Home

The title of my blog is “Home is where the heart is,” but I really haven’t given much explanation for the name I chose until now. I recently made a trip home, my first successful surprise trip! It was amazing, I loved every second of it. So, I thought for this entry I would summarize what home really means for me.

• Home is Clayton, California.
• Home is looking up and seeing the most beautiful blue sky.
• Home is eating barbequed chicken with rice. And salad with Italian dressing.
• Home is endless trails and rattlesnakes and tarantellas and squirrels and scrub jays.
• Home is el pueblo.
• Home is sitting on the couch watching trashy tv.
• Home is where I try all my baking & cooking experiments.
• Home is staying in pajamas all day.
• Home is getting up early to get a run in before the temperature reaches 90 degrees (usually by noon).
• Home is summer.
• Home is trying all the new froyo shops.
• Home is bonding time with my family.
• Home is running around the park with my crazy puppy.
• Home is a town with a grocery station, starbucks, and a gas station. And that’s pretty much it.
• Home is Mount Diablo.
• Home is seeing best friends from high school.
• Home is getting pedicures with my mom.
• Home is always listening to country  music.
• Home is my favorite place.

So maybe now you understand why I chose the name “Home is where the heart is” for my blog. I miss living in the sun and having everything be familiar, but I am at a point in my life where the future excites me and I am ready for it. For now, I treasure my time spent at home, looking forward to each trip back to the Bay. Although I just returned to Portland after spending a couple days at home, I am counting down until my next trip (24 days away!!!).

Also, I didn’t think it would be fair to give so much praise to Clayton and leave Portland completely out in the cold, so in P-town’s defense… I really do like it here. Living in the PAC NW has been quite an experience these past three years. I love Portland as a city because it is so green (environmentally and chromatically) and because it holds special memories of my college life. I also love my job here at lululemon, absolutely LOVE everyone I work with and cherish my time there. There you go Portland, you get your own mini shout out amongst this Clayton-o-philia.

Love!

Change.. gah

So I’ve kindof been avoiding blogging for a while. My first excuse was school, then finals came, and then I decided I should be spending every minute outside in the sun rather than typing out my life story. The truth is I haven’t wanted to blog because I have been trying to shut out reality. However, now that I’ve gotten over myself and my life, I am ready to write again! Furthermore, I am committing to blogging at least once a week for the summer!

Lately my birthday has been on my mind. July 15^th cannot come soon enough because I will finally be the big 2-1 (emphasis on big). If you knew me at all, you would expect me to be a little worried about this transition, as I freak out with the slightest bit of change. This may sound silly, but twenty-one years old sounds SO OLD to me. I’m not sure if I’m mentally/emotionally ready to handle the world. Thankfully, I am still in school, which definitely shelters me a LOT and I can sweep my anxiety under the rug for another year or so until I graduate. Growing up has never hit me so hard. The transition to college was simple because it was pretty much exactly the same as Carondelet, and everything else I’d like to say I have taken with confidence and an eager attitude.

These next couple years though will not have the seamless transitions that I am comfortable making. For instance, once I graduate, I will have to pay my own bills (I can only mooch off of my parents for so long), find a place to live, and find a job. AND maintain a social life! Recently, I was talking about my 1, 5, and 10 year goals at work. News flash: 10 year goals are REALLY intimidating. Especially for a person who has been resisting the urge to “grow up” for her entire life. Jeez. Nonetheless, my goal coaching session went well, thanks to the wise words of Kathryn, who guided me through a discussion about my future. Growing up still freaks me out, but I know everything will be okay because I have been surrounding myself with awesome and inspiring people.

Speaking to that, I have recently experienced a revelation that I have been putting certain people on a pedestal, making my perception of them as flawless beings who can manipulate me at the snap of a finger. Well, could manipulate me at the snap of a finger. I am proud to say that I am backing away very s-l-o-w-l-y from those people mentioned above. It’s about time that I start taking a stand for myself and not avoiding conflict like the plague. Insert Jeez #2. Anyway, now that I have a completely refreshed outlook on life and on how I perceive people, I feel great. Change is inevitable and I have to come to welcome as I would a best friend.

So I guess this entry is a little scattered, what else is new. I went from being sad about life, to being scared about turning 21, and ended with my “revelation.” Oh, and one final piece that I would like to add is… I miss Bianca and Rei! They have been my wingmen all year and I was so sad to see them leave Portland. Bianca, if you read this: I hope you’re having the best time in Espana, knock them dead! And as for Rei: she is either 1. Sleeping (most likely) 2. Eating or 3. Wearing googely goggles. Love you!