30 in 30: Part 2

What my 30's are teaching me...

How bout thing 8: Life happens...
don't let it get you down... just get right back up!

I had this grand idea... an intention in my head... but I allowed myself to get overwhelmed, distracted, and busy. Now, I know, it was the holidays... I had deadlines for yearbook, and I've been sick more than once for days at a time, I shot a wedding, had a visitor from out of the country, and together, all these things attacked my blogging confidence and took away my focus. While I still kept track of the little things, I allowed myself to 

wallow in the big ones... in the stress of the day and this is not where I want to be anymore.

Starting tomorrow I am starting a new routine. I'll share more about that after I get back to completing the 30 things I've learned in the first 30 days of being 30. (Rather than "new" things, I'm just going to focus on lessons or at least things I am acknowledging now. Things I'm learning about gratitude and my own well-being. Some new, some re-discovered from scratch.) And yes, I am aware that I have been 30 for a total of 50 days now, but I'm not too far off my mark, so I will now continue where I left off...

Thing 9: Sleeeeeep: It does a body good.

My pillow in Portland at Ace Hotel (summer '11)

Poh nappin' (winter '12)

I can no longer remember what day it was, but there have been about 5 days in the last month that I took naps. Real naps. Not naps where I wake up feeling drowsy and worse than before I fell asleep, deep naps where I wake up feeling completely rested, in a better mood, ...lighter! They are so absolutely necessary! Sometimes I'll make an excuse and say I have way too much to do, but my naps, I believe, will make me much more productive during my week, and in a better mood. I should also probably start going to sleep earlier, but my clock is so jacked up from years of no sleep, that I think it's still going to be a while before I can do that. Poh (my dog) likes to take naps... and he's super alert! I'm learning to be more like Poh.

Thing 10: The art of conversation...

I have a lot of Facebook friends; I recently hit 500. I know that Facebook is not necessarily a clear representation of reality and I believe that most people can only truly maintain healthy, honest, and personal relationships with a handful of people... less than 150...  in real life.

That being said, I can honestly say I'm friends with each and every one of my FBFs for a reason. I have been enlightened, entertained, or encouraged by a status change or two along the way, and Facebook has served to keep me connected to family&friends whom I really do cherish, appreciate, and love to have in my life.
Time and Distance have proven no match for "the book." For that, I am grateful.

But still, I have at times wondered... If I hang out with an FBF... will there be awkward silence? Will I be able to communicate Face to Face... in the flesh? Will it be creepy that we may know the recent happenings of each other's life so well that we'll be finishing each other's sentences and have nothing left to share?

A few weeks ago I went to a new sushi place (Full Moon sushi in Tustin) with 2 beautiful girls, my friend Jen (a long time FtF friend) and Monica a friend who I grew up down the street from (and hadn't seen in maybe 10 years), with whom I (up until recently) had only been communicating with via FB. Well, we crossed over! The whole night, for me, was really refreshing and comforting in that we all seemed to have so much in common... common experiences, interests, and the conversation never seemed to be lacking (age, travel, family, babies, bad habits). 

One key piece for me, was the laughter. We laughed a lot and that always makes for the best time. Being able to LOL in person is a whole different experience. It wasn't like we had to talk about strictly the past, we had plenty going on in our own lives that we could share or relate to and I left feeling very thankful for the conversation and the friendship, and I hope that it continues... 

via "the book" and in person. 

Thing 11: i don't do it for the money.

Gypsy Den, paid with $8 in change (January, 2012)

This is my 5th year in my school district. 

I have been a part-time teacher for the last 4 years... My % has gone up and down several times since then and 2 days before we went on Winter Break, I was told it'd be lowering once again. I have very little left to say about it. I work a ridiculous amount of hours through sickness&health, not because I get paid to do it, but because I feel I must. I have no other choice.

However, 

I do feel it starting to take a toll on my confidence, internal motivation, and really, I'm just left feeling burnt out, trying to dig out bursts of energy that I can share with my students. They deserve my 100% all of the time, so something is going to have to change. It must be me. It's the only thing I have any control over. 

