I was extremely lucky to have lived in the same two-story house my entire childhood. Not only was nearly my entire extended family within a ten mile radius, but I developed lifelong friendships. With back-to-school sales, and little kids with oversize backpacks clutching their parents hands everywhere I look, I have been thinking of my longest running friend. I met Kristine when I was five, which means I’ve known her for twenty-four years and counting, and she is the person I have put in charge to rescue (and burn) my hidden teenage diaries should I ever die unexpectedly. (They’re buried in a box at the very top of my closet at my parent’s house. Don’t read them. Also, love the crimped bang look. Very 80’s. Says the girl in the outrageously hideous shorts. Seriously, what was my-seven year old self thinking?)

Kristine and I met in kindergarten; well actually, our mom’s met when we were in kindergarten. They had some sort of babysitting swap for the younger siblings. Kristine’s mom made cookies for my brother to eat, and my mom taught Diane how to clean toilets properly. I guess she was teaching Diane the kind of skills every mother hopes for their three-year-old daughter. Now, Kristine and I weren’t exactly friends in kindergarten. I believe we tolerated each other. But, somewhere in the past two and a half decades we developed a deeper friendship than many can only hope for.

Our families became close friends, partly because of the friendships of our parents, partly because Kristine and I often found each other in the same circles. I have very few childhood memories that don’t include this family in some way. Brownies. Soccer. Coronado. Houseboat. Cross-County. NCL. Somewhere down the line, Kristine and I became friends, best friends even. I can’t remember the exact moment, but it happened. Somewhere between the silly stunts we pulled, the millions of games of Uno, the times we accidentally (and purposely) hurt each other’s feelings, sleepovers, long runs and double dates we became friends.

This picture was taken in August 1998, the night before I left for college in Sacramento - the two families having dinner together. (I almost didn’t post this picture because my mom and I seem to be wearing matching outfits. Again, what was my 18-year-old-self thinking?) Our dad’s asked the same question, which everyone else asked: Did we really think that we could continue our friendship through college? There was no doubt in our minds. We had a system, you see, a phone call every Sunday night. Little did we know that 10 years later, Kristine would be living 14 miles from my first college apartment, and I would be living 14 miles from her college apartment. Ironic, no? But, that’s been our relationship, long-distance at its finest. In all 13 years of primary and secondary schooling, we only had one other class together in high school. Our colleges were 500 miles apart, graduate schools across countries, study abroad programs. And yet, we have still maintained a friendship. We have our ups and downs, just like any relationship lasting as long as ours.

I had always hoped that one day we’d grow up, get married, have families and live in the city. I understand, now, this will probably never be a reality. But, no matter what happens, I know that we’ll always be friends. Now that we’re married, and life is going at a lightening-fast speed, I realize that we can’t just run out for frozen yogurt (our idea of a crazy time in high school), go cruising for boys and have sugar-fueled sleepovers. I’ve started thinking about how in six years, my baby will be as old as I was when I met my best friend. I wonder if it’ll tell Auntie Kristine about their secret first crush, or dread when Auntie makes them sugar-free chocolate chip cookies without the actual chocolate chips. I wonder if Kristine and I will stay so close, and continue our weekly (or bi-monthly, these days) chats, when we have a whole new person to look after and keep alive.

These days, when my Dad send pictures of the four of us, or when I come face-to-face with an old memory, I feel like it’s almost part of a past life. A life that once existed, but was a fleeting moment. Which is sort of true. My hope is that one day, this new little generation will have a friend like I: one it can count on in good hair days and bad, ex-boyfriend heartbreaks and wedding-day jitters, Golden Spoon frozen yogurt runs and heart-to-heart talks and understand just how lucky they are.

Remember that infamous line in Garden State when Natalie Portman’s character plays New Slang by The Shins (with enormous headphones!) for Zach Braff’s character and says, “You gotta hear this one song. It’ll change your life. I swear.” While, I firmly believe that songs can change your life, along with big (like a wedding) or small (like discovering a new store) events, books, movies or anything really, lately I’ve found I’ve found myself repeating this motto “it changed my life” around all sorts of life-changing miracles that happen to me every day courtesy of people like J.K. Rowling and Oprah. Seriously, everything seems to be changing my life at the moment, or at least my perspective. This new chapstick which I bought at Target is finally solving my cracked lips issue or my lovely new dishwasher which (gasp!) actually washing my dishes without a pre-wash (well, except for my puppy helping lick the plates clean). This rubbery cookie scooper for chocolate-chip cookies, which has changed my life. The discovery racer-back tank tops changed my life. Chocolate covered almonds, Bona hardwood floor cleaner, and my gosh, even “ouchless” cloth covered rubber hair bands changed my life.

