Noticing our humanness, Christmas 2012.

It started at a tree lot.

Micah and I actually went to a Christmas tree lot this year, instead of our usual grab-the-smallest-tree-our-grocery-store-has.

It was a weekday night, a week before Christmas, and the lot had only a handful of other customers. The little trees were up front, but we wandered to the back just to take in the sight of the big ones. They towered above us. I imagined the million dollar houses and fancy building lobbies that those big trees would end up in. They seemed as though they were created for greatness.

As we made our way back to the small trees, we were met by one of the tree lot associates. He was kinda rough around the edges, his sweatshirt worn, his pants dirty. His hair was a little unruly.

He was friendly though and offered his tips on what kind of tree we should get, and whether or not we should get a tree stand. But, as he did, snot streamed down his face. S.t.r.e.a.m.e.d. I tried to look away politely, not wanting to seem rude, but not wanting to look either. I really wished I had had a kleenex to offer him, although he eventually found something that took care of the job.

But, there was something that stood out to me was....he did not seem to care a darn bit. I mean, he was doing his job and colds and snot are probably just a natural part of it. And although I felt a twinge of sadness or maybe it was guilt, or perhaps it was some sense of pity, I also felt inspired. Here was this guy, working with his hands, in the cold, selling trees on an urban corner in San Francisco, with snot running down his face, and he was just doing his thing.

And, we talked and I purchased a tree, and while the interaction was mundane, I think it meant something. And not in a it's the holidays, so let's care about others kind of way, but a we're all human and interacting is something we do way. It's mundane and human interactions don't have to be life-changing, but they can be meaningful when we stop to notice the humanness of another person and the humanness of ourselves.

It started at a tree lot.

It started at a tree lot and has kind of stuck with me.

This noticing of my humanness, of other's humanness.

My client's kid literally speechless and hiding when he saw his Christmas toy: a new bike.

Hard conversations with people I love.

Rubbing my high school friend's pregnant belly.

My neighbor sending me a picture of my cat on Christmas.

Laughing with people I love and sharing food with people I love.

The American Airlines representative who told me he had been cussed out nine times that day.

The girl on the plane with the barking dog.

The homeless man selling the paper Street Sheet and looking him in the eye.

Seeing that our interactions mean that we are living, perhaps not joyfully all the time, but living.

It started at a tree lot.

Heather + Tyson

The wedding locale was absolutely beautiful. It was on the property at The Hawk and Ivy bed and breakfast. And although I would be hesitant to recommend the b&b (due to the quirkiness of its owners), the property is incredible.

The old tobacco barn has been redone and is so cute with all its strung lights and country feel.

Seriously, this place is insane! Obviously my phone doesn't do it justice, but you can get an idea of how awesome it is.

The night before, at the rehearsal dinner, there was a time to toast the soon-to-be newlyweds. I couldn't pull myself together enough to make one, but as I sat there taking in everyone's sincere and heartfelt words of love and encouragement, I couldn't help but smile, inside and out, for how excited I am to see Heather and Tyson journey together as a couple in this life.

Heather is my kindred spirit. Our friendship has seen us through some of life's tougher times and I am so grateful for that. We have always been able to have the deep conversations, no matter how much time has lapsed. I know I can share anything with her, even if it's that I disagree. But mainly we are kindred spirits because we can share that life is hard and life is ugly sometimes and yet still remind one another that in the day-to-day grime there is beauty and there is love, and it is worth it.

Heather, your joy on your wedding day was absolutely infectious. You were truly a radiant bride. I couldn't be any happier for you that you have found someone that makes you smile, that gets lost in conversation with you, and that I'm sure indulges your "would you rather" and "what if" games. Love each other well, as the connection you have is beautiful. I'm excited to get to know him more as the years go by. I'm excited to see where the wind takes the two of you, together.

After the ceremony and after some picture taking, it poured rain, hail storm and all.
And then it was over in 5 minutes.
And there was a little cool relief from the heat.
Somewhere in there is a metaphor for marriage.

Oh happy times!

Fortunately for everyone, I don't have video prove of the dance that was performed so elegantly by yours truly, Heather, MK, and Hava (Heather's twin sister). But, to give you an idea of the dance concept, you can watch THIS video.

And, I end on this note. Because this is Heather + Tyson. And this is love.

Atlanta to Asheville.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
-Anais Nin-

{Mary Kay, Heather, Me}

I always say that I would never want to repeat junior high, but I would do it a million times over if it meant the difference between having and not having these two friends. A week ago yesterday I flew to Atlanta to meet up with them for a Girls' Trip right before Heather's wedding (post to come!). And, we had a great time. I'm not sure I've laughed so much in a long time.

