Destination: SANITY!

So, its finally happening. And I guess it won't seem real until my bags are packed and I board that plane.. But its really happening. I'm going to Bali. Seriously, just typing the words gives me a little flutter and tingle all over.

In yoga class they always say this one little phrase, and I can't wait to make it my daily purpose for a whole month:

"There's no where else you need to be, and nothing else to do... Just breathe and be in the moment."

Seriously, August 24th..



.... Any joiners??

When I Grow Up...

So, today was the worst day ever. Really..EVER! I was praying for a tsunami, earthquake, or maybe, say a smaller-scale-lower-death-toll-scenario, a power outage to strike my work, so I could retain any sort of sanity I had left. But no such luck. So when I hit that "Clock Out" button and flew out to Gidget (the automobile) I couldn't believe I had actually survived. Starving, stinky, and a teeny bit snippy, I was in no mood for friends. So I declined on the invites to "hang" and posted up on the couch for a date with myself. First order of business being, So You Think You Can Dance.

I'm sure you have watched, or heard me ramble on about the show. But seriously, to say its amazing... well, that wouldn't even scratch the surface to its greatness. Let's be honest here, I'm a TV nut. I record like one million shows, but the only shows that have been saved permanently on my DVR are episodes of this little jewel. (Okay, okay.. and "Out of Sight" starring my one and only George Clooney... Seriously.. IN. LOVE.) But every once in a good while, I watch those old episodes, and I get chills every stinkin' time. The audition episodes are never my fave. Too many crazy people trying to get their 15 minutes.. But wow, when I plopped down on my couch and pressed play tonight, I had no idea what I would see.

I attached the clip because I think this is something worth seeing. I watched this and bawled like a baby. And then I watched it again. And again. And again.. I think you catch my drift here. For a black soul like mine, I couldn't believe how much this little number did a number on me. But then again, who am I kidding. This show has made me cry before. Dancing is one thing near and dear to my heart. It has the ability to send a powerful message and cause such strong feelings and emotion, all without saying a single word. And this guy, well, he was no exception. After watching him dance, I felt awesome, and happy.. and completely forgot about my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Maybe it won't have the same effect on you, but I still think he's cool.. so just watch it.. Geeeez. Haha, I kid. ;)

Enjoy my friends.. and don't stop dancing.



I so wanna be him when I grow up... Here's hoping! :)

Ouch!

So, it happened again. A perfect face turned me into a giddy teenager. It seems to always happen on Sundays at work. Sundays being the day I have to be there at 9 am after working all night on Saturday. Sundays usually being the days I need a shower like you wouldn't believe. And putting on make-up doesn't seem as important as snoozing for an extra 10 minutes.. Yep. Why would it happen when I look like a real person, much less like an actual girl?? But this Sunday was an exception.. I actually showered and was feeling a bit better about myself. Go me!

So, here's what happened.. I was serving this table of girls, who were hilarious.. and thirsty. They were sucking down Mimosas faster than I could pour them. So they were constantly watching my every move to see when their next refill was coming. And when Mr. Perfect in his flannel shirt walked in, the girls were the first to see my reaction. The smile on my face, the twinkle in my eye.. okay okay, so they saw me discreetly fanning myself with the menu.. but whatevs. They would've done the same thing if they didn't have a glass in their hands the entire time.

So, luckily Mr. Flannel sat in my station, so I could find whatever excuse to go over and talk to him and his friends. He was kinda shy but very polite. Always asked nicely and said his thank you's.. I was in love. All it takes is a perfect face and a 'please and thank you' to win me over. So, when I walked back over to the ladies they wasted no time in teasing me. But then they mentioned that they thought I was super fun and we should all hang out sometime, so we exchanged numbers. Yay, I love new friends! I went back to actually working for a bit, and when the girls were leaving, I went to give them hugs. One of the girls named Hannah, gave me a big hug and said, "Oh, I gave that guy your number and told him that he really, really needed to call this girl cause she was amazing. But I didn't tell him it was you.. Bye! Have fun!"

I was shocked! Actually shocked doesn't even begin to explain.. I was a big ball of nerves.. So stoked that she would do that, but soooo nervous if he would call or not. And what would he say?! I felt like she was my Fairy Godmother.. Yep. And then I remembered that I had to go back and finish serving him and his friends. And pretend that everything was normal. And pretend that I had no idea what him and his friends were talking about.. when really, they were talking about me. It was insane.

So, long story short, he called. AGHHHH! (I couldn't answer while I was at work.) And then he texted. So, we were texting back and forth.. trying to figure out who I was, and I just wanted to know my future hubby's first name.. (Phillip, which was a total shock BTW.. he looked nothing like a Phillip... Flannel Phil, hahahahaha... I heart nicknames. ) And then he mentioned something about my plans that day.. and I said that I didn't have any cause I was at work, and then (moment of truth) I told him "I think I was your server..".. I was so nervous to tell him, but figured it was about time, and couldn't sit still waiting for his reaction.. And what happened next??

Crickets... Or, in other words, nothing. I was rejected by Flannel Phil! Happy Sunday to me... Ouch.

I have to laugh at the whole situation, or else I may just break down like a crazy person. I mean, What was I really expecting??

I later told my Mom the story and her reasoning was that he got in some crazy accident, his phone was destroyed, and he lost my number.. Yeah, let's go with that. That seems like a MUCH better ending.