But, instead of actually changing my life, perhaps they are only a fraction of products that I really like. So, I have decided to make an official list of all the most important discoveries I’ve made over the last few months and years, things I really feel that the Internet should know about too (Uh, we’re talking body soap and make-up here, not the meaning of life or anything). Kinda like a sort of, “here are a few of my favorite things” without Maria from The Sound of Music singing.

Aveeno Active Naturals

I have always suffered from sensitive skin. Pretty smelling body washes and lotions cause me to break out in hives or horrible rashes. So, I always struggled with finding a cleaner that cleaned and moisturized my skin without causing me to break out, but didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Then, I found Aveeno body wash. In fact, they have a whole line of products I use, my favorites are their body wash (they have a “Stress Relief” one that “calms and relaxes” but really just smells of lavender) and lotions. Now, I exclusively use Aveeno products, and honestly I couldn’t be happier with my skin. No more itchy, unsightly rashes for me.

Bath & Body Work Aromatherapy Peppermint Roll-on with Pure Peppermint Essential Oil

I suffer from lots of headaches, typically just tension headaches from a long day staring at the computer screen or from reading. A while back, right before I was to walk down the aisle as bridesmaid in a wedding, I had a horrible headache and no medication in sight. However, the mother of the bride did have Peppermint Oil that she dabbed on my wrists. The smell relaxed my senses, and relieved me of my pounding headache. Afterwards, in search of this phenomenon essential oil I discovered the Peppermint Roll-on from Bath & Body Works. This is perfect, I just roll a bit onto my temples whenever I feel a headache coming on (or lately, every night!) focus on taking a few inhales and exhales, and I immediately feel better.

Blurb

I love pictures, I love being creative, but above all, I love being organized. Enter: Blurb. This company allows me to enjoy all that and more. Instead of printing out my millions of photos throughout the year, and putting them in a boring old photo album (which are harder and harder to find these days), I make a photo book through Blurb. The downloadable program is free; all you pay for is the actual book. I mainly use the books in place of albums, so for each trip or each year I’ll make a single album. The program allows me to use of their templates (of all writing, all picture or a combination of both) or I can create my own. It’s perfect. Plus, their prices are much better than printing the photos and putting them in traditional albums, and it takes up much less space. A forty-page book can hold hundreds of photos. In fact, I just made an album for a wedding shoot I recently did, and it came out lovely.

Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Crème

For anybody that suffers from horrific hangnails, this is the perfect product. It softens the cuticles, strengthens the nails, heals tiny cuts on your fingertips (which is the worst place for a cut!) It’s silky and creamy and lemony scented...which makes me crave lemon meringue pie, but that’s another story. When I use this wonder crème daily I notice a major difference in my hands, almost like having a daily manicure. Seriously, consider your life changed.

Tastefully Simple

I am not one for boxed products, especially ones which are ordered through a “host” (like Mary Kay make-up or Pampered Chef), but my mother-in-law gifted me with a box full of Tastefully Simple products, and I’m in love. Granted, not in love enough to buy them myself (as I find it hideously expensive)...but, definitely in love enough to ration it. My favorites are the “country blackberry preserves (which has lots of great recipes to use it with, like thumbprint cookies, but I just eat it by the spoonful) or “creamy caramel sauce” which I just eat with pretzels or another favorite is the cinnamon muffin melt mix (although, I never follow the recipe for that one either and just make regular muffins). Let me tell you, this stuff is delicious.

I am just realizing that I can go on with 8 or 9 more things I should add, but this will do for now since I’ve got a million and one other things to do. But, meanwhile, what about you? Any life-changing discoveries you want to share with me (and the world?) Any must-haves I. HAVE. TO. TRY? I am always one willing to venture out and try new things.

Happy Birthday To Me

So I turned 29 last Tuesday, I know, I know, it’s been a while, but please forgive me as I have been celebrating! My birthday is not just one day of celebration. And, of course, I have been celebrating the birth of America too. Well, and writing a research paper, and creating a wedding album for a friend, are just among some of the activities worthy of my time these days. But, back to turning 29, doesn’t it sound like one of those fake ages no-one really is? You’re in no-man’s land, in the cusp year. Not quite in the golden 30’s, but not really relating to those in their early 20’s. It’s like being 19, or 9, or I imagine turning 39 or 49. Personally, I almost wished I’d just skip right over from 28 to 30. Because really, when it comes down to it, what’s the point of 29? It just feels like a weird limbo age, the bridge between “Wild and Crazy” to “Low-Key Dinner Parties.”