The first night we stayed in Atlanta at The Artmore Hotel, which is a cute, renovated boutique hotel. We totally lucked out as we got upgraded to their largest suite. It was a 2-bedroom apartment. I'm not kidding when I say the room was bigger than my own apartment. When we got there we had a bottle of champagne waiting for us (thanks babe!). It was the perfect way to toast to the beginning of our trip. When we first got the the hotel, it was almost like 7th graders reuniting with how giddy the 3 of us were. After we calmed down a bit (and turned down free Jerry Seinfeld tickets - what were we thinking?), we headed to our dinner reservation at South City Kitchen.

Good gracious, the food at South City Kitchen was delicious. As one yelp review said it, "Put some south in my mouth." We started the evening with fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and delicious cocktails. I then ordered the Southern Caesar Salad that had fried okra, grit croutons, and grilled shrimp with a side of macaroni and cheese. It was incredible and I am determined to attempt a recreation of that salad. Finally, we ended the night with cheesecake bread pudding, and yes, it was as fabulous as it sounds.

The next day we hit the road and drove up to Brevard, North Carolina. We stayed at The Red House Inn, making my first bed and breakfast experience a huge success. There was a little cottage in the back of the house that we stayed in and it was perfect, complete with it's own back porch.

Somehow I was unaware of the fact that there are so many amazing chocolate shops in North Carolina, I seriously ate my weight in chocolate during the four days I was there. The chocolates below, clockwise from the top right are: honey hazelnut, raspberry, lemon mint, and espresso. My favorite was the lemon mint. The mint in it was fresh, not extract, I thought the truffle was creative and refreshing.

Breakfast at the Red House Inn is a complete English breakfast. There was scrambled eggs, roasted tomato, ham, sausage, mushrooms, beans, and an english muffin. I ate it ALL.

While enjoying our breakfast, we enjoyed the entertainment of seeing a white squirrel! Who's ever heard of a white squirrel that's not albino? I guess they are quite the show stopper in Brevard as many tourists are so fascinated by them. I can understand why, this little guy was pretty darn cute.

Thursday morning we drove the final stretch to Asheville, a quick 45 minutes from Brevard. There is nothing quite like a rode trip with girlfriends.

I am incredibly thankful for those couple of days reconnecting with some of my oldest and best friends. There is something about being completely known by other people. I know that I can be myself, my whole self, because there is full acceptance. And, knowing that these two put up with my awkward jr. high self to be my friends either proves that they are too great or too crazy for words (or perhaps a mixture of both). Those few days full of laughter, remember whens, practicing the wobble, heartfelt conversations, sharing dreams for the future, and Heather's nurse stories were good for my soul. Good for my soul.

Even though arriving in Asheville was the end of our Girls' Trip, it was the beginning of wedding festivities and there was plenty of fun still left to be had. Here's a look at the vacation house we stayed at in Asheville. It was called Green Gables and was really quite cute.

Up next: The wedding!!

Shely's visit.

Last week went fast and before I knew it, it was over. But, before I launch into posts about my new job and the new life that comes with it, I want to write about my weekend with Shely.

Shely and I went to grad school together and we interned at the same place our second year. She is a fabulous human being! We're both introverts, but when we're together I feel like there are endless things to talk about. Having her here for the weekend was so good for my soul, almost like a calm before the storm (as I started work the day after she left). Unfortunately, Micah didn't feel well all weekend, but it did give Shely and I a chance to have lots of friend time.

This was Shely's first trip to San Francisco, or to California even, so I wanted to make sure we hit all the famous spots. The weekend she was here was Fleet Week, so there were lots of military personnel around the city and loud air shows. The first day she got in we went down to Fisherman's Wharf, a haven for all tourist. The place is filled to the brim with tacky trinket stores, but even that can't take away from the amazing views down by the bay.



One of the ships at Fisherman's Wharf



We visited the sea lions at Pier 39, one of my favorite things to do at the Wharf. Sea lions are so lazy! The one in the picture below looks like he did a belly flop on the wooden deck/pier.





And we couldn't pass up The Buena Vista's amazingly wonderful Irish Coffee.



Later, we went out for sushi, a lighter meal given that we had eaten clam chowder late in the afternoon. Then, we just came home and crashed. Shely had gotten up at 3am Denver time to catch her flight, so I know she was exhausted.

Saturday, we headed off to the Marina. We went to La Boulange for some good french breakfast. Then, being the great host that I am, I ditched Shely for my hair appointment, while she wandered around in some of Union Street's shops. We met back up after I was done and walked down to the Bay.



Where the height of Fleet Week was happening.



Unfortunately, it was super foggy, so much so that you couldn't even see the Golden Gate Bridge.



Someone kindly offered to take our picture.



After a quick glance at the water, we caught a bus up to Haight, where we met up with another friend who went to school with us, Caitlin, for lunch at Kan Zaman. Such a great idea on Caitlin's part, as we got all the food pictured below for $20! Which was more than enough for the three of us.



