Kendra's Favorite Things

After a particularly trying week both personally and professionally I went to bed last night promising myself that today I'd wake up and leave all the anxiety I've been feeling where it belongs; in the past. And guess what? Today I woke up in a FANTASTIC mood. I felt refreshed and rejuvenated and was at the gym by 5:30 am for one of the best workouts I've had in a LONG time. I did my hair and spent a little extra time getting ready to feel extra pretty and now I'm ready to have a productive day at my job that I love.

So tonight I spent some time reading through old posts. It became apparent to me that the joy brought to me while re-reading the experiences of my life is the exact reason why I choose to write about them. It gives me a chance to let my feelings out, reflect upon my life and the wonderful people in it, and talk about the things that I hope and dream for. A few common themes seem to be present in my life over the past two years that I've been maintaining this "blog".

Common Themes...
1. The most important thing to me is my family.
2. The 2nd most important thing to me are my friends.
3. I have A LOT of love to give and just waiting for the right person to give it to who will be able to accept it fully.

I often find myself writing about love, heartache, and the feelings I have for a certain someone- shoot, I've even talked about writing a book about a particular relationship that has shaped me for the past year and some odd months. Now its time for me to call attention to this person in the way that I've done for so many of the other people I care about and love in my life.


I met Matt Becker on a Friday afternoon in March of 2009. And although this makes me sound super cheesy and helpless I knew on that day he'd change my life. I was immediately drawn to the way Matt and I seemed to have been able to talk forever. On that day we found out we had so much in common; we shared a bond of loving to travel, playing sports, being outdoors, a passion for our careers and most importantly an intense love for our family and friends. Our relationship flourished quickly as we started spending time together and before I could even help myself I was completely smitten with him.

His light green eyes and contagious bright smile always gave me the butterflies, he was a gentleman but in a subtle way (which to me makes it better), he made me laugh, and he was always inviting me to do fun things and including me in his life. As a local boy he's fortunate to have a tight knit group of friends and most of his family right here in San Diego. His life here reminded me of mine back in Arizona. I could spend all day describing Matt but in a nutshell, he's got friends that could count on him for anything, he makes people feel like they're the only person in the room, he's always having a good time and in a positive mood and he'll always be able to make you laugh. He is a role model to his younger brother, a best friend to his sister and a doting son to his mother. He characterizes so many of the things I look for in a man.

I was already sold on Matt, but when I met his family that really sealed the deal for me. His mother; Shelly, is someone I've already paid a salute to. I love and respect her dearly and she made me feel like family from the minute I stepped through her door. And Lindsey, who is now one of my best friends. I've always joked that we would have found each other without Matt, and she'll joke back with somthing funny like "That's too bad.". She's got a tribute as well and my love for her has continued even if Matt and I were having a rough patch. Her and I have a bond that's hard for me to explain to others but I truly feel like she is my sister. Then there's Devin, Greg, and all of Matt's friends (because they're his family too). They are all so amazing and just add to the package.

After a few months of dating Matt and I realized that we weren't ready for a serious relationship, so we tried to go our separate ways. Along the way we found out that not being in each other's lives wasn't really an option we were ready for. I like to say that I found something good, and held on for dear life! As Lindsey likes to say... I was a stage 5 clinger... haha! For the past year we've covered a lot of ground, but one thing has always remained; we have a solid foundation of a true friendship and an ability to talk to each other about anything.

Fast forward to present day and Matt and I are closer than we've ever been. We are still learning how to be completely consistent with each other as just friends, but we've always been able to be there for each other, no matter what the circumstances. We are able to communicate with each other so well which is what has gotten us through what most people consider to be a very complicated relationship. We've always said that it may not make sense to anyone else, but it does to us, and that's all that matters.

I want the absolute best life for Matt. I've never felt so unselfishly about wanting another person to be happy, but that's just how I've always felt for him. I pray that when the time is right he'll find the perfect woman for him, and I know he'll treat her like a princess.

I was right about the fact that he'd change my life. He's taught me things about myself that I'll always be grateful to him for, he's introduced me to a group of friends that I can hardly imagine my life without now, and he's loved me in his own way that's always made me feel special.

We've shared countless fun times together and I know that we have so many more laughs and lessons to teach each other over the years. I know he'll always be in my life and the only word I can use to describe that feeling is; YAHOO!!
We've stuck with each other through the rough patches, now it's time for us to grow our friendship even more and have some fun!! Thanks for holding my hand through it all Matt, I Love You!

"Be what you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

Headed out to Petco park for some Tuesday evening baseball fun with my boss, Sylvia. We don't get to spend a whole lot of time on our own, but it's always good when we do. Over the past two plus years she's been a great mentor to me; always giving me advice and helping me to advance myself in my career. I appreciate her on a professional and a personal level and I feel lucky to have her as an example. Now it's time to go Root, Root, Root for the Home Team!

And when you find you; come back to me.

I had a fun week celebrating my Mom's 29th Birthday again! From a concert in the park at Del Mar, to a fun day of shopping and cocktails we made it a week long event. It's so nice to have my best friend in town for the summer.

As a runner I've always loved running ads. But these one's I particularly love because they salute REAL women's bodies. Athletes, runners, not models. They ran these ads several years ago and they were posted on my dorm room walls in college, encouraging me to be happy that I have muscles on my body and to do what it takes to keep them there and keep my body strong and healthy. Thanks Nike!

Stop over-analyzing things and just go with the flow..... that's my mid-year's resolution... thanks to a good friend who always helps to remind me not to overthink situations.

I've written about this band before because I really like their music. Definitely not my favorite band by any means but there is something about their music that puts me in a good mood. All of their songs have a good beat and words that actually mean something. The best part is I just found out they are coming to San Diego and playing at the House of Blues on Oct. 11th..... now I just have to con someone into going with me! Shouldn't be too hard considering the following day is my birthday... :)

Lyrics from "The Man who Can't be Moved":