Resignations

1. I will never like hot yoga. It’s too hot. It’s too… something. I don’t enjoy it.
2. Living in San Diego, I will have to get regular pedicures.  I am barefoot way more than I ever have been in my life. Must. Be. Prepared.
3. I may never learn all of the rules of football. Just when I’m thinking I’m learning the rules of the NFL, but I’ve learned that College Football has different rules… what? Ugh.
4. Unless advised by a doctor, I will never eat meat again. (You can read about that here). Especially after learning about mechanically separated meat.
5. Swimmers are my favorite athletes; they beat out football players, basketball players, even baseball players. Yeah. Um, The “V” swimmer’s have. That’s all I can say.
6. Unless advised by a doctor, I will never eliminate sugar from my diet. I just love it too much. I would, however, eliminate alcohol. As fun as it can be, it’s not that great.
7. I will always need blush. I’m just too damn fair skinned. That’s going to need another post to explain. I’m fine with my incredibly fair skin, but I’ve often found that  other are not.
8. I can never watch Law & Order knowing I will be sleeping alone in my house. I’m a scardy cat. I know TV isn’t real, but…
9. Once I start crying, it’s really hard for me to stop.  I think this is because I don’t cry often, so when I do, the GATES FREAKIN OPEN.
10. I love, love, love children. However, there is always a chance that I may not have children of my own, and I’m perfectly okay with that. I love being an Aunt.

What have you resigned to?

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Things I like this week (vol. 8 )

So many things I like this week, I don’t know where to start.

1. Girl’s night. I haven’t had a real true “girl’s night” for as long as I can remember. Usually the “girl’s nights” I’ve had in the past revolving around bars, and trying to meet men. Or, my friends ducking out early to meet up with their man. Anyway you sliced it, it always about guys. My sister, my roommate and I had a fabulous girl’s night on Friday night. We even had our own private hotel room and room service. There was no make up or heels, instead there was pajamas, wine and champagne. Of course, men were discussed but not our focus nor the purpose of us getting together. I hadn’t laughed that hard in a long, long time. It was really fun.

The girls (my sister, me, my roomie Ann Marie)

We kinda sorta went on a mission. Don't worry about it.

Giddy from a successful "mission"

At brunch Saturday "morning". What? You don't eat brunch at 1pm?

Yep. That's a December afternoon and we're eating oustide, in the warm sun. I LOVE SAN DIEGO. (Sarah is wearing a scarf b/c of a breeze).

2. Oliver. After quite a night Friday, I decided to stay in Saturday night and take care of this little guy:

My roommate's son

Oliver was the BEST date I’ve had in weeks. It was the perfect night.

3. I can’t remember where I found this post, but it’s super great about doing more by doing less.

4. Remember how I raved about Angela from Oh She Glows?  Specifically her Butternut Squash Burritos? Well, I made the burritos for two manly, MEAT EATING men this weekend and they loved them. Success! Next, I’m making her Naughty and Nice Vegan Enchilada Casserole – but I probably won’t make it vegan, just vegetarian.

5. I am going home for a week for Christmas!! Remember how I told you I was flying home 4 times from November to December? Well, it’s a long story but instead of flying home and being home for just over 3 days, I’ll be driving home and be home for just over 9 days!! I feel like singing Christmas Carols. That’s probably why Kelcey’s post about Christmas brought a tear to my eye, even the T-Mobile ad she has at the bottom of her post. Normally I would think the T-Mobile ad was super cheesy, but in my festive mood I just loved it.

Happy Holidays, guys.

