Tomorrow is new year’s eve. As I rule, I generally dislike new year’s eve. This year, I’m going to attempt to change that feeling. This year is going to be different. I still have no settled plans, but maybe being spontaneous will prove to make this nye more likable.

I am a bit over eager to bid adieu to 2009. I don’t believe it was a “bad” year by any means, but most certainly was not my favorite. I did a lot of growing up, soul searching, thinking, learning, loving, and falling in 2009. It was a year of trying new things and transitioning. Lots of changes took place in 2009…changes that have taken me far from where I was this time of year in 2008.

2009 was a year of relationships for me. Some have stuck, some were renewed, and some were only there for a brief moment. Each making some sort of impression on my life.

Bffneighbor and I are stronger than ever. I am forever grateful for our strange relationship. He always seems to know when I need a dose of reality, a hug, a drive to nowhere, or just some comic relief.

The sisterwife and I are wonderful, as usual. This year brought along some rocky roads in both our lives…I’m happy to know we were able to make it through everything. We are truly a pillar of strength for one another. And also the voice of reason and hope, in our own, roundabout ways. She gives me enough rope to be a crazy person…but when I need to be brought back down, she’s there to help.

One of the relationships I’ve developed most over the past year is the one with my roomieface. While we were good friends before, I really think we’ve reached a new level with one another. Bonding over Monday girls nights, McNugget & McFlurry dinners, enduring torturous rituals like threading, and of course, the late night hallway chats. Her insight has really helped me over the past few months. Couldn’t have picked a better lady to live with. :]

Another relationship that has grown into something super awesome is with me and MS. We met years ago when she saved me from being lost and left behind at a graduation…haha. The end of 2009 we resolved to see each other more than once a year for 15 minutes. She has become an amazing confidant and hang out buddy. Always up for an adventure…I’m looking forward to 2010 with her.

And last, but not least, I’m going to throw M into this one. M and I met by chance but I am super happy we did. One of those people I feel like I was supposed to meet in life for a reason. I was brought into a much happier place in life because of our meeting, and it is most certainly a driving force in my life now. The world works in strange ways…let me tell you.

While it seems most of my relationships have flourished…some others have fallen to the wayside. It’s always hard when things like that happen. Especially the long standing relationships. But, it is now time for everyone’s favorite cliché…everything happens for a reason. I’ve got to believe it. As much as it angers me to believe it…I’m working on accepting that stupid saying as truth.

Enough about relationships. And 2009. I’m looking toward the future. All of the great things to come in 2010…a new decade. How weird…a new decade. I was reading a note written by my sister, Dotted, and she was talking about how the end of the ‘00s marked the end of her childhood. A tad depressing to think about, but I think I’ve got to agree with her. Just strange to take it. But anyhow…2010, new things. I’ve got a list I’m working on as far as things I’d like to accomplish this year. A 2010 bucket list if you will…

· Visit at least 3 states ( hopefully new ones I have yet to see)

· Stolen from Julie/Julia…and stemming from the dearly departed dinner club I used to be a part of...I’m going to attempt to cook my way through a cookbook my grammy gave me. It is filled with recipes from the teachers and parents of kids from my preschool…including one from my own momma. And yes, I’m even going to blog about it. So, stay tuned…it’s going to happen.

· Go back to Europe.

· Take a road trip

· Stay organized…no more tornado room/car.

· Skydive again.

· Spend more time with my family…movie nights, game nights, dinners together.

· Build a travel fund…or just my savings account :] and stick to my budget.

· Read at least 30 books (I’ll keep a tally going)…possibly invest in a kindle or a nook.

· See at least 5 live performances; plays, concerts, comedians…

· Continue to not drink soda.

· Make an effort to reconnect/visit friends who live in different cities/states/countries.

I’m sure there are more…as I will add to this list as the mood strikes me. Till then, I will be counting down the hours left in 2009. Looking forward to a new beginning.

lovelovelove,

S

home.

people will never cease to amaze me...

Hope.

