Hat Day

Safe to say I had never heard of Vineyard Vines (or wearing hats to work for that matter!) before hanging out with this guy ;) Now, I look forward to finding days where I can get away with wearing a hat.  Considering Friday ended with a happy hour outside in the glorious sunshine, I'd say I picked a perfect day.

4/26/13. We like button-ups and hats.

Unwritten

I started this blog in 2010, right after I left my best friends in sunshine-y LA and moved to the Bay for work and adventure.  It was the best and the most fun way to update my friends and family.  After enjoying my time in Mountain View, I moved to San Francisco and couldn't keep up with writing, commenting and even reading blogs.  I'm grateful for all the fun I had kinda living in blog-land before, but now I've revamped this as a pseudo-journal of sorts.  I've kept it private, but am excited to share updates with the fam again! Welcome to my silly life :)

More Birthday Fun

I am so grateful for all the texts, calls and messages I got on my birthday.  It really made me feel special!  I am really lucky to have some incredibly wonderful people in my life.  Twenty-three was a fantastic year, but I think 24 can top it ;)

Macaroons in every flavor and color.  This was a dream come true.  Thank you Greg! 4/23/13.

Amazing flowers and surprises from Greg.  4/23/13.

Thank you team!  4/23/13.

Birthday Fun

All I can say about my 24th birthday is thank you, thank you thank you! My friends, family, coworkers and boyfriend made me feel so special.  I'll post more details later this week!

Celebrating with my family. 4/20/13.

Surprise flowers and a new VV hat on my bday. 4/23/13.

24 on 24

Heading into my freshman year of college, I had crazy notions that I'd have everything figured out by the time I graduated.  I mean, isn't this where I'd discover my dream job, meet the guy I was supposed to marry, and "find myself"?  Ahem, welcome to 24 Bethany!  I'm glad to discover that even two years post-college and two years in an amazing job still hasn't led to this.  It's been an incredible (and still-developing) process: challenging, blissful, stressful, sad... the list could go on.  Anyways, on the eve of my 24th birthday, 24 things I've learned:

1. Homesickness does not peak in college.  I think the longer I've been out of college, the more I've realized that this independent life business is sticking... making me want to enjoy my family time more than ever.
2. Parents have amazing advice.
3. Expensive plane tickets are worth it to catch up in person.
4. On that note, expensive plane tickets are worth any adventure.
5. Now is the time to work long and work hard.  As much as work/life balance is preached, this is the time I'd rather put in those hours - not when I have other priorities.
6. Push past the tiredness.  The world is an amazing place.  And even if it means three coffees or more at work, jump right in.
7. Say yes to everything (remotely) safe.  You want to be there when it happens.
8. Keep in touch with the people that know you.  Like really know you, and embrace their quirks and ridiculousness as much as they embrace your own.
9. Prioritize your own happiness.  Even if that means laying in your bed and watching SVU alone.
10. A good roommate is a gift.  Don't take it for granted.
11. Buy expensive clothes/home accessories, and regret later.  Helps if items are non-returnable or too much of a hassle to take back.
12. Get rid of toxic people in your life.  Good friends are an important ingredient to a healthy life.
13. If you have extended family or grandparents, try to keep in touch.  It's amazing how much my Nan and aunts have inspired me.
14. Surprise your family.  Buy them a random gift or sneak home for a weekend to make them feel special.
15. DIY or cook to feel like a boss.  Even if it's pre-K skill level.
16. Invest in good shoes.
17. Don't be afraid to say no.
18. Keep track of the things you love or are passionate about.  In the craziness of work/life/relationships/etc, it's easy to keep track of progress.  And progress meaning what might be next.
19. You are never too old to appreciate celebrity gossip.
20. But read the news.  Know what stock (a stock?) is. Start your retirement fund if possible.  Learn how to do taxes.  As young as I feel, it's never too early for this business.
21. Date horribly.  Date wrong.  Date silly.  And I mean date in the loosest of terms.  But don't settle to find the one.  Or someone that might be the one ;) Or someone that puts up with your shenanigans, at least.
22. Learn to travel alone.  Granted, I've never been out of the country, but stories of ladies my age scared to travel alone make me a little sad.  Just do it!
23. Don't stress about the little things.  If only I was better at this :)
24. Get rid of toxic people in your life.  Good friends are an important ingredient to a healthy life.
25. And mascara, always mascara.  Little sleep has nothing on this magic trick.

Any other things you've learned?  Grateful to have so many opportunities to learn about myself, and excited for what this year will bring!

Cheese and leggings in Sonoma.  Bring it on 24!

Happy, Happy Day

I feel so lucky that I live close enough to easily get home to enjoy special family events.  A quick three hour drive and I'm back!  This weekend, I got to share in a special day with one of my favorite boys.  The love, joy and peace that was present during mass and during the celebration is something I wouldn't trade for anything.  I love my family.

4/20/13. Since day one.

Heavy Heart

I haven't felt like writing anything since the horrific bombings in Boston on Monday.  Lots of prayers were said this week.  Light and love, Boston.

Sunny SF

I am obsessed with San Francisco when the sun is shining.  It feels like the entire city is outside, drawn to the sidewalks and parks and outdoor seating.  And it felt like the amount of dogs that were being walked multiplied by at least 10!  A day like today practically mandated outdoor time.

A few snapshots of a sunny walk towards the bridge.

4/14/13. Never enough pics with the Bridge.

4/14/13.  Hello, upside down world.

Hump Day, Let's Do This!

My favorite way to get through a long day is to break it up with a silly video every now and then.  I never want to forget the joy I felt when I saw this video.  It's ridiculous how much I love this cat.  Remember folks, the littlest happy moments can sometimes be the best moments.

4/6/13.  Thanks for letting me watch it on the big screen, bf.

Rice, Yeah?

Let's take a break and talk about food, shall we? After a Monday sushi date night, my man helped us stall a little bit and suggested we grab dessert at a cutie little rice pudding shop near my apartment.  Mondays are the best and the worst sometimes, and this did the trick to start the week on a high note.

I've only been twice, but Loving Cup is a delicious, cool and  just-filling-enough kind of treat.  I can make bread pudding, but I don't think I'll dare my rice pudding with this (almost) right around the corner.

4/9/13.

PS: Already planning on going back to try different flavors and toppings!

Easter 2013

It was so sunshine-y and wonderful in Fresno when I went home for Easter.  My man tagged along, and it was quite a weekend!  We managed to see all of my Fresno "family" and one of my very favorite friends currently living in Fresno.  All the food that we ate was delicious... no idea how my mom managed to make such yummy meals without an oven.  I loved how relaxing it felt the whole weekend despite squeezing in so much, and was so happy to be surrounded by all of my favorite people.

3/30/13. This guy.

3/30/13. Dinner.

3/31/13. Church.

3/31/13.  Silly.

3/31/13. Family.

Perpers

Or for those that don't speak ermahgersh... puppies! I love them.  I got to head home for Easter, and hung out with my Auntie Claire and her new dog Lucy.  Isn't she a cutie? And so snuggly.  So glad I got to finally meet her and catch up with my Auntie Claire!