A few thoughts

The other night on my flight home from celebrating Buddy‘s first birthday, I thought about a few things:

• Above all, my family is the core of me. Hands down, they have been and will always be the most important people in my life. I can’t quite articulate my feelings for them, but I will sum it up to this: I love my family more than anything else in the world. They are my comforters, my nurturers, my challengers, and the people whom I sacredly love.
• I am continuously surprised how much I love Buddy. Saturday morning, I woke to my dad and Buddy walking down the hall, very sleepy. (And Tahn, OF COURSE). My brother and S2 had a holiday party on Friday night, so Buddy slept at my dad’s. He woke around 6am, and my dad brought him to me. Buddy was pretty confused why his Aunt Brittany was there and why he it was still dark, but he adjusted. I gave Buddy his bottle and then he was ready to go back to sleep. (Yes, you read that right. Buddy wakes up, eats, and goes back to sleep. He is my kind of child. Clearly, we are made of the same stuff). My dad thought it would nice if Buddy snuggled down with me and went back to sleep. After a short amount of time, Buddy finally settled in and fell fast asleep. (Details? Buddy was snuggled in as little spoon with his tiny baby feet squished in my legs. It was heaven on earth). In the past I’ve snuggled and slept next to other children; I was a nanny for 12 years – but snuggling with Buddy? The best sleep I’ve ever had. We awoke a little over two hours later, feeling great.
• Tahn is officially the best dog I have ever met. Yep, I said it. After being away from her for so long, meeting a bunch of other dogs, I can say that Tahn is amazing. She is kind, loving, obedient and fun. And? Next to Buddy, she’s the BEST SNUGGLER IN THE WORLD.

Snuggle Bun. 12am Saturday morning.

• Although I had some adjustments in my new life in San Diego, I really love it here. I can’t get over how beautiful it is here. Even today when it was raining and pouring, it was gorgeous. I love that I live 15 minutes from my sister and I get to see her at least once a week; I haven’t seen her this much for over 10 years. It’s really fantastic.
• The most important quality I look for in others is kindness. It all started a little about fours years ago when I walked into a dear friend’s home and on her entry way table she had a small sign, “Approach everything with kindness.” It was then I knew the man I walked through that very door with was not kind. It started off when I first realized on our second date that he was not kind to strangers,  three months in I realized he was not always kind in stressful situations, a year and three months I realized he was  not kind to Tahnee and ultimately, two years and one month into the relationship I realized he was not kind to me. I have since realized there are only two type of people in the world; those who make an effort to respond to others and in kindness and those who do not. I believe that many, many people are unkind. I’ve seen it for years. At work, in relationships I’ve been in and been witness to, in interactions with others. But, I’ve also met many people who are groundbreakingly kind. These people may not always be the best version of themselves, but they are authentic, real and intentionally kind. I strive to be this person everyday.
• I know one thing for sure: my instincts about a person, situation, or group of people have never been wrong. I can spot a bad apple from a mile away. Often I feel neutral about a person/situation/group of people. But when I have an incredibly bad feeling? I just know. After years of trying to ignore my intuition, I am finally embracing it and learning to appreciate it.

Home for the Holidays (and other special events)

(image source)

From November 19 – December 26 I will have traveled from San Diego to the Bay Area four times.

FOUR TIMES.

Three of the four times will for sure be by flight. I may drive the last trip.

I know what you’re thinking: “Why!?!?” Well, I went to home (the Bay Area) last weekend to celebrate S2‘s graduation from her master’s program, I’m in the airport tonight for Thanksgiving, in a couple of weeks I’ll be going home for Buddy‘s first birthday (Can you believe it has already been a year?!?! Buddy will be one year old. Seriously, so amazingly exciting). Then, for Christmas. I may drive home for the Christmas trip, but it has yet to be decided.

I got a late flight out of San Diego today. I did this for two fold: 1) I didn’t know what time I would be off work and I didn’t want to risk missing my flight. 2) I didn’t know what the traffic would be like and I didn’t want to miss my flight.

Even though I was home um, TWO AND 1/2 DAYS AGO, I didn’t want to miss a single second at home.

And although my sleeping situation this Thanksgiving is a little, well I guess I’ll say nomadic, (Of the four nights I’m home I’ll be sleeping in four different beds in two houses. It’s complicated. Never mind) I am thrilled to be on my way home.

Again.