We also got ice cream and Caitlin and I convinced Shely to get a green polka dot dress that looks so cute on her.



Shely and I then headed back to my apartment to devise a plan for dinner and to check in on Micah.

I love the view from my apartment!



We decided to go out to Mandalay for Burmese food. I didn't get a picture of everything we ordered. But this is the Tea Leaf Salad, which was phenomenal.



Sunday was my last chance to show Shely some sights, so Micah and I reserved a car for a few hours to drive around the city. I wanted her to see the Golden Gate Bridge, so we went there first, but drove through a couple neighborhoods of really nice houses to get there.





Oh, Beautiful Bridge!



Best photo of the trip.



Then we drove past the Palace of the Legion of Honor and headed down to the pacific ocean, so Shely could see it for the first time.



Of course that meant that we had to run out to the water, so she could stick her toes in!



Sadly, then it was time to take her to the airport, but my fingers are crossed that she'll come back! :)

great friends are hard to come by

But thankfully they do exist.

A real post of this past weekend soon to come, but for now I'm going to go freak out about the fact that tomorrow is my first day of work.

An LA type of labor day weekend.

This past weekend Micah and I headed down to Los Angeles for some quality time with family and friends. It was a great break from my normal routine and who says that one can't need a vacation from unemployment. I sure felt like I did, and was so thankful to have time away to relax and enjoy great company.

On Saturday, Micah's family took us to Thai food with a view. Even though it was a little foggy and windy, the restaurant had a great patio, complete with outside heaters which came in handy.



My attempt at a self-portrait group shot, not so shabby if I don't say so myself.



Saturday was also kick-off for the new season of college football. Alabama rocked it out of the park with a high-score win against Kent State. Of course, no one's ever heard of Kent State or their football team, so that was to be expected. Unfortunately, the much anticipated Oregon vs LSU game left us feeling sad and discouraged. However, I have faith that Oregon's team can pull it together and really it was more so their mistakes that cost them the game then LSU playing well.

On Sunday we got the chance to re-connect with some friends that we met in Colorado, and have since also moved back to California. Alicia and I were in the same dual-degree program and I miss her a ton! And, Micah and I of course miss hanging out with Alicia and Alberto. Our first stop was Aroma Coffee & Tea Company. It was a great brunch place. Our second stop was Hollywood. But, before getting on the underground metro we noticed this car's advertisement. It's for the Hollywood Cookie Diet.



If you can't read it well, the tag line says, "Eat a cookie, Skip a meal." Awesome.

We walked around the outside of Grauman's Chinese Theatre scanning all the signatures and handprints of the rich and famous.



Of particular importance was running across the dynamic trio from the Harry Potter series.



Here's another attempt at a self-portrait group photo. It was so great to hang out with A & A. For me, I was able to bemoan my current job status with someone that really understands exactly where I'm at, as she is right there with me.



I was able to see the hollywood sign for the third time in my life!





Later that night, after enjoying dinner at their place, we went down to Universal City Walk, which is right by Universal Studios. It's a pretty lively area.



There's a candy store on the walk called It'Sugar. They had an unbelievable amount of candy and candy paraphernalia. Oddly enough, out of all the candy that was available, we bought a pack of nerds, wild cherry and watermelon flavors.



After walking around for a bit, we ended up at Hard Rock Cafe, where we got drinks, dessert, and some utterly terrible service. The waitress claimed it was her third night on the job, but we were skeptical that she wasn't just bad at her job and didn't want to lose a good tip!



On Monday, Micah and I made these pancakes for his family. They were just as good as I remembered. Everyone loved them. Afterwards we made the short trek over to Downtown Disney, which is an area similar to Universal City Walk as it has stores and restaurants outside of the park. Therefore, not costing any money to enjoy the surroundings.

The big Lego store was awesome! We ended up buying some lego harry potter magnets. Yes, I'm aware of the unhealthy trend that is happening. But, I'm just so sad about the end of the harry potter era!



As we continued walking, we happened upon this gentleman making some minny mouse candy apples (the ears are marshmallows!) I couldn't help but drag Micah inside to get a caramel apple.



We went with the more plain, caramel peanut apple. Can you believe that a minny mouse chocolate dipped apple will cost you $10.00!!! Somebody is making bank on those suckers! Oh the magical world of Disney.



We had a fabulous time in LA. I cannot reiterate enough how great it was to get a little breather, spend time with family and friends, and just be together for a few days. I'm also happy to report that LA weather cooperated the last couple days we were there with some warm weather! (There's an ongoing joke that whenever I come to visit LA I bring bad weather, because it would always be unusually cold or windy or something.) I hope that the curse is broken and I will continue to enjoy good weather when I'm there.