Happiness is:

111. Fireworks over Dodger Stadium while standing ON the grass of the outfield.

112. Introducing the joys of B&N and mags to a 7 year old.

113. Fresh strawberries picked that day!

114. Fishbowl from LDC.

115. "Modern Family" breakfast.

Lent. Part Duex.

Longest 40 days of my life.

I've failed. I've gone on FB numerous times. I never comment, I just casually look around. I actually feel a lot better about the 'Book now. I don't feel as nosy and I definitely don't feel like I am constantly comparing myself to others. SO maybe I didn't really fail. I partially accomplished what I originally set out to do, I no longer feel (as I assume) an addict feels.

Facebook is still something I'm not a complete fan of and hopefully I won't get wrapped up in all of it again.

Happiness is:

I started Happiness is: after I moved back home from New York. I lived in New York for a year doing a year of service. Basically I lived in an apartment made for 1 with 5 people. I lived in poverty and I lived in an area where I was the minority. It was terrible and incredible at the same time.

New York is an incredibly hard place to live. Especially when you are from southern California and the only weather you experience is some rain and wind. Needless to say I was very unprepared for life in a big city, or even a place that has actual weather.

Happiness is: was started because I needed to focus on the things in life that made me happy throughout the day. I was too focused on feeling sad and I needed to divert my attention elsewhere. My goal was to do one daily, and I do have happiness everyday, I just don't always write them down. I've been writing them down on FB, since I am not (ummmm) going on FB for Lent. I will continue them here.

104. Beauty and the Beast at the Pantages with Rebekah.

105. Fireworks on Rebekah's b-day.

106. Rainbows after the rain.

107. Mimosa Sundays with Tony and Courtney.

108. Pink sunsets

109. Fluffy puppies

110. Dodger seats in front row Loge.

Baby!

Some dear friends of mine just found out they are pregnant.

When I got to work on Friday this was waiting for me on my desk!

A pink poodle baby rattle!

I love it!

Their last name is pronounced "shoe".

So some names they are considering:

Tyrone Dam Schuh (tie your own damn shoe)

Brianne New Schuh (brand new shoe)

haha they are great!

They are also going to make absolutely wonderful parents! Congrats Schuhs!!

Beauty and the Beast!

For Rebekah's birthday I took her to see Beauty and The Beast on Broadway.

2 days before I found my "Buty and the Best" Barbie dolls from 4th grade. Naturally I HAD to bring them to The Pantages and whip them out before the show. Then at intermission they had a costume change. The 5 year old girl sitting in front of us was SOOOO jealous. She kept turning around, staring at them and giggling. I felt the same way.

Life is a Waiting Game

For a while now I have been feeling like I am waiting for my life to begin.
Then I read Donald Miller's new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. A fantastic (I may be slightly biased- since I'd marry him in a heartbeat) book about getting out there and living life. It made me feel even worse about my lack of life.
Darn you economy.
Darn you state of California and your horrible budget issues.

Recently I read Cold Tangerines. A book, that at times while reading I was certain that Shauna Niequist had read my journal/we were the same person.

"I have always, essentially, been waiting. Waiting to become something else, waiting to be that person I always thought I was on the verge of becoming, waiting for that life I thought I would have. In my head, I was always one step away. In high school, I was biding my time until I could become the college version of myself, the one my mind could see so clearly. In college, the post-college “adult” person was always looming in front of me, smarter, stronger, more organized. Then the married person, then the person I’d become when we have kids. For twenty years, literally, I have waited to become the thin version of myself, because that’s when life will really begin.
And through all that waiting, here I am. My life is passing, day by day, and I am waiting for it to start. I am waiting for that time, that person, that event when my life will finally begin."

My New Life Goal:

"I don’t want to wait anymore. I choose to believe that there is nothing more sacred or profound than this day. I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments embedded in this day, waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold. The big moments are the daily, tiny moments of courage and forgiveness and hope that we grab on to and extend to one another. That’s the drama of life, swirling all around us, and generally I don’t even see it, because I’m too busy waiting to become whatever it is I think I am about to become. The big moments are in every hour, every conversation, every meal, every meeting. "

Amen, Shauna, AMEN.

March 17, 2011

St. Patrick's Day! But most importantly Rebekah's birthday!

I have 2 best friends. Coincidentally they both have the same name, and live on opposite sides of the coast. I've always been stingy with the word "best friend", so when I say it, I mean it. Sort of how I also feel about giving hugs.

Rebekah is my soul mate best friend. OR heterosexual life partner.

I met Rebekah working at the summer camp that we both still run. The first time I officially hung out with her I was with my other best, Becky and all three of us went to see Shakespeare in the Park. The rest is history.

Rebekah and I have been friends for about 7 years (this July). Over the course of 7 years we have learned a ton about each other. We've cried, laughed, peed our pants (well...one of us. ahem), t.ped ("decorating"), gone on vacations, road trips, and countless other adventures. She is one of the most honest, loving, giving, and caring people I know. Whenever we are out, and one of us notices something about a person or thing around us, we tell the other person, and they've already seen it. We see the same things. We observe the same things. We laugh at the same things. To quote Blink 182, "I don't think she needs me quite half as much as I know I need her."

About a year ago Rebekah started dating a great guy. I felt extremely jealous that he was taking her away from me and threatened that I would no longer have my best friend around. Or that she wouldn't need me as a best friend anymore. Thankfully they are engaged now and I'm a great third wheel. Besides, she'll need someone to complain to about him, and talk about how much she loves Josh Groban. Sooooo December, 2nd bedroom? Good.