New Year. New You

Here we are in Spring 2013 - Where is the time going? Last year was one INTENSE year. I experienced a deeper love, loss, a new job and most importantly a better understanding of who I am.

I learned that not everyone you meet and connect with will be in your life forever no matter how great of an impact and space they held in your heart. I learned more than anything to always believe in yourself and never allow someone to bring you down just because of how they see you. Everyone has their own perception of themselves and the world around them - sometimes it even feels like they are living in another reality. Someone you thought you knew inside and out can end up being someone you have no connection to or understanding of. I'm still growing and evolving and so are the people around me. You meet and connect with people at different stages in your life -- and only those that share your energy will continue on your journey with you. Whatever is not in alignment will be purged and everything happens for a reason. I am extremely grateful for the relationships I have made through out my life - everyone held a purpose.

This year already I have met so many incredible soul and traveled to incredibly serene places. My relationship with A is growing quickly and I am the happiest I have been in years. I'm excited for the life we dream of and the journey that lies ahead....

Here is a little glimpse of some of my adventures...

New Years in Lake Tahoe

I found my new guilty pleasure - CHICKEN AND WAFFLES - Pure Gluttony!

Valentine's Day in VEGAS - I HIGHLY recommend seeing LOVE by the Beatles!

I also discovered my new obsession of Martini's and Oysters --- Am I getting old?

I have always lead with my heart and positive energy - and this past year has been a testament to that. 

Emotion is greater than reason

baby steps

A wise old man once told me " Life is a journey, not a destination". This pretty much sums it up. Everything in life the good the bad the ups and downs, its all part of your journey. My journey… or so my road has had many twists and turns. But I have learned to embrace it all. Everything has shaped who I am in the present. I am thankful for my "mistakes" and for the lessons I have learned a long the way. I am thankful for the makeups the breakups and all the friends and people I have met along the way. 

A lot has been going on since I last wrote. I finally got the courage to break-free from a terrible job situation . I got a new job. I did some more traveling....and eating :-). I have loved.. A LOT… and most importantly I have reflected. 

First. The job. I had been applying to all sorts of non profit organizations for months now..probably since January, not getting anywhere. Then I got a call to take an interview with a big producing Real Estate Agent who was looking for a Team Leader. At first I was stuck…real estate…again…ugh I'm just not getting anywhere. But I had to remind myself that I had to take baby steps. I had to just go on the interview. The location was appealing. 5 minute car ride from my place vs the hour commute  I was doing each way to work. So i went… and sure enough it didn't just go well it was hands down the most incredible interview I've ever gone on. She. The boss. The rainmaker is one spiritual lady. The interview was almost 2 hours and we spend more than half of it just talking about our lives, who we are , what inspires us and the role energy and spirituality plays in our lives. We had connected on so many levels and the energy was flowing. We vibed. I left excited, motivated… but puzzled. Would taking this job help get me to where I want to be? The pay was much higher, the growth was there… and the distance was a joke. But there was something there that made me feel so right, I was being drawn to it. Guided. So its not in the field i want to be in...yet...but its a skill I know well and it would give me time to learn, grow and make some extra cash to travel and venture. So I took a leap of faith. 

I had planned the transition from my old job to my new job in a way where I was able to travel in between. I NEEDED IT. My soul was yearning for some adventure. 

First stop San Felipe, Mexico. I am blessed that my best friend's family has an incredible home on the beaches of a small fisherman's town in Mexico. The town is small and cozy but the beaches are vast. I got to spend a lot of time decompressing and mentally preparing for this next part of my journey (with the help of an abundance of food and tequila). It was time to grow up. This job was about to get serious and I'm about to get focused. I had to constantly remind myself to never loose focus of my goals. Never loose focus of constantly striving for happiness. I had my first week that involved a lot of crying, no sleep and heavy drinking. The hours were long and A was in town so of course I just wanted to be home. I had a lot to adjust  and I'm not too sure the coworkers realized my purpose yet. But the energy was amazing and I was finally feeling appreciated for the hard work I was putting in. I had value.  By the end of the 2nd week I had requested a few days off prior to starting to take a road trip up to Napa for a friend's end of the summer soirée in Napa. We decided we'd make a road trip out of it and stop at a few of our favorite places along the way. 

                                                 Off to Berkeley.  We stayed in a cozy Victorian Bed & Breakfast on Telegraph Ave (The Rose Garden Inn). It was perfect. We walked the campus, the downtown area, the neighborhoods….took in all the history and simply daydreamed. The knowledge that flowed throughout that campus was inspiring!