I am going to give this till the end of the year, but then I'm going to start looking for a new and/or second job. Though grateful for the bit of a part that I have, the amount of hours being spent on it, are not even close to equitable. My husband Luis seems to support all that I do and is encouraging me to just be happy. 

I am that lucky. So, with this new year, maybe will come some new opportunities.

Thing 12: Getting together can get ugly, but that's ok.

We did it again. 

Had friends and family 

get together for a night of 

ugliness. 

People came and went, showed off their sweaters, exchanged white elephant gifts, ate soups, sipped wines... all in all, it was a good time. A little more mellow than last year, but still a good time. I got to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a while, and I personally just enjoyed listening to the chatter and laughter as I ran around and helped make sure we had enough toilet paper....

Santa's Behind... part of my classroom door decoration.

Loved the effort that was put into the sweaters this year. The store bought ones were awesome this time too! Nice work! 

me and the sibs

This "lovely" thing was left on my tree....

I love Christmas Time and this annual gathering allows me to share that joy and celebrate!

Together we created a painting that I believe is the best one yet!

It's a Wonderful Life at the Regency Theater
(December, 2012)

Thing 13: It's A Wonderful Life... 
Growing up, my mom always made sure we watched classic movies. I don't have kids yet, but I have always tried to share the classics with the ones around me who've missed out on these truly classic moments from films that I believe have so much to say. 


I feel this way about It's a Wonderful Life. 
A movie that used to be played on REPEAT during the holidays, but this year I only caught it once on TCM. Luckily, the Regency Theater in San Juan Capistrano was showing it. To be able to watch it the way that it was intended (on the big screen) was super exciting.

The movie was enjoyed with a dinner (during the movie), dessert, and even a bell that we could all ring. (The bell, however, got a bit annoying and I think should have been handed out at the END of the movie. The audience was GIVING away wings every 2 minutes that night. sheesh....)  

Arlene and me, taken by Luis

It was a great night. It was my sister (in-law's) birthday, and she is one that I have always tried to educate on the classics... since she was 7 or so. This is one that we hadn't watched together yet, so it was perfect. I also brought along my husband Luis. 2 of my favorite people watching a movie that really is all about being appreciative of the loved ones around you and trusting in that love.

This movie has been spoofed, re-done, and adapted into TV shows, cartoons, sketches, and muppet movies. It has a simple message of worthiness. That we are all worthy of the air we breathe. That we are loved, that we were created to love and to serve, and that we do make a difference, just by living. 

Good stuff.

Thing 14: brussle sprouts... 

they don't smell like feet.

Brussels Sprouts I saw, but did not purchase, at Albertsons. (January, 2012)

On an episode of Full House, someone commented that Brussels Sprouts smell like feet. That idea has stuck in my head and prevented me from having any desire to even be in the same room as a brussels sprout. After a little coaxing, I tried one and, to my surprise, I actually liked it. Jen made my try them. (Thanks!)

They'd never be my first choice, but if they happen upon my dinner plate in the future, I won't be hiding them under my napkin.

More to come... but don't want to overwhelm. :)

For Now...

.Just some moments from the day... 

These are pretty much 

the only pictures I took.

I wanted to just relax 

and enjoy the day. 

I do have a series of

short video clips that 

I might look at later. 

Not everything went as 

elaborately planned,

but that was expected. 

Rather than focus on 

what was "supposed" 

to happen... 

here are the 

little things 

that did...

Fits of laughter, 

conversations about motherhood and teenagedom, 

sparkling water, crisp air (until it became icy at night), 

people getting bopped in the head by balloons, more fits of laughter, 

ferris wheel ride, hot dog, 

balloons popping, 

C is for Cheers,
glasses filled with laughing tears, 

travel talk, watching the sunlight change
through the panels of the ceiling,
HELLO'S to strangers,

grilled cheese, too many fries, 

trail of balloons, fold up bike, 

"excited" face, 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, 

giant Poh, luis' wiggly feet, 

kelsey disappearing in the darkness, 

"that's my bicycle seat,"

 tears of friendship, 

hugs... 

these are the little bits I want to remember.

holiday happenings with the hubby...

It was so much more than I thought.

