Taking a Break

When I tried to do this blogging thing after I started my job and moved to Northern California last year, it was soooooo fun.  I loved having an online journal of everything that was new and exciting and different, and being able to share it with my family.  I "met" so many fun, inspiring women.

Since I've been in San Francisco, it hasn't felt quite the same.  The English nerd in me loves to write, but free time has been seriously lacking.  Story of every young, working woman's life, right?  I might make this private and keep writing just for myself when I have time.  I'll definitely keep reading your blogs during my commute or whenever I need a dose of inspiration.  And I might start blogging again sometime when I figure out how to add more hours to the day or figure out how to sleep less (a gal can dream!).  Either way, it's not goodbye.

Via.

Happy Birthday Sissy!

My "little" sister Maggie is celebrating her 20th birthday today.  I don't know if there's more that I can say except... I love this lady so much.  If you have a sister, I bet you understand.  We have shared so many memories that no one else in the entire universe could understand (except maybe baby sister!).  Playing dolls together, riding our bikes around the cul-de-sac, family vacations, memories we can't even describe because we start laughing too hard, repeating random lines from movies that no one else would understand (I do not want to work at Home Depooooot!), our family history, and even moments so sad they still hurt my heart; these are just a few of the things that have shaped me and shaped our friendship.  Sometimes I even miss our silly fights.  Since day one, Maggie has been my best friend, my biggest inspiration, the person that keeps me grounded, and pushes me to succeed.  Love you so much little sis!

I can always make you smile :)

 A sister shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.
-Anonymous

Sonoma (Again)

My sissy, boyfriend and I headed up to Sonoma this weekend for a lovely lunch with my Nan and some extended family.  It was so gloomy and misty in the city as we headed out, so I was excited for sunshine and to catch up with my grandma.  Pretty sure we sat in her backyard eating and chatting for at least two hours!  My Nan always makes an insane amount of delicious food, and the story sharing and silliness could not have been better.  Whether it's wine tasting with friends or a quiet afternoon with my family, there is no place I'd rather be.

LOL.

Love you sissy!

Feast.

Such a great day!

On The Coast Of Somewhere Beautiful

My middle sister posted a pic on Facebook today of her and our baby sister loving life on the beach.  And here I sit, cranking my heater up in SF, well over 500 miles away from my fam bam.  While I would so much rather be laying in the sun with my favorite people on Earth, the timing of it all proved to be a bit wonky... and I'm taking a mini vacation of my own in just a few weeks!  For now, I'm going to drift off to sleep dreaming of the last time I was at the beach with my baby sisters.

Cayucos 2008.  Other half naked pics of this trip were included in the family Christmas card, so this was one of few pics I cared to relive :)  A piece of my heart will always be at this beach.

PS: Post title.

Save Water. Drink Wine.

This weekend, I joined a fantastic group of people for a wine trip to Sonoma!  We ended up only making it to a winery (and a half) after an intermission to Taylor's Refresher for lunch, and definitely made the most of our time.  I love me some wine, and it didn't hurt that we started the day off with mimosas.  Sunshine, Call Me Maybe at least a dozen times, boyfriend and lots of wine... could life be any sweeter?

Lots of wine!

Mantra.

Great people.

Taylor's  Refresher.  I don't care that they renamed it Gott's.

Favorite.  Thanks for the pics Dan and Dave!

Cannot Get Enough

The first time I listened to the new Zac Brown Band album, I couldn't even pick one song I liked even slightly more than all the rest.  Safe to say I am obsessed with Uncaged.  I tend to do this with new (or new to me) albums; listen to them over and over again until I fall in love with something else.  After two weeks powered by these sweet tunes, I've decided that Sweet Annie, Day That I Day and Lance's Song are my favorite. 

 

Day That I Die.  Zac Brown Band + Amos Lee = So Stunning

I just love how their album runs through the whole spectrum of emotion.  The melodies and lyrics touch on heartbreak and drinking and time and love.  Definitely worth a listen no matter what genre of music is your favorite.

Current Obsession

The book nerd in me died a little over the print... and every, single other one in this Etsy shop.

Via.

Check out this shop here!

A New Definition

I used to think that growing up meant things like getting a job, replacing the light bulbs in my apartment and making sure to change the oil in my car in a timely fashion.  You know, those things you think about when you are in elementary school that signify a transition from someone taking care of you, to, well, you taking care of yourself.  Important things, yes.  But methodical, symbolic, even stereotypical moments.  Life events that shape you, but lack the feeling and depth then what actual growing up does to a person.

