Thank you Rainy Morning!
Normally on Saturdays I am out the door running by 8am, but this morning it was raining so I stayed in bed. I slept/laid in bed until 11am!!!! Anyone who knows me well knows that NEVER happens. It was actually very relaxing and much needed, I feel ready for a fun night with friends. Thanks Rainy Day for reminding me to slow down for a minute.
48 questions to make you think... (and my answers)
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.
1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? -I'd love to be 5 again, oh what fun!
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? -Never trying for sure.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? -Exactly why I try to do something I love every single day!
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? -I hope not, but I do love to talk, but I also love to do!
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? -Inequality
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? -Doing good for others.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? -I don't settle.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? -Nothing.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? -In my actions, 100%, in what has come from those actions we have no control.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? -Doing the right things.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do? -Excuse myself from the table.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? -Do something everyday that makes you smile.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? -Without a doubt.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? -Yes, for example when something really bad happens to someone, but then they are able to make the best of it.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? -Remember things. I have an incredible memory.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? -Because we all see beauty in different things. If the same thing made everyone happy we all couldn't get exactly what we want. Wanting different things gives everyone the opportunity to find what they want.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back? -A trip to Ireland. I guess time is holding me back, but I am going to start planning for this soon.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? -It's my firm belief that if your heart tells you to hold on to something, there's a reason for that, and when the time is right you'll willingly be able to let go. It's not good to force letting go of something because in the end it makes us hold onto it longer.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? -For some reason I've always wanted to live in Chicago, although I can't see myself leaving San Diego any time soon.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? -Nope, once is all it takes.
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? -A joyful simpleton please.
22. Why are you, you? -Because everyone else is taken. :)
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? -I do believe I have.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? -If you've lost touch with them they probably weren't that great of a friend.
25. What are you most grateful for? -My family and friends.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? -That is quite possibly the hardest question on the planet and I find it impossible to answer. I'd never want to lose the memories I have, and I'd never want to lose the opportunity to create new ones.
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? -On certain things yes.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? -No, and they day it does will be the worst day of my life, because my greatest fear in life is losing my parents.
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now? -I do remember, and the only reason it matters is because it has made me stronger.
28. What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special? -Hanging with my bro in our treehouse that my Dad built us. It is so special because he built it with his own two hands just for us, and we had some of the best afternoons in that place.
29. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? -Spending time with someone I love.
30. If not now, then when? -When the time is right. Timing is everything.
31. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? -Nothing, so might as well go out and get it!
32. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? -Yes.
33. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? -Because love is the most passionate emotion that exists and it causes people to do crazy things.
34. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? -Yes.
35. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? -No.
36. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? -More work that I enjoy.
37. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? -Nope, each day brings something new, even if I am doing the same thing.
38. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? -Mile 22 of my first marathon.
39. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? -My family and friends and give them all enormous hugs.
40. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? -Not at all.
41. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? -Being alive is going through the motions, truly living is doing what makes you happy.
42. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? -Right now.
43. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? -Because learning and growing can be frightening.
44. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? -I do things as if people don't judge me now so I wouldn't change a thing.
45. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? -The other night laying in bed.
46. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? -I love life and all the wonderful things that are in it, and yes all of my recent actions express this.
47. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that? -Strangely enough, I probably will.
48. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? -I am making them for me!
Impracticalities
My Friend Lindsey keeps shoes in her kitchen cabinets and I absolutely love that about her.
"Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger." -Christian D. Larsen
Don't knock it till you try it...
Last night I met up with some friends at Guava Beach in Mission Beach for their famous "Bionic Beavers". I'm sure you are thinking, "What the heck is that?" and to be quite honest I don't really know what's in it myself, but I will say this- they are pretty phenominal!! I was able to find the recipe online (shocking!)... Now I know why my head hurts today. These fun drinks come served in a pitcher with extra long straws and are normally meant to be shared.... whoops!
