Americans in Paris

"An experienced traveler could have told by looking at my shoes that I wasn't French. And even if I were French, it's not as if English is some mysterious tribal dialect spoken only by anthropologists and a small population of cannibals. They happen to teach English in schools all over the world. There are no eligibility requirements. Anyone can learn it. Even people who reportedly smell bad despite the fact that they've just taken a bath and are wearing clean clothes.

Because they had used the tiresome word froggy and complained about my odor, I was now licensed to hate this couple as much as I wanted. This made me happy, as I'd wanted to hate them from the moment I'd entered the subway car and seen them hugging the pole. Unleashed by their insults, I was now free to criticize Martin's clothing: the pleated denim shorts, the baseball cap, the T-shirt advertising a San Diego pizza restaurant. Sunglasses hung from his neck on a fluorescent cable, and the couple's bright new his-and-her sneakers suggested that they might be headed somwhere dressy for dinner. Comfort has its place, but it seems rude to visit another country dressed as if you've come to mow its lawns."

-David Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty One Day

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Tissue-weight cashmere scarfs in gorgeous colors
2. Whole Days and date nights
3. Pub quiz at Elixer
4. The Grandfather cardigan
5. Slumdog Millionaire and brilliant films that make me ache to impact the world more powerfully
6. Thick dark porter stouts in clear pint glasses
7. YSL Nail Lacquer in Black Tulipe, rediscovered in my polish box
8. My Mom and a weekend with the whole fam together
9. Kettle Corn, made in the microwave, a sweet and delicious snack for anytime
10. Longchamp 'Le Pliage' totes and weekenders: posh, resiliant, classic

Slumdog Millionaire

Phenomenal.
Gorgeous, heart-breaking, inspiring; left me weeping. This is what film is meant to be.

And she wore Isabel Toledo

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

-President Barack Obama from his Inaugural Address

Dress Code: Retro Chic

Andy's Holiday Party (after the holidays) was a night out at Teatro ZinZanni. Having heard of it for so long, and seen all the ads and the tent itself on Pier 29, we were excited but unsure of what to expect, but I was thrilled at the chance to wear my little black Valentino (LBV) again. Can't beleive we didn't take any pictures of us looking all smanch, boo.

FABULOUS!!

Incredible 5-course meal, and a super awesome-fun show, loved every minute. They do a terrific job at the night.

Girl in Da Hood version 1.09

Home to Escondido for Mom's 60th Birthday Weekend Extravaganza.


How I love it when there's lots of family together. I wish we all lived closer and could play more often.

Can we just talk about the 80 degree weather in January? Oh San Diego, you hot cookie, teasing me with your perfect weather and sunshine days.

And just LOOK at this pregnant girl!

For Auld Lang Syne

May 2009 be the year of consistancy (as that seems to be the theme of my hopes for the year) and may I strive for these things:

-cook more, bake some.
-throw dinner parties (or participate in them)
-identify key goals and create a 3-year plan to acheive them
-bring my lunch on a consistant basis, a habit that I have gotten out of since returning downtown
-take a Zissou submarine car tour
-get involved and invest in a church, specifically a small group
-take a class (dance, yoga, pilates, a language?)
-save money NOT in a pre-set management program of any sort
-take only one cab-ride a week (or less)
-pray consistantly (thanks Jen)
-try new places
-yelp consistantly the new places I try
-bike, run, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
-create at least twice a month
-finish Dark Star Safari
-be a better boss by inspiring my team, coaching for independance and excellence, and through continued servant leadership
-recognize all wins, no matter how small (both for my team and for me)
-write letters consistantly
-create, follow, stick-to a budget
-(this one's a secret)
-leave the country at least twice
-be no more than 10 minutes late (baby steps)
-check off at least one thing on my Adventure Goals list.
-let go and allow myself to be secure and confident in love

For 2009, goodnight, and goodluck.

we'll take a cup of kindness yet

2008 [the year of kindness] brought:
-some new friends in, some old [new] friends out
-eight different roommates in three different apartments (all in three months!) which brought me to a different neighborhood
-a new department in a new store with new challenges
-Portugal and Spain in the spring, and Boston in the fall
-A striking realization that prompted another one, which was met with tears and healed with scissors and time.
-another year with amazing music opportunities including: Ryan Adams, Death Cab, The Cure, SeaWolf, Stars, Fujiya and Miyagi
-two seasons of kickball and a new favorite wednesday night activity
-an increased understanding of my desire and need to create
-a terrific 27th Birthday spent among true and wonderful new friends
-my first ever adventure to a tow-lot
-a LOT of shakin' it.
-the most clever of Halloween costumes yet
-Finding out I'm getting a neice next year
-six beautiful new pairs of shoes. (Minus one for losing the snake Cavallis)
-long, short and shorter hair
-Birthday Haikus
-setting up shop and selling three handbags so far on Ebay
-Hiking in Muir Woods
-finally winning a few bar tabs at Elixer's Trivia night
-a new Driver's License with a San Francisco permanent address on it
-plenty of learning, and hopefully a movement towards kindness.

Thanks 2008, you were a riot of good times, bad times, and adventures; heartbreak, healing, and growth. All in all, you were very kind to me, and I only hope I was and will continue to be kind right back.