2012 Is My Sweet Ride!

Today is one of those 'off' days for me. Lately my life has just been all over the place with so much opportunity and blessings crammed into such a short time. Then I have a day where I'm broke, and nothing eventful seems to be going on. Most of the time these days drive me mad; this falls into the most category... I never seem where to start or what I really should be doing after tidying things up.

Most of the day involved cooking, baking mini fruit pies and scones, and cuddling on the couch. It was a good day for these things since LA is having one of those rare occasional gloomy rainy weekends. The best part of these days are the talks with Eugene about the way things are going. This is when we made a fascinating discovery, we were utterly content.

Yes, this year has been so climatic in its failures and triumphs that I can honestly say that we have lived every bit of this year up until now. We have made our way without money, tasks, etc.; we pushed 2012 to the limit. As we come closer to the end of it dotting the I's and crossing the T's, we've had one hell of a ride. This month alone has turned out absolutely nothing like I would have expected. I've traded a quiet month of NaNoWriMo for so much more.

This my friends is an ugly day; the gem of being human in blog land. I haven't showered yet, I'm coughing, and I'm covered in grease and flour in a sweatshirt. There's a sense of comfort tell you this because I'm living and these days make the awesome days so much more. I've learned that blogging is a modern take on Carpe Diem where you learn to love the little things that fill your 24 hr days as you grow and shape into the person you were made to be. Today is just as much of a day as any other, and it's beautiful that way.

I have 5 remaining blessings for the month. Today while web browsing I came across blog posts intended to stop people from committing suicide through encouraging words. I was contemplating creating one sometime. In the meantime it got me to think of how the last post for the month should end. This has change my last 5 blessings, to things that I feel should matter and be simple truths in everyone's lives.

I've been saving them up, and with good long thought; here they are to share with you:

Trouble: Eugene and I concluded that we love to get into trouble. We've lived such a fulfilling life by never playing it safe. This very principle in life I'm grateful for. Its bliss that I have a partner. The Unseen: Not knowing what the future brings makes me feel like a bad ass! I mean think about it; living is staring life in the face and challenging it to bring what may. Being Human: I have ugly days, I fail, I am not perfect. But you know what? I'm still here, and I adapt and learn from my errors. Change:  Nothing beats looking back at a nostalgic beautiful past than a future. Growing up isn't a period of life, it's a never-ending fact of life.

Thank you for being a part of my journey. Another month of sheer astonishment at how much this blog has grown in such a short amount of time.

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Grant Writing and Sushi

Today marks a big day for Eugene and me. As of early this afternoon we completed our first grant for our theatre non-profit. I didn't want the chance of documenting this day slip past me, so here I am sharing it with all the lovely people of blog land. I wish I could say that I had much to do with this grant, but really it was mostly Eugene's hard work and late night hours. I was busy doing my end of business and work that he was left to fend with this by himself.  It's a miracle that we finished a bit earlier than the deadline, and it just gave us enough time to find a few more to apply to from now into the beginning of the upcoming year.

We are super proud of our loving theatre non-profit that has run so far strictly by donations and volunteers alone. Each year that this company grows I'm just blown away at the amazing incredible things that we've done. On top of Directing/ Producing/ Sponsoring/ Guest Speaking/ ____ (fill in blank), we had to become grant writers ourselves. Something that I will be involved more with the next one.

In the past three years we have gone through four grant writers; all of which had left us for good or bad reasons (That story alone would make quite the short comical play). A thrown table and Producer's frown later, we decided we wanted to take the challenge ourselves. Let me tell you, grant writing is another type of animal that any other writing task. I will say however, representing a cause you truly feel passionate about and putting it to the test is an experience second to none.

To celebrate we went out for a quiet day at our favorite sushi bar. Then we brought home a bottle of bubbly and finished it off with a double chocolate scone. My romance runs dangerously close to business, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Being here compared to yesterday, has a lifting sensation to it. Thank you for sharing it with us!

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Well Lit Black Friday: Patriot Candle Haul

Despite the good sales this year for Black Friday; I ended up doing my tradition of stocking up on candles at my local Walgreen's. In keeping up with my Crossing Fingers Challenge, I make it a point this shopping season to:

• Not buy anything unless it's at least 50% off.
• Never spend more that $50 per day.

With all the pretty shiny deals bombarding my email and blaring on billboards; its easy to get jaded and feel like you need everything. Keeping these rules have been working particularly on behalf of my budget and seeing that it's not necessary to horde. One deal I refuse to miss however is the yearly Black Friday Patriot Candles sale! The sale is for jar candles that go for buy one get two free. Walking out of there with a handful of six candles was liberating.