Last weekend was sort of a blur and I imagine this weekend will be too. I try to see so many different people, and spend lots of time with this special girl:

Oh, Tahn

She is just as sweet as I remembered.

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I hope everyone has a great, Happy Thanksgiving!

12 Mini Confessions

After reading Jenny Blake’s’ 12 Mini Confessions today, I felt inspired to write a few of my own… Happy Monday.

1. Tahn’s name: When I introduce someone to Tahnee for the first time, I feel like they’re judging me – because she is a black dog with a name pronounced “Tawney” – a beige color So before they can even ask, I automatically tell them I did not name her.
2. I’ve been afraid that moving to San Diego was a mistake:  After a few bad days in San Diego, I secretly thought, “Was this a good idea? Should I just pack up and go home?” but at the end of the day, I am happy with my decision.
3. Sweets: I cannot go a day without having something sweet. Ever. (Maybe that’s why I’m doing Operation Love Handle).
4. RHWBH: My favorite trashy TV show right now is Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I’m embarrassed to admit it.
5. Organization/ Planning: I am completely organized at work, where everything has it’s place. I plan entire productions, operations, crews of people. Everything goes according to plan and without a hitch. Not at home. My room is a mess. Over half the things I need are accidentally in storage (I mistakenly labeled them storage…) I guess I use all my creative, organized energy towards work…
6. Movies: My perfect day is watching movies all day laying on the couch. (Pretty Woman? Dumb and Dumber? You’ve Got Mail?)
7. Sans Tahn: As much as I miss Tahn, I am really enjoying my freedom – not worrying about her or getting home to feed her or take her out. It’s nice making spur of the moment plans without thinking of anyone but myself.
8. Bedtime: I’m rarely awake past 10pm on a work night. Like Tahn, Mommy needs her sleep.
9. My favorite way to spend an evening is reading blogs. I know. I’m boring.
10. I really, really want to learn how to surf: Even though I’m slightly afraid of being pulled out to sea in the current, I desperately want to learn.
11. I cannot do a regular push-up. And I never have been able to. Although, I am currently adding a new workout to remedy this situation and I will share about soon… 🙂
12. I loved the Oprah show and wish that I could have been an audience member before it ended. So, so sad.

Do you have any confessions?

Happy, Happy Halloween!

This post was originally posted last Halloween. What’s really interesting to me is that a year ago today I was also living in a temporary place waiting to find my own apartment. Although, this year, I don’t have Tahn with me or as many trick or treaters. Like three. Happy Halloween.

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I love trick or treaters. In my new (temporary) home, I live in a great neighborhood full of kids. I was so excited to buy candy today and I hoped I’d have at least a few.

The first trick or treater came a little before 7pm. By 7:30pm, I was out of candy.

I loved seeing all of the little ones all dressed up. It was the first time in my adult life that I actually had at least more than one trick or treaters and passing out candy brought me back to great memories from my childhood.

My dad would take us out every year and my neighbor best friend and her dad would join too. We carried pillowcases because having a basket or a Halloween-themed tote was really un-cool. My mom would stay at home and hand out candy and I was always a little sad I didn’t get to see all of the costumes. At the end of the night, we would dump out all of the candy on the floor, and my dad would inspect it to make sure it wasn’t tampered with. For some reason, the Reese’s and Snicker’s almost always were potentially poisonous, so my dad kept those.

This year, I had my dog Tahnee and my roommate’s dog at home with me. Every time the doorbell rang, Tahn would jump up, so excited to greet her guests. Every time I wouldn’t let her come to the door she would be very upset. She desperately wanted to greet the tricker or treaters.

Finally, Tahn got her wish. My friend brought her adorable little girl dressed as Jasmine by and they came in. Tahn was thrilled!

I hope everyone had a safe, and Happy Halloween!

Baby's Tahn's first Halloween. As a Bumblebee.

Onward to San Diego

Well, I did it guys.

I packed up all of my stuff and moved to San Diego.