Get Well Soon, Flannel Phil..

The Captain & the Dreamboat

So, I've been doing some major cleaning in my life lately. Not so much physical, as it is mental.. Although I did do a recent purge session in my closet thanks to a brilliant idea from my little wifey.. A give-it-away party. It stemmed from the whole idea of "one man's trash, is another man's treasure" and it was amazing. I had the urge to go have a shopping spree at Forever 21, and instead I have a whole new wardrobe for the price of zero dollars, and some extra space in my closet. And got to see my amazing ladies to boot! Win Win! :)

But as for the mental cleansing.. Ever since Mr. Dreamboat came in and smiled at me, I feel like I've had this major awakening. And I am plain and simple, bored with my "friend". Just even saying the word friend makes me fall into a deep sleep. I have renamed him to Captain Boring. Ha ha, Is that mean? Its just that I want someone that makes me giddy. That makes me speechless. And turns me into a total complete sappy nerd. I'm ready to look at someone and say "Yep, we are M.F.E.O." (Made For Each Other-- Sleepless in Seattle, anyone? Haha, Deed, I just got a mental image of "Harses! Harses! Harses!".. I think of you every time I see that part.) But at the same time, I don't know if I'm just going through a phase.. so I gave myself one final test.

The Captain invited me to a Lakers game last night, and so I said, perfect opportunity! Somewhere public, with a kiss cam (I love me some kissing!), sports-related so fun for him, celebrity-spotting-potential so fun for me, and its something different.. Okay! Things are looking good. But then again, this is me and remembering my luck here... clearly, the only thing that looked good at the game was the cute guy sitting in the row in front of me. Long story short, the Captain failed to mention my seat for the game was literally on the opposite side of the Staples Center from where his was. My seat was with my friend Tyler and his adorable girlfriend, Katie, who by-the-way are in the Giddy Stage of their relationship and can't keep their hands off each other. I'm surprised they didn't end up on the Kiss Cam. The Captain was sitting with his three buddies and called me during halftime to say that they were gonna stay on their side (we were supposed to meet up) of the arena and "Would I be okay?" My answer was, "You have no idea how okay I will be."

Thank you fate, my gut, or whoever else was sending me my answer that night. I heard you loud and oh-so-clear. Don't get me wrong, I had a blast at the game. I danced, I cheered, I spotted those celebrities. I took my lemons, and made one killer lemon meringue pie. But thanks in no part to the Captain. And after we got back to his house, and everyone left, it was just the two of us, sitting there... bored.

Thank you to Mr. Dreamboat for opening my eyes to such possibilities. I haven't seen you again, and I don't know if I ever will.. But if I do, I owe you a lemon meringue pie. Okay, okay.. and maybe a kiss. :)

Remember...

Remember how I've been in a "non-relationship" for almost 3 years. Remember how hearing him say words such as "us" and "we" when talking about futures makes my eye twitch. Remember how being near him, cuddling with him and playing our "radio game" are some of my most favorite times. Remember how I can't smell sunscreen without thinking about him.

Remember how a cute boy came into my work and smiled at me, and I lost all brain function. Remember how I wouldn't give him my number because I am in a "non-relationship." Remember how after he left, I couldn't stop thinking about his smile.. those eyes. Remember how I was a crazy person and looked all over Newport for him, and then when that didn't work went home and searched Facebook. Remember how I am terrified of the internet because of people just like me.

Remember how I need to seek professional help.

Again.

Out of Touch

So, I just wanted to send a little note saying I miss you. I have been without internet for a while now. I had been secretly stealing it from my brother. Well, in my mind it wasn't stealing. Just sort of the payment I get out of dealing with his grumpy butt all the time. But long story short, that is kaput.

So, in the few seconds I have to type while at work, I just want to say I miss you, Blog World. I miss sharing my insane stories... I miss seeing my friends cute kiddies.. and I miss the strangers blogs that I used to stalk regularly. I hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Love!

Budder's Big Bash!!

I'm one!

So, this has been a pretty big week for our Little Man. He not only had his first birthday, but a couple days later took his first steps. The party was "Dr. Seuss" themed and even had a special appearance from the cat himself! Thanks to Grandpa Rick (Shanda's Dad), he was quite the entertainer! We couldn't be more stoked for this big ball of joy.. and I mean, big. He's quite the little tanker. Hope you enjoy as much as we did!

Nathan's always there to greet you with a High 5!

His favorite kid to play with, his Daddy!

Play time with cousins...

More fun with cousins.. Look how big Natalie's kids are!

Erik has skills! And a mohawk!

Cat in the Hat! On a unicycle!

Daddy, Mommy & Grandpa Rick

His Dr. Seuss-inspired cake.. super fun!

He wasn't so sure about all the frosting.. he's more of a cake kinda guy...

Budders is quite the little funny guy.. always making everyone laugh!

I wonder who taught him how to do that?? ;)

Trying to capture those first steps... wait for it.. wait for it!

Grandpa is a great coach!

Nana is quite the cheerleader! Let's go Nae!!

No way! My brother is smiling! Success! Haha.. I love this picture!

Family

And last but not least, the birthday boy's favorite guy! He just loves his Daddy!

And we just can't get enough of him! Happy Birthday, to our big boy!