Thanksgiving 2010

With all the hustle and bustle with my schedule I decided to stay in my new apartment for Thanksgiving. Meaning I would not be with any family or relatives for thanksgiving. I missed my family but it gave me a new appreciation for the day. 

I thought about all of those other people who might be lucky enough to share thanksgiving with anyone.  

 I am very thankful for all those who serve across the globe. 

I am even more thankful I have a family!

I did start a couple traditions here. First, spending time at the beach. Second, not over stuffing myself on food. Third staying away from the television. Finally, I didn't make a turkey but I did make dessert! 

My first homemade pumpkin pie and red wine.

SLO weekend

Last weekend, I went back to San Luis Obispo for a mini reunion to see some of my friends from college.  We had an excellent time. Wined and dinned, or I should say 'champanged' ourselves at several places.  The Cliffs in Pismo Beach for a great sunset.  Novo Restaurant and Lounge on Higuera in SLO for a dinner on the patio. It has such a great vibe. Some of my best college memories are from that place. The back fence and tree are wrapped with white lights. Finally, Seaside Cafe & Bakery in Pismo Beach for brunch.  They have bomb pumpkin bread and huge omelettes.  

It was so good to see many of my college friends, again.  There is a quote somewhere the older you are the more you need the people who knew you when you were young. I completely agree. Reflecting on the weekend, it was a small fantasy. Same place as school except we have all slowly moved on towards what we might one day call our careers. 

Well the bottles minus the clear wine bottle and blue one are what remains from this happy weekend. The good news is they make good apartment decorations.

Jack Johnson IN CONCERT

Many months ago, I found out Jack Johnson was touring again. He happens to be my favorite artist! My mother even did some research and found out he was donating the proceeds of this tour. 

How cool is that?  

Thursday night before the concert I scrambled to get tickets. I found two so I went down phone list asking people if they were free. What makes it even better is I got to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in forever!! We had a great time and got to catch up on life. It was at the Hollywood bowl which is a great venue. I hope I get to attend another concert there.

I don't recommend being that spontaneous with planning to see your favorite band but I feel lucky it worked out for me this time.

Up in the Air and down again

Recently I had to extend my travel for work. It was awesome because I learned a ton. However, returning home, I forgot about the food in my fridge. Soy milk after it's expiration date is really disgusting. I also had moldy lemons. If life gives you moldy lemons I don't care what people say THROW them out! 

Needless to say now my fridge is bare. I went looking for my rental car in the parking lot yesterday at work. I was worried I did not clean up enough in the morning for the maid... then I realized I was the maid.

There is a quote in the movie Up In the Air-"All the things you probably hate about travelling -the recycled air, the artificial lighting, the digital juice dispensers, the cheap sushi- are warm reminders that I'm home." 

Well I was beginning to relate to that with regards to many other activities, such as clean-up after myself for the maid and  eating at restaurants by myself or with co-workers. 

Ryan Bingham, the main character in the movie, is right about one thing: "If you think about it, your favorite memories, the most important moments in your life... were you alone? 

Life's better with company."

Sand Castle

Today a friend and I built a sand castle!

I have to admit I never really built one. Usually my dad and I focused on making a really cool wall and moat. I am always more interested in spending time in the ocean.  I think it turned out really cool but he had what seemed like a billion more really creative ideas to make it cooler. Pretty advanced architecture to have an outer wall and archways.

It reminded me that sometimes we spend so much time building something but it can easily come crashing down. We didn't stay to watch it disappear in the waves.  

Nothing in this life is permanent so I have to enjoy it!