Hope — it is the quintessential human delusion, simultaneously the source of your greatest strength and your greatest weakness.

I have been itching to write lately. I sit down, start out with a few sentences...but nothing sounds right, so I end up scrapping it all. Today is different. I've got things in my head that I need to get out.

Always remember to tell the important people in your life how much they mean. Don't ever take a moment for granted. Life is really too fragile to not be honest, seize the day, live in the moment, and love with your whole heart.

The past few months have truly been the harbingers of change. Change and I have an interesting relationship. It never seems to happen gradually. Always in one giant downpour, which turns into sprinkles that seem to go on forever. I'm learning how to embrace being in the rain. How to make my way through the puddles. Because I've learned that wishing for sun won't always make the rain go away.

So, I am amped (spell check tells me that amped isn't a word, btw) to grab life by the horns and start making some changes of my own...maybe that way the other changes won't seem so big. To be honest...all the change hasn't been bad. I'm strengthening relationships with my momma, some old friends, some new friends, myself and God. I've never been overly religious, or had a church that I attended regularly...But I'm finding that when I need someone to just listen, He's been pretty awesome.

"At the end of the day, give your troubles to God. He will be up all night anyway."

I booked my trip to SF yesterday. I cannot wait to get out of town for a few days. I'm planning on documenting my adventure and reconnecting with an old HS friend who I haven't seen in ages. Pretty sure this trip will be amazing for the soul...which is just what I need. :] Hopefully the weather will be good.

I'm also working on lifestyle changes...which means hasta pasta to diet coke, sweet stuff, and all the glorious junk that used to fill my tummy. I'm feeling fantastic and it's only been a few days. I've never been disciplined in the way of changing how I eat. I would constantly complain, find ways to cheat and sabotage myself. There is something different this time...I'm jumping right in with both feet and I couldn't be happier with myself. Looking forward to seeing the impact this has on my life, body, and energy over the next few weeks.

I've also got my family's christmas party coming up this weekend. It is an event I look forward to every year. This year is no exception...should be interesting. All my worlds colliding under one roof...definitly not one of my favorite things...Haha, but nothing can be worse than last year...I've got high hopes for this one. My final struggle is what to wear...i've got a few days. :]

Hoping the rest of the week brings some good news. or good friends. or just good in general.
til next time.

lovelovelove,

s

slow dance.

john legend has been doing me well this morning. i'm in love with the amy winehouse pandora station. yes, i broke down and paid the $.99 to listen for the rest of the month. figured i needed an appropriate soundtrack for my days...and $.99 is a small price to pay for good company.

it was a whirlwind weekend, for not actually doing much. i thought a lot, which was awful. also spent some much needed time with the important people in my life. friday roomie date to see new moon. complete with ridiculous shirts for all...including dg. made my night sitting in the freezing cold of 3rd st, drinking a gloriously large vanilla latte and chatting. had a sisterwife date on saturday. I don't think i had ever been happier to see her. talking about life and putting everything into perspective was what i needed. plus it was nice to grab lunch and see the blind side. :] had some bffneighbor time, which is always good. spent saturday night with the family, making super heros with my sister. and sunday led to a spur of the moment (sort of) trip to Burbank for birthday drinks with ms. i was only there for an hour or so. but it was a good hour. i'm trying to make our visits not so far in few between.

I'm trying to surround myself with good people. trying to make big changes in my life and how i live it. trying to be level headed. to look at things objectively and face the truth, even when it sucks. it's weird, i feel like the universe has been speaking to me a lot lately...quotes, horoscopes, words from friends, chats with mom, just everywhere...

a few things i've picked up...

to tell those important to you how important they are. and not for any specific reson, or on an important day...just everyday, every time you get the feeling. because those special people need to know how much their lights really do sparkle in the world.

The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what we want most for what we want in the moment.

