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. :)