I wanted to share this haul with everyone because these candles last for a long time and are a great value. I love the variety of scents especially in the layered candles. The blends make for fresh interesting scents. The sale makes them even more desirable, as they become more than 60% off!

Here are my choices:

  

Smoothie Blends (Wild Berry, Blueberry Burst, & Strawberry Swirl): I love this scent because it smells like a fresh berry blended smoothie from Jamba Juice. Most berry scents are super sweet and sickeningly ripe. This candle keeps a fresh berry scent to the very end. I burn it when I want a fresh and sweet scent at the same time.

Tranquil Retreat (Garden Rain, Days End, & Indigo Nights): It starts with a sharp earthy smell and blends out into more mellow scents. This candle overall has a rich incense smell to it which it nice as a neutral background scent. I love burning this in the morning, it has an energizing crisp hit to it.

Vanilla Celebration (French Vanilla, Vanilla Cookie, & Vanilla Caramel): When I picked this candle up I literally felt like I was smelling a slice of white cake. The vanilla smell is balanced out with a baked good smell to it. Not a sugary vanilla either, more like the smell of a vanilla scone or angel food cake. The smell is very light when burned and gives a cozy warm feeling to a room.

Midnight Garden (Seashore, Midnight Jasmine, & Indigo Nights): By far my FAVORITE Patriot Candle! It has similar notes to Yankee Candle's Midsummer's Night scent but with warm floral notes. I guess the best way to describe it is that it's the girly version of the Yankee Candle Scent. Think China Rain with Sweet Jasmine, Woods, and Cashmere. It's my go to candle when I want to curl up with journal or a good book in bed.

Fruit Fantasy (Lime Verbena, Flowering Pear, & Honeydew Melon): I got this candle for the first time this haul. What drew me to it was the balance of floral and fruit notes. Your first hit with the light lime and later the under of sweet flowers similar to Sweet Pea. This is the sweetest smelling candle out of the six I have, but it works with the fruit notes being very mellow.

Sea Grass: It has that soft smell from most Ocean scented candles except a sweet note and hints of what I think are Aloe and Lilac. I think it's a nice fresh scent that can be an alternative to the Linen Scent.

When I got home I found out that my mom had gotten a few herself; our family is pretty fairly equipped! I love having a variety of candles on hand so I'm ready for however my mood changes. This was definitely a wonderful way to spend my Black Friday and ease into the Holidays.

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Thanksgiving!: OOTD and Blessings

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving! So far this Holiday has been a wonderful time to spend with family and catch up with each other. I just finished a quiet Lunch/Dinner with my family.  This Thanksgiving has been slightly different for me as this is the first in a long time that I haven't had to worry about finals. The college I attended gave us a two day break, but plenty of homework to take home. It was liberating to wake up and enjoy the day and savor every moment of it.  

This year I dressed up nice by sheer fluke. I got this top at the outlets on my Mini Holiday, and it just seemed to fit in perfectly with the fall colors.

 Butterfly Headpiece: Michaels, Necklace: Gift from Mom, Watercolor Top: Lane Bryant Outlet, Slacks: Lane Bryant, Wedges: Dr. Scholls 

 I also found the butterfly yesterday browsing for a new ball of yarn. I love the large headpiece look on my growing out bob. I'll be sure to do similar looks in that style.

Eugene also surprised me coming over in his Linen Suit. I love that suit on him, it just seems to be formal enough; but a touch casual enough for his hair. I couldn't resist taking pictures of his OOTD. Doesn't he look handsome?

Our family usually digs into the dinner first; then we get the occasional visit from relatives and friends through the day. Today felt special in the sense that it was magical. I felt like today marked a point in my life where I could actually look back and say that I had conquered over my hardships from the past. I stand a little taller because of today.

I've been saving up my 25 days of blessings and I've rolled them into a 25 summarized list. Here they are in no particular order:

Hope: With hope there is a future. I never want to lose sight this simple powerful truth. Love: With love we are all able to grow and move forward in this life we have. With love we are all humbled and graced. Family: Though parts of us are broken, we have a strength that comes from our unity.I miss them when they are gone, as they miss me. Graduate: I haven't felt like this for 5 years! I can celebrate Thanksgiving without the worry of finals. I also have a tool that will help me in my future.I can finally say it; I carry my Bachelors.Talent:Where would I find the drive to continue without it? I'm blessed with creative talent. I know that this is a gift and should not be used to harm or offend. 