(As a side note, for those that know me in the flesh and blood know that I have never really been “Wild and Crazy” I’ve always been much more the “Low-Key Dinner Party” type of gal. Well, except maybe for the six months I spent in Ireland. I was pretty wild and crazy then, and potentially the twelve months after my 21st birthday. But, still, not too wild and crazy comparatively. But, now I don’t have to pretend to be “wild and crazy” and I can look back at those brief “wild and crazy” times with fondness and laughter as I am enjoying my “low-key dinner party.”)

All that being said; however, I was really looking forward to my birthday this year. Mostly, so that I get this almost-at-a-milestone-year on and over with and move on to the new decade. Not that my twenties weren't a ball. They truly were. They started out with a bang: living in Dublin (where incidentally my “Wild and Crazy” days began), graduated college, ran a few marathons, walked down the aisle to the Wedding March, together with the bank - bought a house, traveled to some far-flung places, adopted an adorable puppy, and (fingers-crossed) will graduate from graduate school this decade. Whew. Maybe they weren’t all that bad. And, maybe 29 will be a banner year for me. No wonder I couldn’t wait to get started.

Also, presents really help.

But here’s the thing: if you’d seen me on Tuesday morning, after my dentist appointment (yes, yes, I am one of those crazy people who actually enjoy the dentist), you would have asked yourself whether I was turning 29 or 8. I was going to Disneyland. Internet, you get in free on your birthday.

After a thrilling cleaning (no cavities, natch), coffee and bagels, J and I headed to “the happiest place on Earth” for a day of pirates, ghosts and goblins, Peter Pan, Space Mountain and carnation ice cream. It was a pleasant day, sunny, but not too hot with a nice cool breeze and lines were never that long.

Before my birthday, J had asked me if I wanted to go out for dinner, as per our custom, on Saturday night, but to be perfectly honest, I really kind of didn’t. Perhaps it was the non-stop busyness of the weeks prior, or maybe it was the economy, or the exhaustion from the big-day being surrounded with out-of-town visitors, baby showers (no, no, not my own), and Independence Day BBQs, but all I wanted to do was snuggle up on the couch with our latest Netflix and a bowl of strawberries. So, that is exactly what we did as a pre-birthday celebration. Of course, after the fabulous steak dinner with grilled veggies. (Which J cooked and cleaned up entirely on his own. Do I not have the greatest husband EVER?)

And the funny thing is - this is pretty much exactly what we did for my birthday three years ago too. So, I guess what I’m saying is that hey, I may be 29 now, homeowner and part of an old married couple, but I CAN STILL PARTY LIKE A 26-YEAR-OLD. Well, a 26-year old who likes partying with only her husband, in her living room, in pajamas pants and a tank top, with a puppy at her feet, of course. But still.

A Father's Day Post

Sunday is Father’s Day, and since I haven’t talked much about my goofy Dad I thought a little recognition couldn’t go amiss. Plus he’s been pestering me to write a post about The Greatest Man I Ever Knew (yes, so humble you can almost taste it). So I hereby present you with a list of my favorite memories featuring my dad, and if you would like to add your own favorite memory about your dad in the comments we can all celebrate Dad’s together. And I would have some comments which this blog is sorely lacking. Wouldn’t that be fun?

My Favorite Memories Featuring My Dad:

• It was June 1999, and we had spent the day at Schloss Neuschwanstein in Bavaria. Family vacation and all that jazz. For dinner that evening we went back to the village of Hohenschwangau, we ate outside, and marveled at how empty the village was compared to the morning when it was packed with Japanese tourist. After a fabulous German meal (featuring schnitzel I’m sure) my dad and I decided to walk back up the steep, windy road that takes you to the backside of the castle for a photo op. It would be beautiful, softly lit by the setting sun. I don’t necessarily remember what we talked about on the long walk there and back. But, I do remember how peaceful the walk was, how stunning the castle was, and how much I knew that the moments spent together would replay in my mind countless times.


• When we were little he used to attack my brother and I with “bellybutton kisses.” It was equal parts hilarious and endearing, and a little embarrassing. You know, just in public and stuff.


