Practicing Patience

I'm not a very patient person, I'll admit.  I like to be "busy" all the time.  I like to take action as soon as I can.  Those Type A tendencies have gotten me pretty far for a career-minded 20-something, but those same tendencies tend to make me a little on edge if things aren't moving fast enough or there isn't enough movement in the rest of my life.  Progress, you are a dear friend of mine.

I've loved the first (almost) year of dating my boyfriend.  There is nothing like being in the swoony beginning stages of the last boyfriend you'll ever have.  I liked (and now love) where it was going.  The awkward missteps, the weird and wonderful conversations about our dead grandparents over a couple glasses of wine, the handholding that never gets old.  Progression and deepening made me happy.

Then, there was the excitement of the new job.  2013 was going to be my year of happiness, I just felt it.  I am immensely grateful for new information and kind co-workers and the opportunity to find happiness at work.

And my family, oh how we have blossomed into a good bunch.  As my sisters and I have gotten older and my parents have found new hobbies, there's a new era that my family is embracing.  It's fun, and involves a lot less arguments over clothes.

But what's next?  That's what I find myself wondering far too often.  What's the next step?  The next city? The next adventure?  And I've realized that anxiously waiting and trying to figure out the next six months, year, two years... is a waste of time.  There's no need to fill up the empty space with worrying. I keep reminding myself that this feeling of contentment now will hopefully bode for more of that in the future.  I know I'll figure out a way to accomplish all the crazy goals I've set for myself, but "progress" might mean being my best self, now.

Via.

Slo-Noma

Every time I spend a weekend at my Nan's in Sonoma, I feel like I get to detach from the world a little bit.  She doesn't have wireless internet, I check my phone as little as possible, and we just chat and eat (a lot).  This weekend was no exception!  We had a lot of extended family visiting Sonoma, and it was a treat to spend quality time with some of my favorite people.

I love cheese. 3/23/13.

And chips. Taco Works are my favorite.  3/24/13.

Pretty ladies. 3/24/13.

Silly ladies. 3/24/13.

Take a Break

Some of my favorite things are on this list.  Taking naps.  Writing letters.  Reading books.  No matter how busy you are, make sure to take a break every now and then... or so says our 'Stress Less' teacher ;)  Easier said than done, right?

Via.

Perfect Weekend

Even though I love San Francisco, there's nothing like going back to LA.  I had a blast celebrating my friend Brittany's birthday!  She was so sweet and picked me up at the airport, and it was really nice catching up (in person) while prepping for the party.  After dinner at Souplantation (I die!), we had a little celebration at her apartment and then went out.  It went by way to fast, but I wouldn't have traded those 36 hours for anything.

Sunday I was lucky enough to get Britt all to myself.  We lunched and played at a park, enjoying the sunshine and adorable babies.  After a quick stop at Sprinkles for ice cream, it was time for me to head back to SF.  Thanks for an amazing time Brittany... I'm so lucky to have you just a ping or text away as we experience this weird adult thing.

3/16/13.

3/17/13.

Grateful Pt. 2

I'm trying to make it a goal to remember all the things I'm grateful for and take a few notes.  Here's round two!

• Ridiculously healthy, delicious food at work.  I could eat salads every day, and love having teammates that inspire me to make conscious food choices.
• On the other hand, I love having a man that will indulge my sweet tooth.  We had cupcakes and whoopie pies this week from my new favorite cupcake spot!
• Dinner date with my sissy.
• Warm San Francisco nights.
• Clean laundry (even though I left it in Mountain View... woops!)
• A mom that sends me cheesy, wonderful and sweet text messages.
• The health of my cousin and my baby "brother." Lots of prayers were had this week!
• My job, no matter how stressful or busy it gets.  I just love it.

No picture, just focusing on the feelings ;)

Cheers to the Weekend

I'm headed to LA this weekend to celebrate my bestie's birthday!  I don't know what I'd do without this girl (lady? are we adults now?), and I feel so lucky that it worked out to head down to the sunshine and fun.

Happy Birthday Britt!  From that magical night studying for Comm 10 to all the shenanigans of sophomore year, to the year we lived together (and wayyyy too many silly things happened to just pick a few) and our recent adventure in SF this Christmas, I can't picture my college years or my future without you.

It's just a little one nighter trip, but I know it'll be a blast and a nice break from all the SF craziness.  Even though I love my city by the bay, LA holds a special place in my heart.

Junior year ADPi Diamond Ball. 

Sleepy

Last weekend, one of my good friends from college and her new grad school friends came to visit.  It was a perfect San Francisco weekend, full of sunshine and good times.  After a very late Friday night full of shenanigans, sightseeing all day Saturday — the bridge, Lombard Street, China Town, Alamo Square, the 'Full House' house — we ordered sushi and started getting ready to go out again.  Turns out,  the time difference and crazy 36 hours meant we slept the night away.  And it was actually kind of perfect.  Proud mama moment seeing them tuckered out ;)  Thanks for visiting lovely ladies!

3/9/13

Snaps

Do you ever get excitied about random things? Lately I've gotten excited about things like pink chalk and rainbow sprinkles and perfectly ripe avocados.  And kicking booty at work.  Dogs though, really get me excited.  I know I won't be able to have one of my own for years since I'm usually gone 14-16 hours a day during the work week, so I think I take it out on the pooches I encounter in SF.   I spotted this guy at a bar while riding the bus home.  Love how much this city embraces furry friends!

3/11/13

Oh and Gavin Newsom?  He's pretty cool too :) Thanks for stopping by my work!

3/7/13

Mini Date

Work has been... work, to say the least.  After a particularly long and challenging week, and a particularly frustrating day for my man, we met at the bar closest to my apartment to take a mini break from real life.  He brought cupcakes (carrot cake, the best!) and we ordered drinks.  Cupcakes at bars is totally a thing, right?  It's little things like this that make me happiest.  I've realized that our relationship, the friendships I have with some amazing ladies, and even the time I can give my family is a delicate balancing act.  I'm grateful for time like this where I can let go of commitments and feel like I'm not squeezing in 30 million things in a day.  Life, thank you for reminding me of the good!

Family 101

I spent the day with some extended family at the California Museum of Sciences.  This is one of my most favorite museums in all of SF.  So interactive, so surprising and so much energy.  I'll devote a blog post to its delightfulness later this week.  In the meantime, I'm sharing this fun pic of my aunt and my sissy.  Readying out smiles, our hair, our poses... but the spontaneity is what family is all about.  I love my family, and I really loved today.

3/3/2013.

Rainbow Fun

I had a blast with my work team today.  We ran the Color Run, and it exceeded my expectations.  It was wild, fun and a great excuse to get dirty.  A few of us brought +1's, so duh my boy was there too.  Even though we had "trained," there was no need for training for this shinding.  We ran/walked, got doused in colorful chalk, and I made snow angels in the pink section.  My toes are still orange!  So lucky to have such awesome work buddies and a great dude to get colorful with.

Before and after.  3/2/2013.