Home: I have a beautiful home with a beautiful Study and a Sublime Bedroom. Not many have that. When I wake up in my bed every morning, or read a book on my couch, I know that I have something that I should never take for granted. Books: To relax, to learn, to retreat; all in one books are a beautiful thing that I am so grateful is apart of my life.Meditation: A solace when I can discover things I've buried in my sub conscience. I feel more like a person again and I never want to look back. Despereaux: Two years ago my dreams of owning a Schnauzer puppy came part true with a little mut. Since then the other parts of him have given me a peace and companionship that only his little Chizer self could fill. Eugene: Best friend, trouble, and partner. I love him more than can be contained in words. Ad we come up on a decade of our relationship I dwell in the joy that I grew up with this boy thats now a gentleman.

Tea: A brew that can grow with my ever changing pallete, reflect my mood, and bring back memories. There's a tea for everything, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Inspiration: That looming child you never chase but always wait to return. The relationship with an artist and their inspiration is something that is best experienced rather than explained. Blog: My life has changed because of writing a bit about my life daily. I get to keep it like a scrapbook when I'm feeling blue, and a way to share my interest with the wonderful people of the world. Writing: Writing has given me a passport to something beyond me. I am so blessed to say that I'm a writer, much like one is proud of being a mother to a child. Opportunity: I can't seem to get my fill with opportunity this year. With all the friends, business proposals, and jobs, I am truly blessed.

Transportation: Be it my Scion or Eugene's Yaris, I love my fill of daily travel. This is a daily thing I don't want to ever be without. Adventure: Big or small, I love my fill of exploration and the stories that come with it. Azure Lorica: I have grown up with my non-profit. I love that I have a haven where I can truly apply everything that I love doing into one production. I've also made some incredible friends this past year because of my company. The brainchild of Eugene and I, I couldn't be more proud of 'bringing Theatre back to Family'. Friendship: To the ones I've lost and the ones I've gained. They are what helps me shape and color this beautiful life. I'm so grateful for the color friends that I have that chase their dreams and never let go. Abundance: I have been given more than a humble life. When things come from God, they seem to be poured out over me. I will never take this for granted.

Faith: My faith in God has kept me alive and thriving. I feel safe knowing that there is someone out there bigger than me and the problems I have. Revive: Like a phoenix I have the blessing to be able to restart and try again. I love that my life comes in chapters and that there is always a place for reinvention ones self. Discovery: Learning new things about the world we live in is a blessing. This is what nurtures my growth and makes me aware. Lately the greatest discovery has been myself. I am coming to terms with who I am. Health: I'm blessed to be healthy and at an age where I can learn how to care for myself. This truth is powerful. Pilgrimage: What would a life be without a journey? I'm blessed with the pilgramage that I currently face in my life. I carry in my heart the ones of the past and I look forward to the many more to come.

 Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

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Mini Holiday: Avila Bay

Last week I finally had the opportunity to go away on a mini holiday. I did it on the weekdays before  Veterans Day so to avoid the crowds. These little mini holidays are something I look forward to year round with my family; sometimes we have them up to 4 times a year, others we'll skip on it. This was the second one for this year.

I was particularly excited with this holiday since we were going to one my favorite places in the world; Avila Bay. It's a quiet little city with a beautiful view of the California Coast and plenty of wildlife. I hadn't been back for almost a decade. The first time I had gone was the week when I started dating Eugene, and we both had to go our separate ways that weekend and I was lovesick the whole time of my visit. This time I was able to show him the sights I saw and what made me miss him even more. I considered this trip a pilgrimage in my life and a beautiful way to see how my life has grown.

 

 The way that these holidays work is that my parents book a week with their time share and they head out ahead of us. Eugene and I usually enjoy the couple of days catching up on the work and the peace and quiet that the house has to offer with just the two of us. I like to use these as writing retreats and just order take in or live off of tv dinners. About midway through the holiday, Eugene and I will drive up and spend an evening overnight at the resort. In the morning we'll go out on a family outing and enjoy the sightseeing and local attractions. By the time the evening rolls around we'll pack our stuff and head for home. We usually get another few days before my parents come back. So far this process has been working for us, giving everyone the space they need to refresh themselves. We left afternoon and spent 3 1/2 hours on the road and made it by nightfall; the place was enchanting even then...

 

In the morning I got up extra early since the excitement was getting the best of me. I love the coast! I love the power that the sound of water has over me; I'm both energized and calm at the same time. Enjoying the morning I got up early, grabbed a cup of tea, and read my meditation book greeting the sun slowly creeping to life on the resort balcony. 

The chapter was about organizing ones life and understanding the schedule that you make for yourself. This really hit home for me as there has been so much on my plate. The solitude helped me to get a few things sorted on my end. I was greatly appreciated. I wish that I could do it more often; I've even considered making visits to the coast a bi weekly practice of mine. Of course it would be the ones closer to me though...

