My Cup Runneth Over ...

Every so often I have these days where I am just extremely grateful for the people I have in my life. Although I live miles away from some of my favorite people, I still think about them all the time. I try hard to keep up on how they are doing by reading their blogs, myspace, etc., and I hope they know that the ways in which they have touched my heart have not been forgotten.

I feel that we all too often get caught up in our daily lives and we fail to tell others just how much they mean to us. It's not intentional, it just happens. As sappy as this blog may be, I want to give a shout out to some people who mean a lot to me. Call it what it is, I call it being real.

Seif-You are my best friend. You have taught me so much. You have been there for me through good and bad, you have supported me through my hard times, and you have helped me to grow in so many ways. Every day I find myself loving you more when I never thought that was possible. Thank you for encouraging me to get back in to school and thank you for believing in me. It means more than you know. I love you.

Maja-I miss you! You are like a sister to me, a kindered spirit. We are so alike in so many ways and yet, so different. I can always count on you for a good vacation and as the one friend who will tell me the truth, even if it hurts me. That's so hard to find and so valuable in friendship. I so miss Millcreek and hanging out at Barnes and Noble. Heck, I miss you! I hope to see you soon. It's been too long! Loves.

Mardele-Miss Mardele. Life is just not the same without you here. I miss our Mexican dinners and random road trips. You and your family have been my family away from family and I love you all dearly. You have supported me no matter what and have stood by my side through thick and thin. I will always be here for you and I hope you never forget that. Please come and visit me soon sister! There are many a sand crabs to be captured!

Beckyloo-My partner in crime! You bring out the wild side in me and I have no idea why. Some of the best times I have ever had have been with you, "boot camp", 5950, "I'll kiss you if you drink this!" I don't care what price we paid, I am glad we became friends. I seriously cannot imagine you not being in my life. I am so glad that we got back in touch after I moved to South Carolina. Regardless of my disappearance, I missed you. I can't wait until you get here! Hollywood here we come! Love you!

Selma-Even though you are now Selma G. you will always be Selma J. to me. I just can't get it out of head! Although .. you are much happier as Selma G. and I would have it no other way. What can I say girl? I love you. You have created so many happy memories for me and not only were you responsible for them (showers, going away parties), you captured them on film and gave them to me! Lord, I watch those DVD's and laugh and laugh. We have gone through so much together, we understand each other and as Maja is the friend I can count on to be honest with me, you are my "lock and key" friend; the one friend I can tell ANYTHING to and know that you will never tell a soul. I wish we talked more, but I have not forgotten you and never will. You and your kids are my family and always will be.

Emily-What do you know? We meet on myspace and become friends. Lucky for us we have mutual friends in common, otherwise both of our shy butts probably would have dogged out. I love how I can vent to you and you never take it personal. I also love that you know you can do the same with me. Something tells me that we are sure to be traveling buddies. I still have not given up on Ireland woman, we are going! It's just a matter of time.

Callie-We have been friends for so long! Who would have thought, right? I have to say, you are one of the strongest people I know. I totally love our MSN group chats/gossip sessions, they rock! I miss you and hope that when me and Emily finally get to Ireland, you come with us. That would be a blast! Just imagine, chocolate faces, marshmallows, and non-alcoholic beer. The Irish folks would love us. Thank you for being you. I'm truly blessed to have you in my life.

Holly-Friends since 5! Not many people can say that. We have so many memories together that I can't even begin to list them all ... among a few that stand out are childhood Halloween birthday/costume parties, Wheeler Farm Easter Egg Hunts, being a couple of bullies, sneaking in to the church to eat salt on snow, running home from school to watch Punky Brewster, Marshall Bravestar, and scaring the crap out of your poor baby sister. No one comes closer to being family that isn't actually family than you. You truly ARE my sister. Friends for life baby! Love you!!!!!!

Last but not least, to my family:

I love and miss you every day. There are often weekends that I would give anything just to come home on a Sunday and have a big family dinner. There are even more days where I would give anything in the world just to throw my arms around you and tell you that I love you. Each and every one of you mean the world to me. I may not say it enough, but I love you with all my heart. I would never want anything more than what I have. I was blessed with the best family I could ever ask for. Thank you for everything. You truly make my life complete.

Always the Designated Driver

I'm always the designated driver ... I don't mind it so much, I love to people watch and there is nothing better than people watching drunks. LOL This weekend we went to a BBQ at our friend, Matt's house. He's a great guy and is traveling to Jordan with Seif this month while making a stop in Egypt. I love people who aren't afraid to get out and see the world. I don't know if it's just me, but history means so much more when you get to see where it took place.

Sorry, got off track. I love to travel and when I start talking, I don't shut up. Anyway, the BBQ was a lot of fun. I always like meeting new people and everyone at Matt's house was really nice. The fun thing about Cali is that when you meet people, you never know where they are from. It's a melting pot of people. Everyone there was from somewhere else in the U.S. and we sat around talking about the cultures in different states. It really is crazy that even when you travel inside the states, the cultures are so different. I lived in the South for a time and I must say, there were many times that I didn't even feel like I was in the U.S., but that's another story for another day.

After the BBQ, we went to a little dive in Pacific Beach and played pool. I am terrible at it, so one game was enough for me, but it really turned out to be a good time. I've attached a few pics. Please don't pay much attention to my TERRIBLE haircut. I hate it and I cried to the point that my hubby in all his sweetness, bought me my favorite, orange flowers. Again, that's another story for another day. Enjoy!


My bad haircut sympathy gift. LOL


The boys.


Me and Seif.


Clearly demonstrates my s#$^% haircut.


Too bad we only got half of Yasmeen ... she is really beautiful and seriously one of the sweetest people you could ever meet.

Ode to the 80's

Okay .. so the fashion was terrible, but oh my, the music! I love music from the 80's and early 90's! It is so upbeat and happy. I don't know what it is, but I think emotion was expressed more in the music of the 80's era than it is now, something about the high pitch maybe? Then there are the mullets. LOL Mullets rock don't they? I think I want to have a girl mullet. Check out the one on this guy. I could pull that off! (so kidding) Does anyone remember this song? One of my all time favorites, I could listen to it over and over again. It brings back so many childhood memories. Wow-I'm old. Seriously, I love the 80's ... the music, the cheesy movies, the memories; everything but neon colors and big hair ... we can leave those there.

Electric Blue, my all time fave!



Wishing Well ... another great one from the 80's.



One more ... Paula Abdul's hauntingly beautiful Rush, Rush. This is from the 90's, but still one of the best old school songs.