1. A great conversation with Brian over lunch today. Brian is an incredibly humble and kind person. He is one of the best listeners that I've ever met. He is calm, he is reasonable, and he is incredibly strong. Usually, I am the one doing all the talking and he's the one doing all the listening. But, today--I got to listen. It was nice to share in some of Brian's strength with him today, and I'm appreciative to have been able to give him (even if just a teeny tiny bit) what he gives me each day, everyday.
2. Yoga. I'm not the biggest yoga fan, but thanks to Groupon, I got to take a class today at Yasa Yoga with my dear friend Jay, and I have to say...it was wonderful! My body feels relaxed, centered, and energized.
3. Jay came over for dinner tonight. With the craziness of our schedule, we sometimes only get to see each other in passing, so it was a real treat to get to sit down and enjoy each other's company dining Al Fresco style.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
6.12.12
1. A great morning spin class to kick off the day.
2. The chance to be home. I used to be a person that loved being on the move. From morning to night, I would go. Go. Go. Now, I have so much appreciation for the days when I just get to be home.
3. My goal for this summer: organize my office and closets. I'm happy to say that one day into summer, and my two projects are now: COMPLETE! (Photos to come shortly)
2. The chance to be home. I used to be a person that loved being on the move. From morning to night, I would go. Go. Go. Now, I have so much appreciation for the days when I just get to be home.
3. My goal for this summer: organize my office and closets. I'm happy to say that one day into summer, and my two projects are now: COMPLETE! (Photos to come shortly)
6.11.12
1. A productive day finishing up need-to-do paperwork in the clinic.
2. Coming home at 5pm. Now that school is almost over, I was able to come home at a somewhat normal hour, and it was such a wonderful treat.
3. A great dinner followed by a beautiful evening walk to the Mission....I could get used to this whole coming home at 5pm thing.
2. Coming home at 5pm. Now that school is almost over, I was able to come home at a somewhat normal hour, and it was such a wonderful treat.
3. A great dinner followed by a beautiful evening walk to the Mission....I could get used to this whole coming home at 5pm thing.
6.10.12
2. A great dinner of my mom's homemade special spaghetti bolognese with a Chelsea kinda twist ;)
3. As of August, Brian and I are officially moving in together! We are beyond excited to start this new chapter in our lives together, and in anticipation of his upcoming move, we took a trip to Target to get some new decorations. I've lived on my own for the past eight years, and I've gotten quite....well, settled (to stay the least). Welcoming Brian into my home is one of the best decisions I've ever made. It was so fun to pick out furniture, help him build it, and re-decorate....all while building a home (well, life) together.
6.9.12
1. A productive day starting at 6:30am. I was able to complete a 30-page stats paper and knowing that it's finished is the greatest greatest feeling. This was a very daunting assignment for me, so I'm so appreciative to be done with it!
2. A little study break spent pursuing Cost Plus for new home furnishings.
3. An amazing dinner at Olio Pizzeria! Brian had never been before, so not only was it a huge treat to finish the week off with an amazing meal, but it was fun to show him a new place. The pizza carbonara was hands down one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life.
6.8.12
1. A new job!
2. The chance to babysit for two very adorably sweet kids (ages 9 and 11). They were filled with spirit, curiosity, and energy. I forgot how much I love babysitting and how fun it was to relive my teenage babysitting days.
3. A pick-up game of basketball. Given the craziness of life as an adult, it was so fun to just get outside and PLAY!
2. The chance to babysit for two very adorably sweet kids (ages 9 and 11). They were filled with spirit, curiosity, and energy. I forgot how much I love babysitting and how fun it was to relive my teenage babysitting days.
3. A pick-up game of basketball. Given the craziness of life as an adult, it was so fun to just get outside and PLAY!
6.7.12
1. The ability to cry. I am generally a very happy and optimistic person, but sometimes life wares you down. I am thankful that I can have a good cry, engage in a warm hug, and recenter my spirit so that I can take on the day and reenergize.