Later, when I'd think of how I ought to cut him off, I'd think of teaching another person to know me like he did, and it seemed-- with a hypothetical person, especially-- like it would be a lot of work. -Curtis Sittenfeld, The Man of My Dreams (this one is hard to stomach, and so true. but maybe it's the universe telling me i've got a lot of work in front of me)

"It's so hard to forget pain, but it's even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace." -Chuck Palahniuk, Diary

the last one reminds me most of my last blog...that it is hard to remember the good. the bad just seems so much stronger. but i'm trying to learn from the peace and the sweetness. to keep it close to heart to get me through the rough stuff...

people aren't always what you want or need them to be. they are human. they are prone to errors. this is one of those serenity prayer moments in my life..."accept the things you cannot change." i'm learning to be the wiser for it.

we shall see what the wind blows my way in the coming days.

lovelovelove,
s

it's been a cool minute.

I've neglected writing for a while.
a lot seems to happen when I neglect my writing.
I've given up working in entertainment. it's been a bit over a month. It was something i thought i had been born to do. i lived for the late nights, early mornings, 18 hour days. scrambling around to finish a map, send an email, get set opened or closed. guess i couldn't hack it on my own. was one of the more interesting/stressful/crazy/wonderful almost 2 years of my life ever.
now, thanks to some persistence and craigslist, i'm happily employed in HR. quite the change. not long crazy hours, but every so often i still get the rush i used to.
the past few months have been months of great change.
meeting tons of new people. leaving behind some others. trying new things. putting myself out there. it's been quite interesting.

in the past month i've:
gone to the fair
my first college football game
a party at a museum
worked on my communication
went to my first strip club (i know, right?)
played mini golf
unofficially joined a softball team
got a new job
got bangs (1st time since prob the 6th grade)
put myself out there.

there is so much more i want to do. I've got a feeling the end of this year and the start of the next is going to bring tons more change and opportunities for great things. i'm happy with the direction i'm taking in life, even if i'm not quite sure where it is i am going.

tonight could possibly bring even more change. we'll see. till then, i'm going to live in the moment. stop making stories. and maybe find something to wear. :]

lovelovelove
s

Sisterwife Celebration

Last night was a joyous celebration of my sisterwife's 25th birthday!! went to howl at the moon at citywalk and had a fantastic evening with friends. i forgot how fun the piano bar was. had a shot poured down my throat by a waitress dressed like a pirate...watched as my sisterwife was sung to on the piano...and got to spend time with some great friends.


although the night did include a bit of misfortune in the form of K's lost credit card...it was still a great night over all. It's crazy to think we're all growing up...leaving our early 20's behind...from our early days living in the ghetto 4th street house till now, out of college...and turning old. haha. so happy birthday sisterwife...love you and so thankful to have you in my life!!

gin.

just finished a game of gin with R and D. hadn't just sat around a table and played cards for a really long time. i lost, as usual, but it was a lot of fun. i also stuck my baby toe back into the drinking pool after swearing off hard alcohol for a good long while...only beer or cider for me.

haha, had a gnarly little trip to catalina with R this week to take care of some things at the fam's home. this turned into a crazy vodka soda and karaoke filled evening...little too much vodka soda filled. which is why i am sticking to the light weight things after a day of detoxing....

a step in a new direction.

the wonderful summer weather looks like it is slowly slipping away. this is the first year for as long as i can remember, that i have actually appreciated and enjoyed the sunshine and beach. thanks to my sisterwife, i have a new found love of the beach and summertime. sadly, my summer skin is also starting to leave me and soon i will return to my normal, winter worshiping self. i am in awe of how quickly this year is passing me by, and hopefully i will be able to make a wonderful dent in it before it is completely gone.

happy note for the week (even though it happened on Saturday), may and her hubby B finally welcomed their little one into the world!! Brady Cunningham Bird arrived on August 15, 2009 and 1:01 PM. I've known may since i was 13(ish) and I cannot believe she is a momma. I know she will do an amazing job as she is one of the most loving and amazing people I know!!
here is her handsome little guy! hopefully I will have a chance to make a trip to visit them at their new home soon! til then, congrats to you and your new little family!! he is beautiful!!