Bionic Beaver recipe a.k.a. Mechanical Racoons (according to Ms. Lindsey Becker)
2 oz Absolut® vodka
12 oz Busch® lager
2 oz Southern Comfort® peach liqueur
7-Up® soda
2 oz sloe gin
orange juice
2 oz gin
2 oz grenadine syrup
Put a little crushed ice in the bottom of the pitcher, then the beer, and then the shots. Then top off the pitcher with equal amounts of Orange Juice and 7-Up. Stir, enjoy, and take two tylenols before you go to bed!
2 oz Absolut® vodka
12 oz Busch® lager
2 oz Southern Comfort® peach liqueur
7-Up® soda
2 oz sloe gin
orange juice
2 oz gin
2 oz grenadine syrup
Put a little crushed ice in the bottom of the pitcher, then the beer, and then the shots. Then top off the pitcher with equal amounts of Orange Juice and 7-Up. Stir, enjoy, and take two tylenols before you go to bed!
A Pick-A-Nick
Jennifer, Lani and I are driving out to Julian for the day on Sunday. We'll explore the quaint little town, check out a potential campsite for our next "camping" trip, and have a Picnic, or as Jennifer calls it a Pick-A-Nick! And in good fashion as Julian is famous for their Apple Pie I'm sure we'll grab a slice of that too (a la mode, duh). I'm looking forward to a fun adventure, watch out Julian.... here we come!
Life in the Clouds
"I live in the clouds. Reality is not for me. People say I should come down. That the clouds are not a place for grownups to be. I smile at them. Maybe one day, I say maybe one day I will come down. But I never will. Reality is not for me. I shall stay up here. The view is quite breathtaking." -Anonymous
It's true... It's really true!
My Favorite Woman on the Planet = My Mom!
"No matter how old you get, or how successful you become or where your life takes you, when good things happen to you your Mom will be one of the first people you call because you want her to be proud of you, and when bad things happen she will still be one of the first people you will call because Mothers can make things right others cannot."
Some might say they have the best Mom in the world, but I really and truly believe that I most certainly do. She is the most incredible woman I've ever met. She has always kept a beautiful home (or many homes) for our family. She has always been supportive of whatever my brother and I set out to do, from the time we were babies until now. I know that whenever I am having a bad day all I need to do is pick up the phone and give Kiki a call because most of the time, she is the only person that can make me feel better, and she always knows just what to say. She is the type of woman that was just meant to be a mother and a wife, and I say this because giving love to others just comes so naturally to her. She has loved JD, my Dad and myself so much throughout our lives that it has given us the strength to be able to do the same for others as well. As my Dad has always said, "It's her world, we're just living in it." I know now that the reason my Dad says this about my Mom is because she never acts selfishly or demands anything, she just has a certain presence about herself that allows people to love her and want to be a part of her world. She's an inspiration to me in so many ways and I feel lucky to have her as an example. I've turned to her for for advice my whole life and she hasn't let me down yet, I can't imagine she will with the next big steps. Love you Mama... you're the BEST!
What's your sign??
♎ LIBRA
SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 23, THE SCALE
AIR SIGN, COMPATIBLE WITH ARIES, LEO, TAURUS, AQUARIUS, GEMINI, & OTHER LIBRA
POSITIVE TRAITS:
Diplomatic and urbane
Romantic and charming
Easygoing and sociable
Idealistic and peaceable
Perceptive and intuitive
Graceful and charming
Expresses considerable poise, and is kind and caring with a sympathetic disposition
NEGATIVE TRAITS:
Indecisive and changeable
Gullible and easily influenced
Flirtatious and self-indulgent
Tempermental and quick to anger
Can be selfish at times
Prone to daydream and make-believe
Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.
Does this look like a mini Kensters-Megsters or what?!?
You've got mail
One of my favorite things in life is opening the mailbox and seeing a handwritten note of any sort from a friend. Perhaps this is the reason I love to send my family and friends notes so often. That is why this lent as a part of my giving alms I have decided to write a note a day until the end of lent. It makes me happy to do things for others that might bring a smile to their face, so that's what I'm setting out to do!