2. A delicious Japanese dinner at our favorite Kyoto.
3. Family who loves me, supports me, and is there for me--NO MATTER WHAT!
2. A delicious Japanese dinner at our favorite Kyoto.
3. Family who loves me, supports me, and is there for me--NO MATTER WHAT!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
6.6.12
1. HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG SISTER. She has been the absolute best sister in the world. She's helped to guide me and shape me into the person I am today. She has taught me more than I know and has served as a tremendous role model. She has set the bar high and through each stage of my life, I've always wanted to be just like her.
No other 5-year old could rock a mini pink and white stripe dress like Victoria can! Forget carrying around a chihuahua in your purse, the newest accessory for Summer: a baby in an inner tube.
2. A delicious scone compliments of one of my professors. It was a kind and gracious act and a great treat to help get through a 3-hour lecture!
3. An absolutely beautiful Santa Barbara day! Summer IS HERE!
6.5.12
1. I am blessed. Plain and simple, I am blessed beyond standard. Yes, some of it is a result of my own doing, but most of it is equated to pure and absolute luck. Four years ago, I was standing in front of hundreds of elementary school students in Tanzania, East Africa. The conditions of the school were grim. There were no floors, no running water, and roofs that could cave it as a result of a simple rainfall. But, the kids were smiling. Not only were they smiling, but they were beaming. In that moment, I came to a realization:
The only way for me to explain and accept all of the incredible things that have happened in my life, is for me to utilize the love, support, opportunity, and education that I have been fortunate enough to receive and pay it forward to help the greater good. I wanted to help others. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to change a life.
Today, I paid it forward. I helped another person. I made a difference. And hopefully, I helped to change a life.
2. I am appreciative for the support of others. In an intensive PhD program, it is easy to focus on challenges. It's easy to complain about professors. It's easy to ridicule others for shortcomings. It's easy to want more. But, today, when things were beyond difficult, everyone came together to help, support, guide, and care. Today, I realized that this program is far beyond research, clinical work, coursework, writing a dissertation, or obtaining an internship. Rather, it is about working together, leaning on each other, learning from one another, and appreciating the opportunity to make a difference.
3. Today was a difficult day. I didn't get to eat, I didn't get to check my phone, I didn't get to look at emails. I was nonstop for 11-hours without even a sip of water. But throughout the emotion, throughout the fear, throughout the intensity....I thought about Brian. Through each moment, he was on my mind. I knew that no matter how difficult the day would be, or how things would turn out, he would be there. He would be there to hug me. To listen to me. To lie with me. There is no greater gift than having a partner to walk through life with and knowing that no matter what a day may bring, that we have each other.
The only way for me to explain and accept all of the incredible things that have happened in my life, is for me to utilize the love, support, opportunity, and education that I have been fortunate enough to receive and pay it forward to help the greater good. I wanted to help others. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to change a life.
Today, I paid it forward. I helped another person. I made a difference. And hopefully, I helped to change a life.
2. I am appreciative for the support of others. In an intensive PhD program, it is easy to focus on challenges. It's easy to complain about professors. It's easy to ridicule others for shortcomings. It's easy to want more. But, today, when things were beyond difficult, everyone came together to help, support, guide, and care. Today, I realized that this program is far beyond research, clinical work, coursework, writing a dissertation, or obtaining an internship. Rather, it is about working together, leaning on each other, learning from one another, and appreciating the opportunity to make a difference.
3. Today was a difficult day. I didn't get to eat, I didn't get to check my phone, I didn't get to look at emails. I was nonstop for 11-hours without even a sip of water. But throughout the emotion, throughout the fear, throughout the intensity....I thought about Brian. Through each moment, he was on my mind. I knew that no matter how difficult the day would be, or how things would turn out, he would be there. He would be there to hug me. To listen to me. To lie with me. There is no greater gift than having a partner to walk through life with and knowing that no matter what a day may bring, that we have each other.
Monday, June 4, 2012
6.4.12
1. So far, I've been going nonstop for the past 16 hours with my only break being right now to sit and write this post. Amidst all of the work, stress, exhaustion, and worry, I'm thankful that I have a place to sit and reflect on all the wonderful things in my life. I'm busy, tired, and ready for a break--but, each day, I get to do what I love, help the people around me, and live true to my passion and commitment to changing the world.