When I was finished I went and made breakfast for the family.  What's awesome about vacation condos are the fact that they're set up like apartments with a full kitchen. The ones that we stay in even come with dining sets for four and a basic cooking tools like pans and pots. This saves my family a fortune during breaks like these, we usually only eat one meal outside each day. The rest we cook simple things inside. This is some thin cut steak with asparagus, buttered toast, and scrambled eggs. My mom also brought some cheese which I had with apples and crackers for my breakfast with tea; it was absolutely yummy!

Eugene and I finished early and head out to walk on the beach to give my parents the chance to get ready. Besides, we hadn't touched the coast since we arrived! By now the morning was lighting the waves.

Before we left we grabbed some tea from the Community Room. I love the mural on this fireplace. Avila Bay is famous for its Seals and Sea lions. I think I want to make a mural like this in a bathroom someday...

We drove my car into the little village area.  One of the highlights of the trip was driving my car up to the resort and back. I'm in love with my Scion XB! The previous owner was a professional set designer and customizing cars was his hobby. When I got it, it was well equipped with all the trimmings making for an enjoyable ride. Playing new music and long conversations always makes for great quality time in the car. My car, Pantomime (so I lovingly named it), has sort of become my thinking capsule. 

Eugene was blown away with the sight. I was so happy to share it with him! I can safely say that right then was when my Thanksgiving had started, I felt so blessed to be with this man for soon to be a decade of my life. We grew up together and have gone through the impossible and back. I still get the flutters when he looks at me, this I am thankful for.

To make things even more magical someone had the wonderful idea of adding swings and a slide to the beach. I've never seen anything like it, I was super giddy to try. There's something really unique of having a relationship with a man that didn't grow up in your culture, one of which is sharing stories. Since Eugene had arrived to the States when he was 11, no one had really ever taught him how to use a swing. I got to teach him, and what a great view to do so. He succeeded without the help of me pushing. I really enjoyed that time with him and its a memory I now cherish.

When we had our fill of the swings we started to make our way to the water. It was soothing and breathtaking...

 There was a little marsh under the resort's cliff-side. So we went and took a look at all the wildlife for awhile.

Soon enough I got the call from my mom that they were ready to head out. It was just about time for lunch and we had worked up quite the appetite. Washing my flip flops I was ready to head out. My parents had rented a Fiat 500 and I was so curious as to how it drove.

Next stop Arroyo Grande!

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Crossing Fingers: November Update

 Hi everyone,
Hope that everyone's been enjoying their November. As the weather gets cooler it's hard not to contemplate the change that has occurred through the years. The past weeks I've been blogging has been a blessing for me, so if there's one thing that I'm grateful for this year it's that I get to share this bit of my life with all of you. So all that have stumbled across my blog and have stayed, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Well, without further adieu, here are my updates for my Crossing Fingers November challenges:

1.NaNoWriMo:  I'm not in the best of position, but I'm not giving up. Its been a strange experience this time around. I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine that succeeded in NaNoWriMo. We talked about the Ups and Downs in cramming a novel within a month. We both concluded that it truly depends on the novel and the person. I'm beyond grateful that it kicked me in the pants to pick up my novel writing again. However, I've been enjoying filling out the pages with honest quality words. I'll keep writing and doing my best to catch up by simply spending more time with it. The month is still to early in to tell if I'll finish or not; I usually figure it out about five days before the end. I love building my writing community! Please feel free to friend me under the name healingmercy. I'd love to read your novel and give feedback! Nothing better than community support.

2. Meditate Daily: I was inspired to do this challenge because of my first meditation class.So far I've been doing it daily with or without the book. My daily tea breaks in the morning allow me to clear my mind and get my day started the way that I want it to. So much can be learned in each chapter that I take the points that Rosen mentions to heart and apply them to my daily life. So far its creating an efficient schedule and task managing to balance your life to equalize your energy. This has given me more time to breathe and get more physical activity in my day to calm my nerves. So far, this challenge has been a wonderful success!

3. Spend less: My bills are paid for this month! It wasn't as hard of a challenge as I thought it would be. Keeping this challenge in mind I recently went on a mini holiday to the beach where I spent on hardly anything. It felt absolutely amazing! I can't wait to write all about it in a near future post. I've been taking this challenge and eating at home more often as well. It couldn't have come at a better time as I had some unexpected out of town friends visiting and I had enough of a budget to spend the whole day with them as well as pay the bills. It doesn't get better than that, my life feels so much more well rounded now.

I look forward to seeing how the end of the month plays out. *Crossing Fingers*

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