2011. Whoa.

January 1, 2012 — 2 Comments

‎”…Before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps – our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures – or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt. Because that’s what New Year’s is all about: getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about ‘what if’ and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight – and it will drop – let’s remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long.”

^I stole that straight from someone’s Facebook status. It fits for what I think is much of the intent of this blog… although I almost always just start typing, and next thing you know, word vomit.

It’s New Years Eve. The end of 2011. Nearly a new year. 2012 is going to be epic. It HAS to be. (This is what I tell myself because you should start each year with hope.)

This was a big year, which is starting to become a recurring theme in my life, and I like it. In addition to the 60,000+ miles flown this year, and time on continents, there was a six month fundraiser and a move across the country. I kept in touch with some of my closest friends, made a few new friends who I don’t know how I’ve lived without before now, and lost a few throughout the year. I guess that’s to be expected, though, when you move across the country. There have been SO many new experiences, and I can confidently say that I have done a LOT of growing this year. I guess you kind of have to when you’re largely “on your own”.

Nearly four months (I can’t believe it!) into my move, I’m about to return to San Diego after two weeks spent in Clarion and Pittsburgh. While I’m ready to be back (to get back to Pilates, have my own car, sleep in my own bed, work on this whole “living in San Diego thing), who would have thought that two weeks spent here would fly SO quickly?!!! Time spent in Clarion definitely took away from time I could see people in Pittsburgh, yet NONE of my time in Pittsburgh was wasted. The only night I didn’t do something was one evening where I surprisingly had no one that I had to hang out with (I had plans but bumped them to the following day).

There are definitely people that I didn’t get to see at all that I wish I had…

There are definitely SEVERAL people who I am thrilled that I got to see, but wish I had seen them more than what I did…

…and there are a couple people that I’m surprised that I saw, or saw as much as I did.

It’s really good to have such amazing friends. I seriously love each and every single person to death, both near and far. I’m one of those rare people who doesn’t believe that the closest friends spend a ton of time together face-to-face. Of course it’s preferable, but I know plenty of people who hold very special places in my heart that I haven’t seen in ages, or certainly don’t get to see on a regular basis.

So, in closing, so that I can focus on this movie, drink more wine, and not bore you to death– this has been one hell of a year. I have some big plans for 2012, and I hope that I can pull them ALL off. I really really do! I spent a lot of time coming home over the past four months, and really do plan to spend more time in San Diego… but even if I didn’t get to see many of my closest friends while home, THE INVITE IS ALWAYS OUT THERE FOR YOU TO COME VISIT ME, and I love you very very much whether you do or don’t, no matter how often I see/hear from people.

Nothing but love for you!

XOXO AP

I know, I know.

December 29, 2011 — 1 Comment

As I type this, there is snow falling on my screen. Although there is FINALLY snow on the ground (not enough to cover the grass) this is much of the only snow I’ve seen in my nearly two weeks home. 

What Whitney Cummings says, above, is true… I’m acknowledging this… and I will blog more… when I’m back in CA. I’m on vacation!!!

Happy New Year to every single one of the eight people who read this! 

xoxo AP

Two things.

December 11, 2011 — 1 Comment

I need to have Sunday FaceTime with my mom and dad in like 2.5 minutes (when the song I’m listening to is over) but have had 1.5 cups of strong coffee, and am one of those people who shouldn’t be allowed to drink coffee, because I’m WIRRRRREEEDDDDDD. As a matter of fact, I have been running around the apartment singing the song that I just wrote. I goes a little something like this (“Thing” #1):

“Make some coffee, do your laundry. Be an adult, call your parents.

(Shake shake shake)

Go to the gym, work your ass off, take a shower, be a clean person.

GO ICE SKATTTTIIINNNNGGGGG.”

No wonder my roommates thing I’m insane. (The good kind of insane. Maybe… I think.)

“Thing” #2:

I’ve decided what my 2012 resolution is going to be. I’m going to do something new each month in 2012. I’m going to start it off with  a 30-day yoga challenge in January. Not that I’ve never done yoga, but I’ve never done a 30-day challenge. I also think I’m going to try paddle boarding, surfing, sea kayaking, and maybe I’ll jump out of a plane. Who knows what other not so crazy things I’ll add to the list, but that’s my 2012 plan. Sounds exciting, right?