Measure of a Woman
"The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." -Margaret Nadauld
TGIF!
Dear Old Love,
I just discovered this book and I think I might have to order it. It is a compilation of letters that people have written to their old loves. I think it's sweet when you get to a point that you can truly appreciate the "old loves" in your life, even the things that used to drive us crazy. So here goes nothing.
Dear Old Love,
I loved the way you could make me laugh even when all I wanted to do was cry. I loved the way I felt when I saw you smile, and that before I could even say anything all I wanted to do was smile back at you. I loved that every morning your alarm went off at the same time, with the same song playing. I loved that you listened to music a little too loud. I loved the way you treat your Mom and Sister. I loved the way you'd always put your hand on my leg while we were in the car. I loved being your "snuggle bug." I loved the way you always listened and remembered everything, even the little things. I loved the way your hugs never ended. I loved the way you looked at me with those baby blues.
Better for it all,
Kendra
New York Times
“ Maybe this is what we get in life, a few great loves: loves that return us to ourselves when we need it most. And maybe some of those loves aren’t people, but places — real and adopted homes — that fill us up with light and energy and hope at moments when we feel especially tired or lost. That is the beauty of love in all its forms. We don’t know when or how it is going to save us.
The Year of the Tiger... Roar!
Today was a fabulous way to start the new year. Ok, ok so it's not OUR new year but it was the beginning of the Chinese New Year so I decided to celebrate accordingly! (You know me... I'll find any reason to throw a party!) The day started off with a new Valentine's Day tradition of making sack lunches for the homeless. Laura, Alexandra and I went to town making and delivering lunches. I always find such joy in doing things like that as it is such a humbling experience and reminds me just how fortunate I truly am. We definitely made a mid-delivery pit-stop at South Beach for some fish tacos and beers (which we felt was well deserved).
And for dinner it was Kelsey's idea to grab Chinese food to celebrate the occasion, so we went to Red Pearl Kitchen downtown and had a great time! Megan, Kelsey and I got to talking about relationships (it is Valentine's Day after all). And while Kelsey seems to have found herself a prince, Megan and I are still kissing frogs, so we came up with a brilliant idea. We were talking about how we're constantly running into cute guys- whether it be in line at Starbucks, at the grocery store, at the dry cleaners or etc. And while there's no way I would ever go up to a cute guy and give him my number I have absolutely no problem giving him my friend's number. So now we're on a mission! We'll see how it turns out, but if anything it will make for some funny stories.
2010 is the year of the Tiger which is traditionally associated with massive changes and social upheaval. That sounds a little scary so I'm hoping for something a little less traumatic, but change never hurt anyone. So if today was the beginning of a new "year" perhaps the best part of today was feeling HAPPY and realizing that feeling has been constant for a while and knowing that life is good.
And for dinner it was Kelsey's idea to grab Chinese food to celebrate the occasion, so we went to Red Pearl Kitchen downtown and had a great time! Megan, Kelsey and I got to talking about relationships (it is Valentine's Day after all). And while Kelsey seems to have found herself a prince, Megan and I are still kissing frogs, so we came up with a brilliant idea. We were talking about how we're constantly running into cute guys- whether it be in line at Starbucks, at the grocery store, at the dry cleaners or etc. And while there's no way I would ever go up to a cute guy and give him my number I have absolutely no problem giving him my friend's number. So now we're on a mission! We'll see how it turns out, but if anything it will make for some funny stories.
2010 is the year of the Tiger which is traditionally associated with massive changes and social upheaval. That sounds a little scary so I'm hoping for something a little less traumatic, but change never hurt anyone. So if today was the beginning of a new "year" perhaps the best part of today was feeling HAPPY and realizing that feeling has been constant for a while and knowing that life is good.
Here comes the Sun...
That's what friends are for
Something happened today that made me feel proud of myself. I'm not really one to toot my own horn but I think every once in a while it's just plain necessary. After an amazing weekend of spending time with great friends and realizing that I'm happier today than I have been in months a friend called me this afternoon and was in need of a pick me up. After speaking with her I realized how many times I have been in need of my friends over the past few months.