2. An awesome potluck to celebrate the end of one of my classes today. Students went all out and it was fun to munch on so many great goodies. Makes lecture a heck of a lot more entertaining :)
3. I am surrounded by tremendous support. I have had some incredibly tough client cases lately, ones that have hit me to the core, but I'm embraced by so much love, encouragement, and wisdom that I am thankful to have an army of support in my corner.
2. An awesome potluck to celebrate the end of one of my classes today. Students went all out and it was fun to munch on so many great goodies. Makes lecture a heck of a lot more entertaining :)
3. I am surrounded by tremendous support. I have had some incredibly tough client cases lately, ones that have hit me to the core, but I'm embraced by so much love, encouragement, and wisdom that I am thankful to have an army of support in my corner.
6.3.12
1. A productive day of work.
2. I woke up super early this morning and got to watch an entire movie from beginning to end (without falling asleep!) which was a huge treat. I forgot how much I enjoy movie time.
3. A great homemade pizza: garlic and herb crust with pesto, chicken sausage, mozzarella, arugula, tomato and mozzarella. Topped off with a great salad!
2. I woke up super early this morning and got to watch an entire movie from beginning to end (without falling asleep!) which was a huge treat. I forgot how much I enjoy movie time.
3. A great homemade pizza: garlic and herb crust with pesto, chicken sausage, mozzarella, arugula, tomato and mozzarella. Topped off with a great salad!
6.2.12
2. Zoo Brew followed by a fun dinner at Sushi Terri.
3. I am appreciative for the new colored pants trend. Although I fear that in 5 years I will look back on these photos and say...what was I thinking?! Next color to purchase: ORANGE!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
6.1.12
1. I cannot believe it's JUNE!!! Where has the time go?!? I'm so appreciative for the start of summer and a wonderful chance to relax, play, soak up the sun, and reconnect with lots of family and friends.
2. A 20-minute nap on the couch. This NEVER NEVER NEVER happens, so this was a big treat!
3. Since I enjoyed my 20-minute nap so much, I followed it up with another hour of snoozing on the couch while B watched reruns of 24 and as if that weren't enough, I decided to top it off with 10 hours of blissful sleep. Tired much?
2. A 20-minute nap on the couch. This NEVER NEVER NEVER happens, so this was a big treat!
3. Since I enjoyed my 20-minute nap so much, I followed it up with another hour of snoozing on the couch while B watched reruns of 24 and as if that weren't enough, I decided to top it off with 10 hours of blissful sleep. Tired much?
5.31.12
1. A quiet day spent reflecting, thinking, and appreciating.
2. In anticipation of our late evening working in the clinic, I made this recipe in advance so that we would have a tasty dinner to come home to, and after a long and draining day, it was tasty indeed!
3. The opportunity to make good quality meals, live in a beautiful home, and sleep in a bed that engulfs all the woes of the day and leaves me with pure comfort and happiness.
2. In anticipation of our late evening working in the clinic, I made this recipe in advance so that we would have a tasty dinner to come home to, and after a long and draining day, it was tasty indeed!
3. The opportunity to make good quality meals, live in a beautiful home, and sleep in a bed that engulfs all the woes of the day and leaves me with pure comfort and happiness.
5.30.12
1. I had the opportunity to give a guest lecture today, which was a really fun thing to do. Although, 30 minutes before my presentation, a huge bout of nausea set in. Not sure what's up with my stomach these days, but it's not pretty. So, I'm appreciative for not throwing up all over the podium.
2. Today, I found out that a dear dear dear family friend passed away. After six years of battling aggressive brain cancer, we lost an incredible man, husband, father, and friend. Mike was one of the kindest people I've ever known and I always loved our time with the entire Nakanishi family. My heart goes out to his wife of 40+ years, his four children, and three grandchildren. I'm appreciative for knowing such an inspiring and gentle man for the past 25 years of my life.
Pictured above: A picture of Mike in Hawaii in 2004.
3. A boyfriend who still wants to cuddle and kiss me even though I was sick to my stomach and looked like hell....pure hell.
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