Feeling good.

Little Rock was a complete success, one of the best weekends I've had in a long time.  Not only was it amazing to see everyone that I haven't seen in so long and just relax and really see them but to be able to spend some quality time with Rex was really, really great.

This last summer and beginning of autumn we definitely have become good friends again, thank goodness.  I think I got to the point after my last trip to AR where it was an incredibly difficult, emotional time in both of our lives that if I didn't start to change my thoughts about him and about where I was and what I was doing that I would lose my best friend.  And there was no way that I could do that.  

So this last weekend was unreal, plain and simple.  We were totally ourselves again, having the best time.  I was able to be there for him how no one else seems to be able to be right now in his life.  He needed someone who he trusted completely to actually listen to him and ask questions instead of point fingers and judge.  And he knew that person was me.  It was really great to be able to be there for him.  Maybe he doesn't know this but he was there for me too.  I wasn't going through near was he was/is but in my own way I needed a serious break from my reality, even if just for a weekend.  I needed THAT reality, the reality of him and Little Rock and my friends there, without anything dealing with LA or my job or my new life.  And please don't get me wrong, I love LA and my job and my new life to bits and pieces, but I just needed a little escape.

Escaping from reality, or a certain reality, I think, is completely okay.  We all have things that we'd like to hide from now and again.  The way we choose to do that, though, can be very different.  Some turn to friends and family, some throw themselves into work, some turn to drugs, some to exercise.  And escaping that reality I don't think should be viewed as a weakness or as a negative thing.  Sometimes we just need a break.  A real break.  Even if it is just for an afternoon, or a weekend, or maybe even a summer.  Getting away from it all can revitalize you and give you that recharge that you need to get back into it and realize why you're there doing what you do that you tried to escape from originally.  

Ha, I know I'm probably not making any sense.  But I guess what I've been learning is that these mini-vacations from whatever reality you're facing are incredibly beneficial and you shouldn't be afraid to take them if you need them.  Go ahead, live a little, do what you feel you need to do, and in the end you'll be much happier for it.

Ps:  HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!

Time to travel.

I'm off again! I'm heading south to Little Rock for a little weekend rendevous with some great friends. It is coming at a much needed time, don't get me wrong, LA and my job are going incredibly well and I love them but I need a little breather. Literally, the smog here is killing me haha.

While I'm in Little Rock I am also heading up to Wichita, KS for a wedding of a dear friend of mine. We have known each other since the 5th grade, gotta love that. My friend Ali and I are making the 6.5 hour journey from LR to Wichita for the wedding and then night-driving it all of the way back. I can't waste any time sleeping when there are people to see, that'd be crazy!

I hope all is well wherever you are, and know you're missed every day. I'll shoot an update as soon as I can!
xo

Many the miles...

I had my iTunes on shuffle this morning as I was stretching after my run/getting ready and the song that inspired my whole blog came on...Many the Miles by Sara Bareilles.  This song is so true to me, it just makes life seem like the biggest adventure that I've barely even started on.  It's completely perfect for where I'm at.  If you haven't checked it out, you should. 

Have a wonderful day my lovelies :)

It's autumn...and I'm busy.

Well I officially moved into my new apartment yesterday and spent my first night there.  It's so cute!  Yes, it is full to the ceilings with all of my stuff but it will look wonderful when it is finished and I cannot wait for it.  My kitties are adjusted, it took a little for Riley (the boy) because he's a sissy and his sister Nova went right for it.  It was fun to watch them check out the new scene.

The Job is keeping me busy as usual, they are traveling a lot these next few months which usually means not so crazy but with Christmas coming that means double the work.  And to add on top of that my co-worker is leaving us starting at the end of November and instead of hiring another assistant I am going to be taking on her responsibilities for the other half of my Job.  Soooo....that means a lot of work for me.  I'm so excited for it!  It's going to be completely nuts but I cannot even explain to you how pumped I am.  I'll keep you updated on how that progresses. 

With so many weddings and trips for myself this season I kind of feel like I'm being pulled into many directions, in a good way though.  Getting to go home two weekends ago, heading up to Ojai this last week/weekend and now leaving for Little Rock in two weeks is super exciting.  I may even throw in another trip home if I can swing it, hopefully for Thanksgiving if the prices drop on flights.  So fricken expensive!  I did find out though that I get a full 2.5 weeks off for Christmas, December 19 - January 4.  Yes!  I'll get to go to Minneapolis and Chicago hopefully in that time too to see good friends, cannot wait.

