Friday, September 29, 2006

Princess Power!


So, as a new, ahem, 30 year old, I've decided that I would like to be a princess when I grow up. Princesses are so pretty, and never have to clean, and they get to ride horses, and never have frizzy hair, and they always have really nice skin.

I got a good start on Wednesday(my b-day)-my husband got me a kickin camera, and my coworkers got an arrangement of flowers for me and we got to go out for lunch to one of my favorite places! After work, I met up with some girlfriends for a little soiree my friend Colleen put together. She was so clever and came up with a ton of fun drink names like "Dirty 30" and the "Jodie-rita", etc. And, she made my FAVORITE of FAVORITE cakes-yellow cake with chocolate icing. See...I'm telling you, meant to be a princess. My case was really sealed when my friend Erika walked in with a princess bag full of treats only a TRUE princess could love. (I mean, you have to really be a princess to enjoy ring pops and pretty shiny bracelets, and really cool change purses and what not.) And, my friend Emily (and Sam) got me a mani certificate...pampering fit for a.........you guessed it.

Oh, alright, I'm just day dreaming. But, it's been a rough few months, and I deserve it, right? I have to admit, it was pretty special when we told the bartender I was celebrating a "big" birthday, and they thought I was turning 21!!!

Anyways, more b-day festivities to come at some point. Stay tuned....

Monday, September 25, 2006

Ringin' in the new year

It was the start of Jewish new year this weekend...happy 5767! Everybody Wang Chung tonight!

I am totally a high holidays Jew, I go to synangogue just about twice a year-for the high holidays, and sometimes I toss one in for good measure and just to make sure I'm inscribed in the Book of Life and all, but usually, I'm a two-for-one type of gal. Don't get me wrong, I love being Jewish, and I do the whole Hannukah and Passover hullabulloo, but for hitting services, right now, I'm just at the bare minimum.

Even so, I love the holidays. They are super relaxing to me, and the older I get, the more I look forward to them. I just love the few hours of sitting in service and having some quality reflection time, and just mindlessly humming the different prayers. And, even more so, I am so SO in love with the food around Jewish holidays. This year, we kicked off our holidays nicely. I made a potato and cheddar soup on Friday, and afterwards, we met up with my friend Bill for a coffee break, which was nice. On Saturday, after I hit services our friend Miriam had us over, and I swear, I almost burst into tears just thinking about the spread. It's just nice to know that no matter whose house you go to, they all have the same tradition, the same food, the same comforts you remember from being little. Following Mir's, we went to our friend Paul and Erika's for a nice end to the evening.

But, I'm excited to say one of the MOST exciting things from this weekend is that I made a pillow! Yes, as part of the quilting goal, I started with a pillow. Our friend Missy had us over for a stitch and bitch, and she totally helped me become a quilting diva--okay, well, not quite to that extent, but did I mention I made a damn pillow?

As for Al, 2 more weeks of being wired shut. Still a long road. And people still suck. Jaw surgery is not fun, so I can't imagine why people thing it is okay to say mean comments to Al about not being able to understand him, etc. Those people seriously need to get some manners, and should ask their mom's why they were brought up with poor ones. And, I can say that because I'm going to totally atone for it while I'm fasting next Sunday for Jewish high holiday round 2, Yom Kippur.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

30, flirty and fun?

A week from today I turn 30. I've made a resolution. I'm going to be 30, flirty and fun! Okay, maybe not flirty in the traditional sense, I just mean flirty in the fun, fabulous, youthful sense. Flirting with new hobbies, new passions, trying to stay YOUNG.

So, here's looking down 30 square in the face, and a list of things I want to do in my 30's-some are quite a reach, but you gotta have something to reach for!
  • Play piano-I took lessons when I was little, and would love to pick it up again.
  • Learn how to speak French and Yiddush
  • Travel to South America
  • Make a hallah (traditional jewish bread for sabbath)
  • Have kid(s)
  • Raft down the Grand Canyon
  • Take an African safari
  • Take more pottery lessons and make a decent bowl (not just one my mother could love!)
  • Learn how to make a quilt
  • Write a kid's book
  • Get promoted at work
  • Become involved with a synagogue
  • Learn to be not so self-involved
  • Reunite with my old camp friends
  • See more concerts
  • Go to more plays
  • Go camping at least once a year
  • See a sea horse while diving
  • Become a better cook
  • Be 30, flirty and FABULOUS

Alright 30's, I'm ready, I have a list, and I'm coming for you, ready or not!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

20 days to 30

The countdown begins. In 20 days, I'll be leaving my 20's behind and heading into my 30's. Everyone SWEARS 30 is so great and that they love it....and to be honest, I was looking forward to it, but now I'm kind of dreading it. I guess it's because I have been feeling old this past month, and I hate feeling old-especially when I'm typically very young at heart.

While I'm hesitant to enter the 30-zone, I'm excited to wave goodbye to 20's. It was an interesting decade, and I learned alot, but I feel more like a grown up now. 20 was all about struggling to find out who I was and define my future, and now I feel like I'm actually content, and just enjoying life (with the exception of nursing a hubby through surgery rehab).

Looking back, it's been quite a ride....I moved from small town to big city, I started my career path towards marketing/fundraising/environmental work---which got a bit off track along the way, I met my husband and FINALLY had the courage to ditch my ex (after he broke up with me about a hundred times, it was empowering that the last zinger was done by yours truly), got my belly button pierced, learned to scuba dive, bought a house, travelled to some of the most amazing places in the world, ate at some of the most amazing restaurants, got to experience wonderful amount of cultural events, and met some of my most favorite people in the world (Ilona, Sylvie and Jarrod, Simon, Betsy, Diana, Colleen, Erika and Paul, Miriam and James, Booth and Wayne, Kristen and Jerrold, Shali, Missy, Kristin and Jeff, Matt and Katie, Clay and Nicole, Anne, and Summer). (sorry if I forgot anyone!) And got BACK in touch with some of my most favorite people in the world (too big of a list, but you know who you are).

Twenties were also rough-had a few jobs and bosses I hated, lived through a terrorist attack, totalled a car, had to go through a rough ending with the ex, and lost a few good friends along the way...but, mainly, it's been quite the journey, and I guess it's time to start the next chapter.

So 20 more days of 20's....and then, we'll see what life has in store for me next.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Rainy day thoughts

Found out yesterday that Al has 5 more weeks of being wired shut. This sucks big time. And lately, I've definitely felt a bit dismayed with humanity. People who don't know Al just had surgery can be pretty damn cruel--in fact, some people who do know he had surgery can be cruel too. On the other hand, we've been blessed to have our friends conintuing to stop by. In fact, we just had a friend over from San Fran the other night.

I have a cold, which is lousy. It's a long weekend, and I would love to actually just rest and relax, but that doesn't seem to be in my future any time soon. Even when I try to rest, I get bogged down with other frustrating things. I hate sounding selfish, especially when Al is going through such an ordeal, but I'm really feeling so tired, and even though I'm not there yet, I'm feeling every bit of 30. Al swears 30 is great. I don't see it as being anything great...I just feel like I've aged a lot in the last few weeks, and lost a bit of that inner child glow. I can only hope that it comes back....