Monday Musings

Sometimes it's important for each of us to remember to take care of ourselves, rather than keep other people happy. Maybe this little quote says it best, especially in regards to the need for freedom.

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.
- Hans Christian Andersen

Happy Monday, all!

Afternoon Thoughts: It's also very important to realize that we all have our own paths. I'm hitting a strange point in my life where the pressure to be in a relationship feels immense and overwhelming, but if something doesn't feel right, I have to respect my gut instinct, no matter how much it doesn't make sense on paper. I realize none of this is making any sense to any of you reading, but rest assured that being asked why/how one is not in a relationship every time one's single, and then hitting a point when one's close friends are getting married and having babies, is bound to wreak havoc on one's mindset and comfort in how her life has been led thus far. Freedom is a key necessity for me, and I guess it's important for me to remind myself that, hopefully with the right guy, it won't feel like any freedom is being taken away, just that there's added excitement to get to hang out with a best friend. Hopefully.

3, 5, 7, 9, 11...

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Okay, so counting odd numbers has nothing to do with anything in post, except that it's March 7 (3/7/11) and today is my mother's birthday. So Happy Birthday to my amazing mom! I'm not sure that she reads this blog with any ergularity, but if so I hope she sees this and knows my love extends allllll the way from New York City, center of the universe! Truly though, Mom, I'll be calling you tonight for a real-time birthday chat-session, but I hope your day is just great. I love you, and Happy Birthday!

Summer's Coming!

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Yes the weather may still be frigid and I may very well have a few more gripes up my sleeve about that fact, but it is undeniable that summer is coming. With that comes a lot of half-nakey time. I am a sun bunny in every sense of the word, I could tan, doze, sleep, read, chat, and doze again in the sun from morning til night. Due to this propensity to be wearing as little as possible during the months of July and August (June in San Diego already rendered itself gloomy, so I never got into that habit), I have to start getting myself into bikini shape now. And so, to the gym I must go. Consistently. Because the embarrassing 2 times I think I went this entire winter, did me no favors. So, here's some physique inspiration to get me to start doing my 30 minutes a day, and happy Friday to all!

Warning: Gripe Post

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Well, it's official. I am 100% over winter. I cannot believe what people tell me - that there is potentially 2 more months of winter weather ahead. Thank god the skies have been blue of late; but that does not change the fact that this morning on my commute in, it was so cold that I could see my breath the whole walk, and I had to put on my gloves. I had to put on my gloves in March! This Southern California girl is becoming disgruntled. Disconcerting how much my optimism can plummet compared to yesterdays post, isn't it? I think the winter blues really are an actual fact, and I have them.

All right, enough belly aching! Just a request, for those of you who are in sunny California: please think of me as you enjoy the sun and warmth that I'm sure is smiling down on you with far more frequency than it is me. That is all. Thank you.

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Bright Sunshine-y Day!

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Oh don't get me wrong, it's still 40 degrees outside, and it's slated to hit 10 degrees tonight, but today the sky is blue and the sun is shining. This weather is definitely putting me in the mood for spring, and with that comes a strong desire to wear all manner of light, springy dresses. Of course, the outside temperatures will not comply with my wishes, and I have a self-imposed ban on shopping until the many dresses I already own have been worn past their prime. Still, just because I can neither wear nor buy spring dresses doesn't keep me from ogling them! Here's a sampling of a few I would love to wear about town.

Lovely Honesty

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Dedicated readers of this blog know that I am a huge fan of a another blog by the name of Heart of Light. I love how honest, thoughtful, and real Rachel is when she writes her posts, and I agree with - and immensely respect - nearly all of the subjects she brings up. Thus, I was very inspired by a post she wrote for another new-to-me blog, A Practical Wedding, about her own experience with her very long-term relationship and her upcoming nuptials. Truly, I am nowhere near ready for marriage, and as-of-yet never have had a relationship such as the one she describes. However, the process she writes of is something I just felt I ought to share, because her sentiment is something that I want to remember and bear in mind, should I ever (and hopefully we all will) meet someone worth that sort of commitment. Check out her post here.

Correction!

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You would not believe the letters to the editor that came in regarding the snaffoo with that eatery on my food crawl-style post about the sausages. They were streaming in by the bucketful! It was all we could do to keep up, muttering our apologies under our breath as were lambasted in letter after letter about blogging integrity and keeping our facts straight.

Just kidding. All I got was an email from my sister informing me I effed up. But I do feel badly about it, as I really like the Rogue Ales Public House at which we actually dined. That's right. The chili cheese dog, delicious beer and terrific bartender/waiter I enjoyed (I enjoyed his waiter-ing service and beer recommendations....pervs) that first eatery in San Francisco was indeed Rogue Ales Public House, located at 673 Union St., between Columbus Ave & Stockton St. I highly recommend you check it out if you're ever in the neighborhood - it'd be a grand spot for St. Patrick's Day as well, if you're planning ahead a bit. On a prior journey to SF, my sister, our cousin and I all very much enjoyed the celebration of our Irish heritage (oh yes, Irish and Sicilian. Sufficiently impressed at the amount of catholic dancing around in this gene pool?)  at this very brewery. This would sound much more impressive if I'd remembered the name of it the second time I ate there, I agree. But really, Rogue Ales Public House has a wonderfully relaxed vibe, and makes for a great afternoon as well as a night out. Go check it out, you won't be disappointed!