in my corner of the world, i am currently stressing ridiculous amounts about fixing my resume. while i may be savvy in the writing department, i'm pretty lame when it comes to formatting. thanks in part to my pledge sis, A, i will be applying for a position at a non-profit company she works with. the position sounds amazing and i'm hoping and wishin' that i will be able to crank out a beautifully mastered resume and cv to knock the sox off the HR dept. send some positive juju my way if you have the time, it is much appreciated.

aside from resume working, i'm spending the better part of the week with my brother and sister while the parentals are in wisconsin. the days have been flying by. guess i will get back to my toiling and finish this resume.

lovelovelove,
s

a week in the middle of the ocean.

just got home from a week in catalina. i've been going to catalina since i was very small, and i am pretty sure this was one of my favorite trips ever. none of my friends were able to take off work, so it ended up just being me and my family. i made breakfast for everyone in the morning, helped my momma make sandwiches for lunch, and layed around on the beach for hours. it was the most relaxing week i've had in ages. nothing to think about. no responsibilities. just a beautiful place. family. and me.

saw buffalo, went fishing with my dad and brother, sang karaoke, and explored the other side of the island. i also came home with a fantastic tan (which will hopefully last through the rest of the summer!) this trip really made me appreciate my family and how lucky i am to have them. can't wait till the end of the month when i get to go back with some of my favorite people!!

love love love,
s

self-fulfilling prophecy

Yesterday was one of the best days I have had in ages. First and foremost, i'm an aunt once again!! My cousin K and her husband E welcomed baby #2 into the world yesterday. (K has no siblings, thus dubbing me auntie sarah). Troy Thomas Frith is the most precious little man i've ever seen! it was wonderful to get to meet him on his very first day of life. babies are so amazing and i couldn't be happier for K&E. :]



In addition to the great news of troy's arrival...i also got a new arrival of my own. a job!!! I couldn't be more thankful. my mentor LvK has gotten us a gig working on a web series. Although it isn't for a long period of time, i am so thankful to be back into the swing of things...taking pictures, scouting, and long 10+ hour days. i cannot wait for this new adventure to begin!!!

lastly, i had a great talk with the beau last night. maybe more details later...but it was reassuring and a nice way to end my day.

love love love,
s

in the middle of an island, in the middle of an ocean...

i feel like i've been silly and stuck in a rut for so long. today is the day i say, "no more." i've got so much to look forward to. i've got great friends, fantastic family, and a good head on my shoulders. I'm heading to catalina this sunday for some much needed family time. i'm greatly looking forward to island time filled with reading, sleeping on the beach, and enjoying the sunshine with my family and maybe a friend or two if they happen to venture over.

so, for now. i'm working on changing my tune and becoming a bit more glass half full, or totally full for that matter. here is to finding out what is on the other side of that rainbow. it's a brand new day.

love love love,
s

hands clean.

i like to clean when i feel like i can't control the rest of my life. lately, i've been cleaning...a lot. things have been a bit out of control and i'm doing my best to work with the changes rather than fight them. if nothing else comes of it...i'll at least have a clean room.

leaving for catalina with the fam on sunday. wasn't sure if i was going to go with them this year...but i figured it would be a pleasant little vacation from life here. time to think or veg or read. get out of the element. it should be nice. and hopefully, as an added bonus, i will come home with a renewed tan.

i'm desperately missing the sisterwife. hate that she is so far away and will be starting school again so soon. i'm thinking a trip to the valley is in order.

time to go and clean...

love love love,
s

honest to blog.

i've realized that there are a lot of people I know who have blogs out there on the vast world of the internet. figured, after many attempts, i would join the club for real this time. i'm making a great deal of changes in my life right now, have a lot of free time on my hands, and a few things to say. it probably will not be the most interesting blog out there, but it will be something. books i'm reading, updates on my new diet/work out regime, travel, and other things i come across in my day...you can find it here.

so, welcome.
pardon the first few entries...i'm new at this.
but most of all, enjoy.

cheers,
S