This is the first time I saw a San Diego sign on the 5. (You can see the Budget truck my dad is driving in front of me). (Yes, I was using my cell phone and driving. Please don't tell Oprah. I'm ashamed).

Before I left for San Diego, I had a very special Farewell dinner with my good friend from high school and her family.

They had a "Farewell" for me specially put on the menu. It was really wonderful.

I spent Saturday night in San Francisco for a wedding.

I LOVE San Francisco.

And had a great last dinner with my mom, her boyfriend, my brother, S2 and Buddy. It was HARD leaving them. It was even harder going back to my dad’s house without Tahn.

You read that right – I left Tahn in the Bay Area. I am in San Diego sans Tahn. Without my sweet little girl. Why? Why would I do something so crazy? Because she really, really does poorly with transitions and I wanted to make this move as smooth as possible for her. So, she will be living with my dad (her grandpa) until I find a permanent place.

The toothpicks that Tahn destroyed recently at my dad's house. She's having difficulty adjusting.

I stayed at my dad’s from Thursday night until Monday morning, (or as my dad said, I was ‘living with him for the weekend’ :)) and on Monday, October 3 we hit the road super early to drive to San Diego. (Family friends of mine were taking care of Tahn from Sunday night until Tuesday so my dad could come with me on the trip).

A picture of me and my dad stopped at our favorite gas station - Love Gas Station ❤

We had a fantastic drive and arrived in San Diego in about 9 hours (that included 3 bathroom breaks and one half-hour lunch).

My dad had to leave on Tuesday, and that was the hardest goodbye of all. My dad bent over backwards (as he always does for his kids) to help me pack up my stuff in Sacramento, drive it to San Diego, and unload it in the storage unit. It was madness. I couldn’t have done it without him.

I’m living temporarily with my sister’s friends – and they have been awesome – as I’ve transitioned to San Diego.

After a beach day with my sister yesterday, and a fun day of watching football (I’m actually learning the rules!) I’m ready to start my new job tomorrow… 🙂 Wish me luck!

Things I like this week (vol. 5)

Soon, I'll be at a San Diego beach.

(image source)

As I prepare for my move and next adventure, I have a range of emotions this week. Some joy, some excitement, some sadness and a little more anxiety for my taste.

Anyways….

Here are a few things I really like this week:

This post by Lisa Rae about her marriage and when she met her husband. I totally laughed out loud. I know you will too.

This post by Drea where she unveils her manifesto. I may need to print her manifesto and read it. Lots.

Kristy’s brave posts on her weight loss. And they’re so freakin funny!

This from Molly’s Smart, Pretty, Awkward. Okay, I know it’s not from this week, but, it’s really great.

Another hilarious post from Marinka. (I’m super serious. You NEED to read her blog).

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On another note…

Tomorrow is my last day at my current job (which I ironically just realized, I’ve had for exactly a year. It was suppose to be temporary… it’s interesting how things change) – then I’ll be packing for San Diego. It’s a bittersweet time – I’ve never worked at a place this long before. I know it will be emotional saying goodbye to so many people. But the hardest part for me is the fact that I will never see some of them again. It’s weird. I’ve seen them everyday for the past two years; and after tomorrow, I most likely will never see them again. They know about my nephew, they know about my family, they know I’m a crazy dog lady.

But tomorrow, it will all change.

It’s going to be an adjustment.

When everything comes together

What do you do when everything seems to come together in your life?

When something seems right and is confirmed again and again?

Do you stand on the rooftops, shouting your joy?

Do you thank God for the gifts?

Do you relish in your new adventure?

Today, I am thankful, excited and happy.

And Tahn is a little stressed. She hates change. Poor Tahn.

Big News!

I currently live here:

Sacramento

(image source)

And I will be moving to here:

SAN DIEGO!

(image source)

That’s right, friends! I just accepted a job in San Diego and will be moving here in a few weeks!

I am currently in the San Diego airport, waiting to fly home. I am super excited!!

More details to come, but I just couldn’t wait to share it!