I hope you're all doing fabulously well, and know that I miss you and think of you daily.  Let me know how you're doing eh?  Can't wait to hear from you, lots of love, xoxo

Summer's over..oh wait it's LA, it's always summer :)

It's been over a month since I've last posted, sorry about that. This last month has been nuts! With the first round of friends visiting, then work getting crazy, then one of my bestest friends EVER visiting and now moving apartments...I've had my work cut out for me.

Having Meredith here was amazing. It was just like having my roomie back :). Plus I got a great new friend out of her, gotta love that! It was fun introducing, or re-introducing, her to the city. The last time she was here was when she was in high school..that doesn't count. She saw a much different LA than before. I hope she liked it!!

I am finally making a smart financial decision, haha, it could be the first time. Just kidding. Maybe. I am moving out of my ridiculously expensive apartment into an amazing, rather large studio (I think it actually is bigger than my one bedroom apt). For those Sex in the City fans, I have a "Carrie closet". HUGE, and wide open. Gotta love it! My new landlord is so nice and he's letting me slowly move in throughout the next two weeks and I don't even have to start paying rent until the 1st of October, yay! Now all I have to do is find someone to rent the apartment I'm currently in...keep your fingers crossed for that one.

So all in all life is going pretty well. I'm heading home to Madison this weekend for a wedding of a dear, dear friend of mine. We were roommates in Italy, aka we are going to have one big Italy reunion, the roomies are back in action! Cannot wait! And of course I can't wait to see my gorgeously handsome nephew, just can't get over him ;).

I hope life is moving as 'peacefully' and wonderfully for you as I am finding it to be. May your days be filled with utter joy and happiness, miss you all, xoxo

ps: I promise it won't be so long before the next one, I'll have more to report!

Back.

Well it hasn't stopped since I left last June.  The whirlwind tour of the US and back again to LA.  Literally within the hour of being back in LA my friend Ethan flew into LAX to stay for the week.  We had a blast!  I took him around the city, ran my errands for work, hung out at the beach, hit the farmers market.  It was great!  Then overlapping by a day I had 3 more friends come into visit, yeah...that was a lot of people in my little one bedroom apartment!

This last saturday we went to the Hollywood Cemetery where they show old movies up on this big screen outside in the park.  There were TONS of people there, at least over 1000.  Everyone had blankets and picnics and wine.  It was great.  They showed 16 Candles, great movie eh?  After the movie I drove them to my friend's apartment that I watched the Celtics/Lakers games at in Hollywood.  They got to meet my great group of friends here, they really got along, which was awesome.  We all went out to Happy Endings, a great little bar just down the street.  Good dancing, great drinks and wonderful company equals a fantastic night out in LA.  After the bar we went back to the apt. to listen to Cody and Nick play guitar and serenade us all with their ridiculously hilarious songs they write.  So great!

As much as hosting is fun, it is tiring too.  I feel like I literally haven't stopped moving since June 26.  Even though the Vineyard is so relaxing and peaceful, living out of a suitcase always adds a little extra stress and energy to any situation.  It feels great to be back though.  I've missed this city, and I am so excited to keep getting to know it.  For this week, though, I'll continue my hosting to my lovely Little Rock friends :) 

peace

The Vineyard life.

So relaxed.  This place, I swear, makes me sleep harder and better than anywhere I've ever slept before.  The Job took off and I'm house/dogsitting for the next week.  It has been great being here, although it can get a little lonely at times, it's been a nice change.  A good time to think.

Sonja and Owen are coming out here tomorrow!  A friend of mine here lent us quite the load of baby toys/equipment, so nice!  Owen's three favorite things right now are: water, sand and trucks.  Well we have a beach so that takes care of two of those things.  And I guess we'll have to find him a play truck out here somewhere :).

I hope you all are doing great.  I will update again once I'm back in LA after going home next week for my bday.  I'll actually be able to be in LA for more than a week this time, maybe even 3!  Miss you, xoxo