After a particularly heavy conversation with my sister last week (shenanigans, life and heartache covered in an eight minute work break), I thought a lot about what it really means to come into my own.  I was homesick during my entire college experience.  Even throughout my first year of work.  And it wasn't because I was disappointed or didn't like where I was living or anything.  On the other hand, I always woke up (and still wake up) every single day with a profound appreciation and excitement for life.  I love experiencing the other side of college.  I think I've realized, and been trying so hard to accept, that my family and I will never live in the same house again.  Or the same town for that matter.  It's almost funny how hard it's been for me to realize this is the new normal.  Growing up is pushing away the intense desire to sleep in your childhood bed and eat dinner with your immediate family every night.  It's taking the time to make phone calls and send emails and connect with the people that mean the most to you.  It's finding a family of sorts in the new city you live in. It's plastering your apartment and cubicle with pictures of your family.  It  means distracting yourself with new adventures and realizing you hadn't thought about your fam bam for a slice of time...  and that's ok. Sometimes it even means missing out on family events and birthdays.

I'm lucky that my family and I are all in California for the time being.  Our time together will be spent during holidays, weekend trips and long dinners.  And that's ok.  I think realizing what this growing up process really means has helped me navigate its intricacies and ambiguous alleys.  A definition has been shifted.  But considering how awesome life is, I think I can accept it enough.  Don't be offended though if I choose a weekend with my fam over playtime in SF :)

I'd rather have a good life than a perfect one.  Via.

This Weekend

Everything about the last four days made me so happy.  A pre-weekend last hurrah with Ashley.  The cutest present from my boyfriend.  15 hours of sleep after a nap on Friday and serious sleeping in on Saturday.  Laundry domination.  Catching up with my sister.  A fun night out with some of my favorite SF people.  Sunny weather.  A lazy Sunday watching the first season of Modern Family.  Bachelorette finale with the roomie and wine.

Thank you boyfriend! First (but certainly not the last) item I'll own from Vineyard Vines.  

San Francisco flowers.

Such a dramatic conclusion!  I read all the spoilers before (can't help it lol).

How was your weekend?

Tasty Summer Treat

When I was home for the 4th of July, I made waffle cones for the first time.  Paired with homemade ice cream, it made for a perfect dessert on a hot summer evening.  The best part?  Waffle cones are surprisingly easy to make.  You can use a press designed to make waffle cones, but you can also use an iron designed for Pizzelle cookies.  Find the recipe found here.  Yum!

Boyfriend and I made a great waffle cone making team.

Necessary supplies.

Success!

Nearly two dozen cones took less than 30 minutes to bake.

Feel free to eat any cones that get broken too ;)

Tuesday Thought

Whenenver I crave sunshine, all I do is remind myself that summer is a state of mind.

Thank you misty, SF weather for making me appreciate slices of sunshine and bright moments and friends.

Camping Weekend!

This weekend was full of sunshine, lake time, and campfire fun.  I haven't been camping since I was in junior high, so I was excited to head to Lake Berryessa (near Napa, CA) with a huge group of folks for a camping extravaganza.  Our camping coordinators made sure we were well taken care of... there was so much delicious food, and plenty of drinks!  Saturday definitely started with a beer and a few rounds of a new favorite drinking game.  The lake was a perfect temperature too! What could be better than disconnecting and enjoying ever second of (slightly) dirt-covered fun?  Life really is better on the lake!

Our room... with a view.  Ha!

Boyfriend and a floatie.

Absolutely gorgeous!

I wish I could always be on lake/camping time all the time!

Los Angeles, Pt. 2

Our second night in L.A. was spent with my bestie Nicole.  This lady just returned from a year teaching in Spain (and she's headed back in September) so we made the most of our time together.  I am so lucky that my boyfriend wanted to go out to dinner with us and listen to us recap all of our college shenans, and spend the night being silly with us.  Whenever she comes back to America, I dream about us living in the same city!

Our last day in L.A. was spent in Hollywood.  Even though it's a little touristy for my taste, I had to show Greg the Walk of Fame and Grauman's.   Safe to say I was a little bummed driving back to San Francisco... I love my college besties!

Tequila shots with one of my favorite people on this planet.

This guy.  He is just the best!

Getting silly.

Definition of our relationship.

Happened upon a Sanrio store in Hollywood, and boyfriend bought me a Hello Kitty dressed just like one of my fave outfits.

 Sunshine and summertime, you are amazing!