• One summer when I was young (junior high I think?), he and my mom decided to forgo the traditional family vacation and decided to paint the entire house during his two-week “off” time. Every morning he would put in the same Fleetwood Mac CD and listen to it over and over and over. I will never think of Don’t Stop in the same way.


• Another family vacation took place on the east coast, Washington D.C. in particular, in the summer. And boy, IT. WAS. HOT. The kind of hot that makes your clothes stick to your body, and makes you want to run for the shower the minute you step out of the air-conditioned hotel room. It was so hot that my dad decided that it was too hot to eat lunch. Plus, we had too many museums to see, and monuments to visit. No lunch. He finally caved on the third day when my brother’s stomach growled so loudly that it interrupted the US Supreme Court oral arguments.

I have a million and one more memories I could write up, like the day that my parents flew into Dublin, and I met them at the airport. I was never so happy to see my dad, and thrilled to show him the country that I had fallen in love with. But for today I’ll leave you these (plus, I need to save something for next year!) Dad, I hope you have a fabulous Father’s Day…and remember this post next time I accidently destroy your camera flashcard.

Ode to Strawberries

Forgive me Internet, for I did not mean to write two posts about fruit in one month. Obviously I have a problem. But, have you had any strawberries lately? Oh. My. Gosh. They are delicious. I mean, I have always loved strawberries. In high school I kept the nearby fresh strawberry stand in business. Well, me and a few of my friends. I guess after high school, I left strawberries for more exotic fruit like mangoes, pineapples and white peaches. But, I recently rediscovered them. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to “Be Californian, Buy California Grown” and they are everywhere at the farmer’s market. Or maybe their sweet smell is calling me. Who knows? But, let me tell you, I am inhaling massive quantities of them.

I love them plain straight out of the fridge for a morning snack, sliced in a spinach salad for dinner, and then with mascarpone cheese for an after dinner dessert. Don’t even get me started on strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, chocolate-covered strawberries, or strawberry cake.

Now, excuse me while I go and consume my pint of strawberries. And maybe next week I'll write about cherries?

Travel Quotes

Most people collect baseball cards, or fancy artwork, or beanie babies. (Side note: What do people collect these days?) I collect travel quotes. I have an old beat-up journal that was gifted to me many years ago in which I house all my beloved quotes. I find them in books, from friends, or other travelers. The world is full of brilliant inspirational travel quotes. They all ring true and remind me of why I love love love to travel. I read these when I’m road-weary, or (like now) when I’m itching to pack my bags and head off to a new adventure.

Like this one, for example:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain.

Or this one:

“Travel to new places...forces us to develop greater flexibility as we challenge our most cherished beliefs about the way things should be.” –Jeffrey Kottler

Some remind me that travel isn’t necessarily boarding an airplane bound for a foreign land, but is a state of mind or a way of life.

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
– Jawaharal Nehru

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
Other quotes humble me, and remind me of how big and beautiful our world is.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” – Mark Twain.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”
– St. Augustine

And my all-time, absolute favorite quote is the one below from On the Road. I read this (for the first of many times) on the plane heading for my semester abroad in Dublin. It fit so perfectly for the moment I was in.

“What is that feeling when you’re driving away from people and they recede on the plain til you see their specks dispersing? It’s the too-huge world vaulting us and it’s goodbye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.”
– Jack Kerouac

Just imparting a little wisdom for the week. So go pack your bags, travel, dream and grow.

The Heart of Life
I had all these old t-shirts from high school: track meets, cross-country state championships, the pizza parlor where I worked during summers, grad night. The summer after my freshman year in college, my grandmother, Mimi (her real name was not Mimi, it was Ruth. I, being a natural blonde, did not realize that until I was in high school. Yes, I thought her real name was Mimi Carman until I was 16. I was quite the observant one, wasn’t I?) and I set to work sewing a T-shirt quilt. We worked together all summer, in between my long-training runs and summer internship, cutting up t-shirts, sewing tiny stitches, filling in the backing. Sometimes she’d tell me stories of her childhood growing up in Ohio, or stories about my Mom and Uncles as children, sometimes we cut and sew in silence, or listen to an old movie playing softly in the background.

*********************

The day was warm, the sun was shining, and it was a week past my actual birthday. I came down to YL for a birthday dinner, and picked Mimi up on the way. We had a glass of white wine together, and toasted to the upcoming year. She always loved a glass of Chardonnay. We laughed, ate yellow cake with chocolate syrup and celebrated being together.

