An Ode to the Snooze

...this one's for you Gerry!

At work today, I was approached with a fantastic question: "Where would we all be without the snooze button?" I can tell you where I would be. In a foul mood that's for sure! I feel that I underestimate my NEED for frequent snooze sessions. I hit the snooze at least three times every morning. Who created this wonderful concept? I would love to shake his or her hand. Thank you snooze for allowing me to function at work from that last 5 min of awkward half sleep.

I am lucky...

I woke up this morning, and realized how lucky I am. I typically wake up and rage on my alarm clock, fighting for every last second of sleep possible. Not today. I sat in traffic for over an hour. I typically spend that time raging at the randoms on the road, who in my eyes "caused the traffic because they dont know how to drive". Not today. I sipped my sugar-free redbull (thanks heather) and laughed at the radio talk host. I have so much going on, so much that i feel like I dont even have time to just sit and think about how lucky I am.

I decided that if I write a list of all of the reasons that I am lucky then it will make it more eye-opening, I can see it in front of me instead of the thoughts dancing around in my head. I have totally rejected the idea of punctuation, capitalization, spelling - etc in this post so its more real and natural for me. So without further a due, I am lucky because...

1. i have fantastic friends. i know i say it a lot but I really mean it. I feel like I have the most amazing friends in the entire world. Example? I was a little sour about my birthday this year but a few of my friends made sure to get me in the right mind set for it, and threw me a small early bday surprise dinner. best.present.ever. the thoughtfulness that these individuals put into everything they do is unbelievable.

2. i have a fantastic education. and i love it. i am lucky to have my previous degree and i am even more lucky to be at Johns Hopkins pursuing my Masters. I love the program, the professors and the classmates that I have met along the way. The bond between us at times can be extremely intense, being in a counseling field. I am lucky to experience that.

3. I have had many, many life experiences. Hurt, loss, joy, suffering - all of it. I am lucky to have had these experiences. These experiences do make you stronger, and do help shape who you are and where you will go.

4. i am in good health. i may not be the healthiest person, but i have my health. i have recently learned that for many people that is not something we are all blessed with. my father is very, very sick with progressive diabetes. watching what poor health can do to a person physically, emotionally and spiritually has been a very hard experience. but, it has taught me to realize that i am lucky to have my health.

5. i know what i want. i am so lucky to have that. so many people in life, especially people my age do not know what they want. but i do. i know what i want in my career, love life, family life, social life - and what values i want lead my life by. i know exactly what i want. i may beat around the bush, i may seem unsure of the minor details of life. but the big picture? i know exactly what i want. i know i may not get it, but that is not going to stop me. i am lucky to have already have figured that out.

6. i have people that support me no matter what. my family has watched me fall and make some mistakes but they supported my learning process. my friends (past & present) have done the same. the people that are in my life at this moment? unconditional support. un-freaking-conditional. i am sure i have done things more recently that has made people close to me say, "what is she thinking?!" but they supported me. i am so lucky to have that.

7. i have a roof over my head and a comfortable living situation. im 25 and i live at home. i hate it. but, its there. its home - for now. i am not on the street, i am not forced to move out before i can find the right place and time.

8. i have someone right now who has given me the ability to let go and have fun. keeps me on my toes. makes me feel lucky. spontaneous. reminds me to have fun and quit being so serious. helps me realize how lucky i am to have everything i do have. its a pure feeling.

9. i have opportunities. so many of them. they are going to take me far, and i cannot wait to enjoy the ride.

10. i have my sanity! haha no, but i feel lucky to be ME. i am who i am. and i have finally realized that THAT IS OK. its better than ok. it's fierce. and boy so i feel lucky to be fierce.

A Second Ode to Favorites!

Cheers to my fellow OCS sufferer, Prashant! Here we are celebrating New Years! Clearly being emotional because we are soo blessed! Haha!


I am so glad I will be celebrating his 25th birthday tonight! He is super fierce! Prahant and I have been friends for about ten years now (woah). He is one of the only people I know (other than myself) that embraces his OCS.

For those of you that dont know, OCS is a very serious disturbance relating to "Only Child Syndrome". We require the best, and by gosh we get it. We whine, we stomp, we expect too much of other people, and we put them before we put ourselves. With age we have learned to share, although the thought makes us cringe. We take too long to get ready and realize the importance of the perfect look for a important occasion. You have something we want? We will get it. You want something? We will remember and make sure that we are that wonderful person to get it for you. Our friends and family come first. Our foes, well we know all about them too. We were born alone, no siblings to grow up with. Our friends became our siblings. We are our own best friends, and if you are lucky then maybe you too.

Prashant embodies all of that. He is also HYSTERICAL. Like seriously, I know people with OCS are full of themselves and I dont want to blow him up even more but he cracks me up. If I have had a lame day and I talk to him, then I know I will laugh and enjoy myself for that time. He also is dating a super fly homie of mine...keepin' that fly lady on his arm. Holler!

So, tonight I am celebrating his 25th birthday. He tells me a bunch of people will be there...and some adults. I said, P...WE ARE ADULTS. Guess sometimes people like him who embrace life forget that they are adults since they live life to the fullest. So fierce!

An Ode to Myself...