Los Angeles, Pt. 1

After a quick stop in Fresno for the 4th, Greg and I continued our road trip and headed to LA!  I went to college at UCLA, so I was stoked to see some of my favorite friends.  Brittany was the most amazing host, Nicoley had just gotten back from a year in Spain, and Ashley was in LA for an (almost) final hurrah.  It was such a blast!   

Here are a few pics from our first day and a half in LA. Santa Monica, UCLA, Westwood, Runyon Canyon, Britt's apartment, Father's Office (for food), The Wellesbourne (for drinks and shenans) were just a few of the stops we made in our first two days.

Hello Santa Monica! I love SF, but I miss warm beaches.

At my second home, UCLA.

Introducing Greg to the library at UCLA.

Night out.  Boyfriend and my bestie Britt.

Nicole is back from Spain!  L-R is myself, Nicoley, Ashley and Brittany.

A little Runyun Canyon fun.

Loves of my life.

Boyfriend and Los Angeles.

More to come tomorrow!

Happy America Day!

Normally, my family spends the 4th of July in Northern California, doing cute small-town activities all day long.  Since my parents couldn't make it up this year (hello slightly awk midweek holiday), my boyfriend and I headed to Fresno to celebrate! And we had the best time.  My parents invited almost all of our Fresno "family," and we ate, swam and lit fireworks.  Two of my best friends from high school even came! If I could have made that night last forever, I would have captured it in a jar and saved the magic for a rainy day.

Yehawww America!

Bestie was just home from a year in Vietnam!  So good to see my sweet Chloe.

3/4th's of the high school crew.

Boyfriend.

Cutest kid alive (other than his brother).

Sparklers.

So good to celebrate America with some of my favorite people on this planet.  4th of July, you are awesome!

Vacation Time!

The fourth of July is my favorite holiday (or a very, very close tie with Christmas).  I have three days off from work - five, if you count the weekend.  And you better believe I am squeezing out every single moment of fun.  I will be stopping in Fresno and hanging out with my family and some of my favorite friends, road-tripping to Los Angeles to see a couple besties from college and soaking up some major sunshine.  On top of all the friend and family time, my boyfriend is coming with me.  Dream city!

In 2010, I flew from Los Angeles to Sonoma just to spend the 4th with my fam.

See ya after the holiday weekend!

A Giants Birthday Celebration

My baby sister Brigi's birthday wish was to celebrate her birthday at a Giants game.  Our boys were playing the Reds on Friday night, and my whole family, my boyfriend, and two of Maggie's friends from school got to join.  It was such a blast!  Garlic fries, watching my dad keeping track of the game on his scorecard, Brigi opening up her presents at the game, laughing until I cried multiple times, wearing a new Giants shirt my boyfriend gave me... these were just a few of the moments that made this a really special night. 

Top: Brigid. Great View.

2nd Row: Jack. Greg and I. My parents.

3rd Row. Beautiful Park.

Bottom: Maggie and her St. Mary's folks, Jack and Michael.  Me and the birthday girl.

Happy Birthday Baby Sis!

My baby sister turns 17 today.  By the time I get done with work today and make it back to the city, Brigi and my family will be here to celebrate.  It's going to be a magical weekend in honor of the little girl (ok, young lady now!) that made our family complete.

I love thinking about the night that my baby sister was born.  Maggie and I were worried that she'd be born on the fourth of July, and that we'd have to miss the fireworks.  Six year olds have different priorities, clearly.  But we were so excited to have another sister.  Someone else to play dolls with, share clothes with, tell secrets to.  There was a void in our family that she instantly filled.  I was so blessed to have one sister, but two?  We'll still be holding hands, gossiping, and rescuing tiny kittens when we're old ladies.  She keeps our family laughing constantly, and I cannot even count the number of times tears have rolled down my cheeks from one of her jokes or shenanigans.  Her heart is so big, and she makes me want to be a better, kinder person every day.  I am so lucky to have you baby sis.

Circa 1995.  Baby Brigi in the bow.  Matching outfits for all.

Our little papoose.

2010.

I love you Brigid!

Snapshots

Goodness, this has been a fun week!  Quality boyfriend time, sunshine and shenanigans; I cannot get enough of these little moments that make me happy.  Oh and work?  I am loving you too.

Here are a few sweet moments I captured.

Yummy dinner with my favorite boy.

I cannot get enough of the dogs that are everywhere in SF.

Someday I will have some antlers in my apartment.

This guy.

Hope you are having a great week too!