My grandmother died shortly after that small birthday celebration. She was fine, and then she wasn’t. It was swift and quick, and exactly how she would have wanted it. I can’t talk to her on the phone; I can’t stop off at her tiny apartment in Brea on my way visiting my parents. We would always chuckle because Casey (my dog) would jump up on Mimi’s lap and smother her in licks before meticulously sniffing each square foot of her apartment scrounging for crumbs. I can’t listen to her stories of visiting Australia, or tales of her growing up through the Great Depression. I talk to her in other ways though, remembering things mostly – like how she’d say “yalla” instead of “yellow” or when I read a book I know she’d like. She was forever asking me for book recommendations, she read voraciously, and I was never able to keep up.

*********************

This morning, I pulled out the quilt we sewed together. There was a little chill in the air as I sat down for the morning’s work, and for a brief moment sat amazed at the tiny stitches and the worn look of the shirts. I stared at one corner, at the mistake I had made with the sewing machine which she fixed for me. She was forever teaching me how to sew or crochet a skill I still haven’t even begun to master. I remembered the shared laughs over funny stories, or our discussions of which shirt was our favorites. After a while, I got too warm and set the blanket aside. I thought of all the times I had used that blanket to comfort me, and the future uses of the blanket. Perhaps, it’ll be a favorite of my future children wanting to hear the stories of each shirt, or provide a bit of comfort to them on a cold night. I thought about the many memories of my Mimi stored away in the dark recesses of my brain. I thought about the last visit we had. How I walked her out to my brother’s truck, she walked steady on my arm, and she marveled at how beautiful a day it was.

I reached over to hug her, and tell her “I love you”, as was our custom after every visit. However, If I had known that was the last time I’d hug her, I would have held on just a little bit longer.

Save Chuck

I’m not a big TV person. I even lived for a couple of years without one in my apartment. Yeah, I like watching the news, but nowadays I get most of my updates via the internet (have you heard about the swine flu? Oh, you mean you don’t live under a rock?) Or the occasional Friends episode on rerun, but I’m pretty wary about starting a new TV series. I mean it took me four years of hating Grey’s Anatomy, and now I cry when my DVR forgets to record it. So, when J decided to watch Chuck. I was pretty adamant about not getting involved. However, I was swayed after a few weeks of persistent pestering to watch it with him.

And by golly it’s the best show on television. (Did you hear that honey, you were right!) So, in light of “The Save Chuck Movement” I decided to tell the Internet why I love this hilarious show.

1. The character’s names. Sarah Walker is one of the main characters. She is one of the two agents assigned to protect the “asset” (aka: Chuck). The other government handler hired to protect Chuck is Major John Casey (although, apparently it’s now Colonel). As you know (or not), my name is Sara – and while it’s not spell the same, it’s still a very rad (apparently I think its 1984) name, and not one that is used very often. In addition, my puppy’s’ name is Casey. (Granted she’s you know...a dog and a female dog at that), it was one of the reasons I gave in to watching the show. (It really doesn’t take much to make me happy).
2. The “average computer-whiz-next-door” character of Chuck. I have a thing for computer geeks. I’m not sure why; but I’m just drawn to them. My first boyfriend was a total computer nerd. Like, taking computers apart and putting them back together kind of nerd. (Granted, he was a water polo player too, so the kind of all-around student that colleges are looking for these days). After we parted ways, I swore I was done with computer engineers and Dungun & Dragon players. Except that I wasn’t. Lo and behold, my next boyfriend-turned-fiancé-turned-husband was a “management information science” (a fancy way of saying “computer-geek hiding in business”) major in college. He builds software programs. Like I said, I’m just drawn to them. Maybe it’s the pocket protector?
3. I love the stock shots of Los Angeles. I have a total love-hate relationship with LA. I love the skyscrapers, echo park, Griffith observatory, but I hate the smog, crowds and weather. When I watch Chuck, I get all the perks of LA, with having to deal with the crap. Plus, I get to say thing like: “That’s where I run twice a week!” Or “I’ve been there!” Did I mention that the fly-over shots are so cool?
4. The on-again-off-again romantic tension between Sarah and Chuck. I am a fan of the Ross & Rachael, Pam & Jim on-again-off-again torture. As their cover story, Chuck and Sarah are dating; however we’re always sure how real those feelings are. Sarah maintains that it would be unprofessional of her to be in a real relationship with Chuck while she is his CIA handler. Chuck doesn’t want to be part of a relationship with Sarah that isn’t real. The “do-they-love-each-other-or-not” tension keeps me at the edge of my seat each week.
5. Chuck’s family values. While Chuck is under government protection, his first priority is his friends and family. Chuck moved in with his sister, Ellie, and her “awesome” boyfriend Devon after his academic career ended at Stanford University. The duo has quite the untraditional nuclear family, yet traditional family values are so important to them. For instance, the pair celebrates Mother’s Day as the take they learned to take care of each other.