As we were talking I heard myself saying the things that my friends have been saying to me, and I realized something so amazing; that no matter what your girlfriends will always be there for you. Boys come and go, but the lifelong friends that we've made over the years will be there no matter what. They'll be the ones that sit on the couch with you and eat Ben & Jerry's (Peanut Butter Cookie Dough please). They'll be the ones that tell you you deserve better no matter what, they'll be excited for you again when you have the next first date, and they'll be the ones you call when that first date turns out to be BORING! They'll also be the ones that are there for you when the first good date turns into the second one, and the third and then they'll be the ones you can vent to when you need it.
Life is a cycle and if we can learn anything from that it's that good times and bad times come and go, but as long as we have our family and good friends to help us make it through it's all going to be just fine!
"All I need from anyone is love and respect, and anyone who can’t give me that has no business in my life."
Not all who wander are lost
"As long as you have a sense of who you are, what you believe in, and know your proper, humble place in the world, then being lost moment to moment isn’t so unhealthy, because life becomes a journey of great discovery." -J.J. Abrams
Translate: "Tu es tres Mignon"
I find myself "googling" just about everything, but I never thought how the actions of our lives are shaped by what we type into a search enghine. It's too funny that I saw this yesterday because on our way to hike Torrey Pines after Mass yesterday I was literally talking to Jennifer about this. I mentioned how when we were kids our parents had to teach us how to tie our shoes solely by what they had been taught from their parents (no pun intended with the "solely"), but when we have children all we'll have to do is type into google "how to teach a child to tie their shoes" and BOOM up pops 1,066,000 search results with detailed explanations on how to do this. Pretty amazing how our lives have changed. I just thought this was a very clever ad. And from your "practically fluent in French" lady friend "Tu es tres Mignon" means "You are very cute." Au Revior mes amis!
A new Valentine's Day tradition: Spread Love
This year I am starting a new tradition with some friends. Last year we made cookies and brought them to local Fire Stations which was awesome. Cookies AND hot Fire Fighters... what more could a girl ask for, seriously?!? And although that was fun, in the spirit of giving and being philantrhopic, this year I've decided to round up some friends and make sack lunches for the homeless. We'll get together at my place and get the assembly line rolling... brown bags, PB&J, apples, chips and a drink for everyone. This will certainly be a fun way to spread some love to those who need it the most.
We would have found each other anyways!
Lindsey and I hung out last night for what was supposed to be a quiet night making dinner and watching movies at her house. Well, that's not exactly how the night turned out but I wouldn't change a thing. We ended up going to dinner and oopsies accidentally ordered a bottle of wine. We then proceeded to go to Tracton's for "a drink" which turned into what equaled another TWO bottles of wine. So our quiet Thursday night plans turned into a night in which most people would consider checking themselves into rehab afterward. I woke up at Lindsey's this morning and she gave me the "you were trying to cuddle with the wrong Becker again" look. Sorry Linds!
There are so many incredible things I could say about Lindsey, but I'll start with the fact that I've never met a more compassionate person in all of my 26 years of life. When it comes down to being a good friend, daughter, sister etc. she even makes me look bad sometimes! She is the type of person that will tell you the truth, no matter what. People count on her for so many things and she never lets anyone down. She is loyal, honest, beautiful on the inside and out, but most of all just fun to be around. I knew that Lindsey and I would get along the second I met her, but it has been such a pleasant surprise to get a friend for life out of the deal!
We have heart to hearts about life, love, loss and learning. I wouldn't trade her for the world and deep down I just know that we would have found each other as friends somehow even if we didn't meet the way we did. Love you Linds!
"In making decisions, look for the decision that gives you the most meaning, learning and laughter. Which really just means: choose the person who makes your life richer, who teaches you most about life, love, yourself and God, and who readily makes you laugh without trying so hard. :)"
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