an hour and see family, I now have standing phone conversations. I've began emailing with many members of my family on a regular basis. Even members of my family who still have trouble using Velcro, let alone the Internet, have found my web log to be a nice way to share in my experiences. Through video my family is beginning to share moments from birthdays to mundane day to day activities. This allows us to feel as if we are still plugged into the family network while also creating a historical record that we will surely cherish in the years to come. I'm starting to place a high value on these interactions as they are deeper and cover topics that were merely alluded to when daily interaction was the norm.

My disposition is also transitioning. I have slowly been learning how to harness my East Coast energy. In doing so, I am also gaining an appreciation for some of California's little pleasures such as leisurely walks and swims in the ocean.

As for my sports fixes, I must admit the overall San Diego sports culture is still a bit weird. At first, I had incredibly awkward feelings about being able to watch baseball at 10 am on a Saturday morning. While I still find it odd to be munching on Cheerios rather than nachos during these games, the fact that I can have a full day of sport and still be in bed before 10 pm is a nice aspect of living on the west coast. I can't say that attending a football game and being more worried about your layers of sun block than layers of clothing is in the spirit of football I was raised in, but it presents a way to enjoy to the sport that I am coming to appreciate. It's rather nice that you can tailgate at Qualcomm Stadium and not have to worry about shoveling snow out of your favorite grilling spot.

Regardless of whether I am working on my relationship with my family, my disposition or my sport cravings, my transition to the West Coast has been a constant game of give and take. I need to give of myself and be willing to show who I am and I find that the world is generally willing to give back. Through various social interactions, such as Toastmasters, I hope to continue my personal exploration of who I am, where I've been and where I am going. I also hope to learn more about the world around me and the people who I share it with. And who knows, maybe one day I will have totally weaned myself off cheese steaks, come to love a nice avocado salad and fully appreciate an slow, serene sunset along the coast with my family and friends.