There you have it – Chuck is the best show on TV these days. So, ahead and click HERE to Save Chuck.

Random Wednesday Updates

You’re probably wondering where I’ve been, the vast, deep void of the Internet. Did I ever tell you that I’m getting my Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages? Pretty fancy, huh. Well, I have a large research paper due, approximately next week. (Spoiler Alert: It is not nearly done!) And I have been doing lots and lots of research, and reading the research, and all the procrastinating time-wasting activities that accompany library (or in my case, a web-based library surfing) research. Ahem, and have gotten nowhere. So, I’m behind on my blog, and have a million more pages to go on my paper, and my laundry is piled on my couch.
But, in other exciting news, I had my first wedding photography gig. Yep, I was officially a wedding photographer. The wedding was out in the middle of nowhere; in fact I was a bit apprehensive as we were driving in the desert, towards nothing. But, then magically we turned left and there was this little, beautiful, green community just like that. I thought I was seeing a mirage.

Here are few pictures from the day. What do you think? I had loads of fun snapping away. I felt a little bit like paparazzi, and enjoyed every minute of it.

April 8th

Four years ago today, this girl:
married this boy:

and it's been happily ever after since.

I'm Back

Did you miss me dear Internet? Did you even notice that I was gone from cyberspace? Well, I am back, and finally emerging from the mess. Did I mention that I caught a plane-induce, sleep-deprived cold on my way home? What a way to come back from vacation.

I am planning on highlighting two of the four cities in upcoming Photo Friday's, but here is a sneak peek. This was a carefully orchestrated combination of two separate 5-6 day trips.

I started in New Orleans (for a wedding, obviously this was pre-wedding since I'm on Bourbon street. I guess you could have a wedding on Bourbon Street, although I'm not sure I would recommend it.)

and ended in Denver for a Conference. (I thought I'd post a picture of Coors Field in honor of the upcoming Baseball season).

California Stars

I love music, love it. It's almost always consistently playing in my house. I love all different kinds of music. This being said, typically my favorite group/song/album changes (hey, I'm a girl, what can I say?) However, I have one song that is above all others: “California Stars.” This song (and the other tracks on Mermaid Avenue collections) is the collaborative efforts of Billy Bragg and Wilco who set to music the lyrics of folk singer Woody Guthrie.

The first time I heard this song, I was lying underneath the stars (literally!) in the English countryside, feeling a bit heartbroken and homesick for my native California. I imagined a young, romantic, idealistic man simply lying stargazing and dreaming of his one true love, all underneath the beautiful California skies. However, as I grow I like to believe that Guthrie was trying to suggest that we should enjoy the simpler things in life, which often include those quiet moments with your true love.

I decided to title this blog “California Stars” for many reason, one being my passion for this song. However, my hopes with this blog are to introduce my readers to the amazing state of California, with the warm-starry-night in California appeal. I thought that the title reference would work there too. And of course, the word California can be replaced with “Hollywood Stars”, which is part of California’s image.

California Stars (this is my favorite version)

I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars I'd love to feel
Your hand touching mine / And tell me why / I must keep working on Yes I'd give my life
To lay my head tonight on a bed
Of California stars I'd like to dream / My troubles all away
On a bed of California stars Jump up from my starbed / Make another day

Underneath my California stars / They hang like grapes / On vines that shine / And warm the lovers' glass / Like friendly wine So I'd give this world / Just to dream a dream with you / On our bed of California stars I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight

On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars I'd love to feel
Your hand touching mine / And tell me why / I must keep working on Yes I'd give my life
To lay my head tonight on a bed / Of California stars I'd like to dream / My troubles all away / On a bed of California stars Jump up from my starbed / Make another day /

Underneath my California stars They hang like grapes / On vines that shine / And warm the lovers' glass / Like friendly wine So I'd give this world / Just to dream a dream with you / On our bed of California stars So I'd give this world / Just to dream a dream with you / On our bed of California stars (Dream a dream with you)

For the Love of Running

I am a runner. That statement has defined me for the past decade. Running has made me joyfully happy, and woefully upset. I have made some of my best friends through running. It has hurt me, but also made me healthy. To say that I have a love affair with running would be an understatement.