There is nothing wrong with an ode to yourself once in a while. A little pride didn't hurt anybody! Sometimes, you have to remember to be your own number one fan. I choose to do that today. I woke up with an extra spark today, that extra fiery energy. I think that once in a while, you should take advantage of that extra spark and use it to your advantage, to remind yourself how fierce you are! I am extra fierce today, for I found out I got straight As this semester for the 3rd semester in a row! I don't care if I am "tooting my own horn", or sound conceited. I worked my butt off to get there, and I will scream it from the rooftops if I have to.

Not only did I score straight As, but I also got them while being in grad school full time AND working full time (sometimes even 40+ hours a week). Not to mention, I had quite the social life too :) I will say, that without the support of my friends I am not sure how focused I would be. They supported me when I did not do so well, and helped push me to do better, and eventually kick major butt in grad school. A little extra special love to my ladies Nicole and Heather who lived with me and pushed me through my school rut, even when I refused to get out of bed to go to class! :)

I know this pic is sooooo old, but I thought it was fun - plus it was when all 3 of us were living together!

Hopefully once in a while you will take a day, or even an hour to celebrate you. Celebrate your accomplishments, how hard you work, what a good person you are, and your overall awesomeness! So, heres to you...and of course heres to me :)

An ode to 2010...

Here is the post. The post we've all been waiting for. The wonderful New Years post. Ah, what will my new years resolution(s) be? What fierce last words will I have for 2009? A lot of pressure here. First, I decide that I am so ready for 2010. Like, I REALLY mean it. I am so ready for a new year and all of the surprises it will bring. I had a crucial relaization the other night while on a little venture in the woods off 95 - nbd. I cant live my life scared to do things...with restrictions...no more what ifs. I need to live in the moment. To all my counseling buffs...I need to live in the "here and now".

So I am going to do just that. Tomorrow is going to be FANTASTIC. I get to spend it with almost all of my favorite people in the ENTIRE world. What is a better way to ring in 2010? People that make me laugh, make me a better person and people that have helped me through the bumps in the road of 2009.

Last year - NYE 2009 - with newly engaged Buliciousssssssss :)

I dont know what 2010 has in store for me. I cannot prepare for it. I can try to - take it each day as it comes. Living in the moment. I dont know much. But I do know that I get to enjoy it with my favorites. Sooo fierce! :)

An Ode to Favorites

Once again I have been inspired by Madeline's fantastic blog! She has been doing a little orniment of the day post. I have been somewhat inspired by doing something I like to call an ode to a favorite! Maybe weekly (if you all are lucky), I have decided I am going to do a post dedicated to the fantastic people in my life.

This past year has not been easy by any means. I struggled with living at home, (ew too old for this), school is kicking my ass, money is tough, i recently ended a very long term relationship, loosing touch with loved ones, sick family members...etc etc. However I know that I absolutely could not have gotten through it the way that i did without the help and support of my tremendous friends. Nicole - your email inspired this too dear :)

First thing is first. When I post these, it is in NO particular order. I love all of my friends for many different reasons in many different ways. All of you have inspired me in one way or another. All of you have given me strength and blessed me with wonderful friendships.

So I decided to start with my quasi little sister SAMMY! She is the ultimate freak. High strung. Emo ;). Intense. Honest. Too honest. Dedicated to her friends. The type of person that would do anything for anyone. In certain situations (not all) she is wise beyond her years. She is a smart ass. Hysterical. She is a younger and a bit more emo version of myself. When we fight im sure its because I see a little of myself in her. I dont want her to make the same mistakes that I did. I want her to learn from me, and exceed that. I give her tough love. But you know what? She gives it right back. As much as we fight I do have one memory that I will never forget. I could be more angry with her than I have ever been, but I know this memory will stick with me forever. Lets just say that it was a tough day. A horrible night, on top of a tough morning. I didn't sleep at all the night before. Dragged myself out of bed. Went to work (at camp with her). I got to work and without saying anything there was a tremendous energy between us. She knew. She JUST knew. We hugged. I cried. She might have cried too. It was for that moment that when my entire world had stopped that I felt ok. She JUST knew. She was there. She helped me though it.

So as much crap as I give you just know that I love you Sammy, my little emo freak. :)

I don't ever want the people in my life to ever think that I overlook their unconditional love and support. So from time to time, I want to continue to give them a shout out on here, to remind them and to let all my followers know how much they mean to me.

xoxo

Organization

In the spirit of Madeline's wonderful blog A Big To-Do I have have found something rather inappropriate that I feel I need for Christmas. Madeline had posted wonderfully inappropriate ornaments, that I have already passed on to my mother to be added to my stocking. As I was looking online, I found something else I felt that I needed.

Sadly, Christmas is next week. I'm sure Santa and his elves have already gotten my gifts all packaged and ready to go! However, for those of you that know I am a chronic list maker, I feel that these tabs would be essential to my life of organization. Unfortunately, I STILL cannot figure out how to post pictures on here because I am super cool. So here is the link instead.

I feel that it would help me embrace the funny side of life, while trying to stay overly organized.

Last night, I went out for happy hour with my ladies (as we try to do almost every Wednesday). We are all such serious planners that I brought my 2009 AND 2010 planner in case of a planning emergency. I did not realize until just now how lame I am. Officially.