Next stop San Francisco... What more do I have to say. I can never get enough of the amazing food, the people, the beautiful buildings, The Castro...and of course The Haight. 

A's best friend lives in Napa and his girlfriend's family was throwing an end of the summer party. "Haywoodstock" to celebrate the Summer of Love…how perfect. We spend the night dancing to the top 40s of the 60s and 70s, dressed like a bunch of hippies and just spreading the love.  We spent the next morning driving the beautiful windy road of Napa Valley. The wineries…the hilltops…the greenery…I could of driven those roads for days. Napa is  such a beautiful & peaceful place. There was some time to kill before my flight out so of course we decided to head back to SF to Cioppino's at the Wharf.. A drink, some clam chowder and a big ol bowl of Cioppino to top off the trip. 

But then It was that time….time to say goodbye. The hardest goodbye yet. Who would of 

thought a year ago I would be where I am today. I thought I had it all figured out. The sex and the city life…my 20's.. being single …free….finding myself. Then BOOM it hits you..like a ton of bricks when you least expect or want it….Love.  Not now …no way. Yes. Yes way. It was something so out of my control and I couldn't help but to follow it. My heart was driving and there was no stopping it.  Now its consumed my life in the most incredible way. He's become my everything and I cant even imagine my life without him. 

So here I am. Happy. Proud to have followed my gut and trusted in myself to take that leap of faith and I continue to follow my heart and good energy. I might not be exactly where I thought I'd be but I'm well on my way. Baby Steps.

Cheers to life my friends. And remember life is a journey not a destination. Make it worth while and follow your heart. Le Chiem! 

love drunk.

Last week I spent doing what I love best.... eating, drinking, traveling, being in love and attending 2 beautiful weddings. Through Berkley to San Fran back down to Los Gatos, to San Jose & Santa Cruz all the way down the coast to LA. To say breathtaking would be an understatement. There is just something magical about the energy and people up north. I am not done with you San Fran.... you have taken a little piece of my heart. Here are a few photos in my attempt to capture it all.

First stop... Berkley

San Francisco 

(we just HAD to make it to Calzone's in North Beach)

Wedding 1
A's Cousin ties the knot!


Villa Montalvo in Los Gatos, CA

After the wedding we decided to take a trip down the coast. 

Capitola

~~~

Naaaaaaaature

We stumbled upon Plumes Coffee Shop (Monterey), the walls were covered in concert posters from the late 60's. 

Erie coast of Monterey
~~~

Big Sur--- The picture doesn't do it justice...the water was turquoise even beneath the clouds

...On the road again

Back in LA...

Bike ride through the Venice Canals

.....and an afternoon delight

Wedding 2

Shrek marries his Fiona!

Westlake, CA

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice 2012, June 20th.

I had something happen to me tonight that I cannot even begin to explain in words. An epiphany per-say. Today something inside me awakened, dreams and ideas I once only imagined have become real and obtainable. Today I decide my life, my path and my journey. Today I am taking my first step. Today is a day for change. Change in my new direction. I want a rich life, rich in culture, rich in love, rich in happiness and rich in my appreciation for nature, the earth the sun and the moon. Its time to take control of my life and follow my heart and my desire for a beautiful, sustainable life. I have to let go of this idea of failure. Failure in whose eyes? Who determines what failure is? What in some eyes might be failure, is success in mine. Financial failure? Societal failure? The idea to live under certain rules? Who's rules?? I make my rules, I choose my life and what I think is success. As far as I know I have already succeeded , succeeded to break free from "the norm". 

Today I choose step 1. FOOD. I choose to be mindful and smart about what I put in my body and how I use the resources the earth has provided to man. I'm starting today with one thing. WHOLE GRAIN. Goodbye white bread, goodbye white pasta. I don't need you , my body is better without you and you are no good for me!!!

But let me say, I cannot only thank "faith" (well and the first day of summer :-) ) for this, I have to thank my baby. He has drawn out something inside me that has been tucked away. He makes me feel right,  he has awakened my soul. And how lucky am I that I get to share this life, this dream , this journey with my soul mate? The ying to my yang. 

I AM NO LONGER AFRAID.

Today my journey to nirvana begins. Today I achieved prajna, which in buddhism means wisdom and the realization of true inner nature. It's the principal means of attaining nirvana, true liberation, true happiness.

 I CALL THIS HOME <3

Inspirational talk: 

"Every accomplishment starts with the desire to try" 

- Author unknown.

- E