I started running the summer I turned fourteen, or the summer before my freshman year of high school. My childhood friend and I both joined the cross-country summer camp for one reason, to stay in shape for the swim team. We hated it. After each exhausting practice we would count how many days were left until we could quit. Besides, we were swimmers…not runners. That summer was sheer torture, but we made the best of it. We needed to cross-train? Then, we would ride our bikes down to Ruby's for a huge, calorie-packed cinnamon roll and washed it down with a milkshake. After, we would walk our bikes the two miles home. The last week before the official season started, the coach convinced us that we needed to stay part of the team – just for the cross-country season. We would be in great shape for swim season in the spring. That was the beginning of the end. After the first September race, I was hooked.

I ran through high school and college. I did marathons, half-marathons, track meets and road races. I did Tuesday/Thursday track workout and races on Saturdays. Nerves kept me up almost all Friday nights. I hated races. The fear, the deep-down-in-the-pit-of-your-stomach-nerves, the starting line all caused me LOTS of anxiety. But, I love the pureness of the sport. It’s just shoes and your physical and mental strength. I love the quietness of a crisp morning – when the streets are silent, the air is cool, and the only sound is my breath. Running gives me time to think, time to distress, time for just me. I like running with friends. It gives us a chance to talk about trivial matters or deeper dreams. I like running alone, give me a chance to visit with, well, frankly…me.

Lately, I’ve been in a funk about running. Not actually about the running, but having to go out running. Even with great running partners or a perfect play-list on my iPod, I have been dreading my run. Honestly, I think it’s because I’m out of running shape. This is where you come in, dear Internet. I want you to help me be accountable. I hope to post my trials and triumphs, so that I can remember my love of running.

This meme was plaging me, so I thought I'd post it here.

1. I’m a voracious reader. I read books over and over again too. I’ve read Pride & Prejudice almost a dozen times, Harry Potter and Little Woman more times than I can count – but my favorite book? Not your typical high-brow pick: Tulips, Chips and Mayonnaise. I read it when I’m sad…its laugh out loud funny.
2. I really dislike Southern California, but I love my house. I want to be able to transport it to a city of my choice.
3. I love to cook and bake, especially in my awesome new kitchen. Sometimes I just stand in it and smile.
4. I have an obsession with Gypsies. I think the culture is completely fascinating.
5. I’m very self-conscious about my arms and no matter how many pull-ups, push-ups or bicep curls I do…they never look “toned.”
6. I have few female blood relatives. Secretly, I like this. It means that I don’t have to share my mom with anyone.

7. I think my second cousin Amanda is hands down the coolest kid ever. I love hanging out with her.
8. I fall hard and often. That’s not a metaphor for anything: I really am that big of a klutz.
9. I love to travel. The more off-the-beaten-track it is, the better.

10. People who are selfish bother me…a lot.
11. I like to clean and organize.
12. I once ran into Pete Carroll (literally) at the movies…and stammered like a school girl. I tried saying sorry or excuse me, but I just stared. I then spent the entire movie obsessing how ridiculous I was.
13. Ireland is my favorite place on this planet, but Vienna is my top-all-time favorite city.
14. Watching Grey’s Anatomy is my guilty pleasure. I get totally caught up in the mindless drama of Derek and Meredith.
15. I think my maiden name is cool, but I think my married name is even cooler. It makes me feel ethnic and cultured and I love when people ask if it’s Italian!
16. My dream job is to be a professional travel writer and photographer. I think that would be the best job ever.
17. I am an introvert.
18. I like to read travel guides – my favorite are Rough Guides. In fact, I read them cover to cover – even for places I don’t have a trip planned.
19. I love good red wine.
20. I think people who drink light beer are sissies.
21. My dog is a super-mutt and she makes me insanely happy.
22. I admire people who rescue animals from pounds and rescue organizations.
23. I love how patient, smart and generous my husband is.
24. I need to run for my sanity. It clears my head and heart.
25. Every spring, I plant a garden, and every year said super-mutt dog eats all the produce. This year, I’m planting in the front yard.