WOOOOOOO! (Seriously… I shouldn’t drink coffee.)

Bonus!

Oh, I also think I’m going to go to Hawaii. Yeah, that’s right. Totally not crazy or anything.

Electronic Holiday Cards

December 11, 2011 — 1 Comment

Below is my 2011 card, and reasoning behind emailing vs. mailing my cards this year. I swear there is a good reason behind it, and I think (hope) you’ll like it.

“Everything you can imagine is real.” -Pablo Picasso

Happy holidays and cheers to a year where all of your dreams come true.

xoxo

I am lazy. Last year I was all gung-ho with my holiday cards… I made them in November, had them printed, wrote handwritten notes in each of the 45ish card that I stamped and mailed out. This year, I spent two hours on the above (most of the time was spent picking out the pictures of things/memories from this year), and mailed it to my closest friends and family. The end.

Here is why:

1. Like I said, I’m lazy.
2. I have more email addresses than I do mailing addresses.
3. It is the “green” thing to do.
4. In lieu of the cost of stamps and printing (or buying) holiday cards, I’ve decided to make a donation to The New Children’s Museum in San Diego.

While there are plenty of deserving non-profits and organizations, and a number that I have special ties to in Pittsburgh, I decided to pick a local organization in San Diego (since I live here now). The Children’s Museum in Pittsburgh was always one of my favorite organizations, because it encouraged children to think, play and learn, and it’s such a creative place. Art, music and creative learning has always been extremely important to me, so decided that any small donation was more important than sending paper cards in the mail to everyone that I love. In your honor, I’ve saved trees and done something good. Philanthropy is sexy. Happy holidays!

Why flying occasionally sucks.

December 6, 2011

I actually don’t mind flying… usually. Which is a good thing since I seriously do it SO much. Foursquare has told me twice in the past couple of months, “Congrats! You’ve checked into an airport three consecutive weeks in a row.” Little does Foursquare realize, I’m about to rock their world with I believe 4-5 weeks in a row of travel. I can’t remember how it’ll work, but I think Friday’s trip back from New York City will actually be my fourth consecutive week checking into an airport, and then my trip home to Pennsylvania will be my fifth. Alas, I’ll spend too much time at home (I’m not complaining) that I’ll break my streak. Bummer.

Anywhoooo… back to the point of the story. I like flying. US Airways loves me enough that I have premier flier status, which gets me through security faster, allows me to check two bags for free, and upgrades me to first class if/whenever possible.

Sometimes, unfortunately, it sucks. Like when the first leg of my flight is delayed, and I find myself RUNNING through the airport to catch my connecting flight… or when it’s INSANELY early in the day that I have to travel… or when a little kid is kicking the back of your seat… or when you find yourself (sort of, but only sort of) fearing for your life because the flight is so bumpy. ORRRRR when the girl next to you sucks and is coughing all over you, and likely infecting you with some sort of four-week long plague that a Z-Pack likely won’t cure… Oh, you can also have the girl next to you taking up an unreasonable amount of space.

Luckily, today I have a direct flight from San Diego to JFK, so luckily am not dealing with delayed flights and/or connections… but the rest of that stuff? Yea… that’s all happening. Sometimes I love flying less than I normally do.  Blech.

Study Abroad Experience.

December 4, 2011 — 1 Comment

Okay, so clearly I’m not part of a study abroad experience, but my roommates and friends in San Diego like to poke fun at me and say that I basically am. I can see their point.

Since moving here over Labor Day weekend, I have learned ALL SORTS of things about Asian culture, and have eaten all sorts of delicious Asian cuisine. Now I plan to write about my experiences.

I’ll have to ask Jen(s) and Grace what I’ve eaten so far (Korean, Chinese, Thai, etc… but more specifically) but today I had my first Passion Fruit TapiocaExpress drink with Boba in it. Basically, I guess, it’s big tapioca balls in a passion fruit iced tea, which you get a really big straw to suck up the boba while drinking your tea. It’s surprisingly delicious.

I’m also kind of obsessed with this “spicy chili crisp” that Grace, Jen and I call “grandma sauce”… it’s hot, and delicious, and I put it in/on EVERYTHING.

There have been a million other new/interesting things I’ve had, but again, I’ll have to ask them about them tomorrow. For now, I need to watch Love Actually… because tis the season to watch it every single day until after Christmas.

xoxo AP