A Farewell Dinner

It is the misfortune of our parish that our dearest Father Mike is leaving our parish, and transferring to one in San Clemente.  He has been such a big part of our lives this last decade, and in many ways, made our family who they are.  He has shaped us by introducing beautiful people into our lives, other families that feel like blood to me- women who are now my mom's best friends.  Father Mike has always been strong in his convictions, and always a great ear to listen.  His sense of humor matches that of my quirky family, and we've very much enjoyed and cherished the time he has spent in Yorba Linda.

The pictures below are from my parents' home.

Stephanie & Cheryl

my baby Sam enjoying the good weather

my dad teaching my little brother (Nico) how to grill

there's always bees in the lavender bush

our plumeria plant is about the size of a proper tree

gourmet coleslaw

my favorite flowers in the backyard

scallops to change your life

Father Mike!

perfect day for dinner outside

conversation by candlelight

The Art of Wallowing

a photo from a rainy drive in Sweden

There are times, which are thankfully becoming increasingly infrequent, in which the desire to wallow overcomes me.  Suddenly all those little things I told myself that I could push away and overcome compile into one big hurt.

Predictably, as soon as I realized I wanted to wallow, I felt ashamed.  Feeling sorry for myself is something I've been trying to overcome, something I reflected on quite a bit after my experience in Sweden.  I was thinking about it, and wondered how my mother handled this same feeling.  However, I realized I've never seen her in such a state.  She is one of the most selfless people I've ever encountered.  As a mother, wife, and friend, she puts everyone else first.  She does this even if it means sacrificing her own wants and needs, her time, or her sleep.  Honestly, she takes everything in stride and can't seem to fathom feeling or doing something that isn't productive.  Being young and independent, my first thought is often myself which is somewhat normal but still incredibly selfish- and something I want to change.  I aspire to be more like my kind mother.

Then, the perfect song came on which gave me some comfort.  Jason Mraz's "Life is Wonderful"

It takes some work to make it work, it takes some good to make it hurt, it takes bad for satisfaction. 

While I may suffer some emotional hits at times...it makes the rest of life that much sweeter.  Life isn't a competition to stay at equilibrium, it's messy and complicated.  One must savor the downs as much as the ups to really experience life and to learn from it.  Also, I learned that fudgsicles make being heart-sick seem a little less bad (just try it).

Julie & Stephanie

One of my favorite families came over to my parents' house for dinner: the Smiths (although our beloved Carissa was away).  I love spending time with Cheryl and Shannon them because they are all about love, fun, and faith.  They truly feel like family to me, and are the most genuine, sweetest, goofiest people you will ever meet.  Luckily for me, their daughter Julie agreed to let me snap a few pictures of her before dinner, and my usual model posed for me a bit too (my sister Stephanie).  They are two very gorgeous young women and it was really lovely to be able to spend the day with them.

Embracing My Youth

my living room (I don't turn on the lights until I absolutely have to)

It's been nearly a year since I left Sweden, and it feels like a lifetime away.  When I moved back to California, everything changed.  I had to start all over.  This was not necessarily a bad thing, but it was scary as heck.  You make plans, entwine your life with someone else's, and form a clear picture of how everything will go.  I thought I had it all figured out.  A wedding date.  The year we would start trying to have children.  Trips we would take.  Somehow I found myself all alone, with nothing (literally- I had no car, no place of my own, no job).  I've taken this opportunity to embrace all the possibilities of life.

It's kind of great feeling knowing that I'm young and I still have so much to learn about life, and myself.  I can look forward to trying new things, and experiences I may not have had if I stayed in Sweden or if I got married this year.  It's a relief to know that I have time to make stupid mistakes, and that I don't have to be tied down to any kind of life.  I don't need to have all the answers right now.  My entire life has felt like a rush to grow up (my mother can attest to this), and for the first time, I'm realizing I can have something different- I can be someone different.

Moving to a new city has been wonderful and full of anxiety.  Making new friendships has been amazing - I've met some genuine, funny, and smart people who I can feel at ease with.  People who will go on adventures with me or lie around all day, doing nothing in particular.  I'm incredibly blessed.  I'm taking this time to try new things.  I'm especially concerned with embracing my youth, and learning how to be completely on my own (which includes living by myself).  I quite like it so far.

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

This little hiking area has sort of become my "spot" with my friend Ricky even though we've only been there a handful of times. I enjoy going there because it gives me the chance to be active while also being outside (but be warned: parking sucks, and it's likely you'll have to cross a very busy street to get there- unless you choose to pay for parking, which no one does).  Hetzler's Stairs of Hell (not my name) gets your heart pounding, but it's worth it- once you get to the top, you have views of all of LA: Downtown, Hollywood, Century City, all the way to the coastline.  I love that this little hiking spot is one my commute to work, and I think I will be going there a lot this summer (especially since my gym is closed for renovations next week).  Without further ado:

starting at the bottom

It doesn't look like much, but I promise it'll get you sweating

sweet graffiti "I am your king...and you are my queen"

Ricky!

Downtown LA as seen from the last plateau before reaching the top

The top!

view of Century City

Downtown LA from the top

I thought this group of kids looked sweet

Ricky checking out the view

A Walk with Friends

There's nothing better than catching up with people you really love, especially when you're doing nothing in particular.  As an added bonus, I got to venture out into my neighborhood for the first time.  I cherish any time I get to spend with my college roommates!  Farrah and Bianca are two of the best, sweetest people I know.