yes, julie, it is cool. it blows my mind.
it's been a long year since julie's last birthday. we've both grown a ton and she continues to teach me more about integrity, generosity and humility. and for that, i get to publicly embarrass her. because i love her that much.
happy twentyfifth. ytbe.
one of my favorite people in the world is getting hitched on september nineteenth and to celebrate we spent the weekend in napa. bachelorette parties wouldn't be complete with out games, girl talk, wine, sunning by the pool, two hour naps and hot air balloon rides. alright, maybe the hot air balloon ride was an added bonus. 
back: deb, julie, sarah, wimberly, pryor. front: kelly, liz, mary flynn, me.
minus the bachelorette party weekend, starting a new job, bridal showers galore, jeffrey's wedding, and the family camping trip.
i hope that when i'm your age, i'm close to half the person you are. seriously.
you are an incredible role model.
whenever i cook for community group i try my best to accommodate all the food allergies: no peanuts, no dairy, no glutton. i think it's a challenge, almost like a puzzle, really. and with starting the new job, finishing my last class, terminating with my other clients, friends visiting, and trying to move, my life has been a little stressful. [just a little.]
and tonight.. i forgot the dessert. i know this doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is. to me. it's evidence that my life feels out of control. i am adding things to my day and still trying to figure out what to subtract.
as i sit here in the dark, i remind myself that this is part of transition and part of change. instead of feeling paralyzed by all that's going on, i am choosing to reframe and look for a different perspective. i think i'll start with this verse from sam beam's trapeze swinger:
"please, remember me...
i'm in the fallen trees.
fast asleep...
my misery."
maybe next time i won't forget the dessert. but if i do, it's okay. i am giving myself permission to forget it on purpose. i think that's a better expectation to have, don't you agree?
my vocabulary is so limited. the only word that comes to mind when thinking about friday and saturday is fun:
having shonna here was fun.
poleng was fun.
face flap photos was fun.
madrone was fun.
calling becky was fun.
calling nick was fun.
mission beach cafe was fun.
getting ready with my bestie was fun.
running for the bus was fun.
the bbq was fun.
grilling was fun.
kings cup was fun.
operation tabby cat was fun[ny].
ryan in denial was fun[ny].
double dutch was fun.
frozen yogurt and the curiosity shoppe was fun.
of course there were things that weren't so fun:
big mouthed boys.
the ride home.
miscommunicators.
overall: an eight. lisa is about to get here so that bumps life up to a ten.
happy fourth of july from my two year old nephew, samuel.
photo credit: his mama, autumn.
kyle and i weren't getting anything accomplished when yan was exercising on the street while waiting for the bus. turns out he caught us laughing at him so he came in to chat it up. he decided we both don't smoke, and we should learn mandarin-- he could teach us, of course. he offered us his number. we declined. when asked about his exercising, he responded: "i don't waste time. i keep it." genius.
main entry: therwear
pronunciation: \ther-wer\
function: noun
date: 2009
: garments worn by therapists.
therapists CANNOT wear flashy. they have to be semi-boring. most fit into the mold of therwear. ya know, it's the looser fitting, earth tones that aren't revealing in any way, shape or form. floral patterned floor length dresses work well, too.
if you wear h&m it's distracting. if you wear a suit you're over dressed. if you have cleavage you're creating transference. it's best to wear a monotone top, pants, and very little jewelry. it's even better if you're a man and you can grow a beard.
pretty much: being a therapist equals dressing boring.
look out world, here i come.
i'm back in it.
in it to win it.
it's the real world, baby.
the life of nine to five.
i think i will officially have an adjustment disorder for the next six months.
thanks for the help, friends who cook me dinner and let me be the brutally honest - tactless - "bitch" that i am. i don't do nice. is authentic okay with you?