The plan for today: Luis and I were going to do a tasting at Giracci Vineyards, a winery he found in Orange County that opened not too long ago. (He originally found it by chance, after getting a flat tire on his bicycle in the area.) After that, we were going to check out Christmas trees at the Christmas Tree farm up the road, decorate, and then meet my family for dinner in the evening.

Well, this morning I was in a sleepy... lazy... wanting to cuddle (with Poh, my puppy) mood. Luis rushed me a bit and said we had a lot to do, with all the decorating, so we should get going.... I eventually got ready, nothing fancy (ripped jeans, old jacket), and we eventually headed out the door.

Well, we pull up to the winery, I take my time getting out of the car (had to at least put some mascara on) and we walk up to the front entrance. As we approach... I hear shouts, which startle me at first, and then lead to a slight feeling of confusion, shock, and disorientation. I literally feel as if I'm trying to manually focus my eyes, as I would on my camera.... Eventually (a matter of seconds, really) it all becomes clear and I realize I am surrounded by family and friends and a whole surprise birthday spread! All a bit overwhelming... in a lovely way.


I had absolutely no idea, and I love Luis for pulling it off and keeping me completely OBLIVIOUS (though that part is not really that hard). We drank wine, walked around the gorgeous property, visited the horses in the stable (Rusty is the one with the teeth), and just enjoyed the Saturday afternoon chill. It was perfection. 

A few friends keeping warm in the sun.

Made by Diane! She knows I love chocolate. Thank you!

Luis does so much, loves so much, means so much and I am SO blessed to have him.


Most of the pictures from the vineyard were taken by my mom and others, so I only have these few from my camera to share.

However, I did take quite a bit at the Christmas Tree farm. 

The following document our search for our tree. Magical!

 

broke out into fits of laugher

spontaneous game of hide-and-seek

Though TONS of fun, no luck with our tree.

 After a long search at the farm, we decided to do our final purchase at Home Depot. This is where we've gone the last couple of years. The prices are  very affordable and they have some nice trees.

 At the farm, most of the ones we liked were either out of our price range, or sold already... but NEXT year, we'll try to come right after Thanksgiving and claim one! I loved walking around the trees, in any case, and would recommend taking a visit!

Got home to find a box of Krispy Kremes on the doorstep! ...Says, "From: John Wayne."
He must have gotten hungry... there were 2 missing. But still... how thoughtful of John.

BTW... I'm still 29. Not 30 till Monday. ;)

about my twenties

They were... crazy-fun, mistake-filled, life-changing, ...a blur.

I recently finished a book called Quarter-life Crisis. It's basically about all of the changes, conflicts, and confusion that one goes through during this time. While I can't say I learned much from the book, I did gain a bit of validation... like, I'm not as crazy as I thought I was... or at least, I'm not alone.

When I turned 26 I told someone I wished I would have taken notes on my twenties... journaled and documented every little moment. So much had happened and I'd already started to forget much of it
(not because of age, i've been forgetful since i was three.)
It just all seems to happen so quickly that in the end we really only seem to remember the BIG events of our lives. For obvious reasons... they're BIG.

www.cameroningalls.com

And while I am in no way demeaning the magnitude and importance of those whoppers, (getting engaged, witnessing the birth of my niece, graduating from college, when we bought our house, getting my first "real" job, our wedding, rescuing Poh...) I feel that it's been all of the little moments (that I can't remember) which have had the most impact on who I am right now. It's all of the little bits and pieces that have led up to the larger ones. 
All of those smaller... 

moments of pure joy...

moments of peace...

moments of disappointment...

moments of wonder...

moments of utter silliness....

Those were the moments that shaped and formed who I've grown to be... 

those are the moments I hope to share here. 

With one week left before I turn 30 (talk about grown) I finally set out to start this blog (a goal I set on my 29th birthday.) My intention is to be more present and more honest (with myself most of all); to honor and appreciate where I am in this journey. Whether it be through image or word... 

whether it makes any sense or not, it will be 

every little bit of me.

Photos: 1. Our wedding '07... 2. In&Out '04... 3. Sunset Fiscallini Ranch '10... 

4. Bummed during recess moment '03... 5. Sunrise with my niece '06... 6. In a laundry basket '07